Chapter 1037: Leaping Forward, Questioning the Original Heart

The wind on the rooftop, carrying the chill of night, Wang Qigang remained silent throughout.

He slowly rose from the ground, his face ashen like dead ash, indescribable in words, his gaze hollow to the extreme.

"If you won't face the problem you should face, are you still a man!"

Seeing Wang Qigang turn and walk toward the edge of the rooftop, Lin Dongfan couldn't resist provoking him again.

Unexpectedly…

It was utterly useless.

No matter how sharp the provocation, it couldn't sway one bent on death.

Only to see Wang Qigang suddenly leap, his silhouette vanishing from the rooftop in an instant, the action so decisive it shocked onlookers, this time truly without a hint of hesitation.

"Bang!!!"

A dull impact sound came from below, shattering the city's clamor.

Lin Dongfan hurried to the edge.

He looked down.

His heart leapt to his throat as he saw Wang Qigang's body lying on the concrete below, blood spreading rapidly, drawing terrified screams and onlookers.

Lin Dongfan took out his phone, dialed 120 and then 110, calling for help.

He hung up.

Lin Dongfan stood at the rooftop edge, gazing at the distant city's myriad lights; his eyes showed no ripple, only a faint, barely perceptible heaviness and regret.

Wang Qigang's choice was both beyond expectation and yet within anticipation.

For someone as cowardly and selfish as him, faced with utter ruin, death might seem the only escape.

Yet this leap.

Yet stirred a great commotion in Wuzhou and even the whole province.

A report claiming "Lin Dongfan drove Wang Qigang to death" spread like wildfire, quickly fermenting and spreading throughout the province.

All kinds of speculation and rumors emerged endlessly.

Some said Lin Dongfan deliberately set a trap to eliminate rivals, forcing Wang Qigang.

Others said Lin Dongfan acted too ruthlessly, disregarding personal ties.

Even those unaware of the truth portrayed Wang Qigang as a "victim of oppression," condemning Lin Dongfan in speech and writing.

A vortex of public opinion surged forth.

Relevant departments also received multiple complaint letters demanding an investigation into Lin Dongfan's "abuse of power and driving a colleague to death."

Three days later.

Lin Dongfan received a notice of a talk from his superiors.

As he entered Jiang Huantian's office with a heavy heart, the white-haired, stern Jiang Huantian comrade was equally grave to the extreme.

"Please have a seat."

Jiang Huantian lifted his eyes, his face devoid of its former smile.

Lin Dongfan sat in the chair opposite him, upright and composed.

"I'm about to retire, and now you give me such a big parting gift." Jiang Huantian tossed the file onto the desk, wearing a bitter smile.

On the file cover was plainly written "Report on the Investigation of Complaints Concerning Comrade Lin Dongfan."

Jiang Huantian sighed: "You're making me retire with regret."

"Sorry." Lin Dongfan eased his emotions and spoke sincerely: "I know this incident has caused a bad social impact. But my intention was not to drive Wang Qigang to death; I only hoped he would voluntarily surrender, fully disclose the issues, and seek leniency."

He paused briefly.

Lin Dongfan further self‑critiqued: "However, on the rooftop I did say some things that were overly aggressive—I admit that. I overestimated Wang Qigang's psychological endurance and overlooked possible negative repercussions. This is my mistake, and I am willing to make a thorough self‑examination."

Jiang Huantian gazed at him, silent for Along time.

He knew Lin Dongfan's character: upright, capable, resolute—a rare good cadre.

Since Lin Dongfan was transferred to Wuzhou.

He has observed all of Lin Dongfan's actions.

He has purged officialdom's malpractice, advanced livelihood projects, and resolved multiple lingering historical issues.

Although Wang Qigang's death is indirectly linked to Lin Dongfan's words and deeds, the root lies in Wang Qigang himself, where corruption and cowardice coexist.

"Dongfan, you are a capable cadre."

Jiang Huantian's tone softened as he spoke earnestly: "But officialdom isn't a battlefield where you must fight to the death; you can't play the black‑and‑white game."

Lin Dongfan nodded, indicating he was listening attentively.

Jiang Huantian again advised: "I see you're not someone who lacks flexibility; you simply choose not to be flexible. Your overly rigid approach easily offends people—this incident is a lesson. In the future, when faced with matters, I hope you consider the consequences more and weigh the impact. Don't just pursue justice while neglecting method."

"Thank you, Secretary Jiang, for your guidance; I'll remember it." Lin Dongfan rose, bowed deeply: "Your reminder has benefited me greatly."

Jiang Huantian waved his hand: "Go back now and handle the follow‑up matters properly. Remember, as an official, you must hold to the bottom line and know when to advance or retreat."

"Mm."

Leaving the office building, Lin Dongfan drove straight home.

Night had deepened.

The house was quiet; Chu Lingxi had already fallen asleep.

Lin Dongfan didn't turn on the lights, went straight to the living‑room wall where his grandfather's portrait hung.

Having finished offering three sticks of incense.

Lin Dongfan stared at the portrait for Along time, unsure what to say to his grandfather.

He never really wanted this iron‑rice‑bowl job; it was his grandfather's stubborn insistence that caused many arguments between them.

Later, he reluctantly gave in, not wanting to hurt his grandfather's feelings.

Over these years, he has struggled in this fish pond, seen too much darkness and complexity, and endured too much helplessness.

The more he experiences, the more he feels that this road is truly hard to walk.

In daily life, every word and deed must constantly consider consequences. One careless moment, and what's done cannot be undone. For example, this time, Wang Qigang's death, public opinion's pressure, Jiang Huantian's reprimand…

Like countless needles, they pierce his heart.

Now the old master has passed, and no one forces him to cling to the iron bowl any longer. Does this mean that now is the time to let go?

In an instant.

This thought, like wild grass, grows wildly in Lin Dongfan's heart.

He silently gazes at his grandfather's portrait; though his complex eyes hold confusion and fatigue, they are filled more with a longing for freedom.

"Honey, you're back? Why didn't you turn on the light?"

Suddenly, Chu Lingxi's voice came from behind him.

The living room light also turned on; it was Chu Lingxi who flipped the switch.

Lin Dongfan turned to face Chu Lingxi, forcing out a bitter smile: "I thought you were asleep, afraid to disturb you, so I stayed silent……"

She's sweetly naive, but sometimes she's not truly hopelessly foolish.

She glanced at the portrait on the wall, then at Lin Dongfan's dejected expression, and, piecing together the recent negative news, she already understood roughly what was going on.

She stepped forward and embraced Lin Dongfan.

She pressed her head tightly against Lin Dongfan's chest: "Honey, don't put too much pressure on yourself; if you feel too tired, let's take a break……"