Chapter 236: Two Rooms, One Room

A train arrived at the Tanzhou train station platform. Zhou Ming and Su Han got off, and Zhou Ming stretched his arms and said, "After sitting for more than three hours, we finally arrived."

Su Han looked around at the Tanzhou train station and said, "This Tanzhou train station is much bigger than our Linyang station, and there are many more people."

"Of course, Tanzhou is the capital city of our Jingchu Province. In terms of political status and economic development, it certainly surpasses Linyang. For those who work outside the province, Tanzhou is clearly a better choice," Zhou Ming said, adding, "Moreover, with so many universities in Tanzhou, combined with the cultural and practical inclinations of us Jingchu people, Tanzhou's future development, as long as it stays on track, definitely has a chance to become the most important economic and cultural city in the central region."

Su Han nodded affirmatively, "Yes! Zhou Ming, you went to school here, so you know better. As long as you say it can be done, it definitely can!"

Zhou Ming smiled. His confidence in Tanzhou's future development was due to his memories from his previous life. In his past life, Tanzhou developed very well, especially in the entertainment industry, and its overall economic development was impressive. There were even calls for it to become a directly-administered municipality at one point. Though this was just a rumor, it demonstrated Tanzhou's development status and left a deep impression on Zhou Ming. Su Han's confidence was more about blind trust in him.

However, regardless of how Tanzhou develops, that is a matter for the future. The development of Tanzhou has just begun, and they were only here for a meeting.

Zhou Ming and Su Han exited the Tanzhou station, where a familiar face was waiting for them—Wu Shiping, the secretary of Governor Xiong.

Zhou Ming approached him and greeted, "Director Wu, hello. We could have taken a cab ourselves. It's really unnecessary for you to come and pick us up."

Wu Shiping waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhou and Manager Su, don't be so polite. You are esteemed guests of the leadership, and your visit to Tanzhou carries significant importance. It's only right for me to treat you with care."

Hearing this, Zhou Ming didn't say much more. A few polite words were enough; saying too much would seem insincere.

Wu Shiping had driven over. Zhou Ming and Su Han got into his car, and as Wu Shiping started the vehicle, he chatted casually with Zhou Ming, "I heard Mr. Zhou went to university in Tanzhou. It's been over a year since you were last here. Have you noticed any changes in Tanzhou?"

"Director Wu, are you testing my observational skills? Even a special economic zone like Nanjing wouldn't transform into two cities in a year!" Zhou Ming complained. "But there are certainly changes. For example, the large billboard at the train station entrance. I remember it wasn't there when I left Tanzhou."

Zhou Ming was referring to a massive billboard at the station entrance. Wu Shiping glanced at it and explained, "It was put up last year. It's considered a part of the city's landscape."

"I'm not saying the billboard is bad, but with such a prominent position, the advertising fee must be quite high, right?" Zhou Ming inquired.

"It's not too bad. But this company is indeed one of the most powerful in Tanzhou," Wu Shiping said.

Zhou Ming nodded in the back seat, not saying anything more. What he had mentioned was just a casual remark between him and Wu Shiping. He didn't expect that he would later get involved with this company.

Wu Shiping brought Zhou Ming and Su Han to the Tanzhou Hotel, which had originally been a reception house for the provincial government. After renovations, it was transformed into a hotel designated for People's Congress representatives. According to the rules, Zhou Ming was supposed to report to the People's Congress after arriving in Tanzhou, but with Wu Shiping's help, some procedures were simplified.

"Mr. Zhou, I've already completed the check-in procedure for you. The keys are at the hotel front desk. We can go directly to our rooms."

Wu Shiping parked the car and led Zhou Ming and Su Han up the hotel steps. At the entrance, a young man was seen leaving the hotel surrounded by a group of middle-aged people. Wu Shiping greeted him proactively, "Hello, Young Master An."

The young man noticed Wu Shiping and said, "Oh, Secretary Wu, I've told you so many times not to call me Young Master An. Just call me Manager Liang. I'm a manager in the company too!"

Though he said this, his smug expression betrayed him. As the governor's secretary, Wu Shiping was perceptive and said, "I'm sorry, my memory isn't the best. Young Master An is the most capable manager at Linchu Machinery Company. I always forget."

"Secretary Wu, please don't say that. You're the top secretary of the provincial government. It's normal to forget things due to your busy schedule," the young man said.

After exchanging pleasantries and compliments at the door, the young man left. Facing Zhou Ming's puzzled gaze, Wu Shiping explained, "This is Liang An, the manager of Linchu Machinery Company. He's the younger son of Liang Tian, the chairman of Linchu Machinery."

Zhou Ming understood now. He had felt that Wu Shiping's politeness to the young man was due to some underlying reason, and this clarified it.

Linchu Machinery Company was the one behind the large billboard Zhou Ming saw at the train station. According to Wu Shiping, this company was one of the most influential and powerful enterprises in Tanzhou and the entire Jingchu Province.

In this era, when reform and opening up had just begun, most enterprises were still state-owned, and the connections between company officials and government officials were close. Linchu Machinery Company, being a direct subordinate of a major central department and involved in national defense industries, had leaders with direct connections to central authorities. Thus, regular officials had to show them respect.

"Is Liang An staying here too? Is he a People's Congress representative?" Su Han asked.

Wu Shiping nodded, "Yes, he became a People's Congress representative as soon as he graduated from university two years ago. The hotel is fully booked by the provincial People's Congress, so those staying here are either People's Congress representatives or related individuals."

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised by this answer. Given his father's influence, it would have been odd if he hadn't become a People's Congress representative. However, seeing the young man surrounded by other representatives made it clear just how influential Linchu Machinery Company was.

Zhou Ming shook his head, indifferent to the young man's status. It had nothing to do with him.

Wu Shiping then led Zhou Ming and Su Han to the hotel front desk, where they received their room keys. After seeing them to their rooms, Wu Shiping left. Zhou Ming looked at the two keys on the desk and said to Su Han with a smile, "Xiaohan, Director Wu is really a bit wasteful. He gave us two rooms."

"Then what should he do? We came together, so he couldn't very well book me a room in another hotel, right?" Su Han said, puzzled.

Zhou Ming chuckled, "Xiaohan, that's not what I meant. What I'm saying is, since Director Wu knew we were coming together, he should have guessed our relationship. Giving us two rooms seems unnecessary, don't you think?"

Su Han blushed as she understood Zhou Ming's implication.

"He might not be sure about our relationship. If he guessed wrong, it would be awkward," Su Han murmured, not sure if she was making excuses for Wu Shiping or comforting herself.

Realizing this, Su Han said to Zhou Ming, "You've been on the train for more than three hours and must be tired. You'll meet Governor Xiong tomorrow, so you should rest well today. I'll go to my room."

Su Han started to leave, but Zhou Ming wasn't going to let her go. After the incident in Yanjing, Zhou Ming had realized Su Han's shy and timid nature when she tried to escape. He pulled her back into his embrace, lifted her chin, and teasingly said, "Little beauty, since you're here, you shouldn't leave. I need someone to accompany me while I rest."

Su Han wanted to say something, but Zhou Ming wasn't interested in listening. He leaned down and kissed her lips, effectively silencing her.

Mmm!

Su Han let out a soft moan and tensed up momentarily, but quickly relaxed. She wouldn't refuse her lover's kiss.

Zhou Ming's kiss was deep and passionate. Su Han's lips were delicate, soft, and sweet, which only made Zhou Ming want to kiss her more deeply.

He parted her lips with his tongue and explored her mouth. Despite it not being their first time, Su Han was still very shy. Her little tongue darted away, trying to avoid Zhou Ming's advance but was eventually captured. When Zhou Ming sucked on her tongue, Su Han felt as though her soul was being drawn out.

During the kiss, Zhou Ming's hands traveled down Su Han's neck, and when he reached a certain peak, Su Han let out a soft moan, her chest arching up.

Whether it was from being overly sensitive or a desire for a firmer touch, Su Han's reaction was evident. After a moment, Zhou Ming looked at Su Han's flushed face, which seemed to be glowing with heat, and asked, "Xiaohan, shall we move to the bed?"

"Do as you please."

Su Han's response was like a signal for Zhou Ming to charge ahead. He scooped her up and quickly carried her to the bedside, laying her down gently. Without waiting for Su Han's reaction, he leaned down and kissed her lips once more while his hands began unbuttoning her shirt.

Soon, as a cool breeze brushed over her, Su Han realized she was completely naked. Despite it not being their first encounter, she still closed her eyes shyly. When Zhou Ming spread her long legs and positioned himself over her, she let out a moan that was both thrilling and arousing.