“It’s not that, there’s a research project I need to help with.” William Bolton said honestly.

“You don’t look it, but you’re actually quite ambitious, doing research with your professor even during summer break.” Charlotte Clark said.

William Bolton smiled and said, “I’ve always been pretty motivated.”

“You really don’t know how to be modest! By the way, I saw you also got on at Wenchang County? Is your hometown there too?” Charlotte Clark asked.

“Yes, I’m from Pushan Town.” William Bolton nodded, then asked, “What about you, which town do you work in?”

Charlotte Clark remembered how William Bolton had kept his head buried in a book earlier, completely ignoring her, and that she was the one who started the conversation. She couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful. Now that William Bolton was asking which town she worked in, for some reason, she suddenly felt the urge to show off. She smoothed her hair and said, “What a coincidence, I’m also from Pushan Town, and I’m actually the Party Secretary of Pushan Town. This time I’m going to the Party School for training.”

Hearing that the young and beautiful woman in front of him was actually the Party Secretary of his own town, William Bolton was a little surprised, but that was all. He was a PhD, a university lecturer—if he performed well, in a couple of years he could be promoted to associate professor, and then professor. Aside from not having as much power as a township Party Secretary, his status was still quite distinguished, and not necessarily inferior to hers. What’s more, William Bolton had another identity: a cultivator. His perspective on people was already different from ordinary folks. Not to mention facing a township Party Secretary—even if it were the Party Secretary of Wuzhou City, he wouldn’t feel much psychological pressure.

“Oh, then we’re true fellow townsfolk.” William Bolton replied lightly, showing no sign of surprise or awkwardness.

Charlotte Clark had thought that this college student, who acted all aloof and cool when he got on the bus and didn’t even look at her, would be shocked to learn she was the Party Secretary of his town, and then become nervous or even try to curry favor. After all, no matter how tough he was, he was just a college student, and couldn’t compare to her, a township Party Secretary with authority over seventy thousand people. Not to mention, in her last sentence, Charlotte Clark had subtly hinted that she might soon be promoted.

But Charlotte Clark never expected that after revealing her identity, all she got was a casual “true fellow townsfolk,” which made her inexplicably annoyed.

Did this guy think she was lying to him?

You couldn’t really blame Charlotte Clark for having such doubts. Becoming a township Party Secretary at twenty-eight was definitely considered young and promising in China, with a bright official career ahead—very rare.

“This is my business card. If you want to come back and work in your hometown after graduation, you can give me a call. I really welcome college students to come back and contribute to their hometown.” Charlotte Clark took a business card from her briefcase and handed it to William Bolton.

But after handing over the card, Charlotte Clark found it a bit funny. After all, she was an official in charge of sixty or seventy thousand people—why was she competing with a college student, trying to show off?

Of course, William Bolton had no idea that Charlotte Clark was only giving him her card out of a momentary sense of competitiveness. Seeing this, he was slightly taken aback, but thought this seemingly cold Secretary Clark was actually quite warm-hearted. He hurriedly took the card, glanced at it, and then stuffed it into his pocket.

Seeing William Bolton just glance at the card and stuff it into his pocket without any reaction, Charlotte Clark’s previously relaxed mood suddenly became gloomy again.

Why is this guy still so aloof? I’m a dignified township Party Secretary, and a beauty at that, giving you my business card—shouldn’t you at least show some appreciation? Forget it, forget it, this guy is just a clueless bookworm with nothing but brute strength. Arguing with him would only lower my own status.

Even though she tried to comfort herself, she still felt a bit annoyed, and her expression became even colder.

William Bolton, however, didn’t realize he had unintentionally offended this beautiful secretary. After putting the card in his pocket, he thought that since she was so warm, he should reciprocate. So he casually took a piece of paper from his bag, wrote his phone number on it, and handed it to Charlotte Clark, saying, “Thank you for your kindness. Here’s my phone number. If you ever need help in Wuzhou City, feel free to call me!”

Yeah, right. Me, a township Party Secretary, calling a college student for help? Who do you think you are, the mayor of Wuzhou? Charlotte Clark grumbled inwardly, but at least William Bolton had said something considerate. Even though it sounded a bit like he was elevating himself, Charlotte Clark still accepted the note quite happily.

“You said it, so don’t say you’re too busy when the time comes!” After taking the note, Charlotte Clark casually glanced at the phone number and put it in her bag. As she did, she blurted out the words without thinking.

Chapter 4: Deputy Dean

As soon as she said it, Charlotte Clark immediately felt extremely annoyed. Was she actually interested in this guy?

But William Bolton didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she said. He just smiled and replied, “As long as I’m not really tied up, I’ll definitely come whenever you call.”