Zhang Yang’s barrage of questions made Zhao Min’s eyes widen. He truly didn't know how to answer Zhang Yang’s inquiry.

As for Zhang Yang’s identity, Zhao Min was perfectly clear: the son of the highest-ranking official, the scion of a provincial governor—that was his most distinguished status. However, Zhao Min was acutely aware of the friction between Zhang Yang and the leader, a fact he dared not mention.

To speak of it, he feared, would cause Zhang Yang to turn on his heel and walk away. Zhao Min also knew that Zhang Yang would never leverage the leader’s name for anything; that would be more painful to him than death itself.

Yet, seeing Zhang Yang with Long Cheng and the others, a thread of worry began to weave itself in his mind. After a moment, Zhao Min let out a soft sigh, but remained silent.

He understood that what needed to be said next was not his place to articulate. He knew a great deal about what went on behind closed doors, but these were the leader’s private family affairs.

If he inserted himself carelessly, and the leader ever found out, it would surely lead to displeasure. This was precisely why Zhao Min had managed to stay by Zhang Yang’s father’s side all these years, even following him after a reassignment.

Zhao Min was an astute man. But this was the present; in a few more years, secretarial staff and drivers like them would no longer be permitted to follow the leaders upon transfer.

After posing his three questions, Zhang Yang said no more. His breathing was still slightly ragged, betraying the agitation in his heart.

Zhang Yang was trying hard to suppress this excitement; it was an instinctual physical reaction, entirely beyond his control. “Zhang Yang, what I said earlier was somewhat out of line.

I apologize to you!” A full minute passed before Zhao Min finally spoke again. His apology to Zhang Yang was a decision made after careful consideration.

The initial question had indeed been poorly framed, or rather, he should never have been so direct in his inquiry. Doing so might very well have exacerbated the strained relationship between the leader and his son.

It would have been a case of good intentions leading to ill results. After some thought, he chose apology as a way to remedy his previous lapse.

“I’m fine. Tell him this: rest assured, I absolutely would never use his name to do anything.

If he remains unconvinced, he can officially dissolve our father-son relationship!” Zhang Yang spoke softly. The first part was his genuine sentiment; currently, he needed no one to live well.

The latter part, however, had simply burst forth, tumbling out with an ease that suggested it had been rehearsed countless times. “You’re being like that again.

The leader actually cares a great deal about you!” Secretary Zhao sighed softly. He didn't doubt Zhang Yang’s current attitude; the ‘old Zhang Yang’ was precisely like this.

“Did you call me over just to say this?” Zhang Yang’s brow twitched slightly again. If that was all, he truly wasn't interested.

Due to the lingering emotional residue, Zhang Yang felt an instinctive repulsion towards the ‘father’ he had never met, and towards everyone around him. Had it been the former Zhang Yang, he might have dismissed Secretary Zhao without a second glance.

It was only because a different person now occupied the body that he was willing to grant him a few minutes. “I saw you and wanted to exchange a few words.

Nothing much. I know you’re not short of money, but when you go out, try to use your own.

This is a membership card for this establishment. I rarely use it; take it and use it.

This one is mine!” As he spoke, Zhao Min pulled out a golden card from his bag and placed it directly into Zhang Yang’s hand. The card felt substantial.

Zhang Yang examined it closely and immediately realized it was crafted from pure gold. A membership card, forged in pure gold—truly excessive, yet it spoke volumes about the card’s prestige; it was undoubtedly the highest tier available here.

“I understand. You all rest assured!” Zhang Yang gripped the card and, this time, did not refuse.

Zhao Min glanced at him, surprised, but a look of relief spread across his face. It was good that he hadn't refused.

He had worried slightly when taking the card out, fearing Zhang Yang might simply toss it aside, which had happened before. That was why he had made a point to clarify that this card belonged to him, not sent by his father.

Zhao Min nodded slightly. Zhang Yang remained aloof, just as before, still at odds with the leader, but at least his demeanor had softened slightly.

This was already enough to satisfy Zhao Min. While Zhang Yang and Zhao Min were speaking, Long Cheng, Huang Hai, and the others had gathered around Su Zhantao, while Mi Xue remained standing, watching Zhang Yang from afar with concern.

Besides Mi Xue, Su Zhantao was the closest to Zhang Yang; they had entered this social circle together. However, everyone only knew that Zhang Yang was an exceptionally skilled doctor and quite wealthy; they were not very clear about his family background.

If they wanted to investigate, they certainly could, but no one had bothered to look into it. Their association was primarily based on personality; if they clicked, they were friends, and status and background were not weighted so heavily.

Yet, those who caught their eye were mostly similar to themselves, each possessing a certain status and standing, which naturally led to these young masters congregating together. Birds of a feather flock together, so no one investigated; it would inevitably surface through their interactions, and deliberately digging might cause offense.

“Young Master Su, be honest now. What exactly is Zhang Yang’s background?

Why would Secretary Zhao show him such deference?” Huang Hai asked quietly. He had seen Secretary Zhao once at an educational event where the Provincial Party Secretary had also been present, but he’d had no opportunity for a proper introduction, only managing a brief greeting.

“Exactly! Didn’t you say Zhang Yang was just a student?

How could a mere student attract the attention of the Provincial First Secretary?” Li Ya chimed in. Wang Chen remained silent, watching Su Zhantao intently.

Wang Chen was also curious. He knew Su Zhantao’s true status.

At the time, he had suspected Zhang Yang, but Zhang Yang had appeared genuinely ordinary, being a student, so he hadn't thought much more of it. Now, it seemed Zhang Yang clearly possessed some significant standing.

“Why don’t you ask me? Who exactly is this Secretary Zhao?” Su Zhantao shook his head helplessly.

He was quite confused at the moment, as he had no idea who Zhao Min was. His father was also a high-ranking official, but unfortunately, Su Zhantao had never visited his father’s workplace nor attended any government-related functions, so he was unfamiliar with the personnel there.

Lately, he had been inseparable from Yang Ling. “You don’t know?” Wang Chen exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised.

Then, after a moment’s thought, he calmed down. He knew Su Zhantao had always lived with Su Shaohua, so it was plausible he hadn't encountered Secretary Zhao.

Huang Hai quietly explained Zhao Min’s identity. Su Zhantao’s eyes immediately widened.

Only then did he understand why Secretary Zhao had stopped Zhang Yang and why he had adopted that particular manner. Yang Ling and Li Ya also learned of Secretary Zhao’s identity at that moment, their eyes widening equally.

They too became intensely curious about Zhang Yang’s background. “Zhantao, if you know, please tell us!” Yang Ling couldn’t help but ask.

She was already quite clear about Su Zhantao’s background; he hadn't concealed that from her. Upon learning of his distinguished connections, she had nearly given up entirely, until Su Zhantao held her and told her that he was himself, and his father was his father—they were family, yet two separate entities.

His marriage would respect his father, but he would also have his own choices, and his choice was the most important. “Lingling, I truly cannot say.

I promised Zhang Yang I would never reveal it to anyone!” Su Zhantao shook his head with a bitter smile. He remembered the terrifying look on Zhang Yang’s face when this topic had come up; he wouldn't dare speak of it even if threatened.

This was Zhang Yang’s untouchable core, and speaking of it recklessly would lead Zhang Yang to sever ties with him. “If you won’t tell us, we can find out ourselves.

It would be better if you told us now!” Wu Zhiguo added. Previously, the group hadn't investigated because they felt it unnecessary, but now that curiosity was piqued, they were determined to find answers.

If nothing else, with Chang Feng from the Police Bureau present, uncovering someone’s background wouldn't be difficult. Su Zhantao looked even more helpless, shaking his head again: “I really cannot say.

Feel free to investigate yourselves if you must!” “If you can’t tell us about him, tell us about yourself!” Chang Feng suddenly interjected. Li Ya, Wu Zhiguo, and the others turned their heads to look at Su Zhantao.

Except for Wang Chen, who already knew his identity, the faces of the others held curiosity. Truthfully, while the group hadn't investigated everyone’s background, they had a general idea, with only Su Zhantao and Zhang Yang remaining opaque.

Since they couldn't learn Zhang Yang’s identity, they decided to inquire about Su Zhantao’s instead. “Me?” Su Zhantao’s eyes suddenly snapped open.

He hadn't expected that by defending Zhang Yang, the focus would immediately shift to him. This was the first time everyone had questioned him so directly, making it difficult for Su Zhantao to refuse even if he wished to.

After a moment of hesitation, Su Zhantao nodded and said quietly: “My second uncle is Su Shaohua. Actually, Lingling already knows this; if you pay attention, you will figure it out too!” He revealed his identity after all.

Since they were friends, he didn’t want to conceal these things. Wu Zhiguo’s point was correct; if these people wanted to know, they could certainly uncover everything.

“Changjing’s Richest Man, Su Shaohua. Young Master Su, you certainly hid deep…” Huang Hai chuckled, speaking slowly.

He said it only once, but his expression stiffened slightly, and then he stared at Su Zhantao with dawning horror. Everyone was intimately familiar with Su Shaohua’s status; besides being the richest man in Changjing, he held another critically important position: he was the elder brother of the current top government leader.

Anyone with some standing or status in Changjing knew this. With the Su family having three brothers, Su Zhantao referring to Su Shaohua as his second uncle immediately revealed who his father was.

Chang Feng looked up in surprise, as did Wu Zhiguo. Even Long Cheng’s eyes held a flicker of astonishment.

Despite associating for so long, Su Zhantao had never mentioned this side of his background. As Huang Hai said, he had hidden it profoundly.

Only now did everyone realize that Su Zhantao’s background was in no way inferior to theirs—in fact, perhaps even more formidable. “I knew you, Young Master Su, weren't simple, but I never expected this much weight.

You kept us in the dark!” Li Ya laughed ruefully. As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yang and Zhao Min walked back toward them, and everyone immediately fell silent...

Fourth update, bonus chapter. Seventy-eight chapters remaining for the Hundred-Chapter Bonus requirement.

That’s all the chapters for today; I’m going to sleep now and write more tomorrow. Little Yu still owes four chapters for the Hundred-Chapter Bonus, I remember!

(To be continued)RQ