Official Career Storm

He didn't contact Lu Feng, but directly called Song Guanchao.

However, this number belonged to Zeng Li.

Zeng Li saw the call but didn't answer.

After the call ended, he called Song Guanchao: "That scammer called my phone."

"Did you answer?"

"No." Zeng Li said, "You should call him back yourself."

"Alright."

Song Guanchao went out, got an anonymous phone card, inserted it, and dialed back.

"Mr. Tang." Song Guanchao lowered his voice, speaking with a smile.

"Boss, hello." Tang Zhengqiang still maintained that calm tone.

Song Guanchao asked, "Mr. Tang, have you made up your mind?"

Tang Zhengqiang said, "Ten million."

Song Guanchao frowned instantly.

This guy, doesn't he understand the situation?

I already know the specifics, and he still dares to ask me for ten million?

Who gave you the courage?

Tang Zhengqiang chuckled, "Boss, you deduced the answer from just a few of my words, truly impressive. But, without my few words, you'd only learn of this when it happens."

"By then, it would be too late."

"It's not too much to claim some credit, right?"

Song Guanchao raised an eyebrow and suddenly laughed, "Indeed, it isn't."

To be fair, Tang Zhengqiang did contribute.

No matter his ulterior motives, it can't be denied that without him, I wouldn't have known about this.

After all, his job is to deceive and sell information.

Certainly can't expect him to do charity for free.

However, ten million is still too high.

"Mr. Tang, this million is my gratitude fee to you. Ten million, I'm afraid I can't manage."

Tang Zhengqiang remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "If that's the case, then I'll have to sell this information to the other side. They might drive down the price, but not as low as a million."

"I hope you understand, boss. After all, this is how we make our living."

Song Guanchao felt his heart skip, narrowing his eyes he said, "Mr. Tang, are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat." Tang Zhengqiang's tone remained consistent, "It's just maximizing benefits. If you were in my position, you'd choose the same."

"Given our previous amiable collaboration, I prioritized selling the information to you, but your offer is too low for my team to accept."

"Please reconsider, boss."

Tang Zhengqiang hung up the phone.

Song Guanchao had a rather unpleasant expression.

Ten million, Wu Qiangwei can provide it.

But he doesn't want to pay that amount.

After all, he's already aware of the information.

Spending ten million now would be a giveaway.

However, if he doesn't pay, the other side will leak the information.

Standing in the hallway, frowning and smoking, Song Guanchao pondered his options.

Like Zeng Li suggested, controlling them?

That's a solution, but not the best one.

He doesn't want to abruptly cut ties with these scammers unless absolutely necessary.

But he really doesn't want to spend this money.

If he had the money himself, he wouldn't mind spending it to buy their silence.

But he doesn't. This money has to come from Wu Qiangwei.

Returning to the office, he saw Jiang Yiren standing there.

"Director Jiang looking for the secretary?"

Jiang Yiren turned around, "Why is your phone unreachable?"

She complained and said, "Secretary Qu wants you to come over."

It seems Qu Xiangru had already contacted the City Government.

After she left, Song Guanchao switched back his phone card and went to the office.

As soon as he sat down, Qu Xiangru spoke, "I talked a bit with Mayor Zheng, he didn't disclose anything about the billion-dollar project."

"Didn't say anything?"

"No." Qu Xiangru said, "The project hasn't fully landed yet, he doesn't trust the City Committee. He might be worried the project will be snatched."

Song Guanchao twitched his lips, this guy seems quite traumatized.

Thinking about it, it's understandable.

His original high-speed rail project was snatched by Song Guanchao.

Later, the Fengmen Building project was also taken away.

These two projects were his efforts.

If no accidents occurred, these two projects would be enough to build a considerable political career.

But unexpectedly, he gained nothing, and all the efforts were in vain for others.

Now after much effort, he has attracted another billion-dollar project. Of course, he has to be extra cautious, fearing it might be targeted and taken away again.

Qu Xiangru said, "Let's wait a bit, once the project is settled, he'll have to talk eventually. Such a big project, he can't hide it even if he wants to."

"Hmm."

Suddenly, Song Guanchao thought of a plan and got up to leave.

Qu Xiangru initially had something to say, but seeing him leave quickly, he kept silent again.

After closing the office door, Song Guanchao gave Jiang Yiren a wink, "I have something to tell you."

As he walked towards the hallway, Jiang Yiren curiously followed, "What is it?"

Song Guanchao asked, "Has Secretary Sun contacted you these days?"

"Yes." Jiang Yiren showed a face of disgust, "He's messaging me every day."

"Did you reply?"

"I did."

"You did?" Song Guanchao was a bit surprised.

Jiang Yiren snorted, "I know you might want me to keep luring him out and extract information from him, so of course, I have to maintain a superficial relationship with him."

Song Guanchao was momentarily stunned, this woman is quite smart.

Moreover, she's considering my interests.

He felt a bit ashamed, realizing he's quite a jerk.

Jiang Yiren caught his fleeting guilt and said, "Don't feel bad because of this. I don't want your apologies. I'm doing this of my own free will, I just want to help you, that's all."

These words made Song Guanchao feel even more guilty. His inner thoughts can't be hidden from her.

"Let's talk about serious matters. I..."

"I know why you're looking for me." Jiang Yiren said, "You want me to arrange a meeting with Secretary Sun to get information from him, right?"

"Yes."

"What do you want me to ask?"

"Mayor Zheng recently undertook a major project, ask him about the specific details of the project."

"Got it."

She didn't ask Song Guanchao why he wanted to know, understanding that some boundaries should exist between people.

Some men dislike women who dig too deep into everything.

She doesn't want to be someone who's disliked.

"When the weekend comes...it might not be free on the weekend, after this busy period, I'll take you out for a meal and a movie."

Song Guanchao offered proactively.

Jiang Yiren bit her lip slightly but couldn't suppress a smile.

A soft "hmm" could be heard, filled with a cheerful tone.

Returning to the office, Jiang Yiren took out her phone and sent a message to Secretary Sun.

They arranged to have dinner together in the evening.

After work, Song Guanchao said, "You go first, I have some matters to handle here. After your dinner with him, tell me, and I'll come pick you up."

After parting with Jiang Yiren, Song Guanchao went to a restaurant to pack some food and headed to the hotel.

Zeng Li napped all afternoon, waking up with a grumbling stomach.

Wrapped in a towel, she sat on the floor by the coffee table, sitting on a cushion, holding a bowl of rice. Her eating looked elegant, but her movements were quick.

She was clearly starving.

Halfway through her meal, she asked, "How did the chat with that scammer go?"

Song Guanchao said, "He wants ten million. If I don't pay, he'll sell the information to another group of scammers."

Zeng Li said, "Pretty smart, knowing how to maximize his benefits. Did you agree?"

"No."

"Why didn't you agree?"

"Miss, that's ten million."

"Give it to him! After all, it's not your money!"

"The secretary's money is still money, you know."

"Secretary? Weiwei? Why should Weiwei pay?"

Song Guanchao was stunned, "Who else would pay?"

"You're really foolish!" Zeng Li was amused and slightly annoyed, "Call that scammer and tell him ten million can be arranged. It won't be your money or Weiwei's, someone else will pay."