Chapter 935

Wang Qigang was left speechless by Lin Dongfan's final words.

As for Old Ma's resignation, he couldn't explain it.

Old Ma was forced to resign after being scolded by Wang Qigang; this is already common knowledge in Wuzhou's official circles, and there's no arguing against it.

At this moment.

Wang Qigang even wondered whether Old Ma's quitting the Party and resigning might have been a move prearranged by Lin Dongfan—in other words, this Lin had long anticipated that Wang Qigang would take out his anger on Old Ma.

The more he thought about it, the more despondent Wang Qigang felt.

He couldn't help but sigh to himself—after a lifetime of playing the hawk, he ended up pecked blind by one! Ultimately, he had still underestimated Lin Dongfan's scheming, causing one loss after another.

Blood continued to seep from the corner of his mouth, half his face was swollen, and his shattered glasses had already fallen to the ground.

This proud life of mine has today become the laughingstock of the whole room, stared at like a clown! My fate, Wang Qigang's, shouldn't be so miserable…

Thinking and thinking, Wang Qigang felt a twinge of unwillingness again.

But Lin Dongfan didn't look at him again.

Lin Dongfan turned back to his seat, pulled the chair over and sat down. He picked up the tea on the table and took a sip; though the tea had long gone cold, he drank it without changing expression.

The entire meeting hall fell silent at this moment, like a vast graveyard.

No one dared to speak.

No one dared to move.

Everyone even suppressed their breathing to the lowest level.

Wang Qigang stood rooted to the spot, like a wooden stake nailed into concrete.

He stared at Lin Dongfan, his eyes filled with anger, unwillingness, humiliation, and something indescribable—like an inner fear he could not suppress.

He suddenly realized he had never truly understood this person.

At that moment, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission secretary, Old Fu, sighed, walked over, and helped Wang Qigang sit down. This time Wang Qigang didn't push him away; his legs were as limp as noodles, and only Old Fu's support kept him from making a fool of himself.

The moment he sat down, the chair creaked, and his whole body felt as if all strength had been drained from him.

"Mayor Lin."

Old Fu turned his head, his tone gentle: "Secretary Wang is injured; in my view, let's adjourn the meeting here for today and first take Secretary Wang to the hospital."

"Is Secretary Wang's injury more important, or the livelihood of the people?"

Lin Dongfan lifted his eyes coldly, and Old Fu promptly shut his mouth.

Lin Dongfan set down his teacup and added: "The suspension of work at Cloud Peak Mountain Villa needs an explanation today! This matter concerns Wuzhou's economic development and the people's income."

Wang Qigang snapped his head up, bloodied teeth clenched, and retorted: "You hit someone, and now you want me to give you an explanation?!"

"Surname Wang, haven't you figured out the situation yet?" Lin Dongfan said solemnly: "Those few punches of mine—one was for the people of Wuzhou hitting you, one was for the bureau chief Ma forced to resign hitting you, and one was because you mouthed off and slandered me; I had to make you shut up! Aren't these three punches what you deserve?"

"……!!!"

Faced with Lin Dongfan's confident words, Wang Qigang gritted his teeth and remained silent.

It wasn't that he had nothing to say, but rather that fear welled up and he dared not speak, afraid that a careless word would provoke Lin Dongfan's fists again. This damned Lin Dongfan really dares to throw punches!

"No more to say, huh? Then I'll continue."

Lin Dongfan, with sword-browed, starry eyes, gazed at Wang Qigang like a judge passing judgment.

He said solemnly: "If Wan Xiaoxing doesn't release the people and Mortal Group's accounts aren't unfrozen, the project can't resume. Thousands of workers await their wages, and hundreds of suppliers await payment. As the Municipal Party Committee secretary, you should know this better than I. If this drags on, the first to bear responsibility will be you—can you shoulder it?"

"……!!!"

That mocking tone pierced his ears, and Wang Qigang truly wanted to flip the table and curse, but today his courage had been beaten out of him, and he couldn't support such an arrogant act.

He thought:

"Grass mud horse desert!"

"Wan Xiaoxing is conducting inspections according to the law, procedurally legal and compliant!"

"Since you can't find any procedural fault, you secretly direct Mortal Group's people to strike and halt work, forcing the authorities to concede and release the detainees!"

"Do you still have the nerve to claim you're right?"

"If the province holds me accountable, as the top official of the Municipal Party Committee, I certainly can't shirk responsibility!"

"You're just relying on this blame-shifting excuse to act recklessly here, aren't you?"

"Grass mud horse desert!"

"I can't withstand the province's questioning!"

"But if I take the punishment, you'd better not think you can get away scot-free!"

Thinking this through, Wang Qigang burst out: "The tax department is acting by procedure; I firmly oppose releasing people as a compromise! If we set this precedent today, later other big companies will follow suit, using this method to coerce the government into compromise—wouldn't that just become a farce?!"

"You mean to say that if the province questions you, you can bear it all yourself?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Wang Qigang glared and shot back: "I have responsibility, and you also can't easily shirk yours!"

"I'm ten years younger than you."

Lin Dongfan chuckled lightly: "If I receive a punishment, I'll still have a chance to make a comeback. As for you—once you take a beating, Wuzhou will be your endpoint. I advise you to think it over before replying."

"……!!!"

Speaking of the age gap, Wang Qigang felt another sensation like thousands of arrows piercing his heart.

He neither affirmed nor denied.

He, Wang Qigang, has indeed reached an age where he can't afford to lose—already in his fifties—and if he doesn't move forward, Wuzhou will be his final stop.

But Lin Dongfan is different.

Lin Dongfan is only in his forties, the youngest full bureau-level official in Jianglan Province; youth is his capital, and besides, he has the political backing of the Lin family behind him.

This damned fellow—even if he gets punished in Wuzhou today, tomorrow he could be transferred elsewhere and endure a few more years; moving up to the provincial level remains easily within reach.

Although both would suffer punishment, their fates are incomparable.

Thinking and thinking…

Wang Qigang leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, looking exactly like a powerless struggling salted fish.

He thought painfully for a while.

Wang Qigang slowly opened his eyes and uttered a weak voice: "People can be let go, but the issues of Mortal Group cannot just be dropped; the matters that need investigation must still be investigated."

"I have a question for you: do you want to ruin the company, or do you want to help it grow, boost the city's economy, and benefit the populace?"

Lin Dongfan's gaze was like a blade, directly stabbing Wang Qigang's weak nerves.

Wang Qigang gritted his teeth and retorted angrily: "Of course I want to help the company grow, boost the city's economy! But this cannot become a breeding ground for corporate tax evasion and lawlessness! Whoever loosens the reins on the company over principle issues invites suspicion of using power for personal gain! Surname Lin, I advise you to withdraw your protective umbrella!"

"Damn it, spouting bullshit again—who are you calling a protective umbrella?!"

Before his words even fell, a loud bang sounded as Lin Dongfan slammed the table again, rolled up his sleeves, preparing to give Wang Qigang another boxing lesson.

Wang Qigang frightened, hastily stepped back, retreating two meters away: "Lin Dongfan! Will you ever stop? This is the Municipal Party Committee meeting room, not your backyard! I warn you……"

"You damn well dare to put false charges on me, and I can't beat you?!"

Before Wang Qigang could finish, Lin Dongfan flew into a rage and rushed out; just as he swung his fist, Lao Fu of the Political and Legal Committee and Lao Shi of the Discipline Inspection Commission both stepped forward to stop him, blocking Lin Dongfan.

Lao Fu advised: "Mayor Lin, let's talk this out……"

Lao Shi advised: "Enough already, further fighting could cost lives……"

Under their joint intervention, Lin Dongfan withdrew his attack, but his death‑god stare remained fixed on Wang Qigang: "Surname Wang, take note—when I give you face, you call me Secretary Wang; when I don't give you face, even if you kneel and call me dad, it's useless—you'll still get beaten if you deserve it!"