Chapter 576

Provincial People's Hospital.

In the intensive care unit's air, a strong smell of disinfectant permeated, and the head of the security department, Xie Xiaofeng, rushed over with two full-time bodyguards.

Xie Xiaofeng didn't come empty-handed to visit the sick; he brought Lao Ba two packs of Hua Zi cigarettes and two bottles of Maotai.

This gift left the little nurse speechless.

Lin Dongfan went to the toilet, and Lao Ba, lying on the hospital bed, had a sallow complexion; the former vigorous spirit had been more than half knocked out by those two lethal bullets.

Lao Ba's left shoulder and left arm were tightly wrapped in thick gauze, with a faint seepage of light-red blood at the center of the gauze, making it look painful at a glance.

But Lao Ba seemed oblivious.

Seeing the thoughtful gift Xie Xiaofeng brought, Lao Ba strained to sit up: "Old Xie, you still understand me."

"That's a must—come, have a swig."

Xie Xiaofeng stepped forward to help Lao Ba up, and another brother beside him, being quick-witted, immediately took a bottle of Maotai from the gift box, ready to pour Lao Ba a full glass.

The little nurse could no longer hold back and retorted: "He just took cefalexin, and you're letting him drink alcohol—are you trying to send him off? Please, outsiders, get out!"

"How dare you talk to my brother like that? Don't think I don't know you're gorgeous and kind-hearted just because you're wearing a mask!" Lao Ba gave the little nurse a sideways glance, then turned and urged Xie Xiaofeng: "Old Xie, don't feel guilty—pour the liquor; I think two liang won't kill me."

……!!!

Xie Xiaofeng looked at Lao Ba, whose alcohol addiction was acting up, then at the little nurse glaring with deadly eyes, feeling embarrassed to the point of having two big heads, he turned and signaled his subordinate to put the liquor away.

Lao Ba instantly looked sullen: "With my drinking capacity, do you doubt I can't even handle two liang?"

"It's not that your tolerance is low; it's that the cefalexin is too strong—just hold off for today." Saying that, Xie Xiaofeng subconsciously pulled out a cigarette.

Just as he was about to light one, the little nurse's deadly glare came over again.

Helpless.

Xie Xiaofeng had no choice but to put the cigarette back in his pocket.

Turning around, seeing Lin Dongfan enter, Xie Xiaofeng hurried forward to ask: "Boss Lin, are you hurt anywhere?" He sized up Lin Dongfan's condition.

I'm fine.

Lin Dongfan waved his hand, signaling the little nurse and the other two bodyguards to leave first.

After the ward had quieted down.

Lin Dongfan's gaze also fell on Lao Ba, worry showing on his face.

The doctor had said earlier that the bullet in the scapula area was dangerous; if it had deviated a bit downward, it would have hit the heart, and Lao Ba had narrowly saved his life.

Unfortunately, the assassin got away; not a single one was caught.

Lin Dongfan inwardly restrained his anger.

Upon seeing the cigarettes and alcohol placed aside, Lin Dongfan was again speechless: "Lao Ba, can't you show some respect for the bullet's power? Try to live a few more decades for me."

"I respect the power of cefalexin; I can skip the alcohol, but I must smoke this cigarette."

Saying that, Lao Ba waved at Xie Xiaofeng, who understood and produced a cigarette, tossing the whole pack together with the lighter to Lao Ba.

Xie Xiaofeng looked at Lin Dongfan and gave an embarrassed smile: "Boss Lin, Lao Ba just has this little habit; let him take a puff."

"I'm afraid his life isn't tough enough." Lin Dongfan frowned slightly.

Lao Ba gave a proud sideways glance: "Boss Lin, who are you looking down on? I, Eighth Master, am a straight-as-steel man; when have I ever gone soft?"

Having said that, he lit the cigarette clenched between his lips.

He took a deep drag, looking nothing like a patient, actually blowing with swagger: "If you don't believe me, go find a pretty girl to come test me—see if I'm hard."

"Since you're so shameless, I can relax and just lie here nicely. Whether there are girls or not, if you're capable, take care of that little nurse who won't let you smoke."

Having said that, Lin Dongfan summoned Xie Xiaofeng and left the ward.

Lao Ba was seriously injured and hospitalized, expected to recuperate for about ten days to half a month. Starting today, Xie Xiaofeng must personally take over as Boss Lin's bodyguard and driver in Lao Ba's place.

The air outside the hospital is very fresh.

But Boss Lin's expression was solemn; he put away the gentleness toward his brothers, replacing it with a cold, stern look, even his eyes exuding killing intent!

The next morning.

In the office of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, Song Changeng, the heavy redwood door was shut tight, the atmosphere inside somewhat tense—this is a battlefield of power struggles!

Song Changeng sat on the sofa, with Lv Yizhi sitting opposite him.

Chen Gang of the Provincial Procuratorate remained like a helpless sandwich cookie, sitting at the side of the two, silently listening to their showdown without readily interjecting.

Lv Yizhi leaned back slightly, his hands naturally resting on the sofa's armrests, trying to assume a relaxed posture.

As for how much resentment he felt inside, only he himself knew.

He raised his voice, his tone carrying an indisputable authority: "Secretary Song, Jiang Lin's matter must be carefully weighed! For now, Qiao Lianzhou's issue hasn't been fully investigated; arresting her rashly would have a severely negative social impact! It's easy for people to think we're engaging in guilt by association, or even retaliation. I think this should be put on hold until Qiao Lianzhou's case reaches a clear conclusion."

Upon hearing this, Chen Gang frowned, his face grave, and instinctively glanced at Song Changeng's reaction.

Song Changeng responded unhurriedly with a faint smile: "Old Lv, your concerns are valid. But now, multiple testimonies point to Jiang Lin; she is not only suspected of illegally harvesting others' organs, but also of murder. These are grave crimes, the procuratorate has approved her arrest, the procedure is lawful and compliant, and I do not agree to postponing it."

Lv Yizhi responded sternly and resolutely: "Secretary Song, you oversee the province's political and legal affairs; you should know the importance of stability. The top priority is to focus on the big picture and not let the situation expand indefinitely. I suggest we immediately suspend the interrogation of Jiang Lin, place her under residential surveillance, and discuss it again after the turmoil subsides."

"Old Lv, when you mention stability, I suddenly recall something."

Song Changeng, smiling, retorted sarcastically: "Not long ago, Liu Wen was arrested and raved like a madman, biting Comrade Lin Dongfan, framing and smearing him. Moreover, someone behind the scenes fanned the flames, maliciously posting this online widely, severely damaging the image of the anti-corruption department and social stability. At that time, you also used stability as an excuse to demand that Comrade Lin Dongfan be suspended for inspection. Deputy Governor Lv, are you addicted to stability?"

The bigwigs are tearing each other apart, a single sword seals the throat!

Chen Gang, sitting to the side, was so shocked that cold sweat poured down his back; he never expected Song Changeng to openly expose Lv Yizhi's sore spot to his face.

Seeing his unyielding will, it seems he's on the verge of breaking completely with Lv Yizhi!

Chen Gang clutched a thumping, tense heart, then turned to look at Lv Yizhi's reaction—sure enough, Lv Yizhi's face had darkened to the extreme.

Lv Yizhi gritted his teeth and replied: "The matter of Liu Wen framing Lin Dongfan is completely separate from whether Jiang Lin should be arrested; they have nothing to do with each other! Secretary Song, please don't conflate them…"

"Bang!"

Before Lv Yizhi could finish, Lin Dongfan kicked the door open!

Yes!

The office gate was kicked open by Fan Ye; the secretary outside couldn't stop him.