At 9:30 the next morning, Secretary Sun arrived at the City Committee.

He first found Jiang Yiren and handed her the signing ceremony plan.

"Yiren, a new Western restaurant opened nearby. I heard it's quite good. Shall we try it tonight?"

Secretary Sun was very confident, and it wasn't blind confidence.

After all, he and Jiang Yiren had already dined together twice.

And both times, Jiang Yiren had been the one to ask him out.

This gave him the illusion that Jiang Yiren had feelings for him.

Jiang Yiren suppressed her disgust and pretended to consider: "Tonight? I'm not sure if I'll have time."

He waved the document in his hand: "I'll deliver this to Secretary Wu first, and we'll talk tonight."

After he left, Jiang Yiren immediately put away her smile and couldn't help but grit her teeth.

Song Guanchao, that bastard.

He made her keep contact with Secretary Sun.

Now, Secretary Sun seems a bit attached to her.

She was a bit troubled and decided to find Song Guanchao later to vent.

She walked into the office and put the document down: "Secretary, this was just delivered by Secretary Sun."

Qu Xiangru picked it up and glanced over, a bit surprised.

This must be the billion-dollar project?

It seems to have been finalized.

On the other side.

Secretary Sun also delivered the document to Song Guanchao.

As he put down the document, he took an extra look at Zeng Li.

He had noticed her the first day Zeng Li came to the City Committee.

Such a beauty is a focal point wherever she goes.

He's always had thoughts about Zeng Li, but alas, Zeng Li is Wu Qiangwei's person, and she's always close to Song Guanchao.

He might have the desire, but not the courage.

After putting down the document, he left directly.

Song Guanchao glanced at it, smiled, and went in to hand the document to Wu Qiangwei.

"Saturday?" Wu Qiangwei pondered for a moment, picked up the landline: "Secretary Qu, do you have time now?"

After putting down the receiver, she headed to Qu Xiangru's office.

Upon entering, Wu Qiangwei said: "Secretary Qu, did you receive Mayor Zheng's invitation?"

"I received it."

"We can't attend this signing ceremony."

"I know."

Normally, such a large project landing in Lingjiang would definitely require the appearance of City Committee leadership.

But they both knew this was a fraudulent company, so before the company gets into trouble, they must avoid any dealings with it.

Even attending the signing ceremony is not an option.

However, they must have a reasonable excuse.

Otherwise, when the project goes awry in the future, Zheng Bihui might suspect they knew about the issue in advance.

"I have to go to the province over the weekend." Qu Xiangru had plenty of excuses, and they were both reasonable and logical; Zheng Bihui couldn't find fault.

Wu Qiangwei nodded in understanding; as long as Qu Xiangru had an excuse.

As for herself, she also had plenty of reasons.

Back in the office, Wu Qiangwei called him in and said: "Please pass the message to Secretary Sun that I have an investment meeting to attend in Dujiang City over the weekend."

"Alright."

The two women were smart enough to know not to touch that fraudulent company, so they both found a reasonable excuse.

About an hour after Secretary Sun left, Song Guanchao personally came to the City Government.

Seeing Song Guanchao visiting, Secretary Sun was a bit surprised: "Is Secretary Song looking for Mayor Zheng?"

Song Guanchao smiled: "Talking to Secretary Sun is just the same."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"It's like this, Wu Shu might not be able to attend the signing ceremony on Saturday."

"Does Wu Shu have something going on?"

"Wu Shu had previously arranged with Secretary Zhang of Dujiang City to attend an investment meeting in Dujiang City."

"I see."

Secretary Sun didn't think much of it; scheduling conflicts are quite common.

After Song Guanchao left, he reported to Zheng Bihui.

Zheng Bihui frowned slightly, a bit displeased, but didn't think too much about it.

If she wasn't coming, then so be it.

At least Wu Qiangwei showed good attitude, having Song Guanchao come in person instead of just notifying by phone.

This meant she still respected him.

However, just after Song Guanchao left, Jiang Yiren also came.

"Yiren, why are you here?" Secretary Sun was a bit excited.

Jiang Yiren smiled and said: "For the signing ceremony on Saturday, Secretary Qu doesn't have time to attend; she has prior commitments in the province."

Secretary Sun's smile froze.

Why couldn't Secretary Qu attend either?

It was hard to justify to him that neither of the two City Committee secretaries were coming.

"Alright, I understand."

He wanted to chat a bit more with Jiang Yiren, but after leaving the message, she turned and left immediately.

Watching Jiang Yiren's beautiful and seductive back, something in Secretary Sun's pants stirred restlessly.

So beautiful!

He wondered when he might get closer to her, to taste the fragrance.

Secretary Sun was both hopeful and felt that the day was not far.

Jiang Yiren clearly had a liking for him.

The next time they had lunch, he could try holding her hand.

Suppressing his inner excitement and anticipation, he turned and entered his office.

"Secretary Qu can't attend either?" Zheng Bihui's face was a bit grim.

He didn't doubt that Secretary Qu genuinely had business.

But this project was so important; couldn't the two secretaries from the City Committee adjust their schedules?

He was not happy, but being unhappy was of no use.

If it were Jiang Yuan, perhaps they might give him face.

But he, Zheng Bihui, clearly did not have the influence to make the two secretaries adjust their plans.

If they don't come, so be it!

At least he and Jiang Yuan making their appearance would show enough respect.

On Friday afternoon.

Uncle Hong sent a long string of messages.

He had thoroughly investigated all members of Chu Yue's team.

Song Guanchao carefully reviewed them on his phone.

Chu Yue's team consisted of seven people.

Where these people lived, their daily habits, etc., were all investigated thoroughly.

Song Guanchao was astonished at how capable Uncle Hong was.

Time quickly passed to Saturday.

A lot of people showed up for the signing ceremony hosted by the City Government, including District Chief Li from Tongchi District Government, two city mayors, several vice mayors, and Secretary General Zhang from the City Government Office.

Additionally, many media outlets were invited to the scene to cover the event.

But from the City Committee, no leaders showed up, not even the Tongchi District Committee Secretary was present.

However, Zheng Bihui intentionally downplayed this aspect, so no one actively focused on it.

On the Huaxing Company's side, even Mr. Chu from Hong Kong didn't come.

Mr. Chu's secretary, Xu Guofu, said Mr. Chu had to attend to some matters in the UK, thus couldn't attend the signing ceremony.

While Zheng Bihui was disappointed, he expressed understanding.

The signing ceremony proceeded perfectly.

Time quickly moved to Monday.

After the Huaxing Company signed with the City Government, they started their preliminary preparations — loans!

As Mr. Chu's secretary, Xu Guofu took personal charge of the matter.

Due to the grandeur of Saturday's signing ceremony, banks all over Lingjiang were already aware of it.

Without even needing Xu Guofu to approach them, these bank presidents were calling District Chief Li one after another.

They hoped District Chief Li could introduce them to Mr. Chu's secretary, so they could secure loans from their banks.

This was a project involving tens of billions in loans with an investor brought in by the City Government.

Such a high-quality client was something banks would fight to the death for!

Meanwhile, district government halls were bustling with bank presidents, and District Chief Li became the darling of all the major banks.

Ultimately, Lingjiang Bank emerged victorious, with the introduction from District Chief Li, and Lingjiang Bank branch president Du Lingchun met with Chu Yue's secretary Xu Guofu.

Nobody knew what benefits Du Lingchun promised District Chief Li to secure this loan project.

But according to their speculation, the benefits District Chief Li gained as a middleman would not be less than seven figures!