Chapter 791: Banner Turmoil

Seven days later, in the morning, at the main gate of the city government.

Commuters, people on errands, passersby… more and more people stopped, gathered, and pointed at the gate, chatting.

Many people took out their phones to film.

In the crowd.

Liu Guizhi wore a set of washed‑white plain clothes; this time she held not a placard without grievance and her husband's portrait, but a bright red banner.

On it was written in striking large characters: "Upright Mayor Lin Dongfan, who governs for the people, his kindness is like a mountain!"

These short fourteen characters look sonorous and forceful.

Her daughter Niuniu stood beside her.

The child also held a rolled‑up banner; its edge showed, revealing a few gilded large characters.

This scene attracted many onlookers.

The petition office staff rushed over on hearing the news; seeing it was not a petitioning disturbance but a crowd coming to present a banner in thanks, they didn't know how to handle it for a moment.

They could only maintain order while urgently reporting to their superiors.

When the news reached Lin Dongfan's ears,

Lin Dongfan was listening to a report from the Housing Bureau leaders on the progress of several livelihood projects.

Secretary Xiao Chen leaned in and whispered a few words; Lin Dongfan frowned, said "Meeting paused," and rose to go outside.

By the time he arrived at the gate, the crowd had formed three rings inside and three outside.

Some were there to watch the spectacle, some to take photos and post them on social media, and a few likely self‑media people were excitedly recording short videos.

"Sister Liu!" Lin Dongfan hurried forward: "What are you doing? Quickly take down the banner."

Upon seeing her great benefactor in life, Liu Guizhi's eyes instantly reddened—not from grievance but from excitement—and in the next second she did something astonishing: she knelt to give thanks.

This kneeling startled Lin Dongfan, who hastily reached out to steady her: "Sister, this is absolutely not allowed; you're not going to break me, please get up…"

Fortunately, he caught her in time, and her knees didn't touch the ground.

If she had really knelt down.

If this scene were posted online, the good deed would turn bad.

"Mayor Lin, I… I really don't know how to thank you…" Liu Guizhi said, her voice choking, as she took the banner from Niuniu's hands: "I've received the demolition compensation—five million yuan; we mother and daughter have never seen so much money in our lives. Thank you for deciding on my behalf…"

"You don't need to thank me for this; the compensation is what you deserve, it's not my personal favor. Come inside with me—there are too many people here, the situation is unfavorable."

Lin Dongfan turned to leave.

Hearing "the situation is unfavorable," Liu Guizhi tensed up and stood frozen: "Mayor Lin, I'm not here to cause trouble, really not; I sincerely came to thank you… I want to present the banner to you, but I can't see you, and they won't let me in. I have no choice—I can only hang the banner at the gate."

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became.

Her voice grew louder: "Perfect—I also want all the people of Wuzhou to see that we have a good mayor who governs for the people."

These words sparked whispered talk among the nearby crowd, and some even clapped in approval.

Lin Dongfan, however, felt his heart sink like iron.

It's easy to see that Liu Guizhi's gratitude is sincere, but she doesn't realize that by doing this she is essentially putting him over a fire to roast.

Lin Dongfan helplessly took the banner: "Sister, I accept your feelings. First take down the banner and take the child home; if you have any difficulties later, you can report them through proper channels…"

After much persuasion, Liu Guizhi finally took down the banner and left with Niuniu, looking back every few steps.

The onlookers also gradually dispersed under the staff's persuasion, but the phone‑captured footage and videos had already quietly spread online.

Lin Dongfan took the steaming banner and hurried into the city government building.

The banner was brand‑new, its red velvet feel excellent, the gold tassels shining in the sunlight, with two lines of embroidered characters on it:

"Serving the people, a true public servant"—presented by Liu Guizhi

Lin Dongfan had just entered the first‑floor lobby when he bumped into Wang Qigang coming out of the elevator.

Wang Qigang apparently had also just heard about the gate incident; he wore his usual gentle smile, but his eyes lacked warmth, followed by Li Bin, head of the Municipal Party Committee Office, and publicity department staff.

"Comrade Dongfan."

Wang Qigang took the initiative, speaking warmly: "Has the gate situation been settled? I just heard that crowds came to present a banner—this is good, showing our work has gained public recognition."

Lin Dongfan nodded: "The crowd was a bit excited, but their approach was improper; we've persuaded them to leave."

"The manner is a minor matter; the people's feelings are sincere."

Wang Qigang walked two steps closer, smiling, his eyes on the banner still not taken in: "Oh, this banner is quite finely made. 'Serving the people, a true public servant'—that's a high appraisal."

Saying that, he lifted his gaze to Lin Dongfan.

His smile remained unchanged.

But his tone suddenly shifted downward.

"However, doing our work and solving the people's difficulties is our duty; thanks from the masses we should accept in our hearts, no need to over‑publicize. Especially in this information age, even a small matter can be exaggerated or distorted. Like today's scene, those unaware might think you're putting on a show."

He spoke lightly, like an elder's kindly reminder, yet each word felt like a soft nail pricking the heart.

This is tantamount to a veiled jab at Lin Dongfan—'You're too flashy! A new official's three blazing fires haven't even burned out, and you're already sticking gold on your face.'

This is also what Lin Dongfan worries most about—Liu Guizhi's ostentatious thanks will surely stir up internal conflict.

After all…

Putting gold on Lin Dongfan's face amounts to slapping Wang Qigang in the face.

Lin Dongfan calmly replied: "The secretary's reminder is correct; I've told the parties involved to express their demands through proper channels from now on."

"Then that's good."

Wang Qigang nodded and solemnly emphasized: "Wuzhou is now at a critical stage of development; stability overrides all. Some matters, investigate as needed, but we must keep the scale in check, not let them affect the overall situation. Moreover, they must not be exploited by those with ulterior motives to become tools for attacking Wuzhou's image."

"Indeed."

Lin Dongfan nodded in deep agreement; on the surface he neither argued nor disputed, adopting the attitude of 'you say yours, as for what I'll do later, that's my business.'

After a few casual remarks, Lin Dongfan, citing work, hurried back to his office.

Lin Dongfan just entered the elevator.

Behind him came Wang Qigang's instruction to the publicity department: "The masses receiving full compensation as they wished is the result of multi-party coordination. The reporting angle needs to be adjusted slightly, emphasizing the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government's high regard and active response to the masses' demands, while downplaying personal color..."

Hearing this, Lin Dongfan smiled lightly without speaking.

The elevator ascended.

Lin Dongfan's mood also rose with it; the so-called downplaying of personal color isn't just about erasing his Lin Dongfan's achievements? Who cares, I don't rely on this bit of merit for promotion.

But!

The compensation exchanged for a tragedy, a widow's simplest gratitude! In the end it became material for some people's veiled insinuations—this is damn absurd.