27: Chapter 27 Marriage Alliance: I Want the Entire National Development and Reform Commission

Rain fell intermittently in Linjiang City. Secretary Zhu Tianhe sat in the back of the Audi A6.

"Zhu Wenhao," Secretary Zhu Tianhe turned his head, "When we arrive at The Su Family, listen more, observe more, and speak less."

"Mayor Su Changming has just taken office. Offering to host us at this time is him extending an olive branch, and we must accept it firmly."

Zhu Yuntong leaned back against the seat, scrolling through the electronic briefing on his phone.

"Whether we accept it or not doesn't depend on whether he offers a way out, but on how many cards he still has left in his hand."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe furrowed his brow, creating a deep crease on his forehead.

"Zheng Jianguo has fallen to his death, and the Inspection Team is still watching. Mayor Su Changming is having a hard time right now."

"He proposed a marriage alliance because he wants to bind the two families together as a community of interests."

"In Jiangnan Province, the unwritten rule tacitly approved by the higher-ups is that in-laws do not fight each other."

"As long as this marriage takes place, half of the situation in Linjiang can be stabilized."

Zhu Yuntong turned off the screen. In Secretary Zhu Tianhe's eyes, this was a marriage alliance, but in the logic of the ming dynasty, it was called "mutual hostages."

Mayor Su Changming had sacrificed a pawn to save the king, killing a director of the Development and Reform Commission, but he could not cover up the fact that the foundation of his power was already rotting.

"Father, do you really think that someone who relies on cutting off their own tail to survive will tolerate a Deputy Secretary who holds personnel power opposing him for long?"

The muscles on Secretary Zhu Tianhe's face twitched; he did not respond.

The car stopped steadily in front of the small building of The Su Family.

Stepmother Li Juan had specially chosen a dark purple qipao today, covered with a plain-colored sleeveless jacket. This attire was known in the Provincial Party Committee Compound as "impeccable elegance."

She was the first to push the door and get out of the car, adjusting her hair at the eaves.

The gates of The Su Family were wide open.

Li Jiajia, wearing a floral apron, had a smile plastered across her entire face. One would think she and Li Juan were long-time close friends.

"Sister Li, Secretary Zhu Tianhe, come in quickly. Old Su has been talking about you for a long time."

Li Jiajia reached out with both hands to take Li Juan's bag, her posture very humble.

Li Juan smiled flawlessly: "Jiajia, you're too polite. Mayor Su is a new official taking office; our Old Zhu will have to rely on Old Su's care in the future."

The sound of pleasantries collided in the entryway.

Su Qinghan stood at the bottom of the stairs.

A white shirt and black dress pants—this attire looked more like she was going to a meeting at the city government building than attending a family dinner.

She looked at Zhu Yuntong. Their gazes met briefly in the air, then quickly shifted away.

Zhu Yuntong handed the gift to the nanny.

He noticed Su Xiaoxiao huddled in the corner of the sofa, clutching an iPad tightly, her shoulders trembling slightly.

That glass of drugged juice that night had become a recurring nightmare for her, and she felt somewhat unnatural seeing Zhu Wenhao.

"Where is Mayor Su?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe asked.

"In the study, saying that the province just issued an urgent document," Li Jiajia pointed upstairs, "Qinghan, take Zhu Wenhao and the others up."

The color scheme of the second-floor study was gloomy, with dark brown solid wood bookshelves occupying the entire wall.

Mayor Su Changming sat behind the desk, holding a magnifying glass, focusing intently on a city planning map.

"Old Zhu, sit."

Mayor Su Changming didn't get up, just lifted his chin to signal.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe took a seat on the mahogany chair opposite.

"In one's position, one must fulfill one's duties," Mayor Su Changming put away the magnifying glass, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zhu Yuntong, "Zhu Yuntong, you've been on the job for more than a month, are you adapting to the work at Cadre Division 2?"

"Division Chief Zhao has made very appropriate arrangements," Zhu Yuntong said, sitting behind and to the side of his father, his tone devoid of fluctuation.

"I heard that when you were conducting research at the Development and Reform Commission, your writing skills and discernment were quite good."

Mayor Su Changming began to tap the desk rhythmically; it was his habit when thinking.

"You must have heard about Zheng Jianguo's matter. A man who gets things done, ruined by his own lack of self-discipline in his private life, falling to his death after drinking—it's a pity."

This was setting the tone, and also a warning.

Mayor Su Changming was telling The Zhu Family that the dead Zheng Jianguo was just a drunkard who fell by accident.

Zhu Yuntong looked levelly at this new mayor.

"Facts speak louder than words; the organization will have its own conclusion."

"Let's not talk about official business today; let's talk about these two children."

Mayor Su Changming stood up, took a bottle of aged Moutai from the antique shelf behind him, and placed it on the table.

"Old Zhu, Qinghan is a high-spirited child, but she acknowledges Zhu Wenhao. Regarding those previous matters, as parents, some of our communication hasn't been adequate."

He stared at Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

"My meaning is, let's hold the wedding as soon as possible. Let's pick a date next month to get engaged first and invite everyone in the circle."

This was the last life raft Mayor Su Changming threw out; he wanted to use this to win over Secretary Zhu Tianhe to jointly confront the Provincial Inspection Team.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe was just about to nod in agreement.

"No rush."

Zhu Yuntong spoke, the two words like ice cubes falling into boiling water.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's heart jumped violently, and he glared at his son.

Mayor Su Changming's hand, which was pressing on the wine bottle, stopped.

Su Qinghan stood at the study door, her fingertips sinking deep into the wooden door frame.

"Zhu Yuntong, for such a major matter, listen to the elders' arrangements!" Secretary Zhu Tianhe reprimanded.

Zhu Yuntong stood up and walked to the window.

"An engagement is a major event, but it requires the right time and place."

Zhu Yuntong turned his head, looking directly at Mayor Su Changming.

"Su Qinghan is in the Finance Bureau, and I am in the Organization Department. Holding a grand celebration at this time, with the Inspection Team staying at the guesthouse, what will others think?"

"Moreover, the funding for the South City project hasn't been clarified yet, and the audit results haven't come out."

Zhu Yuntong took half a step forward.

"Mayor Su, I think the best opportunity for an engagement is the day the audit report for the South City project concludes."

"In addition, my father believes that Political Commissar Wang Haitao of the Development and Reform Commission has done solid work and should fill the vacancy left by Zheng Jianguo."

The study fell into a deathly silence.

Zhu Yuntong was setting conditions.

He wanted Mayor Su Changming to promote Wang Haitao, who had just turned against Zheng Jianguo.

This was not just a nail driven into the Development and Reform Commission, but also forcing Mayor Su Changming to slap himself in public.

Mayor Su Changming stared fixedly at Zhu Yuntong.

A moment later, he suddenly laughed, but there was no warmth in his laughter.

"Young man, if your ambitions are too great, it's easy to hurt your muscles and bones."

"Whether a meal is soft enough depends on the craftsmanship; whether it's hard enough depends on one's teeth. I think the meal Mayor Su offers must be the hardest one in Linjiang."

Zhu Yuntong retorted, not yielding an inch.

When they went downstairs for dinner, the atmosphere in the dining room was extremely bizarre.

Li Jiajia kept piling expensive dishes into Su Qinghan's bowl.

Li Juan was discussing high-end fabrics of certain brands with Li Jiajia, her voice sharp, trying to break the oppressive coldness between the two men.

"Tianhe, this toast is to wish us sincere cooperation in our new posts." Mayor Su Changming raised his glass.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe stood up and drained his glass.

Zhu Yuntong picked up his glass, let the wine merely touch his lips, and then set it down steadily.

"Zhu Wenhao, why aren't you drinking? Still angry at your aunt?" Li Jiajia teased, half-joking.

Zhu Yuntong put down the wine glass.

"Aunt, you're overthinking. I don't touch wine I shouldn't drink, but if it's wine I should drink, I can handle a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"Clatter."

The ivory chopsticks in Su Xiaoxiao's hand slid to the floor.

Her face turned pale; she understood what "wine I shouldn't drink" referred to.

Dinner ended.

The two families said goodbye in the rain.

Before getting into the car, Secretary Zhu Tianhe called out to Zhu Wenhao: "Zhu Wenhao, you take Su Qinghan home, then come back. I have important things to ask you."

Su Qinghan stood to the side and said.

"No need, I know the way."

She didn't even wait for Zhu Yuntong to respond, called a taxi, opened the door, and sat inside. The taillights quickly disappeared into the curtain of rain.

Zhu Yuntong withdrew his gaze.

He could feel that Su Qinghan had also completed a certain transformation in this suffocating game of chess.

"Get in the car, Father."