Official Career Storm

This sudden question caught Wu Qiangwei off guard.

She was unprepared, a flash of panic crossed her face, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Secretary Qu, you really know how to joke."

Qu Xiangru withdrew his gaze, ignoring her denial, and continued, "You also like Song Guanchao."

"..." Wu Qiangwei suddenly didn't know how to respond.

Because Qu Xiangru wasn't asking a question at all; it was simply a statement of fact.

Furthermore, Qu Xiangru didn't care whether she admitted it or not.

Wu Qiangwei felt a vague sense of annoyance; she wasn't sure why Qu Xiangru had shifted the topic to this area out of nowhere.

She knew well that outright denial in the face of such a topic was pointless.

She smiled and said, "Secretary Jin also likes Secretary Qu, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Qu Xiangru nodded.

Wu Qiangwei was surprised again.

Just admitted it like that?

How come she's not playing by the rules?

Qu Xiangru said, "Many people like me, Secretary Jin is just one of them, but he doesn't dare to pursue me. He knows the gap between us and wouldn't humiliate himself."

"Moreover, he can't help my career, and I wouldn't give him hope."

Wu Qiangwei didn't know how to respond.

Qu Xiangru said, "Secretary Song is different from Secretary Jin."

"Secretary Song is very capable, and his future is promising. Although he's not as qualified as you right now, I believe, with his abilities, he should soon catch up."

"He's a rising star; Secretary Wu, don't miss out."

Wu Qiangwei did not respond.

She realized there was still a slight gap between them in this regard.

Qu Xiangru discussed everything very pragmatically, with an emphasis on benefits, regardless of emotions.

But she couldn't remain so calm and rational.

"You like him, don't you?" Qu Xiangru asked again.

Wu Qiangwei still didn't speak.

Qu Xiangru said, "Although I've never been in a relationship, I can see that the relationship between you is not quite normal."

"You haven't slept together, have you?"

Wu Qiangwei couldn't take her straightforward questioning: "Secretary Qu..."

Qu Xiangru didn't give her a chance to speak: "I'm not curious, just purely understanding. If you're concerned about your position and don't want to develop further with him, my suggestion is to relegate him to the district and county level as soon as possible."

"Or, give him to me."

Wu Qiangwei suddenly turned her head.

Qu Xiangru had tried to entice Song Guanchao a few times.

No, that was not enticing, it was more like sowing discord between them in front of Wu Qiangwei.

But this time, Wu Qiangwei was sure she wasn't joking.

She was genuinely asking for him from her.

Qu Xiangru looked straight ahead, maintaining a steady speed: "Talent shouldn't be wasted, if you hesitate, don't hold him back."

"Secretary Qu, you really know how to joke."

"I am not joking."

Qu Xiangru shook her head: "If you don't believe it, then forget it."

The car fell into silence.

Wu Qiangwei could see she was serious.

She suddenly felt a bit nervous inside.

Was Qu Xiangru going to contact Song Guanchao in private next?

When they arrived at the Provincial Committee, it was already close to six o'clock.

Secretary Gao had not yet left, and he and Governor Hou were waiting for them in the office.

"Secretary Gao, Governor Hou."

They sat down, and the secretary left the office.

Seeing the two women came together, Secretary Gao and Governor Hou's expressions softened slightly.

The last time he and Governor Hou went to Lingjiang for research and spoke to Qu Xiangru, he had worried that Qu Xiangru would pull something behind the scenes.

But so far, it seems she's getting along quite well with Wu Qiangwei.

Secretary Gao asked, "What's the current situation?"

Qu Xiangru said, "The task of recovering the funds has been assigned to Secretary Song."

"Song Guanchao?" Governor Hou had always paid attention to Song Guanchao and was not unfamiliar with him.

Secretary Gao asked, "Is there confidence in recovering them?"

Qu Xiangru shook her head: "Secretary Song has experience in this area, but I can't guarantee a 100% recovery."

Secretary Gao turned to Wu Qiangwei, as she was Song Guanchao's leader and knew the young man better.

Wu Qiangwei said, "There is a certain degree of confidence."

These words made the two understand.

This money, basically no problem.

In fact, they were also curious about what methods Song Guanchao used.

But curiosity is just curiosity, they wouldn't pry into it.

Everyone has their own secrets; digging too deep only leads to annoyance.

Secretary Gao asked, "How do you plan to handle this issue?"

Qu Xiangru said, "This time, the City Government has exposed many problems."

Her tone was somewhat serious.

"Multiple departments approved against regulations."

"Relevant departments did not fulfill their due diligence responsibilities."

"This is a major work mistake and a sign of slack governance!"

"The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Assets Bureau did not conduct reviews and just listened to Mayor Zheng and Mayor Jiang, approving before reviewing."

"The taxation and commerce departments have similar issues."

"The City Government's suggestions should be heard, but not blindly trusted. As a department leader, if you can't stick to your position, what happened today will continue to happen in the future. My suggestion is to bring them down and replace them with capable individuals."

Secretary Gao and Governor Hou understood her meaning; she was taking the opportunity to wrest these departments from Jiang Yuan's control.

And with good reason, Jiang Yuan had no choice but to give in.

Secretary Gao asked, "What's your opinion on Mayor Zheng's side?"

Qu Xiangru glanced at Wu Qiangwei and said, "That's up to Secretary Gao to decide."

The last time the two went to Lingjiang, they said they had already decided on the next Governor candidate.

In Qu Xiangru's view, the candidate Secretary Gao and Governor Hou decided on was Wu Qiangwei.

Therefore, Wu Qiangwei didn't need to be Mayor anymore.

Of course, maybe Secretary Gao would want Wu Qiangwei to hold both the Governor and Mayor positions simultaneously.

Secretary Gao said, "Then let's wait and see."

Whether to continue letting Zheng Bihui serve as Mayor or to replace him makes no difference for now.

The situation in Lingjiang has already been stabilized by Qu Xiangru and Wu Qiangwei.

They initially sent Qu Xiangru to Lingjiang because the local faction's power was too strong.

Now, Jiang Yuan's influence has been further suppressed, and the power has been consolidated, everything is moving in a positive direction.

After they left, Secretary Gao said, "Old Hou, how do you think we should handle Zheng Bihui?"

Governor Hou said, "Just give a punishment."

He didn't intend to remove Zheng Bihui.

Since Lingjiang is already stable, Wu Qiangwei's mission is accomplished.

They had other plans for Wu Qiangwei.

Considering the time, she has been the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee for almost a year, it's time for her to take on a more important position.

Secretary Gao nodded, and then added, "This Secretary Song, he has quite a few secrets."

Secretary Hou smiled and said, "As long as he is capable, whether he has secrets or not, don't delve into it."

"This issue came at just the right time, if this young man can resolve it this time, promoting him later will be perfectly justifiable."

Secretary Gao looked at the time and said, "Let's head back first and discuss it further in the meeting tomorrow."