Chapter 860: with translation of chapter title

When Lin Dongfan came out of the Provincial Department, the sky had already darkened.

Zhao Linlin, who had been waiting at the door for a while, hurried forward a few steps: "Mayor Lin, how did your talk with Chief Qi go today?"

"Things fall into place when the time is right."

With many people around and eyes everywhere, it was not advisable to prematurely reveal Yang Qing's impending reinstatement, lest someone interfere; Lin Dongfan simply replied with four words.

Smart Zhao Linlin didn't press further, accompanying Lin Dongfan all the way to the parking lot.

After getting in the car.

Zhao Linlin then pressed further: "Mayor Lin, you look low-spirited; did Chief Qi take the opportunity to raise some conditions?"

"It's only natural—he wants advancement, I want Yang Qing, and we help each other."

Having said that, Lin Dongfan leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes to rest, and Zhao Linlin, sensing the mood, tucked away her curiosity, thinking that in official circles, the savvy always gravitate toward whoever has the thickest thigh.

Outside the window, the night grew darker.

Streetlights flashed past the window one after another, resembling last night's hazy dream— in the dream I didn't know I was a guest, indulging briefly, utterly delighted.

Just thinking about it leaves an endless aftertaste.

Zhao Linlin really wanted to rest her head on Lin Dongfan's shoulder and sincerely say, "If you do not abandon me, I am willing to live and die with you..."

But she dared not do so, after all there was a huge searchlight on the car—Lao Ba!

She could only place her longing in the quiet of the deep night.

……

The next morning.

Lin Dongfan climbed off Zhao Linlin's body, leaned against the headboard and finished a post-coital cigarette, then slowly went to wash up, having arranged to meet Yang Qing at nine at Mingde Teahouse.

Yang Qing, who is usually unpunctual, was surprisingly on time today.

As Lin Dongfan entered the teahouse, Yang Qing, with his legs crossed, was scrolling through videos on his phone: "Spring has arrived, all things revive, and it's once again the season for animals..."

This guy is truly shameless, watching Animal Planet with his phone's external speaker on.

Lin Dongfan yanked the chair in front of him open, deliberately making a noise: "Can't you show some ambition? Switch the channel, watch all things lie dormant—it's the season for animals to hibernate."

"What I watch is none of your business."

Yang Qing didn't even lift his head, still enjoying the video: "Speaking of which, Mayor Lin, you took time out of your busy schedule to summon a commoner like me—what's your motive? Surely it's just to admire my rustic, unsophisticated personality."

"You've got no personality to speak of."

Lin Dongfan snatched his phone and slammed it onto the table.

With a stern expression, he said: "Today I want to discuss serious matters with you—sit up straight, and pull in those crossed legs; mind your image."

"If you've got gas, just let it out."

Yang Qing scoffed with his mouth, but his actions were honest; he obediently withdrew his crossed legs.

He then lit a cigarette.

Lin Dongfan poured himself a cup of tea: "Yesterday I already negotiated with Chief Qi; if nothing unexpected happens, you'll be reinstated next Monday."

"Damn!"

Yang Qing grinned: "You finally decided to pull me out? I thought you were planning to let me retire at home—I've already picked out a nursing home..."

Lin Dongfan couldn't be bothered with his complaints and went straight to the point: "After your reinstatement, the Provincial Department will take over the Wuzhou case, and you'll lead the team."

Upon hearing about the case, Yang Qing's interest sparked: "What case? It actually requires me to personally handle it—wasn't Zhao Tianyu's case already closed?"

"They want to close the case, but I won't let them."

Lin Dongfan said: "Su Qingyu's body has been found; the recording mentions someone threatening him. Zhao Linlin was attacked last night, and the surveillance footage was stolen. I suspect the person who assaulted her is Zhou Zheng."

"Zhou Zheng?!"

Yang Qing stared at Lin Dongfan in disbelief: "Brother, this isn't something to joke about. Zhou Zheng once saved my life—you know that."

"I'm not joking."

That definite answer plunged Yang Qing into the depths of silence.

Yang Qing took two hard drags on his cigarette, the ember flaring bright, the tobacco hissing! As he exhaled, the smoke seemed to take on a sorrowful shape.

"He took a bullet for me; now you want me to investigate him—aren't you just giving me a hard time?" Yang Qing gave Lin Dongfan a sideways glance.

Lin Dongfan said: "Precisely because you two are close, I'm having you investigate. If he really is a mole in the police, you catching him yourself can prevent him from being silenced. If he isn't a mole, you personally clearing his name is like repaying a favor. What's wrong with this arrangement?"

"Damn, that logic seems flawless."

Yang Qing stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and decisively replied: "Fine, you play the good guy, I'll be the bad one—after all, I'm the future father-in-law of your son."

"Don't be so tragic—maybe Zhou Zheng isn't a mole after all." Lin Dongfan gave a faint smile.

Yang Qing couldn't manage a smile; he could only return a small white-eye glance.

As a veteran detective, Yang Qing well knew that for such matters, without solid evidence, a hasty conclusion is impossible.

Zhou Zheng—most likely he truly betrayed the organization and let down the people!

Lin Dongfan suddenly added: "There's one more thing..."

"If you've got gas, let it all out at once—don't dribble it out like sheep droppings." Yang Qing lifted his tea, took a sip—not because he was thirsty, mainly to cool his fire.

Lin Dongfan said: "On the night Zhao Linlin was attacked, she smashed the masked man's head with an ashtray. The first day, I took Zhao Linlin to the City Bureau to identify the suspect. Zhou Zheng asked for leave and didn't show up, claiming he'd fallen while drinking at his hometown and was hospitalized."

"Is that why you suspect him of being a mole?" Yang Qing asked.

Lin Dongfan said: "Whether he's actually a mole, you can verify after you're reinstated. Go to the hospital now and see if his head injury is genuine. If it is, determine whether it's an accidental fall or a blow from an ashtray—this should be ascertainable; please have the Provincial Department's forensic division intervene in the investigation."

"You haven't gone to see him?"

"If he really is a mole, he'd surely have fabricated his injury with a full set of witnesses and evidence. What could I see by going? This needs a formal investigation."

"What are the attitudes of Bureau Chief Luo and Political Commissar Zheng at the City Bureau?"

"Based on my initial observation, Luo Zhiwei wants to stay out of trouble and avoid getting dragged into this vortex. As for the surnamed Zheng, his seat may be askew, and he seems intent on smoothing things over for Zhou Zheng."

"He who holds office but does not attend to his duties—this surnamed Luo is no good either!"

Yang Qing, cursing and swearing, still not appeased after his tirade, brewed another cup of tea and gulped it down to quell his anger.

At that moment, Lin Dongfan's phone rang; it was a message from his secretary Xiao Chen, saying that Secretary Wang had flown into a rage at the meeting over the Cloud Peak Mountain Villa project's stagnation.

After Zhao Group was acquired by Mortal Group, the Cloud Peak Mountain Villa project was taken over by Mortal Group.

However, the former contractor Huang Jintang kept refusing to start work with various excuses, and Mortal Group's CEO Ye Jiaying had sent people to negotiate with him several times, but to no avail.

It is obvious that someone behind the scenes is directing Huang Jintang to deliberately delay the project.

The aim is to strike back!

Lin Dongfan replied to the secretary, having received Xiao Chen's message: "You contact President Ye, tell her to find a way to settle this matter; if really impossible, then settle Huang Jintang!"

Seeing Lin Dongfan's grim expression, Yang Qing curiously asked, "What's happened again?"

"Nothing much, just a mad dog lashing out." Lin Dongfan set down his phone, calmly brewing tea: "After my reinstatement, I hope you can take down Zhou Zheng within three days and find out who's behind him."