Chapter 595: I Don’t Believe Anyone Dares to Pull Strings on Me Today

Cheng Yuan looked at Xie Dongshu with an appreciative gaze. "Director Xie, you must be Uncle Zhu's friend, right? I will remember this favor."

Xie Dongshu was instantly thrilled!

'As expected! Chairman Cheng knows there's an old leader behind them, yet he's completely unfazed!'

'What does this mean?'

"It is my honor to be your friend, Chairman Cheng."

With that said, Xie Dongshu walked over to Ji Yunbing and said in a low voice, "Old Ji, if you trust me, leave with me right now! Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"This..."

Ji Yunbing was completely dumbfounded. He simply could not understand his old friend's words!

Just as Ji Yunbing was utterly bewildered, Cheng Yuan's phone rang.

Cheng Yuan pulled out his phone and glanced at it, a relaxed smile immediately appearing on his face. 'Uncle He sure is efficient!'

Cheng Yuan answered the call and said warmly, "Uncle He, is it done?"

"Elder Yuan is already on a plane! He'll be in Beijing for a month of closed-door training. Which departments do I need to make a call to?"

Cheng Yuan glanced at Xie Dongshu, then his gaze, full of amusement, landed on Ji Yunbing.

"Uncle He, Director Xie of the Industry and Commerce Bureau is a good friend. He's already pulled his team back, so no need to make a call there. As for Director Ji of the Fire Station, his attitude is still a bit ambiguous, so let's decide later whether to call him or not. Oh, right, let's start with the Environmental Protection Bureau! They were the ones who took the initiative to come inspect, the vanguard!"

"Alright, got it."

Cheng Yuan's words were cryptic, leaving the other directors completely bewildered.

Only Xie Dongshu had a vague idea of what was going on.

'His surname is He.'

'And he can help reassign Shen Jiangnan.'

'That must be He Hongting, the number one Deputy Director of the Dragon Team Bureau!'

'I heard the talk of Director He's promotion is very strong!'

'If Elder He can hold on for another two years, that promotion is a sure thing!'

'If I could just get on Director He's good side!'

'Wouldn't my future be set?'

Among the group, Kang Tianlong was the most resolute. He snorted coldly. "This kid is just talking nonsense, trying to bluff his way out of this. Don't be fooled by him! We'll inspect as planned! I refuse to believe anyone would dare to make a call to me today!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Kang Tianlong's phone rang.

Kang Tianlong raised his eyebrows, looking at Cheng Yuan with a provocative gaze as he pulled out his phone.

"Well, well. So the kid actually found someone to make a call. I'd like to see who dares to be so audacious! Today, I, Kang Tianlong..."

He stopped mid-sentence. Kang Tianlong froze, staring in shock at the name displayed on his phone!

Qiao Kun!

The Director-General of the Dragon Country Environmental Protection Administration!

This was Kang Tianlong's actual, direct superior!

Instantly, beads of sweat broke out on Kang Tianlong's forehead!

Even more cold sweat poured down his back, drenching his shirt in a second!

The arrogance on Kang Tianlong's face vanished. His back bowed slightly as he answered the phone with the utmost respect. "Director Qiao, hello! This is Kang Tianlong! What are your instructions?"

A furious roar came from the other end of the line!

"Instructions? How would I dare instruct the great Director Kang? You're something else, Director Kang! Targeting a pillar industry like Yuanxi Pharmaceutical? Who gave you the guts? Pull your men out of there, now! Then get yourself to Beijing and explain yourself to me in person!"

Kang Tianlong felt terribly wronged. He cautiously tried to explain, "Director Qiao, this is the old—"

Qiao Kun rudely cut Kang Tianlong off, not letting him say those two words, "old leader." If he did, things would become complicated for Qiao Kun as well!

"Kang Tianlong! I don't want to hear any excuses! I'm giving you thirty minutes to withdraw your team! Otherwise, you'll face the consequences!"

Qiao Kun hung up directly, leaving Kang Tianlong utterly stunned and reeling.

The other directors exchanged glances, wondering what was wrong with Old Kang.

Who on earth had made that call to him?

Xie Dongshu quietly nudged Ji Yunbing's arm and whispered, "Old Ji, it's better to be a friend in need than to just pile on praise later. If you wait for that call, it'll be too late."

Ji Yunbing's pupils constricted. He knew Xie Dongshu very well—he was a cautious man who would never do anything impulsive!

'In that case, I'll take the gamble!'

Ji Yunbing walked up to Cheng Yuan, extended his hand, and smiled. "I just had my men conduct a thorough inspection. Yuanxi Pharmaceutical's equipment and facilities far exceed the fire safety standards. It's rare to see a company as responsible as Yuanxi Pharmaceutical these days! I'll take my men and leave now!"

Yu Dazhi and the others were still indignant. After all, just a moment ago, Ji Yunbing had been about to move the production line.

However, Cheng Yuan didn't want to dwell on it. He shook Ji Yunbing's hand enthusiastically.

"One more friend means one more path. I, Cheng Yuan, enjoy making friends! Director Ji, I am determined to have you as a friend."

Ji Yunbing finally let out a sigh of relief. With a grand wave of his hand, he commanded, "Dongshan Fire Station, attention! We're pulling out!"

"Sir!"

With the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Fire Station gone, the remaining directors were in a bind.

For a moment, they all looked to Kang Tianlong, silently asking for his opinion.

Kang Tianlong could no longer figure out the extent of Cheng Yuan's connections, and he hesitated, not daring to speak.

Lin Xinghe had been bottling up his frustration for the past few days. Seeing Kang Tianlong's pathetic state, he felt incredibly satisfied!

Lin Xinghe looked at Kang Tianlong with a smirk. "What's wrong, Director Kang? Weren't you acting all high and mighty just a moment ago? Why so wilted now? Go on, continue your inspection!!"

If Lin Xinghe hadn't said that, Kang Tianlong might have just backed down. He didn't want to go against Qiao Kun either!

But Lin Xinghe's words completely enraged Kang Tianlong!

"Director Qiao is indeed my direct superior! However, I hold my post in Dongshan! I am under the direct leadership of my old leader! I only take orders from my old leader!!"

With that, Kang Tianlong dialed Cheng Peichao's number. The call connected quickly, and a gentle voice came through.

"Found a problem so quickly? Director Kang, your efficiency is truly impressive. Don't you worry, Director Kang, I will be sure to put in a good word for you with the old leader."

Kang Tianlong explained with some embarrassment, "Director Cheng, I haven't found any problems yet."

Cheng Peichao's tone darkened. "If you haven't found any problems, why are you calling me, Director Kang?"

"Director Cheng, Director Qiao from the Environmental Protection Administration just called me and told me to withdraw my team immediately. I wanted to ask what the old leader's thoughts are."

Cheng Peichao was speechless.

He was silent for a full five seconds before saying hesitantly, "I can't get in touch with the old leader at the moment either."

Huh?

Kang Tianlong panicked. "Why not? Director Cheng, you're the old leader's chief secretary. How could you not be able to reach him?"

"The old leader has gone to Beijing for training. I heard it's a month of closed-door training."

Kang Tianlong asked cautiously, "Then... could Director Cheng give me some advice on what to do?"

Cheng Peichao rolled his eyes in annoyance. 'Advice? What damn advice could I give? The last thing I want to do is offend Director Qiao!'

"Director Kang, you'll have to consider this matter and make your own decision! I have something else to attend to, so I'm hanging up now!"

BEEP... BEEP...

Listening to the dial tone from the other end of the line, Kang Tianlong felt his world come crashing down.