69: Chapter 69 Seeing Su Yun Again

"Otherwise, the project will be cancelled. I know." Xiao Bei gave a wry smile. "It really is a case of it never rains but it pours."

Secretary He Mingxuan hesitated, wanting to say something: "Party Secretary, regarding Town Mayor Sun Jiaming..."

"Don't mention him." Xiao Bei waved his hand, not wanting to speak any further.

"Um... County Magistrate Xia just called, saying he wants to understand the details of today's incident." Xiao Bei's eyes sharpened: "County Magistrate Xia?"

That this matter could reach his ears so quickly meant it probably wasn't that simple; someone must have tipped him off secretly.

"I see. You go ahead and get back to work." After Secretary He Mingxuan left, Xiao Bei slumped in his chair and closed his eyes.

Faces flashed through his mind: Chairman Jiang Ruhu's anger, Tian Yuan's terror, Li Chengze's arrogance, Town Mayor Sun Jiaming's hypocrisy... and the whispering expressions of the onlookers.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind—Su Yun. Xiao Bei picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

His finger stopped on the name "Su Yun," and after a moment of hesitation, he dialed.

The call connected quickly, and a clear female voice came through: "Secretary Xiao? How do you have time to call me?"

"Miss Su, I hope I'm not disturbing your work?" Xiao Bei tried his best to make his voice sound lighter.

"Just call me Su Yun." The sound of rustling paper came from the other end of the line. "I just finished recording a program. Is there something you need, Secretary Xiao?"

Xiao Bei took a deep breath: "To be honest, I've run into some trouble and would like to ask for your help."

"Oh? To make Secretary Xiao open his mouth to ask for help, it must not be a small matter." Su Yun's voice carried a hint of teasing, yet it did not lack concern. "Tell me about it."

Ten minutes later, Xiao Bei briefly explained the sequence of events and his predicament. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.

"So, you are now in urgent need of introducing a company to save the Development Zone project?" Su Yun asked.

"Yes, time is very tight." Xiao Bei rubbed his temples. "I know this request is a bit abrupt..."

"No, I'd be happy to help." Su Yun's voice suddenly became brisk. "As it happens, I just interviewed Chairman Lin Shicheng of the Hongyuan Group last week, and they are looking for a new production base."

Xiao Bei sat up straight abruptly: "Hongyuan Group? The listed company that makes eco-friendly building materials?"

"That's right." Su Yun laughed. "Chairman Lin is actually a friend of my university mentor; we have a good relationship. I can help you make the connection."

Xiao Bei felt a surge of warmth wash over him: "Su Yun, this... thank you so much."

"Don't be in such a rush to thank me." Su Yun's voice suddenly lowered. "I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"I want exclusive reporting rights." Su Yun's professional instinct as a journalist was clearly revealed. "I want to film the entire process of the first company moving into the Bishi Town Development Zone."

Xiao Bei smiled, thinking to himself that this was a great thing!

This was clearly Su Yun helping him; it would not only help promote the Development Zone but also save a fortune in advertising fees. Therefore, he agreed decisively: "It's a deal. Thank you, Su Yun!"

A moment later, Su Yun asked: "Are you free now? I happen to be in your county for an interview. How about we have dinner together and discuss the details?"

Xiao Bei checked his watch; it was 7:30 PM. He was supposed to attend a Town Government leadership meeting hosted by Town Mayor Sun Jiaming, but at this moment, he really did not want to see that hypocritical face.

"Sure. Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei felt a long-lost sense of relief. He opened his drawer, took out the Development Zone planning map, and re-examined it; the land on the blueprint waiting to be developed seemed to have hope once again.

Meanwhile, in an office on the other side of the Town Government, Town Mayor Sun Jiaming was also on the phone.

"County Magistrate Xia, that is the situation." He lowered his voice. "Xiao Bei is determined to set me up this time. You have to think of a way to help me."

On the other end of the line, County Head Xiahou Yang's voice was slow and deliberate: "Comrade Sun Jiaming, it's not that I want to criticize you, but your nephew has really gone too far. This matter has caused such a stir that even the County Party Committee knows about it; the Party Secretary was just asking about it earlier."

"I know that brat is a bastard, but Xiao Bei is using this as an excuse to stir up trouble; he clearly wants to take me down!" Town Mayor Sun Jiaming gritted his teeth. "He's just an air-dropped cadre; what does he know about grassroots work?"

"It's useless to talk about that now." County Head Xiahou Yang mused. "The Development Zone project was pushed forward by him personally. If it fails, it will also be a blow to him. Keep a low profile recently and don't let anyone catch you in a trap."

"But..." "There are no 'buts.' Keep a close watch; don't let him find any loopholes."

After hanging up the phone, Town Mayor Sun Jiaming walked to the window and happened to see Xiao Bei's car driving out of the Town Party Committee compound.

He narrowed his eyes and dialed another number: "Hello, is this Xiao Zhang? Help me follow Secretary Xiao's car and see where he's going..."

At this moment, Xiao Bei was heading to the "Old Wharf" restaurant in the county seat to meet Su Yun.

The "Old Wharf" restaurant was one of the few high-end establishments in the county. The decor was retro with a modern touch, and the wooden floors and red brick walls created an atmosphere that was both cozy and stylish.

Xiao Bei arrived ten minutes early and chose a quiet spot by the window, from which he could overlook the night view of the county.

At 7:40 PM, a bright and beautiful figure appeared at the entrance of the restaurant.

Su Yun was wearing a dark green silk dress, the hem of which stopped just ten centimeters above her knees, appearing both elegant and sexy.

The V-neck design revealed her delicate collarbones and a hint of cleavage, while a thin belt at her waist outlined her slender figure. Her legs were long and straight, and as she walked in her five-centimeter high heels, she swayed gracefully.

Xiao Bei stood up involuntarily, his gaze firmly captured.

Su Yun's wavy long hair was draped over her shoulders, and the small pearl earrings on her earlobes swayed gently with her movements. She wore exquisite makeup, her red lips were full and luscious, and her eyeliner was slightly upturned, giving her a touch of charm.

"Have you been waiting long, Secretary Xiao?" Su Yun walked to the table, placed her Chanel chain bag aside, and a faint scent of jasmine perfume drifted from her.

"I just arrived." Xiao Bei pulled out the chair for her, his fingers inadvertently brushing against her exposed arm. The skin was as smooth as silk, making his heart tremble.

When Su Yun sat down, her dress hem shifted slightly, revealing more of her fair thighs. She seemed to notice Xiao Bei's gaze but didn't mind; instead, she elegantly crossed her legs, a faint smile playing on her red lips.

"I've been to this restaurant before; their seafood is very fresh." Xiao Bei handed over the menu, trying his best to make his voice sound calm.

"You order." Su Yun pushed the menu back. "I don't know much about food; I'm fine with anything."

Xiao Bei ordered steamed grouper, boiled shrimp, and a few seasonal vegetables, and also requested a bottle of French Bordeaux red wine. After the waiter left, the atmosphere between the two changed subtly.

"To be honest, I didn't expect you to take the initiative to contact me." Su Yun rested her chin on her hand, her eyes shining under the candlelight. "After last time, I thought we wouldn't see each other again."