Chapter 920: Soft Nail

One week later, the Wuzhou Municipal Government building.

Lin Dongfan stood by the office window, watching the bustling street below. Sunlight streamed through the glass, warm and cozy, but his brow remained furrowed.

A knock sounded at the door.

Come in.

Secretary Xiao Chen pushed the door open, holding a document.

Mayor Lin, the progress report on the resumption of work at Cloud Peak Mountain Villa is out. The construction crew has entered the site, and the main building restoration is expected to be completed within two months. Mortal Group says that, if everything goes smoothly, trial operations can begin next May Day.

Lin Dongfan took the document, glanced at it quickly, and asked: "What does the City Bureau say?"

The City Bureau people said there were no issues with the project quality and the progress was as expected, but… Xiao Chen hesitated.

Lin Dongfan lifted his head and stared: "But what?"

Xiao Chen hesitated for a moment: "But they said that the follow-up supporting works need a special fund approved by the Municipal Party Committee. This money wasn't in the year's budget, so we have to go through the supplementary procedure."

Lin Dongfan raised his eyebrows: "Supplementary procedure? How long will it take?"

Xiao Chen said: "If it goes smoothly, one month. If not…"

He didn't finish, but the meaning was already clear.

Lin Dongfan nodded: "I understand."

Xiao Chen withdrew.

Lin Dongfan sat back in his chair and lit a cigarette.

Special funds.

Supplementary procedure.

By rights, this is a normal administrative procedure, with no problem.

But he always felt that this matter wasn't that simple.

A week earlier, Wang Qigang had called on his own initiative, his attitude surprisingly cooperative. He said he'd fully cooperate, that they'd tackle any problems together. But over the past week, has he actually cooperated as he should?

On the surface, he has cooperated.

But in the details, there are always some hiccups.

For example, this special fund.

By rights, Cloud Peak Mountain Villa is a key provincial project; the decision to resume work was already set in the city, and the funds should have been a green light all the way. Yet the City Bureau people say we need to go through the supplementary procedure.

How long does the supplementary procedure take?

One month? Two months?

And after it's done?

Or will there still be some trick?

Lin Dongfan exhaled a puff of smoke.

He picked up the phone and dialed Ye Jiaying's number.

Jiaying, how's the construction site?

Ye Jiaying's voice came from the other end, tinged with fatigue.

Not bad. It's just that lately various departments have been coming for inspections quite often—work safety, quality check, environmental protection, fire safety, taking turns. Today one comes, tomorrow another, it's utterly annoying.

Lin Dongfan frowned: "Inspections? Are they all normal inspections?"

Ye Jiaying laughed: "Normal? Which normal inspection comes three times in a day? Yesterday morning work safety came, in the afternoon quality check came, and this morning environmental protection came again. They say it's routine, but each time they find some minor fault to demand rectification; after it's fixed, they come back in a couple of days."

Lin Dongfan fell silent for a few seconds: "Can you cope?"

Ye Jiaying said: "Coping is possible, but it delays the schedule. The timeline that could have been met is now being dragged out by these inspections to the point of exasperation. Moreover…" She paused, "Each time the inspectors are different—today this face, tomorrow that face—so you don't even know who to ask for leniency."

Lin Dongfan nodded: "I understand. Hold steady for now; I'll think of a way."

He hung up the phone.

Lin Dongfan leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

The special funds have to wait.

Inspections come every day.

These things appear to be normal administrative procedures, with no fault to find.

But put together, it's clearly intentional delay.

It's not openly opposing you, but using rules and procedures to wear you down.

It leaves you with anger you can't vent and reason you can't explain.

Lin Dongfan suddenly laughed.

Wang Qigang, you're giving me a lesson.

What is called killing with a soft knife?

This is it!

Lin Dongfan picked up the phone, dialed a number, and said: "Captain Gao, how's the injury recovery?"

On the other end, Gao Yicheng's voice sounded energetic: "Mayor Lin, I'm almost fully recovered. The scar on the back of my head still feels a bit hard to the touch, but it doesn't hurt."

Lin Dongfan said: "The matter of your returning to work next week has been approved by Bureau Chief Luo. When you go back, help me keep an eye on any movements in the City Bureau. Zheng Congwen may have been taken in, but his people are still around. You'll know who's jumping with joy and who's harboring ill intent."

Gao Yicheng excitedly said: "Mayor Lin, you mean…"

Lin Dongfan quickly cut him off: "I didn't say anything. Go back to work and do what you should. Just keep an extra pair of eyes and an extra ear."

Understood.

Gao Yicheng is a smart person.

There's nothing to worry about.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Dongfan stood up and walked to the window.

The sunlight outside the window is just right.

As for the old man's heart, he has already begun to plan his next move.

Wang Qigang wanted to wear him down with soft tactics.

Then let him grind.

See who can grind it out to the end.

……-

At 3 p. m., the Municipal Party Committee building.

Wang Qigang sat in his office, holding a document, a faint smile on his face.

The people from the Urban Construction Bureau had just left.

They submitted an application for additional special funds for Cloud Peak Mountain Villa.

One month.

He approved it.

The procedure was compliant, the timing reasonable—no one could find fault.

As for the inspection at the construction site, that's just normal departmental work—what does it have to do with him?

He lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip.

The tea was hot.

His mood was also good.

Deng Chunning was right—advance by retreating.

On the surface he yielded, but in secret he would still do as he pleased.

As long as he left no opening, no one could do anything to Wang Qigang.

Lin Dongfan, you aren't supposed to return to work?

Then let him return slowly.

One month, two months, half a year, a year.

Drag it out until whenever it counts.

See who can laugh last!

Wang Qigang set down his teacup and picked up another document.

It was sent from the province, a draft soliciting opinions on cadre adjustments.

He glanced at it, his eyes stopping on a certain page—Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People's Congress, the candidate list included his name, Wang Qigang's; Deng Chunning sure moved fast.

Wang Qigang smiled and set the document down.

Advance by retreating: retreat is the position, advance is the space.

This move was worth it.

……

Evening.

Lin Dongfan returned home.

Chu Lingxi was busy in the kitchen; seeing him come in, she poked her head out: "Honey, why are you home so early today?"

"Nothing much, just came home early."

Lin Dongfan changed into slippers, walked into the kitchen, and hugged Chu Lingxi from behind.

Chu Lingxi questioned: "Anything on your mind?"

"No, just a little tired." Lin Dongfan smiled, his head lightly brushing the ends of Chu Lingxi's hair, inhaling her fragrance, and he was overcome with a wave of intoxication.

Chu Lingxi focused on the fried egg in the pan, slightly twisted her body, and whispered: "My mom is sitting in the living room; we'll talk again after she goes back to her room tonight."

"Sigh... okay..."

Thinking back to the various actions he and Sha Bai Tian had unlocked in the kitchen before, Lin Dongfan felt nostalgic; these days work has been too busy, he's been busy every day arguing with Wang Qigang, and hasn't had the chance to be intimate with Sha Bai Tian.