Chapter 544: You're Taking Over for Qian Huan?!

Wang Xinfa's brows furrowed slightly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop:

"Forget it, find another way. The man's dead, why get worked up with Li Hanyu over two corpses."

His tone was flat, yet every word was like ice,

"She hasn't had it easy either."

Had it not been for Li Hanyu's feigned weakness cleverly defusing Wang Xinfa's anger, given his usual modus operandi, he absolutely would not have let it slide so easily.

Wang Xinfa's ability to hold firm as a Councilor relied precisely on his ruthless, face-turning nature.

One can only say, in the labyrinth of power, not a single person who sits at the top is a simple lamp; every move hides a grasp and calculation of human nature.

Seeing the attitude Wang Xinfa displayed, the Maitreya Buddha man immediately went along with the flow to smooth things over:

"True, Mrs. Li's heart is tied to her beloved son, understandable. Councilor, you're still as merciful and magnanimous as ever. Sigh, just don't know when Qian Huan will wake up……"

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart; Wang Xinfa's pupils shrank.

"You think Qian Huan can still wake up?" Wang Xinfa asked in a deep voice.

The Maitreya Buddha smiled with benevolent brows and kind eyes:

"Of course, Qian Huan is blessed by heaven, and moreover Li Hanyu will certainly care for him with every attention, so Qian Huan will wake up sooner or later."

Wang Xinfa shook his head and sighed:

"The hospital side dares not tell Li Hanyu the truth; actually, Qian Huan scraping back a life is already a stroke of luck, the probability of waking is less than 1%."

The Maitreya Buddha man's face showed a look of compassion:

"As far as I know, Qian Huan is still a Natural Person, right? Then why not take this chance for a Body Modification Implant?"

Wang Xinfa waved a hand to interrupt:

"Doing this kind of reconstruction on a heavily injured dying man, the probability of dying on the surgical bed exceeds 80%. Li Hanyu has only this one son, she absolutely won't take that risk. Even if surgery is needed, we'd have to wait a year or year and a half, until Qian Huan's body has mostly self-repaired, only then would it be possible."

A year or year and a half, Qian Huan can wait, Li Hanyu can wait, but he Wang Xinfa can't wait, and Guangming Group's Lu Zong can't wait either.

The Maitreya Buddha man spoke no more, only let out a long sigh.

Wang Xinfa turned around, his gaze passing the floor-to-ceiling window, looking toward Upper City's blindingly bright butt, the dazzling light shining on his face, bathing half his face in brightness.

He likewise sighed, then said meaningfully:

"Second Prison is one wave subsiding, another rising, a season of many troubles. I need someone to replace Qian Huan, to take over Second Prison for me."

The office fell into a subtle silence.

The Maitreya Buddha man uncharacteristically did not immediately respond; his chubby face still wore its trademark smile.

These years in that Hidden Gate within the Nine Districts, he oversaw part of the pioneering and construction, held real power, unrestrained, doing things smoothly, quite refreshing.

Suddenly, without any warning, he was urgently recalled by a transfer order from Wang Xinfa; in his heart he actually had a bit of resentment.

However, after reading the "Eight-Cornered Cage Beast Fighting Plan", that bit of resentment in his heart vanished like smoke.

The blueprint depicted in that plan was too tempting; he was fiercely moved, impatient to show his mettle.

Him not actively speaking up now, not taking it immediately, is to avoid showing too much eagerness, which doesn't match the persona he consistently projects, and on the other hand, wants to strike a pose, hoping to get more promises and support from Wang Xinfa.

This is just like when a boss assigns you a task; no matter how capable you are, you must not agree in one mouthful; on the contrary, you must show difficulty or hesitation, this is more conducive to carrying out the work next, and getting more rewards after success.

Seeing Du Zhangle not responding for a long time, Wang Xinfa's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

He turned around, fingers lightly tapping the edge of the rosewood office desk, emitting a dull "thud-thud" sound.

"Zhangle, how many years have you been with me?"

The Maitreya-Buddha-like plump man is called Du Zhangle, a man with neither aggression in his name nor his face.

Du Zhangle bowed slightly, hands naturally folded on his round belly, posture humble to the point of piety:

"Replying to the Councilor, ever since I entered the Executive Government, I have always enjoyed your appreciation and promotion, entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

Counting carefully, on average every four years I must switch to a new department; to date I have rotated through five departments, a full twenty-one years and four months."

Wang Xinfa let out a cold snort, eyes behind his lenses narrowing slightly:

"What, got resentment? Stayed in the Hidden Gate too comfortably, don't want to come out and switch departments anymore?"

Hearing this, Du Zhangle's face changed instantly, fine beads of sweat instantly seeping on his forehead, flashing crystalline light under the lamps.

He hurriedly waved his hands, looking just like a startled fat quail, voice carrying a trace of panic:

"Councilor, you know me best. I've never had any ambition, always adapting to circumstances.

I'm just a screw in your hand; you tell me to fasten where, I fasten where. These twenty-plus years, when have I ever had half a word of complaint? I just……"

His voice gradually lowered, wearing a look of wanting to speak but stopping.

Wang Xinfa's expression eased slightly, his tone turning a few degrees gentler:

"Don't hem and haw. If you have something to say, say it straight."

Du Zhangle bit his lip, he weighed his words, speaking carefully:

"First, I've never worked in the Prison System.

This 'Eight-Cornered Cage' plan is truly too massive and complex; I truly have no bottom in my heart, really worried my ability is insufficient, that I'll botch the matter you entrusted……"

Wang Xinfa interrupted:

"No need. I'm very confident in your ability. These 20 years, no matter which department you went to, you could adapt quickly and all did extremely well."

His gaze fell on the Nine Districts Map hanging on the office wall; on the map, red pushpins marked every department Du Zhangle had ever served in.

From the Municipal Environmental Sanitation Bureau at the start, to the Urban Construction Planning Bureau later, then to the Hidden Gate Special Operations Department.

Beside each pushpin was pasted a tiny report card, recording the achievements Du Zhangle made there.

Du Zhangle followed Wang Xinfa's gaze, a trace of hard-to-detect complacency surfaced on his round face, but he quickly resumed that humble appearance, saying:

"Councilor overpraises. Subordinate merely acted according to your instructions."

Wang Xinfa said with satisfaction:

"This time is the same as before. You go to Second Prison, continue to carry out my every order, and I believe you'll definitely do well."

Du Zhangle paused for a moment, his face gaining a few points of confidence, and gritted his teeth as he said:

"Councilor, I am naturally willing. The early groundwork for the 'Bajiao Lan' plan is also nearly ready. These are all Qian Huan's achievements, and he is now in a coma, unconscious. You let me replace his position.

I am worried Li Hanyu will harbor resentment. After all, she is your…."

Before the words were finished, he tactfully stopped speaking.

Wang Xinfa's expression changed slightly. He looked deeply at Du Zhangle and said:

"No matter. Li Hanyu is a smart woman. Qian Huan is currently soaking in the Fish Tank. She should understand that replacing him is unavoidable.

Moreover, those two Zone Chiefs are already dead. The resentment in her heart has been vented. From now on, she should also understand the bigger picture and know when to advance or retreat. She will listen to me and support you. You need not worry too much."

Du Zhangle's face still held three parts reluctance, but in the end he nodded and said:

"Then I will follow the Councilor's arrangement. However, the Councilor knows me. I have always been kind to others. Like this, I will only temporarily act in Qian Huan's duties. After he wakes up in a year or so, Councilor, will you still transfer me back to my original position?"

Du Zhangle deliberately added a heavier nasal tone to the four words "a year or so."

Wang Xinfa's pupils flickered with cold light. He looked deeply at Du Zhangle.

The Office suddenly fell quiet, leaving only the ticking sound of the floor clock.

Fine beads of sweat seeped out on Du Zhangle's temples, yet he still maintained a respectful, submissive appearance, truly making it hard to discern whether the words in his speech were sincere or feigned...

(End of Chapter)