Official Career Storm

Chapter 1539 1539

After the meeting, Song Guanchao went upstairs again to report to Wu Qiangwei.

Listening to Song Guanchao's handling of the situation, Wu Qiangwei felt a slight sense of relief.

"Well done."

When she learned that Song Guanchao was going to deal with Zhang Yan, she got a bit worried, especially if Song Guanchao removed Yang Jian as well, the impact would be too significant.

Fortunately, he also considered this point and changed his approach in time.

Ensuring both the students and the parents were satisfied, he made the best decision possible.

"I'll head over first then."

Song Guanchao stood up, and Wu Qiangwei suddenly said, "Reserve a private room."

Song Guanchao asked, "Who's the Mayor inviting to dinner?"

"Governor Lu," Wu Qiangwei replied, "He's helped you so much this time; you need to thank him."

"…" Song Guanchao moved his lips: "Yes, I should. If the Mayor didn't remind me, I would have missed it."

"I knew you would overlook it."

Wu Qiangwei's tone carried a hint of teasing, and she added, "Governor Lu helped you, don't take it for granted. Relationships need to be reciprocal to last. Besides, he's a Governor, and you're just a Director."

"Understood, the Mayor's advice is right. I'll go reserve a place and send it to you later."

Song Guanchao asked, "Should I go invite Governor Lu myself?"

"I'll handle the invitation."

Wu Qiangwei thought to herself, how can a director invite him?

If anyone's going to invite him, it should be a leader like her.

Otherwise, people might say she doesn't know how to conduct herself.

...

Zhang Yan left Fan Jie's home and immediately started transferring assets.

She sensed a dangerous atmosphere.

Although she had some countermeasures, she needed to prepare for the worst.

She wanted to avoid sitting idle when the worst situation arose.

Her assets were mainly cash, gold, and real estate.

Real estate couldn't be liquidated quickly, and she didn't dare move it fast either.

If the movement was too large and got discovered, Wu Qiangwei might immediately take action against her.

She handled her possessions roughly and dialed Zhou Zheng's number.

"Secretary Zhou, are you available tonight?"

"Tonight?"

Zhou Zheng felt a bit strange, why is she inviting me for dinner?

Their relationship was fairly cordial, and back when he was the Mayor, Zhang Yan cooperated well across various tasks.

Moreover, for a time Zhou Zheng had expressed interest towards her, but Zhang Yan rejected him.

"I have something to discuss with Secretary Zhou."

"I've prepared dinner at home; Secretary Zhou, don't be late."

Zhang Yan's tone was gentle with a touch of playfulness, stirring Zhou Zheng's heart quietly.

"Alright, I'll come over once I'm done."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Zhang Yan let out a soft laugh and hung up the phone.

Holding the phone, Zhou Zheng wondered if he imagined it, as Zhang Yan's last words, "I'll be waiting for you," seemed full of implications.

At five-thirty in the evening, Zhou Zheng finished his work early and left the building promptly.

"I'll drive myself; you can head back."

He waved the driver off, standing by the roadside to hail a cab home.

Once home, he showered, changed clothes, and even tidied up his hairstyle a bit.

At six-thirty, he arrived at Zhang Yan's home.

"You're here."

Zhang Yan opened the door, sounding casually natural, as if welcoming a longtime friend.

Zhou Zheng placed the small gift he brought onto the entryway cabinet and changed into slippers, his eyes following her mature and voluptuous figure.

She had changed out of her usual work suit into a soft pink home outfit—relaxed, mature.

Underneath the thin home pants was a round and juicy, full backside that sparked imagination.

"Have a seat; there's one more soup."

Zhang Yan walked into the kitchen, soon bringing out the last bowl of soup.

This was the first time Zhou Zheng was at her home.

There weren't many traces of daily life in the house, as he noticed when changing shoes, the shoe cabinet was filled only with women's shoes.

It seemed she and her husband lived separately for a long time.

"Why the sudden dinner invite?" Zhou Zheng didn't forget to ask.

Though he always regretted not being able to have Zhang Yan, wanting her.

If she had tasks he couldn't handle, he'd just have to continue regretting.

Zhang Yan gave a bitter smile and said, "I want to change jobs."

Zhou Zheng was somewhat surprised, "Where to?"

"Anywhere," Zhang Yan sighed, "Leaving the city government, or perhaps early retirement."

Zhou Zheng chewed on a rib; after pondering he said, "You're still young, opting for internal retirement now, it wouldn't pass the inspection with the organization department."

After a pause, he asked, "Is it because of Mayor Wu?"

Zhang Yan nodded with a bitter smile, "You know our conflict. If I stay at the city government, she'll sooner or later target me. Instead of waiting for that, I'd rather find an escape route early."

Her decision made sense, and Zhou Zheng felt a bit reassured as it wasn't too big of a deal.

"Have you decided where to go?"

"Anywhere," Zhang Yan said, "Preferably to another city."

Zhou Zheng offered, "I'll inquire on your behalf tomorrow."

"You need to be prepared though; if you move elsewhere, it'll likely be to a less economically developed area. Also, not necessarily a lateral transfer."

Zhang Yan indifferently said, "Leaving is enough for me."

She put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth: "You take your time eating, I'll go wash up."

She stood her mature body upright and brushed past him, her full chest brushing against his back.

Zhou Zheng even clearly felt her protruding nipples.

She wasn't wearing a bra?

Zhou Zheng's heart started racing.

He gazed at the bathroom, hearing the rush of water inside.

Feeling somewhat anxious, he was restless, unable to sit still.

Suddenly, he grabbed a teacup to rinse his mouth.

Finishing his preparations by ensuring oral freshness.

"Secretary Zhou." Zhang Yan suddenly opened the door a crack: "Could you come over?"

Zhou Zheng found himself unusually nervous, moving stiffly over to her.

Through the crack, he saw Zhang Yan's slender, fair clavicle.

Zhang Yan, at 41 years old, thanks to ample time and money spent on maintenance, her skin hadn't sagged like most women her age, staying taut.

She worked out diligently, so her figure under clothing resembled that of a thirty-year-old woman.

Only the crow's feet and eyes filled with stories signal that she was indeed forty.

For men like Zhou Zheng, women like Zhang Yan were most alluring.

"What's up?" He tried to stay calm.

Zhang Yan shyly said, "Can you help me with the soap?"

No longer a suggestion, but a clear intent.

From the moment he took the call, Zhou Zheng had mentally prepared himself; now he had no hesitation: "Sure."

He pushed open the door and walked in, only to see Zhang Yan wrapped in a bath towel.

He felt somewhat disappointed.

Click.

Zhang Yan closed the door behind them, standing in front of him with a gentle smile.

Then, suddenly reached out to unbutton his shirt.

Watching her action, Zhou Zheng's disappointment vanished, as he pulled her hand towards him, drawing her into his embrace, kissing her lips.