This was an extremely solemn and imposing office building.
After parking his car, Chen Ziming followed the escort who received him to Secretary Chen's office.
As soon as he entered, he saw his father on the phone, arranging matters while drinking water from a thermos.
The others in the room greeted him respectfully upon his arrival and then tactfully withdrew.
"Sit down," Secretary Chen said, hanging up the phone. His expression softened slightly as he gestured towards the chair opposite him.
After his son sat down, he took another large gulp of water before speaking, "You're looking for me this late. What's the matter?"
Chen Ziming took a deep breath and decided to prepare his father first. "It's about Yueyue and Su Minghua."
The words were truly puzzling. Secretary Chen paused for a moment, then his voice deepened. "Speak."
He began to speak slowly, wanting to calmly and steadily tell his father about these matters.
Yet, he still couldn't help but reveal his anger during the telling.
Secretary Chen's brows furrowed tighter and tighter as he spoke.
"That's all I have to say. I'm finished." Finally coming to a pause, Chen Ziming let out a long sigh and subtly reached up to touch the corner of his eye.
As far back as he could remember, he had never shed tears in front of his father.
Secretary Chen didn't answer immediately, seeming lost in thought. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the gloom on his face.
Finally, he spoke, "Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover. Director Su is such a scoundrel."
After all, he was a seasoned leader. Even though he was angry, his outward appearance remained calm, and his voice was steady.
However, Chen Ziming could discern the emotion within, as his father rarely used such negative terms.
"I'm not just here to report this matter to you. I mainly want to discuss how to deal with Su Minghua," he said, looking at Secretary Chen with heavy eyes.
To his surprise, Secretary Chen raised an eyebrow. "You want me to step in and deal with him? That would be the act of a brute."
Chen Ziming was speechless. After a two-second silence, he replied, "With your upbringing, how could I be a brute? I merely wish to use your influence to teach him a lesson."
Secretary Chen's eyes brightened slightly, and he immediately understood his son's intentions.
Su Minghua's intentions might have been hidden from Su Yue, but they couldn't be hidden from those like them, individuals who had been at the center of politics from birth.
Chen Ziming continued:
"He treated Yueyue that way before, and then after we started dating, he put on a show of being a doting father in front of me, acting as if he was afraid I would harm his daughter. Clearly, he wanted to leave a good impression on me."
"Then, step by step, he intended to use our family's influence to elevate himself to the position he craved."
Saying this, he picked up his phone, found the news of Su Minghua's appointment he had seen earlier, and then casually picked up a pen and white paper, writing a few words on it.
He then pushed it towards his father, tapping the words on the paper with his index finger. "He wanted this, but he didn't expect to be outmaneuvered. Not only did he not get it, but he was promoted in title while demoted in substance, losing all his power."
Secretary Chen looked at the words on the paper and fell into thought. After a long while, he finally spoke softly, "You want to outmaneuver him again?"
Chen Ziming curved his lips into a smile and leaned back in his chair, lazily saying, "Mm."
He continued, "For him, a stab to the heart would be more devastating. Dad, you don't have to do anything. Just act very pleased that his daughter is becoming your daughter-in-law when anyone asks about Su Minghua."
His handsome face was now imbued with a fierce glint in his eyes. His voice deepened, carrying a dangerous tone, as he continued—
"Leave the rest to me."
Chen Kang'an had always trusted his son implicitly.
Even if Chen Ziming hadn't sought out such a matter, he would have thought of assigning him some tasks for practical experience.
Now that his son had volunteered, he certainly wouldn't refuse.
Moreover, it was against someone like Su Minghua, a cunning, treacherous, and despicable scoundrel.
After a moment of contemplation, Secretary Chen replied steadily, "Alright. Just don't go too far. After all, he is Su Yue's nominal father, and he lives with Yueyue's mother."
"Provoke him a little, but don't push him to the brink."