Chapter 562: Chapter 533: Can’t Shoulder It

Xie Zhongxin said, "Don’t blame your aunt, women are like this." He reached for the cigarette on the table, and Yan Fangming quickly took out his own cigarette and lit it for him.

Xie Zhongxin took a puff and said, "Han Yuan Hot Spring has been ordered for rectification by the provincial tourism bureau."

Yan Fangming was startled, recalling the call from He Xingjian in the car just now, immediately associating it with this matter. Since his uncle said it himself, it must be true, and it seemed the matter was more serious than he thought.

Xie Zhongxin said, "The city asked me to explain your position at the Ecological Environment Investment Company. Someone reported that I’m using my position to profit my relatives."

Yan Fangming’s heart was pounding. At this moment, he realized the situation had indeed escalated.

Xie Zhongxin sighed and said, "I’ve told you long ago to act low-key. Don’t think that having some connections means you can do whatever you want. There are always others higher than you, just like there’s always a higher sky. You’re different from He Xingjian. If push comes to shove, he’ll throw you under the bus without hesitation."

Yan Fangming also took out a cigarette and lit it. The two men faced each other, smoking, both understanding each other’s difficult situation.

As Yan Fangming was about to finish his cigarette, he said, "Uncle, he told me to resign."

Xie Zhongxin sneered, "He’s making you take all the blame."

Yan Fangming nodded.

Xie Zhongxin said, "Have you thought about it? If you take the blame, people will keep digging. They will think I provided you with convenience and a safety net."

Feeling somewhat distressed, Yan Fangming pinched his brow and said, "Uncle, I really didn’t expect a small deputy town mayor to have such influence."

Xie Zhongxin said, "He Xingjian thinks that because Director Chen is his father-in-law, he can go unchallenged in Dongzhou. His vision is too narrow. There are plenty of people stronger than his father-in-law in Dongzhou. What is Hu Shan Town? A national-level tourist resort. Countless eyes are on that place. You should have followed regulations to acquire the hot spring, instead of using shady methods and instigating workers to cause trouble. Now look, it’s blown up in your face."

Yan Fangming said, "Uncle, what should I do now?"

"You can handle small issues, but not the big ones. You can’t bear it. If you’re crushed, it won’t just be your back that’s broken." Xie Zhongxin’s implication was that if Yan took the blame, it would eventually implicate him as well.

Yan Fangming asked, "What’s Xu Chunliang’s background?"

Xie Zhongxin extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray. "I looked into it a bit. He has a good relationship with Secretary Zhou. However, the provincial tourism bureau directly investigating Han Yuan Hot Spring proves he has connections at a provincial level. It’s probably not Secretary Zhou who made a move."

Yan Fangming said, "I heard his girlfriend is Mei Ru Xue, deputy secretary of the High-Tech Zone."

Xie Zhongxin said, "You guys have stirred up a huge mess this time."

##

He Xingjian got a thorough scolding from his father-in-law. Coming out of the house, he and his wife looked utterly defeated. Chen Yiru said, "What did Yan Fangming say?"

He Xingjian said, "What else can he say? I was the one who promoted him to where he is today. Now that there’s trouble, it’s his turn to repay me."

Chen Yiru said, "Xingjian, you should just give up the hot spring project on Weishan Island."

He Xingjian sighed, "It’s not up to me to say give up and it ends." Since Han Yuan Hot Spring was ordered for rectification, he started to regret it. Instigating the winery workers to cause trouble was unwise.

People accustomed to relying on background connections are filled with fear when they realize their opponents have even stronger connections.

Chen Yiru said, "Why don’t you try talking to Xu Chunliang?"

He Xingjian said, "Talk to him?" He shook his head and said, "Relax, this matter will end with Yan Fangming. It won’t involve us."

Xue Meizhen urgently headed to Weishan Island that day. Firstly, to check on the external interview team members, who were all stung by wasps. Although there was no life-threatening danger, each was in a distressingly bad state.

Secondly, to put out the fires from this interview operation. Station head Sun Shengju had already severely criticized her. If she can’t quickly quell this storm, it’ll be hard to keep her position as director of the news center.

Before coming, Xue Meizhen had specifically inquired that the person currently in charge of publicity in Hu Shan Town was Deputy Secretary He Qiweng. However, she knew very well that the key person was Xu Chunliang. She had no acquaintance with Xu Chunliang, and going directly to him would be too presumptuous. Xue Meizhen was not an ordinary person either. She found a way to contact Zhao Xiaohui, and through her, they first relayed a message to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t contacted Zhao Xiaohui for a long time, only knowing she went abroad for work and should have already settled by now. If Zhao Xiaohui hadn’t contacted him, he might never have disturbed her life.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Zhao Xiaohui stated the reason for this contact. She knew Xu Chunliang quite well; he didn’t like to beat around the bush, and she wouldn’t force him to do anything he didn’t want to. She merely mentioned Xue Meizhen’s intention to meet him, effectively making an introduction for the two.

Xu Chunliang had no interaction with Xue Meizhen; this time Dongzhou TV Station crossed a line. However, he hadn’t pressured Dongzhou TV Station; given his current connections, he couldn’t do such a thing yet. Mei Ru Xue had that ability, but she knew Xu Chunliang didn’t like others interfering, so unless he asked, Mei Ru Xue wouldn’t interfere in his work. This incident was probably Mo Han’s doing.

In fact, even if Zhao Xiaohui hadn’t said anything, Xu Chunliang wouldn’t have minded meeting Xue Meizhen.

Xue Meizhen spared some time to learn about Xu Chunliang. She actually already knew of Xu Chunliang; she just hadn’t matched the Xu Chunliang from past news with the Deputy Mayor of Hu Shan Town.

News of the restructuring of Han Yuan Hot Spring was everywhere. Xu Chunliang believed this wasn’t a coincidence and deliberately sent a link to Mo Han.

Before long, Mo Han replied with two words—"It was me!" She was still the same, never afraid to admit what she had done. Although she hadn’t paid much attention to the Weishan Island Winery’s hot spring, if someone dared provoke her, she wouldn’t be polite.

When Xue Meizhen entered Xu Chunliang’s office, he was on the phone making work arrangements. He pointed to the sofa, signaling for Xue Meizhen to sit first.

After hanging up the phone, he stood up and said, "Director Xue, right? Sorry, I was just making work arrangements; my apologies."

Xue Meizhen got up and extended her hand to him, "I should be the one apologizing for disturbing Town Mayor Xu’s work."

Xu Chunliang shook hands with Xue Meizhen, sizing her up. She was in her early thirties. From what Zhao Xiaohui had mentioned, they were good friends, and when Zhao Xiaohui was at Dongzhou TV Station, Xue Meizhen took good care of her. The earliest joint projects between Xiaohui and her were their teamwork efforts.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Xiaohui often mentioned you. I didn’t expect Director Xue to be so young."

Xue Meizhen laughed, "I’m thirty-three; compared to you, I’m not that young."

Xu Chunliang poured her a cup of tea, "What brings Director Xue here today?"

Xue Meizhen said, "Firstly, to express my gratitude. I heard from the field team that it was fortunate for Town Mayor Xu’s assistance this time; otherwise, they might have been hurt more seriously."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "It’s no big deal. It might have been the local wasps acting defensively. The scene was quite chaotic. It just happened that your reporters, holding a microphone and camera, stood under the wasp nest. Our analysis later suggested that nine times out of ten, the wasps thought their nest was being threatened, hence they attacked."

Xue Meizhen said, "That’s possibly the reason. Our reporters were unfamiliar with the local situation."

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "As the old saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Anyone with some sense wouldn’t stand under a wasp nest, would you say?"

Xue Meizhen couldn’t miss that he was subtly admonishing her. She felt a bit embarrassed; however, under the current circumstances, she couldn’t do much but go along with it. She realized that the key to the problem’s solution lay with Xu Chunliang.

Xue Meizhen said, "Town Mayor Xu, this incident has brought trouble to you."

Xu Chunliang said, "Public opinion is a double-edged sword. I deeply understand this. Since you’re Sister Xiaohui’s friend, I’ll speak frankly. Your coverage was premeditated. I suspect you received news before the workers at the winery began the disturbance."

Xue Meizhen said, "Dongzhou TV Station has a news hotline. These workers called the hotline before causing a commotion, which is why our reporting team arrived promptly on scene."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Director Xue, we all know the drill, so there’s no need for such explanations. Countless calls get made to hotlines every day. Why did you specifically pick Weishan Island Winery?"

Xue Meizhen said, "That, I’m not sure about. I wasn’t in charge of specific matters. However, I can assure you they won’t cause any more trouble for Hu Shan Town in the future."

Xu Chunliang said, "I come from a family of doctors, and dealing with issues is much like treating illnesses. To cure the disease, you must treat both the symptoms and the root cause. Only by finding the source can we completely resolve it. Director Xue, could you tell me who provided you with the news tip?"

Xue Meizhen said, "I honestly don’t know. It’s not my place to say, Town Mayor Xu, please don’t make it difficult for me."

Xu Chunliang said, "I thought since you’re Sister Xiaohui’s friend, you could also be my friend. It seems I’m overreaching."

Xue Meizhen realized this young man was indeed formidable. If she didn’t reveal who was behind the scenes, he wouldn’t easily let it go. After pondering a moment, she said, "With Town Mayor Xu’s intellect, you should be able to guess."

Xu Chunliang said, "I just want to confirm, Director Xue, if you’d like to be my friend."

Finally deciding to reveal it, Xue Meizhen whispered, "Do you have any conflicts with He Xingjian from Eco Environment Investments?"

Xu Chunliang laughed. Xue Meizhen had finally admitted it; indeed, the manipulator behind this incident was He Xingjian.

Xu Chunliang said, "Director Xue, without conflict, there’s no acquaintance. In the future, for public relations matters, I’ll need your help."

Xue Meizhen said, "Absolutely, no problem." She still felt uneasy inside, unsure if the matter could be resolved smoothly. If the impact continued to grow, she feared she might lose her position.