Jiang Guofu wasn't in a hurry about this. Instead, he said to Jiang Qing, "The review materials that Zhizhi asked us to prepare for Xinian all match the policy requirements... Tell me, where did she find out?"

She knew about this document review requirement six months ago... which is really frightening.

Jiang Qing didn't care about any of that. With red eyes, she argued with Jiang Guofu, "What time is it? How can she still be in the mood to talk about this? Since she knows all this, why doesn't she know that my son will be arrested and executed? Would I even be able to live?"

Seeing her fussing, Jiang Guofu sighed and said, "I told you not to go. You won't see anyone, but you insist on going."

"Jiang Guofu! Is Shao Chen still your son? Aren't you worried at all?!" Jiang Qing stepped forward and hit him.

Holding Jiang Qing's hand, Jiang Guofu said, "I'm not in a hurry. Shao Chen had already anticipated this. He started paying attention when the Song family suddenly went silent last year. Do you think he was just running back and forth from construction sites and other places without doing anything else? He was also collecting evidence in his spare time."

"What evidence?" Jiang Qing asked, her face still wet with tears, but she had calmed down.

“Zhang Ping… he didn’t want to be dragged out. After all, when someone dies, everything should be buried in the earth, but the Song family wouldn’t allow it.” Jiang Guofu patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, your son isn’t that stupid.”

"Then...then he's alright?" Jiang Qing asked, her face showing a hint of shock.

"I'm relieved. Zhizhi was only taken away for questioning for a few days, and she'll be staying there herself. Otherwise, why wouldn't Xinian want to go abroad? I don't know what that child is thinking," Jiang Guofu murmured.

Jiang Qing's tears turned into laughter, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Sigh, Shao Chen won't allow it. Let's wait and see," Jiang Guofu said.

Actually, when Huo Jiandang came to tell them, Jiang Shaochen had already spoken to him privately.

He told him to calm everyone down first... He didn't even tell Zhizhi.

But he thought that Zhizhi was so smart, she should know that Jiang Shaozhen couldn't possibly be completely unprepared.

Jiang Qing punched him twice more.

...

The Song family.

Song Huiquan was drinking tea and listening to music at home when his wife hurried in from outside and whispered to him, "Someone from above has arrived."

"Who's here?" Song Huiquan immediately stood up.

Shouldn't today be the day Jiang Shaochen is convicted?

"Mayor..." Madam Song had barely finished speaking when she walked in.

The mayor, dressed in ordinary blue overalls, walked in and first glanced at the interior of the Song family's house before noticing Song Huiquan. "Sit down, are you watching a performance?"

It's not uncommon to hear Beijing opera coming from the courtyard houses and alleyways of Beijing.

Song Huiquan didn't understand why the mayor would come to visit him during the Chinese New Year.

With economic reforms in the past two years, the mayor has been extremely busy and has barely spent any time in the city.

Song Huiquan was inwardly nervous, but he still smiled and replied, "Yes, Mayor, what brings you here?"

"Oh, come and learn about the Jiang family's affairs." The mayor said, having already found a chair and sat down.

Madam Song quickly poured him some tea.

"I originally planned to wait until after the New Year to discuss this in my office, but... this matter is too complex, so I thought it would be best to come over as soon as possible." The mayor had a kind and approachable appearance.

Madam Song placed hot tea in front of him, and then went to get sweet potato chips and peanuts.

"The matter between Jiang Shaozhen and Shen Mingzhi has not only written evidence but also witness testimony. I only arrested them because I received a report from below and felt it was too serious. What else does the mayor want to know?" Over the years, no one in Song Huiquan's jurisdiction in Beijing dared to disobey him.

Therefore, he didn't pay much attention when he spoke.

The mayor was somewhat surprised that a district head could speak so arrogantly.

He remained expressionless and calmly said, "The physical evidence you mentioned, is it Zhang Ping and Shen Mingzhi's marriage application?"

Upon hearing this, Song Huiquan's heart skipped a beat, but he still said, "Yes, is there something wrong with that?"

The mayor picked up his teacup but didn't drink it, instead looking directly at him. "You should know that our city is going to do a CBD project. Jiang Shaozhen got involved midway through. He has a lot of ideas, and some of his remarks reached my ears. Last September, I met with him in person."

Song Huiquan was completely unaware of this news.

How exactly did Jiang Shaozhen manage to meet with the mayor?!

Isn't he working on a construction site?!

"I admired his proposed new rural reconstruction plan very much. He is not only smart and insightful, but also good to his wife. If his wife is in trouble, he will definitely go back to her immediately. Everyone in the project said he was henpecked, but loving and caring for one's wife is a good thing, don't you think?" The mayor finished speaking and took a sip of tea with a smile.

Song Huiquan nodded, but said nothing more.

Madam Song, standing to the side, clenched her hands tightly.

Leaders never speak too explicitly... they just offer hints.

If you try to explain things clearly, then there's no chance to talk about them anymore.

“Yes… the New Rural Renovation Plan. I’ve seen it and I really appreciate it,” Song Huiquan said in a low voice.

“Yes, but I heard that you knew he applied for this project, but you gave it to someone else directly. In the end, it was only after he came up with an absolutely excellent plan that the military gave it to him,” the mayor continued. “Because of this, the military even criticized me. I can understand that; everyone wants to seek breakthroughs, develop the economy, and improve people's lives.”

“But… isn’t it really wrong to snatch projects from the masses and assign projects to construction teams that have already been scheduled for this year?” he asked kindly.

Song Huiquan lowered his head, breaking out in a cold sweat despite the freezing weather. "Yes!"

"Jiang Shaozhen has accumulated numerous military achievements, but due to some emotional matters, he resigned to become a frontline worker. It's a pity, but he also has great courage. I admire him very much." After the mayor finished speaking, he stood up.

He placed the teacup in Song Huiquan's hand, his eyes deep and cold. "The matter between Jiang Shaochen and your Song family—a rising military rank being resigned—is already a punishment. The enmity between your two families should be settled. I won't report what you did for now. Once you've dealt with it, release him."

Song Huiquan was filled with resentment, but he dared not disobey.

"Yes!" Song Huiquan replied, holding his teacup.

"Now that this matter has been resolved, you can rest at home for six months. I have already appointed a deputy district head to take over your duties." After saying this, the mayor turned and left.

Mrs. Song could barely sit up and collapsed onto the sofa.

But Song Huiquan understood that the mayor had already investigated thoroughly, and keeping him at home was already the best outcome.

"That's it?!" Madam Song exclaimed, unwilling to accept it. "They're all safe and sound, but what about Wanyin?!"

"The mayor knows what I did, do you want me to go to jail?!" Song Huiquan slammed his enamel mug onto the table.