Chapter 1847
Song Guanchao was originally planning to go directly to see Lin Wanqiu; fortunately, Liang Jiajia called early. Otherwise, if this call went out and plans changed last minute, Lin Wanqiu’s good temper would still have been tested.
As it approached noon, Song Guanchao first met up with Liang Jiajia, and together they went to the restaurant.
Wei De arrived early and ordered some food and drinks. Wei Li also arrived ahead of time.
When the two walked into the private room, Wei Li introduced them: "Brother, this is Liang Jiajia, and this is her boyfriend, Song Guanchao."
"Miss Liang and Director Song really make a perfect couple," Wei De stepped forward to shake hands, his smile visible on his face, and the compliment made Liang Jiajia feel at ease.
Sitting at the table, Wei De opened two bottles of white liquor, and Song Guanchao waved his hand, saying: "No drinking for me."
Wei De placed the two bottles of liquor in front of himself and his brother, saying: "If Director Song doesn’t drink, we will. This alcohol is part of the apology."
With that, he downed three glasses. Upon seeing this, Wei Li also quickly drank three glasses.
Wei De raised another glass, "My brother was impulsive in his actions, offending Miss Liang and Director Song. I’m here to offer my apologies to both of you."
Every time he drank a glass, Wei Li followed suit, remaining silent throughout.
Song Guanchao did not stop them. Since they wanted to make amends, they needed to drink properly.
If he stopped them from drinking, they might not feel at ease instead.
On the way, Song Guanchao had explained to Liang Jiajia that they were worried about getting entangled in issues with Leader Hong from the inspection team.
This meal was mainly to reassure them.
During the meal, Wei De indeed did not mention Jiang Wangshan or Chen Bolli, merely offering apologies. Liang Jiajia did not think much of it either.
Song Guanchao didn’t mind too much; with Wei De’s attitude today, at least Liang Jiajia wouldn’t encounter any issues during her training period.
Wei Li may not have many strengths, but he was reasonably clear-headed, knowing whom he couldn’t afford to offend and didn’t dare think about Liang Jiajia again.
And having him around, there was no need to worry about others pursuing her, making him a decent guard.
After the meal, Song Guanchao exchanged a few pleasantries and left with Liang Jiajia.
"Brother, Song Guanchao won’t be two-faced, right?" Wei Li was still a bit scared.
"A person like that wouldn’t bother with us," Wei De said, picking at his teeth. Seeing his brother’s nervous expression, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
Almost thirty, yet panicking over some incidents like this, with no composure at all.
He couldn’t expect much of a future from him; at best, vice division is probably his ceiling.
Thinking of Song Guanchao’s calm demeanor at the meal made Wei De reflect.
How can the gap be so large between people of the same age under thirty?
He was also curious about how Song Guanchao connected with those high-ranking officials in Beijing?
One’s in Jiangzhou, and the other in Beijing, with no opportunities to interact.
It’s inexplicable, truly inexplicable.
...
Song Guanchao was initially planning to leave in the morning, but with an additional lunch, it felt inappropriate to leave right after the meal.
So he directly returned to the rented apartment with Liang Jiajia, not even bothering to close the curtains, and immediately started kissing passionately after entering the room.
The kisses led them to the bed.
They were busy until almost two o’clock. During that time, his phone rang a few times, but he ignored it.
"I’m leaving." Song Guanchao put on his coat, gave her a playful pinch on her behind, and left casually.
Once outside, he took out his phone, noticing several messages from other women and a missed call.
It was Leader Hong who called.
The timing of this call made it worth pondering.
He figured Leader Hong probably heard about Liu Huarui being taken by the Disciplinary Committee for investigation.
He must have subtly inquired, learning roughly what happened, realizing he backed the wrong horse, and thus called him.
Song Guanchao let out a cold laugh and returned the call.
Indeed, Leader Hong had learned about Liu Huarui’s situation and had discreetly inquired a bit.
Although the information gathered had nothing to do with Song Guanchao, who else could it be but him?
Every day so many people report issues, but only a few are actually taken seriously.
It’s impossible for Lin Siyuan to have such good luck, that one report would attract attention and even the Mayor’s notice, right?
So it had to be Song Guanchao.
Leader Hong felt a deep regret, if only he knew that he knew Mayor Chen, he would have definitely helped more.
Now, he was busy assisting, using up favors, yet didn’t gain anything good in return.
He wanted to meet with Song Guanchao for a meal to express his apology.
Even if they couldn’t maintain their previous relationship, he didn’t want to offend him.
Unexpectedly, Song Guanchao didn’t answer.
As he sighed while smoking and wallowing in self-blame, suddenly things took a turn, and Song Guanchao actually called back.
He spat out the smoke from his mouth, grabbed the cup of tea to clear his throat, coughed a few times to open up his voice, and then picked up the call.
"Director Song."
"I was just busy and missed Leader Hong’s call, please excuse me."
The overly polite tone made Leader Hong secretly feel bitter.
Before this matter, Song Guanchao was respectful but nowhere near this distant.
What could have been a golden opportunity, he had let it slip away through his own doing.
"It’s fine, it’s fine," Leader Hong cheerfully asked, "Director Song, are you still in Beijing?"
"I’m planning to head back."
"Is there such a hurry? Why not stay a bit longer? How about some dinner tonight? Since you’re in Beijing for the New Year, let me have the opportunity to act as a host."
Song Guanchao pondered over it; he didn’t want such matters to occupy his time any further.
There are only a few days for the New Year, besides Liang Jiajia, there’s also Lin Wanqiu in Beijing.
Besides Lin Wanqiu, there’s Su Nanzhi.
Though his relationship with Su Nanzhi was merely a one-night stand, he hadn’t decided whether or not to meet again for a second encounter.
But time is invaluable, and spending it on such pointless socializing feels wasteful.
On the other hand, having more friends means having more opportunities.
As long as Leader Hong’s future remains smooth, a vice-ministerial position is assured.
Maintaining that connection could be beneficial in case he needs help.
"Then let’s postpone by half a day," Song Guanchao smilingly said.
Leader Hong exhaled a long breath, feeling much more at ease, "I’ll arrange the place."
"But let’s be clear, no drinks tonight. If there’s drinking, I’m not going," Song Guanchao replied in a lighter tone.
"Alright, no drinking, we’ll substitute with tea instead."
The call ended with laughter, and Song Guanchao’s tone made him feel much more relaxed.
No matter his intentions, at least their relationship had eased.
Song Guanchao then called Lin Wanqiu, who sounded slightly disgruntled, "Not busy anymore?"
"Do you have time this evening?" Song Guanchao avoided her question.
"Not sure yet," Lin Wanqiu was in a bit of a huff, deliberately withholding a straight answer.
Song Guanchao said, "There’s a dinner tonight, and I’d like to bring you along. I wonder if my sister would give me the honor?"
Hearing "sister", Lin Wanqiu blushed.
The first time Song Guanchao stood up for her, it was under the title of "little brother."
Hearing this nickname, unique to the two of them, Lin Wanqiu’s anger lessened considerably, as she playfully hummed and asked, "What kind of dinner?"
Like an old practitioner, Song Guanchao could discern her subtle mood change through the phone, quickly determining that her mood was lifting. He swiftly informed her about the dinner details.
Lin Wanqiu softly agreed, and Song Guanchao asked her to send him the address, saying he would personally drive to pick her up.
"Where’s your car?"
"A taxi," Song Guanchao shamelessly replied. "Ride to get you, then drive your car to the dinner. Afterward, back to your place, I’ll give sister a full-body SPA."
Blushing, Lin Wanqiu spat out, "Shameless!"
"Hehehe, since sister said so, I really can’t afford to be shameless tonight."
"I’m not talking to you anymore, hanging up!" Lin Wanqiu hung up, her face already red as a peach.
The two of them hadn’t spoken such intimately bold words in a normal context for a long time, and Lin Wanqiu, teased by him, felt her legs weakening slightly.