57: Chapter 57 "Do a good job as mayor!"

Two years later, Shen Meizhu established a construction company and began taking on small engineering projects, gradually growing and earning more and more money.

By the time Niu Panlong was promoted to Vice Mayor of the city, her company had grown to over a hundred people, and later, she established a group company.

She rejected many suitors to focus on being Niu Panlong's secret lover, making him feel a sense of debt toward her. Consequently, on many occasions, he turned a blind eye to her behavior of using his name to snatch projects and land everywhere.

Meanwhile, Huang Limin devoted herself to her husband and child, sacrificing her career. To this day, she was only a Deputy Consultant at the Municipal Education Bureau, overseeing the work of the Academy of Educational Sciences, a subordinate section-level unit. Her days were leisurely.

Just as her mind was wandering, Niu Panlong's snoring began.

She sighed and stared at the ceiling, feeling that this long night was so lonely and unbearable. At her age, when her desires were as fierce as a wolf or tiger, she needed it too.

Early the next morning, Niu Panlong went to work, while Secretary Zhang Xin stayed behind to accompany and comfort the Mayor's wife.

Several firefighters spent over two hours before finally finding the snake; it had actually crawled into the bottom layer of the kitchen cabinets.

The Director of the Chaotou District Public Security Bureau Branch personally deployed his men. Their preliminary assessment was that someone was suspected of intentionally releasing the snake, but there were no surveillance cameras at the back window, and no traces of human activity were found.

The police stated they would step up efforts to solve the case and do a good job of protecting the Mayor's wife.

Huang Limin felt both afraid and aggrieved, so she called Niu Panlong to complain.

Niu Panlong said, "It's nothing. Someone just wants to use a snake to scare us. If they really wanted to harm us, they wouldn't use this method. That snake isn't venomous either. Besides, I am the Mayor of a city, and you are the Mayor's wife. No one dares to do anything to us."

"Who on earth could that person be?"

"I've been in officialdom for so many years and have been promoted so many times; naturally, I've offended many people. Don't worry about it. Just go about your business."

"That won't do. Today it's a snake, but what about tomorrow? From now on, you must come back to accompany me before nine every night."

Niu Panlong chuckled, thinking to himself, "Could this snake have been released by Huang Limin herself? A self-harm ruse? To make me come home earlier?"

However, he could no longer muster any interest in her body. He comforted her warmly, "I'm too busy. I have social engagements every day, and if I'm not socializing, I'm working overtime. How about this? If you're afraid, I'll have Xiao Zhang keep you company more often."

Thus, the dignified Secretary to the Mayor had an extra task from then on: going to the Mayor's house after work to keep that still-charming aunt company.

Huang Limin actually quite liked this young man; he was young, energetic, quick-witted, and knew how to handle things.

Early on the morning of September 30th, after breakfast, the Provincial Party Committee Investigation Team finished their investigation and left in a hurry.

According to regulations, the investigation results were confidential and could not be disclosed to the local government. They would report directly to the provincial leaders upon their return.

But when Deputy Minister Xue Zhongkai said goodbye to Mayor Niu Panlong, he still whispered a few words: "Do a good job as Mayor!"

Niu Panlong understood and smiled with a sense of relief.

In the afternoon, Zhang Huaijing met with several business owners in succession, all from the road and bridge sector.

Since he had become the Executive Deputy Leader, he naturally became a target for the bosses' public relations efforts.

When it was over, Secretary Chen Ran came in to tidy up the tea set. Zhang Huaijing said to him, "Xiao Chen, you must check all the gifts that are sent and register them. Be careful even with ordinary tea, cigarettes, and alcohol—especially if the plastic seals have been opened. Money could be stuffed inside cigarette boxes or tea canisters."

"Alright, Secretary, I will check them thoroughly." Secretary Chen Ran felt a bit apprehensive; if the leader hadn't mentioned these things, he really wouldn't have known.

"Additionally, there are some bosses I don't want to see. Help me block them."

"Yes, sir, will do."

Secretary Chen Ran agreed verbally, but in his heart, he wondered how to block them. If people had already arrived and the Secretary was inside, what could he do?

Being a Secretary is truly a craft.

Secretaries of city leaders often gathered together; today one would organize it, and tomorrow it would be another's turn to host.

Secretary Chen Ran had just joined one such gathering. Some secretaries talked about their leaders' private matters, some were snooping around, and some even had district or county office directors arrange for call girls...

Seeing that the leader had no further instructions, Secretary Chen Ran asked, "Secretary, do you have any arrangements for National Day?"

"No. I'm taking the train back to the provincial capital tomorrow, going back to my hometown on the 2nd, and coming back for duty on the 6th. You're on holiday during this time, so take care of your own business."

"Secretary, I don't have much to do. I'll be on call whenever needed."

Zhang Huaijing waved his hand. "No need."

Secretary Chen Ran then withdrew. Just as he got outside, he saw Lu Waner holding a folder and smiling at him. "Secretary Chen, is the Secretary inside?"

"He is. Are you here to have him sign a confidential document?" Some documents from the Organization Department and the Discipline Inspection Commission were presented directly to the leaders for signing; to maintain confidentiality, they sometimes didn't pass through the Secretary's hands.

Secretary Chen Ran wasn't like some secretaries who would find ways to intercept them and read them first to master all of the leader's affairs. This was a double-edged sword with pros and cons. Knowing too little was not conducive to serving the leader, but knowing too much might arouse the leader's suspicion.

The balance depended on one's personal judgment and intuition.

"Yes," Lu Waner smiled comfortably.

She had changed into another outfit today: a light blue cotton shirt with lace trim at the collar on top, and a black silk straight midi skirt on the bottom. The length was just past her knees, revealing her straight, jade-white calves.

Secretary Chen Ran felt her taste in clothes was getting better and better, and she was becoming more beautiful—so gentle, elegant, pure, and bright.

Every time she came to see Secretary Zhang, she dressed differently. Moreover, she had already stepped out from the shadow of Cui Liming's accidental death and become much more lively and cheerful.

He felt sad for his good friend Cui Liming, but also happy for Lu Waner. After all, she was still so young and had the right to start a new life.

Secretary Chen Ran knocked and went in to announce her, then returned and let Lu Waner in.

For some reason, her heart fluttered a bit when she saw Secretary Zhang, and her face felt slightly flushed.

She said respectfully, "Hello, Secretary Zhang."

Zhang Huaijing looked up at her, gave a hum of acknowledgment, and continued practicing his calligraphy.

The room was large, over 70 square meters. In addition to the office area, there was a reception area and a leisure area. The decoration was luxurious, spacious, and elegant.

The desk and bookshelves were all mahogany furniture. Two money trees were lush and flourishing, and a pot of Clivia was placed on the desk.

On the wall behind the desk was an ink wash landscape painting. She couldn't understand the painting, but she could understand the words on it: "Practice through action; put in the work, and it will be beneficial."

It was Slender Gold Script again. She suspected that Secretary Zhang had written it himself; it was truly thin yet powerful, and very beautiful.

To the east was a bathroom with a shower, across from a small storage room.

The writing desk was located in the corner next to the bathroom.

Lu Waner was a bit unsure of what to do. The leader was writing with great interest; how could she have the heart to disturb him at such a time?

The document wasn't actually that important or confidential; it would have been perfectly fine to give it to the Secretary. However, Minister Wang Ximeng insisted that she personally deliver it to the Secretary for his review and signature.

Just as she was in a dilemma, Zhang Huaijing suddenly called out, "Waner, come over here and help me take a look. What do you think of this piece of calligraphy?"