Chapter 1023

Can you scare me?

Lin Dongfan snorted, arms crossed.

His eyes full of contempt: "Meng Qinghe, you've done endless evil in this life; if you can actually name something that would shock me, that'd be your talent! Speak up, don't hem and haw."

Meng Qinghe's eyes flickered.

He glanced at the Discipline Inspection Commissioner and firefighters around him, his throat tightening as if he truly had something hard to say.

He said with a hint of wariness: "Here there are many people and eyes; some things aren't convenient to say. Mayor Lin, can we change locations? I want to talk one‑on‑one."

One‑on‑one?

Lin Dongfan raised his brow, his tone suddenly cold: "Now you're afraid of being overheard? When you took the gold, why didn't you think it inconvenient? Say it here, make it clear in front of everyone!"

Those around also held their breath.

Everyone stared curiously at Meng Qinghe, wondering just what kind of figure could "scare Mayor Lin".

Meng Qinghe felt ill at ease under everyone's gaze, his face alternating between green and white, clearly cornered with no way out.

Fine! Fine! You're the one who made me say it—don't regret it later!

Meng Qinghe shot up his head, as if making a huge decision, took a deep breath, and uttered three words slowly: "Ye Jiaying!"

Section Chief Sun: "……!!!"

Lin Dongfan: "……???"

The crowd fell silent; those three words "Ye Jiaying" hit like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving everyone stunned.

All the Discipline Inspection Commissioners' gazes snapped to Lin Dongfan in unison, each pair of eyes filled with doubt.

Who is Ye Jiaying?

She's the chairman of Mortal Group, a female billionaire worth tens of billions! In both political and business circles, anyone with ears knows she's Lin Dongfan's first love.

Back then they never ended up together, but their friendship remained.

Over the years, Mortal Group's domestic growth and rise to industry leader have been inseparable from Lin Dongfan's strong support.

Outside circles have long rumored that Lin Dongfan and Ye Jiaying share an intimate relationship.

Now Meng Qinghe suddenly drops Ye Jiaying's name, even claiming those five hundred catties of gold were a gift from her—this is clearly an attempt to bite back at Lin Dongfan.

Section Chief Sun's face shifted instantly, and he reflexively looked at Lin Dongfan to gauge his reaction.

The firefighters also exchanged glances, clearly having heard of Ye Jiaying's fame; they never expected this anti‑corruption case to involve that female billionaire.

Meng Qinghe watched everyone's shocked expressions, a faint, covert smile tugging at his lips—like grasping a lifeline in danger.

If Ye Jiaying were dragged down, Lin Dongfan would indeed have some reservations.

The smile on Lin Dongfan's face froze in an instant, a flash of icy anger crossing his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, replacing it with a near‑mocking calm.

He stared at Meng Qinghe.

He spoke slowly, his voice thick with sarcasm: "You Meng, you say this gold was given to you by President Ye. Then explain why she'd give you so much gold—what does she want from you? Is it because you're ugly enough to be unique? Or because you're fatty enough to serve as a meat pad?"

You—!!

Meng Qinghe choked, unable to speak, his face flushing red.

His previous aggrieved posture collapsed instantly: "Just talk about the matter—why yell at someone for no reason? This doesn't befit a mayor's dignity and breadth."

You've got the nerve to lecture me about dignity and breadth?

Lin Dongfan snorted coldly, suddenly raised his voice, and barked: "I'm asking you! Why did Ye Jiaying give you gold? Answer me!!!"

That roar burst like thunder, shaking everyone's eardrums.

Meng Qinghe shuddered all over, instinctively shrinking his neck; his earlier arrogance vanished, leaving him timid once more.

"Back… back when you were still working at a state‑owned enterprise, you hadn't been transferred to Wuzhou yet."

Meng Qinghe stammered his reply.

His eyes darted: "Ye Jiaying wanted to expand her business in Wuzhou. A big project was stuck in the approval process, not moving forward, so she sought me out. Those days, she and I got fairly close……

He hadn't finished speaking, but the meaning was clear—Ye Jiaying gave him those five hundred catties of gold to get his help approving the project; it was a quid‑pro‑quo.

Lin Dongfan listened, his heart cold with contempt.

In this world, nobody knows Ye Jiaying better than Lin Dongfan himself. That woman is mild‑tempered yet extraordinarily capable; with Lin Dongfan's backing she fought her way up to become a female billionaire.

With the political resources and connections possessed by Ye Jiaying.

Not to mention a project in Wuzhou; even nationwide, few dare to trip her up; she doesn't need to curry favor with someone like Meng Qinghe.

Meng Qinghe, you bastard, you're clearly lying!

This bastard knows he can't escape the law, so he wants to drag in a big shot as a shield; as Lin Dongfan's first love girlfriend, Ye Jiaying is undoubtedly the best target.

As long as Ye Jiaying is dragged in, he can create public opinion chaos, possibly even make the investigation team hesitant to act, giving him a chance to find an escape opportunity.

What a beautiful thought!

Lin Dongfan burned with anger inside, yet outwardly he remained calm.

He knows he cannot now expose his true relationship with Ye Jiaying, nor reveal her background, or else things will only become more complicated.

「Looks like you won't cry until you see the coffin. 」

Lin Dongfan stared coldly at Meng Qinghe and ordered Section Chief Sun: 「Take him down first, detain him at the holding point, and interrogate him strictly! I want to see what story he can still make up! 」

「Yes! 」

Section Chief Sun beckoned to the two disciplinary commission officers beside him.

The two disciplinary commission officers immediately stepped forward, propped up the limp Meng Qinghe on the ground, and were about to take him out the door.

「Mayor Lin, I'm telling the truth! You can't wrong me! 」 Meng Qinghe struggled and shouted: 「This gas cylinder was really given to me by Ye Jiaying; if you don't believe me, go check! 」

Lin Dongfan couldn't be bothered to pay attention to his shouting.

He turned to instruct Section Chief Sun: 「Section Chief Sun, the follow-up work here is left to you; the gold bars must be properly sealed and handed over. Also continue interrogating Meng Wanqing over there, see if we can dig up more clues. 」

「Don't worry, Mayor Lin! 」 Section Chief Sun nodded solemnly: 「You go ahead and attend to your business; I've got this. 」

Lin Dongfan grunted, no longer lingering, turned and quickly walked out of the villa.

The night was deep, the late wind slightly cool, yet it could not dispel the anger and doubt in his heart. Seeing Meng Qinghe's earlier solemn and earnest appearance, could it be that Ye Jiaying truly has dealings with him?

Lin Dongfan dared not think further, immediately took out his phone and told Lao Ba to drive the car over.

Heading to Everyman Grand Hotel.

At the same time.

The Nineteenth Floor of Everyman Grand Hotel, which is not open to the outside, remains very tranquil and comfortable.

Ye Jiaying held a glass of red wine, sitting before the huge floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the enchanting city nightscape outside, in good spirits.

The phone beside her suddenly chimed with a message notification.

She picked up the phone, glanced at it, and a faint smile curled her lips. It was a message from Lin Dongfan saying he would be there shortly and asking her to wait there.

It had been Along time since she last had a private, leisurely chat with Lin Dongfan.

"Understood."

She replied with just three words, then Ye Jiaying set down her phone and wine, rose, and picked the sexiest silk nightgown from the wardrobe.

That kind of sheer, barely-there look is what the important person likes most.