"Brother Gao, it's me, Zhang Cheng."

Gao Datong on the other end of the phone paused, clearly not expecting that name to be mentioned at this moment.

Zhang Cheng's voice was calm, yet it possessed an undeniable penetrating power.

"I need to speak with Mayor Kao."

This statement is abrupt, and could even be described as arrogant.

What right does a businessman with a criminal record have to directly contact the mayor of a city?

Gao Datong remained silent for a full three seconds, then lowered his voice to a whisper: “Brother Zhang, you know better than I how murky things are in Jiaxing right now. It’s not appropriate for you to contact my father at this time.”

The fact that he didn't hang up immediately is already a huge favor.

"Brother Gao, I'm not asking for help."

Zhang Cheng's tone suddenly changed, carrying a hint of cold laughter.

"I'm handing a knife to Mayor Gao, and also to you."

"A knife that can carve out a way out of this chaos."

Gao Datong's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a deep voice, "...You go first."

"good."

Without any hesitation, Zhang Cheng delivered his astonishing deductions about Zhao Shijie's "escape from danger" and "deception" like bullets, precisely hitting Gao Datong's ears.

With each additional sentence he heard, Gao Datong's face grew paler.

When Zhang Cheng finished speaking, there was only deathly silence on the other end of the phone.

If all of this is true... then the methods used by the Zhao family father and son are simply terrifying!

"I need to confirm."

Gao Datong's voice was hoarse. After saying this, he abruptly hung up the phone without waiting for Zhang Cheng's response.

He was wearing pajamas, but felt as if he were immersed in ice water, and staggered toward the master bedroom.

Light shone through the crack in the door.

"Thump, thump."

He knocked on the door, his voice trembling: "Dad, it's Zhang Cheng on the phone."

"Click".

The door opened in response.

Mayor Kao Cheng-hao looked exhausted, wearing a coat and black-rimmed glasses, with bloodshot eyes like spider webs.

"Come in."

Gao Datong rushed into the bedroom and repeated Zhang Cheng's earth-shattering deduction at top speed.

"...Dad, tell me, how much of this is true?" He looked up at his father, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.

Gao Zhenghao did not answer immediately.

He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, took off his glasses, and stared blankly into a certain place.

After a long while, he let out a bitter laugh that was tinged with endless exhaustion.

Does it even matter how much is true or false?

"So many people have died in Jiaxing, the provincial investigation team will arrive tomorrow."

Gao Zhenghao's voice was soft, yet it struck Gao Datong's heart like a heavy hammer: "Secretary Zhou cannot bear this responsibility, nor can I. He is 'doomed,' and for me... even a dereliction of duty and a disciplinary action within the Party would be the lightest outcome."

Gao Datong's heart tightened, and he asked in a panic, "Dad, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is..."

Gao Zhenghao suddenly looked up, and a terrifying glint instantly ignited in his turbid eyes!

"Since the card table has already been overturned, there's no need to follow any more of these damn rules!"

He stared at his son, speaking each word with resounding force.

"Zhao Tianyang, a retired old man, dares to use the blood of the entire Jiaxing as a stepping stone for his son!"

"Am I, Gao Zhenghao, a sitting mayor, not even daring to overturn the table?!"

"The Zhao family has seriously underestimated the power of those in power!"

Gao Zhenghao suddenly stood up, ripped off his pajamas, grabbed a suit from the hanger, and began to put it on with swift movements.

He walked up to his son, who was stunned, his bloodshot eyes brimming with an undeniable power.

"You've been lingering in that stagnant pool of the road administration bureau for far too long!"

"dad!"

"Listen!" Gao Zhenghao raised his hand and slammed it heavily on Gao Datong's shoulder. "Right now, this bloodbath in Jiaxing needs a ruthless dragon to stir it up! You, be that dragon!"

Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you!

Gao Datong was startled, all the words stuck in his throat, finally forming a single, heavy word.

"yes!"

He suddenly turned around and strode out of the bedroom.

Gao Zhenghao watched his son's resolute back as he walked away, a smile of relief mixed with complexity appearing on his face. He then picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Send a car to pick me up."

"Also, tell me immediately where Secretary Zhou is right now."

...

Huanglongdong Hotel, front desk.

Zhang Cheng leaned against the wooden cabinet, quietly watching the red telephone, like a very patient hunter.

Sudden!

"Ring ring—!"

The piercing ringtone shattered the deathly silence.

Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up, and he grabbed the microphone.

"Brother Zhang!"

Gao Datong's voice came through, no longer hesitant as before, but sharp and piercing.

“My dad went to the municipal party committee. He believed what you said.”

"Tell me what to do next!"

A slight smile appeared on Zhang Cheng's lips.

He knew that Gao Zhenghao understood.

"Brother Gao, are you really going to wade into this mess?" Zhang Cheng asked deliberately. "If you get involved now, even if you win in the end, you'll only end up with a lot of blood on your hands."

Gao Datong laughed on the other end of the phone, his laughter carrying a wild, reckless abandon.

"Brother Zhang, some troublesome waters are not a matter of whether we want to get involved or not, but rather that we have no choice but to. Jiaxing is in such a mess, someone has to step up and clean up the mess, doesn't he?"

Hearing these high-sounding words, Zhang Cheng sneered inwardly.

He was 100% certain that Mayor Gao had given his son a promise he couldn't refuse.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!