Chapter 152

Wang Minjuan originally just wrapped herself in a white bathrobe; to show respect for Lin Dongfan, she deliberately changed into a business suit when going downstairs, paired with warm black stockings, and applied light makeup.

In her early thirties, she was in her prime.

Adding this efficient yet still sexy mature-woman outfit instantly pushed that powerful executive aura to its peak.

Those red high-heeled shoes on her feet seemed to tread not the floor, but the rhythm of officialdom.

The hot spring valley had not yet officially opened to the public, and the service staff were not fully assembled; Wang Minjuan escorted Lin Dongfan to the business reception room and personally made tea and poured water for him.

Lin Dongfan examined the elegant decor with interest, casually praising: 'Director Wang, this place isn't low-end; ordinary people probably can't afford to spend here, right?'

This is the business reception room, prepared to serve high-end business. Our hot spring valley also has affordable, people-friendly salon clubs.

Wang Minjuan gave a brief introduction.

She then smiled and asked for tea: 'Section Chief Lin, try my tea-making skill—learned and sold on the spot; if there's any shortcoming in hospitality, please don't laugh at me.'

'I didn't expect to drink tea personally brewed by Director Wang.' Lin Dongfan lifted the cup, first smelled the aroma, then took a light sip: 'The gold melon tribute tea from Wuliang Mountain indeed has a different taste.'

'As long as you like it.'

In the course of chatting and laughing, Wang Minjuan gazed at Lin Dongfan in disbelief, never expecting that a mere section chief like him could discern that this was the gold melon tribute tea from Wuliang Mountain.

This indicates Lin Dongfan is not drinking this tea for the first time.

As a member of the Faction, he dares to reveal that he often drinks gold melon tribute tea, dares to commute in an Audi A6, and dares to own two courtyard houses on Jing Erhuan.

Even his father-in-law Chu Jinsong probably wouldn't dare to do these things so recklessly.

Where does he get his confidence?

The more Wang Minjuan looked, the more puzzled she became, unable to see what kind of person Lin Dongfan really was, nor could she guess what he intended to do tonight.

She slightly steadied her mind.

Wang Minjuan smiled and flattered: 'Section Chief Lin, today, with the identity of a section chief, you apprehended a real-power holding vice-ministerial-level official; congratulations on making a name for yourself in one battle.'

'Do you think this is like leveling up by defeating monsters?' Lin Dongfan gave a light smile.

Wang Minjuan couldn't tell whether it was an angry laugh or a happy one, so she forced a smile: 'Whether it's monster-slaying leveling or not, if you need my cooperation anywhere, just speak up.'

'Then I'll speak plainly.'

'You speak, I'm listening.'

'Our task force is stationed in Nanzhou, investigating the 9·28 forest fire case. Everyone knows in their hearts whether that blaze was arson or accidental.'

'Section Chief Lin, that fire really has nothing to do with me...'

'Don't rush; first hear me out.'

'You speak.'

'The head of the Forest Faction, Yin Qiuhong, has already fled abroad; moreover, the former director of the Qingbamboo Ridge Project Development Department, Dai Fengnian, now lies in hospital unconscious. However, that does not mean the 9·28 forest fire case will become a dead case that must be suspended, do you agree?'

'Hehe, that's your task force's business; I shouldn't casually comment.'

'You're right; this matter is for our task force to decide. Within three days, I want to see Yang Tao return home safe and sound. At the same time, I hope a certain involved group will proactively calculate the Yang family's economic losses, paying whatever amount is due, including compensation for mental anguish and reputation damage, etc. —everything that should be paid must be paid.'

'Section Chief Lin, which involved group are you referring to?'

'I don't know exactly which group it is; bottom line, whoever gives me face, I'll give face to; whoever slaps my face, even if the Municipal Party Committee's Number One comes out, I'll still act without hesitation.'

Saying this, Lin Dongfan picked up the half-finished cup of tea.

But he did not drink it.

Instead, he slowly poured it onto the ground like a libation: 'This cup, I offer to the innocent souls who perished in the fire.'

'Section Chief Lin truly values sentiment and righteousness.'

Wang Minjuan's face bore a calm smile, but her heart was heavy with worry, as if dark clouds stretched ten thousand miles; she really wanted to snap and ask—'What the hell kind of person are you?!'

But she didn't dare act so arrogantly; she had to steady her emotions.

Even if the Municipal Party Committee's Number One steps forward, I'll still act without hesitation!

Truly unexpected—this guy Lin Dongfan doesn't even put the Municipal Party Committee's high secretary in his eyes.

Seeing his full confidence, it doesn't look like he's putting on airs.

What background does he actually have?

Relying solely on his father-in-law Chu Jinsong clearly cannot support his contemptuous, terrifying aura; could his background be the Provincial Party Committee's Secretary Liang?

Thinking this, Wang Minjuan felt she probably hadn't guessed wrong.

Wang Minjuan steadied herself and returned a faint smile: 'Regardless of whether these demands are reasonable, I fully understand your feelings; may I dare to ask about something?'

'Go ahead and speak.' Lin Dongfan remained expressionless.

Wang Minjuan smiled meaningfully: 'I've heard that Provincial Party Committee Secretary Liang is about to be transferred out of Jianglan Province. In your view, who will have the final say on Nanzhou's affairs in the future?'

The implication was a mocking laugh:

'After Secretary Liang is transferred, will you, Lin Dongfan, still dare to boast like you do now?'

She didn't know that even the Liang Secretary, who seemed to hold supreme power in her eyes, relied on the Lin family's strength to steadily reach today.

Lin Dongfan, unconvinced, smiled and retorted: 'From what you're saying, did I just spout a bunch of nonsense?'

'You misunderstand.' Wang Minjuan's confidence grew: 'My meaning is, you want face, and others want face too. I think Yang Tao should have a chance to return home safely—that's giving you face. As for compensation and such, that's likely difficult, given the forest fire case has already been determined. For example, if you step forward out of nowhere to pay money, people will surely think you started the fire, which is inappropriate.'

'Inappropriate, then you mean there's no room for negotiation?' Lin Dongfan laughed with anger.

Wang Minjuan calmly shook her head: 'No room for negotiation.'

'I just like chatting with straightforward people like you.' Lin Dongfan didn't waste words, immediately pulled out his phone and called Jian Sining: 'Come back for a trip, please invite Director Wang to the Faction for tea.'

Hearing this, Wang Minjuan's face changed in shock.

Wang Minjuan swallowed her anger and smiled: 'Section Chief Lin, I've already given you plenty of face; you not giving me face like this—aren't you afraid of ruining your own bright future?'

'I think you're giving face without keeping face.'

Lin Dongfan stared directly at Wang Minjuan, whose face was slightly angry.

He fired off a tirade: 'The dead certainly can't come back to life, but the living must do their best to soothe others' emotions; you can't let people lose family and still carry a wrongful debt. As long as you release people and pay compensation, this matter is settled. I've taken such a big step back, yet you push forward! You say I won't do it—then who will?'

The one who's pushing ahead now is you, huh?!!

Wang Minjuan, her anger fully ignited, directly pulled up Secretary Gao's phone number.

She displayed the dialing interface in front of Lin Dongfan.

She threatened with a smile: "It's not my fault, you insist on blaming me! Do you think Secretary Gao will support you? If you don't know when to quit, I'll call him now."

"Nüwa's clay-human factory must be lacking a quality control department; otherwise, how could a product with a flawed brain like yours be let onto the market." Lin Dongfan's face darkened with anger: "You actually threaten me? Then I'll plainly tell you: even if you summon the Gao-surname to back you up, I'll still crush you!"