Chapter 759: Three-Year Agreement

Lin Dongfan stayed in Wuzhou for three days.

During these three days, he went to the hospital to accompany Yang Qing during the day, and returned to the hotel to handle company affairs at night.

Chu Lingxi made a video call every day to report the family situation and share her recent "stock market investment insights"—of course, mainly complaining about how much money she had lost.

On the afternoon of the third day, an unexpected visitor came to the hospital room.

He was the Director of the Wuzhou Municipal Government Office, surnamed Li, in his early forties, looking very capable. He carried a fruit basket, saying he represented the Municipal Party Committee and municipal government to visit Deputy Director Yang.

After the pleasantries, Secretary Li naturally struck up a conversation with Lin Dongfan.

"Mr. Lin, I've long heard of your great name." He handed over a business card: "When you worked in Jianglan Province back then, I was just a low‑level section chief, and I'd heard many of your deeds."

Lin Dongfan took the card and politely said, "Director Li, you flatter me; those are things of the past."

"How could you say that's in the past?" Director Li laughed, "You now lead Guoyun Technology, a national‑level key enterprise. Wuzhou is vigorously developing the digital economy and especially hopes to attract leading enterprises like Guoyun Technology."

His words were flawless—praising Lin Dongfan while making his purpose clear.

Lin Dongfan saw through it—this was certainly no simple visit. Behind Director Li likely stood a top leader of Wuzhou Municipal Government.

"The business environment in Wuzhou is indeed good," Lin Dongfan followed, saying, "I've also felt it this time—the city's appearance has changed greatly."

"That's all the foundation laid by the previous team."

Director Li was quite eloquent, and he casually threw in praise for Lin Dongfan's father‑in‑law, Chu Jinsong.

He continued, "The new team has taken over, and the pressure is greater. Frankly, Wuzhou is at a critical turning point; traditional industries need upgrading, emerging industries need cultivation. The municipal leaders often hold meetings to study how to bring out Wuzhou's strengths and make up its shortcomings."

He glanced at Lin Dongfan, intentionally or not.

He went on, "Especially in the tech sector, we lack talent, lack technology, and even more lack entrepreneurs like Mr. Lin who have vision and resources."

He had made that point as clearly as possible.

Lin Dongfan pondered for a moment, then smiled, "Director Li, your high regard overwhelms me. But I am, after all, the head of a state‑owned enterprise; many things are beyond my control. Moreover, Guoyun Technology's key projects are all in Jingcheng and a few first‑tier cities, so in the short term…"

"Understood, completely understood."

Secretary Li was tactful and immediately changed the subject: "I was just speaking off the cuff, Mr. Lin—don't take it to heart. Still, if the opportunity arises, I hope you'll come to Wuzhou more often to offer us advice."

After chatting a while longer, Director Li rose to take his leave.

After he left, Yang Qing on the hospital bed suddenly said, "That Director Li is Mayor Wang's man."

Lin Dongfan startled: "How do you know?"

"Nonsense, do you really think I have amnesia?" Yang Qing replied calmly, "Mayor Wang was parachuted down from a central ministry last year, wanting to get things done but lacking personnel. Director Li is his confidant brought from that ministry."

Lin Dongfan mused, "So those remarks just now…"

"They were sounding you out." Yang Qing said, "Mayor Wang knows your background and your position at Guoyun Technology. If you truly want to return to the system someday, Wuzhou would be a good starting point. A parachuted cadre with corporate experience and familiarity with Jianglan Province—such talent, which leader wouldn't want?"

Put so bluntly, Lin Dongfan couldn't deny that Yang Qing's analysis made sense.

"What do you think?" he asked Yang Qing.

Yang Qing leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling, and after Along while said, "Wuzhou does need people—that's true. But the waters of Wuzhou run deeper than you imagine. Whether Mayor Wang can accomplish what he wants is uncertain."

He paused, then looked at Lin Dongfan: "If you really want to come back, three years is just right. By then whatever should surface will have surfaced, and whatever should fall will have fallen. You'll be cleaning up the aftermath, with proper justification."

Three years.

Another three years.

Lin Dongfan suddenly felt that this number was like a curse, entwined in his future plans.

"Are you really sure I'll be able to come to Wuzhou in three years?" he asked.

Yang Qing smiled, his expression calm and all‑seeing: "Not certain. But I am sure of this—if you want to come, you will certainly be able to. With the Lin family's influence plus your own abilities, where couldn't you go?"

Those words sounded arrogant, but Lin Dongfan knew Yang Qing was stating a fact.

That evening, Lin Dongfan prepared to return to Jingcheng.

Before leaving, he went to the hospital once more.

Yang Qing's spirits looked better; he was bantering with a nurse—he wanted braised pork, but she firmly refused, saying patients could only eat bland food.

Seeing Lin Dongfan enter, Yang Qing immediately complained, "Look at her, she's mistreating the patient!"

The nurse wouldn't back down: "Director Yang, I'm doing this for your own good! You can only have liquid or semi‑liquid meals—forget about braised pork!"

Watching the two clowns, Lin Dongfan couldn't help laughing.

He took a box of chocolate from his bag and handed it to the nurse: "These past days have been hard on you; this kid is stubborn and tough to look after."

The nurse blushed, took the chocolate, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lin. Actually Director Yang is a fine person, just a bit… childish."

"Who are you calling childish?" Yang Qing objected.

"You!"

The nurse made a face at him, then walked off happily with the chocolate.

Only the two of them remained in the ward.

"All right, cut the act." Lin Dongfan sat on the bedside: "My flight tonight."

Yang Qing's playful smile gradually faded, his gaze turning serious: "Take care on the road. If you have time, go back to Nanzhou and check on Xu Yue and the kids. Even though we've arranged protection, I still worry."

"Don't worry, I'll make arrangements." Lin Dongfan nodded: "You be careful too. Don't overdo the amnesia act."

"I know my limits." Yang Qing paused, then lowered his voice: "Pretentious Fan, there's something I need to tell you. The case I've been looking into… might involve people from Jingcheng. When you return, pay attention to the Zhao Group. They've been vying for a major national‑level project, making big moves."

Zhao Group.

That name Lin Dongfan had heard several times before—from Chu Lingxi's close friend, to Yang Qing's reminder.

"I understand." Lin Dongfan said solemnly, "Take care yourself, and contact me anytime if anything comes up."

Yang Qing nodded, reached out, and shook Lin Dongfan's hand.

No more words were needed; everything was understood in silence.

Leaving the hospital, on the way to the airport, Lin Dongfan kept thinking—Yang Qing's reminder, the Qi Bureau's sounding out, Director Li's visit, and also the plans of his father and younger uncle…