0102 111 A man in a green robe bravely traverses perilous peaks.
The room was completely silent.
A gentle breeze blew by, casting shadows of flowers and grass on the doors and windows, and the scent of blood drifted in on the wind.
Zhou Xiye lowered his head and adjusted his breathing.
Luo Yiming put down his gun, picked up his phone and said a few words. Less than a minute later, a group of people came in, lifted the unconscious Li Mingzhe and put him on a stretcher. They came and went in a hurry.
"Bang—"
Zhou Xiye looked up and saw Luo Yiming standing beside her, holding a bottle of red wine. As he poured the wine, he said, "Secretary Zhou, may we talk business now?"
Ling Xingzhi suddenly burst out laughing, "A chess piece is always just a chess piece; it can be discarded at any time."
Luo Yiming ignored Ling Xingzhi's words and didn't pour him any wine. Zhou Xiye took the glass and gently swirled it. Luo Yiming sat down, poured himself a glass of wine, took a sip, and said, "Secretary Zhou is a man with political ambitions. The strength of the domestic anti-drug force is evident from historical lessons. The burning of opium at Humen—opium harms people." Luo Yiming paused, his expression still gentle.
"However, Secretary Zhou, looking at the world, not to mention distant places like Mexico or the Golden Triangle, the world is not lacking in honest people, but honesty is worthless in the face of human nature."
Zhou Xiye smiled and took a sip of his drink. What he meant by human nature went far beyond what was on the surface.
Luo Yiming turned his head to look at Zhou Xiye, "I'm curious, do you want to be the next Mayor Maria? Or... Mayor Montserrat Cabllero?" His tone was light, as if he were raising a gun lightly and pointing it at Zhou Xiye's forehead.
The three people present all knew perfectly well what Maria's fate would be.
At this moment, Ling Xingzhi suddenly said, "Now it seems that you, Boss Luo, are Luo Binwang, and Secretary Zhou must be Wu Zetian." He picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Luo Yiming smiled gently, "As long as Mayor Ling isn't Lai Junchen, that's fine."
Ling Xingzhi put down his cup, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Hey, if Secretary Zhou is Wu Zetian, then I must be Li Zhi." After saying that, he looked up and smiled at Luo Yiming.
Upon closer examination, the underlying meaning of his words is that his true intention was not what he seemed, and his actions were definitely not intended to take advantage of Zhou Xiye. On a superficial level, it could be considered a joke, but it is far too offensive.
After a brief exchange, Zhou Xiye finished her drink, put down her glass, sighed softly, and looked through the glass at the dishes on the table. "They are all great people with lofty political ideals. I am not like that. I am just..." She turned to look at Luo Yiming and said with a smile, "I just wanted to try some new cake. Boss Luo, you don't need to make such a fuss. One thing is one thing. The fact that you came to see me shows that there is a possibility that we can become friends."
Luo Yiming nodded and clapped his hands.
Two people walked in, carrying boxes; this should be the remaining five million.
When the pink banknotes appeared before his eyes, Ling Xingzhi frowned and looked at Zhou Xiye.
“I can accept gifts, but I’m not the kind of person who takes money and doesn’t do anything, Mr. Luo, what do you think?” Zhou Xiye glanced at the boxes of money.
Luo Yiming wore a calm smile, without any obsequious attitude, as if he thought bribery was as simple as buying fish at the market. But if you looked closely, there was a subtle sharpness in his eyes. It was his turn to order.
After remaining silent for a moment, Luo Yiming finally spoke, "Secretary Xiye, this is just an appetizer, a small gift. You don't need to take it to heart. As for my matter, I will handle it properly. You don't need to worry about it."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xingzhi's lips curled into a slightly mocking, teasing, and malicious smile. He let out a few laughs and praised, "Boss Luo, you have some good skills."
Zhou Xiye slightly raised his eyes, a faint sneer on his face, and slowly stood up, giving Luo Yiming a cold glance. "If Boss Luo doesn't believe me, then there's nothing to talk about."
After saying this, he walked out. Ling Xingzhi rested his elbows on the table, squinted his eyes, and looked at Zhou Xiye with a hint of amusement. Luo Yiming met his gaze. Ling Xingzhi turned his head slightly, a flash of impatience crossing his eyes. He lowered his arms, calmly and slowly yawned, and stretched his arms.
Then he stood up and said, "Boss Luo, it's getting late, I'll be going now."
As they left Xuelong Manor, the sound of cicadas filled the air, causing Xingzhi's relaxed demeanor to gradually disappear with each step into the night. Zhou Xiye's taillights flashed, and he quickened his pace to get into her car.
In the car, Zhou Xiye leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and placed her fingers on her lap, typing out Morse code that she knew in sync with her breathing.
Let me take you home first.
The partition at the back of the car rose, allowing Xingzhi to turn his head and look outside. The Xuelong Mountain Villa looked magnificent in the night.
You're using me.
Upon hearing Ling Xingzhi's accusation, Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "Yes."
He turned to look at her. "Who is Luo Yiming? What's your connection with him?"
"You're asking me?" Zhou Xiye opened his eyes, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness, like stars in the sky. "Mayor Ling, don't you know who the owners of Wangyue Villa and Xuelong Villa are? I asked you to investigate Li Mingzhe, and now you're asking me who Luo Yiming is?"
Ling Xingzhi met her gaze, and after two seconds smiled, a smile that seemed more genuine.
"How did you know that Li Mingzhe wasn't the big boss here?" Ling Xingzhi was genuinely curious. He had found out about Luo Yiming, but he felt that meeting with him too early wouldn't be a good thing for Zhou Xiye. However, he didn't expect her to find out.
Zhou Xiye pursed his lips and shook his head. "Since Mayor Ling is unwilling to say more, then I am not willing either."
Ling Xingzhi smiled, lowered her head, took Zhou Xiye's hand, and gently kneaded it, her tone softening, "No, I'm just really curious, how did you find out Luo Yiming is the big boss..."
There were only two people in the back seat, and Ling Xingzhi's sudden intimacy made Zhou Xiye frown slightly.
“That’s not important. Luo Yiming has already made connections. He definitely has people in the border and the public security system.” Zhou Xiye tried to pull his hand away, but Ling Xingzhi held it firmly. “I want to know who’s behind him.”
Ling Xingzhi's mind was completely focused on Zhou Xiye's hands. Lu Xun was right; seeing white arms would make him think of a graceful body, breasts, and then a vagina. Upon further reflection, he realized that the two of them hadn't done it many times, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Since they're all in Yunnan anyway, it shouldn't be a problem for them to sleep together.
“His backer is definitely in the central government,” Ling Xingzhi said, looking up. “With your abilities, you can’t touch him.”
Zhou Xiye took the opportunity to withdraw his hand. "Yes, I have no choice, but I need to know who the enemy is."
Ling Xingzhi felt a bit bored and snorted, "Don't worry, I don't think this enemy is too powerful. If they were, how could Luo Yiming have gone to Yunnan to dominate? He's probably a vice-national level leader, but not one with any real power."
Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "By the way, how's the anti-corruption team going? Do you have any good candidates?"
Ling Xingzhi leaned back in his chair, his leg touching Zhou Xiye's. "I want to replace two people through the anti-corruption team. The deputy mayor will definitely be replaced, and the people working with you and me can't have too deep a foundation."
Zhou Xiye nodded, "Yes, in a couple of days, the provincial party secretary will hold a democratic life meeting. I'll go and give him my opinions then. After all, we're here, and we need to make sure we can get along well with the people in the leadership team."
Ling Xingzhi turned his head to look at Zhou Xiye, his eyes full of admiration. "Although I don't know what kind of scheme you're setting up, as a colleague who was demoted with you, I will support your choice."
Indeed, when two familiar people are about to make their mark in an unfamiliar place, former enemies can become comrades-in-arms who support each other due to the change in environment.
Zhou Xiye didn't speak, and Ling Xingzhi adjusted his posture and moved closer to Zhou Xiye.
"Let's stop talking about them and talk about our own situation."
"What do you want to talk about?" Zhou Xiye paused. "You have a wife, and I have a husband. You don't plan to get a divorce, and neither do I. I think our moral bottom lines aren't that low."
He laughed heartily.
The car slowly came to a stop in Lingxingzhi's residential area.
Zhou Xiye looked at him, the light above her head turned on, and only after Ling Xingzhi stopped laughing did she say, "What do you think of Meng Qinggong?"
If Zhou Xiye had asked Hu Rui or the vice mayor, both of them would have considered the matter carefully and weighed their words. But who is Ling Xingzhi? Not only is his relationship with Zhou Xiye extraordinary, but he is also considered a treasure sent down from the heavens to undergo tribulation. Who would dare to slight him? Even if Ling Xingzhi wanted to sideline Zhou Xiye and form his own leadership team, no one would dare to say anything.
Regardless of who the municipal party secretary is, they should act and speak as required.
“Looking at his resume, his political achievements are quite good. He definitely wants to move to the provincial department next, so…” Ling Xingzhi raised his hand and stroked a strand of Zhou Xiye’s hair, “He is a useful person.”
Zhou Xiye smiled outwardly but inwardly. Ling Xingzhi could have guessed what was going on with the provincial department's matter. It has to be said that the old fox's political sense was extremely sharp.
“Okay, I understand,” Zhou Xiye nodded.
Ling Xingzhi looked at her, his hand pausing. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, get out of the car," Zhou Xiye said, issuing a dismissal order.
Ling Xingzhi sighed and turned his head away. “A woman’s heart is unfathomable. Now, with the added identity of a secretary, it’s like being a higher-ranking official who can crush you. Secretary Zhou, please treat me kindly, considering we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Zhou Xiye smiled, pushed open the car door, got out of the car, walked to Ling Xingzhi's car door, and opened the door for him. "Please, Mayor Ling."
This was the first time a woman had opened the car door for him; usually, he was the one opening doors for ladies. Zhou Xiye's action made Ling Xingzhi feel like he was being unreasonable. After getting out of the car, Zhou Xiye closed the door. "Unite all forces that can be united. Mao's theory—you know it better than I do."
Ling Xingzhi looked at Zhou Xiye, and as she walked past him, he grabbed her arm.
"Think about what I'm about to say."
Zhou Xiye turned to look at him, "What is it?"
Ling Xingzhi released his grip, turned his head, and smiled slightly, "Our affairs..."
As soon as he finished speaking, a pleasant female voice entered their space.
"behavior?"
Ling Xingzhi and Zhou Xiye looked in the direction of the voice and saw Wei Luochen. Wei Luochen, wearing high heels and a black bodycon dress with cutouts at the waist, walked to Ling Xingzhi's side, took his arm, and leaned affectionately on Ling Xingzhi's shoulder.
"Is this... Director Zhou?"
Ling Xingzhi's voice was cold and indifferent. "This is Secretary Zhou."
Wei Luochen's eyes crinkled with laughter; the beautiful and alluring woman was a feast for the eyes under the moonlight.
"Secretary Zhou, hello. I just returned from Milan and brought you a gift."
Zhou Xiye looked at the very feminine Wei Luochen, nodded, and then looked at Ling Xingzhi, "Mayor Ling, see you on Monday."
After saying that, he walked to the other side, opened the car door, and got in. The parking light turned red, then went out, and the car started and disappeared from their sight. Wei Luochen's smile became extremely stiff after the car disappeared.
Ling Xingzhi didn't move an inch, and neither did Wei Luochen.
"Why did you suddenly come back?"
Wei Luochen leaned completely against Ling Xingzhi, like a beautiful snake, turning her body and raising her hand to stroke Ling Xingzhi's face, making him look at her. She missed him so much; Wei Luochen looked adoring as her fingers gently caressed his cheek.
Perhaps it was the stirring of emotions, or perhaps the gentleness of the night, or more likely, the overwhelming longing that made her ill; every cell in her body was screaming for help.
Holding Ling Xingzhi's head, Wei Luochen turned his head to look at his lips and kissed him.
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