Chapter 361: Investigating Undercover with Cheng Lin!

At the end of the workday, Tang Ye's cell phone rang, and Cheng Lin's name danced on the screen.

"How does it feel to be at your new environment on the first day?" On the other end of the line, Cheng Lin's voice carried gentle concern.

The corners of Tang Ye's mouth curled into a smile: "Everything feels unfamiliar, but once I get busy, everything feels especially fulfilling."

"Shall we have a meal together tonight? Consider it a welcome for you." Cheng Lin invited him enthusiastically.

"I couldn't ask for more! I was already planning to go back and gnaw on instant noodles." Tang Ye's tone held a hint of banter, yet it could not hide a trace of loneliness.

Logically speaking, a welcome banquet is customary when a new official takes office, but this time it was quiet, as if he had been forgotten in a corner.

Fortunately, this phone call from Cheng Lin was like a beam of light shining into his heart, dispelling some of the loneliness.

Walking out of the Government Compound, Tang Ye headed toward the southwest.

He hadn't gone far when the sound of a horn came from behind him.

He looked back and saw Cheng Lin parked on the side of the road in a Mazda; the window was rolled down, and Cheng Lin was waving at him.

Tang Ye smiled, pulled open the back door, and sat inside.

Seeing that Tang Ye had deliberately chosen to sit in the back, Cheng Lin understood immediately, and a faint smile rose at the corners of her mouth: "Long time no see, you've changed quite a bit; you even have white strands in your hair."

Tang Ye touched his hair and mocked himself: "I was just wondering whether to find a barbershop and dye this tuft of white hair black!"

Cheng Lin glanced at him through the rearview mirror, her tone carrying a bit of teasing: "Don't dye it! I actually think it's quite good; it adds a bit of composure and makes you look more distinguished."

"Alright, I'll listen to you!" Tang Ye agreed with a smile.

The car finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous restaurant in the Industrial Park.

Tang Ye understood in his heart that this welcome banquet of Cheng Lin's was not just to treat him to a meal.

Taking him to personally experience the atmosphere of the park and understand the grassroots situation was the real intention.

Not long after they sat down, several workers from the park pushed the door open and entered, chatting heatedly.

"Have you heard? The municipal leaders came to inspect today, and all the employees from Runsheng ran over to cause a scene!"

"Sigh! These officials nowadays find trouble for businesses every three days. If they don't let the businesses operate, they say it pollutes the environment; but if they force the businesses away, what are we supposed to use to support our families?"

"In my opinion, Runsheng has done everything they could; this is clearly officials forcing the people to rebel!"

"You can't say it like that... Wasn't there a village a while back where a group of children were poisoned collectively? That was caused by the enterprise's sewage discharge not meeting standards. Such a big matter, and in the end, it was actually suppressed!"

Tang Ye and Cheng Lin listened to the workers' discussion calmly while they ate.

"Sister, how come I've never heard about this collective poisoning?" Tang Ye asked in a low voice.

Cheng Lin gave a helpless, bitter smile: "It was suppressed by Secretary Han. The news didn't spread, but the Municipal Party Committee leaders all know the inside story. At the time, Secretary Han pushed all the responsibility onto Wang Xingjian and immediately started sewage rectification. But now the problem is stuck here—the common people want a clean and safe environment, but they also need to earn money to support their families. There are even people behind the scenes fanning the flames, deliberately intensifying the conflict."

Tang Ye sighed heavily: "Secretary Han's direction in responding to national policy is correct, but he also has to take into account the employment of the workers. Sister, I want to go around the surrounding villages and hear the thoughts of the common people firsthand."

Cheng Lin's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement: "We thought of the same thing! Let's go take a look together!"

After the meal, Cheng Lin was quick-witted and paid the bill first.

Tang Ye did not insist on competing.

Being overly polite in front of her would instead make things feel distant and formal.

Afterward, Cheng Lin started the car and drove Tang Ye slowly around the Industrial Park.

Along the way, vacant factory buildings were everywhere, the walls were mottled, and weeds grew in front of the doors; the desolate scene made one's heart feel heavy, and both of them remained silent, the atmosphere so oppressive it felt as if it could be wrung out like water.

"To revitalize the Industrial Park, we need to inject new enterprises, but with this lifeless appearance, there is no way to start the investment promotion work." Cheng Lin broke the silence, her tone full of helplessness.

Tang Ye nodded in deep agreement: "The market downturn is only temporary; as long as we can attract large enterprises or key projects, the situation can be reversed immediately."

These words made Cheng Lin's eyes light up, and she hurriedly asked: "Do you have an idea?"

Tang Ye's gaze was firm, and he said bluntly: "I heard that Hanxing Group is negotiating a partnership with Dazong and plans to build several new production lines; they are currently still selecting a site."

"This project, Tianling County has more advantages!" Cheng Lin understood his meaning instantly.

Tang Ye smiled and analyzed: "Tianling County has strong development momentum right now, but it focuses on tourism and agriculture; although Suiyuan County's industry has stagnated, the foundation is here, and the development focus is also more compatible."

"This idea is worth a try! We can find an opportunity to report it to Secretary Han." Cheng Lin pondered for a moment and gave her suggestion.

She knew clearly in her heart that to secure such a large project, the whole county must work together.

Cheng Lin is currently the number three in Suiyuan County, in charge of Party Committee work.

To move a step further, she needs to start from government work; if she can prove that she can also demonstrate outstanding ability in government work, it will bring more opportunities for her promotion.

Seeing Cheng Lin considering it seriously, Tang Ye knew his suggestion had caught her attention.

However, he also understood that wanting to pull a new factory to Suiyuan County would definitely be a tough battle.

The two parked the car at the entrance of the village and walked into the village where the child poisoning had occurred.

As soon as they entered the village, they were spotted by sharp-eyed villagers.

Cheng Lin adapted to the situation and claimed to be a Reporter from a newspaper office, here to understand the situation.

An elderly woman surnamed Yang had red-rimmed eyes and a panicked expression: "Listen to my advice, don't investigate anymore! Leave quickly; I'm afraid you won't be able to leave if it gets too late!"

Tang Ye comforted her gently: "Ma'am, don't be afraid; if there is anything, just say it, we will definitely see this through to the end."

Led by Auntie Yang, they came to a household. "This is Huahua, only five years old... she wasn't cured, and was sent back."

Auntie Yang's voice choked with sobs, "The child's parents are divorced, and she has always been with her grandparents. Last year, the grandfather had a car accident, and now there is only the old lady left to hold things up..."

Looking at the empty room and the innocently suffering child, Cheng Lin couldn't help but turn away to wipe her tears.

Tang Ye silently took out his wallet and stuffed all the cash inside to Huahua's grandmother; the old woman clutched the money and thanked them incessantly.

Seeing that Cheng Lin and Tang Ye were people of character, Auntie Yang opened up.

"We all understand that closing down polluting enterprises is for everyone's good. There aren't many local workers in these factories; most are outsiders coming to make a living, and we aren't xenophobic. But thirty children were poisoned; the Government handled it too simply and carelessly!"

Cheng Lin's eyes shook violently; the report had written in black and white "three children poisoned," she hadn't expected the real data to have been hidden by so much!

She suppressed her shock, but her voice trembled involuntarily: "Ma'am, thank you for being willing to tell us this."

"I see you are very kind-hearted. Hurry and leave! The village cadres watch us every day and don't let us talk nonsense!" Auntie Yang looked panicked and kept looking out the door.

Tang Ye frowned slightly and asked: "Shouldn't the village cadres speak up for you common people?"

"Talk to them? They are the village bullies!" The middle-aged woman suddenly became agitated and lowered her voice, "Relying on being relatives of the Township Head, they walk sideways in the village! Back when the Industrial Park was being demolished for relocation, who knows how much grease they skimmed off. I heard from people that they have connections up top and can even reach the City Leader..."

Tang Ye and Cheng Lin exchanged a look, their eyes filled with shock and anger.

Just as the old saying goes, the eyes of the masses are the sharpest!

Without going deep among the masses, one would never know the severity of the problem!

"Ma'am, we are leaving now. If you have any more difficulties, you can contact me at any time." Cheng Lin quickly wrote down her phone number and placed it under a teacup, "Please take care of yourself."

The two walked to the entrance of the village, and Cheng Lin just started the car.

Several villagers suddenly surrounded them, blocking the path completely...