Me! A high-ranking official!

He followed him inside, closing the door behind him, his face beaming with a sincere smile: "Director Guo, I really didn't expect you to act so quickly and efficiently to get the project settled. On behalf of the more than seven hundred people, young and old, from Luojia Village, thank you, Director Guo!"

Guo Nanguo put down his briefcase, pointed at him, and laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, you've only been down there a few days, but your tongue has become so glib, and you're even talking to me like an official! Actually, today's incident was just a coincidence. The leader asked each department to report on their work at the meeting, and mentioned the pain points of attracting investment. I casually mentioned your matter, and I didn't expect it to directly arouse the interest of Secretary Zhou and County Chief Han. This was not something I had planned or rehearsed beforehand."

He smiled and flattered, "Director Guo, your casual remark, though seemingly insignificant, proved to be a hundred times more powerful at a crucial moment than anything intentionally made!"

"Alright, stop flattering me." Guo Nanguo pulled up a chair, took a sip of water, and his expression became more serious. "After the meeting just now, Deputy County Head Lian specifically called me into his office to arrange the specific work ahead. The city has specially approved 20 million yuan for the zoo project. We will renovate and expand the existing wildlife rescue base. This amount of money should be enough. The entire bureau will be quite busy in the coming days."

At this point, Guo Nanguo looked at Zhao Jianguo, his eyes filled with expectation: "Furthermore, Deputy County Head Lian specifically mentioned you in his office. He said you did an excellent job this time, setting a benchmark for all village-based cadres in the county! Following County Head Han's instructions at the meeting, once your five million yuan medicinal herb project officially begins operation, County Head Lian plans to have the Organization Department, in conjunction with the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau and the Rural Revitalization Bureau, issue a joint document to the entire county, calling on all village-based cadres to learn from you!"

He was shocked; this was real political capital!

Guo Nanguo continued earnestly, "Jianguo, as your supervisor, I want to tell you something today: while the leadership is paying attention to you, work hard! Build on your current achievements and put in even more effort to achieve something truly remarkable. If there's anything in the village that needs my help, just let me know! When your term of service in the village ends, I'll try my best to get you a city-level award for outstanding village cadre!"

Those within the system understand the value of this municipal-level commendation; it's practically a golden signboard for future promotions!

Upon hearing this, he couldn't hide his excitement and immediately stood up straight and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, Director Guo! I will definitely not let you down!"

As he stepped out of the Culture and Tourism Bureau building, the night breeze made him feel refreshed. This impromptu trip back to the county town had been incredibly fruitful. Not only had he used his connections to resolve the major obstacle of Wang Yongchun, but he had also elevated the political tone of the project's future, making his future work much smoother!

He took out his phone and called Li Gan, arranging to meet at the intersection in the county town. After they met, they didn't linger and took a black cab straight to Luojia Village.

By the time we arrived in the village, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening. The village committee compound was dark and deserted.

He led Li Gan into the dormitory, where there were two single beds. Although the conditions were simple, they were enough for two grown men to make do. He helped Li Gan put down his luggage, and the two chatted while tidying up their bedding. He quickly gave Li Gan a detailed introduction to the village's basic situation, project plans, and key tasks for the next phase, so that Li Gan could familiarize himself with the environment as soon as possible and seamlessly get to work the next morning.

As they were talking, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and looked at the caller ID on the screen. The smile on his face instantly vanished, and his heart sank. It was Du Yu calling.

He gestured for Li Gan to be quiet, pointed outside the door, then quickly walked out of the dormitory and answered the phone in the courtyard.

"Boss Du, you wanted to see me?" he asked in a low, deep voice.

On the other end of the phone, Du Yu's voice remained indifferent: "Your case file and related investigation materials have been officially handed over to them today. In addition, they are also aware that you and Zhou Qingyan have registered your marriage."

He took a deep breath: "Thank you."

Du Yu said calmly, "I was wondering what other ways you would break out of that dead end. I didn't expect you to use the simplest and most direct method I mentioned to you: you and Zhou Qingyan took your fake relationship seriously and got married."

He gave a bitter smile and remained silent. This was something he couldn't control at all. With a knife to his throat, not getting married would mean ruining his reputation. He was forced into this situation.

Du Yu paused for a moment, then continued, "However, from the perspective of the situation, you made a very accurate move. This completely completes the chain of relationships between you, turning the so-called power-for-sex transaction into a legitimate family matter between husband and wife. This is the best solution to silence public opinion. Even the other party will not be able to find any fault with it from a legal or disciplinary standpoint."

Hearing this, he was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Du Yu's tone suddenly shifted, becoming somewhat cold: "But there's one thing you must be extra careful about from now on. This person isn't an ordinary person. Zhou Qingyan would rather lower herself to marry a lowly office worker like you than show him any kindness. For her, this is a great humiliation. Before, her attacks were entirely directed at Zhou Qingyan, trying to force her to submit. But now, you are legally married, united in purpose, sharing both glory and ruin!"

Zhao Jianguo wasn't stupid; he instantly understood the subtext in Du Yu's words.

Zhou Qingyan is protected by a powerful family in the provincial capital. Even if the other party is furious and wants revenge, they will have to think twice and plan carefully before acting. But what about Zhao Jianguo? He has no background and is all alone. There is a high probability that the other party will vent their pent-up anger on him, the scapegoat for the stolen wife, and use him as a breakthrough to tear apart Zhou Qingyan's defenses!

He rubbed his temples and gave a helpless, bitter smile: "I'm just cannon fodder caught in the crossfire of this power struggle... Boss Du, isn't there any other way to mitigate this?"

"No," Du Yu answered decisively, his tone carrying a hint of mockery towards that circle: "The other party is extremely narrow-minded and acts eccentrically, yet he has a powerful background. Almost everyone in that circle in the province knows about his feelings for Zhou Qingyan. Now that you've suddenly appeared and stolen his man, he's lost all face. These third-generation officials value face above all else. In short, just be careful. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."