"People say it was Li Hongling's doing," the village chief replied glumly.
"Old man, am I hearing you right? That brat Li Hongling could cause such a big stir?" his wife asked, disbelief etched on her face.
"I didn't believe it at first either, but no matter how much I didn't want to, I had to. The facts speak for themselves," the village chief continued his dejected explanation.
"Then what are we going to do? Our home is indeed nice, but we're the only family left in the village? We can't go on like this forever," the village chief's wife asked him.
"Don't rush. I'll go have a word with Li Hongling and see what she's up to. Don't worry, I have connections with the town mayor, and this will surely be resolved," he said, and then headed straight to town to find Li Hongling.
Li Hongling's family was given two free apartments in town. Her parents and brother got a large one, and she received a smaller one.
"Li Hongling, fess up. What are you up to?" the village chief demanded directly.
"Village chief, I don't like the way you're putting it. You embezzled our new rural housing quotas and subsidies, so I moved to town instead of staying in the village. Is there anything suspicious about that?" Li Hongling retorted righteously.
"Do I not know your family's capabilities? With you, a mere girl, you managed to get the entire village relocated to town for free? I wouldn't believe it even if I were beaten to death. Tell me honestly what's going on. Otherwise, I'll go to the town mayor, and once the truth is uncovered, don't blame me for being ruthless," the village chief threatened Li Hongling.
Seeing the village chief's murderous intent, Li Hongling quickly backed down.
"Village chief, actually, a big boss from another area, wanting to do good deeds and gain fame, specially donated a sum of money to help us relocate to town. As for why your family wasn't relocated, it's probably because the money ran out," Li Hongling said, half-truthfully.
"Who?" the village chief pressed.
"Chen Feng, a big boss from Jiangcheng," Li Hongling lied.
"Arrange for me to meet him," the village chief said coldly.
"Village chief, it might not be appropriate for you to meet Chen Feng," Li Hongling whispered.
"Stop the nonsense. If you don't arrange for me to meet Chen Feng, I'll go to the town mayor right now and have him send people to arrest Chen Feng," the village chief threatened Li Hongling.
Li Hongling had no choice but to agree.
"Chen Feng, the village chief has connections with the town mayor. My suggestion is, forget it. Let the village chief move to town too. We can give our quota to the village chief's family," Li Hongling advised Chen Feng.
"You're giving your two apartments to the village chief's family? Then what about your family?" Chen Feng asked deliberately.
"I've gained some experience in business now, and I believe I can earn enough for a house in no time. My point is, there's no need to get entangled with the village chief anymore. He's been a village tyrant, dominating the village for decades, and the higher-ups turn a blind eye. The villagers suffer immensely. Oh well, this is our village's fate, we can only bear it silently," Li Hongling said with a shake of her head.
"Xiaoling, have you forgotten who I am?" Chen Feng asked with a smile.
"You're Feng Ge, of course I haven't forgotten," Li Hongling replied immediately.
"Xiaoling, besides being your Feng Ge, I also have an important identity: I am the head of the Development and Reform Commission for Mingshan District. Do you think my official position is bigger than the town mayor's and the village chief's?" Chen Feng continued to ask calmly.
"Of course, the head of the Development and Reform Commission is bigger. But, Feng Ge, don't forget one thing: even a dragon from afar can't defeat a local snake. Even though you're the head of Mingshan District's Development and Reform Commission, this isn't Jiangcheng, nor is it Mingshan District. No matter how high your official position, the town mayor and the village chief won't fear you. You're not in the same power system as them. To put it bluntly, if you don't bother them, they naturally won't fear you," Li Hongling continued to advise Chen Feng.
"Xiaoling, you've misunderstood my meaning. Your line of thinking is indeed correct. Without a direct superior-subordinate relationship, people won't fear you. My point is, as the head of Mingshan District's Development and Reform Commission, my political acumen far surpasses that of the town mayor and the village chief. I don't need to fear those two insignificant figures at all. I have ten thousand ways to make those two insignificant figures obediently follow my orders," Chen Feng explained patiently.
Li Hongling listened, and it did make sense.
Chen Feng's rise from a town official's driver to the head of Mingshan District's Development and Reform Commission demonstrated his exceptional political acumen.
Thus, Li Hongling arranged for the village chief to meet Chen Feng.
"Are you Chen Feng?" the village chief asked, shocked.
He had expected someone like a cunning middle-aged man to be behind the major stir in the village and town, but it turned out to be just a young fellow.
"I am Chen Feng."
"Tell me who the big shot behind you is. I want to see who dares to cross me." The village chief stared at Chen Feng menacingly.
In the village chief's opinion, at Chen Feng's age, he couldn't possibly have much influence; there must be a powerful figure behind him. Simply put, Chen Feng was just a stooge.
"I am the big shot you imagine," Chen Feng replied with a faint smile.
"You think I'll believe that?"
"You must believe it," Chen Feng replied word for word.
"Oh, tell me why I must believe it," the village chief said mockingly.
"If you don't believe me, call the town mayor right now and have him come out to have me arrested. See if the town mayor will do that," Chen Feng replied calmly.
"I'm not calling. The town mayor fears you, but the real fear isn't for you, it's for the big shot behind you," the village chief stated confidently.
"Fine, according to you, I have a big shot behind me. My big shot is a city-level official. Now that you know, you can leave," Chen Feng gave up arguing with the village chief. There was no point in arguing. Regardless of whether the village chief believed him or not, he was the big shot, and the outcome would be the same.
Chen Feng's retort left the village chief speechless. Indeed, knowing that Chen Feng had a powerful connection, what could he do?
"Your behind-the-scenes big shot is a city-level official, and I really can't do anything to him. I just want to know why that city-level official wants to target me so much." The village chief's attitude softened considerably.
"I heard from someone that the city-level official behind me likes Li Hongling, and out of love for her, he hates anything related to her. It's that simple," Chen Feng fabricated a reason deliberately.
"You mean, the city-level official behind you likes Li Hongling, and then he intentionally spent a huge sum of money to annoy me and make Li Hongling happy? Isn't this official crazy? Is it worth spending so much money for just one woman?" the village chief asked in astonishment.
"This is because you're too ignorant. Whether it's in China or abroad, the thoughts of wealthy people are not something ordinary people can understand. Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I have something serious to tell you. If you want to hear it, I'll tell you now. If not, you can leave right now," Chen Feng said, deliberately creating suspense.
"What serious matter?" the village chief asked, looking bewildered.
"Your village has many empty houses now, and your house is located among so many empty houses, looking like a haunted house. I want to tell my behind-the-scenes big shot to acquire them at a low price. I'll ask you now if you agree?" Chen Feng asked directly.
"I must know why you want your behind-the-scenes big shot to acquire them at a low price," the village chief stared intently at Chen Feng. Having fallen for a trick once, he was determined not to fall for another.
"I'm sorry, you are not qualified to know the details of the acquisition. Of course, you have the right to refuse to sell your house. However, I must remind you that this is your last chance to escape the haunted house. If you don't cherish it, your entire family will have to live in the haunted house for life," Chen Feng said, using a tactic of advancing by retreating.