Chapter 68

Brothers, a new week has started, give me more recommendations!

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Zhou Ci never thought that she would give up her body, which she had guarded for so many years, like this. Moreover, after giving it up, she did not feel the slightest bit of guilt; instead, there was a faint sense of excitement and agitation. With Su Mu, she seemed to experience the feeling of a girl's first love.

Imagine a mature woman, who still harbors the sentiment of a girl's first love. How many men could resist such a woman?

Su Mu certainly couldn't.

In fact, Su Mu had no intention of resisting. What needed to be done was already done; he couldn't just walk away now, that wasn't his style.

That night, they didn't know how many times they did it. Each time during the breaks, Su Mu would explain some of the intricacies of the political arena to Zhou Ci, completely dispelling her concerns, and then painted a beautiful future for her. Zhou Ci was not originally part of Su Mu's plan, but since she appeared, she had to be accommodated.

Zhou Ci leaving the Elegant Residence was inevitable. Once all the procedures were completed, she would be completely severed from the Feng family. This meant she would leave with nothing, with only a pitiful amount of funds under her control. It was unrealistic to continue spending lavishly as before.

And what Su Mu had to do was to turn this unrealistic situation into reality.

"My identity determines that I can't be by your side, but that doesn't matter. I don't want to get married again anyway, as long as everything is fine at home. So, Su Mu, you can rest assured. From now on, I'll be your lover, and I'll be a very qualified one!" Zhou Ci declared her stance after one of their intimate moments.

Zhou Ci was very clear that to ensure she could hold onto Su Mu and tightly rely on this big tree, she must not hinder his progress. She had to let him continue to rise and truly gain significant power. Only then, even if Su Mu got married, no one would bring up issues of improper conduct.

Because this was the rule in the political arena, and anyone who dared to defy this rule of the higher-ups would be ostracized by everyone.

"Is that so..."

While enjoying Zhou Ci's massage, Su Mu thought for a moment and then said, "That piece of imperial jade shouldn't be part of the Elegant Residence's assets, right?"

"It's not. I bought it with my private savings," Zhou Ci replied. Over the years, she had saved some money, which was her rightful share.

"Good!"

Su Mu nodded, "Once you've settled everything, bring that piece of imperial jade to me. I'll go to Shengjing City to sell it. Then, with the money, wait for my news. Don't worry, I won't let you eat bitter vegetables."

"Really?" Zhou Ci asked in pleasant surprise.

"Doubt me? Get down there!" Su Mu said with a slightly stern face.

"Okay, okay, I'll get down there, alright?" Zhou Ci said with a seductive smile.

Pfft!

"Scaring me to death!"

......

The next day, after waking up, Su Mu didn't linger. After washing up, he headed to the gym. He couldn't help with the remaining matters, so he left them to Zhou Ci.

Compared to this, what Su Mu was most worried about now was the investment promotion conference. For Heishan Town to develop, it needed capital injection. As long as the first batch of funds came in, it would ensure the town's operation. Therefore, if he could attract the attention of investors, his trip would be worthwhile.

"Mayor Su, you're here!" Fan Changsheng greeted him with a smile, as he used to.

"Director Fan, how's the situation today?" Su Mu asked with a smile as he walked to the booth.

"It's the same. Our county hasn't had investors for many years," Fan Changsheng said, his face somewhat gloomy. After all, he was the director of the Investment Promotion Bureau, and failing to attract investors meant he was derelict in his duty.

"Director Fan, the situation in the county is what it is. Promote it more, maybe we can attract a few investors this time," Su Mu said with a smile.

One doesn't hit a smiling face, and Su Mu knew this. Besides, even if he wanted to interfere with Fan Changsheng's affairs, it wasn't his place.

"Thanks for your good words. You go ahead, I'll take a look around," Fan Changsheng said with a smile and left. He really didn't dare to underestimate Su Mu anymore.

Fan Changsheng had already received news in Qinglin City about what happened at the expanded meeting of the Xingtang County Party Committee. Su Mu's bold actions at the meeting had already earned his admiration. More importantly, after doing so, Su Mu was still standing here, continuing to promote investment. This was something to talk about.

Fan Changsheng's position as director of the Investment Promotion Bureau was not a pleasant one. As mentioned earlier, because he hadn't attracted any investors, the bureau was just a decoration in Xingtang County. Therefore, Xie Wen didn't think it was worth keeping the bureau under his control. But precisely because of this, Fan Changsheng feared that Xie Wen would find an excuse to remove him at any time.

Now, with Su Mu, a strong leg to cling to, if he didn't seize the opportunity, it would be much harder to find such a chance in the future.

Su Mu understood Fan Changsheng's thoughts. However, he had no interest in playing political games. His mind was set on developing Heishan Town.

However, ideals were beautiful, but reality was cruel.

No investors came to Xingtang County, let alone the impoverished and remote Heishan Town. Since Su Mu sat there, for the whole day, only a few people came by, and no one approached the booth again. It was as if the booth was a ferocious beast, and they were afraid it would eat them.

This situation continued for several days, and even on the last day of the investment promotion conference, nothing changed. Su Mu sat there for six days and gained nothing.

Meanwhile, a significant event occurred in Qinglin City. Although it was significant, only a few people at the top knew about it. Zhou Ci made a resolute decision to resign from the Elegant Residence and formally sever ties with the Feng family.

Because the matter was well-controlled, people outside didn't know that the Elegant Residence now had a new owner. Zhou Ci, the once powerful widow in Qinglin City, now had no connection with the Feng family except for her identity as the daughter of Zhou Conglan, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

At the Zhou family residence in the municipal compound:

"Father, I know this will make things difficult for you, but I really don't want to live that life anymore. I'd rather be a free sparrow than a caged bird kept by the Feng family," Zhou Ci said firmly.

A middle-aged man sat on the sofa, with sharp features and a decisive aura. He was Zhou Conglan, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Qinglin City.

Zhou Conglan looked at Zhou Ci with affection and said softly, "Ci'er, I didn't think it through back then. I thought you genuinely wanted to marry Feng Zhuo, and I didn't realize you were living such a life. If I had known, I would have let you divorce and sever ties with the Feng family long ago."

"Father, will my actions affect you?" Zhou Ci asked, her voice choked with emotion.

"Foolish girl, come here!"

Zhou Conglan stroked Zhou Ci's hair and said affectionately, "Do you think your father is made of paper? Who can just move me? Feng Rucheng has already retired, and even the current Party Secretary Zhang Yinjuan, do you think he can just move me? Foolish girl, you've suffered enough."

"Father!"

Zhou Ci couldn't hold back and burst into tears in Zhou Conglan's arms. Everything was just as Su Mu had guessed. It was her cautious nature that led to this situation. If she had known Zhou Conglan wasn't afraid, she wouldn't have endured for three years.

"Cry, this is our home, no one can stop you. From now on, you'll live here," Zhou Conglan said gently.

......

While Zhou Ci was sobbing in Zhou Conglan's arms, in a private room at the Elegant Residence, **'s face showed excitement.

"Master Bin, it's me!" ** said with a high-pitched voice.

"Master Hu, what good news? You sound very excited!" Sun Bin sat in a private room of a nightclub, fondling a woman in revealing clothing. The room was empty except for the two of them.

"Master Bin, I have something to report," ** said.

"Spit it out, what's the hurry? I'm busy here," Sun Bin said irritably.

"What are you busy with, just flirting with women," ** muttered under his breath but still smiled obsequiously.

"Master Bin, I think you'll be interested in this. Zhou Ci has severed ties with the Feng family!"

"What?"

Sun Bin, who had his hand on the woman's breast, squeezed harder upon hearing the news. The woman cried out in pain, but Sun Bin ignored her and asked urgently, "Is that true?"

"Absolutely true. I heard it from the old man and confirmed it through various means. Master Bin, now that Zhou Ci has no support from the Feng family, we can do whatever we want with her. Just wait for my good news!" ** laughed.

"Good boy, you have a bright future. I'll reward you well for this. Get to work!" Sun Bin laughed.

"Yes!"

After hanging up, Sun Bin's smile didn't fade, and he laughed excitedly. The seductive woman beside him giggled, "Master Bin, what's so happy?"

"Of course, it's good news. Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and give me a blow job, I can't hold it anymore." Sun Bin pushed the woman down and, imagining Zhou Ci's body, groaned in pleasure.

On the sixth day of the investment promotion conference, Su Mu had completely lost hope. No matter what methods he used, not a single company came to inquire. Even if his proposal was excellent, it was useless. Everyone was subjective and automatically filtered out Heishan Town.

This result was normal. After all, the conference was held by Qinglin City, targeting all counties and towns in the city. In such a situation, Xingtang County was already at the bottom, let alone the obscure and remote Heishan Town.

The harsh reality left Su Mu defeated. When he packed up all his proposals, put them in his bag, and walked out of the gym, the figure in front of him was no longer the same as before. She had returned to her simple self, exuding a unique charm.

Without the Ferrari, without the luxury accessories, Zhou Ci stood quietly by the roadside, swaying in the evening breeze like a blooming flower.

A flower of prosperity, the peony!