Chapter 177 Private Conversation

ffended someone; more likely, he hadn't achieved enough accomplishments nor impressed the high-level leadership, leading to an unfortunate transfer.Arriving at this small city of Xiahai and seeing the...Chapter 177 Private Conversation

The people of Phoenix City knew that the Xǔ family, which had always been influential in Phoenix City, had suffered a setback. Those who were familiar with the events from beginning to end initially thought it was just a conflict and disagreement triggered by Xu Dong colliding with Governor Su Licheng's convoy upon his arrival.

Many people knew that someone in Xu Dong's convoy took the blame for him, and when Xu Dong returned to Phoenix City, he was merely penalized with points deduction and fined a few hundred dollars. Even the so-called "maximum traffic penalty" did not revoke his driver’s license, lacking any substantial punishment. However, considering who Xǔ Changcheng is in Phoenix City, it's understandable that people expected more severe consequences. Over the past decade or so, the Xǔ family has been dominating Phoenix City through various means such as running hotels, taking on construction projects, entering real estate and coal energy sectors, even completing a new pedestrian street which made them famous for a while. While the citizens of Phoenix City have long felt like there was an elephant in their throats regarding these powerful figures, they knew it was a reality that could not be changed.

Therefore, when Xǔ Changcheng ran into trouble this time, everyone in Phoenix City was as excited as if they had consumed Red Bull. In their lives, they have experienced many significant events, such as Beijing successfully bidding for the Olympics and China joining WTO, and even the convening of the Party Congress, but those were distant matters. Only when Xǔ Changcheng's family power fell and the mountains crumbled was it a matter that touched people's nerves, something closely related to them.

This incident originally started as an intense showdown. Those who knew the situation well understood the conflict between Xǔ Changcheng and Su Licheng; this conflict was primarily expressed through their sons, Xu Dong and Su Qin's mutual disapproval of each other. It is not uncommon for parents to engage in overt or covert competition while their children have conflicting views towards one another. Originally, everyone thought no one would want to get involved in the quagmire involving both families' conflicts. Yet unexpectedly, the situation escalated when Xu Dong recklessly drove into someone, leading to immediate hostility between the two sides.

When a supervisory team from the provincial department came down and detained people, the Xǔ family was still trying hard to create a favorable public image for themselves. Even Mayor Yang Wanli stepped in to say something nice about it at the mayor's meeting, attempting to mediate between the two sides. Clearly, Yang Wanli also had some reservations due to his relationship with Xu Changcheng. However, shortly after that, reporters from the provincial newspaper came down to investigate chemical plant pollution issues, which was targeting Xu Changcheng’s core interests.

When Guo Changsheng's reporter from the provincial press group was assaulted, on one hand, influential figures in the province tried to cover up this matter. Ultimately, it couldn't be suppressed and the investigation was opened by Deputy Provincial Public Security Department Director Zhao Lijun. After the provincial investigation team came down, things seemed to be slowly tilting against Xu Changcheng's interests.

The original matter was intertwined with various parties'博弈, and it wasn't clear when a resolution would actually be reached regarding bringing down Xu Changcheng.

No one could have anticipated that the unexpected betrayal of Du Wei from Qing Shan Group would truly plunge Xu Changcheng into deep water, nearly suffocating him. The admission by Du Wei about Xu Changcheng's misuse of power and bribery for unfair transactions was a significant morale booster for the provincial disciplinary committee.

The day after Xu Changcheng was placed under isolation control, ordinary citizens in Feng City undoubtedly rejoiced, but many who were entangled with interest groups felt anxious.

Previously stringent media supervision by Xu Changcheng and others was now lifted, similar to how the provincial-level newspaper group responded—though not on the scale of the large special issue titled "Heavy Secrets Behind Qing Shan Group Dominated by Feng City's Former Deputy Mayor Xu Changcheng" printed overnight in Chengdu Daily. Still, it clearly exposed issues such as illegal land occupation and rule-breaking construction of chemical plants by Qing Shan Group.

On the other hand, in the newly announced government personnel changes in Feng City, there was an official notice about Xu Changcheng's removal from his position as deputy mayor of Feng City and adjustments to some positions and functions within the party and government.

At this moment, those who had previously looked down upon Su Licheng, the transferred cadre, were forced to acknowledge the pivotal role that Deputy Mayor Su played in Xu Changcheng's downfall from beginning to end.

In private discussions among officials watching the situation unfold in Feng City, the newly arrived Deputy Mayor Su Licheng was seen as a figure with deep backing and rare strength. Many people remarked that one could not gauge someone’s capabilities until they exerted themselves; Xu Changcheng's downfall had almost revealed just how powerful Su Licheng truly was...

Compared to the storm outside, Su Cen in the municipal committee and government staff compound seemed preoccupied. "You're not coming back home now that your dad has stepped down as mayor" Tian Min smiled at him, while Zhang Xi looked at him with her previously swollen eyes now filled with careful observation, almost as if she wanted to remember every pore on his face.

"I have no choice but to blame you for blocking Xu Dong's account after that phone call. I called one of my friends in Beijing later and originally just wanted to gather some information about Qiao Shuxin from what you mentioned, but the outcome was quite unexpected." Tian Min blinked and smiled. "In the future, if I talk about running with you early in the morning, no one will believe me, right" "Mm-hmm," Su Cen said, adding, "I need your autograph."

"Get lost! Are you really going to die if you stop pretending" Tian Min snorted.

Su Cen chuckled. "If I have the chance in the future, I'll still come back to Phoenix City after all, it has beautiful scenery. Once pollution control starts showing results, this place will be very pretty; coming here for a holiday occasionally wouldn't be bad. Next time you get married, remember to send me an invitation."

Tian Min smiled but with hidden malice, "Why does hearing that make me feel like kicking someone Don't worry, I have plenty of other candidates. These days, the number of talented young men calling around trying to sound out my intentions is uncountable. One even said he thought there was no chance before, but now finally has an opportunity to confess his feelings to me. I can pick and choose more, maybe I'll run into someone like you again—no bread or milk required as long as it's enough for me to take on the role of a househusband."

…………

Seeing Su Cen fall silent, Tian Min smiled, pulled out a thick letter, and said with a somewhat sad expression, "This is a letter from Xu Dong. It has more than ten thousand characters. Their family has been reduced to this state now. In the letter, he hopes I will wait for him… Should I wait, Su Cen"

Su Cen took the letter from Tian Xu's hand and read what Xu Dong wrote while in detention. To be honest, his handwriting was quite beautiful, like the person himself. "The letter is indeed very touching and quite 〈genuine〉. He bluntly points out his flaws and describes things that left a deep impression on him during these years he spent with Tian Xu, which are hard to forget. The letter also conveys fear—fear of what he has done and fear of losing this girl named Tian Xu.

Su Cen put the letter away and handed it back to Tian Xu. He saw her face contorting as if she was about to cry. It seemed that in a moment, Su Cen could decide everything for her with just one sentence. Any heartwarming movie story should have such an ending: after several years, the awakened Xu Dong would be released from prison and eventually walk together with this girl who had waited for him all along.

But this wasn't a TV film promoting true goodness by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television. Just thinking about Tian Xu waiting for Xu Dong in jail for several more years made Su Cen feel uncomfortable, even pained for this actually quite nice girl.

He admitted that he was no saint and shook his head: "Maybe to others, your decision to wait for him might seem like a great thing. But to me, it's sad—even foolish. Sympathy is pity for the weak; we can judge things out of anger, impulsiveness, passion, or sympathy. However, judgment in this case should not come from pity. Because your pity may lead you to live an unhappy life in your later years. Don't wait until one day when you regret it bitterly—by then, it will be too late."

It seemed that she hit a sore spot; Tian Xu's eyes reddened again as she looked at Su Cen and said, "So what you mean is, I should make my own choice Consider myself"

Su Cen nodded.

Tian Xu then took out the lighter from home and flicked it on. She lit the thick stack of letters and watched them burn, sending ashes fluttering onto the pond where several plump koi fish came up to gobble them up, causing ripples across the water.ng珊; at this moment, she seemed like an arrow released from its bow, brimming with energy to break through the current tranquility. Li 維梅 felt that she lacked such courage.Some girls in the distance t...