After Jiang Hao caused such a scene, Zhou Nuan completely lost her focus on studying.
She got up, deciding to practice the dance she was to perform at the upcoming Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala.
With less than half a month until the official performance, she hadn’t practiced properly yet!
Although dance was her specialty, she was the closing act, performing in front of top city and government officials. There was no room for mistakes. The school leaders had even spoken to her personally, urging her to practice diligently and shine for the school’s reputation.
After changing clothes, Zhou Nuan did some warm-up exercises, then played her music and began dancing gracefully.
Unfortunately, her apartment was too small, making it impossible to perform many movements fully. After a short while, she gave up, thinking she’d practice properly in the rehearsal room at school tomorrow during her free time.
The rehearsal room had ample space and mirrors—perfect for practice.
With that plan, she took a shower and prepared for bed early.
Just as she lay down, her phone pinged with a WeChat notification.
Anlan’s WeChat? Zhou Nuan frowned.
Shi Anlan had actually sent her a message!
She hadn’t expected this. After adding each other on WeChat the previous night, she had dismissed it, thinking someone as busy as the secretary would never have time to message a small-time teacher like her.
Yet, only a day later, here it was.
Shi Anlan: Teacher Zhou, how did Xu Zhi do at school today?
Zhou Nuan: Pretty well.
She replied briefly, not wanting to chat much.
Shi Anlan: Is he getting along with classmates?
Zhou Nuan: Yes, he is.
Shi Anlan: Thank you for your efforts.
Zhou Nuan: You’re welcome, it’s my duty.
Shi Anlan: Good night.
Zhou Nuan: Good night.
After sending the messages, Zhou Nuan realized with a start that she had actually exchanged “good night” with the city secretary.
Something felt… off.
She shook her head and reread the conversation, but everything seemed normal!
It was just a few short messages, all about Xu Zhi, except for the two words “good night.”
Then what exactly felt off?
Zhou Nuan scratched the back of her head, still unable to figure it out.
Maybe I’m just being overly sensitive, she thought. Perhaps Shi Anlan chatted like this with Xu Zhi’s other teachers as well.
With that in mind, she put her phone on silent, placed it on the bedside table, and tried to sleep.
But as soon as she closed her eyes, a certain man’s image forcefully intruded into her mind.
A crisp white shirt, neatly pressed black trousers, chiseled features, a defined jawline, a deep and magnetic voice, and long, strong fingers gripping a steering wheel.
She patted her forehead. Oh my god, Zhou Nuan, you’re losing it!
Time flew to Friday.
Shi Anlan sat in his office, reviewing a document. Rarely had he stayed in one place today.
Secretary Zhao Yunfeng knocked and entered with a sheet of paper.
“Secretary Shi, here is the final program list for the Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala. Would you like to review it?”
He stood respectfully before Shi Anlan’s desk.
He had been about to say, “You don’t need to bother with these small matters,” but reconsidered. This was the first municipal gala under Shi Anlan’s leadership. Almost all notable city officials and media would be present. Any mistake would fall on the city government office.
He nodded. “Alright, leave it here. I’ll review it at noon.”
“Very well, Secretary Shi. I won’t keep you. If any adjustments are needed, please let me know.”
“Mm.” Shi Anlan nodded, returning his attention to the document.
Zhao Yunfeng left, sensing it was best not to linger.
This new city secretary was still a mystery to him. Shi Anlan was usually quiet, sometimes approachable, sometimes imposing—a person hard to read.
One thing was certain: he wasn’t the type to deliberately make things difficult for subordinates—unless someone was arrogant enough to challenge his authority.
Shi Anlan handled matters decisively, disliked dragging things out, and was rigorous and pragmatic. Tasks assigned were always executed, not just empty commands.
Overall, he was a capable, decisive leader with a genuine concern for the people.
In just three months in Jiangcheng, he had regained control over a once chaotic government office and was gradually cleaning up the mess left by his predecessor.
At noon, after lunch, Shi Anlan lay down on the office sofa for a brief nap.
Although he was the top official of Jiangcheng, regulations meant his office was only about 40 square meters—no separate rest area. A nap required lying on the office sofa.
He rarely stayed in the office all day; most of the time he was conducting inspections or attending meetings.
If time permitted, he preferred going home or renting a hotel room nearby.
He thought of his elder brother Shi Anqing, whose office occupied hundreds of square meters on the top floor of a company building in the provincial capital, fully furnished and even more luxurious than some hotels.
Shi Anlan had originally wanted to go into business. Politics had been a forced choice.
With his brother already in the business world, the family couldn’t allow both of them in commerce, so he went into politics instead.
He felt his personality didn’t fit politics—rebellious at heart, strong-willed, and independent. The bureaucracy often constrained him.
For example, offices, housing, and official vehicles all had strict rules. He could buy a house and car freely, but not build his own separate office.
Sometimes, he envied his brother.
Still, having chosen this path, he would walk it resolutely.
Early on, his personality caused him some losses and detours.
Luckily, he was smart, reflective, and learned from experiences. Coupled with his family background, he gradually established himself in politics.
Drowsily, he remembered the program list Zhao Yunfeng had handed him in the morning.
He got up, retrieved it from the desk, leaned against the sofa, and scanned through it.
When he reached the second-to-last program, his eyes brightened.