As the Provincial Group Minister, Luo Tianlin and his secretary team managed his daily work and life.
The secretary team was extensive, including drivers, confidential staff, logistics for daily life, and security.
However, to protect the big leader's privacy, these secretaries usually lived nearby his residence, but not with him. If needed, they could swiftly be on site. Security, in particular, lived even closer, right next door; with a press of the buzzer, they were there immediately.
Leaders like Luo Tianlin enjoyed freedom in choosing their living arrangement. Relevant departments provided budgets and subsidies, so he could rent or buy housing, or live in official residences provided.
The property Luo Tianlin lived in was his own. Meanwhile, the security's quarters that were rented. Fresh chapters posted on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥
The house, initially a commercial property bought with subsidies, was quite cheap. Luo Tianlin had lived here since he started working in Provincial City, nearly twenty years now.
As he said, the house was a bit old, but it had sentimental value, and he was not keen on moving.
It was located not far from the back gate of Hu Yang University. Originally a multi-story high-class garden apartment complex with elevators, it was still chic and not outdated.
Zhang Tianbao, familiar with the route, quickly led Liu Zhizhong to Luo Tianlin's house. While downstairs, they ran into the Deputy Chief of Luo's security team who was picking up a parcel and exchanged greetings, even offering him a cigarette. After all, they had served the old leader together and were very familiar with each other.
It's fair to say that as Zhang Tianbao and Liu Zhizhong entered the building, they were already under the security team's surveillance.
A provincial powerhouse like Luo Tianlin indeed enjoyed high-level security. A local political council chairman could be assassinated, but it was impossible for someone like Luo Tianlin, the Provincial Group Minister.
When Zhang Tianbao and Liu Zhizhong arrived at Luo Tianlin's door, only one person was left on surveillance duty. The others, led by the Deputy Chief, came out to greet Zhang Tianbao.
They were all acquaintances! The old leader's former chief secretary coming back deserved a greeting.
Zhang Tianbao was casual too, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his briefcase as a "welcome back" gift for everyone. This was just standard officialdom conduct.
Then, the two men knocked on Luo Tianlin's door, which he opened himself.
The slightly chubby old man, friendly-faced and dressed in casual home wear, appeared naturally approachable and, for a moment, did not seem like a high-ranking leader, just a tidy old man.
Seeing his former chief secretary and Liu Zhizhong, Luo Tianlin was naturally delighted. He welcomed them in and did not refuse the gifts they brought.
Looking at the Old ginseng Liu Zhizhong had brought, Luo Tianlin smiled contently and said to Liu, "You're really thoughtful! Did Tianbao tell you?"
Liu Zhizhong chuckled, pointing at Zhang Tianbao, "Minister Zhang indeed gave me a tip. He always remembers you and cares for you!"
Zhang Tianbao laughed heartily, a bit mischievously, "Minister Luo, Zhizhong is sensible, I had to give him advice! Now, let's see what I've brought for you?"
"Ha-ha, you two kids, alright, alright..."
Luo Tianlin was very pleased, with a fatherly tone that was comforting.
He picked up the Yangzhou salted fish Zhang Tianbao had brought and smelled it repeatedly, exclaiming joyously, "Oh, it's fragrant, truly fragrant!"
The smell filled the room, and Zhang Tianbao could barely stand it. Liu Zhizhong, originally from Yangzhou himself, found it irritating too, but had to endure it, right? After all, it pleased the big leader, and that was what mattered.
Luo Tianlin still holding the salted fish, shouted inside, "Hey, Shu Xiu, come out, let's have some salted fish today!"
After calling, he then said to the two, "Tonight it's just us three and Shu Xiu. Her husband couldn't make it back, and she rarely visits, so she insisted on cooking herself. Actually, this is also to thank Xiao Liu, hehe…"
Liu Zhizhong said with a smile, "Miss Luo's hospitality is greatly appreciated; truly it's a lot of effort…"
As he was speaking humbly, Luo Shuxiu came out from the kitchen, wearing a beautiful floral apron, grace and charm personified, truly stirring the heart.