Right path to power

"Comrade Lin Xiao, I heard that you and Comrade Huang Jingneng have some misunderstanding?"

Although Acting Mayor Ma Guanghua did not directly state the purpose of the call, Lin Xiao immediately understood when Huang Jingneng was mentioned.

He was somewhat surprised—Huang Jingneng had actually managed to get the mayor to act as an intermediary.

However, his goodwill towards Ma Guanghua decreased a bit.

"Mayor Ma, I am not familiar with Secretary Huang. Apart from meeting him a few times at city meetings, we have no interaction in private. There is no misunderstanding at all. I don't know who is spreading rumors."

"Haha, it's good that there's no misunderstanding. We're all comrades, so we can communicate about anything. We'll naturally become familiar with each other if we chat more. I know Huang Jingneng better than you do. He's usually busy with work and neglects to discipline his child. I've criticized him several times already."

This was definitely going too far. While youthful impulsiveness is understandable, parents should at least show some understanding. His point is simple: he wants to treat you to a meal to apologize in person, and as for compensation, he'll do as you ask. How about we have dinner together tonight?

Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mayor Ma, you're too kind. There's really no need for such trouble. Secretary Huang and I have neither a personal relationship nor any conflict. This matter has already been handed over to the Municipal Public Security Bureau for handling, and it's currently under investigation. Meeting at this juncture is probably inappropriate. I think we should wait until the Public Security Bureau has a conclusion. After all, we don't understand the rules of police investigations, don't you think?"

On the other end of the phone, Ma Guanghua's face immediately fell—this kid is really stubborn.

Huang Jingneng was his right-hand man. As the top official of the district, he had already taken the initiative to host a banquet to apologize. It was even the acting mayor who personally mediated the situation, but Lin Xiao still refused to budge an inch.

Does he not even give the mayor face?

Even with a powerful background, you'll still run into each other all the time, so you still need to maintain basic social etiquette; otherwise, it'll be a situation where "too much clarity leaves no room for fish."

"Xiao Lin, as the saying goes, peace is the most precious thing. Since we're not enemies, why not meet and chat? Having more friends means having more options. No one can guarantee that their life will be smooth sailing."

Ma Guanghua patiently offered a few more words of advice.

To be honest, if it were anyone else, after hearing the acting mayor put it this way, they would have already given in.

Unfortunately, Lin Xiao is no ordinary person.

Lin Xiao shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, Mayor Ma. Don't worry, I will handle this matter properly. I also believe that the Municipal Public Security Bureau will give a fair and just conclusion. My husband and I will not cause any trouble for the leaders."

"Okay, then you get back to work."

Ma Guanghua hung up the phone, but his hand was still tightly gripping the receiver, and the veins on the back of his hand were bulging.

After a while, he calmed down and called Huang Jingneng: "Jingneng, I just called Lin Xiao. He doesn't have any issues with you, and it wasn't directed at you. Let the police handle what happened last night. I looked into it, and it's not a big deal. Lin Xiao won't deliberately make things difficult for Xiao Lei."

"Boss, if it's just a traffic accident, then it's fine. But what if the Municipal Public Security Bureau continues to investigate? Once it's classified as organized crime, then we're finished. I'm worried that their real target in making such a big fuss isn't Xiao Lei, but me."

Huang Jingneng asked doubtfully. He knew very well that if Huang Shulei was classified as involved in organized crime, it would not be difficult for the Municipal Bureau to follow the clues and charge him with being a protector.

After all, he knows best what he has done and whether it can withstand scrutiny.

Upon hearing Huang Jingneng's words, Ma Guanghua's face darkened. He had grown up in Zhenxing District and always considered it his stronghold, so naturally he didn't want any outside forces to flow in.

Could it be that Wang Yuanze wants to use this opportunity to interfere in the affairs of Zhenxing District?

"In that case, you should try to communicate more with the Municipal Bureau. I will also pay close attention," Ma Guanghua said in a deep voice.

"Okay, boss."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Jingneng leaned back in his chair and remained motionless.

When Lin Xiao got home from get off work in the evening, he saw that two dishes were already laid out on the dining table. He immediately put down his briefcase and quickly went into the kitchen.

"Go wash your hands, the soup is ready and we can eat."

"Okay, honey."

After a while, Song Wanqing hesitated to pick up her chopsticks, waiting nervously for Lin Xiao's evaluation.

"How does it taste? Is it good? Is it too salty? Or too bland...?"

Lin Xiao deliberately frowned: "It's really..."

"Is it too awful? Forget it, let's throw it away and go out to eat." Song Wanqing looked disappointed and got up to serve the dishes.

But then she saw Lin Xiao stuffing large mouthfuls of food into her mouth, and she was taken aback: "You can eat this?"

"you......"

Then, Song Wanqing also picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and put it in her mouth. She nodded as she chewed, "It's okay, but the sourness is a little lacking. Just add more vinegar next time."

After saying that, she glared at Lin Xiao and said, "How could you do this? It's her first time cooking, and not only do you not help, you're making fun of her. I'm angry."

Lin Xiao quickly coaxed, "Wife, I was wrong, don't be angry."

"Okay, then wash the dishes later."

"Yes, ma'am."

Finally, the dishes and chopsticks were washed with the combined efforts of the two.

On the sofa, Lin Xiao massaged Song Wanqing's shoulders.

"Honey, our Deputy Minister Peng Yang suddenly called me today. He went on and on, but the gist of it was the same thing—we shouldn't dwell on what happened last night. He also said it wasn't good for you."

Lin Xiao laughed: "This Secretary Huang really has a wide network of connections; it's not easy to find so many people to plead for him. But if he knew this would happen, why didn't he discipline his son properly? If it weren't for us, would he deserve to be bullied?"

Song Wanqing nodded and said, "So I told him that I believe the Municipal Public Security Bureau will handle this impartially. I have no grudge against Huang Shulei, there is no room for sentimentality, and I will not deliberately target him. Everything will be based on the law, which is fair to everyone."

Lin Xiao laughed and said, "Yes, it's a very simple principle, so why can't so many people understand it? Why do they have to make things so complicated? Are they out of their minds...?"

Just then, his phone rang. He saw that it was his uncle, Wang Yuanze, calling, and quickly answered it.

"Lin Xiao, what's going on between you and Huang Jingneng?" Wang Yuanze asked abruptly as soon as the call connected.

Lin Xiao was taken aback, then asked in confusion, "Secretary, why has this matter alarmed even you?"

Wang Yuanze smiled and said, "Hehe, we have to thank our responsible and good acting mayor for this."

It turned out that Ma Guanghua made a special trip to Wang Yuanze's office to say that Zhenxing District's development was not easy and the city should take good care of it. Huang Jingneng did have the problem of neglecting the education of his children, but he was indeed dedicated to his work, as evidenced by Zhenxing District's achievements in recent years.

Not only that, Huang Jingneng's father-in-law, Li Junliang, also personally visited and chatted for more than half an hour, talking about contributions, family ties, and human relationships. He also said that he only has one grandson and hoped that he could make an exception, and that for the sake of the city's harmony and stability, there was no need to escalate a small matter.

Immediately afterwards, Su Anji gave a special report on the progress of the anti-gang crime campaign in Zhenxing District, saying that there had been a major breakthrough that might involve the district's main leaders.

"Everyone's been coming to me one after another, each with their own version of events, and it seems like they're all waiting for me to give my opinion. I'm getting really confused. Can you tell me what's really going on?"

Lin Xiao immediately understood—his martial uncle was not confused at all; this was clearly a message being conveyed to him.

Clearly, the more Huang Jing tries to use his connections to put out the fire, the more it proves Lin Xiao's previous judgment: there is a connection of interests between Huang Jing and Liu Weiwei.

In other words, investigating Huang Shulei is almost equivalent to investigating Huang Jingneng.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath and recounted the whole story: "Uncle-Master, Wanqing and I don't really have any other requests, we just want it to be handled according to the law. I don't understand what they're afraid of."

Wang Yuanze chuckled, "I think they're afraid you'll uncover something serious, so they're being relentless. But it's a very simple matter; handle it as it comes, there's no need to waste public resources. Why are they all so nervous? Is it a lack of confidence in the Public Security Bureau, or in themselves?"

Lin Xiao said, "I think it's because they lack confidence in themselves."

"Alright, leave this matter to Su Anji."

"Yes, Uncle-Master, then you should get some rest."

"Um......"