Official Career Storm

"Knock, knock."

Song Guanchao had just hung up the phone when a knock sounded at the door.

He opened the door and saw Cheng Xiang, Chen Yirou, and Jiang Yiren.

"Old Song, not asleep yet?" Cheng Xiang said familiarly, "Wanna play some cards to kill time?"

Song Guanchao was a bit at a loss for words, but he also knew that Cheng Xiang's purpose wasn't to play cards, but to find an excuse to get close to him.

Song Guanchao didn't mind this way of closing the distance between them.

Of course, mainly because he didn't mind Cheng Xiang as a person.

He just didn't expect that Chen Yirou and Jiang Yiren would also come along to join the fun.

"Come in."

They entered the room, and Song Guanchao took out disposable cups, poured them some tea, and then sat down.

They played the card game Fight the Landlord, each with three cards, comparing the numbers.

No chips, and no gambling, just purely passing the time.

They were of similar age, had common topics, and none of them were the type to put on airs, so they quickly became familiar.

Chen Yirou curiously asked, "Song Guanchao, are those two women tonight your friends?"

Women?

Jiang Yiren suddenly perked up her ears, curious about what women.

Song Guanchao casually said, "They're my leaders; one is the Lingjiang City Secretary, and the other is the Deputy Secretary."

"Oh, I see." Chen Yirou was extremely surprised.

She hadn't expected those two young beauties to be the main leaders of the City Committee.

Jiang Yiren asked, "Secretary Qu came over this evening?"

"Yes." Song Guanchao said, "Came because of last night's matter."

Cheng Xiang enviously said, "It shows, Old Song, you have an unusual status in Lingjiang."

Song Guanchao modestly said, "If this kind of thing happened to Jiang Yiren, the two leaders would come too. After all, we represent Lingjiang, and being messed with at the Party School is a slap to the leaders' faces."

Cheng Xiang nodded, finding his reasoning made sense.

Chatting and playing, time flew by.

Suddenly, Song Guanchao's phone rang, and Yan Han had arrived.

Song Guanchao said, "I'm in the room, come over."

All three were somewhat curious about who was coming over.

Jiang Yiren asked, "Is it your girlfriend?"

"..." Song Guanchao shook his head speechlessly, "Yan Han."

"Yan Han?"

The three frowned, and Cheng Xiang said, "What's he coming over for?"

"I don't know either." Song Guanchao didn't ask at that time, but the person had arrived, so they'd know soon enough.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door.

When Song Guanchao opened the door, he was suddenly stunned.

Besides Yan Han, there was actually another person.

And he knew this person.

Ji Lin!

"Isn't this Mr. Ji?" Song Guanchao was full of smiles.

However, the tone somehow sounded a bit sarcastic.

Ji Lin felt somewhat uncomfortable, but didn't show it.

"District Chief Song, you can just call me Ji Lin."

This title of "young master" felt awkward, making him sound like a playboy.

Song Guanchao pretended not to hear it and continued to call him, "Mr. Ji, accompanying Director Yan here, what's the matter?"

Yan Han looked around; at this hour, the dormitory corridor was empty, but as he was here to apologize, he still wanted to find a place with no people.

"District Chief Song, can we come in?"

"I apologize for not being a good host; please, come in."

If he were the only one in the room, he wouldn't let them in for anything.

If they set a trap for him, no amount of words could clear it up.

Though that possibility was slim, it's safe to be cautious.

Especially with such people, one must be extra careful and guard against them strictly.

Entering the room, the two saw there were others inside and were slightly taken aback.

Song Guanchao said, "Director Yan, you're not unfamiliar with these three, are you? You just saw them yesterday."

Yan Han's expression was not very natural as he forced a smile and greeted each of them.

The three just nodded, not even getting up.

Song Guanchao had no intention to introduce Ji Lin, looking at Yan Han, he asked, "Director Yan, what brings you here so late at night?"

Yan Han adjusted his emotions and said, "I came to apologize to District Chief Song."

"Apologize?" Song Guanchao's expression didn't change, "Oh, you mean last night's matter? It's over; no need to apologize."

Yan Han shook his head, "Mayor Zhou's punishment for me is due to my mistakes. But the impact I caused on District Chief Song is another matter entirely."

He suddenly bowed his head, "I now sincerely apologize to District Chief Song and ask for your forgiveness."

Cheng Xiang and the others were quite surprised that this guy actually came specifically to apologize.

And from what he said, Mayor Zhou had already punished him.

They didn't know how he was punished.

They looked at Song Guanchao, curious whether he would accept Yan Han's apology.

Ji Lin, noticing that Song Guanchao wasn't responding, said, "This time, he did go too far, but he has been duly punished. Of course, if District Chief Song still feels it's not enough, I'll see to it that he won't appear before you again."

Song Guanchao glanced at him, "Did you make him come to apologize?"

Ji Lin did not deny it, "Yes, my cousin here is impulsive, needs someone to keep an eye on."

The subtext was that Yan Han hadn't thought to apologize, but after being reminded, he realized his mistake and was quite sincere in his apology.

Cheng Xiang and the others were surprised; was this Ji Lin the son of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission's head?

And from their conversation, it seemed these two knew each other from before?

How strange.

How did these two know each other?

"Quite sincere." Song Guanchao nodded and said, "This time, I'll give you some face."

Ji Lin smiled, "Thank you, District Chief Song."

Yan Han also forced a smile, "Thank you, District Chief Song."

Song Guanchao chuckled, returned to the table, and picked up the cards just dealt.

Ji Lin knew this was a send-off signal.

"District Chief Song, enjoy your game."

The two left the room, silent along the way.

For Yan Han, even though Song Guanchao hadn't said anything unpleasant or overbearing, he clearly felt that from start to finish, Song Guanchao hadn't truly acknowledged him, hadn't put him in his eyes.

Just as if he didn't deserve to have an equal dialogue with him.

This silent contempt was even more infuriating than outright scolding.

"In the future, keep a low profile and behave."

After these words, Ji Lin got into the car and left.

Yan Han, with a sullen face, also got into his car and drove away.

...

The group played until nearly eleven before leaving Song Guanchao's room.

The next day.

Song Guanchao woke up early; today was his first day of training at the Party School, and he couldn't be late.

Upon stepping out, he happened to run into Chen Yirou.

"Morning." Chen Yirou said, "Breakfast?"

"Yes."

"Let's go together."

"Okay."

They headed towards the canteen, and there were many people on the way, with conversations everywhere.

As they sat down with their tray of food, Song Guanchao's phone vibrated on the table.

Chen Yirou saw the caller ID, a woman named Liu Lanzi.

"Hello, Chairman Liu... You're in the Provincial City? I might not have time at noon, let's meet in the evening."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao pondered, planning to inform Teacher Yu later that he'd be out overnight.