Chapter 1848
It was almost nine o’clock when the dinner meeting ended, and the three of them bantered as they left the restaurant. Standing at the entrance, they chatted for a while longer. Leader Hong watched the two of them get into their cars and leave, exhaling gently with a relaxed expression.
Although things hadn’t gone smoothly before, Song Guanchao didn’t hold it against him.
However, Leader Hong knew that Song Guanchao simply chose not to mind, and the two wouldn’t have much interaction in the future.
Missing an opportunity, Leader Hong felt a deep regret in his heart.
There was no alcohol during the dinner meeting that evening. Song Guanchao maintained his best state and drove to Lin Wanqiu’s own house. Once inside, without even turning on the lights, he embraced her from behind.
"Stop it," Lin Wanqiu playfully scolded, her body already limp.
Song Guanchao gently bit her earlobe, and she let out a small whimper, turning into a pool of water.
This pool of water quickly became boiling hot under Song Guanchao’s exploration.
The two fell onto the sofa in a passionate embrace, their intertwined bodies forming a silhouette under the moonlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
...
The fifth day of the lunar month.
Zhou Zheng drove early to an understated villa area in Jiangzhou City.
The villa area was covered by lush banyan trees, a pure villa zone without any mid-rise buildings, providing a wide view.
The entrance to the community was not spacious, but the security was very tight.
The security kiosk housed young, vigorous guards with clean, neat uniforms and meticulously groomed hair. Anyone under 180 cm didn’t qualify as a guard here.
Entering or exiting the community required contact with the villa owner, with standards among the best in Jiangzhou.
Rumor had it that the prominent businessmen in Jiangzhou all had properties here, with the best locations reserved for provincial leaders.
But these were just rumors, unverifiable by ordinary people, and those in the know wouldn’t casually talk about it.
Zhou Zheng drove an inconspicuous domestic sedan, whose car and license plate wouldn’t attract a second glance on the street. Still, the security didn’t underestimate him, politely stepping out of the kiosk to salute and asking, "Hello, may I know who you’re visiting?"
Zhou Zheng smiled and said, "My surname is Zhou, and I’m here to visit the owner of villa 28."
"Please wait a moment." The guard returned to the kiosk and picked up the landline to call villa 28.
The phone was answered by the villa’s housekeeper, who, upon hearing the guard’s words, said, "Please let Mr. Zhou in."
The guard returned and pressed down the barrier. "Mr. Zhou, please proceed."
Not until the car drove into the villa and turned at the end of the wide asphalt road flanked by banyan trees, the guard turned back to the kiosk.
Another guard asked, "Who was that?"
"Didn’t you see?"
"I didn’t pay attention."
"It’s Jiangzhou City Secretary Zhou." The guard recognized Zhou Zheng on sight.
As guards of this community, their knowledge far surpassed that of service personnel in ordinary communities.
Knowing the political figures and businessmen of Jiangzhou is an essential part of their job.
But recognizing them was one thing; it was important not to show it and treat these prominent figures like ordinary people.
Especially politicians, who preferred to keep a low profile and didn’t like being recognized.
"Wow, even the City Secretary has property here? I don’t recall."
"He’s here to pay New Year’s visits."
"A Secretary had to pay a New Year’s visit? Which villa owner?"
"Villa 28."
"Secretary Tian?"
"Yes."
"Tsk tsk."
...
Zhou Zheng looked at the villa occupying at least two thousand square meters in front of him... this could be considered a small estate.
He felt an indescribable envy.
As the top official of Jiangzhou City, if he wished, he could attain such treatment.
But without connections above, making money felt like dancing with shackles, never knowing when he’d be reported.
The massive copper gates of the estate slowly opened, and he drove into the ground parking lot.
The parking lot contained only an ordinary Volkswagen sedan. Zhou Zheng wondered who else might have come to pay Secretary Tian a New Year’s visit.
It seemed he was the only one.
Of course, it could also be that Secretary Tian rescheduled others once he learned of Zhou Zheng’s visit.
Upon getting out of the car, a kind-faced woman approached him: "Secretary Zhou, please come inside."
Zhou Zheng gave her a gentle smile, carrying gifts of cigarettes, alcohol, and tea for the New Year, and followed her through the main entrance.
The villa’s first floor featured floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, with a water-cut marble foyer underfoot, topped with a nearly four-meter-high crystal chandelier.
Passing through the foyer, the view opened up, revealing a 200-square-meter dining and living area covered with a soft emerald cork floor. The absence of a main light fixture gave the living room a modern feel.
The living room boasted three sets of pure white sofas in the center, with a piano to one side, adorned with a Steinway logo, indicating a hefty price tag.
Zhou Zheng, having seen grand venues before, felt unfazed by the villa’s luxurious decor.
The woman led him to sit down and offered a cup of tea: "The boss is on a call. Have some tea, Secretary Zhou."
In the spacious living room, he was alone.
He hadn’t seen Secretary Tian, nor his family, making the place seem somewhat quiet and empty.
Thanking the woman, Zhou Zheng sipped tea and looked out through the floor-to-ceiling windows toward the garden’s scenery, inadvertently pondering—what’s the ultimate purpose of being an official?
His thoughts hadn’t strayed long before he heard footsteps coming down from upstairs.
Wearing a white, elegant tunic, Tian Kai Ming descended the spiral white marble staircase.
Zhou Zheng promptly set down his teacup and stepped forward, walking at a measured pace. As Secretary Tian descended the last steps and walked forward a few more, Zhou Zheng arrived just in time, grasping the moment perfectly.
He bowed slightly and extended both hands: "Secretary Tian, Happy New Year."
Tian Kai Ming extended his right hand for a handshake, smiling: "Happy New Year."
Zhou Zheng released his hand, paused for a couple of seconds, and then fell half a step behind as Tian Kai Ming passed by him, following suit.
A person who has spent a few years navigating the political scene might not learn much else, but knowing how to treat superiors is crucial.
Failing to master this means any advancement is out of reach.
"Secretary Zhou, please sit." Tian Kai Ming seated himself and took the tea from the woman, inviting him warmly.
Zhou Zheng took the sofa to his left, a seat chosen carefully.
As Tian Kai Ming would use his right hand to hold his tea and place it on his right side, the left was his widest vista.
This spot allowed him to look in Zhou Zheng’s direction easily.
"I thought since it’s the fifth day already, Secretary Tian might not be too busy, so I came to offer a New Year’s greeting." Zhou Zheng’s posture was slightly stiff.
Tian Kai Ming glanced at the gifts he brought, smiling: "We leaders remain tense during holidays. Perhaps we’ll only fully relax once retired."
Zhou Zheng nodded in profound agreement, slipping in a compliment: "Then Secretary Tian might have to wait decades to relax. You’re in your prime, needed most by the organization. Nanjiang Province needs to advance with your guidance!"
For most, complimenting is an acquired skill, where words must be graceful yet not overly blunt; there’s an art to saying less explicitly, uniquely Chinese.
But for Zhou Zheng, flattery was straightforward; given his position as a Provincial City Secretary, any compliment from him, no matter how crude, was highly appreciated.
Indeed, Tian Kai Ming’s smile grew visibly richer.
Both seasoned political players, neither allowed for awkward silences.
After chatting for over ten minutes, sipping two or three cups of tea, Zhou Zheng was implicitly conveying his allegiance, hoping for his mentorship.
𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
To Zhou Zheng’s demeanor, Tian Kai Ming merely asked, "Secretary Zhou, you haven’t entered the Standing Committee, have you?"