Chapter 1024

Inside the presidential suite on the nineteenth floor of the Everyman Grand Hotel, crystal lights refracted a soft warm glow, rendering the room luxurious and tranquil.

As Lin Dongfan pushed the door open, Ye Jiaying had just changed into silk pajamas and was standing by the bar adjusting a wine glass.

The lighting was alluring, the beauty graceful in many ways.

The wine-red silk pajamas, as thin as morning mist, both complemented Ye Jiaying's skin, white as congealed fat, and traced her exquisite curves.

Compared to the girl of years past whose smile blossomed like a flower, she now possessed a touch more mature charm, her brows and eyes revealing a hint of composure gained from business experience, yet she still retained the innate gentleness within.

But Lin Dongfan presently had no interest in rolling in the sheets.

He pulled the door shut behind him, his footsteps heavy on the wool carpet as he walked straight to the sofa and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the decanter on the coffee table.

He casually picked up a stemmed glass and poured himself a full glass of red wine.

He tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp.

The crimson liquor slid down his throat.

The burning sensation still could not quench the anxiety in his heart.

Ye Jiaying was startled by his demeanor, set down her stirrer, walked over slowly, and sat close beside Lin Dongfan.

She linked her arm with his and asked, "What's wrong? Your mood seems a bit heavy today."

"Sit opposite."

Lin Dongfan clung to the delicate jade-like hand twined around his arm.

This cold, unfeeling side made Ye Jiaying feel somewhat disappointed, but she said nothing more, obediently rising and sitting opposite him.

Lin Dongfan locked eyes with her, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Two years, did you give Meng Qinghe five hundred catties of gold? Worth a full 120 million!"

His words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, and the composure on Ye Jiaying's face froze instantly.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes full of bewilderment: "What gold?"

Seeing Lin Dongfan with a cold face and not speaking,

Ye Jiaying then gave a knowing smile: "My Mayor Lin, where did you hear this nonsense? I could never have given him gold."

"Nonsense?"

Lin Dongfan's face turned cold as frost.

His gaze fixed on Ye Jiaying: "Today the Commission for Discipline Inspection found five hundred catties of gold at Meng Qinghe's home, and he insists it was you who, years ago, gave him this kickback to secure his help in approving the project."

"Has Meng Qinghe been arrested?"

Ye Jiaying started slightly, but the surprise on her face quickly faded, replaced by calm: "No wonder you're so nervous..."

She picked up the aerated red wine and slowly poured two glasses.

She then explained slowly:

"Two years ago, the Place government indeed approached me."

"At the time, Place's Number One Landmark project had been stalled for years, becoming a heartache for the city."

"The Investment Promotion Bureau's staff, eager to revive the project, turned to our Mortal Group, hoping we would increase investment in Place and take over this mess."

"The head of the Investment Promotion Bureau, Yu Youxian—you should know him, right?"

"He was an old subordinate of your father-in-law Chu Jinsong; back when you worked at a state-owned enterprise, I had several contacts with him."

As she spoke, Ye Jiaying lifted her wine glass, took a sip of red wine to moisten her throat.

She then continued:

"Director Yu personally sought me out, speaking earnestly and even mentioning Chu Jinsong's dignity; since he invoked Chu Jinsong, I naturally could not refuse his request."

Lin Dongfan said nothing, merely listening quietly, his brows still furrowed.

He knew Ye Jiaying would not lie, but Meng Qinghe's confession lay there; he suspected there must be some misunderstanding, so he waited silently for her further explanation.

Ye Jiaying said:

"To get that stalled project moving, our Mortal Group quickly poured in a large sum of funds, formed a project team, and prepared to demolish and rebuild."

"But we never expected that, once the project launched, it would get stuck in the approval process."

Saying this, Ye Jiaying's tone grew a bit more helpless.

With a face that was equal parts laughter and tears:

"Our original plan was to demolish the original landmark building and rebuild it as 'Mortal Plaza,' creating a commercial center integrating shopping, dining, and office space."

"That would maximize land value and also stimulate the surrounding economy."

"But the government suddenly blocked us, saying we could only rebuild according to the original engineering design, not change the project's nature."

"In other words, we could only build a super‑high‑rise landmark tower, not a low‑rise commercial center."

"For this matter, I approached Director Yu several times."

"He too was embarrassed, saying this wasn't his decision to make; it needed approval from the city's leaders. Later he secretly told me the main resistance came from the then Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Wang Qigang."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows.

Lin Dongfan wondered aloud: "When Wang Qigang was in office, he was extremely eager for political achievements; building a comprehensive commercial zone would hardly be bad for him, so why would he create obstacles?"

"Sigh~~"

Ye Jiaying let out a light sigh.

She replied with a smile:

"That landmark building was originally spearheaded by Wang Qigang himself. Later, due to the investor's troubles, the whole project ended up ruined in the ground."

"If we were to turn it into a commercial center,"

"in Wang Qigang's view, this would be overturning his earlier urban planning, tantamount to slapping his face, so he has continually interfered, delaying the approval process and refusing to grant it."

"I once wanted to meet Wang Qigang in person to talk."

"But he consistently avoided me, saying he was in meetings or on business trips, never giving me a chance to communicate."

As she spoke, Ye Jiaying helplessly shook her head again.

Ye Jiaying sighed:

Later, it was still Yu Youxian who acted as an intermediary, letting me sit down with Executive Vice Mayor Meng Qinghe for a chat. Yu Youxian said Meng Qinghe carries weight in the city and might be able to help.

I met Meng Qinghe once, and it was in his office.

Recalling the scene of that meeting.

Ye Jiaying gave another bitter laugh:

He appeared courteous on the surface, saying he would do his best to coordinate.

But between the lines he was hinting that this matter wouldn't be easy, that there was great resistance.

He especially emphasized that the landmark building had originally been decided upon by Secretary Wang himself; now to change it would be to negate Secretary Wang's work, making it difficult for him.

I could see right away that he was someone who wouldn't act without profit, looking for some benefit.

Lin Dongfan questioned doubtfully: "So you compromised?"

"Impossible." Ye Jiaying said: "Not to mention five hundred catties of gold, even five hundred yuan—I could never give it to him. If I acted recklessly, you'd have me abolished."

Seeing Ye Jiaying's aggrieved expression, Lin Dongfan stopped questioning and just picked up his drink and drank.

Ye Jiaying added: "That conversation ended unhappily. After that, I had no further contact with Meng Qinghe."

"How did the project approval go later?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Ye Jiaying replied: "I handed the project over to Liu Bifu, the Regional General Manager of the East China Region, letting him take full responsibility for follow-up."

After a brief recollection.

Ye Jiaying continued:

"At the time I was busy with the group's other businesses, didn't have much energy to manage the project's details, only telling him to get things done as quickly as possible."

Later Liu Bifu told me the approval procedures were completed and the project could proceed according to our plan, so I didn't ask further.

Exactly how he communicated with the government and what methods he used, I really don't know.

Having said that,

Ye Jiaying also raised three fingers.

She solemnly told Lin Dongfan: "Dongfan, I can swear in the name of Mortal Group that I have never given Meng Qinghe any gold, nor have I authorized anyone to give him benefits."

The Wuzhou commercial district project, for our Mortal Group, is actually optional.

Back then we took over that stalled project solely out of face for Secretary Chu, to give Yu Youxian a stepping stone; whether it succeeded or not, it wouldn't affect our group's business development.

Lin Dongfan fell silent.

He understood Ye Jiaying's character and also believed she would not do such a thing.

But why would Meng Qinghe insist that she gave him the gold? How did Liu Bifu manage to get the approval procedures done back then? The doubts here still need to be examined one by one.