On the other side, Zhao Daming grabbed Zhang Cheng's arm, panting heavily: "This road in your village is fucking awful!"

Zhang Cheng handed him a cigarette: "Brother, tell me what's up first."

Zhao Daming took the cigarette, his expression turning serious: "Zhao Guoyang just informed me that the bidding for the department store shops has been moved up to tomorrow!"

"So fast?" Zhang Cheng's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that the city really needed the money.

"I'll make the arrangements right away, and I'll go back to the county with you later."

“There’s one more thing,” Zhao Daming lowered his voice, his brow furrowed, “People from Jiaxing have arrived. If you go to the county now, you might be in big trouble!”

"Didn't they say they'd cooperate with the investigation in Jiaxing? What trouble could there be?" Zhang Cheng asked, puzzled.

Zhao Daming stared at him, saying each word clearly: "If it were just questioning in Funing, that would be fine. But they've come this time to take you back to Jiaxing!"

Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Zhao Daming shook his head and lowered his voice: "The cases of Zhou Long and Jiang Jingtang have been registered with the province. There's a lot of pressure in Jiaxing; we need to give them an explanation as soon as possible."

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "Questioning in Funing is considered assistance. But once you're in Jiaxing, on their territory, whether the case can be solved will be out of your hands. At that point, it won't matter who the murderer is; what matters is that there has to be a murderer."

Confessions obtained through torture.

Zhang Cheng's eyes narrowed; he understood. These days, this kind of thing is all too common.

“That’s why I rushed here,” Zhao Daming continued. “I think you should put the bidding for the department store on hold for now. Stay in Zhangjia Village, where the villagers will protect you, and we can also help you navigate things in Funing County. Once things have calmed down and the Jiaxing police have left, it won’t be too late for you to go back to the county.”

Zhang Cheng squinted.

Zhao Daming's suggestion was a prudent one. Zhangjia Village is located in a remote mountainous area, and the villagers are united, making it extremely difficult for Jiaxing police to enter and arrest people.

“Brother, you can hide for a while, but you can’t hide forever.” Zhang Cheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “The department store shop is related to many future plans, and I can’t give it up.”

"You brat!" Zhao Daming frowned. "At this critical juncture, what could be more important than life?"

Zhang Cheng smiled, handed Zhao Daming a cigarette, and lit one for himself. "Brother, Jiaxing only wants me to 'cooperate with the investigation.' Before things come to a head, they won't dare to openly arrest people in Funing County. I'll sneak into the county town, take care of my business, and leave. They might not be able to catch me."

He took a drag of his cigarette, his eyes resolute: "Besides, even if we really run into them, as long as I don't go to Jiaxing with them, what can they do to force me in Funing?"

Zhao Daming looked at him; this younger brother still had that stubborn streak deep down. He sighed, "Alright. Be careful when you get back to the county. If you run into anyone from Jiaxing, don't hesitate, get out of there first."

“I understand.” Zhang Cheng nodded, then grinned. “Brother, I haven’t introduced you to my wife yet. Come on, let me show you around.”

"Good lad, keeping it a secret!" Zhao Daming laughed heartily. "I want to see which fairy has bewitched my little brother so much that he can't even look at someone like Li Yuanyuan."

Outside the store, Zhou Yuanhang, the old village chief, township head Zhou Dashan, and several township officials were craning their necks to look inside.

Zhang Cheng led Zhao Daming out.

"Uncle, this is Chief Zhao Daming of Nanyang Street Police Station."

Upon hearing this, the old village chief's facial muscles tightened, then he forced a smile and hurriedly extended his hands: "Director Zhao! Welcome, leader, welcome, welcome!"

Zhao Daming grasped his hand and laughed heartily: "Village Chief, you're too kind. Zhang Cheng calls you Uncle, and I'm his older brother. If you don't mind, I'll call you Uncle too."

"I dare not accept such praise!" The old village chief was flattered.

Zhou Dashan, the mayor of Dianshan Township, also came up, beaming: "Director Zhao, I am Zhou Dashan. We met at the township's anti-corruption conference last year."

After a few pleasantries, Zhao Daming looked at Zhang Cheng and asked, "Where's your wife?"

Inside the house, Shi Yangyang was looking around curiously. Old Aunt Hua was beside her, excitedly tugging at her sleeve.

"Brother, this is my wife, Shi Yangyang." Zhang Cheng took Shi Yangyang's hand and introduced her to Zhao Daming.

Zhao Daming sized up Shi Yangyang, secretly praising Zhang Cheng's good taste; the girl was indeed pretty and charming.

"Hello, sister-in-law. It's our first meeting, and I didn't prepare any gifts. I'll make it up to you when I get to the county."

Shi Yangyang's cheeks flushed, and she said softly, "Brother, no, it's not necessary."

"No way! If your sister-in-law finds out, she'll skin me alive!"

Zhang Cheng turned to Aunt Hua and said, "Auntie, could you please make something to eat? My brother hasn't eaten yet."

"Okay, sure!" Aunt Hua readily agreed and happily went off.

Zhou Dashan stood to the side, feeling somewhat embarrassed; he was also hungry.

But Zhang Cheng and Zhao Daming chatted as if no one else was there, as if they hadn't seen him at all.

Zhou Dashan coughed twice and took the initiative to speak: "Director Zhao, General Manager Zhang, Boss Zhou, if there's nothing else, we'll head back now."

Zhang Cheng then looked up and said, "Mayor Zhou, I'll have someone deliver the money for the orchard contract to the township tomorrow."

Zhou Dashan slapped his forehead; the contract hadn't been signed yet. He quickly told his subordinates to bring it out.

Zhang Cheng picked up the pen and signed the contract, which was for a term of thirty years and a contract fee of 20,000 yuan. The 300 yuan "kickback" that Zhou Dashan had previously hinted at was naturally gone.

"Township Chief, let me see you off!" The old village chief accompanied Zhou Dashan and his group as they walked out.

Zhou Dashan patted the old village chief on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Old Gui, your village has truly produced a dragon!"

The old village chief said modestly, "The township head is joking. Er Gouzi is just lucky." But in his heart, he was overjoyed.

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