Chapter 1143: Who Exactly Are You?

Ma Ran nodded, "Alright, I'll go contact them right now."

Returning to the office, Ma Ran dialed the other party's number.

"Hello, may I ask if this is Ms. Song Ci?"

"Yes, who are you?" Seeing an unfamiliar number, Song Ci was somewhat guarded.

"I am County Magistrate Tang's Liaison Officer. Please come to the County Government tomorrow afternoon. County Magistrate Tang wishes to see you."

"Alright." Song Ci hung up the phone, her heart full of surprise.

A few days ago, Tang Ye had eaten with her.

Since then, Tang Ye had never contacted her again, and Song Ci had assumed the matter had sunk into the sea, never to be heard of again.

After all, back then, Tang Ye hadn't even been willing to sing a song with her.

Yet this sudden phone call ignited a spark of hope in her heart.

Song Ci couldn't help but think to herself, *Actually, Tang Ye has always had me in his heart, hasn't he? Could he be playing hard to get? *

Song Ci hurriedly stopped herself from letting her imagination run wild, secretly warning herself not to have any unrealistic thoughts.

She had actually looked up information on Tang Ye online; she hadn't expected Tang Ye to be quite famous on the internet, and that viral internet-famous village in Shaan Province had actually been excavated and built by him single-handedly.

Judging from the deeds circulating online, Tang Ye was a good cadre with many ideas, great ability, and a wholehearted dedication to doing practical things for the common people.

After hanging up the phone, Song Ci turned and walked into the hospital room.

The Nurse was scolding with a look of annoyance: "Just now he suddenly pulled out the tubes and made a scene, insisting on going home. Does he even want to treat this illness or not?"

Song Ci apologized quickly, "I'm sorry, we will definitely treat the illness properly. I will try my best to persuade him."

After the Nurse left, Song Ci sat by her father's bedside and said softly, "Dad, stop losing your temper."

Her father sighed, "Just let me die; that way I won't be holding you back anymore."

Song Ci's eyes turned red, "Dad, there's a turning point. Through a friend, I've gotten to know a high-ranking leader in the Yechuan County Government."

Her father waved his hand, "These officials, they always protect their own. I've already thought it through and plan to file for bankruptcy; that way I won't cause you any more trouble."

Song Ci held her father's hand tightly and comforted him gently: "Don't lose heart. When you reach the mountain, there will be a road; there will always be a way."

Her father's emotions stabilized slightly, "Is this friend of yours reliable?"

Song Ci actually had no confidence in her heart either, but she bit the bullet and said, "It's my colleague, and her boyfriend is very capable. A few days ago, he specifically introduced me to this government cadre from Yechuan County to have a meal together."

A look of surprise appeared in her father's eyes, and he hurriedly urged: "You must not do anything foolish for my sake." Song Ci knew what foolish thing her father was referring to.

"Dad, don't worry. It was just a simple meal; the other party is an upright person."

Her father shook his head, his face full of worry, "Don't do anything that hurts yourself because of me."

……

At two in the afternoon, Tang Ye met Song Ci in his office.

Song Ci was dressed very simply today, wearing a knitted T-shirt on her upper body, paired with jeans, and a pair of white sneakers on her feet.

Tang Ye realized belatedly that Song Ci was quite tall, around one meter seventy-five.

The selection for flight attendants naturally had strict height requirements, and thinking of it this way, it felt reasonable.

Tang Ye took the initiative to shake hands with Song Ci, "Ms. Song, long time no see."

Song Ci said softly, "County Magistrate Tang, I'm very happy to see you again. Is there a result yet regarding the matter I asked you to help with last time?"

Tang Ye raised his hand to signal her to sit down: "Have a cup of tea first."

Song Ci took a sip of tea.

Tang Ye asked, "How is your father now?"

Song Ci shook her head, "His mental state is very poor, and his appetite is bad too; he can't eat anything at all."

Tang Ye said, "Your father has something weighing on his mind. Once the matter is resolved and his mood improves, his health will naturally get better. Later, I will go to Zhaojiang Wharf; you come with us."

Song Ci nodded hurriedly: "Alright, then I'll trouble you."

The nature of Zhaojiang Wharf was rather special.

The Wharf originally belonged to the County Maritime Office.

But, fifteen years ago, the Wharf was acquired by the Zhenao Group and became a private wharf.

Ma Ran pushed the door open at this moment, "County Magistrate Tang, County Magistrate Zheng and the others are already in position."

Tang Ye nodded and turned to say to Song Ci: "Let's go."

After going downstairs, Tang Ye and Song Ci got into the car.

After the car had been driving for over ten minutes, Zheng Shaokang saw Tang Ye's car pass by and ordered the driver to keep a distance and follow closely behind.

Over an hour later, the sedan arrived at Zhaojiang Wharf.

Cai Lin saw Tang Ye from afar, and his first reaction was that the big sucker who was willing to pay fifty thousand in unloading fees had arrived.

He immediately walked up with a grin and handed over a cigarette.

"Boss Sun, you're quite punctual! How much longer until your cargo arrives at the wharf?"

"Probably another half hour!" Tang Ye took the cigarette calmly, "Besides the fifty thousand unloading fee we agreed upon, there's also the additional unloading processing fee. Other than that, there shouldn't be any other expenses, right?"

Cai Lin frowned, his face showing displeasure: "Boss Sun, the way you say that, you don't trust me?"

Tang Ye gave a helpless, bitter smile, "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that I heard people say this wharf often raises prices on the spot, so I'm a bit worried."

Cai Lin patted his chest to guarantee, "I stake my reputation on it, there will absolutely be no other expenses. By the way, why don't you settle that fifty thousand fee first?"

Tang Ye cursed inwardly, *What kind of reputation does a guy like you have! *

But on the surface, he smiled faintly: "The cargo hasn't even arrived yet, and you're already in such a rush to collect money?"

Cai Lin feigned anger: "When it comes down to it, you still don't trust me."

Tang Ye said bluntly: "I trusted you originally, but now I'm a bit doubtful. I just heard some news that a boss from Xin Song was unloading at your wharf, and in the end, a third of the cargo was stolen."

"That's pure rumor!" Cai Lin immediately retorted, "How can there be no normal loss during unloading? It's usually around 5%; how could so much go missing?"

"So, there is a loss after all," Tang Ye said unhurriedly.

A wave of irritation surged in Cai Lin's heart; his expression darkened as he said, "How about this: I originally intended to charge you fifty thousand, but now I'll charge you thirty-five thousand. I'm giving you a thirty percent discount; I'm already giving you plenty of face."

Tang Ye laughed in spite of himself, "Forget thirty-five thousand; today, I won't give you a single cent."

Cai Lin's expression changed instantly, and he cursed angrily, "Are you fucking messing with me? If you don't want to follow the rules, then get the hell out of here! Do you believe me when I say that for a guy like you, you won't be able to unload at any Wharf nearby?" Tang Ye gave a cold smile: "You certainly have a big mouth."

Cai Lin waved his hand impatiently, "Get lost quickly, don't wait for me to force you out."

Tang Ye deliberately provoked Cai Lin: "I can leave, but shouldn't the deposit I paid earlier be returned to me?" Cai Lin stared at Tang Ye as if looking at an idiot, his tone contemptuous: "You broke the contract first, and you still want the deposit? Get lost, and if you dare to pester me here again, don't blame me for laying a hand on you!"

Tang Ye produced the receipt, "If you don't return the deposit to me, I will go to the Government to report the situation!"

Seeing that Tang Ye did not know what was good for him, Cai Lin flew into a rage and, without another word, clenched his fist and smashed it toward Tang Ye's face.

Tang Ye had been prepared; while dodging to the side, he raised his leg and kicked Cai Lin hard in the shin.

Cai Lin had originally seen that Tang Ye looked refined and gentle, and he never expected his agility to be this great; he suffered a solid, heavy loss!

He grimaced in pain and shouted at his subordinates behind him: "What are you all standing there for? Get him, beat this dog-thing surnamed Sun to death!"

The others heard the order and prepared to step forward.

Several sedans lurking in the shadows suddenly rushed straight out from a hidden corner of the Wharf and stopped in front of everyone. Cai Lin was dumbfounded.

A cold sweat broke out from his spine, soaking through his body.

Could it be that he had encountered a sting operation?

"You, who exactly are you? You surnamed Sun, you, you, you couldn't possibly be the Police, could you?"