"What can we do then? Vice Mayor Xiao is very capable in managing the economy. If he doesn't show up, it'll be hard to help you."
Chen Feng said dejectedly.
"It's not like there's no way."
"What way?"
"Don't you remember? Cheng Lu has connections in Jiangcheng. If we ask her for help, the problem shouldn't be too big."
Qin Yan said meaningfully.
Chen Feng agreed wholeheartedly upon hearing this.
Since Cheng Lu could use her connections to get him, the driver, out, she could also get Vice Mayor Xiao out.
Chen Feng immediately went to find Cheng Lu.
"Chen Feng, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the matter Vice Mayor Xiao is involved in is quite significant. Even with my connections, I can't help."
Cheng Lu said apologetically.
Chen Feng was taken aback.
Qin Yan had also said the matter was significant, and now Cheng Lu was saying the same. What exactly was this matter?
Cheng Lu did not hide anything and explained the entire story.
It turned out that recently, a residential building in a community under Hongyan District had collapsed. This had not only attracted attention in Jiangcheng but also in the provincial capital and the national capital.
Although this residential building had not yet been put into use, and there were no casualties, the collapse of an entire building reflected the severe chaos in Hongyan District's real estate sector.
Whether it was Hongyan District, Jiangcheng, the provincial capital, or the national capital, the real estate industry was a pillar industry.
When it involved a pillar industry, even minor issues became major ones. Not to mention that the collapse of an entire building was inherently a significant event.
"Miss Cheng, the collapse of an entire residential building is indeed a very serious and malicious safety accident. However, Vice Mayor Xiao is not directly responsible. If someone is to be imprisoned, it should be the directly responsible person."
Chen Feng said, bewildered.
"It's not just you who thinks that; everyone thinks that way. For this residential building collapse, the person in charge of housing in Hongyan District should be the first to go to jail. There are regulations in the officialdom. For any malicious safety accident, someone must be held accountable. However, I heard that this person in charge has connections in the provincial capital..."
Cheng Lu said helplessly.
"Hearing you say that, this is a very thorny issue. Miss Cheng, to be honest, I really want to get Vice Mayor Xiao out. He is very knowledgeable in managing the economy and is a talent. Not only Hongyan District needs him, Jiangcheng needs him, but Deputy Town Mayor Qin also needs him."
Chen Feng sighed deeply.
"Chen Feng, is it really that exaggerated? From what you're saying, it seems Vice Mayor Xiao is very capable in economic matters. But if he is so capable, why would the higher-ups be willing to let such a talent be a scapegoat?"
Cheng Lu asked, confused.
"Miss Cheng, you have relatives in the officialdom, so you should understand what it's like. In the officialdom, ability always comes second. The first priority is connections. With connections, even without ability, you can get promoted. Without connections, even with ability, you can't advance, and you'll stay in the same position until retirement. In special circumstances, you might even become a scapegoat."
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Now I understand. How about this, I'll go to Jiangcheng now and ask my relatives there to see if they can get Vice Mayor Xiao out."
Seeing Chen Feng's unhappy expression, Cheng Lu couldn't bear it and reluctantly agreed.
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Cheng."
"We are colleagues, and even friends. You don't need to be so polite. However, it's not too much to ask you to drive me to Jiangcheng, is it?"
Cheng Lu said with a smile.
"Of course not. It's just that Deputy Town Mayor Qin doesn't need the car today."
Chen Feng agreed immediately.
"Before we drive, you need to apply for some funds from Deputy Town Mayor Qin. You know, Vice Mayor Xiao's matter is not a small one. If we don't spend some money to grease the wheels, it will be difficult to resolve."
Cheng Lu stated directly.
"Don't worry about that. I've already spoken to Deputy Town Mayor Qin about this matter. She gave me a card and told me to use the money on it whenever necessary."
Chen Feng replied.
"It seems Deputy Town Mayor Qin trusts you a lot."
Cheng Lu said with a hint of jealousy.
The core reason a woman unconditionally trusts a man is not his ability, but her affection for him.
"It's not exactly trust, but rather that Deputy Town Mayor Qin is decisive in her actions."
Seeing Cheng Lu's expression change, Chen Feng quickly tried to explain.
"Chen Feng, let me ask you, if one day, Deputy Town Mayor Qin suddenly confessed to you, what would you do?"
Cheng Lu's jealousy undiminished, she stared at Chen Feng and pressed him.
Women are like this; they love asking hypothetical questions.
"Miss Cheng, your question is invalid. I'm just a small driver from the countryside, and Deputy Town Mayor Qin is a powerful figure in the officialdom. How could I possibly catch Deputy Town Mayor Qin's eye?"
"Don't beat around the bush, just answer directly. If Deputy Town Mayor Qin were to confess to you, what would you do?"
Seeing Chen Feng avoiding a direct answer, Cheng Lu's jealousy intensified.
"I would refuse."
Chen Feng replied without thinking.
Cheng Lu's gaze could kill, so he had to say refused.
In reality, as long as the man wasn't foolish, he wouldn't refuse.
Marrying a strong woman like Qin Yan would mean ten years less struggle.
"Really?"
The knot in Cheng Lu's heart suddenly loosened.
"Of course, it's true."
"But I've heard people say that men like women who are powerful and influential, as it can mean ten years less of struggle."
Cheng Lu pressed on.
"That's others. I'm not like that. To be honest, I still prefer women my own age."
Chen Feng said with feigned seriousness.
"Mmm, you still have integrity. Alright, we can set off now."
Cheng Lu was very satisfied with Chen Feng's answer.
As long as Chen Feng didn't like Qin Yan, she wasn't afraid of competing with any female colleagues in the Town Government compound for Chen Feng.
Upon arriving in Jiangcheng, Cheng Lu asked Chen Feng to wait for her in the mall lobby while she took a taxi back home.
"What, something else you need my help with?"
Cheng Liren said with a smile, cutting straight to the point.
"Yes, Dad, this time I want you to help get Vice Mayor Xiao out."
Cheng Lu was not one to mince words.
"I can help you with other matters. But this one, I'm afraid I can't."
Cheng Liren spread his hands and replied.
"Why? Aren't you the top official in Jiangcheng? Don't you have the final say in all matters in Jiangcheng? Besides, you know Vice Mayor Xiao is wrongly accused. Is it that difficult for you to get an innocent person out?"
Cheng Lu said excitedly.
"Xiao Lu, you've been working in Mingshan Town for quite some time. You should understand some things in the officialdom. In the officialdom, many things are beyond one's control. For example, with Vice Mayor Xiao's situation, I also reluctantly see him being ruined, such a good economic talent. But if the provincial capital wants him to be a scapegoat, what can I do?"
Cheng Liren explained with a dejected expression.