Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 381 The Soong Sisters 6

The banquet was held in the largest private room at the Qingyan Hotel, the Qingzhu Hall.

The dishes are mainly local specialties of Qingyan.

Liao Shanshan personally carried the decanter, ready to refill the wine at any time.

Her positioning was very deliberate; it neither blocked Wu Zhiyuan's view of his conversation with the guests nor prevented him from seeing her at a glance.

After drinking three cups together, Wu Zhiyuan raised his glass to Song Yawen: "President Song, on behalf of the Qingyan County Party Committee and County Government, I would like to offer you a toast."

Thank you for your trust in Qingyan, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.

Song Ya-wen smiled and said, "County Chief Wu, you're too kind. Qingyan's resources and County Chief Wu's sincerity give me great confidence in this project."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

Liao Shanshan immediately stepped forward and refilled Wu Zhiyuan's glass with wine.

When refilling the wine, she deliberately bent down, letting her long hair brush against Wu Zhiyuan's shoulder unintentionally, and whispered in his ear, "County Chief Wu, this stewed stone chicken is our hotel's chef's specialty. Please let the guests have a taste."

The voice was soft and gentle, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.

Wu Zhiyuan slightly turned his body to create some distance and said calmly, "I understand."

Liao Shanshan was not discouraged. She took a step back and still maintained a polite smile.

After a while, Liao Shanshan thought she had found another opportunity.

The waiter brought in a tray with a newly served hot dish—stewed pork trotters with dried bamboo shoots.

Liao Shanshan leaned closer to Wu Zhiyuan and whispered, "County Chief Wu, this dish is cooked just right. You and your guests should eat it while it's hot."

The dried bamboo shoots are wild bamboo shoots native to Qingyan, and I specifically asked the kitchen to add extra.

As she spoke, she turned the casserole towards Wu Zhiyuan and used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of pig's trotter and dried bamboo shoots, placing them in Wu Zhiyuan's bowl.

Wu Zhiyuan said calmly, "Manager Liao is too kind. We can do it ourselves, there's no need to trouble ourselves."

He used serving chopsticks to place a piece of pig's trotter and dried bamboo shoots on Song Yawen's plate next to him: "President Song, try this. This is a cured pig's trotter smoked with pine branches by our farmers in Qingyan. It's paired with local wild bamboo shoots. The taste is very authentic."

After tasting it, Song Ya-wen praised, "The dried bamboo shoots have absorbed the broth perfectly while retaining their chewiness, and the pig's trotters are tender and not greasy. The cooking time is just right. Manager Liao, please convey my gratitude to the chef."

Liao Shanshan quickly smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it, Mr. Song. I will definitely pass it on."

Her gaze swept over the untouched pig's trotter in Wu Zhiyuan's bowl, and her sense of loss and frustration deepened.

Sitting on the other side of Wu Zhiyuan, Song Yating, ever observant, kindly reminded him, "County Chief Wu, why aren't you eating that pig's trotter in your bowl?"

Wu Zhiyuan put the pig's trotter in his mouth and praised, "It tastes really good."

Liao Shanshan adjusted her mindset, picked up the decanter, and prepared to refill Song Yawen's wine.

Song Ya-wen gently blocked with her hand: "No need, I can't hold my liquor, any more and I'll drink too much."

Liao Shanshan smiled and said, "President Song has a huge capacity for alcohol, how could this cup be too much?"

Besides, County Chief Wu is treating us today. Even if President Song doesn't give me face, he should at least give County Chief Wu face, right?

Song Ya-wen smiled slightly and looked at Wu Zhi-yuan: "County Chief Wu, what do you say?"

Wu Zhiyuan said casually, "President Song, please feel free to drink as you please. We're friends, a drink or two won't make a difference."

Song Ya-wen nodded and said to Liao Shan-shan, "Then let's listen to County Chief Wu. Do whatever you like."

Liao Shanshan had no choice but to give up.

She stood to one side, watching Wu Zhiyuan and the Song sisters chat and laugh. That harmonious atmosphere was like an invisible wall, keeping her out.

She is not reconciled.

In all her years at the Qingyan Hotel, she had welcomed and seen off countless leaders, but never before had she been ignored by Wu Zhiyuan like this.

Is Wu Zhiyuan truly invulnerable to swords and spears, or is he just putting on an act?

She doesn't believe it.

She preferred to believe that he was just putting on an act in front of the Song sisters.

After all, one is a mature and elegant international group president, and the other is a young and beautiful girl. Which man wouldn't want to leave a good impression on them?

Liao Shanshan silently vowed in her heart: One day, I will make you fall at my feet.

The dinner ended at 9 p.m.

Wu Zhiyuan accompanied the Song sisters out of the Qingzhu Hall, through the hotel's connecting corridor, and towards their suite on the third floor.

Song Yating was still savoring the dinner: "Mr. Wu, how come all the food here is so delicious? I'm stuffed again tonight."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. Come to Qingyan again when you have time, and I'll take you to try more delicious food."

According to the plan, the Song sisters will go to Jiangzhou tomorrow and then fly to the capital.

They wanted to see the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and climb the Great Wall.

The capital city was not the last stop on their trip to China. The last stop was in the south, to see the prosperity and development of the cities at the forefront of China's reform.

Wu Zhiyuan sat in Song Yawen's room for a while, when Song Yating suddenly said, "Mr. Wu, may I come to your place tonight?"

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback: "Go to my place?"

Song Yating pouted: "What? You're not welcome?"

Song Ya-wen chided from the side, "Ya-ting, didn't you go to Zhi-yuan's place last night? What are you doing there tonight?"

"Who says that if I went last night, I can't go tonight? I was planning to stay at Mr. Wu's place overnight."

We're leaving tomorrow, and we don't know when we'll be able to come back next time. Is it wrong to spend a little more time with Mr. Wu?

Song Ya-wen finally gave in to Song Y-ting's persistent nagging and agreed to go shopping and then visit Wu Zhi-yuan's place.

Wu Zhiyuan checked the time; it was 9:30, which was still early for someone used to nightlife.

He laughed and said, "Okay, then come to my place for a bit. But let me make it clear first, there's nothing much to do there, just some tea and a chat."

Song Yating said excitedly, "It's nice to chat over tea; it's much better than staring at each other blankly in a hotel."

As Wu Zhiyuan went downstairs, he saw Liao Shanshan again.

Seeing Wu Zhiyuan going out with two beautiful women, Liao Shanshan was filled with jealousy, but she put on a polite smile and said, "County Chief Wu, why don't you go for a walk?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Yes, I'll accompany President Song for a stroll around Qingyan County at night."

Walking down the street, Song Yating spoke frankly: "Mr. Wu, I always feel that Manager Liao's gaze towards you is strange."

Wu Zhiyuan asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

Song Yating blurted out, "They're just too attentive, a bit too attentive."

The way she looked at you wasn't like a subordinate looking at a leader; it seemed like she had ulterior motives.

For example, she might serve you food, or when refilling your wine, she might deliberately brush her hair against you and speak very close to you.

Song Ya-wen said calmly, "Ya-ting, this is Zhi-yuan's business, he knows what he's doing. We shouldn't talk about people behind their backs."

Song Yating was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "Could that Manager Liao be posting rumors online, saying that County Chief Wu went out at night with two mysterious beauties, behaving intimately, and suspected..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already quite clear.

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Yating, your imagination is running wild!"

He said that, but in his heart he thought that what Song Yating said was not impossible.

Fortunately, being single is his best protection and shield.

He smiled and said, "A clear conscience fears no accusation. Accompanying business partners on inspections and going for a walk in the evening is just part of my normal job, and others shouldn't say anything about it."

Song Yating asked, "Mr. Wu, do you have a girlfriend?"

Wu Zhiyuan was surprised that Song Yating had suddenly asked him this question.

Putting Lin Keke aside, is Xu Yunxi considered his girlfriend?

If we're talking about it, he hasn't officially acknowledged it, and the five-year agreement hasn't expired yet.

But if we don't count, he kissed Xu Yunxi in a moment of passion last time.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Song Yating asked, "Mr. Wu, is this question difficult to answer?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled wryly and said, "It's not that it's hard to answer, it's that I haven't thought it through myself."

Song Yating murmured, "Mr. Wu, I remember now, you're still thinking about Lin Keke, aren't you?"

You are truly a rare and devoted man in this world.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't reply, but just looked up at the night sky.

Moon stars are rare.

After walking for a while, Song Yating suddenly said, "Mr. Wu, you can actually resign and go to our country A. My sister will be the CEO of the Song Group, and you can be the vice president."

What's so good about being an official? You're constantly restricted in everything you do.

For example, if someone spreads rumors that you're with two beautiful women, you'll be in a very passive position.

However, if you work for a company, you don't have as many concerns.

Especially in our country A, society is very tolerant of this.

Private life and work are separate, unlike here, where it seems that being a leader means you can't have your own friends or private time.

In our country A, like many countries, officials separate their work and private lives. Even if an official is gay or has a lover, it won't affect his work.

Song Ya-wen said from the side, "Ya-ting, Zhi-yuan chose to become an official so that he could do more things and help more people."

This sense of responsibility and sentiment is not as simple as you imagine.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Yating, in Country A, in the Song Group, you might be able to live a freer and more affluent life."

But when I saw that Qingyan had so many good things but couldn't sell them, and the people were struggling to make ends meet, I felt anxious.

Being a county magistrate might be restrictive and restrictive, but it gives me the opportunity to do real things for my fellow villagers, to witness firsthand how my efforts lead to the construction of roads, the implementation of projects, and the bringing of smiles to the faces of the people…

This sense of accomplishment and satisfaction is irreplaceable by many other things.

As for the concerns you mentioned, such as rumors and criticisms, wherever there are people, there is a social dynamic; it's the same everywhere.

The key is to have a clear conscience, act uprightly, and sit honestly.

If you back down because of fear, you'll accomplish nothing.

Song Yating said thoughtfully, "Mr. Wu, I think I understand a little."

You and my sister are actually the same kind of people; we both have our own principles and things we want to do.

If you ever get tired of your job in officialdom, or get bullied, the position of vice president of the Song Group will always be reserved for you! My sister is in charge!

Song Yating looked at Song Yawen: "Sister, don't you think so?"

Song Ya-wen smiled slightly: "As long as Zhi-yuan is willing, he can come to Country A at any time."

Alternatively, he could take charge of the Song Group's business in China.

Song Yating chuckled, "Sis, it's a deal, I'll be in charge of the China business. Does that mean Mr. Wu and I will share it?"

……

Qingyan Hotel.

Jiang Xiaohua has a permanent room in the hotel, which is one of her residences.

She was the former manager of Qingyan Hotel and is now the director of the County Government Affairs Management Center, which is the supervisory department of Qingyan Hotel.

Liao Shanshan recounted the circumstances surrounding Wu Zhiyuan's estrangement from her.

"Shanshan, you must remember, there are no men in this world who are not lustful, only temptations that haven't been given enough."

Wu Zhiyuan became county magistrate at a young age, a time of great success and youthful vigor. Could he really remain unmoved by beautiful women? I don't believe it.

Liao Shanshan looked somewhat dejected: "I also think he's faking it. But the way he looked at me was so calm, without a ripple at all."

I put some food on his plate, but he didn't touch it;

I leaned closer to speak, but he moved away;

When I went out with those two sisters that evening, they only nodded politely to me.

I felt like he could read my mind.

Jiang Xiaohua lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled a magnificent smoke ring.

"See through it? So what if you see through it? Men sometimes need a thin veil of paper, someone needs to take the initiative to break through it."

He's acting aloof now, perhaps because the Song sisters are present and he needs to maintain a good image, or perhaps he's testing your sincerity and boundaries.