At the Pinnacle of Power: The Female Leader and Her Chief Advisor

Jiang Ling scoffed, "What, so impatient?"

Lu Ming continued his provocation, "Who could possibly endure the taste of Mayor Jiang's favor?"

Jiang Ling smiled dismissively: "You...do you have the guts?"

Her words were full of arrogance and disdain for Lu Ming.

Lu Ming remained silent, grinned, and suddenly reached out to pull Jiang Ling up from her seat.

Then, he scooped her up with both hands and placed her on the desk.

He then took a half step forward, put one arm around Jiang Ling's slender waist, and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, showing Jiang Ling with his actions whether he had the guts or not.

The movements were so fluid and graceful that even Jiang Ling was stunned.

By the time she came to her senses, she had already been treated with respect.

"you……"

Jiang Ling wanted to scold him, but at that moment Lu Ming's hands started to wander again.

Lu Ming's move can be described as utterly unbridled.

At the same time, Jiang Ling felt a faint, strange sensation.

"Mayor Jiang, although you are getting on in years, to be honest, you are really well-preserved."

Lu Ming's eyes were mocking.

Jiang Ling let out a soft moan, a wave of shame washing over her, making her face flush with embarrassment.

She suddenly felt weak and limp, and something was clearly wrong.

Not only himself, but even Lu Ming was clearly acting strangely, setting up a tent for camping.

Jiang Ling took a deep breath and quickly calmed herself down.

She looked directly into Lu Ming's eyes and asked, "Isn't this over yet?"

Lu Ming chuckled: "No."

Jiang Ling had to admit that she had seriously underestimated Lu Ming's audacity and shamelessness.

She stopped talking and let Lu Ming continue his misdeeds.

Lu Ming looked at Jiang Ling, who was as silent as a lamb, and was equally surprised.

He had thought that his outrageous behavior would surely enrage Jiang Ling, but he was surprised to find her so calm, as if she didn't care at all.

Feeling bored, Lu Ming sat back down in his chair, and Jiang Ling also straightened her pants before sitting down.

She was so calm; her composure was unparalleled.

Lu Ming leaned back slightly, his eyes unabashed, and asked, "Mayor Jiang, do you still want me to keep an eye on Mayor Yu for you?"

Jiang Ling nodded again.

Lu Ming then asked, "What benefits would I get?"

Jiang Ling replied, "I told you, I guarantee you'll be promoted to a full-fledged department head within three years."

Lu Ming scoffed: "I already bear Mayor Song's mark. Countless people in Songxi want to suppress me so that I can never rise again."

"Promoting me would offend other leaders. It's not that I don't trust Mayor Jiang, but this is simply unbelievable."

Jiang Ling frowned and asked, "Then what do you want?"

Lu Ming said, "Tell me, who reported Mayor Song?"

Although it was ostensibly Director Qian of Lanting Club who instigated Li Wen to report the incident.

However, Lu Ming was certain that there must be people in officialdom cooperating behind this.

Jiang Ling narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why are you asking this?"

Lu Ming made no attempt to hide his true feelings, saying, "Only by knowing who it is can I take him down."

"Otherwise, how can I maintain my foothold in Songxi as long as he remains?"

Jiang Ling remained silent, seemingly struggling with the decision for a long time, then shook her head and said, "I have no comment on this question."

Lu Ming stood up and said, "Since Mayor Jiang is so insincere, then let's call off this cooperation!"

Seeing that Lu Ming was about to leave, Jiang Ling added, "I can find someone to help you investigate."

Lu Ming paused, and Jiang Ling said, "I will help you find out who reported Song Chuhe."

Lu Ming turned to look into Jiang Ling's eyes, as if trying to determine how much truth there was in her words.

After a long pause, Lu nodded: "Okay, I'll keep an eye on Mayor Yu for you."

After saying that, Lu Ming opened the door and went out.

After he left, Jiang Ling's expression turned extremely cold.

Although Lu Ming had just expressed his opinion, she didn't believe he would actually help her keep an eye on Yu Wei, just as he didn't believe she would help him investigate.

The two were merely going through the motions, neither exposing the other's lie.

Even though Jiang Ling thought she had overestimated Lu Ming, she still underestimated him.

This man is ambitious and daring; he is absolutely unwilling to remain subservient to others, much less be used by us.

Jiang Ling's eyes grew even colder as she thought about his outrageous behavior just now.

……

Back in Yu Wei's office, Lu Ming spoke very frankly.

"Mayor Jiang promised me benefits in an attempt to win me over."

Yu Wei wasn't surprised and asked, "What benefits did she promise?"

"Promote me to the rank of director within three years."

"Aren't you tempted?"

Lu Ming nodded and then shook his head: "I'm tempted, but I don't believe what she says."

Yu Wei hummed in agreement. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Wang Qiang arrived.

He saw that Lu Ming was also there, smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, and placed the prepared list on Yu Wei's desk.

Knowing that the two were going to discuss the selection of the head of the secretariat, Lu Ming consciously withdrew.

After he left, Yu Wei picked up the list, looked it over, and asked, "How long has Pan Bin served as deputy director?"

It's been almost three years.

"Let's go with him."

"Yes."

Wang Qiang readily agreed, thinking to himself, "Pan Bin usually keeps a low profile, but I never expected that he had already secretly gotten on Mayor Yu's good side."

Back in his office, Wang Qiang saw Li Ping standing at the door with a bruised and swollen face.

"Director Wang."

Upon seeing Wang Qiang return, Li Ping hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Director Wang, is my matter serious?"

"Come in and talk."

Wang Qiang led Li Ping into the office and told him to close the door.

At this moment, Li Ping was very uneasy. Today's incident was just as bad as the last time the coffin blocked the door.

He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, but there was nothing he could do but pray that Mayor Jiang would protect him again.

Wang Qiang raised his eyelids to look at Li Ping, then tossed the list in his hand to him.

Wang Qiang picked it up, puzzled, and looked at the names on it. He asked, "Director Wang, what is this?"

Wang Qiang said, "The candidate for the head of the secretariat."

Li Ping's head suddenly exploded, and his face turned ashen.

Wang Qiang added, "Your question has already been discussed in a meeting by the leaders."

Li Ping came to his senses and realized that he could no longer be the director. He just didn't know if there would be any other punishments.

His lips trembled as he asked, "So... what have the leaders decided to do with me?"

Wang Qiang said in a deep voice: "Expel him from both positions!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ping's body went limp, and he almost slid off the chair and onto the floor.

His face turned deathly pale, and he said in disbelief, "Double expulsion?"

"Um."

Li Ping simply couldn't believe it: "This...how is this possible? No, I have to go see Mayor Jiang..."

"Sit down!"

Wang Qiang shouted and pinned Li Ping down.

"You think things haven't gotten big enough?"

"Your expulsion from the Party and public office is already the result of Mayor Jiang's hard work!"

"If it weren't for her protecting you, the disciplinary committee would have thoroughly investigated you!"

"Put your hand on your heart and think about it, can you withstand being investigated?"

Li Ping opened his mouth: "I..."

Wang Qiang grew increasingly agitated: "Expulsion from both the Party and public office is a gesture of respect. If you don't appreciate it, once the Discipline Inspection Commission uncovers your violations and misconduct, you can expect to spend the rest of your life in jail!"

"I've told you before to keep a low profile. If you had listened to me, even if Lu Ming wanted to mess with you, he wouldn't have had the chance."

"No matter what, it's still your own fault for being so incompetent that you gave others a handle to use against you."

Li Ping's eyes widened: "Lu Ming? He's the one who did this to me?"

"Otherwise what?"

"You son of a bitch, Lu Ming, I'll fucking kill you!"

The office door opened as soon as he finished speaking.

Lu Ming stood at the door, grinning at Li Ping: "Director Li just said he was going to kill me?"