Chapter 1 The Chat

The next day, around 9:30 AM, three cars pulled up outside the Dragon City Municipal Cadre Sanatorium. A middle-aged man stepped out of the lead car; it was Ouyang Zhen, who had flown in from District One that day.

Accompanying Ouyang Zhen were several leaders from internal Party departments, all attending the symposium. Many knew Old Li, though their relationship wasn't particularly close.

At the entrance, Su Tianyu saw Ouyang Zhen get out of the car and immediately went to greet him, snapping to attention and saluting. "Commander Ouyang!"

Ouyang Zhen glanced at Su Tianyu. "No need for Old Li's right-hand man to salute me. If Old Li and I fall out and start throwing punches, just don't try to break it up. That'll be a favor to me."

"You're too kind!"

"Heh, just saying what I fear. Your Dragon City is full of surprises. If the mayor can get drunk and start brawling, what else are you capable of?" Ouyang Zhen, a master of veiled sarcasm, said with his hands behind his back, then walked into the compound.

Having made his point, it was time to adopt a more proper attitude. Han Xian's dismissal and Ouyang Zhen's personal visit to Dragon City spoke volumes. As Old Li's loyal dog, Gou Liuzi needed to know what to do.

One word: grovel.

He had to convey Old Li's unspoken words to Ouyang Zhen.

Gou Liuzi trotted after Ouyang Zhen, his mouth running non-stop. "The leader was very remorseful after the incident. He was really drunk that day and didn't recognize anyone. I even took a punch trying to stop him...!"

Ouyang Zhen strode ahead, not responding.

"But honestly, the higher-ups shouldn't have sent Han Xian! How many people here in Dragon City even know him? Who knows what department he's from?" Su Tianyu continued, "Dragon City's success is due to the mayor's wisdom combined with your brilliant decisions. It's the result of your and the mayor's joint efforts! So, any problems should be handled by you first... You and the mayor are old friends, and he always listens to you. Yesterday, our leader was saying... if Ouyang had come to talk, I wouldn't have made such a mistake!"

"Heh." Ouyang Zhen turned to Su Tianyu, pointing at his mouth. "Is your tongue made of rubber? You can say anything! So, it's my fault for not coming sooner?!"

"No, no, that's not what I meant..."

"Save it!" Ouyang Zhen said as he was led to the conference room on the second floor. He pushed open the door and shouted, "Oh, Mayor Li, I heard you were sick? When's the funeral?"

Just as Su Tianyu was about to follow him in, his phone vibrated. He pulled it out and saw a message from An Qiqi.

"...How much longer do I have to wait? Do you have nothing to say, or do you just want to end things like this?"

Su Tianyu frowned and quickly replied, "I'm busy. I'll call you when I'm done."

As soon as he sent it, Li Yuan walked over. "Are we just letting the leader and Ouyang talk alone? Should we take the others away?"

Su Tianyu, swamped with work, didn't have time to deal with his phone. He looked up and said, "We'll see. Let's go in and see how the talks are going."

With that, the two entered the conference room.

Inside, Old Li sat by the window, feigning weakness. He even had an IV drip in his hand, looking like he was seriously ill.

In reality, Old Li was a skilled actor. Before Ouyang Zhen arrived, he was berating Su Tianyu and Li Yuan, his voice full of vigor, like Dragon City's biggest smuggler. The IV was just a nutrient solution.

"Oh, you're here... I thought... I almost didn't see you again," Old Li said weakly to Ouyang Zhen. "Han Xian was too ruthless, going straight for the kill... He almost caved in my chest."

Ouyang Zhen walked up to Li Mingsheng with his hands behind his back. "So, how do you want the memorial service? Should we use a picture of you as an adult, or one from when you were a baby?"

Old Li looked up at him. "We've been friends for so many years, and you're just hoping I die?!"

Ouyang Zhen glared at Old Li, wanting to curse him, but he realized he had brought a lot of people with him and it wasn't the time for arguing.

After a moment of silence, Ouyang Zhen turned to his entourage and said, "We're not discussing serious matters yet. You all can take a break while this old man and I chat."

The others exchanged glances and turned to the door.

"Come on, everyone, I'll take you to the lounge..." Li Yuan quickly stepped forward, opened the door, and led the group out.

While Li Yuan was busy settling the leaders, Gou Liuzi was pouring tea inside. "Come on, you two bosses, let's have some water, sit down, and have a good chat... Please don't fight...!"

Old Li's two henchmen were clearly well-coordinated and sharp.

Gou Liuzi placed the tea on the conference table and quickly pulled out a chair for Ouyang Zhen, helping him to sit down.

"Sigh!"

After sitting down, Ouyang Zhen pointed at Old Li and said, "If I hadn't dodged that, did you think about the consequences? The higher-ups would have sent me to present the conditions Han Xian wanted, and you and I would have been on opposing sides."

Old Li directly pulled out the IV needle, looking energetic as he picked up his teacup. "After all these years, don't we have that much understanding?"

Ouyang Zhen frowned. "Stop with the nonsense! You're cooperating with the Huagong Hui? Do you want to die?! Do you know what kind of organization they are?"

"What cooperation do I have with them?!" Old Li took a sip of tea. "Have I sat at the same table with them to discuss matters, or do I have any economic ties with them?"

"I'm asking you, what is the Huagong Hui's goal in forcing the Third Division to rebel?" Ouyang Zhen asked sharply.

Old Li paused. "What do you care what their goal is! I'm asking you, didn't I weaken the garrison's strength and divide the relationship between the old faction and the Tan faction?!"

"I'm asking what benefits the Huagong Hui received, and whether they have achieved their goals!"

"If you don't let them get any benefits, how can they help force the Third Division to rebel? Could Tan Hengqiang have been brought down like this? Could their party have been split?" Old Li shouted back, "The Huagong Hui isn't my father! If you want to use their power, you naturally have to give them some benefits! Otherwise, do you expect to command them with words?"

Ouyang Zhen was silent.

"The Huagong Hui wants to deal with the garrison, and that aligns with our goals at this stage, so what's so abnormal about cooperating? Does it have to be blown out of proportion?" Old Li spread his hands. "Most importantly, the military supplies were robbed, the garrison suffered, but we weren't caught doing anything! Did I cause trouble for the higher-ups? Moreover, the Chi Army even absorbed the Third Division, which is like us exceeding expectations and picking up a bargain from behind the scenes. The higher-ups not only didn't reward me, but they also sent that idiot Han Xian to lecture me! Who does he think he is?! If he's so capable, why didn't he dare to come here as mayor in the first place?"

"No matter how you spin it, the higher-ups will put a tight leash on you this time. They won't let you mess around anymore."

"Put it on, but don't tighten it. If you tighten it, I'm out," Old Li said directly. "I'm really out. Whoever wants to do it can do it...!"

"Aren't you just being unreasonable?!" Ouyang Zhen was exasperated. "You're a ruffian!"

"Tea, tea!" Su Tianyu wiped his sweat and tried to smooth things over.

...

Hua Manor.

An Qiqi sat in a taxi, her chin resting on her hand, staring blankly at the scenery outside the window, her eyes dull and red.