Chapter 790: The Chief's Compromise

West of the city, Cloud Hidden Tea House.

This place is not in the bustling market; it lies at the end of an old alley, its façade low-key, yet inside lies another world.

A small bridge over flowing water, bamboo shadows swaying; the innermost 'Listen Pine Pavilion' is completely private, impossible to enter without a reservation.

Wang Qigang arrived at the tea house ten minutes early.

He didn't let his driver and secretary follow him in, and sat alone before the sandalwood tea table, watching the mountain spring water in the glass pot slowly boil over charcoal, gurgling with fine bubbles.

The rising steam blurred his vision behind the glasses.

Nine o'clock sharp.

Zhao Tianyu pushed the door open right on time.

Zhao Tianyu wore casual light-colored clothes today, his face bearing his usual playful smile, and as he entered he greeted: 'Uncle Wang, you called me so urgently—did something happen?'

This warm tone and form of address already show that his relationship with Wang Qigang is not shallow.

Wang Qigang pointed to the cushion opposite him: 'Sit.'

Zhao Tianyu sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said: 'Yo, pre‑Qingming Longjing? That's fine tea, Uncle Wang—you're in high spirits today.'

"High spirits?"

Wang Qigang set down his teacup, his mood plunging to freezing point.

He half‑smiled and replied: 'The fire's already licked my backside—where's any high spirits? I ask you, what do you plan to do about the Liu Guizhi affair?'

Setting down his teacup, Zhao Tianyu's smile faded by a third.

He leaned back relaxedly: 'Wasn't this already settled? According to the highest standard, plus an extra 200,000 in condolence money—that should be enough. What more could a troublemaker want?'

"What is the highest standard?" Wang Qigang asked.

"Around 1.2 million, plus condolence money makes 1.4 million—enough for them to buy a small house in Wuzhou and start a little business." Zhao Tianyu said lightly: 'Uncle Wang, this is already more than generous. You don't know—these days, demolition households have gotten greedy; they'll open their mouths wide at the slightest provocation.'

Wang Qigang stared at him: 'I heard Liu Guizhi is asking for five million.'

"Five million?!"

Zhao Tianyu laughed as if hearing a huge joke: 'Why doesn't she just rob a bank? Her shabby house is worth at most over two million at market price. Offering 1.4 million is already me giving face to Uncle Wang—I don't want to blow things up, so I'm leaving her a little bargaining room.'

"What if she insists on five million?"

Wang Qigang's voice was steady, but each word carried weight.

Zhao Tianyu restrained his smile, a flicker of gloom crossing his eyes: 'Uncle Wang, what do you mean? Could it be that the newly arrived Mayor Lin is sparring with you?'

Wang Qigang didn't answer directly, but changed the subject: 'Li Chuangen's been arrested—you know about that?'

"I've heard." Zhao Tianyu pursed his lips: 'He brought it on himself, ran into the gun barrel—who's to blame? But Uncle Wang, the Li Chuangen affair probably doesn't involve you, does it?'

Faced with Zhao Tianyu's probing, Wang Qigang remained silent.

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

An embarrassed Zhao Tianyu slowly sat upright, steeled himself, and broke the silence: 'Uncle Wang, speak plainly—what do you need me to do?'

"The compensation for the Liu Guizhi family—give them five million."

Wang Qigang said solemnly: 'Pay it in one lump sum, and require her to sign a confidentiality agreement—from now on, no further pursuit, no petitions, no media interviews.'

Zhao Tianyu's face darkened instantly.

He replied resentfully: 'Uncle Wang, this isn't about money! To be frank, a mere five million means nothing to me; the key lies in…'

Seeing Zhao Tianyu stop mid‑sentence,

Wang Qigang pressed: 'What's the key? Speak.'

Zhao Tianyu forced himself to answer: 'Liu Guizhi—she's just a troublemaking rabble‑rouser; she says she wants five million, so give her five million—isn't that just playing around?'

This isn't really about money or not; the key is, this matter slaps Secretary Wang in the face—we can't set this precedent.

Who doesn't know that Mayor Lin Dongfan, newly in office, is throwing his weight around, wanting to back Liu Guizhi?

If we really gave this five million, how would the whole city view it? I'd bet they wouldn't say I, Zhao Tianyu, backed down; they'd say you can't suppress the new mayor.

These words hit hard, almost like a direct stab at Wang Qigang's lungs.

Wang Qigang's face also grew gloomy.

He didn't lose his temper.

He merely slowly took off his glasses, wiping the lenses with a cloth—a gesture he's made for years whenever he needs to suppress emotion and think calmly.

"Tianyu…"

Wang Qigang put his glasses back on.

He gazed calmly at Zhao Tianyu: 'You're right—this really isn't just about money; it's about face. But have you considered whether face or the bigger picture matters more?'

Without waiting for Zhao Tianyu to reply,

Wang Qigang continued:

"Why does Mayor Lin Dongfan dare to move against Li Chuangen? Because he has evidence in hand, because he's caught a liability. Li Chuangen was caught red‑handed at Yulong Bay—this is irrefutable proof, impossible to wash away."

Now he's using this to make a big fuss, demanding an investigation into the western suburbs demolition project and into Liu Jianjun's cause of death.

If the Liu Guizhi matter isn't handled properly, she'll clutch her loved one's portrait, crying injustice everywhere, and then some self‑media outlet will hype it up…

…then, what will we have to face?"

Upon hearing this…

Zhao Tianyu also fell silent, holding a cup of tea with nothing to say. He did have ideas—for instance, making Liu Guizhi disappear from this world once and for all.

But he himself understood that Mayor Lin Dongfan is no easy mark.

Killing to silence would only further enrage Mayor Lin.

"Once this stirs public opinion, the higher-ups will step in directly to supervise, leaving us in a very passive position." Wang Qigang said anxiously: 'By then, it won't be a problem solvable with just five million. The Cloud Peak Mountain Villa project could be ordered to halt, and all your old sesame and rotten millet affairs will be dug up…'

Having said that, Wang Qigang gazed meaningfully at Zhao Tianyu.

Zhao Tianyu's fists clenched till they cracked, veins bulging on his forehead. He certainly knew Wang Qigang was right, but he couldn't swallow this anger.

"Wang Shu..." He squeezed out an angry voice from between his teeth: "I'm not reluctant about this five million. I feel... this matter is really fucking frustrating! Lin Dongfan has only been here a few days? He dares to ride on our heads! If we bow our heads this time, what about next time? And the time after that? He'll only push further!"

If you cannot bear small indignities, you will spoil great plans.

Wang Qigang lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip.

He also said: "Lin Dongfan has a deep background, and he's currently in the limelight; if we clash head‑on with him, we'll be the ones to suffer. Let's first get past this immediate hurdle, shut Liu Guizhi's mouth, and then discuss other matters later."

Alright.

After hesitating repeatedly, Zhao Tianyu made a compromise, but deep down he was still somewhat unwilling.

He gritted his teeth and said: "I'll pay the five million! But Zhao Tianyu isn't a pushover without a temper. I've laid out my words today—if Lin Dongfan keeps hounding me and won't let go, I can't guarantee I'll stay as compliant next time as I am now."

Upon hearing that, Wang Qigang smiled without speaking.

Wang Qigang wasn't at a loss for words; he suddenly realized: some things are pointless to say—this Zhao Tianyu is just a stubborn oaf, useful but not to be kept long!