Chapter 967

The news that the Municipal Party Committee was going to move Luo Zhiwei hadn't been kept under wraps for three days in Wuzhou's officialdom.

It first came out from a section chief of the Organization Department, who let it slip while drinking with friends. Friends told friends, who told more friends. In three days, everyone who should know and who shouldn't know found out.

Some said Luo Zhiwei had offended the new secretary; others said the Discipline Inspection Commission was investigating him.

All sorts of things were said.

But there was one thing everyone tacitly agreed on—Lao Luo had fallen this time, and he was likely really going to be removed.

When the news reached Luo Zhiwei's ears, he was planing wood in the backyard, working with great vigor, far more energetically than when he worked in the office.

This set of housing allocated by the City Bureau was already old in age, but the floor space was large enough; the first floor came with a small courtyard, which Luo Zhiwei had remodeled into a woodworking shop.

His one and only hobby in life was woodworking.

Angle grinders, table saws, planes, chisels, axes……all kinds of tools were available. A stack of old elm wood piled in the corner, which he had collected from the countryside, was ready to be made into a set of tables and chairs.

He never smoked, drank, or played cards in his life; this was his only hobby.

The finished furniture was taken to the countryside and given for free to poor households.

His wife Xia Ping came out with a plate of sliced watermelon.

Seeing Luo Zhiwei still planing wood,

Xia Ping angrily set the fruit plate down on the table and complained, 'What time is this, you still have the mind to play with these rotten pieces of wood? Outside, rumors are rampant that the Municipal Party Committee is going to remove your post, yet you don't go out and move about. All you know is to plane, plane, plane—watch out, I'll set fire to all this stuff.'

Luo Zhiwei didn't even lift his head; he pushed the plane forward, wood shavings curled up and fell at his feet, thin enough to be translucent.

He lifted the wood to check its smoothness.

He felt there were still imperfections.

He then placed the wood back on the workbench and, while planing, said, 'What's the point of moving about? I haven't made any mistakes; they can't just remove me because they want to.'

'Whether you've made a mistake or not is for them to decide, not you,' Xia Ping said angrily.

Luo Zhiwei replied disdainfully, 'I'm neither corrupt nor taken bribes; I haven't even glanced much at the female subordinates in my unit. Even if the Discipline Inspection Commission gets involved, I'm not afraid—I'm not unable to withstand an investigation. Don't just sit here idly worrying; go do what you need to do.'

The more Xia Ping listened, the angrier she got: 'Go visit Mayor Lin, pull some strings—will it break your legs or cost your life? Now only he can protect you.'

'Calling an official who comes to curry favor an official? That's disgrace!'

Luo Zhiwei said this with absolute certainty, just like the axe placed beside him—normally, one swing of that axe would cleave even the hardest wood, unable to resist its sharpness.

Xia Ping was utterly speechless, feeling she had married a great fool!

Who among decent people spends all day in the yard doing woodworking?

Besides, he's still the chief of the Public Security Bureau—spreading this would just be neglecting his duties. If he loves playing with wood so much, why did he bother with police academy? He might as well go follow the village's old woodworker from house to house.

A myriad of grievances pent up in her heart, Xia Ping had nowhere to vent.

Because speaking up would be pointless.

The square wooden strip on the workbench, planed by the plane, made a rustling sound; thin wood shavings curled up and fell to the ground soundlessly!

If networking were at this level, how could one fail to get promoted?

Evening.

Riverbank track.

The setting sun dyed the river surface a dark red, a few white egrets flying low over the water.

Lin Dongfan changed into sportswear and jogged slowly on the track. Gao Yicheng accompanied him the whole way, keeping his steps close to Lin Dongfan's pace, not daring to overtake or fall too far behind.

After running two kilometers, Lin Dongfan's speed gradually slowed, switching to a brisk walk.

Gao Yicheng also slowed down, quickly handing over the mineral water he was holding: 'Mayor Lin, take a sip of water to catch your breath.'

Lin Dongfan took the water, twisted off the cap, and took a sip.

He casually asked, 'Detachment Gao, how's your work lately? Any tough cases on the criminal investigation side?'

'No tough cases; everything's going smoothly.'

Gao Yicheng smiled: 'Since you took charge of Wuzhou, bad apples like Zheng Congwen have been cleared from the ranks, and the people below have become much more disciplined.'

Lin Dongfan returned the water: 'Anything new happening over at the City Bureau?'

'Chief Luo is no different from usual—punctual to work, then goes home to do woodworking after work. The people below are buzzing, saying the Municipal Party Committee is going to move him, but nobody knows if it's true or not.' Gao Yicheng probed tentatively for the truth.

Lin Dongfan just smiled and continued walking forward.

He walked several dozen meters.

Lin Dongfan suddenly stopped, gazing at the vast, rolling river, filled with emotion: "Gao Detachment, there's something I need to tell you."

"Mayor Lin, please speak."

Gao Yicheng assumed a posture of attentive listening.

Lin Dongfan turned to look at him: "The Municipal Party Committee plans to move Luo Zhiwei—you've heard about it. Once his bureau chief position becomes vacant, someone needs to fill it. I originally wanted to help you, I mentioned your name at the meeting. But the Municipal Party Committee thought your qualifications were a bit lacking and rejected my suggestion. I'm unable to help despite my willingness."

Life is just like riding a roller coaster.

When he first heard the first half, Gao Yicheng thought his life's shining moment was coming, his blood boiling with excitement.

But when he heard it all through, his little heart, which had floated up to the clouds, plunged straight to the bottom of the valley.

Damn, that's exhilarating!

But...

Overall, excitement still outweighs disappointment.

He really didn't expect Mayor Lin to hold him, Gao Yicheng, in such high regard.

You know, Mayor Lin had just appointed him as detachment chief not long ago, which had once made others envious! Now he's nominating him for bureau chief—what a vote of confidence!

This nomination, though, was suppressed by the Municipal Party Committee.

The key is that Gao Yicheng is still young, with Along road ahead. As long as he keeps pace with Mayor Lin, what's there to fear about lacking promotion opportunities?

"Mayor Lin, thank you for sparing no effort in cultivating me." Gao Yicheng gave a sheepish smile: "My qualifications are indeed a bit lacking; this isn't the Municipal Party Committee's fault."

Lin Dongfan looked at him, then suddenly laughed: "Alright, stop being pretentious. Work hard—there will be plenty of opportunities later."

"Hmm."

They heard the last sentence.

Gao Yicheng felt as if he had taken a reassuring pill, and his belief grew even stronger——as long as he keeps pace with Mayor Lin, there will be bread and there will also be power!

Seeing Lin Dongfan turn and run back, Gao Yicheng hurriedly took small quick steps to follow.

Gao Yicheng, while running, expressed his loyalty: "Mayor, rest assured, I, Gao Yicheng, will follow you unto death in this lifetime, wholeheartedly serving the people."

No wonder Lao Gao can get promoted.

Look at his perceptiveness: a simple sentence not only shows his loyalty, but also reinforces the image of a public servant who wholeheartedly serves the people as a leader.

Someone like this, Lin Dongfan simply couldn't do without him.

Lin Dongfan jogged all the way.

With a smile, he said: "Speaking of which, Old Luo may not be a competent bureau chief, but his character is still quite good. I heard that he gave away the furniture he made for free to poor rural households, and everyone speaks well of him."

"Director Luo's character is indeed beyond reproach," Gao Yicheng echoed.

Lin Dongfan ordered: "Tomorrow, when you have time, go to the countryside, organize those beneficiaries who are poor households, and have them present a banner to Director Luo, making the ceremony a bit grander."