Ma Xudong gave a bitter smile and said, "Zhizhong, is there anything that can't be talked about openly? Thank you for calming everyone down on my behalf. I should indeed have you act as a spokesperson to convey my decisions. After all, the incident has just happened, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to meet and say these things in person!"

"Thank you for trusting me, Uncle," Zhizhong replied. "I will certainly do my best."

Thereupon, Ma Xudong disclosed his decisions without concealment.

At last, he said, "Zhizhong, what your uncle can do is only so much. My sincerity is full, my resolve is strong. Please tell your aunt to believe me, nothing similar will happen again."

"Okay, I've grasped your intentions and will report the situation accurately. I believe that soon, everyone will forget these unpleasant incidents."

"Heh heh..." Ma Xudong gave another bitter smile, sighed, and said, "Zhizhong, you're a capable man. Continue on this path, and the grand avenues of officialdom will surely open up for you. When you reach your uncle's position one day—ah, there will be no shortage of trouble with women! I've learned my lesson this time; a rabbit shouldn't eat the grass by its own burrow. Remember that, ah..."

"Thank you for the lesson, Uncle. Zhizhong has taken note," Zhizhong responded.

"Don't mention thanks. If anyone should be thanking today, it should be me thanking you, Zhizhong. You've taken on a lot," Ma Xudong said sincerely, making Liu Zhizhong, who was naturally bureaucratic, feel somewhat undeserving.

Liu Zhizhong wanted to say, since you want to thank me, why not accept my dinner invitation? When we return to Yangzhou, let's have a meal together at Qixiang's villa number nine? It'll save me from dealing with that stern-faced woman pressuring me!

However, Liu Zhizhong felt this was inappropriate because Zhang Qixiang's intentions were quite disagreeable.

Thus, he exchanged some pleasantries before hanging up the phone.

As for Ma Xudong, he lost any desire to entertain women or to travel; he just drove straight home.

Once home, the pair of sister maids attending to him bathed him and even teased him, each biting him a few times, stirring him up.

But Ma Xudong wasn't in a good mood, so he asked them to stop their antics as he was tired and wanted to lie down on his bed to rest quietly.

The maids, obedient as they were, naturally stopped teasing him.

Meanwhile, after finishing his conversation with Ma Xudong, Liu Zhizhong quickly relayed the decisions made.

Lu Yuqing felt a secret satisfaction—ah, Big Baby Liu was indeed capable, manipulating everything exactly as she wished.

Lu Yuqing merely nodded, her beautiful features shadowed by a trace of melancholy as she sighed, "Alright, Zhizhong. That he could do this much isn't easy, ah..."

Lu Yumei snapped, "Yuqing, what are you talking about? Oh, are you happy just because that vixen has left the City Committee? Why isn't she expelled instead? Why should she get a grassroots leadership position? Is her fucking gold-lined or silver-lined, maybe even studded with diamonds? That Mr. Ma really has some nerve, not daring to come to us himself, not facing things, just sending his lackey over, right?"

Coarse as her words were, she truly was furious!

Naturally, Zhao Han blushed as she heard her mother say this.

Lu Yuqing resignedly thought: Big sister, why keep up this worthless ranting?

Liu Zhizhong could only offer a wry smile and said, "Ah, my Yu Mei's mother, please don't be upset! We agreed earlier not to bother with these matters anymore. Uncle's position is special, and..."

Lu Yumei cut him off with a glare, "Stop making excuses for him. How many men in officialdom are decent? You're his secretary now; if you start to learn his ways, watch me skin you alive!"

Liu Zhizhong had to keep a stern face, though he was quite pleased inside.

At least, previously always hanging over his head was forcing him and Zhao Yan to divorce, but now Lu Yumei didn't bring it up.

What did that mean?

Secretary Ma made Zhao Yan withdraw the lawsuit, which proved effective.

What kind of society is this?

A society where official rank prevails!

The people, would you fight the officials?

A small official, would you compete with a high-ranking one?

After resting for half an hour at Qushui River, everyone's mood eventually stabilized.

Then, Liu Zhizhong took three beauties to Tianxiang Valley, played the part of their servant, carrying bags and taking photos.

Luo Yanling cleaned herself up in the hotel room, smelling fresh and fragrant, even took some seductive selfies and sent them to Liu Zhizhong, inviting him to her room that evening. Little Sister Luo wanted to properly thank Brother Zhizhong—besides offering herself, she didn't know what else she could give.

Seeing her message, Liu Zhizhong seized the chance to go to the bathroom and checked those seductive photos. Damn! The vixen! Seeing those had made him so unbearably aroused that he wanted to rush back to the hotel for relief.

Having no other option, he could only reply: "You siren, I am willing to come!"