"Dr. Zhang, please don't overthink it. Cheng Lu and I sought out the traditional Chinese medicine doctor purely out of concern for a colleague," Qin Yan said proactively, aiming to ease the awkward atmosphere.
"Yes, Dr. Zhang, Deputy Town Mayor Qin is right. There's no other meaning behind it; it's simply concern for a colleague," Cheng Lu added awkwardly.
Dr. Zhang was no fool. In the current situation, the best course of action was to play dumb.
"Cheng Lu, Deputy Town Mayor Qin, rest assured, that folk doctor is very reliable. Chen Feng's father's gout can definitely be cured."
"Chen Feng, Dr. Zhang has put a lot of effort into your father's situation. Hurry up and see him out," Qin Yan said, seizing the opportunity.
"Dr. Zhang, thank you. It's getting late, I'll drive you back." Chen Feng, not wanting to dwell on it, immediately pulled out his car keys.
"That's fine." Dr. Zhang considered it for a moment before agreeing. He wasn't agreeing out of pride, but because he had some things he wanted to discuss with the driver privately.
"Driver Chen, do you know about Cheng Lu's family background?" Dr. Zhang ventured after about ten minutes of driving.
"Dr. Zhang, to be frank, I only know that Cheng Lu is from Jiangcheng, and her family situation is probably not bad. I don't know anything else," Chen Feng replied honestly.
"It's normal that you don't know. Not just you, even Deputy Town Mayor Qin doesn't know. Cheng Lu's father is a very influential figure in Jiangcheng. I can only say that much; I cannot disclose anything deeper," Dr. Zhang stated seriously.
"Dr. Zhang, actually, even if you don't say all this, I know what I should do," Chen Feng said smoothly.
"You don't know what you should do! If you knew, you would maintain your distance from Cheng Lu. You need to understand one thing: reality is reality, and novels are novels. In novels, you can be the son-in-law everyone envies. But reality is not like that. Reality is about matching social status. I can see that Cheng Lu likes you a little, but it's useless. Cheng Lu's father would never agree. You need to know that in Jiangcheng, any man who likes Cheng Lu is ten thousand times better than you. You should have some self-awareness and not embarrass yourself."
"Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Zhang. I will be mindful of that," Chen Feng replied earnestly. His current sole focus was on making a name for himself in the political arena. Honestly, he hadn't given marriage any thought.
"Chen Feng, I'm not reminding you because I have nothing else to do. I can see that Deputy Town Mayor Qin appreciates you, and I don't want you to ruin yourself because of Cheng Lu. You wouldn't just be ruining yourself; you would also implicate Deputy Town Mayor Qin."
"Dr. Zhang, do you like Deputy Town Mayor Qin?" Chen Feng probed.
"I have a family, and I'm not allowed to like Deputy Town Mayor Qin. The reason I care about Deputy Town Mayor Qin is because her connections in Jiangcheng are all familiar with me. They have a mutually beneficial relationship with Deputy Town Mayor Qin. I don't want my friends to be dragged down by Deputy Town Mayor Qin, so I must do what I can to help her resolve difficulties."
Hearing Dr. Zhang speak to this extent, Chen Feng understood. From this perspective, not only did Cheng Lu have deep connections in Jiangcheng, but Qin Yan also had extensive connections there.
"Alright, I see you're quite receptive, so I'll give you a tip. Tomorrow, a Jiangcheng investigation team will go to Mingshan Town to investigate several key figures in Mingshan Town, especially Qin Yan. Someone has reported Qin Yan for suspected misuse of funds. In reality, Qin Yan does indeed like to spend lavishly the funds allocated from higher authorities to develop Mingshan Town's economy. Her intentions are good, but it's not by the book..."
"What should we do?" Chen Feng asked, a little anxious. In the political arena, once there's a financial stain, one's career is practically over.
"Don't panic, I can teach you a method. Firstly, it can help Deputy Town Mayor Qin, and secondly, it can make you shine in front of Deputy Town Mayor Qin."
"I would appreciate Dr. Zhang's guidance." As Chen Feng spoke, he discreetly slipped three thousand yuan from his pocket into Dr. Zhang's. This three thousand yuan was a special subsidy Qin Yan had specifically given him from the town. While three thousand yuan wasn't a large sum for Dr. Zhang, it represented an attitude. It showed that Chen Feng understood how to conduct himself and would repay the favor if he became powerful in the future.
"The leader of the Jiangcheng investigation team has a great hobby: he particularly enjoys fishing. I've said enough. As for the specific steps, I believe you'll manage them," Dr. Zhang said with a meaningful look.
Chen Feng nodded gratefully.
The next day, exactly as Dr. Zhang had predicted, the Jiangcheng investigation team arrived in Mingshan Town.
"Chen Feng, quickly pack up, let's drive to the provincial capital to lie low." Qin Yan seemed a bit flustered. She had connections in Jiangcheng, and logically, she should have known about the establishment of the Jiangcheng investigation team. However, she hadn't received any news until the investigation team arrived in Mingshan Town. For now, the best course of action was to go to the provincial capital. As for the investigation team from Jiangcheng, she believed the Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor Xiao could handle it. She, Town Mayor Wang Delai, and Deputy Town Mayor Xiao were all in the same boat.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, I think it's better not to run," Chen Feng replied directly.
"You understand?" Qin Yan was taken aback.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, to be honest, I don't fully understand. However, I can deduce the implications. Based on the behavior of Wang Delai and Xiao Ming today, this Jiangcheng investigation team is primarily targeting you. If you really choose to evade them, those two might very well sacrifice you to ensure their own safety." Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Is it that serious?" Qin Yan looked at Chen Feng carefully.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, the reality might be even more serious than that. Didn't you say before that the political arena is bloody?"
"Then do you have any good ideas?" Qin Yan asked tentatively.
Chen Feng didn't hesitate and explained the plan to appease the investigation team leader through fishing in detail.
"A mere act of fishing can make the Jiangcheng investigation team stop?" Qin Yan asked incredulously. Investigation teams from higher authorities descending to the grassroots typically made examples of people to deter others. How could they just drop everything because of fishing and flattery? The political arena was bloody, not a playground.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, your doubt is very reasonable. Under normal circumstances, when an investigation team from higher authorities comes down, they won't leave without punishing someone. However, you are a special case."
"Tell me, how am I special?" Qin Yan asked eagerly.
"Your excessive use of Mingshan Town's funds to develop the economy is an action with a very large room for interpretation. Frankly speaking, it can be seen as your keen initiative and bold use of funds for Mingshan Town's economic development. On the other hand, it could also be seen as your disregard for laws and discipline, acting recklessly. Therefore, the next step depends on how you handle it." Chen Feng explained seriously.
"Chen Feng, I didn't realize it until you mentioned it. You're right. As the saying goes, 'An army needs to be fed and cared for for a thousand days to be used for one day.' It seems I haven't misjudged you. I'll follow your advice; I won't go to the provincial capital. By the way, how do you plan to appease the Jiangcheng investigation team's leader with fishing?" Qin Yan asked with great curiosity.