Liu Zhizhong laughed and said, "One must maintain the spirit of revolutionary optimism, ah!"

Lu Yumei gave him a cold look, "False optimism, I'd say. I advise you to stop looking for Yan'er lest you get a good scolding and slap your own face. It was all because of your wonderful leadership that Yan'er almost suffered along with you, lucky for her she didn't get transferred back. And you, Liu Zhizhong, really think..."

Zhao Han saw her mother getting angry and quickly said, "Mom, forget about him, let's go!"

This was essentially rescuing Liu Zhizhong from an awkward situation, it's better than starting a meaningless argument.

This performance from his sister-in-law was quite satisfying to Liu Zhizhong.

That's more like it, the woman I have slept with, if not caring for me, then for whom?

Zhang Hongyang, you idiot, come and see how much your wife dotes on me!

In fact, after Lu Yumei and Zhao Han left, Liu Zhizhong had no intention of going to Yunshan County!

He knew how Zhao Yan felt about him; he definitely wasn't interested in going to Yunshan County to court disaster!

Suspended from his position, and ready to cooperate with the Disciplinary Committee's investigation, it was better to relax.

Stay at home, read books, exercise, swim, what's not to like?

Lu Yuqing also timely relayed news to him, confirming that the Provincial Disciplinary Committee didn't have any other harsh requirements for her - be honest in the confession, cooperate earnestly, and just recognize the marital relationship.

Even some old comrades said, "Comrade Lu Yuqing, you're still young, you have a future. Ma Xudong's problem is serious this time; it's best for you to choose divorce!"

Look how caring the old comrades are for Lu Yuqing!

Lu Yuqing also said that she had communicated with Ma Qingqing.

Ma Qingqing actually reacted very calmly, saying, "When you're out in the world, it's only a matter of time before you have to pay back your debts. If he has to pay, let him pay. What more can I say?"

She was truly indifferent, surprising Lu Yuqing.

Even so, Ma Qingqing invited Lu Yuqing out to eat, telling her not to worry, saying, "After all, you haven't been married to my dad for long; it's not a big problem."

Lu Yuqing was both amused and touched but also felt that today's young people were a bit different.

In just a few days, Lu Yuqing safely returned from the Provincial City, her work resumed, unaffected. Naturally, she still lived at her mother's house, as she was used to living at her elder sister's place even more accustomed to having Liu Zhizhong sneak into her room every night, climb onto her bed, hold her tenderly, giving her immense emotional pleasure and comfort!

Liu Zhizhong also cooperated with the City and Provincial Disciplinary Committee's special deputies here, fully confessing what needed to be confessed - honest to say, as long as it was proven that Ma Xudong had no issues in Yangzhou and that he himself was innocent.

Liu Zhizhong also resumed his work in the Secretariat Second Division, temporarily took care of some matters, seemingly unaffected.

However, now the position of the Mayor was vacant, and no one had come to replace it.

The entire work of the City Committee was temporarily presided over by the full-time Deputy Secretary of the City Committee, who also happened to be a direct family member of the Zhang Family, Zhang Hongyang's uncle!

Add to that the Secretary of the Municipal Committee Zhang Xingyue, the whole City Committee was controlled by the Zhang Family members. It was awe-inspiring - Yangzhou really belonged to the Zhang Family, no question about it.

Of course, Liu Zhizhong had also overheard some news. The competition for the position of Yangzhou City Secretary was still quite fierce. People from other cities wanted to come, people from the Provincial City wanted to come, and the Zhang Family members, of course, had several candidates, especially this full-time Deputy Secretary, Zhang Hongyang's uncle Du Yuesheng, who was also the dean of the Party School.

Du Yuesheng serving as the acting Mayor, Liu Zhizhong naturally served him as well. He felt that this guy was rather gloomy, not much of a talker, and treated him coolly.

Clearly, Du Yuesheng didn't have high regard for Liu Zhizhong.

Common sense suggested that Liu Zhizhong leaving his position was only a matter of time.

As for where he would go, that was still unclear.

However, with the trump card of Zhang Qixiang in hand, Liu Zhizhong remained as firm as Mount Tai.

Even in these days, Zhang Yuxing and Zhang Hong's attitude toward Liu Zhizhong was just like before, cool and indistinct.

This development was exactly what Liu Zhizhong wanted to see.

To outsiders, Liu Zhizhong's position had been stable with no changes for quite some days, so he still had firm control over the Secretariat Second Division. His subordinates were still obedient, doing what they should without dragging their feet.

Director Liu's personal charm was still there.

Nevertheless, Luo Yanling, vacationing out of town, panicked upon hearing about Ma Xudong's situation and had contacted Liu Zhizhong.

Liu Zhizhong's advice to her was, "Until there is a new official appointment for you, and the organization doesn't contact you, you need not return. That's the safest thing."

Of course, Liu Zhizhong also assured her that Ma Xudong's issues were in other places and had nothing to do with Yangzhou, that she was safe.

This deeply comforted and moistened Luo Yanling's heart. Her messages were filled with, "Brother Zhizhong, I miss you so much, I wish I could jump into your arms right now, kiss you, touch you, and enjoy your magical big treasure! Promise me, once I get back, make me cry with pleasure!"

That seductive vixen really made Liu Zhizhong's heart almost explode. As a result, didn't he end up venting vigorously in Zhao Han's room that same night? Haha...

That day, Liu Zhizhong prepared a set of materials, ready to deliver to Du Yuesheng's office.

Just as he stepped out the door, eh?

Zhang Hongyang just happened to pass by and stopped, smiling at Liu Zhizhong, "Secretary Liu, busy are we?"

These days, it was unclear what Zhang Hongyang was up to; he didn't return home nor urged Zhao Han to go back.

You'd never guess, but recently Zhang Hongyang had been caught up with the female deputy director of the education bureau, having a grand time. A woman in her forties, like a wolf like a tiger, really seductive, letting him fully experience the distinct charm of an older woman, and he didn't tire of it.

Liu Zhizhong was momentarily taken aback, then gave a perfunctory smile. After all, he was involved with Zhang Hongyang's wife and had a hold over his sister, an overwhelming sense of superiority bubbling within him.

So Liu Zhizhong said, "Brother Hongyang, any good news today, coming to the City Committee?"

Zhang Hongyang leaned in, whispering, "Great news indeed, unrelated to you, yet also related!"