Early the next morning.

Dirk Carter, as the mayor, held his first government leadership meeting since taking office.

Everyone introduced themselves and got an understanding of the division of labor among the vice mayors.

The atmosphere of the meeting was as lively and harmonious as yesterday.

After an hour, the meeting ended.

Just as Dirk Carter returned to his office, the office director, Deon Lewis, followed him in and placed three folders in front of Dirk Carter, saying, "Mayor Carter, your secretary hasn't been appointed yet. Here are three preliminary lists I've selected. Would you like to make a choice?"

What they called a secretary.

Was actually just the mayor's assistant.

By policy, township officials are not allowed to have secretaries.

So, in name, it's called an assistant, just a change in terminology.

Dirk Carter tapped the files with his fingers and said, "Director Li, you can handle such small matters. Whoever you think is suitable, arrange for them."

This response left Deon Lewis a bit flattered.

After all, a secretary is someone close to the leader.

Every leader values this position highly. Letting someone else choose indicates a high degree of trust.

"Don't worry, Leader, I will strictly vet them for you."

After saying this.

Dallon Lewis was about to take his leave.

Dirk Carter said, "Wait a moment."

"Leader, is there anything else?"

Dirk Carter asked, "Director Li, do you smoke?"

"Yes, I've had the habit for decades, can't quit." He scratched his head a bit embarrassingly.

Dirk Carter nodded, opened a drawer in his desk, took out a black plastic bag, and said, "Before I came, a few friends gave me some cigarettes. Although I smoke occasionally, I don't have much of a habit, so keeping them would be a waste. If Director Li doesn't mind, take them with you."

"Mayor Carter, how could I accept this, it should be me offering to you."

"What's there to offer or not, henceforth, in Sunglow Town, I hope Director Li will guide me more. If you're polite with me, then I'll be polite with you in the future."

Dirk Carter's words were very pleasing.

Deon Lewis felt embarrassed instead.

Upon opening the plastic bag, he found four packs of cigarettes inside, and they were all premium brand.

"Leader, this..."

Seeing that Deon Lewis was about to be courteous.

Dirk Carter rolled his eyes and said, "Alright, alright, no more fuss, come, sit down and chat with me."

Deon Lewis hurriedly filled Dirk Carter's cup with water from the water dispenser, asking, "Leader, what would you like to know? Deon Lewis will speak without reservation."

He was also a smart person, understanding what a chat meant.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "Director Li, as I just arrived at Sunglow Town, I haven't yet familiarized myself with everyone, especially the leaders. Can you introduce them to me?"

Deon Lewis pondered for a moment and asked, "Who are you interested in knowing about, Leader?"

"Let's start with our Secretary Sutton."

"Secretary Sutton is 45 years old, transferred from the position of mayor of Glenwood Township about three or four years ago. Generally, he's quite low-key in his dealings, always smiling at everyone, a very approachable person."

As Deon Lewis said these words.

Dirk Carter recalled the scene of Mason Sutton welcoming him yesterday.

The feeling he gave was indeed like that.

"What about Chairman Locke of the People's Congress?"

Dirk Carter continued asking.

Upon mentioning this person, Deon Lewis frowned a bit.

He said, "Leader, Chairman Locke should be thirty-eight or thirty-nine this year, as a long-standing leader of Sunglow Town. He was promoted step by step during Tristan Reid's tenure. How should I put it, he has a peculiar temperament."

Deon Lewis was cautious not to say too much.

But just the words "peculiar temperament" gave Dirk Carter a general understanding.

The most important information wasn't that, but a hint to Dirk Carter that Edward Locke was previously Tristan Reid's person.

As the third-in-command of Sunglow Town.

It was logical for Edward Locke to succeed him as mayor after Tristan Reid's retirement.

Dirk Carter's sudden appearance blocked his path, so it was normal for Edward Locke to feel some resentment towards him.

"What about Deputy Secretary Cong?"

Dirk Carter continued asking.

If the first two people were just the prelude, Deputy Secretary Cong was the focus of Dirk Carter's inquiry.

Upon hearing the name Cong, a mysterious smile appeared on Deon Lewis' face.

He asked, "Leader, hasn't Deputy Secretary Cong approached you in private?"

Dirk Carter was taken aback.

He asked, "How did you know?"

Deon Lewis smiled slightly, saying, "I arranged for your accommodation, Leader. Yesterday afternoon, she took your dormitory key, claiming she wanted to personally guide you, so I knew."

Dirk Carter sensed something amiss.

He asked, "Does this mean it's not the first time something like this has happened?"

Deon Lewis responded, "You could say, Deputy Secretary Cong is very beautiful, often referred to as the 'flower' of Sunglow Town. Since she's a flower, and a blossoming one at that, bees and butterflies are naturally drawn to her."

Bees and butterflies?

Dirk Carter smiled knowingly.

He already got the idea.

The two talked happily.

Just then, Deon Lewis' phone suddenly rang.

Deon Lewis took out his phone and said, a bit embarrassedly, "Leader, let me take this call."

Dirk Carter nodded.

Deon Lewis picked up the phone and asked, "What is it?"

Dirk Carter couldn't hear what was said on the other end, but Deon Lewis suddenly stood up, asking, "When?"

Afterward.

Deon Lewis hung up the phone and said, "Leader, Executive Xu has come for an inspection, and the car has already entered the town area."

The personal arrival of the Executive Deputy County Mayor was no small matter.

Moreover, it was the newly appointed Executive Deputy County Mayor.

Given Sunglow Town's remote location and poor road conditions, county leaders seldom come here for inspections. The former Executive Deputy County Mayor, Sherman Summers, never even came once.

Upon hearing this news, the entire town government courtyard was in chaos.

By the time Dirk Carter and Deon Lewis hurriedly ran out.

The town party leadership was already respectfully lined up in the courtyard.

Although it was already deep autumn.

For some reason, today's temperature soared.

It wasn't even noon, and the temperature shot up to 32 degrees Celsius.

Everyone in suits waited for less than five minutes before sweat started appearing on their foreheads.

Dirk Carter was feeling quite uncomfortable from the heat.

He stepped out of the line.

Sitting down under the first-floor corridor.

Seeing this.

Edward Locke turned and said, "Comrade Carter, don't you have a sense of organizational discipline, not even the basic respect?"

"What do you mean?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Edward Locke looked at him with disappointment.

Saying, "You have the nerve to ask what I mean? Executive Xu is about to arrive, look at yourself now!"

"What about me? It's so hot, she's in the car with air conditioning, and we're out here in the sun, you should ask her what she means instead. You all don't need to stand foolishly, come over here in the shade, or you'll get a heatstroke later."

"You, Dirk Carter, just wait, I'll definitely report this to Executive Xu honestly."

Feeling as if he had a hold on Dirk Carter, Edward Locke said arrogantly.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing, Executive Xu will be here soon. If she sees you arguing, she'll think our leadership team is not united."

Mason Sutton, witnessing this, immediately tried to mediate with a chuckle.

Unexpectedly, just after saying those words.

Cong sneered and said, "Secretary Sutton, I think Chairman Locke is right, Mayor Carter is young and impetuous, not only disregarding Executive Xu but ignoring all of us too. When Executive Xu arrives and sees how undisciplined and unorganized we are, it's Sunglow Town that'll be humiliated."

Those words were clearly meant to be sarcastic.

It appears her previous attempt of throwing herself at him was unsuccessful and she lost face. Now, Cong was bearing a grudge.

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