“Alright, everyone, let’s eat quickly.”
Lin Wen was beaming with energy, looking more spirited than ever.
While urging the villagers to eat, he couldn’t help but sneak glances at his son, Lin Hai, who was chatting and laughing casually with that old man, Xiao Qing Shan.
Lin Wen’s heart swelled with pride. So what if the police and the town mayor were here? The old man his son was talking to had silenced everyone with just a word.
The villagers ate quietly, whispering among themselves. Today’s events had left them in awe. Even the usually loud voices were hushed, afraid of disturbing the important figures at Lin Hai’s table.
After the meal, Lin Hai offered to drive the villagers home, but they adamantly refused. Instead, they split into small groups and took taxis back.
At the entrance, Zhang Fan stood in front of Huang Bo, the town mayor, with a forced smile, constantly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Mayor Huang, I’ve failed in my duties. I allowed a black sheep to infiltrate our police force.”
Huang Bo’s face was icy cold. He pointed to the sky and let out a cold laugh.
“Zhang Fan, let me be clear. The person inside is someone with connections reaching the heavens. If you don’t handle this properly, not only will I be finished, but you’ll be packing up and going back to farming!”
“What?!”
Zhang Fan finally realized the gravity of the situation.
“Damn it,” Zhang Fan’s eyes turned cold.
“I’ve received reports that Officer Sun Guiqiang has been abusing his power, bullying the weak, enforcing the law maliciously, and providing protection for local thugs. His actions are despicable. Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly!”
Sun Guiqiang was stunned. As a police officer, he knew exactly what awaited him in custody. He’d be lucky to come out with half his life intact.
“Chief, Chief, I was wrong. I admit my mistakes.”
Several officers rushed forward, handcuffed Sun Guiqiang, and dragged him into a police car.
Sun Guizhi, sitting on the ground, watched as her brother was taken away. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t dare say a word.
When she found out Huang Bo was the town mayor of Lancheng, she had been so scared she collapsed.
At that moment, Lin Hai walked out with Xiao Qing Shan.
“Old Xiao…” Huang Bo forced a smile.
“Hmph!” Xiao Qing Shan snorted, clearly still angry.
Zhang Fan immediately understood that this old man was the “heavenly figure” Huang Bo had mentioned.
Knowing he wasn’t in a position to speak directly to Xiao Qing Shan, Zhang Fan stood at attention and saluted, his posture as straight as a new recruit.
“Xiao Lin, I’ll head back now. Thank you for your hospitality today.”
Hearing this, Huang Bo quickly ran to the Passat and opened the rear door.
“Hmph, I wouldn’t dare ride in a car from Lancheng Town. This old man can’t afford it.”
Xiao Qing Shan had no intention of giving Huang Bo a chance. He turned to Lin Hai and said, “Xiao Lin, how about you give this old man a ride?”
“It would be my honor,” Lin Hai quickly brought over his Land Rover.
“Xiao Hai, Xiao Hai, please help me. Save my brother!”
Seeing Lin Hai, Sun Guizhi clung to his legs like a lifeline.
Lin Hai frowned and said coldly, “I already told you, you have no relation to our family anymore.”
“Xiao Hai, you can’t be so heartless!”
“Let go of my brother!” Lin Yun, who had witnessed Sun Guizhi bullying their parents many times, hated her deeply. She stepped forward and pulled Sun Guizhi’s hands away.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, please, I beg you, help me and my brother. Plead with Mayor Huang for us. I’m begging you!”
“Beg me? What face do I have in front of you?” Song Qin sneered, throwing Sun Guizhi’s earlier words back at her.
As for Lin Wen, he had his head held high, refusing to even look at Sun Guizhi.
He had never felt so satisfied in his life.
“Lin Hai, you heartless monster! Your whole family will suffer for this!”
Seeing that no one was paying her any attention, Sun Guizhi suddenly snapped and started shouting curses at Lin Hai.
“Hmm?” Lin Hai turned around sharply, his eyes flashing with coldness.
This woman dared to curse his family? How despicable!
Glancing at Huang Bo, Lin Hai said calmly, “You’re the town mayor, right?”
“Ah, yes, yes, I am.” Huang Bo didn’t dare be careless with Lin Hai. He could tell that Lin Hai held significant importance in Xiao Qing Shan’s eyes.
“She runs a ladder factory,” Lin Hai said with a faint smile before driving off with Xiao Qing Shan.
Lin Hai figured that if Huang Bo was smart, he’d know what to do.
“Hello? Is this the Commerce Bureau? This is Mayor Huang. Let me speak to the director…”
As soon as Lin Hai left, Huang Bo pulled out his phone and made a call.
—
“Old Xiao, thank you so much for today,” Lin Hai said sincerely as they drove.
“You don’t need to thank me. These people have gone too far. If this continues, the country that our predecessors fought for with their blood and sweat might be ruined by these scoundrels!”
Lin Hai’s heart stirred. He casually asked, “Old Xiao, you must have fought in the war, right?”
“Hmm?” Xiao Qing Shan was taken aback, then sighed. “Let’s not talk about the past.”
“By the way, have you found the person you were looking for?”
“No.” Xiao Qing Shan’s mood instantly soured. Seeing this, Lin Hai didn’t dare press further.
After dropping Xiao Qing Shan off at the town’s guesthouse, Lin Hai drove back to the hotel to pick up his parents and Lin Yun.
From a distance, he saw his father chatting happily with Huang Bo, both of them laughing heartily.
Lin Hai thought to himself, these officials really have high emotional intelligence. Even his father, who wasn’t much of a talker, was being charmed into laughter.
However, he didn’t believe that a town mayor would lower himself to chat idly with a farmer for no reason.
Clearly, Huang Bo was waiting for him.
Sure enough, as soon as Lin Hai got out of the car, Huang Bo approached him.
“Xiao Lin, I must apologize. It’s shameful that someone like Sun Guiqiang existed under my watch. On behalf of the town committee and the people of Lancheng, I offer my sincerest apologies.”
Wow, this guy’s really laying it on thick, even bringing the people into it.
But Huang Bo was, after all, a local official. Maintaining a good relationship with him would only bring benefits, not harm.
“Mayor Huang, you’re too kind. Thanks to your wise decision, a social tumor like Sun Guiqiang has been removed. I’m sure under your leadership, the people of Lancheng will soon prosper.”
Ugh, that was so cringy. Lin Hai almost gagged at his own words.
“Haha, you flatter me, Xiao Lin. It’s just that Old Xiao seems to have some misunderstandings about our work in Lancheng. What do you think?”
Lin Hai was speechless. These officials really knew how to beat around the bush. Just say you want me to put in a good word with Old Xiao!
“Mayor Huang, I’m just a student. I wouldn’t dare comment on politics. But I believe that as long as the people are satisfied, any misunderstandings or opinions won’t matter.”
Huang Bo’s eyes lit up. He grabbed Lin Hai’s hand excitedly and said, “Xiao Lin, don’t worry. I’ll definitely give the people of Lancheng a satisfactory outcome.”
Lin Hai was baffled. He had just thrown out a random line, and Huang Bo was getting all worked up over it?
But Huang Bo didn’t see it that way. He thought Lin Hai was hinting that as long as Lin Hai was satisfied, Old Xiao’s opinion wouldn’t be a problem.
Old Xiao had practically written him off earlier, but now there was a glimmer of hope. Of course, he was excited.
“By the way, earlier, the Commerce, Tax, and Environmental Protection departments conducted a surprise inspection of some private businesses and workshops in town. The results weren’t very optimistic. Many of them could face fines, suspension, shutdowns, or even jail time, depending on the severity of their violations.”
Lin Hai rolled his eyes. Just ask me directly whether Sun Guizhi should be fined, suspended, shut down, or jailed. Why make it so complicated? Someone slow might not even understand.
“I think that for those who are unreasonable, non-compliant, and severely hinder the town’s economic development, we should take firm action and shut them down. Only then can we promote healthy and sustainable economic growth.”
“Haha, Xiao Lin, you make an excellent point. This will greatly guide our next steps in the economic sector’s special rectification.”
Pfft! Guide my foot!
Lin Hai couldn’t take it anymore. He couldn’t keep up this act.
“Uh,” Lin Hai rubbed his head. “Mayor Huang, can we just talk normally?”