Chapter 809: Bureau Chief Wins Steadily at Mahjong

Had enough wine and food.

Yuan Ben Zhong drank until his face was flushed, his big belly making him unsteady on his feet, and it was Ma Lao Ban who helped him out of the restaurant.

When the night wind blew, it was refreshingly cool, seeming to clear the head a bit.

Yuan Ben Zhong suddenly asked: "Lao Ma, you say… this person, poverty and wealth, are they predestined?"

Ma Lao Ban blinked: "Bureau Chief, what do you mean by that…?"

"Nothing." Yuan Ben Zhong waved a hand, lowered his head into the car: "I just feel that some people… have a lowly fate. Damn it, over some trivial matter they can't see straight, not worth dying over."

The car drove off.

Ma Lao Ban stood at the hotel entrance, pondering Yuan Ben Zhong's words, shaking his head speechlessly.

The next day was Saturday.

Yuan Ben Zhong wasn't idle either; in the morning he went fishing. Not catching anything, he went to the market and bought a few flowery perch to save face. In the afternoon he made plans to play mahjong with some acquaintances.

At the mahjong table.

Section Chief Wang of the Land Bureau Planning Section casually remarked: "Bureau Chief, I heard about the Blue Wave Pond matter… the family went to the Letters and Visits Office again."

Yuan Ben Zhong had just drawn a good tile, feeling fine; hearing this, he couldn't be bothered to lift an eyelid: "Go on, the Letters and Visits Office sees crowds every day—one more or one less makes no difference."

"That's right." Section Chief Wang chuckled: "But I heard the boss's wife is stubborn, sitting with her child at the Letters and Visits Office entrance, saying she won't leave without an explanation."

"Then let her sit."

Yuan Ben Zhong slapped down a tile: "Two of characters! Let me tell you, I've seen plenty of this type. They kick up a fuss for a few days, then when it comes to nothing, they just go home."

Manager Li sitting opposite chimed in: "Bureau Chief's right—who the hell has time to deal with this mess nowadays? Everyone's busy."

"Exactly."

Yuan Ben Zhong lit a cigarette: "This week alone I've attended six meetings, yesterday I even went to the province to report work. Who has time to handle a suicide? If he can't see straight, who's to blame?"

The mahjong game continued.

After a round, Yuan Ben Zhong had won quite a bit, his mood excellent.

To be precise, whenever he plays cards with subordinates and businessmen, he never loses—even with his eyes closed he's sure to win.

Yuan Ben Zhong casually counted up; today he'd absentmindedly won another twenty-odd thousand.

He collected money while saying: "Manager Li, I've looked into the floor‑area ratio for your project. No big problem—I'll have someone finish the paperwork next week."

Manager Li beamed: "Thanks, Bureau Chief! Next time I'll invite you fishing—I know a new spot that's far better than Blue Wave Pond."

"Sure." Yuan Ben Zhong laughed heartily: "Last time I caught that big green fish over eighty pounds, those damn jealous bastards claimed the pond owner dove down and hooked my line. Damn it, just hearing it makes me furious. Manager Li, let's go fishing—we're just out for fun, don't go pulling tricks like the others."

"How could it not be? Rest assured, I'll make sure you have a blast." Manager Li thumped his chest in promise.

Everyone present laughed.

They laughed loudly.

In the private room, smoke hazy, tile clacks rang out, laughter and chatter filled the air, coarse jokes flew thick and fast—truly, no one cared about appearances.

No one remembered why Chen Lao Ban of the Blue Wave Pond fishing shop jumped into the river.

And no one cared.

At the same time, outside the City Letters and Visits Office...

Chen Lao Ban's wife held her five‑year‑old daughter, sitting on the cold concrete.

Before her lay her husband's portrait, beside it a brush‑written 'wronged' character.

People came and went—some glanced and left, others stopped to snap a photo, post it to their feed with the caption: 'The sorrow of the lower classes.'

Then they left too.

Letters and Visits Office staff came out several times to urge: 'Big sister, go home first. We've registered this; we'll handle it.'

"How will you handle it?" the woman lifted her head, eyes red and swollen: "They worked my man to death—are you just going to let it go?"

"You can't put it that way…" the staffer looked embarrassed: "The law‑enforcement departments were just doing a routine inspection—"

"A routine inspection is just a front!"

The woman suddenly grew agitated.

With red eyes she cried: "Can a routine inspection drive a good man to death? Go see! Go see my husband's fishing pond! Fire, health, environment… all the permits are there! Why was it shut down?!"

Her voice was too loud, drawing even more onlookers.

The staffer's face changed, showing a hint of sympathy; he lowered his voice: "Big sister, keep it down. This… involves several department heads, and we can't easily deal with it."

"Which leader?" the woman grabbed his arm: "Tell me who it is—I'll go find them!"

"Don't ask."

The staffer broke free, hurried back to the office, and slammed the door shut with a bang.

The woman stared blankly as she sat back on the ground.

In her arms, the daughter whispered: "Mom, when will Dad come back?"

The woman said nothing, just held her daughter tighter as silent tears fell.

The wind blew past.

It blew the portrait on the ground over.

She bent to pick it up, seeing her husband in the photo smiling so happily.

Back then the fishing pond had just opened, business was good. Her husband said, once they made a bit more money he'd take her and their daughter to the Northern Capital to see the Heavenly Peace Gate.

Now the person is gone, and the money is gone too.

All that's left is this cold reality, and the gate ahead that can never be forced open.

The woman clutched the portrait to her chest, as if holding onto the last bit of warmth.

She didn't know what to do.

But she knew she couldn't just let it go.

A husband must not die in vain.

Even if she had to appeal to heaven, she would demand an explanation.

Even if...

Even if it means exchanging one's life.

Yuan Ben Zhong doesn't know about these matters.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

At this moment, Yuan Ben Zhong was sitting at the mahjong table, smiling as he collected today's 'winnings' of over two hundred thousand. A thick stack of cash felt great in his hand. He weighed it, then casually slipped it into his inner suit pocket.

"Bureau Chief, your luck is really good." Chief Li said, fawning.

"Not bad." Yuan Ben Zhong said with a smile: "Playing mahjong is three parts skill, seven parts luck. But most importantly..."

He paused, then said meaningfully:

"You need to know which tiles to call and which to discard."

Society is full of idiots who don't get this—damn it! Holding a lousy hand and insisting on playing, they end up losing everything—who can they blame?

Everyone at the table laughed; it was obvious who the remark was aimed at.

"Bureau Chief, wise words!"

"Concise and insightful!"

Amid the laughter, fewer people were sucking up.

At this moment, Yuan Ben Zhong also drew a good tile, his face breaking into a brilliant smile: "Self-drawn, pure suit." He laid down his tiles, and everyone present began to pay out.

Their movements were practiced, their expressions natural.

It seemed as if the tiles that Bureau Chief 'ate' or 'called' were meant to be, and everyone was naturally his foil.

Yuan Ben Zhong didn't know that the new mayor, Lin Dongfan, was staring at him intently.

Mayor's office.

Lin Dongfan was in discussion with Shi Liantang of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Although the first person Zhou Hongchuan implicated after his arrest was Yuan Ben Zhong, the relevant leads are still under investigation and verification, so action against Yuan Ben Zhong cannot be taken for now.

"The boss of Blue Wave Pond jumped into the river and committed suicide; Secretary Wang has already instructed the Public Security Bureau to investigate. I expect it will eventually be played down, settled as quietly as possible." Shi Liantang sighed helplessly: "This matter involves multiple government departments; if it blows up, it will damage the government's image."

This stance left Lin Dongfan feeling depressed and angry.

Shi Liantang again earnestly proposed: "Mayor Lin, I suggest you personally meet with the family, give her a reassuring pill, first calm her emotions. If she continues to cause trouble like this, I estimate she will likely be severely dealt with. By then, she will inevitably suffer some hardship, and we will also become very passive."

Lin Dongfan nodded thoughtfully: "Just do as you say."