Zhao Han was also a bit stunned, her small eyes conveying surprise to Liu Zhizhong. She was standing sideways to Liu Zhizhong and her mother when she turned around; that surprised look in her eyes also carried a hint of resentment.
"Hey, Zhizhong, what are you doing? We the Zhao family have nothing to do with the Zhang family's affairs yet, and you're really going to Hainan? Anyway, I won't go back to the Zhang family's house, not even if I'm beaten to death."
That slight hint of resentment was really seductive, making Liu Zhizhong want to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
Lu Yumei then said, "Big girl, don't talk like that. Let's hear what he has to say! Liu Zhizhong, come clean!"
Liu Zhizhong then seriously said, "The City Organization Department Minister chatted with me, meaning to have me work in the city government office as the Executive Deputy Director, mainly serving the soon-to-be Promoted Mayor Zhang Yuxing."
Mother and daughter exclaimed in unison, astonished.
In Lu Yumei's hand, the greens she was picking automatically fell into the bowl.
Zhao Han was preparing a dish of cold vegetables, and the chopsticks she was stirring with abruptly stopped.
The mother and daughter simply couldn't believe that Liu Zhizhong's promotion was a bit frightening!
"No... Liu Zhizhong, are you out of your mind? Are you joking?" Lu Yumei said in shock.
Zhao Han also couldn't help but look at Liu Zhizhong seriously, "For real? How is that possible? Could the Zhang family members agree? Zhang Yuxing... Heh, Zhang Hongyang, that little Master of Extinction, would agree?"
Liu Zhizhong gave a bitter smile and said, "You may not believe it, but the decision from above is just like that. Minister Zhang Tianbao comes from the provincial city and is not a member of the local Yangzhou Zhang family. He has considerable power, and the Yangzhou Zhang family gives him face. They wouldn't want to make it difficult for him; having an important local personnel adjustment not go his way when he's just arrived—this wouldn't be good."
"Anyway, this matter is the result of struggles on multiple fronts. So, it's a sure thing that Zhang Yuxing will become mayor, and it's also certain that I will become her office's Executive Deputy Director. Zhang Zhenglong's threat to us is actually just bluster. Just bluster, you get it?"
"Zhang Zhenglong probably doesn't even know about this decision yet. Him being a civilian, even as Yangzhou's richest man, doesn't matter; political matters won't shift according to his will."
"His main purpose today, as I see right through him, is still to win over mom, still to have my aunt return to the Zhang family. So, I have to…"
Lu Yumei sort of understood, but still interrupted Liu Zhi, "So, you're going to Hainan to have a good time before taking office? Heh, our Zhao family's matters haven't been completely settled and you're gallivanting off on your own?"
Liu Zhizhong laughed and said, "From the sound of it, mom, you're not letting me go to Hainan. Are you going by yourself?"
"If you're going to have a good time, aren't you taking me and Zhao Han? Not taking Zhao Yan? Are you the sole provider for your household?"
"Uh..." Liu Zhizhong paused for a moment, then laughed, "Zhang Yuxing is vacationing in Hainan, I'm planning to go there."
The mother and daughter were once again shocked to the core.
Lu Yumei looked Liu Zhizhong up and down, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing, "What do you mean?"
Zhao Han was also completely bewildered, never imagining that her man was going to Hainan for Zhang Yuxing.
With a bitter expression, Liu Zhizhong spread his hands, "What else can I do? Minister Zhang from the City Committee Department instructed me to proactively reach out to Mayor Zhang to lay the groundwork for future work, and to show some gratitude to her. After all, without her consent, I couldn't join the City Government! So, I'm just going to Hainan to invite her for a meal or something, it's only natural!"
Lu Yumei nodded, "I understand now. Do you need to bring her a gift, do you need money, is it enough? If not, take some from me!"
At her words, Liu Zhizhong felt a warm sensation in his heart…