"Heh, the Chen Fang I rember should be soone with firm convictions. Yet, no sooner than your promotion did your whole nature change?"
Zhu Hanmin's words were laden with a mix of cold mockery and derision.
Chen Fang responded with a slight smile.
He said, "Secretary Zhu, in Guyang City, I was a leader. Even if people had issues with , they couldn't touch . But in Wulan City, in the eyes of so, I am a leader, but in your eyes, I'm still just a nobody. My thinking is simple: self-preservation. I don't want to get involved in your power struggles."
Zhu Hanmin let out a sneer.
He said, "You don't want to get involved? Do you think Zhao Yiping will let you off the hook? You've encroached on his turf. Do you really think he's going to promote you, appreciate you?"
"My issue with Mayor Zhao is a personal grudge, not factional tit-for-tat. I know he despises , but that's separate from political strife."
Chen Fang said earnestly.
Zhu Hanmin took a deep breath.
He said, "So, this little display today was to tell and Zhao Yiping that you don't wish to take sides, nor will you?"
"Yes, I hope Secretary Zhu can grant that."
Chen Fang stated.
Zhu Hanmin stared at Chen Fang for a long ti.
He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Since that's the case, I won't make things difficult for you. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, co find . I still have a high opinion of you."
"Thank you, Secretary Zhu. I will always rember your kindness."
At that mont,
a coughing sound ca from behind him.
It was a reminder from Zhao Yiping.
Zhu Hanmin glanced back, then walked away with his hands behind his back.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Yiping walked up to Chen Fang, stopped in front of him, and said, "I heard what you said to him. Just as you've told Zhu Hanmin, you and I still have a personal score to settle. I hope you behave yourself in Wulan City. Don't give any ammunition against you because if you do, I won't be polite."
After dropping that line,
Zhao Yiping also left.
Chen Fang breathed a sigh of relief.
He sat down on the stone bench used for playing chess.
Muttering to himself, he said, "I finally got past the first hurdle."
Yu Zhengchuan popped up from sowhere and said, "Ah Fang, I think you're being a bit foolish."
"Why do you say that?" Chen Fang asked.
Yu Zhengchuan said, "You should have aligned with Zhu Hanmin. Zhao Yiping is going to make things difficult for you anyway. Your so-called 'not offending either side' has actually offended both of them."
Chen Fang smiled.
Looking at Yu Zhengchuan, he asked, "Do you think Zhu Hanmin is a good person?"
"Isn't he? He's got to be better than Zhao Yiping, right?"
Chen Fang shook his head.
He said, "Anyone who can beco a municipal party secretary has an unfathomable depth of strategy. Zhao Yiping has the support of the Hou Family, yet Zhu Hanmin shows no sign of fear and has never compromised with Zhao Yiping. Do you really believe he has no backing of his own? Furthermore, Zhu Hanmin is extending goodwill to because our interests align when it cos to dealing with Zhao Yiping. The mont he no longer sees Zhao Yiping as a threat, if I show the slightest dissent, he would squash just like Zhao Yiping would. Zhao Yiping's malice is overt, while Zhu Hanmin's is covert. I would rather have an enemy who is openly hostile than a backstabber. Do you understand?"
"In a struggle between two tigers, one is bound to get injured. No matter who takes charge of Wulan City in the future, my neutrality today is my greatest asset. Wulan City is just a stepping stone in my career. My job is to handle my responsibilities. Currently, Zhao Yiping is focused on Zhu Hanmin. He probably won't go after ruthlessly, at least for a while. After all, as the municipal governnt's secretary-general, it would be foolish for him to push towards Zhu Hanmin."
He'd said quite a lot,
and Yu Zhengchuan finally seed to have an epiphany.
He sighed.
He said, "It seems I'll never learn how to be an official. The intricacies involved are truly frightening."
Chen Fang patted him on the arm.
He said, "Step by step, just take it one step at a ti. There are two matters you need to handle right away."
"What are they? Just tell ."
Yu Zhengchuan said, looking serious.
Chen Fang paused, then said, "The first thing is, you should investigate what the conflict is between Organization Departnt Head Zheng Jiaxian and the City Governnt Office's Ding Guiqi. This should not be hard to find out."
"Okay, what about the second thing?"
Yu Zhengchuan asked.
Chen Fang replied, "The second thing is a bit tougher. You need to make a trip to the airport and pick soone up for ."
"Who?"
"Ning Yi."
When Chen Fang said these two words,
Yu Zhengchuan shivered suddenly.
He stared at Chen Fang in disbelief, then, as if electrified, his whole body trembled and he abruptly hugged Chen Fang, kissing him on the cheek.
Chen Fang felt nauseated.
He pushed him away forcefully.
He scolded, "What the hell are you doing? Isn't that disgusting?"
Yu Zhengchuan chuckled non-stop, saying, "I... I got a little too excited... I just couldn't help myself."
"Once you pick up Ning Yi, you better keep yourself in check. She's on vacation for ten days; I called her to co and visit Wulan City. I don't have ti to accompany her, so I'm giving you ten days off. You need to seize this opportunity."
Chen Fang urged earnestly.
Yu Zhengchuan, taken aback, asked, "Just by myself? I cannot do this, my lord."
"Well then, I will go ask soone to buy so aphrodisiac, and you slip it into her drink. Once the effect kicks in, you sneak into her room and deal with her then and there. With the deed done, she will be yours."
Chen Fang said.
Yu Zhengchuan pondered for a mont, then said, "Ah Fang, that's not right. That's a cri. I wouldn't dare."
Chen Fang, frustrated as if dealing with an inept apprentice, kicked him and angrily said, "So you know it's not right? Then what else can I do? Strip you both naked and lock you in a room together?"
Yu Zhengchuan stuck out his tongue.
Reluctantly, he said, "Alright, alright, I'll do it. I'll go myself."
Seeing Chen Fang about to kick him again,
he ran off at a sprint.
Chen Fang hailed a taxi.
He returned to the municipal committee compound.
Having just paid and gotten out of the taxi,
he saw a red Audi TT sports car slowly driving through the main gate.
The driver was a woman wearing sunglasses; Chen Fang couldn't see her clearly, but there was a familiar feeling about her.
It was fleeting.
He didn't pay much attention to it.
By the ti he reached the parking lot, the sports car had just co to a stop.
As the driver's door opened,
a pair of high-heeled shoes erged first, followed by a fair-skinned leg.
Then,
a very elegant woman got out of the car.
Chen Fang took a good look, and he was completely stunned.
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