Chapter 1862

Chapter 1862: Chapter 1862

As soon as Song Guanchao left, Hu Yong hurriedly started making calls to find out more about Song Guanchao.

Few could easily ascend to the chairman’s position—a role that requires masterful interpersonal skills and an expansive network that typical people can’t match.

Although he was only in charge of the branch company, he had formed close ties with some government leaders during his years in Jiangzhou.

However, they were all minor officials, with the highest rank being just a deputy director.

After several calls, Hu Yong had a clearer understanding of Song Guanchao.

This person used to be Mayor Wu’s secretary and is now the director of the City Government Office, so even the vice mayor is cautious enough not to offend him.

To say he’s the actual second-in-command of the city government is not an exaggeration.

In short, this person has significant power and a fiery temper; it’s rumored he even slammed the table at a standing committee meeting with Secretary Zhou.

Moreover, he has a close relationship with Governor Lu.

After gaining a general understanding of Song Guanchao, Hu Yong became more anxious.

It seems this Director Song isn’t short of money, so his original plan of spending money to solve the problem is clearly unfeasible.

He wanted to find someone to plead on his behalf but was dismayed to realize none of the leaders he knew were at this level.

What was he supposed to do?

Hu Yong scratched his head in frustration.

In his irritation, he ran Song Guanchao’s suggestions through his mind several times, but the more he thought, the less they seemed workable.

The parent company couldn’t possibly sell this branch with a good performance, given it took years to occupy this market.

Having the parent company set up additional production lines... that’s probably the only possibility.

He grabbed his car keys and left.

He decided to make a trip to Beihu Province to report in person.

Along the way, Hu Yong was awash in various regretful emotions, feeling tormented.

But the situation had already unfolded, and repentance was useless.

...

"Director Song, the suggestions you gave—Ruilang Company likely won’t agree to any of them." Zhou Xingjian felt he spoke too definitively without leaving any room, which seemed quite unfeeling.

Song Guanchao adjusted the angle of his car seat, reclining slightly, and said with half-closed eyes, "They will agree."

It was just an out-of-province company; he didn’t need to give them face, nor consider any niceties.

If destroying this company could bring Jiangzhou tens of millions in tax revenue, Song Guanchao would have no hesitation in doing so.

Zhou Xingjian cast a curious and puzzled look at him, not quite understanding where his confidence came from.

Or was there some hidden element that he wasn’t aware of?

Song Guanchao, considering Zhou Xingjian one of his own, didn’t plan to conceal anything, hence he said, "Do you think Ruilang Company knows what dirty deeds Hu Yong has done?"

Zhou Xingjian contemplated for a few seconds, then shook his head, "They probably don’t."

Song Guanchao said, "Whether they know or not isn’t important, what’s important is that if I make it an issue, I can openly seal off the Ruilang branch company. Ruilang Company has spent years in Jiangzhou expanding their market, do you think they’d willingly be shut down?"

Zhou Xingjian’s thoughts gradually clarified following his explanation.

"I understand now."

Song Guanchao smiled and closed his eyes for a nap.

That evening.

When Song Guanchao returned home from work, it was already past eight.

Getting out of the elevator, he saw a woman standing at his door.

Wu Yun.

"Why are you here?"

"Waiting for you."

Wu Yun was holding a handbag, and on the ground was a large bag full of groceries.

"When did you get here?"

"Just got here."

Song Guanchao patted her head, not uncovering her clumsy lie.

She bought so many vegetables, clearly intending to come cook for him; it seems she arrived right after getting off work.

Since it was already past eight, she must have been waiting there for at least a couple of hours.

Without making a phone call to urge, presumably to avoid disturbing his work.

Song Guanchao felt a bit guilty, picked up the groceries, and opened the door saying, "Come in."

Inside the house, Wu Yun changed shoes, put down her bag, and was about to cook, but Song Guanchao held her back: "Go sit on the sofa, I’ll cook."

"You’ve worked all day, you must be tired. I’ll cook."

"Listen." Song Guanchao deliberately put on a stern face.

This tactic indeed worked, Wu Yun didn’t argue further and obediently went to rest on the sofa.

Although Song Guanchao hadn’t cooked for a long time, he wasn’t rusty at all.

Glancing at the ingredients in the bag, he already had an idea of what dishes to make in mind.

First, he set the rice to cook, washed and cut the vegetables and fish, firing up two burners simultaneously to steam fish and stir-fry vegetables.

When the rice was ready, the dishes were also served one after another.

Bringing the dishes out, he found Wu Yun had fallen asleep on the sofa.

Song Guanchao took off his apron and walked over, gently tapping her, "Dinner’s ready."

Wu Yun blearily opened her eyes, seeing Song Guanchao’s face, for a moment thinking she was dreaming.

As her thoughts cleared, she remembered she was at his home.

Sitting up, she saw Song Guanchao looking at her with a gentle smile; thinking of how she must look disheveled after just waking up, her face instantly turned red, and she quickly headed to the bathroom.

She washed her face and hands, let down her ponytail to comb it out, checked herself in the mirror, and then turned towards the dining table.

"Let’s eat." Song Guanchao handed her the rice and chopsticks, sitting across from her.

Looking at the colorful and fragrant dishes on the table, Wu Yun remarked in surprise, "You’re such a great cook?"

Song Guanchao was about to strike a cool pose when she squinted her eyes and coyly hummed, "Did you learn to cook especially to woo girls?"

"..." Song Guanchao raised his hand and flicked her on the head with a chopstick, "I learned for you."

"Hmph." Wu Yun showed a satisfied smile, took a bite of rice, which though plain, tasted sweet.

After the meal, Wu Yun wanted to wash the dishes but was again stopped by Song Guanchao: "We have a dishwasher."

He tossed the dishes into the dishwasher, and just as he exited the kitchen, his phone on the table rang.

Hu Yong was calling.

Song Guanchao was quite surprised; this guy was pretty efficient—clearly scared by him.

Seeing this, Wu Yun sensibly went to brew tea for him.

Song Guanchao leaned back in his chair, holding the phone to his ear.

"Director Song, do you have time tomorrow noon?"

"I do."

"That’s great, see you tomorrow noon."

Hu Yong set the time and hung up.

Song Guanchao smiled, right as Wu Yun brought over the tea, and she asked casually, "Whose call was that, for you to be so happy?"

"A company’s responsible person."

Song Guanchao took the tea, his gaze casually roaming over her, and those brazen looks made Wu Yun, who was already prepared, slightly shy.

"Why are you staring at me?" Wu Yun matched his gaze with her big eyes.

Song Guanchao put down the tea cup, suddenly grabbed her wrist, and with a tug, pulled her into his arms.

Wu Yun’s heartbeat suddenly increased, her eyes not daring to meet his as she feigned a protest, "What are you doing?"

Ignoring her, Song Guanchao lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.

Although it wasn’t their first kiss, this time felt completely different from before.

Wu Yun clearly understood what was about to happen.

With just a simple kiss, intense excitement already erupted within her, making her extremely sensitive.

Song Guanchao encircled her slender waist with his arms, and as his nimble fingers explored, he untucked her shirt from her pants and easily unclipped the buttons with his fingers.

Under her heavy breathing, Song Guanchao undid the last button, briefly parting from her lips.

Wu Yun’s face was red and ears warm, her large watery eyes misted over slightly, filled with bashfulness, not daring to meet his gaze.

Cradling her, Song Guanchao stood up from the chair and walked towards the bathroom.