Chapter 614: Redrawing the Line

After solving the problem of the temporary workshop, Chen Yang had Deng Jiaoming speed up the introduction of equipment and materials, striving to produce the samples required by Nike as soon as possible.

Once the inspection passes, we can officially hire workers and begin trial production.

Of course, while doing contract manufacturing for Nike, Chen Yang also hopes the company can develop its own products.

He set a target for Deng Jiaoming: before the Double Eleven event, there must be ten of the company's own products listed on the e-commerce platform.

To ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, Chen Yang allocated one hundred million yuan in operating funds to Deng Jiaoming.

However, when Chen Yang went to the Lin family's house for dinner in the evening, he noticed Lin Jianguo's mood was a bit off. After the meal, he didn't greet anyone and shut himself up in the study alone.

"Honey, what's wrong with Dad?" Chen Yang asked Lin Wei curiously.

"I don't know, I'll go check!" Lin Wei got up and walked into Lin Jianguo's study.

Half an hour later, Lin Wei finally came out, her complexion not looking good either.

Chen Yang asked concernedly, "What's wrong?"

Lin Wei didn't speak, just shook her head, then walked back to her own room.

Chen Yang felt something was wrong, so he also went into Lin Jianguo's room. He found Lin Jianguo with his head down, smoking inside.

"Dad, what's going on? Why are you and Lin Wei both unhappy?"

Lin Jianguo tossed his cigarette butt into the ashtray, sighed, and said, "The higher-ups called me for a talk. They want us to keep our distance from you, lest people suspect we have vested interests."

Chen Yang had actually anticipated this outcome, and he replied nonchalantly, "Dad, we're upright and stand tall—what's there to worry about? If the governor has misunderstood you, I can go to Xingcheng to explain it to him."

Lin Jianguo shook his head and said, "This has nothing to do with Governor Liu. Actually, it's about Lin Wei's maternal grandfather."

Upon hearing that Hu Lao Yezi was getting involved again, Chen Yang couldn't help but stare in surprise.

His investment in Qingshui City is a huge benefit for both Lin Jianguo and Lin Wei; Hu Lao Yezi suddenly jumped in to stir things up—what game is he playing?

"Dad, is it Lin Wei's maternal grandfather who doesn't want me to stay in Qingshui City?"

Lin Jianguo shook his head again and explained to Chen Yang, "The newly appointed Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee had some old grudge against your maternal grandfather. Hearing about your investment in Qingshui City, he raised an objection at the Standing Committee meeting. Although Governor Liu defended me, the fact that you remain living in the Lin family after your divorce is still true."

"To avoid suspicion, Secretary Cheng personally called me with two suggestions: first, transfer me away from Qingshui City; second, draw a clear line between you and me."

Chen Yang felt he was clashing with the province's full-time Deputy Secretary. The nephew of the former Secretary Wang, Wang Haifeng, has always been at odds with him. After finally getting a parachuted-in Deputy Secretary, it turns out he's an old political rival of Hu Lao Yezi.

The Lin family has operated in Qingshui City for nearly twenty years, enjoying a natural advantage there. If they were to move elsewhere to develop, without Chen Yang's help, Lin Jianguo would probably struggle to achieve results.

At this moment, Chen Yang understood why Lin Jianguo and Lin Wei were unhappy—because their best option is to draw a clear line with him.

"Dad, since my staying here is causing trouble, I'll move to a hotel right now!" Chen Yang said, then got up and went back to Lin Wei's room to pack his luggage.

"Husband, don't go. Even if you leave, the higher-ups will still find a way to target my dad." Lin Wei tightly hugged Chen Yang, who was packing his luggage. She had finally rekindled the feeling they had when they first married, and she didn't want it to come to nothing.

Chen Yang gently stroked Lin Wei's hair and softly comforted her, "Honey, with Secretary Cheng and Governor Liu's support, as long as Qingshui City's economic development stays stable, that Deputy Secretary has no reason to keep giving Dad a hard time."

Lin Wei whispered, "I can't bear to part with you."

Chen Yang sighed. How could he bear to let Lin Wei go? But the Hu and Lin families both place great importance on Lin Jianguo's future. If he doesn't leave, he'll end up offending more than just those two old-timers who already dislike him.

So, even though he was reluctant, he still took his luggage and returned to Xingcheng overnight.

Doing this mainly lets the person who's at odds with Hu Lao Yezi know he's already left the Lin family, so they won't use this as an excuse to stir up trouble.

After dawn, he ran to Liu Jianghua's place to play the victim.

"Governor, I've poured my heart and soul into developing Dongjiangsheng's economy, and now even the right to be with the woman I love has been taken away. Don't you think that's too much bullying?"

"Chen Yang, the province doesn't have any explicit rule forbidding you from dating." Liu Jianghua remained unmoved by Chen Yang's act, and said calmly, "Since you've returned to Xingcheng, it shows you yourself know there's something improper about this. So there's no need to keep complaining to me."

Chen Yang retorted angrily, "I haven't taken a single cent of government money, and many of my investments are losing money. In all of Dongjiangsheng, can you find anyone more foolish than me?"

Liu Jianghua heard him, his tone softened, and said, "I know the work you've done for the province, and Secretary Cheng does too. But rules are rules—if you get too close to the Lin family, investing in Qingshui City will attract criticism. Moreover……"

He paused, then his tone turned stern: "You kid, don't put on a deep‑emotion act in front of me. As far as I know, you're also quite close to the miss of the Liu Clan Group. After ditching the Lin family girl, won't you go after the Liu Clan Group's miss?"

Chen Yang never expected Liu Jianghua to know about his affair with Liu Qingqing, and he fell silent at once.

Liu Jianghua continued, "If you truly mean well for the Lin family, you'd better move the shoe company to Xingcheng. Here we'll provide land if you need land, policies if you need policies, and guarantee no one will gossip."

Upon hearing that, Chen Yang burst out laughing and crying, saying, "Governor, you're being too biased—always thinking of Xingcheng for the benefits, how are the other prefecture‑level cities of Dongjiangsheng supposed to develop?"

Liu Jianghua said, "Xingcheng's economic development still has many shortcomings compared to other sub‑provincial cities nationwide. At this stage, we must first boost Xingcheng's economy, then drive the development of the other prefecture‑level cities."

Chen Yang does not agree with Liu Jianghua's view. He knows full well that the better Xingcheng develops, the worse off the other prefecture‑level cities of Dongjiangsheng become.

"Governor, a tiny shoe factory won't generate much tax revenue. Better not waste Xingcheng's precious resources."

Liu Jianghua gave Chen Yang a contemptuous look and snapped, "You kid, you've done so much for the Lin family, but you may not end up well for it. Developing in Xingcheng at least guarantees a steady income, and no one would dare scheme against your company."

Chen Yang clearly understood Liu Jianghua's meaning. With Liu Jianghua as his backer, no one in Xingcheng would give him trouble.

However, once the shoe company relocates, the loss of labor in Qingshui City will accelerate—that's not a result he wants to see.

Chen Yang sighed and said, "Governor, even if it's not for the Lin family, Qingshui City is my hometown. If I don't do something for my hometown, I'll be condemned by the elders and villagers."