Feng Bing raised an eyebrow. "Director Hu, Director Yang, this is..."

Instead of answering, Hu Guofeng asked, "Why are you here?"

“Ah, this,” he pointed to Li Xiangdong, “this is my friend from Huichuan, Li Xiangdong.”

Hu Guofeng's eyebrows twitched even more violently. He glared fiercely at Long Yu, and Long Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Now I finally know who this brat is talking about, Brother Feng!

Li Xiangdong, wearing a silver bracelet, greeted Feng Bing with a smile.

Feng Bing feigned ignorance, "Director Yang, I don't know what my friend has done wrong?"

Yang Yiqi chuckled, "Misunderstanding! Haha! It's all a misunderstanding! Director Hu and I came here in person!"

He then called to Longyu, "Quick, unlock the handcuffs!"

Seeing Long Yu dawdling, Yang Yiqi wished he could kick him out. If it weren't for the fact that he was Director Hu's brother-in-law, he would have fired him long ago!

No, it's absolutely impossible for him to become a policeman!

Just as Long Yu was about to unlock Li Xiangdong's handcuffs, a series of noisy footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Feng Bing and the others turned around to look. Hu Guofeng was startled and quickly went out to greet them, "Mayor Miao, why did you come in person?"

————

The groundbreaking ceremony for Baiyanghe Food Factory has long since ended.

Li Jin, Li Xiangdong, and Mayor Miao are now sitting in the private room at Pengchuan Hotel, which Li Tang had reserved.

Feng Bing, Hu Guofeng, and Yang Yiqi were all by his side.

Long Yu and Chang Xing stood nervously to the side.

Yang Yiqi explained in a low, apologetic voice, "Mayor Miao, after more than half a month of meticulous investigation and patient surveillance, all the thugs at the train station have been apprehended. It's just that Comrade Li Xiangdong was wronged earlier, but he made a great contribution to our solid evidence this time."

Look at what he's saying! He's calling a deer a horse and black white. It's clearly the bureau chief's brother-in-law who's in cahoots with the local thugs, but in Yang Yiqi's mouth, the bureau chief's brother-in-law has become a great hero.

Hu Guofeng carefully observed the mayor's expression, while Miao Chengyuan gave a noncommittal snort.

Hu Guofeng quickly called out to Long Yu and Chang Xing, "Hurry up and apologize to the young comrade!"

Long Yu and Chang Xing stammered apologies to Li Xiangdong, but Li Xiangdong acted as if he hadn't seen them. He then spoke very sincerely to Director Miao:

"Director Miao, the five thousand yuan I brought this time was the working capital for the food factory, but it has also been stolen..."

Yang Yiqi quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! We've already got it back!"

Li Xiangdong smiled and picked up his teacup. "I can't hold my liquor, so I'll drink tea instead. Thank you for protecting the property of us ordinary people! You were incredibly swift and fair in enforcing the law!"

Yang Yiqi didn't know for a moment whether his words were sarcastic or not, but regardless of whether they were barbed or not, he had to swallow them as if they were kind words.

Seeing that he couldn't fool him, Hu Guofeng had no choice but to grit his teeth, stand up, pick up the liquor bottle, and pour himself three glasses of liquor.

"Young comrade, I'm sorry you were frightened. As the director of the Changding District Public Security Bureau, I apologize to you here."

As he spoke, he picked up a large wine glass and downed it in one gulp. One glass contained three ounces of baijiu, and three glasses would be almost a pound!

Feng Bing gave Li Xiangdong a wink, meaning that it was enough and they should stop while they were ahead.

Li Jin also thought it was enough, and coughed twice to remind his son.

It's so obvious. Director Hu and Director Yang were only being so polite to us because of Mayor Miao.

Director Hu has already downed three glasses of baijiu, which is a huge show of respect. Didn't you see Mayor Miao's expression change slightly?

Li Xiangdong naturally understood what Feng Bing and Li Jin were thinking, but there was one thing he wanted to figure out.

That means Mayor Miao needs to talk to me about something!

With such a grand display of force, and even willing to wrong his own old bureau chief, this matter is clearly no small thing!

However, he was just a villager, not very old. Although he had earned some money, to be honest, it was nothing in Mayor Miao's eyes.

There are many wealthy people, and there must be quite a few who want to use money to curry favor with Mayor Miao. How could I possibly be considered a guest of honor of Mayor Miao?

Therefore, Mayor Miao was keeping an eye on Liu Donglai behind him.

There was just one thing he hadn't figured out yet: Mayor Miao was the vice mayor of the provincial capital, and Liu Donglai had previously worked in Zhao Province; there must have been some connection between them.

What is it that the two of them can't say directly and that requires the involvement of someone as insignificant as themselves?

Li Xiangdong smiled slightly, picked up Wuliangye and poured himself a glass, downing it in one gulp, not a drop left.

"You're too kind. What does this have to do with you? You're a bureau chief, how would you know what your subordinates do every day? Even if someone tries to smear your reputation, it's not your problem."

Hu Guofeng's face flushed red and then turned pale. Li Xiangdong had given him face in front of Mayor Miao and cleared his name, but these words forced him to deal with his brother-in-law.

He quickly came up with a plan. "Don't worry, we will definitely investigate thoroughly when we get back. If there are any violations of laws or regulations, we will punish them severely!"

Mayor Miao finally smiled when he saw that the matter was resolved. "It was all a misunderstanding! It's good that it's cleared up! Come on, let's eat and see what delicious dishes Manager Li has ordered!"

The others chimed in, and the atmosphere in the room became quite cheerful. Only Long Yu and Chang Xing, who were standing to the side, were in an awkward position, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Seeing that the two of them were still standing there, Yang Yiqi quickly walked over and whispered, "Hurry up and leave!"

The two slipped away quietly, as if granted a pardon.

After a few drinks, everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, and the party quickly ended.

Baiyanghe Food Factory, Manager's Office.

The gate was tightly closed, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the steam was thick and hazy.

Li Xiangdong and Mayor Miao sat facing each other on either side of the tea table.

Mayor Miao slowly began, "Xiang Dong, I've met you once."

Li Xiangdong asked in surprise, "Oh? You're so busy with work, when have you seen me?"

“Last time I went to Huichuan County to look for Yan Huaili, I saw you coming out of his house.”

"Oh, I see! If I had known you had been to Huichuan, I would have definitely treated you better!"

Looking at Li Xiangdong's jack-of-all-trades attitude, Miao Chengyuan suddenly felt that going in circles was pointless.

He got straight to the point, saying, "I've come here to ask you to pass on a message to Liu Donglai."

Li Xiangdong laughed it off, "How could I possibly have the ability to relay your message?"

"Stop beating around the bush. I've already investigated thoroughly. Now, you're the only one who can help me."

Mayor Miao frowned as he spoke, but his anxious tone revealed a hint of restlessness.

Li Xiangdong remained silent.

"Please tell Liu Dong for me that Jiao Xiafei and I are divorced."

He breathed a sigh of relief, "I will repay you handsomely!"

Li Xiangdong looked up at him, "Uncle Yan rejected you?"

Miao Chengyuan picked up his teacup and took a big gulp of tea. "I have a warehouse in Yanjing, which is full of rosewood furniture that came from the Prince's Mansion."

"If you do me this favor, this warehouse is yours."