The corners of Song Guanchao's mouth twitched slightly beneath the mask.

Ten million, damn that's a bold asking price.

But this guy dares to ask for such a price, it's clear that this isn't just any ordinary piece of information.

Also, this guy probably has already guessed my identity.

Otherwise, how could he be sure that the information he's selling would certainly interest me?

Song Guanchao didn't care if his identity was exposed.

Anyway, he's already got the Fengmen Building project in his hands, so even if he's exposed, it won't affect him.

Moreover, a professional conman like Tang Zhengqiang might even have more professional ethics than average people.

Leaking customer privacy is something they absolutely wouldn't do.

After all, not many ordinary people could casually spend a few million to hire them for a con.

As soon as the information leaks, they would have to be prepared for retaliation.

Song Guanchao asked, "What kind of information is it?"

He's quite interested in Tang Zhengqiang's information, but he needs at least a bit of understanding first.

He wasn't stupid enough to pay directly without knowing what kind of information it was.

Tang Zhengqiang said, "This information has a very big impact on Lingjiang's top leaders, even affecting their career paths."

Song Guanchao became even more intrigued, but also puzzled.

The information that can influence the career paths of top leaders is no small matter.

But Song Guanchao felt like he was talking nonsense.

Though he's just a secretary, his understanding of Lingjiang is second only to the few standing committee members.

Even those ranked lower on the committee might not comprehend as deeply as he does.

Furthermore, the matters that can influence the career paths of top leaders are limited to just a few types.

Either severe violation of discipline or significant mistakes in their work, like casualties and so on.

Casualties can be ruled out first.

If that were the reason, Qu Xiangru and Zheng Bihui would have already received the phone call immediately.

Significant work mistakes can also be ruled out; they're impossible to hide if they can influence the top leaders' career paths.

Then it could only be a violation of discipline.

Song Guanchao asked, "Is it about the top leader or the second leader?"

Tang Zhengqiang smiled, "Boss, if you want to know, you can pay for it."

"I can guarantee you that spending ten million on this information is definitely worth the value."

"If the boss has friends within the system, this information could help them climb higher."

Song Guanchao hesitated.

He thinks Tang Zhengqiang is unlikely to deceive him on such matters.

But given his understanding of Lingjiang, he can guarantee that nothing of this magnitude has happened recently.

If it were just one million, he would have bought it.

But ten million is no small amount.

Although the expense could be reimbursed by Wu Qiangwei, what if the information provided by this guy is useless to him?

Seeing him hesitating, Tang Zhengqiang smiled and said, "Boss can take your time to think it over. If you decide within a week, just contact me anytime."

He stood up and said, "If you take more than a week, it won't be the same price."

After he left, Lu Feng curiously asked, "Captain, has anything major happened in Lingjiang recently?"

Song Guanchao took off his mask and shook his head, "I'm puzzled too."

Back at the City Committee, he arrived at Qu Xiangru's office, but didn't go in.

"Director Jiang, could you step out for a moment?"

He lowered his voice to avoid letting Qu Xiangru know he was there.

Suspicious, Jiang Yiren followed him to the hallway.

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette and was about to light it when Jiang Yiren lightly furrowed her eyebrows, "Do you forget about the people around you when you smoke? I'm a girl; can't you be a bit considerate?"

Song Guanchao took the cigarette away from his mouth and offered it to her, "Have one."

"..." Jiang Yiren angrily pushed him away, "What's wrong with you!"

Song Guanchao chuckled, holding the cigarette between his fingers without lighting it, he asked, "Has anyone visited Secretary Qu lately?"

"What kind of people are you referring to?"

"People outside of officialdom."

"No."

"Has Secretary Qu asked you to handle anything recently?"

"Why are you asking all this?"

Jiang Yiren's small face suddenly turned stern, "Are you prying into the City Secretary's work? Song Guanchao, you're a secretary, why are you asking these questions? I'm going to contact the Disciplinary Committee and have them investigate you!"

The corner of Song Guanchao's mouth twitched. Seeing the fleeting expression of satisfaction on her face, he realized she was deliberately teasing him.

His expression suddenly turned serious, and he solemnly said, "Secretary Qu is in danger!"

"Huh?" Jiang Yiren looked incredulous, "What danger could she be in?"

"I don't know."

Song Guanchao relayed truthfully, "I only know she's in danger, but I'm not sure what kind of danger exactly."

"If you trust me, tell me if Secretary Qu has shown any unusual behavior recently."

Seeing him so serious, combined with her understanding of him, she began to faintly believe him.

She carefully thought back, shook her head, and said, "No, Secretary Qu hasn't shown anything unusual; everything is normal. No one has visited her either."

Looks like he wasn't going to get any answers from her.

Should he directly ask Qu Xiangru?

Given her personality, even if something were up, she might not tell him.

However, Song Guanchao still planned to go directly and ask.

Whether she tells or not makes no difference.

He mainly wanted to ascertain whether she's encountered any trouble.

If she has, then he'll have to purchase that piece of information.

"Got it."

As Song Guanchao walked away, Jiang Yiren tugged at his sleeve, "Where are you going?"

"To work."

"Where did you hear that Secretary Qu is in trouble?"

"An anonymous tip letter," Song Guanchao lied casually, "Don't worry too much, since you said everything's normal, the tip is probably just a prank."

Back in the office, Song Guanchao didn't immediately go looking for Qu Xiangru.

Otherwise, it might alert Jiang Yiren to the fact that he and Qu Xiangru share an unusual relationship.

After all, he's just Wu Qiangwei's secretary.

Logically, without very important matters, he doesn't have the qualifications to meet Qu Xiangru.

He can't say one moment that Qu Xiangru has trouble and then immediately go seeking her verification.

That would be too obvious.

Near the end of the workday, he sent Qu Xiangru a message: "Stay late, I have something to discuss with you."

Afraid she might ignore him, he added, "It's very important, official business!"

After work, Wu Qiangwei left her office, saw him still seated without the intention of leaving, and asked, "Work not finished yet?"

"The bidding starts in a couple of days; I need to stay late to review," Song Guanchao replied.

"Hard work."

Song Guanchao grinned widely, "Serving the leader isn't hard at all."

Wu Qiangwei secretly ground her teeth; this rascal was using official tone again.

After she left, Song Guanchao waited a few more minutes before heading to Qu Xiangru's office.

Outside the office, Jiang Yiren was nowhere to be seen, indicating that she had already left.

He approached and knocked on the door, "Secretary Qu."

No response.

He continued knocking, but still no response.

He grabbed the handle and pushed the door open.

The office was deserted, the teacup on the desk was empty, and the trash can was cleaned out.

Song Guanchao was taken aback, his face turned grim.

This woman didn't wait for him?

Descending the stairs, he dialed Qu Xiangru's number.

Qu Xiangru answered quickly, "What's up?"

"Where are you?"

"What's up?"

"Yes!" Song Guanchao replied, "I mentioned it's very important, official business!"

"We can talk at work tomorrow."

She practically had "avoid suspicion" written on her face.

In her view, if it truly were official business, Song Guanchao shouldn't have waited until after work to say it.

Song Guanchao lowered his voice and said, "Secretary Qu, this matter is crucial; I need to speak to you now and do so in person! It concerns Lingjiang's main leaders and affects you as well!"

Qu Xiangru paused for a few seconds and said, "If you're deceiving me, I'll block you."

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