Chapter 1959

Chapter 1959: Chapter 1959

"Whew~"

Song Guanchao slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "That money isn’t mine. Even if they find fingerprints, I won’t admit to it."

Tan Miao gave a bitter smile: "Saying that is useless. The police only look at evidence. But don’t worry, you’re a deputy director-level official after all. The police won’t be hasty. This case is bound to be thoroughly investigated by them."

"Alright, let them investigate. Is there anything else?"

"No."

"If there’s nothing else, you can go mind your own business. Don’t worry about me."

"..." Tan Miao, who had initially wanted to comfort him, saw his calm demeanor and realized there was no need for reassurance.

He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Bao Qi walked over and asked, "He won’t admit it?"

Tan Miao shook his head: "Director Song denies accepting bribes. He claims to know nothing about the cash."

"Ha, what thief would ever admit they’re a thief?" Bao Qi laughed cynically, but Tan Miao didn’t respond, heading towards the next room instead.

Bao Qi glanced at him, let out a cold laugh, and pushed open Song Guanchao’s door.

Song Guanchao was considering whether to take a shower and then continue sleeping when he heard the door open, seeing Bao Qi come in.

"Director Song, still settling in?" Bao Qi sat across from him, speaking in a gentle tone.

"I’m fine."

"Secretary Tan just spoke to you, right?"

"He did."

"Sigh, what a mess this has become," Bao Qi sighed, looking regretful, but his words said, "Sure, Chairman Wei has money, but you can’t be so blatant in demanding it."

Song Guanchao raised an eyebrow, smiling, "Secretary Bao, don’t try to set me up."

Bao Qi looked serious: "What are you talking about? Set you up? The money was found in your home, was it not? Your fingerprints are on it too, right? The evidence is clear, yet you cry injustice? Director Song, I advise you to confess early and cooperate. Later, I’ll plead with the prosecution not to press charges."

Song Guanchao chuckled, "I didn’t realize Secretary Bao was so impatient. The police haven’t even said anything, and you’re already determined? What if it turns out I’m innocent and you’re left embarrassed?"

Bao Qi shook his head: "Chairman Wei personally reported you. You’re in trouble this time."

He placed his hands on the table, slowly stood up, and said, "If you won’t confess, we can just wait it out."

He acted like a victor, casting a string of triumphant words at Song Guanchao, the supposed loser, and left contentedly.

Song Guanchao didn’t stoop to his level. There’s no need to engage a guy who can’t control his own emotions and celebrates prematurely.

...

Lu Zhizhong had already contacted Cao Wenxuan, who, upon hearing that Song Guanchao was reported and a large amount of cash was found at his home, was furious.

When he spoke to Song Guanchao on the phone, he thought the situation wasn’t that severe. Little did he know, in less than half a day, the man had been taken in.

The other side meant to bring Song Guanchao down mercilessly.

He immediately told Lu Zhizhong he would come over that evening.

With Cao Wenxuan’s word, Lu Zhizhong gained more confidence and immediately called Tian Kai Ming.

"Secretary Tian, Chairman Wei went too far," Lu Zhizhong said calmly.

Tian Kai Ming was somewhat wary of him, mainly because his background was too mysterious.

So mysterious that he specifically had someone investigate but found nothing concrete.

Yet in last year’s events, Lu Zhizhong had indeed demonstrated remarkable connections, making him impossible to underestimate.

"Governor Lu, talking to me won’t help. Besides, Song Guanchao was at fault first. You know Chairman Wei’s stature, don’t you? Even Secretary Gao has to appease him. But look at Song Guanchao, a mere deputy director, dared to detain his son. If word gets out, how would Chairman Wei save face?"

"Chairman Wei is angry right now. My suggestion is to let his anger subside first. After some time, I might try to mediate. By then, Song Guanchao will have learned his lesson, and Chairman Wei will have calmed down, and the matter can naturally be resolved."

"Chairman Wei runs a significant business. If you don’t let him vent, he might actually move his assets. That consequence is one I can’t bear, and I’m sure Governor Lu wouldn’t want to see it either."

Tian Kai Ming spoke tactfully, but his meaning was clear—he couldn’t and wouldn’t intervene.

Lu Zhizhong’s voice darkened, "Pass a message for me to Chairman Wei."

"Go ahead."

"Please ask him to give me face and let this matter drop."

"Governor Lu, I can relay your words, but as I mentioned, Chairman Wei is furious right now. If he gives you face, then he loses his. If I truly pass this on, it will only exacerbate the conflict. If he shifts his assets, no one can shoulder that responsibility."

Tian Kai Ming found it quite odd that Lu Zhizhong took such extraordinary care of Song Guanchao.

Just for an office director, risking offending Wei Shoucheng.

Had he not known these two had clashed before in Lingjiang, he might suspect Song Guanchao was Lu Zhizhong’s illegitimate son.

Lu Zhizhong smiled lightly, "Convey my words to him."

Tian Kai Ming didn’t expect him to persist and sighed, "I’ll talk to Chairman Wei."

Though Lu Zhizhong never uttered a harsh word nor sounded agitated, beneath his calm assertiveness lay undeniable confidence.

It’s just Tian Kai Ming couldn’t fathom where this confidence stemmed from.

Even if his connections were remarkable, in Tian Kai Ming’s view, they couldn’t surpass Secretary Gao’s.

But even Secretary Gao wouldn’t escalate Wei Shoucheng’s anger at this juncture.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to inform Secretary Gao.

Entering Secretary Gao’s office and explaining the situation, Secretary Gao pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Please do me a favor and pass Governor Lu’s message."

Tian Kai Ming was extremely surprised; he didn’t claim to know Lu Zhizhong well but understood Secretary Gao.

Secretary Gao’s attitude piqued great curiosity about Lu Zhizhong’s background.

"Chairman Wei might not heed him."

Though his relationship with Secretary Gao wasn’t amicable, regarding issues possibly affecting the provincial economy, their stances aligned closely.

"That’s Chairman Wei’s prerogative," Secretary Gao said.

Tian Kai Ming rubbed the armrest of his chair and asked, "Who backs Governor Lu?"

Secretary Gao shook his head, "I don’t know."

Tian Kai Ming frowned in disbelief.

Secretary Gao repeated, "I truly don’t know."

Tian Kai Ming’s frown deepened. As an old rival, he knew Secretary Gao too well.

For him to explain twice, it meant he genuinely didn’t know.

That was very strange.

It was Secretary Gao and Governor Hou who chose Lu Zhizhong, yet he didn’t know Lu Zhizhong’s background.

It was something no one would believe.

Yet Secretary Gao was truthful.

"Are you sure Governor Lu can handle this?" Tian Kai Ming asked.

"Not certain," Secretary Gao replied. "But since he’s asking you to pass a message, just do it. It’s not like if you don’t, he can’t contact Chairman Wei himself."

Tian Kai Ming had no response.

He nodded and left the office.