Chapter 793

As soon as the special rectification meeting ended, Li Bin hurried back to the Municipal Party Committee Office building to report to Wang Qigang, looking as anxious as if the city gate were on fire.

Wang Qigang's office door was ajar.

Li Bin knocked lightly twice and pushed the door open, only to see Wang Qigang standing by the window, his back to the door, holding a cup of tea, watching vehicles drive away one by one in the courtyard below.

"Wang Secretary..."

Li Bin walked up behind Wang Qigang and, in a low voice, reported the situation of the meeting just concluded, especially emphasizing Lin Dongfan's determination at the end to "focus on investigating the Zhao Group project."

Wang Qigang heard it, his face showing no change in expression; he merely blew gently at the tea leaves floating on his tea.

After Li Bin finished speaking.

Only then did Wang Qigang slowly turn around, a faint, inscrutable smile appearing on his face: "He's doing this to show off to me."

Li Bin blinked, then cautiously asked: "So what should we..."

"Not in a hurry." Wang Qigang sank back into his wide leather chair, sipping his tea leisurely: "Let him investigate if he wants to. The special rectification is justified and proper."

He set down his teacup.

His fingers tapped lightly twice on the smooth rosewood desk as he, lost in thought, instructed: "Call Old Zhou at the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau and tell him… regarding the land-use planning approval review report for those Zhao Group projects, have them write it according to procedure, seeking truth from facts, without hesitation."

The so-called "without hesitation" means simply not to pay heed to Lin Dongfan and to act as one sees fit.

Li Bin, understanding the implication, replied: "Understood, I'll convey it right away."

"Mm."

Wang Qigang closed his eyes, seeming somewhat weary: "Go on."

The next morning.

Zhou Hongwei, director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, knocked on Lin Dongfan's office door with a thick stack of reports. Inside, Lin Dongfan was discussing matters with Shi Liantang of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Seeing Zhou Hongwei enter, Shi Liantang sat down to one side and fell silent.

"Mayor Lin, we have worked through the night to compile the review report on the land-use planning approval status of recent major construction projects."

Zhou Hongwei placed the report on the desk, his face wearing a respectful smile.

Lin Dongfan did not rush to look at it, gesturing for him to sit: "You put this together so quickly? Director Zhou, you've worked hard—please have a seat."

"It's only proper, it's only proper."

Zhou Hongwei sat on the opposite sofa, perching on just half his buttocks, back straight: "Our bureau attaches great importance to this special rectification; we have conducted a comprehensive and careful review of all planning-approval projects involving large enterprises over the past three years, especially those related to the Zhao Group…"

As Zhou Hongwei delivered the report, it was like reciting from memory—his wording was rigorous, his data detailed, and his delivery smooth, leaving no room for criticism.

In the report, every project's approval process was described as "lawful and compliant," every fee as "clearly standardized," and every time point as "in accordance with regulations."

As for the expert review fee of over 800,000 for the Guanghua Science and Technology Park, the report explained it as "due to the project's high complexity, multiple rounds of expert demonstration were conducted, and the fee was approved by the price authorities."

In short, it means—our Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau has no issues, and the Zhao Group's projects are fine too!

Lin Dongfan listened quietly.

After Zhou Hongwei finished his report, the office fell silent for a few brief seconds.

Seeing Lin Dongfan remain silent, Zhou Hongwei couldn't help feeling nervous, his palms beginning to sweat; before coming, he had prepared a full set of explanations and strategies for dealing with questioning and criticism.

However…

Lin Dongfan, however, suddenly smiled.

It was not a cold smile, nor an angry grin, but a gentle expression that even carried a hint of appreciation.

"Director Zhou."

Lin Dongfan picked up the report, flipped a couple of pages casually, and said: "This report is well written—detailed data, clear organization; one can tell you put effort into it."

"???"

This sudden praise left Zhou Hongwei staring in disbelief, wondering if his ears had malfunctioned and he had misheard.

What the hell is going on?

Under normal circumstances, shouldn't you be nitpicking and scolding me five times over?

Before Zhou Hongwei could sort out his thoughts.

Lin Dongfan continued: "Your bureau's work is generally standardized; keep it up. The purpose of the special rectification is also to promote more standardized work—correct what needs fixing, encourage what's already good. Go back and work well, without any mental burden."

"???"

The more Zhou Hongwei listened, the more dazed he became—"Is… this it?"

Instead of the expected torrent of criticism, there was only a gentle breeze and even a word of praise—what the hell, which link went wrong?

Zhou Hongwei, baffled, ventured a tentative question: "Um… Mayor Lin, if there's nothing else, may I head back?"

"Go ahead."

Lin Dongfan nodded and gave a faint, aunt‑like warm smile: "Do a good job."

"Mm."

This time, Zhou Hongwei responded with a mechanical nod, his mind utterly confused, almost floating as he walked out of the office.

All the way down to the ground floor, as he got into his own special car, he still felt somewhat unreal.

The driver asked: "Director Zhou, heading back to the bureau?"

Zhou Hongwei didn't answer; he leaned back against the seat, brows furrowed, repeatedly chewing over every expression and every word Lin Dongfan had just uttered.

Abnormal.

Too abnormal.

Given Lin Dongfan's thunderous momentum at yesterday's meeting, how could he possibly remain so calm today upon seeing this obviously perfunctory, cover‑up review report?

He even praised Zhou Hongwei!

That aunt‑like warm smile…

Now, thinking back, it somehow feels a bit creepy.

The more Zhou Hongwei thought about it, the more something felt off.

This couldn't be... the paralysis technique, could it? On the surface he remained calm, even gave affirmation... Moreover, just now Shi Liantang from the Discipline Inspection Commission was also present...

Could it be that they want me to let my guard down? Secretly, the Discipline Inspection Commission has already sent people to investigate my background?

Thinking of this, Zhou Hongwei only felt a chill run down his back, breaking out in a cold sweat.

That's it!

It must be this!

That bastard Lin Dongfan, how could he possibly let me off easily!

"Not going back to the bureau." Zhou Hongwei hastily ordered the driver: "Go, take me back to my hometown!"

【68】 "Now?"

The driver glanced at the time—it was only just past ten in the morning, working hours.

"Cut the nonsense, drive fast!"

Just thinking that his old secrets might be dug up by the Discipline Inspection Commission, Zhou Hongwei became anxious as if on fire, wishing he could instantly sprout wings and fly back to his hometown.

The car quickly drove out of the urban area and onto the highway leading to the suburban county.

But he didn't know...

This is exactly what Master Fan truly wanted to see.

In the Mayor's office, Lin Dongfan was currently standing by the window, looking down, watching Zhou Hongwei's special car hastily drive away from the parking lot.

Shi Liantang stood up, smiling, and asked: "Are you sure he'll voluntarily show the way?"

"I've praised him so much; he definitely can't take it, and will then feel guilty as a thief..." Lin Dongfan confidently laughed: "Based on my many years of anti-corruption experience, as long as we follow him, we can follow the vine to the melon."