Chapter 1852
Wu Qiangwei’s face turned red, her beautiful legs squeezed tightly, immobilizing his right hand from mischief.
"Go and make things official with your girlfriend." Wu Qiangwei twisted her waist but failed to break free, only to be pinned down again by Song Guanchao, showing signs of a second round imminent.
Wu Qiangwei pressed against his chest and said, "Wear a condom!"
Their usual practice was not using small umbrellas, but hearing Song Guanchao’s words, she suddenly felt a bit scared.
She wasn’t ready to become a wife so soon, nor did she want to have children at the peak of her career.
Song Guanchao grinned, realizing he had dug his own grave with a joke.
𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
"I was teasing you."
"Hmph, put it on!" Wu Qiangwei insisted on not letting him have his way.
Helplessly, Song Guanchao had to call and ask housekeeping to send up a box.
It was late at night, and exhausted, the two fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, Song Guanchao woke up to find Wu Qiangwei had already left, her message on his phone.
She was going home today, telling him to return to Jiangzhou first.
It was already the seventh day of the month; work was to commence the next day.
As a government worker, having such a long vacation was quite rare.
Knowing he wouldn’t see her today, Song Guanchao didn’t linger. He got dressed, had breakfast, and set off for Jiangzhou.
Before the New Year, he had planned to visit Lingjiang during the holidays to see Chu Xiao’e and Xu Xin, and also Liu Lanzi and Zhou Qian.
Unexpectedly, he spent several days in Beijing.
After thinking it over, he still chose not to go back.
Since transferring to Jiangzhou, his contact with Chu Xiao’e had dwindled, barely exchanging messages monthly.
Both knew their relationship was limited to Lingjiang; now apart, they pursued their futures without interference.
Song Guanchao deliberately distanced himself from Xu Xin too.
She was different from Chu Xiao’e; she was still young and got promoted to Secretary of the Municipal Committee last year, with no need for him to hold her back.
She was perceptive, sensing Song Guanchao’s intention to distance, and thus didn’t force the issue.
Especially being in different locations and both busy day in and day out, it was inevitable that any outcome between her and Song Guanchao would be impossible.
Dealing with Liu Lanzi was relatively straightforward; she was a career-driven woman, focused on her company.
Given her status and social standing, she could not be a lesser to Song Guanchao.
But Song Guanchao had to maintain this connection.
After all, setting aside gender relations, she indeed needed a political ally.
The real headache was Zhou Qian.
This little reporter frankly expressed her desire to be his lesser, sans title, wanting nothing.
To this, Song Guanchao had never responded directly.
Now, he similarly chose to fade the relationship, gradually reducing contact.
But she was persistent.
Despite realizing Song Guanchao’s stance, she remained relentless, leaving him feeling guilty and uncomfortable.
After getting off the high-speed train, Song Guanchao lit a cigarette, clearing his thoughts, found his car parked a week ago in the lot, and drove home.
After a shower and a change into clean clothes, Song Guanchao finally picked up his phone and called Qu Xiangru.
On the night of New Year’s Eve, Qu Xiangru spoke with him over the phone, navigating the conversation to reveal plans of visiting his grandma on the first day of the New Year.
Upon learning no one was home this year, she was quite disappointed.
Over the past few days, Song Guanchao stayed in touch with her, immediately contacting her upon his return.
Qu Xiangru still exhibited that haughty demeanor, facing Song Guanchao’s proposal for lunch together, she first refused, then seemingly accepted as if forced.
Song Guanchao was used to this interaction pattern, hung up the phone, grabbed his car keys, and left.
Before, in Lingjiang, and with Qu Xiangru in Jiangzhou, they managed to see each other once or twice a month.
Now, both in Jiangzhou, both at the Provincial and City Committees are relatively close, yet they barely interacted.
No one deliberately distanced the other, purely occupied with no time.
Arriving at the agreed restaurant, Qu Xiangru was already there.
As soon as Song Guanchao entered the restaurant, he was immediately captivated by her outfit today.
Her ink-black long hair cascaded smoothly, a face no bigger than a palm, features delicate and vivid, carrying a slight aloof elegance, making others feel unworthy, deterred from approaching.
She wore a pure white hoodie Song Guanchao had never seen, paired with tight wide-legged jeans.
This pure style of dress was indeed the first time he’d seen her wear it.
"Happy New Year."
Song Guanchao sat down, took out a brown square gift box from his pocket, and placed it before her.
"Thank you." Qu Xiangru thanked politely, not glancing at it, passing the menu to him, taking her phone, distracted by her own world.
After ordering, Song Guanchao opened the gift box, revealing a gold necklace.
Gold was vulgar yet versatile.
Especially with her kind of fair skin, best match for bright and flashy jewelry.
Qu Xiangru casually closed the box, slipped it into her bag, denying him the chance to adorn her.
Song Guanchao mentally critiqued her constant indifferent demeanor, truly curious if maintaining such a posture every time didn’t tire her.
He only mentally criticized, daring not to voice it and anger her.
"You’ve been Executive Deputy Governor for several years now, right?" Song Guanchao thought of Wu Qiangwei’s words and casually initiated a topic.
"It’s the fourth year this year."
"What’s your plan for the future?"
"Depends on organizational arrangements."
"...Do you have any thoughts?"
"To serve the people."
"..." Song Guanchao felt speechless, her responses aiming to kill the conversation, how to continue now?
Seems he must reveal some explosive news to progress.
"I heard Secretary Gao is leaving?" Song Guanchao picked up his teacup and said lightly.
Sure enough, this news successfully caught her attention.
Her naturally charming gaze, though seemingly stern, made Song Guanchao feel she was enticing him.
"Who did you hear from?"
"You don’t know?" Song Guanchao feigned surprise.
Qu Xiangru furrowed her eyebrows, shook her head, "I don’t know."
"Never mind then." Song Guanchao swallowed his tea, "It’s just hearsay, who knows if it’s true or not, thought to ask you, but since you don’t know, it’s likely false."
Qu Xiangru furrowed her brows tighter, "Who exactly did you hear from?"
With his understanding of Song Guanchao, discerning truth or falsehood was effortless.
Song Guanchao shook his head, "Don’t ask, don’t tell anyone else either, specifics aren’t clear yet."
This was indeed true, Qu Xiangru felt a bit annoyed, suspecting he was teasing her.
"Who do you think might have a chance if Secretary Gao leaves?" Song Guanchao asked, "Does Governor Lu have a chance?"
Qu Xiangru was about to speak when the waiter arrived with a plate of salad.
They met at a western restaurant, where dishes served quickly, a piano in the establishment, its melodious tunes blending with patrons’ conversations, adding an unseen barrier to their talks, making them harder to overhear by nearby tables.
After the waiter departed, Qu Xiangru shook her head, "He just took office last year, unlikely to advance short-term."
Song Guanchao pondered, asking, "Tian Kai Ming?"
Qu Xiangru’s expression slightly shifted, contemplated for a few seconds, nodded, "His chances are substantial."