Chapter 201: Ordinary Brother Shocked the Whole Bureau

The day after Kang Shaoxiong was criminally detained, the bureau exploded in an uproar.

The office.

Three ambitious youths set aside their work and, without prior agreement, turned their gazes to the charming young married woman Xu Qing, gossiping about Section Chief Lin's awesome deeds.

"What? Deputy Chief Kang was detained? What did he do?"

"I heard he tried to steal a chicken and ended up losing the rice."

"Whose chicken did he try to steal?"

"Yesterday at the Four Seasons Restaurant, Deputy Chief Kang, holding such a large ashtray, took a selfie of his own head, trying to frame Section Chief Lin of the Investigation Division for intentionally injuring someone, but instead he ended up sending himself to the detention center."

"Damn, Deputy Chief Kang is really a tough guy."

"Section Chief Lin is the real tough guy; with one phone call, unknown who he called, he steadied the whole situation."

"Sister Qing, how does he exert control?"

"The responding officer Lao Jin, Deputy Chief Kang's ironclad buddy. Guess what? After Lao Jin arrived, he pulled out handcuffs and cuffed Deputy Chief Kang, leaving him dazed."

"Damn, Section Chief Lin is that awesome?"

"That's called awesome? That's pretty awesome! The first day he came to the unit, I took one look and knew he wasn't an ordinary person."

……

"In the office, there's always endless gossip to talk about."

"But today's gossip topic is obviously more exciting than previous gossip topics."

"Section Chief Lin sent Deputy Chief Kang to detention in less than a month on the job; this terrifying cross-rank thrashing leaves one pondering his strength."

"Peng Tianhua, who was originally on vacation at home planning to watch from the sidelines, also returned to the unit today."

"Peng Tianhua called his confidant Xiao Zhao to his office and solemnly instructed him: 'Notify everyone below, launch the investigation immediately! Even if the road ahead is a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, we must investigate to the end!'"

"Investigate the Sea Mining Group or not? Xiao Zhao was a bit undecided."

"Peng Tianhua gave the order without hesitation: 'We must pursue both lines—investigate the Sea Mining Group and investigate Deputy Chief Kang's dark history. Be proactive; don't wait for Section Chief Lin to come and push you to work. You must take the initiative to act and to move forward.'"

"Understood, I'll go implement it right now."

"Xiao Zhao turned to leave."

"Peng Tianhua added: 'Remember, one never tires of high mountains or deep seas; I estimate Section Chief Lin won't despise you for being foolish. As long as you raise your work enthusiasm, you'll still be good comrades in his eyes.'"

"That makes sense."

"Xiao Zhao nodded seriously, maintaining reverence and humility at all times."

……

"At this moment, the bureau chief's office had a somewhat solemn atmosphere."

"Bureau Chief Li Mingtang, with hands behind his back, paced back and forth in the office, wearing a thoughtful expression."

"Office Chief Qin Lingdong stood to the side and commented: 'Chief Li, Section Chief Lin's move this time is no small matter, and he didn't even give a heads‑up beforehand…'"

"Between the lines, there was a hint of resentment that Lin Dongfan acts as if he's above everyone."

"Li Mingtang swiftly cut off the topic: 'Kang Shaoxiong framed Comrade Lin Dongfan; Lin Dongfan merely made an on‑the‑spot decision—this is an incidental incident.'"

"The implication being, does one need to give a heads‑up when defending oneself on the spot?"

"The incident happened suddenly!"

"It wasn't something they had pre‑planned."

"Qin Lingdong immediately realized he had misspoken and hurriedly corrected: 'I overthought it, Chief Li; then how should we report this to the outside world now?'"

"Li Mingtang returned to his seat and thought carefully."

"He smiled meaningfully:"

""Now everyone says: Kang Shaoxiong violated law and discipline, trying to cover up his dark history and obstructing the Investigation Division's work! Comrade Lin Dongfan is upright and fearless, rising to the challenge—indeed deserving of being the first anti‑corruption hero who dares to dig up ancestors' graves.""

"What a 'now everyone says'—I only hear you saying it."

"Qin Lingdong instantly grasped Chief Li's meaning."

"Li Mingtang lifted his steaming tea, blew on it, and reminded Qin Lingdong: 'Comrade Lin Dongfan's reopening of the Song Wen case investigation is not, as everyone says, unilateral; he has consulted me.'"

"!!!"

"Qin Lingdong broke out in a black line, relieved he hadn't impulsively blamed Lin Dongfan."

"This matter, upon reflection, is extremely terrifying."

"Regarding the reopening of the Song Wen case, if Lin Dongfan had indeed greeted Chief Li, but Chief Li kept pretending to be deaf and mute, saying nothing while allowing Kang Shaoxiong to obstruct the investigation,"

"that would only show that Chief Li is also a hunter, waiting for Kang Shaoxiong to reveal his flaws."

"However…"

"One thing is certain: Kang Shaoxiong is merely an insignificant pawn, or rather a fuse; Chief Li and Lin Dongfan's layout to take down the Kang surname is merely to follow the vine to the melon."

"Having thought this through in silence,"

"Qin Lingdong cautiously expressed his stance to Chief Li: 'Chief Li, in principle I personally strongly support Comrade Lin Dongfan's iron‑fisted crackdown, including purging the corrupt elements within our unit.'"

"Hehe, with your support, I believe his resistance will be much smaller."

"Seeing Qin Lingdong's clear statement, Li Mingtang no longer needed to hammer the point."

"Li Mingtang further instructed: 'Then go coordinate with all units, urge all units to fully support Comrade Lin Dongfan's work. The Song Wen case of suicide to avoid punishment, a major case shelved for three years, involves many aspects. To get to the bottom quickly, without everyone's support it won't work—let everyone cooperate more.'"

"I also had that idea."

"Qin Lingdong and Li Mingtang talked for about half an hour."

"After leaving Chief Li's office, they immediately issued an internal notice, mainly reporting that Kang Shaoxiong had been criminally detained for violating law and discipline; after organizational study, it was decided to remove all of his positions."

"Denying Kang Shaoxiong amounts to affirming Lin Dongfan."

"Once this notice was posted, those with keen senses immediately sensed the shift in direction; henceforth everyone knew whom to support."

"That afternoon."

Qin Lingdong, who never usually goes to the workplace cafeteria to eat, deliberately went to the cafeteria and made do with a meal just to have a couple of words with Lin Dongfan.

"Comrade Dongfan, do you mind if I sit here?"

Qin Lingdong held his tray and walked up to Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan put down his chopsticks, rose, and politely gestured for a seat: "Director Qin, it would be an honor if you could join me for a meal; please sit."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Qin Lingdong sat down opposite Lin Dongfan.

While eating and chatting, he said: "Today I spoke with Director Li about your reopening of the Song Wen case; Director Li and I share the same attitude, and I wholeheartedly support it."

"Thank you, Director Qin, for your support."

Facing Director Qin's positive stance, Lin Dongfan did not feel surprised.

Yesterday a single phone call took down Kang Shaoxiong; the clever people in the unit all feared being implicated, each feeling somewhat uneasy.

All day today, wherever he went was a scene of flattery.

Lin Dongfan frankly said: "To be honest, I don't want to act against my own unit's people, but Kang Shaoxiong is a rotten nail; if we don't pull him out, many things simply cannot move forward."

"I understand your original intention; there's no misunderstanding, I have always maintained an attitude of supporting you."

Qin Lingdong reiterated his position.

He then asked Lin Dongfan a sensitive question: "Those matters concerning the Hai Kuang Group are nothing but sesame seeds and mildewed grain; the reason they were turned into a dead case and shelved for three years is mainly the difficulty of gathering evidence. Regarding the encroachment on state-owned assets, do you now have any leads?"

"You also said gathering evidence is hard; leads aren't something you can just grab."

In the midst of talking and laughing, Lin Dongfan lowered his head and scooped a mouthful of rice.

It was this inscrutable smile that made Qin Lingdong regretfully realize he had been a bit abrupt; Lin Dongfan simply did not trust him, so how could he confide such things in him?