"Deputy District Chief Qin, are you referring to Hong Liang?" Chen Feng asked, startled.
"Isn't it obvious? Hong Liang was the former county magistrate of Yongming County. Later, Yongming County and Mingshan Town were merged into Mingshan District, and he became the district chief. When he was the county magistrate of Yongming County, he was extremely opportunistic. As long as it benefited his promotion and performance, he wouldn't care about your methods. Correspondingly, if anyone embarrassed him or affected his performance... I'm sorry, he would be very angry," Qin Yan explained.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, what you said is indeed very reasonable. It seems I'm going to be demoted again," Chen Feng replied calmly. If he were to be demoted for something else, he might feel uncomfortable. However, if he were demoted for delaying things due to the mismanagement of Jiangcheng's medical insurance, he felt no discomfort at all. Advocating for the people was a good thing. That was his greatest source of happiness in the political arena. Money and power were merely secondary sources of happiness in politics.
"Chen Feng, what I mean is, should we go find Hong Liang? Tell him the truth, say that you were delayed in attracting investment for the Development and Reform Commission because you were doing something meaningful, and it's understandable..." Qin Yan suggested.
"It's no use even if we tell him. We both know Hong Liang's personality. He only sees benefits and nothing else," Chen Feng replied calmly.
"But if we do nothing, we'll definitely be targeted by Hong Liang," Qin Yan asked with concern.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, we've been in the political arena for so long. You should know that ups and downs are normal. Don't just talk about me; that former big shot in the capital also experienced three rises and three falls, but in the end, he turned the tide and saved China? I'm still young, and experiencing some setbacks may not be a bad thing," Chen Feng explained.
"Chen Feng, Chen Feng, you're good at everything else, but you're too stubborn sometimes. Really, for the sake of the people, your IQ is almost zero. You know there's a cliff ahead, but you jump without even thinking. Can't you use the same adaptability you have when you're not doing things for the people?" Qin Yan looked at Chen Feng with heartache. Honestly, with Chen Feng's talent in politics, he should be far more than just a director of the Development and Reform Commission. He was just too upright. So upright that not only was his current ordinary political position not secured, but it might even be lost.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, you don't need to worry too much. Since it's happened, let's just wait for the result. I'm curious about how Hong Liang will try to frame me," Chen Feng said with a casual smile. Qin Yan sighed deeply and said no more. To dispel her worries, Qin Yan specifically took Chen Feng to a hotel for a big meal. Since being targeted by Hong Liang was inevitable, she decided not to think about it anymore. Thus, Qin Yan and Chen Feng spent the entire night at the hotel.
In the morning, as Qin Yan and Chen Feng were sleeping comfortably in each other's arms, Qin Yan's phone suddenly rang. Seeing the number, it was Hong Liang.
"Elder Hong, do you have any instructions?" Although she didn't want to speak to Hong Liang, she pretended to be respectful to support Chen Feng.
"Qin Yan, we're old acquaintances, so I won't hide anything. You should know better than me what your former driver, Chen Feng, has been doing in the Development and Reform Commission recently. I must severely punish him, or how else will I manage in Mingshan District?" Hong Liang said coldly.
"Elder Hong, Chen Feng was indeed wrong this time. However, considering Chen Feng's actions for Jiangcheng's medical insurance..." Before she could finish, Hong Liang interrupted Qin Yan.
"Qin Yan, are you new to the political arena? You should know better than me that promotion in politics has nothing to do with whether you do things for the people or not. We do things for the higher-ups to see, understand?" Hong Liang retorted directly.
"..." Qin Yan was speechless after Hong Liang's rebuttal. Because while Hong Liang's words were harsh, they were undeniably true. The political arena in China was like this. Doing well was not as good as fawning over superiors. This was why many graduates from prestigious universities remained mere clerks their entire lives, while some graduates from second-tier universities with connections became rising stars in politics within a few years. Why? It wasn't because these second-tier university graduates were exceptionally intelligent, but because they had connections. As long as those above said they were capable, they were, even if they weren't. Furthermore, for some mediocre individuals, their connections would assign dedicated teams to package them. To the public, these second-tier graduates would appear to be decisive, wise, and efficient in their work... These words should actually describe the packaging teams working behind the scenes.
"Qin Yan, don't be too upset. Chen Feng is still too young. Which young person doesn't act impulsively? Considering we're old acquaintances, I'll give you two choices: First, come with me now for a sauna. Second, if you don't interfere, I'll teach Chen Feng a good lesson about the political arena!" Hong Liang said with a lecherous grin.
"Elder Hong, I'm out right now. I'll give you a reply later, okay?" Qin Yan stalled for time.
"Qin Yan, you're a smart person. I believe you'll make the right choice," Hong Liang said excitedly before hanging up. He had used this method to play many women in politics along the way. Qin Yan was power-hungry; the chance of her falling for it was 100%.
"Chen Feng, you heard that. That damned Hong Liang actually wants to sleep with me," Qin Yan said angrily.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, there's no room for negotiation on this matter. You are my woman, and I cannot let you save me with your body. If that's the case, I'd rather be ruthlessly targeted by Hong Liang," Chen Feng replied without hesitation.
"Chen Feng, I'm very gratified that you have this thought. You know, although I'm your woman, we can't get married. So, if I can help you with my body, I'm willing. You've been in politics for a long time; women in politics eventually can't keep their bodies safe," Qin Yan advised Chen Feng.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, before you met me, you could still protect your body by using your god-sister Qin He. Now that you have me, your body is no longer safe; am I still a man? No matter what, I absolutely disagree," Chen Feng replied firmly.
Qin Yan's emotions were complex. On one hand, she was truly happy that Chen Feng was protecting her like this. The most worthwhile thing in her life was meeting a man like Chen Feng, who was loyal, righteous, and capable... On the other hand, Hong Liang was a vindictive villain. If she explicitly rejected his despicable intentions, he would undoubtedly retaliate and target Chen Feng even more fiercely. This was what she least wanted to see!
"Chen Feng, please don't be rash. I've dealt with Hong Liang for a long time. I know exactly what kind of person he is. He's a vindictive fellow, and you absolutely cannot provoke him!" Qin Yan continued to advise Chen Feng.
"Deputy District Chief Qin, I don't fear whether Hong Liang is a man or a ghost. The reason I'm not directly retaliating against Hong Liang isn't that I can't defeat him, but that I want to see what methods Hong Liang will use to deal with me, so I can broaden my horizons and learn from political experience. Politics is either you scheme against me, or I scheme against you. I have Cheng Lu and Wang Ziwei behind me; why should I fear a mere district chief?" Chen Feng said calmly.