In the simple office of the County Party Secretary, Xie Peng met Liu Zhizhong.

Liu Zhizhong was becoming more composed and indifferent, genuinely embodying the demeanor of a young County Party Secretary.

Liu Zhizhong invited Xie Peng to sit, with a faint smile, and said, "Comrade Xiao Xie, the organization trusts and values you!"

Xie Peng felt a strong aura of authority and tone, and humbly smiled, saying, "Secretary Liu, you're too kind. Xiao Xie never expected this day to come so quickly! It's the organization's care and trust, and even more, it's Secretary Liu's deep affection!"

Flattery, well, you never tire of hearing nice words, hehe...

Xie Peng knew how to flatter, but felt he laid it on quite thick today.

Have you seen someone flatter their enemies? Haha! So, Comrade Xie Peng felt disgusted!

Liu Zhizhong chuckled and said, "Xiao Xie knows how to talk, not bad! Of course, it's actually County Mayor Zhang who cares for you deeply! From the time you graduated college, you followed him to Shadong County, and then to Shanan County. County Mayor Zhang's affection is much deeper than mine!"

"Both leaders are my life mentors, my driving force, and role models for learning!"

Liu Zhizhong nodded, "Good, good, you know how to talk! Today, I've called you to talk about some details regarding this promotion, and also some extra matters, though they're not really extra."

Xie Peng was a bit puzzled, chuckling, "Please, Secretary Liu, enlighten and instruct me!"

"Well, it's like this..."

Liu Zhizhong started the conversation, indeed discussing the promotion, some details, including understanding Xie Peng's life and values.

But that's all secondary, you know.

Xie Peng naturally followed Zhang Hongyang's instructions, praised when needed, vowed his determination when required, behaving dutifully. Flattered when he should, and spoke pretty lies with open eyes.

Of course, he felt inside that Liu Zhizhong was speaking nonsense, without any substance. Anyway, as long as promotion was imminent, agreeing with him was fine.

However, who knew, Liu Zhizhong soon talked about the vice minister of the State Committee's Organization Department's trip to Lu'an County.

As soon as this was mentioned, Xie Peng felt anxious, feeling this was the climax of the leadership conversation, damn it!

Liu Zhizhong said, "According to the vice minister, you have a very good childhood friend, named Wen Bao, who is actually Mr. Wen Yuluo, is there such a thing?"

Xie Peng's mind resounded lightly at the scene, but he quickly calmed down, since there's a prearranged consistent response.

Immediately, Xie Peng wore an awkward and helpless expression, "Reporting to Secretary Liu, indeed there is such a thing, alas..."

He sighed, with a face full of bitterness that didn't seem like acting, although it actually was.

Liu Zhizhong said, "What's wrong? Since you and Mr. Wen are childhood friends, why pretend not to recognize each other when you meet? Normally, it shouldn't be like that, should it?"

Xie Peng looked down, wearing an embarrassed expression, and said, "Secretary Liu, in the past, he and I were indeed very close childhood friends. But later, alas... because of a girl, our class's vice monitor, we had a huge falling out, later..."

He recounted to Liu Zhizhong meticulously according to what was agreed with Wen Bao.

Liu Zhizhong probably didn't feel anything amiss, and at the end, even said, "Heroes can't pass the beauty barrier, if one doesn't indulge in youth, what a waste of youth, hehe..."