Chapter 1998

Chapter 1998

Power and Wealth

Inside the Room.

Sun Lihan and Xu Zhuang were waiting.

After hanging up the phone with Fang Shuiling, Zhang Dongfang returned. “Xuebing’s contact called me. I gave her the address—she said she’ll be here soon.”

Sun Lihan asked, “This is your county party Secretary Dong?”

Zhang Dongfang nodded. “Xuebing is from Beijing and has worked here before.”

Sun Lihan, understanding the situation, said, “That might not be enough. Trying to reach the State Council General Office isn’t something an average connection can do.” A county party secretary might be powerful locally—able to sway things within the county or even city—but in Beijing, that rank is meaningless. On the streets there, even a random person commuting by bike might outrank them—it’s not a joke.

Zhang Dongfang said, “Let’s wait and see.”

Sun Lihan nodded. “Let’s wait then.”

Xu Zhuang asked curiously, “Who did Secretary Dong reach out to?”

Zhang Dongfang paused, then said, “I’m not sure. Doesn’t seem like an official—sounded like a young woman.”

“…Huh?” Xu Zhuang was stunned.

Even the accompanying staff member from Jiaolin County’s government office was taken aback. A young woman?

Sun Lihan overheard but didn’t say anything. When Zhang Dongfang and the others had explained their intentions a couple of days ago, Sun Lihan had already known the task was likely impossible. Director Li at the General Office, who oversaw this kind of matter, might not be that senior in rank, but the power of that office is immense. You don’t just get to meet them, much less wine and dine them to build a relationship. Why would they give you face? Still, due to her old friendship with Zhang Dongfang, Sun Lihan didn’t say it outright. She helped them make some connections and spent two days with them, doing everything she could. If it didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be her fault.

Half an hour…

An hour…

Soon, it was past 4 PM.

Finally, Zhang Dongfang’s phone rang.

A girl on the other end said, “Hi, I’m here at the Beijing liaison office for Baohong City. I’m standing under the sign. Who are you guys?”

Zhang Dongfang replied, “We’ll be right down.”

After he hung up, Sun Lihan asked, “She’s here?”

“She’s downstairs. Director Sun, thank you for all the running around you’ve done over the past two days. We can go down ourselves. Don’t want to take more of your time.” Zhang Dongfang was polite.

Sun Lihan smiled. “This is my work—helping comrades from Baohong City when they come to Beijing. Don’t mention it, Mayor Zhang. Let’s go together. You’re unfamiliar with things here—I’d feel uneasy letting you go alone. What if you run into a scammer?”

Xu Zhuang was surprised. “There are scammers?”

“Plenty.” As they walked downstairs, Sun Lihan pointed west. “Over there, the Huai’an liaison office—one of their leaders got scammed recently. A man claimed he had connections and could get things done, boasting about knowing influential people. The Huai’an leader believed him and paid a good amount for help with networking. The guy took the money and disappeared. These things happen a lot around here. You guys don’t visit often, so you might not know how complicated it gets. Not everything people say can be trusted.” She added, “Of course, I’m not saying Secretary Dong’s contact is a scammer—just explaining the context.” ṝ𝙖𝐍ＯＢÈ𝒮

Zhang Dongfang said, “We understand.”

He did understand. If Secretary Dong had someone contact him directly, even if they couldn’t get things done, at least the person should be trustworthy. Secretary Dong wouldn’t send a scammer. Zhang trusted his judgment. Although he wasn’t confident the contact could help, he wasn’t about to ignore the favor from Dong Xuebing.

Outside, downstairs in the courtyard—

Zhang Dongfang, Sun Lihan, and the others came out.

At the gate stood a very pretty young woman in a floral dress, quietly looking at the ground under a tree, occasionally stepping on fallen leaves out of boredom. She seemed very innocent and childlike.

That was natural—Fang Shuiling was relatively young, having spent the past few years in school, pursuing postgraduate and PhD studies, and was almost always focused on academics. Besides internships, she had virtually no work experience, so her student-like demeanor was still evident.

“Is it her?” Sun Lihan asked with a sweatdrop.

Zhang Dongfang wasn’t sure. “I don’t know either—let’s ask.”

The county staffer walked up and asked, “Excuse me, miss…”

Fang Shuiling turned and saw them, smiling sweetly. “You’re the officials from Jiaolin County, right? Hi! I’m Fang Shuiling. You can call me Xiaoling.”

It was her.

She was just a young girl.

Zhang Dongfang and the others had assumed that the voice might sound young due to poor phone quality. It turns out she was a young woman, possibly still a student. Zhang Dongfang didn’t understand why Dong Xuebing didn’t contact some of his former colleagues from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Why send a little girl like this instead?

Still, no matter what he thought, he didn’t show it. Once identities were confirmed, Zhang Dongfang stepped forward, “I’m Zhang Dongfang—nice to meet you.”

“I’m the liaison office director, Sun Lihan.”

Everyone introduced themselves and shook hands.

Then Fang Shuiling got to the point. “So, what’s the plan now?”

“Uh…” Zhang Dongfang blinked. “We’re not sure either. What did Secretary Dong tell you?”

Fang Shuiling said, “Brother Dong said I should help you get things done. This is about your application to upgrade the county to a city. That’s all Brother Dong mentioned.”

Xu Zhuang was speechless. This felt so unprofessional—coming without a clear plan?

Zhang Dongfang smiled bitterly. “So what do you suggest we do?”

Fang Shuiling blinked her big eyes. “How about I call and invite the person you need to contact out for dinner?”

Zhang Dongfang said, “If that works, that’d be great.”

Fang Shuiling nodded. “Okay, which official is it?”

Zhang Dongfang replied, “Director Li from the General Office.”

“Which Director Li? Li Fang or Li Kuiran?”

Zhang Dongfang and Sun Lihan didn’t recognize either name, but they sounded important. They glanced at Fang Shuiling again—maybe this girl did know her stuff?

Zhang Dongfang said, “It’s Director Li Xiao.”

Fang Shuiling scratched her head, “Li Xiao? Who’s that?”

…Sweat. So she didn’t know him? Just now they thought she was impressive, but this…

Zhang Dongfang explained, “He’s a director from a department under the General Office.”

“Oh, a lower-level department—I’m not too familiar with them. Do we have to contact him?”

Zhang Dongfang said, “His department is handling our application, so…”

“I see.” Fang Shuiling thought a bit. “No problem, let’s go to the restaurant first. I’ll make a few calls on the way—I’ll get him to show up.”

Zhang Dongfang said, “Okay. Which restaurant?”

“There’s a nice clubhouse up north—I have a membership card. Let’s go there. I’ve been craving their hairy crabs, hehe.”

“Alright then.” Zhang Dongfang looked at Sun Lihan.

“I’ll have someone get the car ready,” Sun Lihan said, and called a staffer to bring around two domestic-brand sedans.

Everyone got in.

Only then did Fang Shuiling begin calling.

“Hello, Uncle Zhang? It’s me—haha, you don’t recognize my voice anymore? Yep, it’s Xiaoling. I need a favor. Do we have a Director Li Xiao under the General Office? We do? Great. Could you help me contact him? I don’t know him personally, so I’m unsure what to say. No need to give me his number—tell him I want to have dinner with him. Don’t ask why—just dinner, that’s all. I’ll leave it to you, okay? We’ll be at the usual clubhouse—he can say my name at the door. Thanks, Uncle Zhang! Give my regards to Auntie, too!”

Zhang Dongfang, Sun Lihan, and the others listened intently.

When she hung up, Fang Shuiling smiled, “Okay, it’s arranged. Let’s go. He’ll probably come after work.”

Too unprofessional.

Too unreliable.

That was the impression Fang Shuiling gave them, despite the phone call sounding like she had some clout. Still, they weren’t sure what to think.

Could she pull it off?

In truth, this was Fang Shuiling’s first time helping someone with something like this.

Dong Xuebing hadn’t even intended for her to accompany them personally. He just asked her to help identify the person in the General Office and make a few calls—simple as that. But Fang Shuiling still felt guilty over the bride price matter during their engagement—after all, they had received nearly a hundred million yuan from Dong Xuebing. She never forgot that favor. So when Brother Dong asked her for help,

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