Official Career Storm

Chapter 1576 1576

After hanging up the phone, Song Guanchao said, "I need to accompany the Mayor to a dinner meeting tonight."

"Oh~"

Jiang Yiren drew out the sound, pouted a little, feeling disappointed.

But this dinner meeting was scheduled suddenly, and it was with the Mayor, so she couldn't say much, or else it would look unreasonable.

After work, Song Guanchao went home, changed his clothes, and drove to the building where Wu Qiangwei lived.

Before long, he saw Wu Qiangwei, also dressed in new clothes, come out of the apartment building.

Light blue jeans, loose and soft blue knit sweater, wearing white sneakers, emanating a youthful vibe.

As soon as she got in the car, Song Guanchao caught a faint fragrance.

As the car hit the road, Song Guanchao asked, "Who arranged the dinner tonight?"

"I did." Wu Qiangwei said, "A friend from my time in Wu'an City."

Song Guanchao's mind suddenly sharpened: "A guy?"

Wu Qiangwei glanced at him: "Yes."

"Does he like you?"

"Why do you ask?" Wu Qiangwei was a bit surprised.

"If it was a woman, you wouldn't need to bring me along. If he's just an ordinary friend, you wouldn't invite me either."

"Unless he has feelings for you and you don't want any entanglements, that's why you'd bring me along."

"Your logic is quite sound." Wu Qiangwei smiled with her eyes: "He's a PhD, the top of the top students, once a key technical personnel at a multinational company in Wu'an City, later moved into management."

"He's very capable, with many multinational companies offering him opportunities. He tendered his resignation early in the year and just recently completed the formalities."

"There's a state-owned enterprise in Jiangzhou lacking such talent, and during my last visit there, I talked about him with the chairman of that company and recommended him."

"He's quite renowned in the industry, and the chairman of the state-owned enterprise is aware of him and has contacted him, hoping he'll come over."

Song Guanchao understood: "He's coming to Jiangzhou on account of you?"

Wu Qiangwei did not deny: "He just said he'd consider it."

"So, tonight he's inviting you to dinner, is it a private meeting between friends or partly private, partly official?"

"The former."

"Tsk~" Song Guanchao suddenly laughed gleefully: "You brought me along to dissuade him from having any ideas about you?"

Wu Qiangwei chuckled: "I just don't want things to become awkward."

Song Guanchao laughed without speaking, knowing this woman wasn't being direct.

The rush hour traffic was bad, but luckily the restaurant wasn't far from where they lived, though it still took nearly half an hour to get there.

This was a high-end restaurant, Michelin-certified, getting a reservation wasn't easy.

Walking into the restaurant, Song Guanchao whispered, "Why not choose a restaurant with private rooms?"

"He's treating."

"Huh?" Song Guanchao asked, "Did you tell him you'd be bringing someone?"

"No, I didn't."

"Isn't this going to be really awkward?"

"I don't find it awkward."

Well, I find it awkward!

Song Guanchao couldn't believe it; in his mind, Wu Qiangwei wasn't usually this rash.

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of the corner of Wu Qiangwei's mouth curling upward from the side.

Song Guanchao's mouth twitched; he realized, she was doing this on purpose!

She wanted to see how he'd handle the situation?

At this moment, Wu Qiangwei's voice pulled him back to reality: "Wei Zhou, long time no see."

Only then did he realize they had arrived.

By the window, a man around thirty stood up from the chair.

He was about the same height as Song Guanchao, with neat features, brisk hairstyle, fair skin, surprisingly handsome.

"Qiangwei, you're here."

Wei Zhou didn't shake hands with her, something people not close would do.

Given his private connection with Wu Qiangwei, formalities weren't necessary.

He directed his gaze toward Song Guanchao, revealing confusion in his eyes.

"Song Guanchao." Song Guanchao extended his hand, his smile and demeanor impeccable.

"Wei Zhou." Wei Zhou couldn't quite figure out the relationship between him and Wu Qiangwei, feeling a bit discontent.

Tonight was a private gathering, catching up between friends.

But Wu Qiangwei brought someone along, a man.

And quite a masculine man at that.

Could he be part of the state-owned enterprise's management?

Wei Zhou sat down in contemplation, noting Wu Qiangwei sat on the same side as this man, which made him more uneasy.

He opened the menu, called over a server, and without consulting the two, ordered all the dishes.

This action indicated he was accustomed to holding authority.

After ordering, Wei Zhou looked at the woman who had captivated his thoughts, his tone and gaze gentler than ever: "Two years and you haven't changed a bit."

Wu Qiangwei replied, "You've changed quite a lot, I remember you used to often leave your beard untrimmed."

Wei Zhou said, "Back then, I was busy working, no time to groom. Plus, since we're having dinner today, I had to tidy up, otherwise, it'd be disrespectful to you."

He expressed his attention to today's dinner, hinting at a different attitude toward Wu Qiangwei, hoping she understood the subtext.

Song Guanchao thought to himself, this guy's so reserved; if you like someone, just say it. If it's meant to happen, it'll happen; if not, switch targets sooner rather than later.

This roundabout crush over the years carries too much silent cost if it ends in rejection.

But with his personality, he's destined not to win over Wu Qiangwei.

From Song Guanchao's understanding, Wu Qiangwei likes only two types, both extremely distinctive.

Either pretty boys, weak in love and life.

Because Wu Qiangwei herself is used to being a leader, strong-willed.

One strong, one weak, perfectly complementary.

Or someone even more dominant, who can overpower her.

Song Guanchao was neither a pretty boy nor exceedingly dominant.

He only showed dominance when necessary.

Wu Qiangwei liked him, and Song Guanchao believed she was attracted and subdued by his charm.

"Let me introduce." Wu Qiangwei began, "He was my secretary while I served as Deputy Secretary in Lingjiang, now he's the office director at Jiangzhou Municipal Government."

After she said this, Song Guanchao distinctly saw the radiance in this top student's eyes dim.

Nice, it seems he caught the underlying message in Wu Qiangwei's words.

A man who had served as her secretary since Lingjiang, followed her all the way to Jiangzhou.

Even brought him to a dinner like this.

He almost confirmed that Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao's relationship wasn't merely superior-subordinate.

If another woman did this, he'd think she was trying to provoke him.

But he knew Wu Qiangwei wouldn't engage in such childish antics.

Her bringing Song Guanchao here was to send him a message: Stop pursuing her, you don't stand a chance.

Wei Zhou maintained a composed smile, but his thoughts had already sunk.

Song Guanchao felt that bringing him tonight was Wu Qiangwei's mistake.

Even if you want to extinguish someone's pursuit, at least keep them around first.

He guessed Wei Zhou's consideration of Jiangzhou's state-owned enterprise's offer was nine-tenths because of her.

Now it's clear, the light in his eyes has vanished.

What is there left to consider?