"Xiao Xuan, what you're saying is baffling. Lan'er was indeed part of our studio before, but she left Jiangcheng Huijie Studio last month. Now she's in trouble in Yongming County, what does that have to do with us?" Sister Huijie stared intently at Xiao Ming.
"On the surface, it seems unrelated. However, to get a reduced sentence, Lan'er revealed that your Jiangcheng Huijie Studio was involved in tax evasion. Of course, this matter is currently being handled by our brothers in Yongming County. Tell me, does Lan'er's situation have anything to do with you?" Xiao Ming said smugly.
"Tax evasion? Nonsense! We have always paid our taxes legally and compliantly. When did we ever evade taxes?" Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng responded with righteous indignation.
"You didn't evade taxes, but your agent did, behind your back, and then pocketed the tax money. I'm not making this up; Lan'er told me," Xiao Ming said sinisterly.
"..."
Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng was speechless.
Last month, the previous agent suddenly resigned without giving any reason. Could it be that tax evasion really happened? After all, it was that agent who handled the tax payments for Jiangcheng Huijie Studio before.
"Alright, think about it yourself. Decide how you want to handle the tax evasion issue with Jiangcheng Huijie Studio: settle it privately or let the authorities handle it. If you choose to settle it privately, come find me at the Hongtai Hotel tonight. If you choose the latter, then wait for the police to knock on your door."
With that, Xiao Ming left Jiangcheng Huijie Studio with a sinister smile.
Chen Feng, sitting in the corner, watched all of this with cold eyes.
So, it turned out Xiao Ming had taken an interest in Huijie, the streamer, and intended to force her to submit through unscrupulous means.
He couldn't understand why rich or powerful people these days were so attracted to female streamers. Some embezzled millions of public funds for them. Some abandoned their families, children, and wives for them. Some became obsessive, constantly wanting to be the top supporter.
...
Xiao Ming was slightly different; for a female streamer, he used despicable and shameless methods to coerce Huijie.
If Huijie was the kind of streamer who was easily swayed by money, Chen Feng wouldn't have intervened.
However, from what he could see, Huijie, the streamer from Jiangcheng, was quite positive.
"Huijie, don't worry."
Seeing Huijie on the verge of tears from anxiety, Chen Feng immediately stepped forward to comfort her.
"You must have heard what happened. Jiangcheng Huijie Studio is suspected of tax evasion. How can I not worry? A few months ago, several popular streamers were completely ruined because of tax evasion issues," Huijie replied with a worried expression.
"They are them, and you are you," Chen Feng quickly comforted Huijie.
"It's all the same; it's studio tax evasion. Alas, the country has been very strict on tax evasion in recent years. Whoever crosses the line has to pay the price," Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng continued with a worried look.
"You said it yourself: whoever crosses the line has to pay the price. The problem is, Jiangcheng Huijie Studio's suspected tax evasion wasn't by you, but by your former agent," Chen Feng reasoned with Huijie.
"I know, but the tax bureau doesn't care about these details. Otherwise, why would Xiao Xuan threaten me to go to the hotel to see him tonight?" Huijie sighed.
"Huijie, to be honest, I am the village head of Wulin Village. I came here to find you to livestream and sell our village's agricultural products. I never expected to encounter someone like Xiao Ming doing such low-class things. Therefore, I must educate you about tax law." Chen Feng said earnestly.
Tax law, administrative law, it didn't matter to Chen Feng. Ever since he started driving for Qin Yan, under her influence, he had been reading books related to power dynamics daily to improve himself.
"You mean, Xiao Xuan is just scaring me?" A weight began to lift from Huijie's heart.
"To be precise, he's scaring you with a semblance of authority. If you don't understand the ways of power, it's easy to fall into a trap, just like Xiao Ming threatening you this time."
"Chen Feng, so you mean I don't need to pay attention to Xiao Ming?" Huijie probed.
"No, if you ignore Xiao Ming, he will escalate his actions."
"Then what should I do?" Huijie asked, looking worried.
Although Xiao Ming was only the head of the Propaganda Department in Yongming County, he surely had connections in Jiangcheng. As Chen Feng said, if Xiao Ming were to get angry and directly mobilize his Jiangcheng contacts against Jiangcheng Huijie, she would be completely defenseless.
"I'll go and have a word with Xiao Ming myself."
"You? You're a village head, and Xiao Ming is a county leader. You're not on the same level. Will your going make any difference?" Huijie asked with concern.
"Don't worry, I understand a thing or two about power dynamics. To deal with a leader like Xiao Ming, who has no bottom line, I'll bring a helper along," Chen Feng reassured Huijie.
"A helper?"
"Yes, I'll find a helper to go with me to see Xiao Ming. To be frank, this helper is a former superior of mine. She's a righteous person. With her accompanying me, Xiao Ming definitely won't be able to cause any trouble!" With Chen Feng saying this, Huijie couldn't argue further.
At this point, she had no other option but to trust Chen Feng.
"What? You want Xiao Xuan to resign voluntarily?" Qin Yan asked in surprise after Chen Feng explained the situation with Xiao Ming and Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng.
"Yes, Xiao Ming's conscience is corrupted. If he remains in power, who knows how many people he will harm. Especially Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng; she is key to the sales success of our crayfish project. If Xiao Ming isn't dealt with, Sister Huijie of Jiangcheng won't be able to livestream with peace of mind," Chen Feng explained in detail.
"Chen Feng, don't get so worked up. We can take things slowly regarding Xiao Ming." Qin Yan did not agree with Chen Feng as readily as usual.
"Town Head Qin, didn't you always have a disagreement with Xiao Ming? Why are you protecting him now?" Chen Feng asked, looking puzzled.
"Chen Feng, didn't I tell you before? In politics, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. Before, I had unpleasant interactions with Deputy Town Head Xiao, but that was in the past. Now, we are already a community of interests. If Deputy Town Head Xiao is taken down, wouldn't that be shooting myself in the foot?" Qin Yan explained.
"Town Head Qin, that logic makes sense. However, from a long-term interest perspective, Xiao Ming must be removed from his position." Chen Feng suppressed his surprise.
He hadn't understood how incredible the world of power was before. Today's examples of Xiao Ming and Qin Yan made him completely believe it. One moment they were in conflict, the next they were partners of interest.
"Explain to me, from a long-term interest perspective, why Xiao Ming should be removed from his position?" Qin Yan asked with curiosity.
"Town Head Qin, words are not enough. Call and ask the higher-ups: is the town head of Mingshan Town you, or is it Xiao Ming?" Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Are you implying that Xiao Ming stabbed me in the back and snatched the position of town head of Mingshan Town that rightfully belonged to me?" A hint of panic flashed across Qin Yan's brow.