Right path to power

After hanging up the phone, Juliet breathed a sigh of relief and remarked, "Having someone behind you makes things easier; without someone behind you, things are unpredictable."

Of course, she also felt more and more that she couldn't see through Lin Xiao.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao and Song Wanqing returned to the hotel after leaving Song Minghao's company, picked up their parents, and went home for dinner.

This time, Song Guoqiang was still working overtime and hadn't returned, which made everyone feel much more relaxed.

The next morning, the group of four flew back to Quanning.

After getting off the plane, Lin Xiao first called a car to send her parents back to Fengshan, and then called Xia Shengwen, the secretary of her teacher Liang Weiwang.

At noon, Lin Xiao and Song Wanqing stayed at Liang Weiwang's house for lunch.

After listening to Lin Xiao recount her trip to Beicheng, Liang Weiwang smiled and said, "Congratulations, you've finally achieved your goal."

Liang Weiwang was very happy to learn that the marriage had been finalized.

Although many of his students also developed within the system, none of them were like Lin Xiao. Moreover, promotion was only one aspect; what was even more remarkable was that Lin Xiao's achievements genuinely promoted social and economic development and improved the living standards of residents.

Subsequently, Lin Xiao invited Liang Weiwang to attend her wedding in Beicheng during the National Day holiday.

Liang Weiwang smiled and said, "I won't go to Beicheng. I'll definitely attend when we go back to Quanzhou to handle this."

Lin Xiao didn't force him, because he knew that his teacher was probably avoiding going to Beicheng to avoid suspicion.

After lunch, Lin Xiao took Song Wanqing back to her residence. The two spent the entire afternoon together. In the evening, they had dinner at Lou Changyang's place and told him about the wedding.

Lou Changyang said he would definitely attend the wedding in Quanzhou, but he would have to see how things went about the family banquet in Beicheng.

That night, Lin Xiao openly stayed in Song Wanqing's room.

The next morning, Lin Xiao calmly drove back to Fuchuan County.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Provincial Geological and Mineral Investment Company, accompanied by Bi Fupeng, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor, visited Fuchuan County to inspect projects.

Zhu Lishu and Executive Deputy County Head Jia Anpeng accompanied the inspection.

Although Lin Xiao intentionally avoided the provincial geological and mineral investment inspection team, the accompanying level was sufficient and would not be impolite, after all, Zhu Lishu's status was evident.

On the contrary, Jia Anpeng was both surprised and somewhat delighted.

They treated this opportunity like a windfall.

Therefore, he was determined to take the lead in implementing this project, so as to add a brilliant achievement to his political record.

Moreover, he had also heard that the Shen family was behind this inspection trip.

This project will not only allow me to gain political achievements but also to get in touch with the Shen family. If I can build a good relationship with the Shen family, there might be opportunities in the future.

An opportunity that offers multiple benefits should definitely be seized.

Therefore, Jia Anpeng was ambitious.

At this time, Lin Xiao went straight to the municipal party committee after getting off the highway, and made a phone call to Guo Yuanzheng on the way.

"The Provincial Geological and Mineral Investment Company is conducting an inspection in Fuchuan today, how come you still have time to come here?" Wang Yuanze asked in confusion.

Lin Xiao explained, "Secretary Wang, I went to Beicheng a couple of days ago and just got back from the provincial capital today."

Seeing that Wang Yuanze remained unmoved, Lin Xiao continued to tell him about his marriage to Song Wanqing and asked him to arrange a time to attend her wedding.

Of course, this was also the first time he formally told his uncle Wang Yuanze about Song Wanqing's identity.

"Okay, okay, this is a big deal. Congratulations! I'll definitely attend your wedding. Actually, if you hadn't gotten married soon, I would have started urging you. After all, you're already a county-level leader, and being single all this time gives people the impression of being immature."

Wang Yuanze exclaimed, then added, "I never expected that Xiao Song really is Old Master Song's granddaughter. You're incredibly lucky, kid. But you must be under a lot of pressure too."

"Yes, but I believe that as long as I put my heart into my work, every result will be pretty good."

"Yes, doing your job well is what you should be focusing on."

Then, Lin Xiao mentioned that Zhongdingyuan was coming to investigate.

Now, Wang Yuanze had pieced together all the reasons why Lin Xiao had deliberately missed the provincial geological and mineral investment inspection.

I thought to myself: This kid actually managed to "outsmart" the boss.

However, he didn't intend to point it out; on the contrary, he felt that Lin Xiao had matured a lot.

Furthermore, even without his help, this nephew's future will be bright after becoming the Song family's son-in-law.

"When Mr. Jia arrives, please make arrangements. I need to meet with him and invite him to dinner."

"Yes, Secretary. I will inform Section Chief Guo as soon as I have it in place."

After leaving Wang Yuanze's office, Lin Xiao thought for a moment and decided to go see Ma Guanghua.

Actually, it wasn't that he had any compelling reason to go, but rather that he knew in his heart that his relationship with Ma Guanghua couldn't compare to his relationship with his senior apprentice, and leaders often require their subordinates to be as polite as possible.

In other words, arriving at the municipal party committee compound and not going to see the municipal party secretary is a different matter from not going to see the mayor.

"Why are you here instead of working in reception at the county government office?"

Although Ma Guanghua already knew that Lin Xiaogang had just come from Wang Yuanze's place, he still asked a question with a puzzled look on his face.

In fact, he had high expectations for the investment in the Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Shen Xueying had previously approached him specifically, and he expressed his strong support.

Therefore, he didn't want Lin Xiao to cause any accidents.

But after hearing Lin Xiao say that he had just returned from Beicheng and that Zhongdingyuan's inspection team would soon be visiting Fuchuan to investigate investment opportunities, his attitude changed significantly.

"Zhongdingyuan? The headquarters inspection team is coming directly to Fuchuan for an inspection?"

Faced with Ma Guanghua's wide-eyed surprise, Lin Xiaoping said calmly, "Yes, Mayor Ma, General Manager Jia will arrive tomorrow, and the leaders of Zhongdingyuan Fengdu Branch will also be there."

Ma Guanghua looked delighted: "Zhongdingyuan is a leading mining company. If they can invest, it will not only promote the development of the mining industry in the whole city, but also further enhance the attractiveness of our city for investment. You have done a great job."

As an acting mayor, attracting investment from large state-owned enterprises during the process of becoming the official mayor would definitely be a plus.

Lin Xiao humbly replied, "Mayor Ma, you flatter me. This is all part of my job. Previously, mining in Fuchuan County was scattered, inefficient, and often resulted in safety accidents. The introduction of a large state-owned enterprise is intended to promote a more standardized development of the mining industry throughout the county."

Ma Guanghua nodded: "This is a good idea, it takes a high-level perspective and shows long-term consideration. However, we need to pay attention to coordinating with existing mining companies to avoid triggering conflicts."

Clearly, he chose Zhongdingyuan over the Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources without hesitation.

As for Shen Xueying, perhaps her father, who has retired to the second line, still has the power to help his daughter connect with Zhongdingyuan.

Otherwise, you'll end up empty-handed.

"When President Jia arrives, I will accompany him on the inspection and strive to get the project approved." Ma Guanghua's face showed excitement.

After leaving Ma Guanghua's office, Lin Xiao ran into an acquaintance in the elevator—Qi Mingchen, deputy secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League. The two had lunch together nearby.

While eating and chatting, Qi Mingchen marveled at Lin Xiao's progress and jokingly remarked that he was cultivating his character at the Municipal Youth League Committee.

He was promoted from Fuchuan County to the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League through open selection, and he worked there for three years without being reassigned.

Seeing Lin Xiao become the county magistrate in just a few years, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Lin Xiao said, "If there's no chance of getting a permanent position in the Municipal Youth League Committee, it's better to go to the district or county level as soon as possible; maybe things will take a turn for the better."

Qi Mingchen said helplessly, "There isn't a suitable opportunity right now. If possible, I would be willing to return to Fuchuan County and achieve some concrete results under your leadership."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Since you have this idea, I can keep an eye out for it. Maybe there will be an opportunity sometime."

Qi Mingchen picked up his teacup and said, "Then it's settled. I'll toast you with tea instead of wine. I'm waiting for your good news, haha."

Lin Xiao smiled and clinked glasses with Qi Mingchen.

Back in the county, the inspection team from the Provincial Geological and Mineral Investment Company had already left.