Song Guanchao pulled open the car door, nodded to Ning Lin, and looked toward Liu Lanzi.
She appeared composed, though a hint of lingering fear remained in her eyes.
Song Guanchao knew she had been frightened.
"Liu Lanzi, why don’t you go upstairs and find a place to rest for a bit? I have some matters to handle here. Once I’m done, I’ll take you back."
Liu Lanzi seemed like she wanted to say something but it wasn’t convenient with Ning Lin there.
She nodded, "Secretary Song, please go ahead with your business."
Song Guanchao straightened up and looked at the official car that had come from the provincial capital.
Yao Jinsheng had already gone to greet them, respectfully opening the car door, "Governor Qu."
This was Song Guanchao’s first encounter with the female governor, and he had not looked up information on Qu Xiangru. He was surprised upon meeting her.
Because she was so young.
Based on her appearance, barely 30 years old.
Her actual age could not be more than 35.
Being a member of the Provincial Committee and being a member of the City Committee were two completely different concepts.
It was not common, but not unusual to join the City Committee at thirty, as there were quite a few cases nationally.
But to join the Provincial Committee at the age of thirty-something was not about how often it happened.
A woman of this age, and to be so rare nationwide, this woman either had an exceptional family background or a powerful backer supporting her.
And certainly, her own abilities were not weak at all.
To become a member of the Provincial Committee, all these factors were indispensable.
Song Guanchao suddenly felt relieved inside, grateful that tonight’s affair had been sufficiently cautious and meticulous, leaving not a single trace.
Qu Xiangru was quite tall, about 173 centimeters, and perhaps because she had come over suddenly that evening, she wasn’t in a suit.
Instead, she wore dark blue tight-fitting capri jeans with a pure black silk long-sleeve shirt.
The cuffs were rolled up to reveal her forearms, and the top two buttons of her collar were undone, showing her fair and slender neck.
Her chest was moderate in size, but the shape was excellent, and with the support of her bra, her cleavage was quite prominent.
The excess length of the shirt was tucked into the capris, which were high-waisted, accentuating her slender waist as if it could be encircled with one hand, creating breathtaking curves.
Her hair was tied at the back of her head held loosely with a butterfly clip, and a few loose strands casually framed her face.
The unique charm of a mature woman was vividly displayed on her.
To Song Guanchao, his first impression of this woman was one of beauty!
However, her presence was almost too overpowering.
Yao Jinsheng at first glance, bowed his head, daring not to look again, afraid he might gaze where he shouldn’t and offend Governor Qu.
Qu Xiangru had a pair of narrow yet large eyes, with corners tilting up slightly, giving her a sly and alluring look that seemed to ensnare even without any deliberate action.
She looked toward Yao Jinsheng with a cool and ethereal voice, "Name."
"Governor Qu, I, I am Yao Jinsheng, the Director of Dujiang City Public Security Bureau."
"Where are the police officers who conducted the room search tonight?"
"They are, they are in an upstairs room. As per your instructions, they’ve stayed there."
"Who made the reporting call?"
"It was a hotel service staff."
"Where is the staff member?"
"Find out the information of the person who reported the call, take them up, ten minutes. Is that enough time?"
Governor Qu’s tone was light, her speech measured, yet it caused Yao Jinsheng to sweat profusely and feel immense pressure.
"Yes." Yao Jinsheng turned and walked away, as relieved as if fleeing the gates of hell.
Governor Qu walked toward the hotel, sensing a gaze on her. She stopped and turned around.
Upon seeing Song Guanchao, her beautiful fox-like eyes slightly narrowed.
Song Guanchao walked up to her, smiling, "Hello Governor Qu, I’m Song Guanchao."
As if not hearing his introduction, Qu Xiangru just stared at him up close.
Song Guanchao was significantly taller than her, and less than a meter away, she had to slightly lift her chin to look up at him.
Even with her face tilted upwards, Qu Xiangru’s features and face shape showed no flaws.
Truly a beautiful face with no angle left unflattering.
In the presence of the Provincial Committee permanent member, Song Guanchao displayed not a hint of fear, with neither a servile, appeasing smile nor an affected boldness.
As if the Qu Xiangru before him was just an ordinary person.
In the car, Liu Lanzi saw this Governor Qu but didn’t know who she was, only sensing that this woman had a very powerful aura.
With her discerning eye, she almost immediately surmised that this woman came from the bureaucratic arena.
She then looked at the car the woman had emerged from. The license plate was from the provincial city, and although it wasn’t an official plate, the car model was an Audi, a typical official vehicle.
Could this be a high official from the provincial government?
A high official from the province, a woman with such a strong presence...
Liu Lanzi didn’t know the specifics about the provincial officials, but she made a mental note of these details, intending to find out more later.
"Cigarette," Qu Xiangru said.
Song Guanchao’s eyebrows rose slightly as he took out a cigarette and handed it to her.
As he reached out with the lighter, Qu Xiangru’s voice rang out in sync, "Why set up a trap for Secretary Jin."
Her statement wasn’t a question, but a declaration.
As if she had already made a determination.
Song Guanchao steadied his hand with the lighter, and the flame paused in front of the cigarette.
Qu Xiangru took a light drag, the sound of the tobacco crackling clearly audible.
Song Guanchao was surprised inside, but he didn’t panic.
Because he was certain that there had been no slip-ups in tonight’s events.
Her statement, seemingly sure, was in reality a probe.
Indeed, she was probing.
Upon learning of the incident with Jin Rong, her first reaction was the same as Jin Rong’s.
She suspected that Song Guanchao had set things up, diverting the trouble elsewhere.
But it was only suspicion since Song Guanchao had not been involved throughout, and Jin Rong had jumped into the pit of his own accord.
Whether it was true or not, even if there was the slightest possibility, she needed to confirm it. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩
"What does Governor Qu mean by this?" Song Guanchao furrowed his brows, his forehead almost bursting with anger, but he forcibly suppressed it.
This was the most natural reaction of a person who felt slandered.
If the person across from him weren’t a Vice Governor, he would’ve already been swearing in his face.
Qu Xiangru’s delicate fingers pinched the cigarette, exhaling smoke through her slightly parted red lips with a calm gaze upon him.
A perfectly normal reaction.
Qu Xiangru dropped the barely smoked cigarette to the ground, extinguishing it with her sneaker without explanation or apology and headed toward the hall.
Song Guanchao followed, his face cold and stern.
Stepping into the elevator, Qu Xiangru was expressionless and did not even glance at Song Guanchao.
She, of course, knew Song Guanchao was very angry.
She was just probing; whether it angered Song Guanchao was of no concern to her.
Just as an elephant wouldn’t be concerned with the feelings of an ant.
She also didn’t care if a little secretary felt angry or aggrieved after being misunderstood.
The elevator began its ascent.
there was a loud clang.
The elevator shook violently, the numbers on the display vanished, and the lights inside went out.
Qu Xiangru, caught off balance, hurriedly grabbed onto the elevator wall to stabilize herself from falling to the floor.
Song Guanchao managed to steady himself and his forehead furrowed tightly.
Why would the elevator malfunction all of a sudden?
This malfunction, it didn’t seem right.
A thought flashed through his mind at lightning speed.
Mr. Chen was behind this!
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