In the administrative office building of Jiangzhou City, Xiao Wanjun, the second secretary to the acting Party Secretary Qin Xue, hurried in, clutching a stack of documents.

After the former Secretary moved to the capital, Qin Xue temporarily took over his duties. However, he was not ready to move into the Secretary’s office before the official appointment was confirmed—a rather common maneuver in official circles.

On one hand, if he moved in and failed to secure the position firmly, it would be too embarrassing to retreat. On the other hand, it showed a lack of political shrewdness; he couldn't even wait for a short period. Until the formal appointment was issued from the central government, who could guarantee there wouldn't be any last-minute changes? Therefore, maintaining a lower profile was better.

"This kid really knows how to stir things up," Qin Xue muttered after skimming the document in a few glances, a wry smile playing on his lips. He looked up and asked, "What exactly is he planning? Did he say anything to you?"

Xiao Wanjun replied, "He didn't say it directly, but based on the information leaked from various sources, his interest in T Zhongzheng is not merely superficial; he seems keen on some of the company's operational qualifications."

"Oh?"

Qin Xue flipped the document back to the front and reread Zhongzheng Group’s scope of business. Pharmaceuticals, minerals, safety engineering, and transportation projects were those with the most complete licenses. Especially pharmaceuticals and minerals, which required stringent prerequisites for project initiation and approval, and demanded a certain length of industry experience before one could undertake major projects. Compared to these, the three-year requirement for safety engineering was child's play.

Connecting this to Wang Zhuo's area of expertise, Qin Xue formed a preliminary idea and asked, "What is the progress on his acquisition of T Zhongzheng?"

"It's as good as done," Xiao Wanjun chuckled. "Zhongzheng Group isn't large, and two previous reorganizations failed to lift its performance. It’s been limping along, so the shareholders are quite optimistic about this backdoor listing attempt, and there isn't much resistance. Furthermore, another more significant reason is that Shengshi Wangchao’s recent promotion efforts have been very effective. Having a hot company like that take control makes both shareholders and institutions bullish on the stock’s short-term prospects."

"So," Qin Xue lightly shook the document in his hand and smiled faintly, "that kid Wang Zhuo is soon going to transform and become the head of a listed company?"

"I find it almost unbelievable myself," Xiao Wanjun said with a strained smile. "When he asked me to help him find an operational team, I thought he was just planning an expansion for Shengshi Wangchao. I never expected him to come up with that Jade Watermelon, which instantly skyrocketed his worth, and then make such a massive leap."

Qin Xue nodded slowly, remarking with feeling, "Indeed, this step is huge. I worked for ten years before finally being promoted to a factory director in a state-owned enterprise, and that required an incredible stroke of luck. And look at Wang Zhuo—how old is he? He's about to become the boss of a factory director."

Seeing his superior in a conversational mood, Xiao Wanjun was delighted. "Speaking of which, his opportunities might not be much less than yours. Although the Jade Watermelons were hyped to an artificially high value, if they were to be transferred now, they could probably fetch several hundred million. Having hundreds of millions in assets before the age of twenty—it's hard to find anyone in the country who achieved such a start-up success."

"He has more watermelons than just two," Qin Xue chuckled, casually leaking a bit of gossip to his trusted secretary. "That boy is sharp. I suspect he'll sell those two watermelons soon enough, then pull out two more, just to shock you. If each pair of watermelons can sell for a few hundred million, he’ll soon earn the nickname of the 'Watermelon Peddler.'"

After leaving his leader's office, Xiao Wanjun snapped back to reality amidst the shock. So, Shengshi Wangchao still had hidden assets; those Jade Watermelons weren't just a single pair. This meant Wang Zhuo's net worth before turning twenty was undoubtedly the top among self-made peers.

Back in his own office, Xiao Wanjun picked up the desk phone and dialed Wang Zhuo’s mobile number.

"Mayor Qin wants to invite me to dinner? What an honor, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

After hanging up, Wang Zhuo cheerfully tossed the phone aside and slipped his hand under the covers, caressing the mature beauty's soft, smooth backside. He laughed, "If you don't get up soon, I'm closing the curtains."

Last night, Qi Fei had taken the high-speed rail from Beijing, arriving late. After Wang Zhuo picked her up at the station, he naturally stayed over at her place.

Wang Zhuo knew how to cherish a woman; his older sister had been traveling tirelessly for days, so she naturally deserved a good rest first. Thus, he held back the first night and didn't do much. But now it was past ten in the morning; even if she was tired, she should have rested enough by now.

It was the end of March, a time when spring breezes encourage growth, and the lethargy of spring was upon them. Qi Fei was nestled in the warm covers. Though awake, she felt languid all over, not wanting to move an inch.

This trip to Beijing had been a success: the Jade Watermelons were successfully displayed at the Forbidden City. Several wealthy collectors, institutions, and companies had contacted them inquiring about prices. A few auction houses had even extended olive branches, hoping to handle the auction of the pair, yielding quite a harvest.

Having played the role of a strong career woman outside for so long, Qi Fei now felt that a man's embrace was truly a harbor for a woman to anchor her body and mind. In this moment, she allowed herself to be nothing more than a tender, thoughtful young woman nestled beside her lover.

Under his gentle ministrations, her mature body quickly responded. A flush rose to her cheeks, her nipples peaked, and a tide of warmth flooded her. With that hand, touched by magic, occasionally brushing against the sensitive parts, Qi Fei gradually couldn't help but writhe her body in response.

At some point, the duvet and pillows had been heaped together. She was placed on top, lying prone, her back arched upward, her hips slightly raised, her legs half-kneeling, greeting the brilliant sunshine streaming through the curtains into the room.

A sealed, safe space, the ambiguous sunlight, a comfortable large bed, and a beauty displaying herself without reservation—Wang Zhuo felt that if he didn't do something now, he would be excessively prudish...

A single exchange of glances now spoke volumes: acceptance, encouragement, and compliance. Wang Zhuo understood implicitly. He gently knelt behind her, placed his hands on her graceful waist, and lifted her body to achieve an angle of perfect fit with his own.

...

Lunch consisted of two orders of chain take-out. Qi Fei’s appetite was surprisingly strong; she hadn't eaten in eighteen hours, and after Wang Zhuo's passionate efforts, her sweat had thoroughly soaked the sheets.

"Eat more meat, to replenish yourself," Wang Zhuo said, holding a piece of tantalizingly red-braised pork up to her lips.

This kind of fatty, marbled pork belly, which Qi Fei usually avoided for fear of gaining weight unless it was barbecue, she ate without hesitation this time, savoring the rich flavor.

Wang Zhuo chuckled like a contented child. Qi Fei glanced at him and pouted, "Are you satisfied now?"

"Mmhmm," Wang Zhuo nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken.

Despite the significant age gap, Wang Zhuo had experience, and his technique was growing seasoned. Qi Fei, however, was a complete novice, and in such matters, the man always took the lead. After crossing this final threshold, the primary and secondary roles between them finally reversed completely: Wang Zhuo became the center, and Qi Fei became the little woman relying on him.

"Hurry up and eat. Let's take a shower together afterward," looking at the damp strands of hair near her temples, Wang Zhuo felt another surge of desire.

After the meal, the two entered the bathroom. Before long, they were lost in tender embraces, putting the idea of a simple shower aside. The pleasure that penetrated to their very bones made Qi Fei lose herself. Not until this day did she realize that her previous twenty-nine years had been lived in vain.

As the saying goes, an old house catching fire burns fiercer. Qi Fei was in this exact situation now. If her recently exhausted body could have withstood Wang Zhuo’s vigor for longer, they probably wouldn't have needed to do anything else all day.

The next evening, Wang Zhuo brought his official girlfriend, Gan Lin, to Mayor Qin's small villa in the Party Committee compound for the appointment.

It was Friday, and Gan Lin should have been returning to spend the time with her mother. Mother Gan was living alone in Shanghai as a companion parent, managing a small bakery that was neither booming nor failing—just making do.

Upon hearing her daughter was attending a dinner hosted by Mayor Qin, Mother Gan certainly wouldn't refuse. Under normal circumstances, she would have given Gan Lin strict warnings about coming home early, not drinking, and avoiding crowded places. But today was different. Mayor Qin was an official ordinary people might never cross paths with. Simply being invited to sit in his home was a remarkable gain for her daughter, let alone sharing a meal?

This wasn't just about Mother Gan being status-conscious; in reality, what parent wouldn't want their child to associate with influential people and make progress? In her view, Wang Zhuo and her daughter’s relationship was already a done deal, but precisely because of that, they should limit the time they spent together, projecting an image of strict family discipline, which would only earn her daughter extra points.

After parking the car outside the compound gate, the guard announced their arrival, and Qin Siqing, the Mayor's daughter, came out personally to greet them.

Compared to Gan Lin, whose girlishness was gradually fading to reveal a mature demeanor, fifteen-year-old Qin Siqing was unequivocally

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