Chapter 488

Su Yang was careless and nearly got knocked in the head by the newcomer.

Xiang Donglai immediately shouted: "Can't you watch where you're going? It's broad daylight, you reek of alcohol during work hours—are you even a staff member here?"

The person who came in didn't even lift his head before saying: "Are you blind? Can't you watch where you're going yourself?"

With his hot temper, Xiang Donglai grabbed the person and flung him to the ground beside him: "What's your attitude?"

Knocked to the ground, the man's drunkenness vanished instantly, and he immediately drew a gun from his waist, aiming it at Xiang Donglai, and also noticed Su Yang beside him.

As soon as he drew the gun, Xiang Donglai almost instinctively pulled his own and aimed: "Don't move, or I'll shoot you dead!"

In that split second, the two drew their guns at each other, startling the forest rangers in the room.

But the forest ranger shouted: "Li Meng, don't cause trouble—this is Director Su, here to visit us!"

"You're pointing your gun at Chief Xiang, who's in charge of our ranger team—how could you treat him like that?"

Actually, he didn't need to shout; Li Meng, who had just been sobered by the blow, also recognized Su Yang.

That's right—he is Li Meng, whom Sun Chengjun dispatched from Huatian Town to serve as a forest ranger here. Originally Li Meng was a diehard follower of Chang Wei, but after Chang Wei went to prison with Residual Warmth, Li Meng still acted two-faced toward Sun Chengjun, and ended up getting kicked out to this place.

Perhaps he doesn't know the other people from Huatian Town, and doesn't need to, but Su Yang knows him, and also knows Sun Chengjun's backing. The real reason he was sent here actually lies with Su Yang.

Xiang Donglai should be his direct superior; he ought to have reported first upon arrival, but he was so angry he had no mind for that.

Otherwise, he would certainly have recognized Xiang Donglai, especially since Xiang Donglai had accompanied Su Yang here a few days earlier.

However, in that brief moment of dazedness, Xiang Donglai kicked his wrist, sending the gun flying, then kicked him several times hard.

Li Meng tried to get up to retrieve his gun, but he was no match for Xiang Donglai; if he didn't struggle it was fine, but struggling only earned him another beating.

At that moment Su Yang said: "Stop! We're all on the same side—what are you doing?"

Xiang Donglai then released his grip, but his gaze remained sharp; if Li Meng dared to move, he would surely kick him over.

"You're Li Meng? I haven't seen you the past few times I came, or else this misunderstanding wouldn't have happened. Old Bai, why didn't you introduce him just now? We're lucky the guns didn't go off—otherwise today's incident would have blown up.' After calling off Xiang Donglai, Su Yang turned to Bai Yutang beside him and said.

Bai Yutang rubbed his hands, slightly embarrassed, and said: "Sorry, Director Su, things happened too suddenly just now—I didn't even get a chance to speak. Plus, they both drew their guns; I was so scared I almost pissed myself, let alone think about speaking."

But in his heart he felt otherwise: he wished the guns had misfired earlier, because Xiang Donglai follows Su Yang, and then Su Yang couldn't wash his hands of the affair.

His attitude toward Su Yang now is: use him if useful, and best of all get the development of Xiu shui Mountain settled; if not, at least it won't affect his position as Township Party Committee Secretary.

He also knew Li Meng had been kicked over from Huatian Town, but before he couldn't be bothered to associate with someone like Li Meng; now it seems Li Meng might be worth associating with, after all he's heard about Huatian Town's affairs.

Seeing Su Yang still staring at him, he finally said rather embarrassed: "I was indeed too nervous just now; if something had happened, our township government couldn't escape responsibility."

"Comrade Li Meng, your attitude is all wrong—revolutionary work knows no rank. You know you used to be a policeman at Huatian Town Police Station, but now you're responsible for Xiu shui Mountain's safety; you need to straighten up and not go pulling your gun at the drop of a hat."

"Just think how dangerous that was—if the gun had really gone off, who could bear the consequences? This Director Su used to be the mayor of your Huatian Town; how could you treat him like that? It's unacceptable."

"Even if you had unpleasant experiences in Huatian Town, you should let them go, look forward, and not ruin your own future."

Don't let this old guy's terrible work performance fool you—he still has a knack for stirring up people's hearts, otherwise he wouldn't have become Cui Mingjiu's top lackey.

Hearing this, Su Yang couldn't help but sneer: 'That Bai Yutang really isn't a penny-pincher; he must have seen Li Meng with a gun and thus been stirring up trouble all along.'

But he didn't take those words to heart; Li Meng may have a gun now, but that doesn't mean he'll keep it later. At this moment he clearly saw a flash of vengeful hatred in Li Meng's eyes.

After Xiang Donglai released him, Li Meng said to Su Yang: 'Town Mayor Su, I'm really sorry—I didn't see it was you just now, and I've been feeling off these past couple days, had a drink; I hope you can understand.'

Su Yang waved his hand, indicating it was fine, and added: 'I know your work in the mountains is tough, so I came specially to console you and brought some comforts.'

'Your hardship is only temporary; the township has already planned to develop the Xiu shui Mountain scenic area, and then your ranger team will be in high demand—maybe people will even fight to join.'

He wanted to leave after saying a few pleasantries, but Bai Yutang jumped in again: 'Comrade Li Meng, it's work hours now, and you're violating the relevant regulations—you'll be punished. We'll decide the specifics at the township meeting and notify you.'

'Normally I might turn a blind eye, but today the Poverty Alleviation Office's Director Su is here, so this can't just be let slide.'

Hearing that, Xiang Donglai couldn't help but glance at Bai Yutang: 'Is this guy even human? He's always looking to stir up hatred, all under the guise of noble reasons.'

You might say his words are wrong, but they seem somewhat reasonable; yet in fact, within the system no one does this—it's clearly just looking for trouble for others.

Su Yang said: 'I don't think we need to make a big issue of this; if we really had to bring it up, Gao Haisheng isn't even on duty right now? By rights he should be here, and if we're going to study punishment in the township, we should treat everyone equally.'

Bai Yutang's mouth twitched; he had intended to drag Su Yang into hatred, but didn't expect Su Yang to pull him into the mess as well.

Gao Haisheng right now is a powder keg—ignite at the slightest spark; he had finally managed to bring Gao Haisheng here, only to find him off somewhere sleeping again.

If we now hand out another punishment, this matter will only blow up.

But his eyes shifted, and he suddenly thought this might not be a bad thing—what was his purpose in inviting Su Yang to Xiu shui Mountain today? If someone else could just take action, wouldn't that be even better?