Chapter 176: Betrayal

im play games calmly, you can tell this kid is holding something back. He's not bad at fighting either; he's very calm. Though there's no method to his moves, he always ensures that while taking the l...Volume 6, Chapter 176: Betrayal

"Deputy Director Li from the provincial department is an old classmate of mine at the Provincial Party School. We have been brothers for many years and he also has some influence over the current Deputy Director Zhao Lijun in the provincial department. Geng Luoxiang is merely a powerless inspector... He doesn't know his place, refusing to eat with us several times despite our invitations. It seems that he's not willing to cooperate. Still so young, in his thirties, does he really think highly of himself Some things are just unnecessary... I think it would be better if I called Old Li and dealt with this Geng Luoxiang issue."

In Xu Changcheng’s office, he was discussing the matter with Deputy Mayor Zhou Zhaofeng.

Hearing what Xu Changcheng had to say, Zhou Zhaofeng thought that previously he often heard about how arrogant the Xus were and didn’t take them seriously. Now, seeing these events unfold one after another, he realized just how stubborn was deeply rooted in Xu Changcheng’s bones. Even before him, Xu Changcheng still carried an air of arrogance—let alone others.

One could imagine that originally as the third-ranking official in the city government, when Mayor Yang Wanli moved elsewhere and Zhou Zhaofeng became the mayor, Xu Changcheng naturally ascended to become Deputy Mayor. He was supposed to smoothly and perfectly advance towards becoming the mayor of Huang City before retiring with the status of a vice-ministerial cadre. However, Su Licheng’s unexpected intervention disrupted this smooth progression. It could be imagined just how infuriated he must have been.

Of course, having resentment in one's heart doesn't necessarily mean it will be displayed outwardly; however, with the inevitable unpleasantness brought about by Su Licheng taking office, they eventually arrived at their current situation.

In fact, at this level of hierarchy, no one can easily become enemies right from the start. One wouldn’t casually want to overthrow someone else, even if it’s a superior-subordinate relationship. There are often situations where neither side can do anything about each other, just like how Mayor Yang Wanli had conflicts with some of his vice mayors, but at most they would feel uncomfortable looking at each other every day—truly fighting for survival is impossible since everyone has their own network.

However, there are always situations that push two unrelated people to the opposing side.

Zhou Zhaofeng looked at Xu Changcheng, who seemed confident and said after a while, "Do you have any leverage on Du Wei from Qing Mountain Group That woman is no simple person..."

Xu Changcheng turned around with a mocking smile and said, "Old Zhou, I’m not criticizing you, but in dealing with women, you’re too hesitant. Du Wei is like a fox, but she knows what she needs. She understands what Xu Changcheng can give her—once I fall, the next to go will be her. Furthermore, given how deeply she’s infatuated with me at her villa, it's obvious that from both public and private perspectives, she must stand by my side."

Then, Xu Changcheng patted Zhou Zhaofeng on the shoulder and said, "Even if Su Licheng has Wang Bo's support, he can't do anything to me. They don’t understand that as long as Qing Mountain Group exists, no matter how they manipulate things, even the disciplinary committee won’t be able to find concrete evidence against them. Do you really think a few newspaper articles could bring me down Too naive."

Zhou Zhaofeng nodded heavily and then smiled at Xu Changcheng, saying, "Old Xu, regarding your plan for Xu Dong, what are you thinking Miss Tian from Secretary Tian's family is a very decent girl. This opportunity might not come again. I've been wondering how it would be when Xu Dong marries into the Tian family... It will feel like we're all getting old..."

When mentioning Xu Dong, a hint of resentment flashed across Xu Changcheng’s eyes as he said, "I’ll give Provincial Hall's Old Li a heads-up and have him remove Geng Luoxiang. Once Geng Luoxiang is removed from Huacheng, the pressure on our side will be gone... But this fool Xu Dong didn’t think about how Su Licheng might take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble… This was self-inflicted, so it’s good for him to reflect for a week."

Zhou Zhaofeng smiled and said, "Last time Secretary Tian talked to me. He was quite shocked when he heard about this matter; don’t worry, Old Xu... But he did mention that even though he thinks the kid sometimes plays too much, Xu Dong is fundamentally a good person. He believes they must thoroughly investigate the matter and trusts that Xu Dong isn't involved in any wrongdoing. In my opinion, Secretary Tian will still want to proceed with their children's marriage after handling this issue."

Xu Changcheng snorted and said, "That old fox probably hopes that Xu Dong can’t get out of this mess. He has always had prejudices against Xu Dong but wouldn't publicly reject the match due to face concerns. Furthermore, his daughter willingly became Xu Dong’s girlfriend. Now he’s playing along with me while secretly opposing it; when his daughter marries into the Xus... I don't believe he won’t consider her interests."

Zhou Zhaofeng nodded and glanced at the scandalous report about Provincial Press Group's interview in Huacheng on the Chengdu Daily spread out on the table. He smiled slightly, waved to Xu Changcheng and said, "Alright, as long as you have a plan, I’m relieved. I’ll be off." Then he got up with his usual affable demeanor and left leisurely.

After descending from the 19-story municipal government building and reaching the stairway adorned with European-style columns, Zhou Zhaofeng received a call on his phone. A woman’s voice inquired, "How is it with Xu Changcheng"

Zhou Zhaofeng frowned as if his eyes were pained by sunlight. He rubbed the corners of his eyes, which had developed some ailments from long hours of desk work, and said, "Senior Da Gao was right; Xu Changcheng is arrogant, blindly overconfident, and capable only of causing trouble—not suitable material for major responsibilities..."

After a brief pause, Zhou Zhaofeng’s face remained expressionless, as if the affability from before had vanished completely. He continued, "Is there any possibility that he might be silenced forever Yet this is impossible... Xu Changcheng always overestimates his family's influence in Huacheng and Rongcheng, considering it a powerful and noble lineage. But he fails to realize that these people who he prides himself on—successful businessmen, CPPCC members, friends, and relatives—are nothing more than disorganized weeds that can be easily uprooted when faced with real power..."

In reality, Xu Changcheng subsequently called his old schoolmate, Deputy Director Li from the Party School, to inform him of the matter. After receiving an inaudible response from Deputy Director Li on the other end of the line, Xu Changcheng, still hoping for a major turn in Xu Dong’s case, soon received terrible news.

The provincial government had dispatched an investigation team primarily focusing on Xu Dong's intentional collision and malicious injury leading to damage of others' property.

The original head of the Phoenix City Public Security Bureau, Fu Xinren, was withdrawn from this case investigation because evidence showed he had special and close dealings with the Xu family. He was also excluded from another incident being overseen by the provincial hall, where workers at the Qing Mountain Carbonization Industry Plant severely injured a reporter, leaving him disabled.

Swiftly suppressing the situation, simultaneously, yet another event caused quite a stir among those in the know. In Phoenix City, it was well-known that Du Wei, the head of the influential Qing Mountain Group, proactively confessed to the provincial disciplinary committee about how she had been occupying municipal cultural relic villa land under the misuse of power by Vice Mayor Xu Changcheng for years. Over these same years, Xu Changcheng had also provided at least 200 million yuan worth of benefits to Du Wei’s interest group in return for unequal transactions. Subsequently, he received nearly a million yuan in bribes.

Upon hearing this news initially, Xu Changcheng was at home when his head went dizzy and the phone he answered dropped onto the floor with a thud; he felt like his life suddenly turned blank.

To many insiders who are well-informed, it’s nothing more than extreme shock. Of course, to most ordinary people in Phoenix City, they still had no idea about this matter until news of Xu Changcheng being placed under double regulations by the provincial disciplinary committee spread like a thunderclap.

Xu Changcheng was exposed for various issues one after another: illegal bribery, keeping five mistresses, and using family connections to secure benefits in tobacco, real estate, and energy sectors over the years. The wealthy elite cooperate with each other, seeking power proxies to pave their way and nurture interest groups.

When Xu Changcheng was transferred from a hotel operated by the disciplinary committee to detention, he loudly protested and nearly lost control of his emotions, insisting on seeing Zhou Zhaofeng and claiming that someone in high places wanted to get him killed.

Zhou Zhaofeng eventually met with Xu Changcheng who had yet to be relocated for trial. The latter opened the conversation with a tone half-threatening and half-pleading. He ended up sobbing, "Old Zhou, for our years of camaraderie, I don’t want to die..."

Zhou Zhaofeng ultimately sighed faintly before leaving, saying that as long as he cooperates by telling what needs to be told and not revealing anything unnecessary, he won't die.

Xu Changcheng's body slightly trembled; he finally dryly asked, "Then what about my son Xu Dong What will happen to him"

"Relax, he'll probably get out before you. But if something unexpected happens and he ends up serving more time, who knows..."

Xu Changcheng sat down resignedly, his face staring straight ahead without any spirit. At this moment, all the glory and wealth, the grand inter-family marriages arranged among the children, as well as Phoenix City's ability to summon clouds and rain, with authority that could instantly overwhelm others, had vanished in an instant.

Over these days, the Su family received one piece of news after another. There were consoling calls from Zhao Lijun, Wang Bo, Lin Guangdong; even the parents of the Lin family and Tang Wu's family made phone calls too. With so many people paying attention to them at once, the Su family suddenly became very lively.

The explosive news coming out of Phoenix City was one after another. According to what Wang Bo said, it was actually Du Wei, the female general manager of Qingshan Group who had been stunning Phoenix City, who came forward and reported Xu Changcheng, which allowed them to get solid evidence against him. This incident implicated quite a number of large and small officials in Phoenix City, even affecting Rongcheng.

And his son Xu Dong was estimated to be charged with endangering public safety by dangerous means. Once the charges were confirmed, it would be a done deal. It's unlikely that he'd come out within three years. Even if he did manage to get out, the Xu family would be completely uprooted, like monkeys scattering when a tree falls. Such things as people being fickle and cold-hearted had been far away from the Xu family in the past but now they came too quickly.

"That was how it happened at the time. We were newcomers then, hearing most often about Secretary Tian's daughter Tian Qian and Vice Mayor Xu Changcheng’s son Xu Dong's wedding. Beforehand, Xu Dong had even hit Su Cai’s car on the day he took office; of course we didn't feel good... But what was originally going to be a grand wedding in Phoenix City now seems completely off the table... A pity, there were many people looking forward to it just recently. How big is this circle around the municipal government How many people are concerned and looking forward to it On that day when we were eating together at the dinner table, some younger girls were fangirling over the two of them, probably thinking their union was a modern-day prince and princess story..." Li Pengyu was facing Tang Wu and Lin Luoran on the sofa, vividly recounting what had happened before the two women came to Phoenix City.

"You guys had dinner at Lake Side Hotel that day... What happened after Is there more" Tang Wu asked nonchalantly, seemingly not wanting others to notice how concerned she was about this matter.

Later on, Su Cai didn't intend to give Xu Dong any face and just made a phone call to have his FaceBook account shut down because of violating the rules... Many people detested him...

Taking advantage of Tang Wu going to the toilet next, Li Pengyu winked at Lin Luoran. "That day when Su Cai slipped up and said 'wife' in front of so many people including Tian Qian, he included you too; that's a favor taken... Don't want to get even with him"

Lin Luoran's face flushed red as she glanced at the back view of Su Cai by the window. Her expression was sweet but fierce, "I definitely have to take revenge."

Su Cai standing by the windowsill received a phone call on his mobile. He took out his phone and looked at the incoming call; then he lightly frowned. The call came from Zhang Xi.ow anymore.Around this year's time, Su Cen brought up the issue of opening a branch store to his parents."Why open another branch again We’re already struggling to maintain one store. The money we ear...