If Qin Zhengyang holds you accountable later, you’ll definitely say it was a mutual decision after consulting with me.

Zhou Hongyuan, cunning and shrewd, said without betraying anything: "Secretary Qin entrusted you with full authority on this matter. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to offer my opinion."

Chunliang cursed "Old Fox," but it wasn’t easy to let him off the hook, so he smiled and said, "Is it inconvenient to offer opinions, or do you have an opinion? If you think there’s anything wrong with my decision, you can speak up. If you don’t, I’ll assume you agree."

Zhou Hongyuan blinked rapidly. This guy is pressuring me without regard for my feelings. It wouldn’t be appropriate not to say anything considering the situation I’m in, so Zhou Hongyuan said, "Xiaoxu, the theme of today’s meeting is to discuss the handling of the Jiang Ailian incident. It seems you haven’t gotten to the topic yet, have you?"

Chunliang said, "Handling these disputes is like how doctors treat illnesses. Ordinary doctors only know how to treat the symptoms, while skilled doctors treat both the symptoms and the root cause."

Everyone understood that Xu Chunliang was publicly saying Zhou Hongyuan was incompetent.

Zhou Hongyuan’s old face flushed. It’s not pleasant to be mocked by a young man in public. He nodded and said, "You didn’t mention I almost forgot you used to be at Changxing Hospital."

Chunliang said, "Although I came from Changxing Hospital, I handle public affairs with absolute fairness and justice, without favoritism."

Tan Haiyan thought to herself, you don’t need to emphasize that. You’re more than just impartial; you’re ruthlessly impartial without recognizing kinship.

Chunliang said, "Does Town Mayor Zhou have anything else to say?"

Dropping his head, Zhou Hongyuan said more words mean more mistakes. Simply saying nothing, he replied, "I’ll go back and report to Qin Zhengyang immediately to see if he’ll allow you to play the fool here."

Chunliang said, "Since that’s the case, let’s adjourn the meeting. I focus on the issue, not the person. I hope everyone will pay attention to the problems raised today. If you refuse to cooperate with the town government’s work, we won’t rule out more severe measures."

As the meeting adjourned, Wu Fajun specifically walked with Xu Chunliang and whispered, "Town Mayor Xu, I’d like to talk to you alone."

Chunliang checked the time on his wrist and said, "Not now. I have to meet the family of the deceased. I’ll call you when I’m done."

Wu Fajun nodded.

Zhou Hongyuan, head down, headed to his office, only wanting to stay away from Xu Chunliang.

But Chunliang’s voice called from behind, "Town Mayor Zhou, wait a moment."

Feeling helpless, Zhou Hongyuan stopped, looking distressed, and said, "I’m on administrative duty today, and I have other things to do."

Chunliang said, "I know you’re busy, but Secretary Qin said to consult with you whenever I encounter difficulties."

Zhou Hongyuan said, "You’re handling it well. Even if it were me, I couldn’t do it as well as you. Really, you don’t need to consult with me. I can’t help you with anything."

Chunliang said, "Can’t help or don’t want to help?"

Zhou Hongyuan was upset; he didn’t want to help, but couldn’t say that clearly. He sighed and said, "I have my own matters."

Chunliang said, "It was you who received Liu Ximing when he came over yesterday, right?"

Zhou Hongyuan said, "He came to the office to demand an explanation. It wasn’t me who initiated the reception."

Chunliang asked, "What did you say to him at the time?"

"Didn’t say anything!"

"He said you deliberately shirked responsibility."

Zhou Hongyuan angrily said, "How can he say that?"

Chunliang said, "People say what they want; Liu Ximing is a lawyer. He recorded your words and said he’d complain to the higher-ups about you."

Zhou Hongyuan said, "I’m not afraid of his complaint. Let him go ahead and complain!"

Chunliang said, "I listened to the recording. Indeed, there were some issues with your responses." After saying that, he turned and left.

Zhou Hongyuan tried hard to recall his conversation with Liu Ximing yesterday. He seemed to say he wasn’t responsible, that it was Xu Chunliang, and he simply stated the facts. Was that wrong? Could this also be shirking responsibility?

Returning to his office, Zhou Hongyuan quickly called Qin Zhengyang to report what Chunliang had been up to.

Qin Zhengyang had actually heard from Lv Aihe. Regarding this matter, Chunliang wasn’t really wrong. Punish both Huayuan Group and Da Heng Group, making both behave. These were things Qin Zhengyang wanted but hadn’t done.

However, Qin Zhengyang also became wary. Xu Chunliang really didn’t treat himself as an outsider, daring to do such things right when he arrived in Hu Shan Town.

Zhou Hongyuan said, "Secretary Qin, he’s just a temporarily assigned cadre. Isn’t the power you’ve given him too much? He’s been here only two days, and grievances are already widespread. Like this, won’t Hu Shan Town’s developers and investors be scared away?"

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "Old Zhou, you’re being a bit alarmist."

Zhou Hongyuan said, "Don’t underestimate this. Xu Chunliang has no political experience or wisdom. He acts solely on personal whims, without considering the bigger picture."

Qin Zhengyang said, "He just started working at Hu Shan Town. As a senior, you could offer him more guidance."

Zhou Hongyuan said, "I’d be willing to, but he has to be willing to listen, too." Anyway, he had reported the situation to Qin Zhengyang. Tomorrow he would no longer be on administrative duty. He was not bothered to advise Chunliang. If Qin Zhengyang didn’t bother, why should he, a deputy, intervene?

Liu Ximing and Liu Xiliang came to the small conference room to wait for Xu Chunliang to communicate with them. While waiting, the TV broadcasted a video.

At first, the two thought it was a TV show, but soon they realized it was their mother appearing on the screen.

After watching for a while, the brothers were increasingly alarmed. Liu Xiliang couldn’t sit still and stood up, shouting, "Someone! Anyone!"

Lv Aihe stepped in: "No need to worry. Town Mayor Xu will be here soon."

Liu Xiliang pointed at the TV and said, "Who played this? Who allowed this? My mom has passed away. Why play such footage? Are you doing this on purpose?"

Liu Ximing tugged his brother’s arm, signaling him to sit back down. It was clear from this surveillance that Hu Shan Town was using tactics. The more this was seen, the more they needed to remain calm.

After watching for a while, Liu Ximing said, "This surveillance proves Da Heng is also related to Mom’s death."

Liu Xiliang nodded but felt guilty. Mom called him that day, and after learning of her suicide, he deleted the call records.

The two brothers waited for over half an hour before Xu Chunliang and Li Chengbo finally arrived with Ding Si. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Chunliang smiled and said, "Sorry, I was dealing with something urgent, so I’m late. Thank you both for waiting."

Liu Xiliang said, "You set the time and are half an hour late. We can’t see your sincerity."

Chunliang said, "Can’t stand waiting half an hour? Your mother waited for your call, from New Year’s Eve to the night of New Year’s Day, without seeing you call to wish her a happy new year."

Liu Xiliang slammed the table in anger, "What do you mean by that?"

Liu Ximing quickly reminded his brother to stay calm, knowing Xu Chunliang’s fearsome reputation. Provoking him might lead to trouble.

Chunliang said, "What do I mean? Nothing really." As he spoke, he took out a printed call record and tossed it to them. "See for yourselves. From New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, it was all your mother calling you, yet you didn’t answer."

Liu Xiliang said, "What right do you have to check our call records?"

Li Chengbo said, "We didn’t check you. We checked Jiang Ailian’s call records. According to them, before choosing to commit suicide, she repeatedly called you two, but you never answered."

Liu Ximing said, "I left my phone in the car."

Liu Xiliang said, "My phone was on silent; I didn’t hear it."

Chunliang said, "Today, I specifically had someone make copies of two diaries. They are Jiang Ailian’s belongings. Each of you brothers can keep one as a memento."

Lv Aihe entered, delivering the copied diaries and the will to them.

The expressions on the Liu brothers’ faces changed dramatically.

This Chapter is four thousand words, making up for the thousand left yesterday!