445: Chapter 445 It's settled, it's completely settled now.

Sometimes, a woman's intuition is truly formidable.

She had felt several times that Manager Xiao was a bit off and harbored suspicions, but considering his status and background, she knew that if it were all true, rashly questioning him would lead to serious consequences.

Yesterday, she had entrusted a friend in the capital to help inquire whether that high-ranking leader in the capital really had a son named Manager Xiao. It would be even better if she could find out his approximate age and appearance.

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang had also wanted to check online, since the internet was very advanced now, but she found nothing.

The level of that high-ranking leader in the capital was too high; it was impossible to find any information about his family or children—not even a single shred.

Since that was the case, she could only rely on an acquaintance to inquire.

Her friend was not low-ranking either—a bureau-level cadre who had worked in the capital for many years—so they should be able to find out something.

A short while later, the phone rang; it was actually her friend from the capital calling.

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang was instantly excited, like a gambler who had bet their entire fortune and was now waiting for the cards to be revealed.

"Old classmate, how is it? Do you have any news?"

"Yes, I exhausted all my efforts and finally managed to find out some information. That high-ranking leader does indeed have a son named Manager Xiao, about forty years old, medium build, with slightly curly hair."

Everything matched up!

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. She realized she had been overthinking and had actually doubted Manager Xiao's identity.

"Old classmate, thank you, thank you so much."

"Fenfang, I took a great risk to inquire about this. Next time you come to the capital, you must treat me to a meal to show your gratitude; verbal thanks alone won't cut it."

"Certainly, certainly."

After hanging up the phone, Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang felt completely invigorated.

She paced around her office in excitement, thinking to herself that it would be wonderful if she could fully latch onto Manager Xiao's powerful connections.

Yes, no matter what, she could not let such an opportunity slip by!

Hmph, that old guy Vice Governor Huang Lize was clearly a bit wary of the relationship between Qin Chuan and Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Jiasheng, and had repeatedly urged her to lower her profile in front of Qin Chuan. Heh, once she held tight to Manager Xiao, she would kick that old guy to the curb and let him go starve; she wouldn't be serving him anymore...

Alone in her office, she thought about many things.

She even thought that after latching onto Manager Xiao's powerful connections, she would definitely whisper sweet nothings in his ear to get his old man to intervene. Then, she would set a trap, splash some dirt on that man surnamed Qin, and his position as Municipal Party Secretary wouldn't be safe.

Just as she was dreaming beautifully like this, her phone rang again.

Minister Qu Boming called, "Comrade Fenfang, seven o'clock tonight, the usual place. Mr. Xiao wants to have a meal with us and discuss some matters."

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang said, "It must be about the Qingshan Steel Plant."

"Yes, it is about the steel plant."

...

At seven in the evening, in a luxurious private room at the Dongjiang Hotel, glasses were clinking, the atmosphere was lively, and the table was filled with delicacies.

Perhaps because he had drunk a couple of glasses of wine, Manager Xiao was glowing, and he personally raised his glass to say, "I will have to trouble the two of you with the matter of the Qingshan Steel Plant."

Just a moment ago, they had discussed this matter.

Manager Xiao had brought a boss with him this time, and this big boss had proposed wanting to acquire the steel plant at a low price. Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang and Minister Qu Boming both knew that this must be Manager Xiao's white glove.

At their level, they wouldn't get involved in many businesses themselves; at most, they would pull strings, leaving the specific affairs to their white gloves.

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang and Minister Qu Boming were both a bit excited.

"Mr. Xiao, we will definitely go all out, but the biggest resistance is with Secretary Qin Chuan. As long as he nods in agreement, there won't be any problems."

"I will personally handle him. It's best if he's obedient; if he isn't, one word from my old man, and his official hat won't be safe."

The others deeply agreed. At the level of Manager Xiao's old man, a mere Municipal Party Secretary really was just a matter of one sentence.

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang and Minister Qu Boming quietly exchanged a glance, reading the joy in each other's eyes.

It's settled; the matter is completely settled.

That man surnamed Qin, you had better not agree. If you don't, you'll lose your official hat, and then we'll see how we deal with you.

Municipal Party Secretary's office.

Deputy County Mayor Zhang Tianxiong entered quietly and reported, "Leader, last night, Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang, Minister Qu Boming, and that Mr. Xiao were eating at the Dongjiang Hotel again..."

He briefly reported the situation he had learned about.

After listening, Qin Chuan smiled and said, "It looks like this Mr. Xiao has completely set his sights on our Qingshan Steel Plant and even wants to get something for nothing."

Hearing this, Deputy County Mayor Zhang Tianxiong felt a bit worried.

"Leader, if the Qingshan Steel Plant is really sold off cheaply, what will happen to its tens of thousands of employees, not to mention all the retired workers?"

Qin Chuan shook his head and said, "It's impossible to sell it off cheaply; they are just daydreaming."

Seeing this, Deputy County Mayor Zhang Tianxiong felt a bit more worried. If the leader acted like this, he would inevitably offend Mr. Xiao. He had heard that the other party had heaven-reaching connections; would he, in a fit of rage, move Qin Chuan from his position...

Thinking this, Deputy County Mayor Zhang Tianxiong's heart hung in suspense. But as a secretary, he couldn't say too much, so he left the Municipal Party Secretary's office, filled with worry.

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang came very quickly, even faster than Qin Chuan had expected.

Around 9:30 in the morning, she took the initiative to go to the Municipal Party Secretary's office.

"Secretary Qin, I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Qin Chuan knew exactly what she was going to say, as clear as a mirror in his heart. He nodded gently and said, "Comrade Fenfang, whatever it is, feel free to say it."

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang didn't stand on ceremony and explained the matter.

After listening, Qin Chuan said with feigned surprise, "What kind of background does this Mr. Xiao have to be so arrogant as to want to acquire our Qingshan Steel Plant at a low price?"

Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang reminded him, "Secretary Qin, Mr. Xiao has a very big background; it would be better if we didn't offend him. As for the Qingshan Steel Plant, it's going bankrupt anyway, so we might as well just dump this burden."

"Secretary Qin, Mr. Xiao also entrusted me to convey a message; he wants to meet with you, right in room 3208 of the Dongjiang Hotel."

Qin Chuan chuckled to himself. A fake, putting on such a grand performance and acting so high and mighty, actually expecting him, a dignified Municipal Party Secretary, to go over instead of coming over himself.

Seeing that Qin Chuan seemed unwilling to go, Deputy Secretary Zhao Fenfang reminded him, "Secretary Qin, it's better not to offend Mr. Xiao. He is already waiting at the Dongjiang Hotel, so let's just go."

Qin Chuan thought for a moment. He had no important business this morning anyway, so he would go and meet this fake.