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

the next day.

Zhou Lin sent the completed itinerary to Lu Ming.

Her schedule was well-organized, and she didn't engage in any underhanded tactics.

"Excellent, very professional."

Lu Ming praised her and then took the schedule to Yu Wei's office.

Yu Wei glanced at it briefly and said, "Make preparations, we'll go for the inspection tomorrow."

She has been in Songxi for a month and has already inspected all the districts and counties below, so she has a general understanding of the overall situation in Songxi.

But that's not enough. As mayor, she also needs to understand the city's economic structure.

Therefore, it is also very necessary to visit some large enterprises in the city.

A qualified mayor needs to establish direct and efficient communication with the heads of major businesses in the city, gain their full trust, and create a clean and upright business environment.

Only in this way can these companies contact her without hesitation when they encounter difficulties.

She is also able to learn about the company's situation immediately and find ways to help it overcome difficulties.

This is not only because these companies are major taxpayers in the city, but also because they are related to the employment of tens of thousands of people.

Behind these employees are tens of thousands of families.

So ultimately, Yu Wei did this to stabilize employment!

After all, employment is the most important issue concerning people's livelihood!

Over the next two weeks, Yu Wei led Lu Ming and Zhou Lin to visit more than a dozen companies.

At each location, I would delve into their business environment and inquire about any assistance they might require from the municipal government.

These business leaders showed Yu Wei considerable respect, but it was still clear that they were deliberately keeping a certain distance.

Clearly, a single investigation was not enough to make them completely trust Yu Wei.

Because she didn't fully trust them, Yu Wei's understanding of the situation was very limited. She didn't know their specific business situation or whether they were currently facing any difficulties.

However, Yu Wei is not in a hurry. Establishing a clean and cordial relationship between government and business is not something that can be achieved overnight.

Besides, she's not only serving as mayor for a few months; there's plenty of time ahead, and we'll have many more opportunities to interact with her in the future.

After spending more time with her, these business leaders will naturally be able to tell whether she's just putting on an act or genuinely there to get things done.

On Friday, the final leg of the inspection tour concluded.

On the way back, Yu Wei said, "Tomorrow is Saturday, have a good rest."

Having worked non-stop for more than half a month, Lu Ming was also feeling a bit tired. He had already decided that he wouldn't go anywhere tomorrow and would just stay at home and lie down.

Zhou Lin glanced at Lu Ming cautiously, thinking, "It's been half a month since Li Ping was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office. If I invite him to dinner now, surely he won't be suspected?"

After dropping Zhou Lin off at the entrance of the residential area, Zhou Lin immediately took out her phone to contact Wang Qiang.

"Director Wang, I'm planning to invite Lu Ming to dinner tomorrow, is that alright?"

"Sure, but remember, it has to be in the evening!"

……

The car arrived at the residential area where Lu Ming lived.

Lu Ming got out of the car and said, "Mayor, I'll head back now."

"Um."

After watching Luo Shuixian drive away, Lu Ming turned and entered the residential area.

On the way here, he really wanted to ask Yu Wei how she planned to arrange things for Zhou Lin.

In his view, there was no point in Zhou Lin staying by Yu Wei's side any longer.

Yu Wei should also think about what should happen to Zhou Lin, but it has been half a month and Yu Wei still hasn't said a word, which makes it hard to figure out what she is thinking.

When he got home, Lu Ming first went to the bathroom to take a shower.

As soon as he lay down on the bed, Mu Xueqi sent him a message, inviting him out for dinner.

Lu Ming really didn't want to go out, so he said, "Let's eat at my place."

"Okay, I'll buy the groceries and head over there."

About half an hour later, Mu Xueqi arrived.

Seeing the bag of groceries Mu Xueqi was carrying, Lu Ming was taken aback: "You can cook?"

He thought that when Mu Xueqi said she was buying good food, she meant the kind that's readily available at restaurants.

Mu Xueqi blinked, looking completely innocent, and said, "No...no way."

Lu Ming's lips twitched.

What kind of vegetables don't you know how to buy?

"Never mind, I'll do it."

Lu Ming took the bag and went into the kitchen.

"Can you cook?"

"I know a little."

Lu Ming spent more than half an hour in the kitchen, turning all the dishes Mu Xueqi brought into a table full of delicious food.

Mu Xueqi exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, you really know how to cook!"

She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of eggplant, and put it in her mouth, nodding repeatedly: "Delicious, really delicious."

Lu Ming chuckled and said, "Alright, tell me, what do you want?"

Mu Xueqi rolled her eyes: "What, can't I contact you even if there's nothing wrong?"

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow and teased, "You've got quite the addiction, haven't you? You couldn't hold back after just a few days?"

Mu Xueqi blushed and spat out, "Who couldn't hold it in? I actually have something to tell you."

"Actually, it wasn't me who came to find you; my master asked me to pass on a message to you."

Lu Ming was taken aback and asked, "What did you say?"

Mu Xueqi swallowed what was in her mouth and said, "He asked me to ask you if you want some cases assigned to you?"

Lu Ming looked completely bewildered: "What the heck? You're assigning me a case? Why would a secretary like me be assigned that?"

Mu Xueqi casually replied, "Of course it's solving cases."

Lu Ming shook his head: "I have neither the ability to solve cases nor the time or energy for it."

Mu Xueqi listened and didn't say anything more, but just looked at Lu Ming with a smile.

Lu Ming suddenly realized that this girl was making fun of him!

You've got some nerve!

They must be punished!

Lu Ming took out a tissue, wiped his mouth, and walked over to Mu Xueqi's side.

Seeing Lu Ming approaching, Mu Xueqi's heart trembled, and she asked, "What...what are you doing?"

"Dry!"

"You rascal, people are still eating!"

"Tell me, what were Director Ding's exact words?"

"Let go, and I'll tell you."

Lu Ming withdrew his hand and said, "Speak."

Mu Xueqi straightened her pants and said, "My master said that if we solve a suitable case in the future, he can give you the credit."

Lu Ming understood; Ding Jian wanted to use this method to gain merit.

Generally speaking, if his secretary wants to climb the ranks, he can only do so by accumulating seniority and building connections step by step.

But as I just said, that's just the general case, not an absolute one.

If he can achieve meritorious service or attract investment, these can be considered as his political achievements.

Ding Jian wanted to use this method to get him promoted faster.

Lu Ming, naturally, wouldn't refuse such a good thing, and nodded, "Okay."

By nodding in agreement, he essentially owed Ding Jian a favor.

However, there's no need to feel pressured. He and Ding Jian are both on Yu Wei's side, and if Ding Jian needs his help in the future, he won't refuse within his capabilities.

Moreover, there's also the connection between him and Ding Jian—Mu Xueqi.

"Alright, I'll tell my master later. But let me make this clear beforehand: credit isn't something that can be arranged just like that; it requires a suitable case."

Lu Ming nodded and said, "I know, let's eat."

Upon hearing this, Mu Xueqi muttered under her breath, "Eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating!"

Lu Ming frowned and asked, "What are you muttering about?"

"It's alright, let's eat!"

After finishing her meal, Mu Xueqi wiped her mouth and got up to leave.

Before she could even turn around, Lu Ming pulled her into his arms...