Liu Zhizhong let out a secretive smile, "Ah, it's a long story. Minister Zhang, shall we eat and drink first and talk slowly?"
Zhang Tianbao nodded with a smile that was more of a smirk, and playfully pointed at Liu Zhizhong a few times without saying a word, but his expression seemed to dare say: "You, my friend, are quite interesting!"
As a result, the two violinists kept playing non-stop and they really weren't bad at it.
Eating midnight snacks in such an atmosphere was truly a treat.
Zhang Qixiang's villa had never seen such elegant entertainment before!
But, since Liu Zhizhong had requested it, Zhang Qixiang, as his woman, did her best to make it happen.
Although Zhang Qixiang was proud in front of Liu Zhizhong, helplessly, she was his, after all. She couldn't disobey when he worked her to death.
Liu Zhizhong and his companion enjoyed the midnight snacks, having a conversation full of life and quite congenial. The music from the lute masked their conversation, and the Lute Master couldn't hear them, so everything was just perfect.
When they had almost finished eating, Zhang Tianbao wiped his mouth with a napkin and then cleaned his hands with a steaming hot towel that had been kept warm.
He lit a cigarette passed to him by Liu Zhizhong and said, "Zhizhong, it seems you're still a very steady young man. In Yangzhou, you stand out for your talents. Your interpersonal skills and perception in officialdom are also exceptionally high. Even though you've temporarily let Zhang Hongyang take the lead, in reality, your potential for development is still tremendous!"
"Thank you for the praise, Minister Zhang. I can only do my best, step by step, steadily and surely. After all, as you know, I can't compare with County Head Zhang in terms of background. He's got a deep-rooted background, and I've got nothing but my own shadow."
Zhang Tianbao chuckled and nodded, "That's why you've always endured and given way in the rivalry with your brother-in-law. When you were training at the Party School in the provincial city, you surely suffered a lot at his hands. And this time, with him publishing a book and such… heh, you're willing to work hard for someone else's benefit, to make a wedding gown for them?"
"What else can I do? But..."
Liu Zhizhong went on to tell the whole story about Zhang Yue Xing wanting to set up a rest station for cleaners at the City Government.
Zhang Tianbao was astounded, "Hmm, that's not bad at all! Mayor Zhang's first few orders seem to be catching fire. You've played no small part in this, managing to draw out over a billion in income from Zhang Hongyang? Aren't you afraid he'll hate you and seek revenge?"
"He's hated me for more than a day or two; what's the big deal? As long as it's something that brings welfare to the people, I'm willing to do it. I can come up with good ideas that benefit the people, too. Heh..."
Zhang Tianbao expressed his admiration and raised his glass to Liu Zhizhong, and they clinked glasses.
Zhang Tianbao tapped off his ash, "You know, you've invited me to this midnight snack tonight, and I actually have a favor to ask of you, can you help me with it?"
"There's no problem, Minister Zhang. If you think highly of me and I am capable, it's a win-win!"
"Haha..." Zhang Tianbao laughed heartily, his voice even louder.
He was a very steady person, and to laugh like that was exceptional; it showed he was genuinely happy, moved by Liu Zhizhong's humor.
Right then, Zhang Tianbao said, "Your thoughts on the article were very well done. And me, I've been the Organization Department head in a place like the prefecture-level city of Yangzhou for some time now. I've had some ideas and insights, and I want to compile them into an article. But the secretarial team in the Organization Department really isn't up to the task; they're just not cut out for it! So, heh... Zhizhong, do you think you're up for it?"
Liu Zhizhong was delighted, nodding on the spot, "As long as Minister Zhang favors me, I feel like I can do it again."
"Haha... then it's settled! I'll give you a brief tonight, you can start brainstorming, no rush..." Updates are released by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽