This didn’t look like an ordinary relationship at all!
Just as people were still digesting these news stories, an even more shocking revelation emerged, with a headline that quickly surpassed previous stories in popularity.
“Explosive! Teacher and Disciple Suspected of Dating the Same Man, Reputation Becomes a Joke, Is a Certain Internet Celebrity the Real Winner?”
The words “teacher and disciple” didn’t initially trigger much speculation, but when people opened the article, their eyes nearly popped out – they were referring to Luo Xiao and Xia Xianning?! This had to be a joke!
Usually, such explosive news targeted celebrities or wealthy businessmen. This was the first time national-level officials were involved, especially since Luo Xiao and Xia Xianning were judicial public servants whose public image had always been extremely positive.
As the story developed and coincided with the ongoing leadership election, some politically sensitive individuals realized this wasn’t just ordinary entertainment news, but a premeditated media attack!
Who did this, and what was their purpose?
The news broke just as the meeting began. By the time the high-ranking officials finished and walked out of the conference room, some had already received the information and were exchanging subtle glances.
With a rigid personality, he was strict not only with his son but also adhered to an old cadre’s lifestyle. He hadn’t even registered a Weibo account and certainly didn’t follow entertainment sections. Therefore, despite the online uproar, he remained completely unaware.
The morning meeting had many unresolved issues. Luo Xiao put on his reading glasses, wrote a few words in his notebook, and had just stood up when the Public Security Bureau Director Wu Yongjun walked towards him.
Two people had significant ideological differences and had never gotten along well. Luo Zhao guessed his opponent’s intentions but did not show it on his face, merely nodding at the other person.
“Director Luo’s views on grassroots department reform are quite sharp,” Wu Yongjun said without any small talk, smiling directly at him. “If this were truly implemented, it would involve not just one or two places. Director, you have great courage, but I’m afraid pulling one thread might unravel the entire fabric, and then the situation would become unmanageable.”
Luo Zhao raised his eyes and looked at him: “Society can only advance through reform. I’m merely proposing a possible suggestion. If Director Wu has different views, you can raise them at the next meeting. No one will stop you from speaking.”
Wu Yongjun’s smile stiffened.
He had fought his way up through the military, daring to take on any mission and confront anyone, earning a reputation as a tough character. Many thought Luo Zhao’s temperament would prevent him from holding a position for long, but they watched him steadily rise, now a national-level cadre.
Wu Yongjun was unwilling to submit to him but couldn’t outargue him. The hand holding the report folder tightened slightly, and his smile remained: “Director Luo makes sense. I lack experience and worry too much. Unlike you, who dares to speak boldly without hesitation.”
Luo Zhao was direct, immediately detecting the underlying meaning in his words, looking up at him.
Wu Yongjun smiled: “I’ve recently heard a lot about Director Luo and admire your boldness even more. The relationship between Old Summer’s grandson and Director Luo seems incredibly close.”
Luo Zhao: “…”
After speaking, Wu Yongjun walked away, leaving a bewildered Luo Zhao wondering if Wu Yongjun had gone mad in his quest for promotion, talking such nonsense.
His chief secretary Dai Yu hurried up to him, clutching a mobile phone, with cold sweat visible on his face.
“Director, the internet has suddenly erupted with entertainment news about you, including mentions of Director Xia and the young master.”
The news had broken that morning, and these high-ranking officials had been in meetings all morning.
When Dai Yu received the news, he was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, he didn’t even think “this is bad,” just found the world surreal.
Although Luo Zhao had never allowed Luo Mingbai to be exposed publicly, Dai Yu could immediately recognize from the various photos in the news who the so-called “internet celebrity” was that Director Luo had supposedly brought home overnight.
Who came up with such a framing method? It was almost too creative.
Knowing Luo Zhao’s temperament and imagining what would happen if he showed him this news made Dai Yu tremble. But he couldn’t possibly not mention such a significant matter, so he had waited anxiously all morning, finally approaching Luo Zhao when he emerged.
Luo Zhao looked at the screen filled with internet slang and bold, red news headlines, his expression changing. He was even too stunned to be angry.
Dai Yu waited nervously. Though Luo Zhao had only looked for a short moment, Dai Yu felt his arm was already aching from holding up the phone.
Finally, Director Luo spoke with complete confusion: “What are they saying? That I’m keeping Xian Ning… as my son? What is ‘West Silence Void’?”
Since the incident with Madam Luo, this only son had become even more precious to him.
Dai Yu smiled bitterly, not daring to respond directly, and carefully said, “These are just media speculations based on photos and shouldn’t be taken seriously.”
After a moment of silence, a loud “bang” sounded as Luo Zhao forcefully kicked over a nearby chair.
Wu Yongjun, startled by the noise, saw Luo Zhao walking towards him with a furious expression.
Wu Yongjun sensitively detected the killing intent and instinctively stepped back, then suddenly realized: “Director Luo, what’s wrong?”
“Wu Yongjun, don’t go too far,” Luo Zhao heavily patted his shoulder, grinding his teeth. “I warn you, you can challenge me however you want, but if you dare touch my son and my disciple, I’ll fight you to the end.”
Wu Yongjun’s shoulder was in severe pain, and his legs nearly gave way, almost falling to the ground.
In official circles, few spoke so directly, but precisely because of this, he could feel Luo Zhao’s current rage and the threat behind those harsh words.
This time, however, Wu Yongjun was truly wronged. He began to hate his own loose tongue and schadenfreude, but now… a son?
Wu Yongjun’s previous triumphant expression vanished, and he smiled bitterly: “Director Luo, you’ve misunderstood. I just saw the news and was concerned, wanting to verify with you.”
Although I’ve never even seen your son, I understand boundaries and would never do such a thing. Why would I come to tell you if I had?”
As he spoke, images of Luo Mingbai from the photos flashed in his mind. He suddenly thought that this young master looked nothing like Luo Zhao, being extraordinarily handsome. Damn, who could have imagined they were family?
When Luo Zhao walked out of the office building, it was already surrounded by journalists, mostly from official media sent to gather first-hand information about the meeting, not specifically targeting him.
“Director Luo, how are the results of the grassroots reform? Will related laws be introduced?”
“Director Luo, will the current situation where the Special Investigation Bureau’s treatment level remains far higher than other government departments continue?”
These were issues of genuine concern for official media and the public. Unable to blur personal and professional boundaries, Luo Zhao, who had been an official for many years, still maintained enough composure despite the fire burning inside him.
He answered each question, his face slightly cold, continuously moving forward without looking sideways.
