Chapter 1731: Kindness

Right now, as long as Secretary Jin nodded, the vacant position left by Deputy Secretary Yang was his for the taking—it was a done deal. Unless Su Qing had heaven-defying abilities to pull strings all the way to the Central Committee, she would lose this game completely. Li Changping thought to himself, then deliberately steered the conversation toward Yang Yongping. While playing cards, he said with a chuckle: "Being able to accompany several secretaries to play mahjong tonight is truly a great honor for me, Li Changping. Except for Deputy Secretary Yang and Secretary Ma of the Discipline Inspection Commission who couldn't come, all the other secretaries have graced me with their presence."

Secretary Jin glanced sideways at Li Changping, knowing full well the subtext of his words. He played a tile and said in a slow, unhurried tone, using words that seemed like a joke: "Changping, who knows, maybe everyone playing mahjong here today will be a secretary before long..."

Although Secretary Jin said this as if it were a joke, the meaning he wanted to express was self-evident. The other deputy secretaries present also knew Secretary Jin's mind well. Deputy Secretary Zhou then also used a joking tone to say to Li Changping: "Changping, look at how much Secretary Jin values you. You must repay Secretary Jin well."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Secretary Jin and all the leaders, for your appreciation of me." Li Changping nodded with a fawning smile while thinking to himself: Secretary Jin saying such things in front of so many people today—does that mean he has already made his stance clear?

To repay the 'kindness' of Secretary Jin and the leaders, Li Changping was extremely observant during the mahjong game, serving tea and pouring water, while not forgetting to feed tiles and let them win to suit their preferences.

By 9:30, two police cars pulled into the parking lot of the Jianguo Hotel. More than a dozen criminal police officers got out of the cars. The person leading the team was He Yuping, whom Zhao Desan had called to report this gathering for gambling. After getting out of the car, He Yuping made a short and detailed arrangement for the gambling raid with a stern and serious expression, then led the team into the Jianguo Hotel. After briefly explaining the situation to the person in charge of the hotel lobby on the first floor, a waiter took a room card and led He Yuping and the others from the criminal police team to the fifth floor. To avoid alerting the enemy, He Yuping gestured for everyone to lower their voices, then carefully followed the waiter with light steps to room 5888.

As soon as they arrived at the door of the room, noisy sounds came from inside. He Yuping immediately confirmed that the tip-off call he received today was undoubtedly true. He whispered a few words to the waiter, who nodded and knocked on the door a few times.

The people playing mahjong in the room heard the knocking but didn't pay much attention, continuing to play mahjong while talking and laughing.

Seeing no response, at He Yuping's signal, the waiter knocked on the door a few more times.

This time, Li Changping heard the knocking. He looked at Secretary Jin and asked toward the door: "Who is it?"

"Room service, delivering water," the waitress said, lying under He Yuping's instruction.

"It's really good that we're out of hot water. Secretary Jin, wait a moment, I'll go open the door and get some hot water to pour some tea for you all," Li Changping said with a fawning smile.

Secretary Jin nodded, and then Li Changping got up from the mahjong table and walked to the door to open it. ===== CHAPTER 1732 =====