Liu Zhizhong smiled, feeling sure of his success.

Women, at times like these, tend to make minor requests that aren't really significant. But to them, it feels like a different kind of fulfillment, or perhaps compensation.

"Alright, Little Sister Luo, go ahead."

Liu Zhizhong was very straightforward and affectionate, his voice magnetic. With one word, "sister", he made Luo Yanling's heart flutter.

Luo Yanling put on a demure young lady's charm and glanced at the watch on her snow-white wrist. "It's still early, I want you to accompany me to the nearby cinema to watch a movie, and then take me home. That's not too much to ask, right?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhizhong saw it as trivial, truly insignificant.

He immediately picked up his phone. "Hey, sure! Not to mention, it's been years since I watched a movie with a woman. Tell me, Little Sister Luo, what kind of movie do you want to watch? A romance, an action flick, or a romantic-action movie? Or... maybe a mystery?"

Luo Yanling seemed quite pleased. "Whatever, the nearest showtime will do."

"Okay, I'll book the tickets, just give me a moment..."

Before long, Liu Zhizhong had booked the movie tickets and couldn't help but laugh: "Business at the cinema is really dismal on a workday, it's just the two of us in this screening!"

"Hehe, let's consider it a couple's private screening!" Luo Yanling chuckled, her bright eyes full of charm, her allure overflowing.

Liu Zhizhong was taken aback, then laughed. "Alright, a couple's screening it is. Let's pretend for today. There are twenty minutes before it starts, shall we go?"

Subsequently, Liu Zhizhong settled the bill, spending over a thousand, but he didn't mind.

As long as he took care of the task his aunt had given him, that was all that mattered.

The two left the western restaurant and, after walking less than twenty meters, arrived at the cinema.

They entered early to find a seat in the brightly lit theater at the best viewing spot and chatted casually for a while.

Luo Yanling appeared rather sensible and assured that she would not spread the news of Secretary Ma's marriage and that she would submit a request for job transfer.

As for where she would go, she said she hadn't decided yet.

Approving and executing the transfer would take some time, and during this period, she said she would still cooperate with Liu Zhizhong at work, not be willful or arrogant.

Liu Zhizhong was very satisfied, feeling even more that this woman knew how to handle things well. Such a woman, who wouldn't create trouble at work, was already excellent.

Of course, Liu Zhizhong also administered a preemptive warning, based on information provided by Luo Yanling — Secretary Ma indeed hadn't initiated contact with her for a long time, nor replied to her messages.

"About this transfer, Little Sister Luo, you still should give Secretary Ma a heads-up before writing the report. That would be better."

"Heads-up for what? He's found a new love and forgotten the old. I bet he can't wait for me to leave, to avoid any trouble."

"Hehe, you being trouble, with how pretty and seductive you are? But he's got a wife now, so he has to be careful about certain things. Your temper is like a ticking time bomb. If it goes off one day, even he couldn't handle it."

"Let it be. Why would I blow up? Look at his status, and look at mine. Sigh..."

"That's not quite true, you're actually very smart and capable. You're bound to do better and better..."

"That depends on whether you, Secretary Liu, will help me, right?"

"..."

With such trivial chitchat, the two's relationship seemed more like that of a couple.

Liu Zhizhong kept bursting out with little jokes, and with his sunny and stable appearance, he greatly moved Luo Yanling's heart.

This guy really was a prince charming.

Now serving as the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, he was bound to have a bright future. If she stayed close to him, could that help her get promoted step by step?

Luo Yanling thought a lot in her heart but didn't show it.

However, on the surface, she and Liu Zhizhong did indeed grow closer, even starting to call him Brother Liu.

In reality, she was only a month younger than Liu Zhizhong.

The movie was somewhat dull, but their conversation was quite enjoyable.

Liu Zhizhong, for his part, found a sense of pleasure from this vixen-type beauty, which was quite comfortable.

Midway through the movie, Luo Yanling suddenly asked, "Hey, your relationship with your wife isn't that great, is it?"

"Eh... Hehe..." Liu Zhizhong laughed awkwardly but remained composed. "Little Sister Luo, why do you bring this up?"

"Hehe, it's just a woman's intuition! You're so outstanding, tall, handsome, and distinguished. Not returning home at this hour and your wife not hurrying you, could the relationship be good? Besides..."

Luo Yanling paused, pursed her red lips, and then smiled. "Don't be mad, but you're a son-in-law, so perhaps your status at home isn't that great? Your brother-in-law is Zhang Hongyang, the scion of the Zhang Family, with an extraordinary background, calling the shots in Yangzhou. Hehe... I suppose your mother-in-law prefers him to you, right? After all, you took my place. I've looked into you; your background is even more ordinary than mine, with both parents gone early, and no one to rely on. Sigh... It would be strange if your mother-in-law liked you!"

Liu Zhizhong inwardly thought this woman was quite something, hitting quite close to the mark.

However, he just laughed. "Thank you for your concern about my family. I'm fine, I can hold my ground. A man just has to be willing to work hard, and life will get sweeter."

"You willing to work hard my ass! You've been married for years and still don't have a child. You say you're willing to work? I think your wife doesn't let you!"

Luo Yanling covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling, a teasing and playful expression on her face.

Damn, she really was an experienced woman. Close with Liu Zhizhong now? Even these ribald jokes were flying out...