Soon, Zhang Hong knocked on the door of Zhang Yuxing's office and brought Liu Zhizhong inside.

Zhang Yuxing was sitting behind her office desk, looking at something on her computer.

With a very formal smile, Zhang Hong said, "Secretary-General, Director Liu from the Second Secretary Division is here to see you."

Zhang Yuxing raised her head from behind the computer screen, her expression one of mild frost, still meticulous, oh so aloof.

She gave Liu Zhizhong a cool glance then lowered her head back to her computer, her fair and slender right hand still moving the wireless mouse!

"What is it?"

From Zhang Yuxing's mouth came just three words, chilly as ice.

Liu Zhizhong, eyeing her fair and slender hand, felt a twinge of annoyance inside. Damn it, if he ever got the chance, he'd make sure her hand got to try out a bigger mouse, hmph!

But he still smiled and said, "Secretary-General, Secretary Ma sent me to retrieve something from you. Where might the item be so that I may take it back and report to him?"

Zhang Yuxing was slightly taken aback but asked, "Did Secretary Ma mention what it was?"

"He did not..."

Liu Zhizhong hadn't finished speaking when Zhang Yuxing lightly tapped the mouse, "He didn't tell you what it is and you just come to get it? What kind of behavior is that? Are you not paying attention to the details as a secretary?"

"I'm telling you, Liu Zhizhong, don't think just because Secretary Ma is your wife's maternal uncle that you can do as you please around here, disregarding the rules of secretarial work."

"Everyone outside says you've been promoted to Secretary of Municipal Committee, a favorite of the Secretary, but that's not the case here. It's true you directly serve Secretary Ma, but in terms of work, you're still under the leadership of Secretary Lu and myself. You need to understand the hierarchy!"

"If you make an error or do something inappropriate, both Secretary Lu and I are entitled to criticize and educate you, understand?"

Out from between Zhang Yuxing's thin and graceful lips, her cold words shot out like icy bullets, neither rushed nor slow, exuding quite a style, making Liu Zhizhong extremely uncomfortable, inwardly discomposed but maintaining a serious composure.

Dead woman, truly a Master of Extinction, seizing the opportunity to beat me down?

I really want to pull out something to shut your mouth. Your red lips could burst?

Beside them, Zhang Hong was pursing her lips, secretly amused as she cast sidelong glances at Liu Zhizhong.

However, Liu Zhizhong was still a stable person and quickly said with all seriousness, "All right, thank you for the guidance, Secretary-General. Liu Zhizhong will remember your words. Could you please hand over the item so I can return to Secretary Ma with it?"

Zhang Yuxing replied coolly, "In the future, don't refer to 'Secretary Ma' so frequently in my presence to push people around. What is that? That's bullying by proxy! In Yangzhou, the Zhang Family Members do not tolerate such attitudes."

Was she implying that she didn't take Ma Xudong seriously?

Liu Zhizhong, well-versed in the ways of officialdom, understood that external and local forces could never pee in the same pot.

Especially for a large local family like the Zhang Family Clan, they totally had the capacity to suppress newcomers like Ma Xudong - play it well, and you can leave peacefully; play it poorly, and you could leave frustrated; play it disastrously, and you could end your political career.

Therefore, Ma Xudong's decision to use a woman from the Zhang Family Clan as the major steward of the City Committee might also include a gesture of concession toward the local power.

Vaguely, Liu Zhizhong sensed that Ma Xudong's chess move was possibly a bit risky!

After all, Ma Xudong had secretly married the beautiful widow from the Zhang Family Clan!

Yet Liu Zhizhong still nodded and responded with a smile, "Yes, good, I'll remember the Secretary-General's teachings."

Zhang Yuxing's expression eased slightly, and she set down the mouse, pointing at Liu Zhizhong through the air with her jade-like fingers.

"Remember, Yangzhou bears the name Zhang, not Ma, and it will always be Zhang. Today you may have been promoted to this position, but tomorrow you might just as easily leave. The government office is like iron, but officials pass through like water."

"Fail to behave properly, annoy or offend people, and you are digging your own grave. To be frank, we are still relatives, and I don't wish to suppress you because you're not even worth that effort, or should I say, you don't qualify."

"Let that be the end of it, Liu Zhizhong. You'd better reflect on this! Don't make any big mistakes, or no one can save you!"

A fire of rage was kindling in Liu Zhizhong's heart.

The Master of Extinction, you damn keep hammering at me repeatedly, enough is enough.

I can't swallow this pride unless I get even with you physically, otherwise I am not a Liu!

Still, Liu Zhizhong maintained a smile and nodded his head, "Well, good medicine tastes bitter, and harsh advice grates on the ear. Secretary-General, you've spoken with much concern and your guidance benefits me greatly. Thank you!"

His attitude was extremely humble, exuding an aura of utmost purity, which caught Zhang Yuxing completely off guard.

Inside Zhang Yuxing's mind: Is this dog of a guy stupid or something? Does he have no backbone at all? After all I've said to him, he's still fawning over me?

Zhang Hong, standing to the side, was also quite surprised. Is this even a man? Not a bit of spine?

As soon as Liu Zhizhong quickly received a top-secret document from Zhang Yuxing and left the office, Zhang Hong couldn't help but sneer, "Wow, the Secretary of Municipal Committee, and that's all you amount to? In front of my younger aunt, you're no better than a dog? Ah, it's quite funny to witness!"