Official Career Storm

Ji Lin steadied himself and said as casually as possible, "Does District Chief Song need something?"

Song Guanchao replied, "I need to speak with Director Zhang. Can you send me her number, Mr. Ji?"

"Okay."

Ji Lin didn't even ask why he needed to talk to his mom, "Anything else?"

"No, that's it."

"Goodbye."

The three of Cheng Xiang finally understood what he went to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission for: to meet Director Zhang.

But, what was the reason for meeting her?

Ji Lin quickly sent over the number, and Song Guanchao called directly.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

"Who is this?"

"Director Zhang, it's me," Song Guanchao smiled.

The other side suddenly remained silent, and after a few seconds, said, "Is something the matter?"

Song Guanchao asked, "Is Director Zhang in the office?"

Zhang Jie repeated, "What's the matter?"

Song Guanchao said, "I'm just passing by, thought I'd drop by to visit you, Director Zhang."

Zhang Jie pondered for a moment and said, "Come over then."

Not bad, she knows what's what.

Song Guanchao smiled and Cheng Xiang tilted his head and asked directly, "Old Song, why are you meeting Director Zhang?"

Song Guanchao casually said, "I'm helping her nephew with a case. She owes me for this favor, doesn't she?"

The three in the car were taken aback at the same time, with Cheng Xiang being the quickest to respond, "Are you that confident?"

"I'm confident, yes, but not overly so. Whether we can find anything, depends on luck."

Even if he considered backtracking through the drugs to find the buyers, it's hard to say if it would yield results.

What if the buyers themselves never appeared?

What if the underlings couldn't remember the buyers' faces?

These are the challenges.

But whether or not they find the people, there's always hope.

As long as there's hope, the groundwork must be laid.

Getting a favor from Zhang Jie is part of the preparation.

Soon, the car arrived at the Provincial Development and Reform Commission's parking lot.

Song Guanchao said, "I'll be right down."

Cheng Xiang watched him walk into the building, unable to help but marvel, "Old Song is really something. That's the head of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and he just meets like that."

The way Song Guanchao spoke on the phone with Zhang Jie made him find it unbelievable.

He had never seen a district-level cadre speak to a provincial-level leader in such a tone.

Chen Yirou said, "He who knows nothing fears nothing. Once he gets burned, he'll know to keep a lower profile."

In her view, Song Guanchao is a bit arrogant.

Those who are capable tend to be like this.

She could understand but wasn't optimistic.

Song Guanchao stepped out of the elevator, and the secretary quickly stood up, "Hello, District Chief Song, Director Zhang is already waiting for you inside."

"Okay."

Song Guanchao smiled at him and pushed the door to enter the office.

The secretary was about to pour tea, but Song Guanchao said, "No need for tea, I'll just say a few words and leave."

The secretary subtly frowned, feeling that Song Guanchao's tone carried a bit of an overbearing command like a leader directing affairs.

"Leave us," Zhang Jie said.

Once the secretary left, Song Guanchao sat down and said, "The municipal bureau assigned Yan Han's case as a practical exercise for the party school."

"I looked through the case files and found some discrepancies."

Zhang Jie frowned, "What do you mean? Are you investigating this case now?"

She felt the municipal bureau and the party school were being absurd.

A bunch of training cadres, why involve them in a case?

Such a highly specialized case, can these cadres really handle it?

It's utterly preposterous.

Song Guanchao nodded, "Mayor Liang initially intended to invite me alone, but considering I'm training at the party school, they employed this collaborative method. If I crack the case, the training will be considered a success and complete."

Seeing Zhang Jie's reaction, Song Guanchao smiled, "Director Zhang may not know me well, but I do have a knack for investigating cases."

"Moreover, I've already identified some issues, and with luck, I might track down the real culprit framing Yan Han."

Zhang Jie still wore a skeptical expression, showing some doubt regarding his words.

"What have you discovered?"

Song Guanchao didn't mind sharing a bit.

So, he told her his approach to solving the case.

Zhang Jie listened carefully, and her eyes lit up.

There actually is a possibility in what he said!

The actual target might not be Yan Han but someone who had conflicts with Yan Han.

Song Guanchao continued, "I have a good idea of who did it, but without evidence, knowing doesn't amount to much."

Zhang Jie didn't care if he had evidence or not. She asked directly, "Who is it?"

Song Guanchao said, "To know who it is, it's simple. When Yan Han was caught with the drugs, who was the first person Yan Han thought of that might set him up? Who was the first person Director Zhang thought of?"

Zhang Jie was taken aback, and then her pupils shrank as she stared at him intensely.

Song Guanchao smiled, "Yes, the first person you both thought of was me."

"The answer is quite obvious."

"The purpose of framing Yan Han was to divert your attention to me. They intended to use Director Zhang's hand to get rid of me."

"As facts stand, they've succeeded to a large extent. If it weren't for my clarity, with Director Zhang's wit, you would probably be starting to retaliate against me already."

"Bang!"

Zhang Jie slammed the desk, "Song Guanchao, watch your tone!"

Song Guanchao remained unfazed and continued, "Director Zhang can think further, who would do such a thing, who would be so inclined to see me dead."

Zhang Jie sneered, "How should I know whom you've offended?"

"No, you know," Song Guanchao stated firmly.

"Before coming to the party school, something major happened in Lingjiang, think carefully Director Zhang."

Something major...

Zhang Jie frowned, thinking hard.

Suddenly, she realized what major event Song Guanchao was referring to.

At the same moment, she also guessed who was most likely framing Yan Han.

"Zhang Yan!" She looked at Song Guanchao and uttered the name.

Song Guanchao spread his hands, "Director Zhang said it, not me."

Zhang Jie's eye twitched, knowing that Song Guanchao refrained from saying it to avoid her feeling he was deliberately causing discord.

No provocation was needed. Just by following Song Guanchao's reasoning, one could only arrive at this conclusion.

A hint of malice flashed in Zhang Jie's eyes. The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was Zhang Yan.

She had the motive and the capability.

"Can you crack the case?" Zhang Jie asked.

Song Guanchao shook his head, "There's hope, but no guarantee."

Zhang Jie asked, "What do you want?"

"I haven't decided yet, just owe me for now."

Song Guanchao stood up and said, "I won't disturb your work, Director Zhang. I'll be leaving now."

After he left, Zhang Jie grabbed her phone.

She wanted to call Zhang Yan but held back.

Just as Song Guanchao said, it's all speculation without evidence.

At least now she knew who was likely framing Yan Han.

...

Song Guanchao came down from the building and got into the car, saying, "Back to the party school."

He was the core of the four-person team. Where he said to go, that's where they went; the others wouldn't question his decisions.

Their task was to be good support and assistants.