She mentioned this once before.

Song Guanchao felt at the time that she wanted to trap him.

Bringing it up now, Song Guanchao was certain she didn't want to trap him, but intended to use him.

He couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable internally.

He was never one to be indecisive; cutting ties decisively was his style.

With Qu Xiangru, it was just a night of passion.

But it was that night of passion that made Qu Xiangru forcefully enter his heart.

He could continue to maintain his previous status quo with her, but couldn't accept her using him.

And using him in such an open and blatant manner.

Although he knew, Qu Xiangru had always been like this.

"I don't have the habit of relying on women to climb the ranks."

"What I want, I will fight for myself."

Even Song Guanchao himself didn't realize there was a hint of resentment in his tone.

"Fight for yourself?"

"How old are you this year?"

"26 years old?"

"You started as a secretary, you need to go to the county first."

"Wu Qiangwei is only a Deputy Secretary, her secretary in principle cannot be the county leader, no matter how influential she is, you have to start as Deputy County Magistrate."

"Let's say you get promoted once every six months, to Deputy County Magistrate, then to special Deputy County Party Secretary, and then County Magistrate."

"Even if everything goes smoothly, it'll take you at least two and a half years to become County Party Secretary."

"By that time you'll be 29 years old."

"As County Party Secretary, if you do well, you can directly become Mayor. But in the economically advanced cities of Nanjiang Province, it's difficult for you to get in, officials operate by factions, the Wu Family will only nurture one Wu Qiangwei, they won't support someone with a different surname."

"If you want to be Mayor, you can only go to places like Tongzhou, which is a poor and deserted place where no one wants to go. Going there, your career will likely reach its peak."

"The officialdom won't change according to personal will, you're young, have spirit, and refuse to bow your head. You take this youthful spirit as your life principle, believing people can conquer destiny, that there are no obstacles you can't overcome."

"In reality, with no one in power circles, your achievements are destined to be limited."

"If you are willing to marry Jiang Yiren, with the Jiang Family's influence, a Provincial Committee Member spot would be standard."

"With Jiang Family's support and help, you will have the opportunity to showcase your abilities."

Qu Xiangru's tone remained calm, speaking steadily, analyzing the pros and cons for him.

But the more detailed she spoke, the stronger the displeasure brewing in Song Guanchao's heart.

"Governor Qu should focus on herself."

"You are a member outside the Jiang Family, constantly helping your people in Lingjiang, it seems the Jiang Family is not planning to continue supporting you."

"In comparison, I might start lower, but I have more choices than you."

Qu Xiangru's brows furrowed slightly, her tone changed a bit: "You don't need to worry."

Song Guanchao glanced at her, this woman, her emotions seem to be fluctuating a lot?

Did I say something wrong?

It seems, indeed, that what I just said shouldn't have been said.

Her parents divorced early, and her childhood wasn't complete.

Although she hasn't explained in detail, Song Guanchao could guess.

Her achievements today are evidently due to her own excellence.

No matter if her last name is Jiang or Qu, it doesn't change the fact that Jiang Family blood flows through her veins.

Because of her excellence, the Jiang Family noticed her and provided some help within the system.

She could sit in the position of Executive Deputy Governor at such a young age, which is ironclad proof.

What Song Guanchao couldn't understand was, logically she already sits as Executive Deputy Governor, the Jiang Family should be providing all-out support to continue helping her.

But why is she going the extra mile to place her people in Lingjiang with Dujiang?

This kind of action feels as if her position isn't stable, like she might be replaced at any time, making deployments as a precautionary measure.

Song Guanchao really couldn't understand.

"Cough." Song Guanchao coughed lightly and asked: "Governor Qu never considered seeking a marriage alliance with a family with strong background?"

Qu Xiangru looked at him and seriously replied: "I am considering, perhaps I'll marry in the near future."

Song Guanchao just asked casually, not expecting such an answer.

For a moment, he didn't know exactly how he felt.

After having dinner, Qu Xiangru left directly.

Song Guanchao originally intended to share a car with her, but seeing her attitude, he didn't insist.

He hailed a cab, giving Lu Feng a call along the way to remind him.

At 6:20 in the evening, he finished the check-in and boarded the plane.

When he reached the business cabin and found his seat, he was stunned.

Qu Xiangru turned her head and glanced, seeing Song Guanchao, she was equally stunned.

Such a coincidence?

Qu Xiangru didn't believe in fate.

But sitting next to each other on the same flight twice in a row made her feel as if there really was some unspeakable connection with Song Guanchao.

"Quite a coincidence." Song Guanchao sat down, Qu Xiangru put on her eye mask and earphones.

This unexpectedly made things easier for Song Guanchao.

He propped up one hand on the small table, turning to admire her stunning beauty.

The plane took off, and it would be a flight of over three hours.

Qu Xiangru seemed to have fallen asleep, Song Guanchao took up a thin blanket to cover her.

Her head slightly wobbled, leaning to one side.

Song Guanchao extended his arm as a pillow, holding her shoulder, pulling her towards his embrace.

Qu Xiangru wasn't asleep, she felt it when Song Guanchao placed the blanket over her, and her once sealed-off heart stirred.

When Song Guanchao extended his arm, tenderly embracing her, she felt a ripple of emotion.

The faint sense of security, along with the tobacco scent on Song Guanchao, made her slightly enamored.

She intended to sit up and remove his hand, but she resisted.

Internally, she couldn't help but feel amused: he only dared to make these small moves when he thought she was unaware.

Amused yet, there was a joyous feeling of being secretly liked.

As she was lost in thought, Song Guanchao suddenly whispered through the earphones: "You are my woman, don't think you'll escape my grasp in this lifetime!"

"Whoever dares to ally with you in marriage, I'll ruin them!"

Qu Xiangru's heart quivered, her lips instinctively curling slightly.

No matter how well she hid her inner emotions, at this moment, she couldn't control the surge of happiness.

In childhood, she was lonely, and even more so as an adult.

She never felt the warmth of family.

But at this moment, she found warmth from Song Guanchao's concerns, affections, and considerations.

Although his care was a bit unrefined, to Qu Xiangru, these crude words surpassed the most passionate words of love.

When the plane landed, Song Guanchao finally withdrew his numb arm.

Upon leaving the airport, it was already 11 o'clock at night.

The two stood at the airport exit, Song Guanchao said: "Governor Qu, let's share a cab, save some fare."

Qu Xiangru was too lazy to reveal his minor intention, and gave a simple "hmm" as agreement.

Forty minutes later, the taxi stopped at the guesthouse, Governor Qu got out and left.

Song Guanchao called out: "Governor Qu, pay the fare."

Qu Xiangru looked back, her face full of confusion.

Song Guanchao said awkwardly: "My phone is dead."

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Qu Xiangru calmly paid an additional hundred: "I covered your fare too."

"Cough, cough, thank you."

Song Guanchao watched her enter the guesthouse before calling the driver to go home.

Returning home, he glanced at the empty room, evidently Liang Jiajia was on a business trip again.

Song Guanchao charged his phone and picked up clothes to take a shower.

After showering, he returned to his phone booted up.

He saw a few missed calls and unread messages.

All were from Lu Zhizhong.

The message had only four words: Call back when seen.

A bad premonition surged in his heart, he immediately returned the call.

The call rang only once before it was answered; Secretary Lu had obviously been waiting for the call.

Upon connection, Secretary Lu said in a grave tone: "Tongzhou City is out of control!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.