Chapter 1025

The next morning.

Lin Dongfan stepped out of the Everyman Grand Hotel with weary steps, his brow still furrowed with the doubts left over from last night.

He hadn't slept all night.

In the first half of the night, his mind was busy sorting out Meng Qinghe's accusations and Ye Jiaying's explanations, but in the end he still couldn't reach a clear conclusion; all the problems lay with Liu Bifu, the general manager of the East China region.

The second half of the night he spent trying to prove he was still sharp.

He fought until ammunition and provisions ran out, yet still lost to Ye Jiaying, who was like rain after Along drought. People say a woman in her thirties is like a wolf, in her forties like a tiger—and that's absolutely true.

At the hotel entrance.

A black special car was already parked quietly, with driver Lao Ba waiting beside it.

Seeing Lin Dongfan come out, Lao Ba immediately opened the rear car door.

Waiting for Lin Dongfan to get in.

Lao Ba closed the door, walked around to the driver's seat, sat down, and asked softly, "Back to the office or home? Secretary Chen said there's no schedule today."

Exhausted, Lin Dongfan leaned back in the seat, rubbing his temples, and said, "To the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission."

Received.

Leaders say go where they say, and Lao Ba never asks why; his driving skills are top-notch, emphasizing steady and stable.

The car remained quiet all the way; Lin Dongfan closed his eyes to rest, but his thoughts drifted to Leng Chuan.

Back when he first joined the Provincial Anti-Corruption and Bribery Bureau, Leng Chuan was still the deputy director of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau. They were teacher and friend, and even more, life-and-death brothers, looking out for each other all along.

Later, the institution was restructured.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau's functions were abolished and merged into the supervisory system, and the personnel layout was completely reshuffled.

In the blink of an eye, several years passed; Comrade Leng Chuan, relying on his firm political awareness and his workaholic, ice-cold demeanor even after his wife's death, rose steadily through the ranks.

He now holds the positions of standing committee member of the Provincial Party Committee, secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, and director of the Provincial Supervisory Commission.

He wields full authority over provincial discipline inspection, supervision, and anti-corruption work.

Saying he holds high rank and great power is no exaggeration.

His influence within the province is immense.

Not long ago, the former Wuzhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary Wang Qigang, who had come to grief in the Wuzhou political turmoil, was demoted four grades and assigned to the Provincial People's Congress as a second-grade researcher.

Leng Chuan's strong intervention was also involved.

Demoting Wang Qigang to the Provincial People's Congress may seem like a sinecure, but in fact it's because his base hasn't been cleared; they temporarily bind his movements with an idle post, to settle accounts when the time is ripe.

Meng Qinghe dared to openly turn on Ye Jiaying, fabricating the lie about giving gold as a gift! Lin Dongfan guessed that behind this, there was an eighty or ninety percent chance it was connected to Wang Qigang.

This matter must be discussed face-to-face with Leng Chuan to gauge the province's stance and dig deep into the shady dealings behind Wang Qigang.

Just as Lin Dongfan's car set off for the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, another graceful figure stepped out of the Everyman Grand Hotel entrance.

It was Ye Jiaying.

She had already changed into a well-tailored high-end professional outfit.

Her hair was neatly pulled up, shedding last night's laziness and allure; her whole presence radiated, capable and elegant, exuding the powerful aura of a billionaire female tycoon.

After seeing Lin Dongfan off, she couldn't sleep any longer; after a quick freshening up, she set out fully dressed.

Meng Qinghe groundlessly accused him; the Wuzhou No. 1 Landmark stalled renovation project from two years ago was full of suspicions, especially the regional general manager Liu Bifu who took over follow-up matters, about whom nothing is known to this day.

She must rush back to the Mortal Group East China Regional Headquarters at once, personally find Liu Bifu, confront him face-to-face about all the details of the project approval two years ago, and uncover whether any private interests were transferred.

If Liu Bifu really engaged in bribery, then she, as the group's chairman, would also have to take responsibility.

The car was already ready; Ye Jiaying bent to get in, and the vehicle slowly drove away from the hotel, speeding toward the Mortal Group East China Headquarters.

One to the south, one to the north—two leads unfolded simultaneously, each heading for the truth.

Meanwhile,

Lin Dongfan's special car proceeded smoothly all the way, entering the compound of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

The office building of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission was solemn and dignified, its aura stern; guards stood at the gate, and everyone entering or exiting moved with steady steps, exuding a solemn and rigorous atmosphere.

The car stopped steadily, Lao Ba got out and opened the door, Lin Dongfan stepped out and went straight inside.

By his status.

Moreover, having been greeted in advance, the on-duty staff dared not stop him and let him through directly.

Leng Chuan had already received the news, deliberately put aside his work, and waited in his own secretary's office.

The office is simple and dignified, the furnishings are ancient and unpretentious, with no extra luxurious decorations, filled with the scent of books and a steady governmental atmosphere.

Leng Chuan, seated in the office, though over fifty, has a firm countenance, eyes sharp as an eagle, and naturally bears the stern righteousness of a high-ranking discipline inspection official.

Seeing Lin Dongfan enter.

Leng Chuan immediately stood up, the seriousness of work fading from his face, revealing a familiar smile of old friends meeting: 'Dongfan, you little brat, you haven't aged a bit; the longer you live, the younger you get.'

'Thanks to you, I usually have fewer worries, so I stay forever young.'

In the midst of chatting and laughing, Lin Dongfan walked straight in, too lazy to step forward and shake hands with Leng Chuan, embodying the tacit understanding of lifelong comrades who don't need formalities.

'Have a seat and talk.'

Leng Chuan waved his hand to indicate a seat, and also ordered the staff to brew two cups of tea.

Then, together with Lin Dongfan, they sat on the sofa: 'Is there any trouble arising from Meng Qinghe's downfall?'

As expected of the head of the provincial discipline commission, well-informed, he saw through the clue at a glance.

Lin Dongfan also didn't beat around the bush.

Getting straight to the point:

'Meng Qinghe was caught, a huge amount of gold was found in his home, he then turned around and accused, dragging in Ye Jiaying's gift-giving as a way to pave the road, which led to the two-year-old Wuzhou No. 1 landmark renovation project that ended up as a half-finished mess.'

And the root of this matter cannot avoid a person—the former Wuzhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary Wang Qigang.

I came to see you today just to touch base, to dig deep into Wang Qigang's style problems and power-rent-seeking risks when he served in Wuzhou back then.

Let's see just how many shady collusions he and Meng Qinghe are hiding.

Hearing this, Leng Chuan's face gradually darkened.

He lifted the tea cup and took a sip.

He spoke leisurely: "Wang Qigang was demoted four ranks and transferred to the provincial People's Congress; on the surface it looks like being sidelined, but in fact the investigation hasn't gotten to the bottom of it, and our side has also been keeping an eye on his movements. Since you've come to us, it shows there must be hidden details; please go ahead and tell us everything you know in detail, and our provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection can cooperate with you for a thorough investigation."

The office door was shut tight, cutting off all outside clamor.

The two high‑ranking old friends who had fought corruption together and shared a life‑and‑death bond tacitly lowered their voices and began a confidential discussion about Wuzhou officialdom, the Meng Qinghe case, and the layers of mist hidden behind Wang Qigang.

"This is Meng Qinghe's statement from last night."

Lin Dongfan handed a document to Leng Chuan and continued: "Last night I already met with Ye Jiaying; I believe she didn't bribe anyone, because she had no need to."

"What if Liu Bifu did bribe someone?" Leng Chuan looked at Lin Dongfan with a half‑smile.

Lin Dongfan understood and expressed: "Whoever bribed, we'll deal with them; in short… this matter must not drag Ye Jiaying into it. Although she is the chairman of Mortal Group, she knows nothing about this."