Lu Yuqing was also bewildered but spoke seriously to her husband with the driver present, "Yes, I remember the original draft. It was prepared before Secretary Liu took office, and moreover..."

Speaking of which, Lu Yuqing paused for a moment and then addressed Liu Zhizhong, who was sitting in the front, "Secretary Liu, did you organize the documents this morning? Could it be that you..."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xudong immediately perked up and leaned forward from the back seat, "Zhizhong, what is this situation? Didn't you notice that the draft had changed?"

At that moment, Liu Zhizhong became very respectful and quickly turned his head with a smile, "Secretary Ma, Secretary Lu, I need to reflect on this issue! The speech draft I prepared this morning seemed fine at first glance, but I thought there could be a better angle. So before Secretary Ma came to work, I took the time to revise and print it. It turned out quite well, unexpectedly. But acting on my own was against the work discipline; I must review my actions!"

Immediately, Ma Xudong and his wife's eyes lit up, thrilled by the situation.

Ma Xudong clapped his hands with his voice raised, "Well done, Liu Zhizhong! Indeed, I chose the right person! This self-criticism is unnecessary! Your initiative was excellent, the revisions were good! Your literary skills and emotional engagement are very strong, spot on!"

That was truly a fierce compliment!

Lu Yuqing also felt a surge of joy internally. Such a treasure in the workplace, truly outstanding!

However, she immediately nodded and said, "Exactly, Secretary Ma really has an eye for talent! Look at Secretary Liu's professional skills, truly outstanding. Such a talent should have been promoted earlier!"

"Yes, yes... But, Secretary Lu, you should have recommended him to me earlier too!"

"How could I dare? I've only been with the City Committee for a few days. Recommending him would have seemed a bit unseemly..."

"Not at all, not at all. Promoting the wise is paramount! I see it like this..."

"..."

In any case, Ma Xudong was in an excellent mood today. He assigned Liu Zhizhong the task of further polishing the document, as the publicity department would definitely need it, and getting it featured in the provincial newspaper or provincial station would be even better.

Liu Zhizhong, of course, assured that it was no problem. This was just the type of performance his uncle-in-law needed!

His spontaneously created speech draft showcased his genuine capabilities, smoothly advancing the demolition work and creating significant impacts, which evidently cemented his position in Ma Xudong's heart, gaining deep trust, greatly benefiting his personal development.

Even that very afternoon, while accompanying Ma Xudong at the City Committee standing committee meeting, during a break, a committee member mentioned Secretary Ma's on-site speech that day, lauding its empathy and demonstrating the Party leadership's excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence, solving a major difficult issue, and even inquired who drafted such a strong document.

Ma Xudong was quite pleased and, pointing to Liu Zhizhong, who was taking minutes at the side, chuckled and said Xiao Liu whipped it up last minute this morning; it was passable but still needed the leaders' guidance and care.

Liu Zhizhong could only smile modestly at everyone, composed and restrained.

The entire standing committee was astounded.

Boy, Liu Zhizhong really was capable!

Even Zhang Yuxing, a standing committee member herself, couldn't help but take note. It seemed Ma Xudong had reasons to be proud of this secretary. Displacing Liu Zhizhong might truly be tricky now? For Zhang Hongyang, having Liu Zhizhong settle in wasn't good news either. Who knows how his nephew planned to compete with Liu Zhizhong?

His secretary, Zhang Hong, was also somewhat shocked, never imagining Liu Zhizhong actually had such skills!

After the standing committee meeting ended, Ma Xudong returned to Provincial City to deal with home affairs, of course, not taking Liu Zhizhong with him.

Lu Yuqing, being his newlywed wife, also went home to Provincial City for the first time to meet her problematic university daughter, Ma Qingqing.

However, to avoid any appearances of impropriety, Lu Yuqing left an hour later.

After work, Liu Zhizhong, of course, duly took Luo Yanling out to dinner as promised.

This time, however, Liu Zhizhong and Luo Yanling drove separate cars and went their separate ways.

They didn't go to last night's Western restaurant; instead, they chose a sauerkraut chicken restaurant, rented a private room, and enjoyed their meal.

During the meal, they discussed Luo Gang's transfer. Liu Zhizhong scoffed, "This guy becoming Zhang Hongyang's secretary really is strange. How did Zhang Hongyang suddenly think of such a distant cousin?"

Luo Yanling didn't give it much thought and simply said, "Isn't Luo Gang familiar with Secretary Zhang Yuxing too? Maybe it was Secretary Zhang's idea."

Liu Zhizhong thought about it and didn't mention his suspicion that perhaps Luo Gang had followed them, secretly taken photos, and sent them to Zhang Hongyang, who then forwarded them to Zhao Yan. Luckily, his aunt had handled Zhao Yan.

Still, Zhao Yan's firmness in divorce left Liu Zhizhong a bit uneasy, though he didn't show it.

After dinner, Liu Zhizhong dutifully drove Luo Yanling home as promised. Since both had driven, Luo Yanling led the way, and Liu Zhizhong simply followed her car.

However, as they entered the residential area where Luo Yanling lived, Liu Zhizhong was stunned...