Chapter 1001: Private Talk Between Fu and Meng

The tea fragrance on the top floor of Everyman Grand Hotel had not yet dissipated, Lin Dongfan had already brought Ye Jiaying's drafted "park+farmers" cooperation plan and drove to the municipal government.

He did not take Guo Binghua's entanglement to heart; right now the most urgent thing was to quickly finalize the details of the Jinxian County project, so that the villagers involved in land transfer could eat a reassurance pill.

At this moment, in a concealed private restaurant in the center of Wuzhou City, the private room door was tightly shut, smoke swirling.

Fu Xinping leaned back in his chair, holding a cigarette, leisurely exhaling smoke rings.

Meng Qinghe opposite held his teacup, took a slow sip, his eyes carrying a hint of unfathomable smile.

"I heard Secretary Guo took Along leave, saying he's unwell?" Meng Qinghe spoke first, his tone very casual, as if chatting about family matters.

Fu Xinping flicked ash, snorted: "Unwell? I think his heart is just blocked."

Secretary Guo has been clashing with Lin Dongfan lately, never gaining any advantage; Fu Xinping thought Guo LaoBan should be using the excuse of "recuperation" to temporarily avoid the spotlight.

"That's good too."

Fu Xinping shifted his tone, a flash of calculation in his eyes: "If Secretary Guo rests a while, it's just right for us to catch our breath. The Lin surname is too dominant; we can't confront him head-on."

Meng Qinghe gave a noncommittal smile, put down his teacup and changed the subject: "Old Fu, tell me straight, regarding Peng Xianjun's matter, is it really related to you or not?"

This question was direct, without any beating around the bush.

The air in the private room instantly stiffened a bit; amidst the swirling smoke, Fu Xinping's gaze flickered.

After the news of Peng Xianjun's death in a car accident spread, there had been plenty of private discussion in Wuzhou's official circles. After all, Peng Xianjun was close to Fu Xinping, and the incident occurred not long after Xiao Weiming was arrested, inevitably leading people to think more.

Fu Xinping stubbed out his cigarette, lifted his wine cup and took a sip, showing a dismissive smile: "Mayor Meng, I handle affairs, do you still not trust me?"

He lowered his head to avoid Meng Qinghe's gaze, pondered briefly.

Then he added with a smile: "I, Fu Xinping, am at least the head of the City Bureau; how could I possibly do something as reckless as endangering lives? Peng Xianjun's misfortune was his own bad luck, encountering a mentally ill driver, pure accident."

His words sounded watertight, yet Meng Qinghe sneered inwardly.

"Endangering lives? You've done less of that? During the west city demolition years ago, the villager who led the disturbance wasn't he arrested by you on the charge of 'obstructing official duties', taken in and never released? And there's also the assault case two years ago—clearly it was your nephew who struck, yet in the end a vagrant took the blame."

However, Meng Qinghe only harbored these thoughts in his heart, uttering not a word aloud.

"Indeed, I was overthinking." Meng Qinghe raised his wine cup and clinked it with Fu Xinping's: "As long as it's unrelated to you, that's fine."

Old Meng mused inwardly:

Even if you don't admit it, I've already fulfilled my duty of inquiry; if anything comes up later, it's you Fu Xinping who will bear it, having nothing to do with me Meng Qinghe.

At this moment Fu Xinping furrowed his brows.

But he wasn't worried about the Peng Xianjun case; he was worried about his own future.

He had always wanted to move up a step, run for vice mayor, join the standing committee.

And Meng Qinghe is the executive vice mayor, wielding considerable influence in the city, especially in front of Secretary Guo, his words carry weight.

For this, he has put in considerable effort these days; Meng Qinghe's daughter Meng Wanqing's livestream room is where he has focused his "investment".

"By the way, Mayor Meng."

Fu Xinping shifted his tone, a meaningful smile on his face: "I heard your daughter recently started livestreaming on Douyin, doing remarkably well."

Meng Qinghe's hand holding the wine cup paused, he said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"I heard there's a big brother called 'Human Heavy Wanqing' who is especially generous to your daughter, each time throwing out fifty or sixty galaxy fireworks, boiling the livestream room." Fu Xinping said excitedly: "Now your daughter in Wuzhou's internet celebrity circle has considerable fame, fans already over a million."

Meng Qinghe's brows involuntarily knitted.

How could he not know who "Human Heavy Wanqing" is? Besides Fu Xinping this old brat, nobody dares to be so ostentatious.

Each time he throws out fifty or sixty galaxy fireworks, that converts to tens of thousands of RMB.

This isn't just brushing gifts to be number one; it's clearly giving money. Now this old brat brings it up face-to-face, nothing more than worrying others won't see his contribution.

Fu Xinping's little scheming, Meng Qinghe sees through completely.

Acting so ostentatiously, failing to be low-key when needed, actually bringing this up face-to-face—if someone catches hold of this, wouldn't I end up in the same pot as you?

Meng Qinghe felt quite dissatisfied inside, but kept his expression neutral, merely replying lightly: "Kids playing online, not worth mentioning."

"That said." Fu Xinping chuckled, "But your daughter indeed has talent, courage not small—this is what they call 'tiger father, no dog daughter'; perhaps she could carve out a niche in the live-streaming industry. Moreover, we are already in the new media era; having accumulated a certain fan base makes future endeavors easier."

This flattery hit just right, Meng Qinghe's expression softened somewhat.

Seeing Meng Qinghe's attitude loosen, Fu Xinping hurriedly seized the moment: "Mayor Meng, as the saying goes, people strive for higher ground; regarding my vice mayor candidacy, I still need you to put in more effort."

Meng Qinghe set down his wine cup, pondered for a moment: "This matter, I have already preliminarily communicated with Secretary Guo."

He paused, looked at Fu Xinping's expectant eyes, then continued: "Secretary Guo's side has no problem; he still acknowledges your work."

Fu Xinping's face lit up, just about to speak, but was cut off by Meng Qinghe.

"However…" Meng Qinghe shifted his tone: "Now the problem is Mayor Lin's side, resistance is not small."

"Lin Dongfan?" Fu Xinping's face instantly darkened, tone carrying a hint of disdain: "In this place of Wuzhou, is it really up to him to cover the sky with one hand?"

Meng Qinghe gave a cold smile: "During Secretary Guo's leave, Wuzhou's work is fully under his charge; you say he can't cover the sky with one hand? If he firmly disagrees, even if Secretary Guo nods, your vice mayor seat may be hard to secure."

Fu Xinping's fists clenched, he silently cursed Lin Dongfan for meddling.

"Then according to your view, what should I do now?" He looked at Meng Qinghe, tone carrying a hint of urgency.

"Being anxious won't help."

Meng Qinghe, after some thought, pointed in a direction: "You need to produce some solid achievements to shut Lin Dongfan's mouth. For example, the unfinished projects left by your predecessor, or the old cases pointed out by the province. As long as you can deliver eye-catching results, even if he wants to oppose, he'll find no excuse."

Fu Xinping's eyes lit up, he already had a plan in mind.

Investigating and handling multiple-year-old accumulated old cases and major cases is difficult, but cleaning up the predecessor's unfinished projects is relatively easier.

Those unfinished projects left by the predecessor, the most controversial being "eliminating the city's surveillance blind spots"—that's a typical performance project!

Moreover, that project was personally pushed forward by Secretary Guo.

As long as we finish that unfinished project, then increase publicity, not only can we shut Lin Dongfan's mouth, but also help Secretary Guo regain face, earn some goodwill—truly a case of killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking this through.

Fu Xinping expressed confidence: "Understood, please Mayor Meng rest assured, I will arrange this now, guarantee to deliver achievements satisfying everyone."

Meng Qinghe watched his determined look, said nothing more.

He knew clearly that if Fu Xinping could become deputy Mayor, it would also be good for him. If the two joined forces, they could form a considerable power in Wuzhou's officialdom in the future, enough to counterbalance Lin Dongfan.

As for Peng Xianjun's death, and Fu Xinping's shady dealings, as long as they don't involve him, he couldn't be bothered to care.

The smoke in the private room grew thicker; each had their own thoughts, chatting away enthusiastically.

They all thought Character was just on temporary leave, and would eventually return to take charge of the overall situation. Little did they know, they had completely misjudged the situation.

Lin Dongfan held sway over Wuzhou's great power; what he wanted was not just stability, but also to cleanse the officialdom of corrupt practices.

Fu Xinping's so-called "achievements," in Lin Dongfan's eyes, were nothing but self-deceptive tricks. Moreover, this secret talk between him and Meng Qinghe had already been secretly watched by someone.