Chapter 890: Still, the old lover is reliable

Leaving the Provincial Party Committee building, Lin Dongfan did not go directly back to his unit.

He had Lao Ba drive the car to an inconspicuous lakeside restaurant in East City. He had been there before; the setting was tranquil, the private rooms secluded, suitable for discussion.

After waiting less than twenty minutes, the private room door was pushed open.

Fang Xiaoqian walked in.

Today she wore a dark gray business suit, her hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, giving her an aloof, refined air.

"Mayor Lin, what are your orders for summoning me, a humble woman?"

Old lovers reunited after Along separation; Fang Xiaoqian felt no aloofness, as if she had returned home. As soon as she sat down, she crossed her legs and gave Lin Dongfan a half‑smiling look.

Lin Dongfan poured her a cup of tea: "Be serious; I called you today for official business."

"I know the news of your military order has spread throughout the province." Fang Xiaoqian joked, "Within a month you must get Cloud Peak Mountain Villa back to work, or resign taking responsibility. Mayor Lin, your daring is truly not small."

Lin Dongfan gave a wry smile: "The news spread pretty quickly."

"That's for sure—there are plenty of people staring at you wide‑eyed these days." Fang Xiaoqian lifted her tea, blew lightly on it, then suddenly changed the subject: "How long have we known each other?"

Lin Dongfan stared blankly for a moment.

He pondered, then said: "About twenty years, I think."

"After all these years, many things from back then are still vivid in my memory." Fang Xiaoqian set down her tea and gazed at Lin Dongfan with a smile.

She then spoke earnestly: "When you dumped me back then, I cried all night. Later I realized some things can't be forced. I'm happy for you to have a brilliant future."

Hearing those words, Lin Dongfan felt awkward.

He thought: I didn't dump you for my career—quite the opposite; you're the one who truly chases fame and profit. If it weren't for you sleeping around for your future back then, we wouldn't have broken up.

But discussing this now is pointless.

Lin Dongfan set aside his past thoughts, calmly returning a faint smile: "These years, haven't you done fine without me?"

"Do you know why I haven't quarreled, caused trouble, or married all these years?" Fang Xiaoqian asked with a laugh.

Lin Dongfan looked at her peach‑blossom eyes, faintly stirring with spring.

For a moment there was nothing to say.

Fang Xiaoqian chuckled and said: "Because I've figured it out. Not being able to be your wife, being your ex‑girlfriend is also fine. As long as I don't cause trouble for you, you, this capital‑circle prince, are my invisible resource. Leaders feel at ease using me, colleagues treat me politely, and I even get promoted a step faster than others. Don't you think I've come out ahead?"

"Ordinary women certainly don't have your brains."

Although this was an offhand compliment, it was also Lin Dongfan's honest opinion; among his circle of friends, Fang Xiaoqian's tactics are second to none.

A woman from a poor background, with no family pedigree or connections.

In an officialdom teeming with wily old foxes, to rise above the rest and seize power, she spares no effort to mobilize every political resource at her disposal.

Such daring alone is beyond what an ordinary woman could match.

Lin Dongfan smiled and sighed: "That my ex‑boyfriend can still be used by you as a brand after our breakup means I, Lin Dongfan, haven't lived in vain."

"To be honest, I've always wanted to thank you in person." Fang Xiaoqian kept a smile: "Although we never became husband and wife, you always have a place in my heart."

Fang Xiaoqian's gaze burned hot, her right palm resting on the back of Lin Dongfan's hand.

As if a ball of fire were blazing.

This sudden surge of passion made Lin Dongfan involuntarily recall many past battlefields—in the bedroom, on the balcony, in the bathroom, on the living‑room sofa…

Back then she could be described as utterly charming and alluring.

Now, after all these years, she is approaching forty; perhaps because she has never married, combined with her attention to self‑care, she looks as radiant as ever.

Alas, the goddess is willing, but the king is powerless!

Lin Dongfan pulled his hand back, lifted the tea in front of him and took a sip: "I've just been reprimanded by the Provincial Party Committee; don't drag me into the gutter—let's get back to business."

"Heh, you really are an oddball. Normally the higher the office, the bolder the person. But you— the higher your rank, the smaller your courage."

Seeing Lin Dongfan just drinking tea without saying a word,

Fang Xiaoqian, sensing the mood, steered back to the main topic: "All right, please give your instructions, Leader. Anything within my ability—I'll see it through, even if it means going through fire and water."

"The Huang Jinrong case—you need to find a way to get him to withdraw the lawsuit." Lin Dongfan stated bluntly.

Fang Xiaoqian blinked in surprise: "Withdraw the suit? That isn't necessary. I've investigated the matter; Mortal Group's unilateral termination has legal grounds. The Huang brothers can't win this lawsuit."

"The urgent priority is to get Cloud Peak Mountain Villa back to work smoothly. If Huang Jinrong doesn't withdraw, the lawsuit could drag on for a month or two without resolution—I can't afford that delay. Having Huang Jinrong voluntarily withdraw is the lowest‑risk, fastest solution." Lin Dongfan said.

His urgent demeanor reminded Fang Xiaoqian of the military order.

Fang Xiaoqian questioned doubtfully: "Is your military order before the Provincial Party Committee's top leaders for real, or are you just joking?"

"I wish I were joking, but who gave me that chance? You didn't see Deng Chunning's expression back then—he wanted to arrest me on the spot."

Lin Dongfan smiled.

He added: "That military order is a pit I dug myself. Whether deep or shallow, I have to cross it. I only have one month left, and the Huang Jinrong case can't be delayed."

"I understand."

Fang Xiaoqian gave a knowing smile.

After a moment, Fang Xiaoqian further expressed her stance: "To show my support for your work, tomorrow I will personally go to do ideological work on Huang Jinrong."

"Are you confident you can get him to withdraw?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Fang Xiaoqian's brows furrowed slightly; she gave Lin Dongfan a reassuring pill with full confidence: "I say, Mayor Lin, we did once love each other—can't you give me a bit more credit? If I can't even settle this little matter, what right do I have to be your ex‑girlfriend? Rest easy, I'll handle this."

"Haha, then I'll wait for your good news."

In the midst of talk and laughter, Lin Dongfan lifted his tea cup in a gesture of respect.

Too bad the cup held tea, not liquor; if it had been strong, soul‑stirring alcohol, they would surely have sparked some fiery chemistry.

……

At the same time, a private billiards club in West City.

Comrade Zheng Congwen, whose billiards skills aren't great but who has never lost, now stands beside the pool table, leans over to aim at the 2‑ball near the pocket, and strikes it firmly.

"Bang!"

The cue ball precisely struck the black 8 next to the 2-ball, the 2-ball was knocked away, and the 8-ball fell innocently into the pocket.

Huang Jinrong hurriedly shouted: "Waiter, where the hell have you gone?! There's water on the cue ball, making it slippery! Can't you see it? Hurry over and wipe it off."

I don't know if the waiter is embarrassed or not, but Director Zheng is not embarrassed at all.

Zheng Congwen glanced at the remaining balls on the table, shook his head regretfully, and said: "If it weren't for the slippery cue, you would have lost this game; you have more balls than I do."

"My skills can't compare to yours." Huang Jinrong laughed like a kid, quickly handed Zheng Congwen a can of Red Bull, and said: "Director Zheng, how about we switch tables and play another round?"