Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 378 The Soong Sisters 3

Song Ya-wen replied, "This is precisely what our Song Group excels at."

Our work in international trade and logistics involves connecting the last mile of the global supply chain, especially for fresh agricultural products that have extremely high requirements for timeliness, quality, and traceability.

We have mature cold chain technology, a stable channel network, strict quality control standards, and certain brand operation experience.

If combined with Qingyan's high-quality source products, there is indeed potential to create a high-value-added, distinctive agricultural industry chain.

Wu Zhiyuan perked up: "Sister Yawen, what you said really resonated with me! That's exactly what we've been missing!"

We have good stuff, but we don't know how to 'sell' it. You do know how to 'sell' it, and you can get it into the best markets.

Song Ya-wen smiled slightly: "Complementary strengths, win-win cooperation. However, to make this happen, our enthusiasm alone is not enough."

From farm to table, from remote mountain villages to international markets, there are too many intermediate links and many specific problems that need to be solved.

Land, capital, technology, standards, farmer organization, profit distribution, brand building, market development...

Every step must be planned carefully and implemented effectively.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "Sister Yawen is right. You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. But since you're here, let's take the first step."

A bottle of red wine was served for dinner.

Wu Zhiyuan raised his glass to Song Yawen: "Sister Yawen, on behalf of the Qingyan County Party Committee and County Government, and on behalf of the people of Qingyan, I sincerely welcome the Song Group to invest and develop businesses in Qingyan."

Wu Zhiyuan drank it all in one gulp, and Song Yawen also drank the wine in her glass.

When they parted ways in Australia last time, Wu Zhiyuan specifically instructed Song Yawen to use her extensive network of friends and acquaintances in Country A to help find Lin Keke's whereabouts.

However, Song Yawen has not mentioned Lin Keke for so long, which means she must not have found Lin Keke's whereabouts.

But Wu Zhiyuan wasn't giving up and still asked, "Sister Yawen, is there no trace of Lin Keke's whereabouts?"

Song Ya-wen shook her head: "No, I've been keeping an eye out and inquiring through various channels, but there's still no news."

Although unwilling to face it, Wu Zhiyuan had to admit that Lin Keke was most likely no longer alive.

This wasn't a conclusion he reached just now, but one he reached after Lin Keke fell off the cliff and went missing.

Song Yawen continued, "Zhiyuan, you know my connections in Country A; they come from all walks of life."

I sent Lin Keke's photo and information to many people, asking them to keep an eye out for her. But there was no response.

Wu Zhiyuan remained silent.

Song Yating wanted to say something, but her mouth moved and she ultimately said nothing.

Seeing Wu Zhiyuan looking dejected, Song Yawen couldn't help but say, "Zhiyuan, there are some things I shouldn't say, but as a friend, I still have to say a few words."

If I remember correctly, Lin Keke has been missing for four years, right?

It's been four years. If she's still alive, why hasn't she contacted you?

If she really fell into someone's hands, why is there no news at all?

Zhiyuan, have you ever considered that she might really be gone from this world?

You know the situation at the time; she was shot and fell off a cliff. It would be very difficult for a normal person to survive…”

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand, stopping Song Yawen from continuing: "Sister Yawen, I know you're trying to comfort me. But I can't convince myself to give up."

Until I have solid evidence, I can only assume that she is still alive somewhere.

Perhaps she was injured, or she lost her memory; perhaps she was imprisoned and couldn't escape; perhaps…”

Song Yating finally spoke: "Mr. Wu, Coco is probably living a good life somewhere in the world, but she may have lost her memory..."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled wryly and said, "I've thought about this countless times too. I just hope she has amnesia, and not..."

Not wanting Wu Zhiyuan to dwell on his memories and grief, Song Yawen changed the subject, saying, "Now that we've eaten and drunk our fill, can we leave?"

Wu Zhiyuan stood up: "Let's go back to the hotel."

Song Yating asked, "Is Mr. Wu also staying at a hotel?"

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head: "No, the company provides housing."

Song Yating then asked, "Is it far? Can we go visit it?"

Song Ya-wen stopped her, saying, "Ya-ting, don't be silly. It's so late, Zhi-yuan is tired too, let's not go."

Song Ya-wen said with a grin, "I'm just curious, do I want to see if Mr. Wu is keeping a mistress in his house?"

"Keeping a mistress in a golden house?" Wu Zhiyuan laughed. "No way. Go take a look."

Ya-ting, how far can Qingyan, a place the size of a palm, be?

It's about a kilometer ahead, only a ten-minute walk away.

I just finished eating, so I'll take a walk to digest.

Song Yating immediately chimed in, "That's great! Sis, let's go, let's go for a walk and digest a bit."

Walking on the street.

Song Yating exclaimed with emotion: "Although Qingyan is small, it is very peaceful."

Walking down the street at night, without worrying about someone suddenly rushing out to rob you or pointing a gun at your head, feels great.

Wu Zhiyuan thought of Country A, where guns were rampant, crime rates were high, and gunfights in the streets were commonplace.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "China's public security is among the best in the world."

Ordinary people dare to go out at night, and children dare to go to school alone—this is the most important aspect of people's livelihood.

Song Ya-wen nodded, deeply moved: "Yes, a sense of security and order are the cornerstones of quality of life."

In country A, you need to bring bodyguards when you go out and install security systems at home, but you still don't feel safe.

Arriving in China, walking on these peaceful streets, I finally feel like I can truly breathe a sigh of relief.

Song Yating seized the opportunity and said, "Sister, let's move the Song Group to China. From now on, we can make China our permanent base, at least we won't have to worry about security issues all the time like we do in Country A."

China boasts magnificent landscapes, diverse cuisines, and outstanding friends like Mr. Wu.

Song Ya-wen chuckled: "Ya-ting, the group's development is a major event, not child's play. How can we just move it like that?"

However, China's market, environment, and development opportunities are indeed things we must pay close attention to. Isn't this trip precisely to find a suitable entry point?

Before they knew it, they had arrived at Wu Zhiyuan's residence.

Song Yating was like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, looking around curiously.

"Sis, if we had known Mr. Wu's house was empty, we wouldn't have needed to stay in a hotel, and we could have saved on room fees."

Wu Zhiyuan's mind is as clear as a mirror.

Song Yating said this to increase the time she could spend with him. Why would the prestigious Song Group care about such a small amount of room fee?

Wu Zhiyuan took it as a joke and laughed, "Yating, my humble abode can't compare to a hotel."

You are distinguished guests, and staying at a hotel is convenient and comfortable for you.

"My accommodations here are basic; if you really want to stay here, I'm afraid you'll have to make do."

Song Yating chuckled and said, "I'm not wronged at all. I think it's great here. It feels like home."

Even the best hotels are cold and impersonal; nothing compares to the warmth and human presence here.

As she spoke, she plopped down on the sofa, looking like she was determined not to leave.

Song Ya-wen smiled and said, "Why don't you stay here tonight? I'm going back to the hotel."

Song Yating believed her: "Really? I'm here, I can take care of Mr. Wu, do laundry, cook, clean, I can do it all."

Song Ya-wen was amused by her: "Ya-ting, you're so capable, whoever marries you will be very lucky."

The outgoing and lively Song Yating blushed and was about to speak when there was a knock on the door.

Wu Zhiyuan looked through the peephole and saw that it was Liao Shanshan.

He instantly understood that this woman was in cahoots with Jiang Xiaohua. Last time she came to recognize the place, and this time she came to get closer to him and then use her beauty to seduce him.

What is the purpose of a honey trap? Is it to climb the social ladder, or to set a trap?

Wu Zhiyuan didn't want to think too badly of people, but Liao Shanshan's visit late at night made him suspicious of her true motives.

Wu Zhiyuan opened the door.

Liao Shanshan still maintained her gentle and charming appearance.

Tonight she changed her outfit; her off-white cashmere coat was open, revealing a light pink turtleneck sweater underneath, which made her skin look even whiter than snow.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, her makeup was exquisite yet not heavy, and her eyes were as innocent as those of a naive young girl.

She carried a delicate thermos and said softly, "County Chief Wu, good evening. I made some white fungus and lotus seed soup. I thought you work hard, so I brought it over for you to try. It's cold outside, so have something hot to warm you up."

Halfway through her sentence, her gaze passed over Wu Zhiyuan's shoulder and landed on Song Yawen and Song Yating sitting in the living room.

For a split second, the smile on her face froze.

Two unfamiliar women.

One is mature and elegant with outstanding temperament; the other is youthful, beautiful, lively and charming.

"Does County Chief Wu have guests at home? I'm so sorry to bother you." Liao Shanshan said apologetically.

Wu Zhiyuan politely declined: "Manager Liao, thank you for your kindness. But I don't need the late-night snack; I usually don't eat anything at night."

Liao Shanshan said pitifully, "County Chief Wu, I've been stewing this for a long time, please just have a bite, okay?"

Even just one bite would be enough to express my sincere feelings.

Liao Shanshan looked at Wu Zhiyuan with pleading eyes, her gaze filled with a mixture of grievance and pleas, like a little girl trying to please an adult but being rejected.

She had used this tactic many times, and it always worked.

Some men, even knowing it's a honey trap and secretly struggling, soften their hearts every time they see her charming appearance.

Wu Zhiyuan said calmly, "Manager Liao, you can take the things back. I don't have the habit of eating late-night snacks. You don't need to send anything else in the future."

Liao Shanshan's heart sank.

This has blocked the road.

She lowered her head, like a child who had made a mistake, and whispered, "County Magistrate Wu, is there something I did wrong that made you unhappy?"

I just thought you were working here all alone, with no one to take care of you, and I wanted to do something to show my appreciation. I didn't mean anything by it.

"I understand, thank you for your kindness."

Liao Shanshan stood at the door, unsure whether to leave or stay.

"County Chief Wu, I'll leave the thermos here. If you don't want to eat it tonight, you can reheat it tomorrow. The white fungus soup will keep for a while."

Wu Zhiyuan softened and said, "Okay, I won't need to next time."

Liao Shanshan felt like she had been granted a pardon. She put down the thermos and left in a hurry.

Wu Zhiyuan closed the door and turned back to the living room.

Song Yating said with a grin, "Mr. Wu, you're quite the ladies' man. Even late at night, a beautiful woman delivers midnight snacks to your door."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled wryly and said, "What you see is only the surface. This is not a blessing in disguise, but trouble."

The woman's name is Liao Shanshan. She is the deputy manager of Qingyan Hotel, the same hotel where you are staying.

She's been coming to see me repeatedly outside of work hours, using various excuses; her intentions are clearly not pure.

Song Yating chuckled and said, "Mr. Wu, it's because you're so handsome. Men love beautiful women, and women love handsome men too."

Song Ya-wen glared at Song Y-ting: "Y-ting, stop joking. Let's go back to the hotel, don't keep Zhi-yuan from resting."

Song Yating, however, clung to a cushion on the sofa and threw a tantrum: "Sister, I'm not leaving! I'm staying here tonight."