After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

The flashes kept going off, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.

The press conference room was packed with people, and rows of cameras were flashing red lights.

Wang Jianzhong sat in the center of the stage, with Xiao Yuhan to his right, separated by a microphone and a water glass.

"Dear friends from the media, good afternoon."

Wang Jianzhong cleared his throat, a standard smile on his face that only comes from someone who has been in officialdom for over a decade.

"Today's press conference is mainly to talk to you about the achievements of the Yunzhou Investment Promotion Conference."

He paused, then turned to look at Xiao Yuhan, his smile widening.

"Here, I would like to give special praise to Vice Mayor Xiao Yuhan."

The reporters in the audience immediately raised their cameras, and the shutter clicked incessantly.

"Mayor Xiao is young and promising, bold and decisive. He demonstrated ruthless methods at the investment promotion conference, willing to offend people for the sake of Yunzhou's development. This kind of courage is something we should all learn from!"

Wang Jianzhong's voice was loud, and he pronounced each word very clearly.

But upon hearing this, Xiao Yuhan's fingers unconsciously tightened.

Decisive methods, willingness to offend people, boldness...

These words, though seemingly complimentary, carry a different meaning in official circles, implying that she is autocratic and disregards the bigger picture.

Several local media reporters in the audience had already started writing something down in their notebooks at lightning speed.

Chen Ping stood to the side and behind the podium, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on the middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses in the last row.

Zhang Tiezui.

The man was looking down at his phone, a slight sneer playing on his lips.

"Of course, reforms are never smooth sailing."

Wang Jianzhong changed the subject, picked up his water glass, took a sip, and said slowly, "Mayor Xiao's policy of investigating idle land is very forceful and involves many people. It's normal that some companies have objections."

He put down his water glass and looked at the audience with a smile.

"Reporter Zhang from the provincial TV station also came today, which is a huge honor for Yunzhou."

All eyes immediately turned to the last row.

Zhang Tiezui raised his head and adjusted his glasses.

"Reporter Zhang's questions are always sharp, Mayor Xiao, we'd better be prepared for a big test."

Wang Jianzhong's words immediately drew everyone's attention to Zhang Tiezui.

Xiao Yuhan paused for a moment.

She got it.

This is a trap.

From presenting the banner to holding this press conference, and then to Zhang Tiezui, every step was meticulously planned by Wang Jianzhong.

Zhang Tiezui stood up and took the microphone from the staff member.

The scene immediately fell silent.

You can even hear their breathing.

"Mayor Xiao."

Zhang Tiezui's voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear: "I have a question."

Without any pleasantries, he went straight to the point:

"Your proposed policy to investigate idle land is being described as a purge targeting local businesses. I'd like to ask, what if you fail to complete the investigation within three months, or if this causes a decline in Yunzhou's economy...?"

He paused, and his tone suddenly became very aggressive.

"Do you dare to publicly pledge that you will resign if you fail?"

The people below immediately erupted in uproar.

The reporters quickly adjusted their focus, and the flashes went off even faster.

This wasn't a question; it was forcing her to make a public statement.

If you don't make a pledge, it means you're guilty and you're just engaging in formalism.

If she were to establish this, given the complex web of relationships in Yunzhou, it would be a death sentence for her.

Wang Jianzhong picked up his water glass, hiding the smile on his lips, his eyes holding a look of amusement.

Xiao Yuhan's face turned a little pale.

She had expected the other party to make a move, but she didn't expect it to be so direct.

The hand under the table unconsciously clenched into a fist.

The scene was eerily quiet.

Every second she remained silent made her more passive.

"Mayor Xiao."

Wang Jianzhong leaned closer to the microphone, seemingly trying to defuse the situation, but actually adding insult to injury: "Reporter Zhang is just confused because he cares too much. He represents the voice of the people, so you should make a statement."

The reporters below the stage held their breath, waiting to see how Xiao Yuhan would respond.

Just then.

Chen Pingfang, who had been standing to the side and behind, suddenly stepped forward.

"Mayor Xiao, here's your water."

His voice was steady as he walked over to Xiao Yuhan with a water glass in his hand.

As he poured water for Xiao Yuhan, he placed an open document in front of her and pressed his finger heavily twice on one line of text.

At the same time, he lowered his voice and said quickly in a volume that only the two of them could hear:

"Collective decision-making, shared responsibility, and leveraging external forces."

Xiao Yuhan looked down.

The document contained the "Regulations of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee on the Responsibility System for Major Projects," one of which Chen Ping had underlined—

"Major reforms affecting the entire city must be decided collectively by the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, and the responsibility shall be shared by all members of the leadership team."

Xiao Yuhan's eyes widened suddenly.

She looked at Chen Pingfang, whose eyes were calm, and he even nodded slightly at her.

Xiao Yuhan took a deep breath.

The clenched fingers loosened.

She looked up and smiled into the microphone.

"Reporter Zhang's questions were sharp, but they also touched on the key points."

Her voice was steady. "However, your understanding is a bit off."

All eyes in the room were once again focused on her.

"The investigation of idle land was a collective decision made by the municipal party committee and the municipal government."

Xiao Yuhan spoke each word with great effort.

"It is a promise we made to the people of Yunzhou."

She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the reporters below the stage.

"So, the pledge you mentioned shouldn't be something I have to make alone."

Wang Jianzhong's hand, which was holding the water glass, froze in mid-air.

He sensed something was wrong.

"Since it is a collective decision, it requires collective wisdom and strength."

Xiao Yuhan changed the subject, looking directly at Wang Jianzhong beside her.

"As Mayor Wang just said, he fully supports this reform."

Her voice became stronger.

"To ensure the smooth progress of the investigation and to live up to Mayor Wang's expectations..."

All eyes turned to Wang Jianzhong.

Wang Jianzhong's smile froze.

His heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"On behalf of the city government, I hereby announce—"

Xiao Yuhan said the most crucial sentence.

"We have invited Vice Mayor Wang Jianzhong to serve as the chief consultant for the idle land investigation team, to provide guidance and supervision throughout the investigation process!"

These words immediately caused a sensation throughout the room.

Reporters frantically pressed the shutter button, the flashes so bright they made it impossible to open one's eyes.

"With an experienced leader like Mayor Wang overseeing things, I believe this so-called 'military order' is a perfect answer sheet that our municipal party committee team will deliver to the people!"

After Xiao Yuhan finished speaking, she led the applause.

The reporters in the audience also applauded, and the applause resounded.

Wang Jianzhong's hand, holding the water glass, was suspended in mid-air, and his whole body froze.

His smile was very unpleasant.

With so many flashing lights and cameras around him, he couldn't refuse.

Otherwise, it would be like slapping yourself in the face in front of everyone, admitting that you do not support reform.

"Mayor Wang, please give us your opinion!"

Zhang Tiezui's voice rang out again, but this time it sounded like he was being urged to his death.

Wang Jianzhong stared intently at Xiao Yuhan for a few seconds, cursing her and Chen Pingfang in his mind.

But he could only swallow his anger.

"well!"

He forced a smile and nodded at the camera, "As the supervisor in charge, I definitely have to take responsibility!"

The applause rang out again, even more enthusiastic than before.

Xiao Yuhan turned her head and exchanged a glance with Chen Pingfang.

They both saw a tacit understanding in each other's eyes.

The press conference ended amidst thunderous applause.

Reporters surged toward the stage, microphones and cameras practically shoved in their faces.

Wang Jianzhong stood up with a dark expression and strode towards the backstage area.

Li Ming followed behind, his face deathly pale.

"Mayor Wang..."

"Shut up!"

Wang Jianzhong suddenly turned around, his eyes were frightening.

He stared at Chen Pingfang in the distance and said, word by word:

"Investigate! Find out everything about that kid!"