Jane Hall’s reputation as an official has always been excellent. During her tenure as mayor of Yan Hua, she did many practical things for the people, earning Henry Foster’s respect.

Arriving at Jane Hall’s door, Henry Foster hesitated once more.

Jane Hall smiled and reached out to give him a gentle flick on the forehead, scolding with a laugh, “Little guy, come in.”

Despite being in his forties mentally, he was called “little guy” by a young woman. For a moment, Officer Foster felt quite frustrated.

All the single dorm rooms in this building were of the same size, about twenty square meters, with a bed, a desk, and a small square wooden table, making the room feel packed. However, Jane Hall’s room was clearly very different from Henry Foster’s. As soon as he entered, a faint fragrance greeted Henry Foster’s nose, instantly making him feel refreshed and relaxed.

“Have a seat.”

Jane Hall called out, then picked up the thermos to make tea for Henry Foster.

It was Henry Foster’s first time in Jane Hall’s dorm. He looked around and saw that although the room was small, it was neat and orderly—nothing like Secretary Foster’s dorm, where smelly shoes and socks were strewn everywhere, even the bed was a mess, like a pigsty.

Truly, there is a difference between men and women.

“Have some water.”

Jane Hall finished making a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of Henry Foster, then walked over and closed the door, though she left it slightly ajar.

It seemed that tonight Jane Hall really had something important to discuss with Henry Foster.

Jane Hall returned lightly to the small table, but didn’t sit down. She stood there, looking down at Henry Foster from above, her curved brows slightly furrowed, her expression turning rather serious.

But Henry Foster didn’t stand up either. He sat steadily, tilting his head up a bit to gaze at Jane Hall. From this angle, the gentle curves of Jane Hall’s chest appeared rather “steep,” drawing attention.

“Xiao Fan, why did you change that article?”

After a moment, Jane Hall asked slowly.

Henry Foster just smiled, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, “Sister Gao, you’re mistaken. I didn’t change that article—I was just the one delivering it.”

Jane Hall also smiled, a hint of mockery at the corner of her mouth, and teased, “Really? Don’t you think Secretary Parker’s change of opinion was a bit too sudden?”

Henry Foster shrugged and said, “That I don’t know. Who can guess what important people are thinking? Besides, emancipating the mind and opposing bourgeois liberalization aren’t contradictory—they’re just two sides of the same coin. Secretary Parker is balanced and impartial; that’s perfectly normal.”

That article had to have been written by Mason Parker.

There was hardly any doubt about it.

Jane Hall gave a gentle smile and finally sat down across from Henry Foster, reaching up to smooth a lock of bangs from her eyes. Looking at Henry Foster, the teasing smile still on her lips, she said, “Xiao Fan, just from what you said now, it’s enough to prove that the article was written by you. I can’t be sure about other things, so I won’t say anything rash. But when it comes to writing, I trust my own judgment. There’s no way Secretary Parker would make such a complete about-face. I’m just curious—why did you change that article?”

Henry Foster became serious and said earnestly, “Sister Gao, let me say it again: I didn’t change the article. That article was written by Secretary Parker himself.”

“All right, all right, let’s not discuss this anymore!”

Jane Hall immediately raised her fair little hand, repeating herself.

“Xiao Fan, you work closely with Secretary Parker. Can you analyze for me why Secretary Parker would choose this moment to publish such an article? What kind of political meaning does it contain?”

It seemed Jane Hall was clever—if a direct approach didn’t work, she’d try a roundabout one.

Henry Foster shook his head and said, “Sister Gao, I don’t know about that. Like I said, it’s hard to guess what important people are thinking, and I wouldn’t dare to guess lightly. If I guess wrong, the consequences could be serious.”

“Heh, so you do know the consequences could be serious. Do you know that Secretary Parker has already fallen out with Governor Ray at the provincial level? Secretary Parker also insists that he wrote the article himself.”

As Jane Hall spoke, her eyes sparkled. Clearly, Mason Parker’s “loyalty” had deeply moved her.

At such a critical moment, Mason Parker was still doing everything he could to protect Henry Foster.

“Now that you’ve been suspended for reflection, it’s actually to protect you. For what you did, suspension for reflection is already the lightest punishment—it’s not even really a punishment, just a way to protect you.”

Jane Hall continued.

The implication was clear: she had already decided that Henry Foster had changed the article.

On this point, Henry Foster rather agreed.

“Good people are always rewarded.”

Henry Foster smiled slightly and said.

Mason Parker insisted the article was his to protect him, which was exactly what Henry Foster had hoped for. In the near future, when the political winds shifted at the top, perhaps it would help Mason Parker avoid disaster.

“Xiao Fan, you seem to have changed…”

Jane Hall looked at Henry Foster, saying thoughtfully.