Seeing Dong Anyun about to shed tears, Zhao Qing softened and, taking Qi Yun's arm, said, "Why don't we let Miss Dong join us?"

Nuannuan, who had been quietly eating her ice cream, also looked up and said in her sweet little voice, "Daddy, Nuannuan doesn't like eating alone either."

Looking at Zhao Qing and his daughter's attitude, Qi Yun helplessly turned to Dong Anyun and finally relented, "Then Miss Dong, please have a seat."

"Thank you." Dong Anyun immediately smiled through her tears and pulled out a chair to sit down.

After smoothing the hem of her dress, she turned her gaze to Zhao Qing, "Where are you from, Miss Zhao? Your skin is so fair."

Zhao Qing was wiping Nuannuan's hands with a wet wipe, and hearing the compliment, looked up and smiled, "Miss Dong, you're too kind. I'm a local from Jiang Province."

"Oh? Jiang Province?" Dong Anyun raised her eyebrow with curiosity in her voice, "I thought Miss Zhao was from the south. It's dry here; I've only been here two days, and my skin is already not adapting well."

"Yes, it is quite dry here. Using more facial masks might help a bit." Zhao Qing threw the wet wipe into the bin and casually untied Nuannuan's bib.

Dong Anyun took a sip of water, then praised Nuannuan a few times before turning the conversation back to Zhao Qing.

"Miss Zhao, do you mind sharing your age? I really can't see any signs that you've had a baby at all."

Zhao Qing showed brief surprise on her face, then patted Nuannuan's head and responded openly, "I'm twenty-six this year."

Qi Yun, who had been silent on the side, suddenly sensed something was off.

Why is this woman so interested in Zhao Qing? She seems a bit too curious...

Or is it that when women chat with each other, this is what they always talk about?

...

In a residential area not far from the New District Branch, Zhou Hongchang, the team leader of the Shanshan County Bureau, was pacing back and forth in a pavilion with two boxes of tea in his hand.

The purpose of his visit was to meet Zhang Dayong and ask him to transfer him to Bird City.

Although he currently has a lot of power in the Shanshan County Bureau, from both a personal development perspective and the issue of long-term separation from his family, he hopes to come to Bird City. Even if he can't move up, he would accept a lateral transfer.

Of course, it would be even better if there was a promotion, as he is very eager to advance.

As he hesitated, the sky gradually darkened. He had finished a whole pack of cigarettes, but Zhang Dayong still hadn't returned.

After hesitating for a long while, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Zhang Dayong, informing him that he was waiting at the door.

Meanwhile, in the office of the New District Branch.

Zhang Dayong frowned, put down his phone, and leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh.

Even though he currently has strong control over the New District Branch, this control means that subordinates follow his orders absolutely. It doesn't mean he can move key positions at will.

He naturally knew why Zhou Hongchang suddenly came from the Shanshan County to Bird City to find him, and in fact, if he made an effort, he could fulfill Zhou's request.

Just like the last time with Ma Baoguo's matter.

But the problem is, he's currently at a crucial time, about to take over the head position at the New District Branch. Many eyes are on him, and he doesn't want to provide any leverage at such a time.

Even though Zhou Wenbin is no longer here, their faction is not the only dominant one; competition remains fierce.

"Pop."

The lighter flickered, and Zhang Dayong lit a cigarette, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke.

After a brief thought, he picked up his phone again and sent a message back to Zhou Hongchang, informing him that he had a meeting tonight and to come and see him at a later time.

In the pavilion, Zhou Hongchang looked at the reply on the screen, showed a bitter smile, and finally sighed, walking towards the exit of the residential area.

...

At 10:30 in the evening, Qi Yun and the others parted at the mall entrance.

"Miss Dong, I won't see you off then."

Dong Anyun nodded, "Alright, thank you, Mr. Qi, for the hospitality." As she spoke, she turned to Zhao Qing, "Miss Zhao, let's exchange contact information. If you come to Shanghai, we can go shopping together."

"Sure." Zhao Qing didn't think much of it, took out her phone from her bag, and exchanged contact information with her.

After adding each other as friends, Dong Anyun bent down and patted the little girl's head, "Nuannuan, goodbye."

"Goodbye, sister," the little girl said sweetly.

"Miss Zhao, Mr. Qi, I'll be off then." Dong Anyun waved to the three of them.

"Okay, bye-bye."

After she left, Qi Yun picked up his daughter and, holding Zhao Qing's hand, walked towards their parked car.

Once in the car, Qi Yun fastened his seatbelt. As he started the car, he said to Zhao Qing, "Xiao Qing, did you find Miss Dong a bit strange?"

"Hmm?" Zhao Qing fastened the little girl's seatbelt and asked doubtfully, "What was strange? Didn't she seem quite normal?"

"Oh, maybe I'm overthinking it." Qi Yun rubbed his nose, "Do women always get so curious about each other's private matters when they chat?"

"What else?" Zhao Qing leaned her hands on the seatback of the driver's seat, her face close to Qi Yun, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Qi Yun chuckled and shook his head, focusing on driving.

When they got home, it was almost midnight after they washed up.

Qi Yun went to the study and checked a few messages on his phone.

One was from Ah Jiao, reporting on the investigation progress.

Another was from two hours ago from Zhou Hongchang, asking when Qi Yun would be free to meet him.

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