Chapter 114: The Glory My Wife Longs For

In Nanzhou, Xiao Yunce is a genuine second-in-command, holding real power.

A typical old fox, crafty and slippery.

To move against him, one must have solid evidence; otherwise, one could be bitten back at any moment. Even though Lin Dongfan has experienced two lifetimes, obtaining evidence is not easy.

Currently, Yin Qiuhong is on the run.

The only people truly caught by the Executive Gang are former Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau Director Cheng Dao, former Qingzhu Ling Project Development Department Head Dai Fengnian, and Changming District Education Bureau Director Ding Yuxia.

Cheng Dao dare not speak of any matter because his daughter Cheng Feilan is under the Executive Gang's control.

Dai Fengnian remains comatose in the hospital to this day.

Ding Yuxia is quite cooperative, but the evidence obtainable from her is limited.

The Anti-Corruption Task Force can only investigate Ding Yuxia's corruption issues; as for her years of illicit relations with Xiao Yunce, that is a matter of personal conduct, under the jurisdiction of the Discipline Inspection Commission Department.

After the task force finishes investigating Ding Yuxia's corruption, she must be handed over to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

Whether the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission will pursue the personal conduct issue to the end and expose the power-sex transaction between Ding Yuxia and Xiao Yunce depends on how vigorous its investigation is.

So far, Lin Dongfan can only take things step by step.

However…

Lin Dongfan firmly believes one thing:

If Yin Qiuhong has already fled the country, Xiao Yunce will surely send people to secretly assassinate her, because Yin Qiuhong is a core member of the Executive Gang and knows far too much.

And Yin Qiuhong's next move will surely be to find a way to escape Xiao Yunce's pursuit.

Therefore, the surprising big gift Yin Qiuhong mentioned is likely evidence against Xiao Yunce! The reason is simple: only by eliminating Xiao Yunce can she truly escape his pursuit.

We are all old foxes of a thousand years; none of us are saints—either you kill me or I kill you.

The People's Congress election in April.

Xiao Yunce's fate will face two extremes: either remove the acting cap and be promoted to Mayor, or be arrested on election day and become a prisoner.

Today is February 10, 2010.

The People's Congress meeting is still two months away.

New Year's Eve is still three days away.

The flies and tigers of officialdom are endless, but family can be counted on one hand; now Lin Dongfan doesn't want to think much, just wants to enjoy this holiday properly.

Go witness his wife's glorious moment on stage, and spend a good New Year with family.

February 11 afternoon.

Lin Dongfan's flight arrived on schedule in Jingcheng; sunlight filtered through thin clouds, falling on Jingcheng's bustling streets, gilding this power-filled city with a layer of gold.

In this city, it's said that a casually thrown brick could knock down a whole row of Section Chiefs.

Thinking of himself, he is still only a section-level official.

Lin Dongfan gazed up at the flag fluttering in the wind on the square, his heart filled with emotion: "In my past life I had no chance to stand out; in this life, I not only want to reach the pinnacle of power, I also want to… pretend to be cool, Lin Dongfan, you're so goofy, you can't just spout inappropriate remarks; a super rich guy can only be a hidden trait…"

After thinking this through, Lin Dongfan straightened his posture and gave a salute to the flag fluttering in the wind.

He assumed a solemn appearance, treating wealth as dirt.

He bore righteous vigor.

He had his wife in his heart.

Ten minutes later, arriving at the hotel, Lin Dongfan could not wait to call Chu Lingxi: "Lingxi, I've arrived in Jingcheng; I just sent you the address."

"I'm in the broadcast hall; rehearsal just ended, I'm coming to find you now."

"Or I'll pick you up; you tell me a location."

"CCTV West Gate."

"OK."

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, no joke—after hanging up, Lin Dongfan went downstairs, hailed a cab, and headed straight for CCTV West Gate like an tireless war god.

The highest etiquette for seeing one's wife requires not only love in the heart but also flowers in hand.

I don't know which sage said that, but Lin Dongfan found it reasonable; so midway he had the driver stop at a nearby flower shop and buy a large bouquet of red roses.

The outdoor temperature dropped to minus five degrees.

At this moment, Chu Lingxi was wrapped in a military-green overcoat that hid her perfect figure without a gap, her face also muffled in a thick scarf, leaving only her eyes exposed.

She stood by the roadside, looking around like a silly girl.

"Honey, I'm here."

Seeing Lin Dongfan get out of the car, Chu Lingxi excitedly waved her hands.

If she hadn't called out, Lin Dongfan might not have recognized his own wife; a Southern small potato, upon reaching the North, indeed feels a bit unacclimated.

Lin Dongfan stepped forward with the bouquet: "How come you're dressed like that?"

"My mom said, a beautiful woman easily attracts envy; this way is safer." Chu Lingxi smiled, showing two little dimples: "Honey, am I being good?"

"Good, here's a bouquet of fresh flowers for you." Lin Dongfan handed over the roses he held.

Chu Lingxi took it and inhaled deeply.

Blissfully content, she murmured, "So fragrant, I want another hug…" As she spoke, she lifted her military coat, intending to wrap Lin Dongfan inside.

Lin Dongfan was ultimately half a head taller than her.

It wasn't as simple as her wanting to wrap him up.

Lin Dongfan still affectionately kissed her forehead, smiling: "Let's hug back at the hotel; have these days of rehearsal been tiring?"

"Tiring but worth it—that's the big stage of the Spring Festival Gala."

For many dancers, standing on the Spring Festival Gala stage is undoubtedly an honor; Chu Lingxi is no exception, her smile brimming with pride.

"Dream Returning to a Thousand Years" is a dance blending classical and modern elements.

Its difficulty coefficient is very high.

In order to present a perfect performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage, Chu Lingxi had been practicing for several months, and even after becoming pregnant she did not stop rehearsing; the sweat she shed unknown how many sets of dance costumes it had soaked.

Chu Lingxi laughed excitedly and said: "You have no idea, those classmates from the dance academy back then were so envious of me, every day in the group they asked me to share the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal scene."

"Add me to the group, let me take a look." Lin Dongfan said.

Chu Lingxi immediately pulled out her phone and added Lin Dongfan to the group: "I'm not bragging, now in the classmates group I'm the brightest star, someone tags me every day."

"Really?"

Lin Dongfan replied with a smile.

Actually she had never doubted her wife's charm; the purpose of joining the group was purely to see if any male creature was harassing her silly, sweet wife.

A quick glance showed the group atmosphere was still decent.

Ai Meijia: "Lingxi, who's the newcomer?"

Chu Lingxi: "My husband."

Young Lady: "Is your husband handsome? Send a photo for verification."

Chu Lingxi giggled and directly posted a picture.

In an instant, a large crowd of onlookers erupted, message notifications chiming nonstop, all showing red-heart eyes, lovestruck drooling emojis.

"Heaven is so unfair, giving all the best to Lingxi, I protest."

"Lingxi, you're not only on the Spring Festival Gala, you're also showing off your husband, and such a handsome husband—frankly speaking, I'm jealous; you decide, want to grab a meal?"

"Handsome guy, you joined the group but aren't speaking? Come out and shout."

"Haha, my husband is an upstanding person, works at the Anti-Corruption Bureau, you can't flirt with him, so give it up—who just said they wanted to treat me to a meal?"

"You name the place, I'll pay."

"Lingxi, I've tried to invite you several times, but you've been busy rehearsing. Tomorrow I'm going to the capital; at that time, bring your husband and let's all get together."

"Ahem, to treat Lingxi to a meal you have to queue up, please be conscious."

……

Messages rolled up one after another, dazzling the eyes.

Lin Dongfan really hadn't expected that the silly sweet wife would be so popular in the classmates group, with so many people vying to treat her to a meal.

But thinking about it, it's also normal.

Even if some people don't know Chu Lingxi's family background, just the fact that she performed on the Spring Festival Gala is already enough to make a stunning debut.

This world is just that realistic.

Whoever is popular.

Everyone then chases after them.

Lin Dongfan politely posted a message in the group: "Thank you everyone for caring about my wife; tonight at eight, I'm hosting a banquet at Quanjude, hoping you can grace us with your presence."

As soon as this message was sent, the group exploded again.

Handsome guy, imposing!

These four words are the main theme.

But……

Whether it was Lin Dongfan or Chu Lingxi, neither would have imagined that at this very moment, the staff of the Spring Festival Gala program team were calling the leader of the cultural troupe, Ying Jie.

To be precise, it was to notify Ying Jie:

Chu Lingxi's performance piece—"Dream Return to a Thousand Years"—had its stage qualification revoked by the director team.