Chapter 1821
Zhang Yan did indeed have a date tonight, and the person she was meeting was Sun Jiajun.
Both of their identities were somewhat sensitive, and Sun Jiajun didn’t want outsiders to see him getting too close to Zhang Yan, so he ordered food to be delivered to his home.
He opened a bottle of red wine and poured it for them to drink together.
As he talked about some recent events in the city, Zhang Yan listened for a while and roughly guessed his purpose for seeking her out.
However, since he didn’t bring it up directly, Zhang Yan didn’t bother to ask.
When you need something from someone, you must have the right attitude.
Sun Jiajun talked in circles for a long time, and after drinking half a bottle of wine, he felt it was about time to say, "I visited Director Zhang last time, but she wouldn’t see me."
So that’s what it was all about.
Zhang Yan said, "Director Zhang is quite busy. You should make a call to arrange a meeting before you go."
Sun Jiajun smiled bitterly, "I called, but she was always busy."
Zhang Yan asked, "Do you want me to help you make a connection?"
That was obviously his purpose in finding her.
"I’ll give it a try." Zhang Yan didn’t make any definitive promises.
Under normal circumstances, with Sun Jiajun’s identity, it’s impossible for provincial leaders to turn him away.
But Zhang Yan felt that being rejected was normal too.
The core of interpersonal interactions is the exchange of benefits.
As the Provincial Development and Reform Commission Director, Zhang Jie held a high position and significant power. There was a great possibility that she could serve as the next Governor or even the Provincial Committee Secretary.
The people trying to curry favor with her were countless.
On the surface, Sun Jiajun was the Deputy Mayor, but in reality, he was just an empty vessel, outwardly glamorous but hollow inside.
Originally, he had the Lin family backing him, but in the pollution case in the park, Lin He lost influence in the Lin family.
Instead, Song Guanchao had some interactions with the Lin family.
His position as Vice Mayor, his only backing, was gone.
To put it bluntly, Sun Jiajun now had no value, and it was only expected that Zhang Jie wouldn’t look up to him.
But Zhang Yan couldn’t say such things outright.
It’s like hitting a random shot; what if it works?
Besides, for Zhang Jie, it’s just a meeting to maintain a relationship, a casual favor that might become useful someday.
After dinner, Sun Jiajun leaned in, wanting to do something, but Zhang Yan stood up and took her bag, saying, "I need to meet someone later."
Sun Jiajun was slightly stunned, emotions inexplicably stirring, feeling that Zhang Yan was deliberately distancing herself from him.
He also knew his situation, having lost the Lin family and unable to contend with Wu Qiangwei. Without any surprise, he would be replaced within two years.
Yet Zhang Yan’s explicit refusal hurt his pride, making him feel quite wounded.
Zhang Yan noticed the change in his expression, but she didn’t explain.
If one couldn’t control even this bit of emotion, it would be too disappointing.
Zhou Zheng also invited her over to his home. Upon entering, Zhou Zheng smelled the scent of alcohol: "Have you been drinking?"
Zhang Yan put down her bag and sat on the sofa: "What’s the matter?"
Zhou Zheng considerately made her a cup of honey water and sat beside her: "How is your relationship with Secretary Tian?"
"We haven’t been in touch for a long time." Zhang Yan asked, "You haven’t visited him yet?"
After returning from abroad and handling her retirement procedures, she had suggested he meet Secretary Tian, but he clearly didn’t take it to heart.
Now, seeking her out and bringing up this matter indicated that his situation was quite dire.
"There’s been so much going on, I haven’t found the time."
Zhou Zheng casually explained, picking up a cigarette from the coffee table and smoking: "Do you think it’s a good idea to visit Secretary Tian for the New Year?"
Zhang Yan said, "The New Year is not a good time. Many people visit Secretary Tian for the New Year. What if someone sees you and it gets to Secretary Gao’s ears?"
Zhou Zheng smoked silently without responding.
Visiting for the New Year had both pros and cons.
The advantage is that through a New Year’s visit, Secretary Tian could clearly understand his intentions.
The disadvantage is exactly what Zhang Yan mentioned.
As the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Secretary Tian had countless people visiting him for the New Year. If someone noticed, it would easily reach Secretary Gao’s ears.
The bad relationship between Secretary Gao and Secretary Tian was well-known and publicly acknowledged.
By choosing Secretary Tian, he would be standing against Secretary Gao automatically.
"So what if they know," Zhou Zheng tapped the ash from his cigarette, smiling self-deprecatingly.
𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Although he was brought up by Secretary Gao, he was acutely aware that he was only holding the City Secretary position temporarily for Wu Qiangwei.
Since Secretary Gao could not assist him, why couldn’t he seek his own path?
He wasn’t willing to cling to the City Secretary position until retirement.
"Since you’ve decided, why ask me?"
"Wanted to hear your opinion." Zhou Zheng asked, "Does Secretary Tian have hope to go further?"
Zhang Yan chuckled, "Do you think I would know?"
"Right." Zhou Zheng shook his head, extinguished his cigarette, and went to the balcony, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought.
Visiting Secretary Tian for the New Year would be the most important choice of his life.
He was betting on Secretary Tian becoming the next head of Nanjiang Province.
If he won the bet, he would have the opportunity to advance further and join the province to assist Secretary Tian.
Even if he lost, it wouldn’t be worse than his current situation.
...
Time passed day by day.
With five days left until the New Year, all departments of the City Committee and Municipal Government began to work overtime.
It was the first time Song Guanchao realized how busy being the Director of the City Government Office could be.
Departments kept sending files and making calls, sometimes so busy he even forgot to eat.
Wu Yun came several times and, seeing how overwhelmed he was, felt embarrassed to bring up that matter.
Jiang Yiren also came several times. As the New Year approached, her father wanted to invite Song Guanchao for dinner, but even after several visits, she found no opportunity to speak with him.
After trying hard to catch him at the end of the day, she was, as expected, refused.
It was after one in the afternoon when Song Guanchao finally entered the cafeteria.
He had barely taken two bites when Liang Jianfeng called.
"Mayor Liang, what’s the matter?"
"When you have time, give Jiajia a call."
Song Guanchao was taken aback and smacked his forehead.
He was so busy he had forgotten.
"I’ll call her right now."
"No rush, just whenever you have time."
Although he said there was no rush, the fact that he took the trouble to call meant it was important.
Song Guanchao took a couple more mouthfuls of rice and then called Liang Jiajia, but there was no answer.
He placed his phone at the side so that he would see if she called back.
He gobbled down his food, but Liang Jiajia still hadn’t returned his call.
It wasn’t until he returned to the office that Liang Jiajia called back.
"What’s up?" Liang Jiajia’s voice sounded a bit weary.
"When are you coming back?"
"I can’t return."
"What do you mean? Not coming back for the New Year?"
"Yes." Liang Jiajia complained a bit, "There’s a shortage of police force in Beijing. We were notified last minute, and now we’re being seconded."
Song Guanchao was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I have a few friends in Beijing, let me help you get a leave."
"Better not, everyone else got seconded, and if I don’t join, I’d be offending people."
"So can you come back after the New Year?"
"The secondment lasts until the Little New Year, then there’s more training."
Complaining a bit more, Liang Jiajia said, "Had I known it would be this troublesome, I wouldn’t have come. Every day is either class or class, it’s so dull."
Song Guanchao chuckled, "Hang in there, it’s only a few more months."
Liang Jiajia, "When do you guys get off?"
"After the New Year’s Eve rush."
"Oh~" Liang Jiajia dragged out the sound, "That means no time to visit your grandparents this year."
"No worries, when you come back, I’ll take you to make up for it."
After chatting for over ten minutes, Liang Jiajia said, "I’d better go now, I have to go on patrol."
After hanging up, Song Guanchao opened a flight booking app and looked for tickets to Beijing on New Year’s Eve.
Looking at the price, my goodness, it had tripled at least.
But no matter how expensive, the ticket had to be bought.
He didn’t tell Liang Jiajia that his grandparents weren’t going to be home for the New Year, just to give her a special surprise.