Free Web NovelChapter 185: Chapter 185: Come Out, I Won’t Hit You
All eyes in the room were fixed on the Yu District Chief.
"Who’s what? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Everyone in the village knew you got lost back then. What does that have to do with me? Who knows how you managed to wander off? I even sent people to look for you! You can’t just spout nonsense. You can’t falsely accuse me."
The Yu District Chief snapped to his senses and quickly changed his tune. Whether he’d done it or not, he would never admit to something like this, not even on pain of death.
Though he changed his tune, everyone present was sharp. They had all understood the implication of his initial outburst and now regarded the Yu District Chief with varying expressions.
Secretary Yuan frowned. During the years he’d spent in the village, this You Erbaihua’s father had treated him quite well. You Erbaihua’s career advancement, however, had nothing to do with him. He was in the area for a work inspection and had decided to stop by the old village on the way. He’d met with some of the people from back then and even paid a visit to the You family. But You Erbaihua’s father was already gone, a fact that had left him feeling sentimental for a moment. But then, as soon as You Erbaihua heard he was around, he’d found a way to contact him.
He had a soft spot for You Erbaihua’s father. It was purely for the old man’s sake that he had agreed to this meal with You Erbaihua.
The implication in You Erbaihua’s words was a plea for help, a request to "make a move" and climb another rung on the ladder.
He had neither agreed nor refused. His plan was to first investigate You Erbaihua’s performance as a district chief. If the man was capable and had a good track record, held back only because he came from a village with no connections or powerful backers, then he wouldn’t mind speaking to the head of the Organization Department. Recommending You Erbaihua for a promotion to District Secretary wouldn’t be out of the question.
Promoting a cadre who came from the village would be a good way to honor his old ties and connection to the place.
But this was all contingent on You Erbaihua actually being competent. If the man was useless, he wouldn’t lift a finger to help, regardless of any old village ties.
So, contrary to what others might have thought, Secretary Yuan was not the Yu District Chief’s patron. The Yu District Chief’s hope of leveraging Secretary Yuan’s influence was nothing more than wishful thinking on his part.
Now, hearing You Erbaihua’s panicked denial, Secretary Yuan began to understand. Even without a confession, a seed of dislike for the man took root in his heart. ’If he really did something like that,’ he thought, ’forget a promotion. It means his character is fundamentally flawed. He isn’t even fit to be a district chief.’
Though Secretary Yuan was inwardly displeased, he said nothing.
An icy glint flashed in Gu’er’s eyes. ’Looks like I was right,’ she thought. ’When I disappeared back then, this Yu District Chief really was involved.’ freewebnσvel.cѳm
Lin Shan took a step forward. At the sight of the cold light in his eyes, the Yu District Chief broke out in a cold sweat. It was like he was a young man again. He instinctively shrank back, ducking behind Secretary Yuan.
"Lin! What do you think you’re doing?! Stay back! This isn’t the village! If you dare to touch me, that’s... that’s a breach of discipline! Secretary Yuan is standing right here! Are you showing him no respect at all?"
The Yu District Chief had a deep-seated fear of Lin Shan.
Secretary Yuan frowned. This You Erbaihua was utterly disgraceful. ’And this man is a district chief?’ he wondered. ’How on earth did he get this far?’
"Come out. I won’t hit you if you come out."
Lin Shan pointed at the Yu District Chief, struggling to keep his voice steady.
"I’m not coming out! Lin Shan, you think I don’t know you? You might look like some intellectual on the outside, but you’re just a thug who loves to use his fists! You’re a real piece of work! I’m not coming out, so what are you going to do about it?"
The Yu District Chief shouted, completely shameless about the disgraceful figure he was cutting.
Hearing this, Secretary Yuan had the urge to turn around and slap him twice. ’His father was such a good man,’ he thought, ’how did he end up with such a gutless son?’
"You Erbaihua, you listen to me and you listen good. My Gu’er has suffered immensely. If you were really the one who had someone abduct and abandon her back then, then I, Lin Shan, swear that I will never let you get away with it. I’ll give up my position as district chief if I have to, but I will not let this go. I will make you learn the meaning of regret."
A wild light flashed in Lin Shan’s eyes.
"It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! I told you, it wasn’t me! It has nothing to do with me! She wandered off on her own! Don’t blame me!"
The Yu District Chief refused to admit it. He stayed behind Secretary Yuan, not daring to emerge. He knew if he stepped out, Lin Shan would beat him, and he had no desire to have his face beaten to a pulp by Lin Shan again.
"Enough."
Secretary Yuan said flatly.
"The two of you are district chiefs. The image you project isn’t just your own. Look at the state you’re in now. Lin Shan, you assaulted someone in public. No matter the reason, that’s a violation of regulations. You will have to write a self-criticism. As for anything else, we will see based on your future conduct. Also..."
Secretary Yuan paused, glanced at Lin Shan, and continued, "And since you said you were willing to give up your position, I will recommend to the Organization Department that they arrange a transfer for you."
When Secretary Yuan finished, he observed Lin Shan’s reaction. Lin Shan seemed to have anticipated this, as his expression remained unchanged.
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Secretary Yuan."
Lin Shan accepted.
Gu’er felt this was unfair. She took a step forward and started to say, "Secretary Yuan..."
Gu’er didn’t get to finish her sentence. Lin Shan grabbed her arm, stopping her. Gu’er fell silent.
The Yu District Chief shot Lin Shan a smug glance. ’Lin Shan’s finished as a district chief,’ he thought gleefully, ’while I might become the District Secretary! I’ll be able to crush him completely. I’ll make him get on his knees and beg me, just like I had to beg him back in the day!’
Secretary Yuan didn’t look at the Yu District Chief or speak to him further. Instead, he looked at Gu’er, who stood with her head bowed in silence, and a small smile touched his lips. ’This young lady seems quite unhappy with me,’ he thought. ’She’ll understand in time.’
"Mr. Lin, Yu District Chief, you have a conflict to resolve. However, I expect you not to let this escalate. Your priority must be the organization, the nation, and your work."
Secretary Yuan added.
Lin Shan nodded, but the Yu District Chief replied with a loud "Yes!"
"As for the assault today, Mr. Lin will write a self-criticism. The hotel, however, is also at fault. Your employees represent the hotel’s image. Insulting a guest tarnishes that image and gives the hotel a bad name. This reflects poorly on more than just the hotel. A person like that is a bad apple. Manager Shang, you must not be lenient. I trust that this hotel will not employ such people or allow such incidents to happen in the future."
Secretary Yuan added, addressing Manager Shang. His expression had turned stern.
"Yes, you are right to reprimand us, Secretary Yuan. Please, rest assured, something like this will never happen again. We will not tolerate such individuals. We will take this as a lesson and will never again allow anyone to tarnish the hotel’s reputation."
Manager Shang nodded in assent. Xiao Li’s time at the hotel was definitively over; no amount of pleading could change that. In fact, with Secretary Yuan’s pronouncement, Xiao Li would find it difficult to get any job in the future.
————————
Thank you to FF722, Doudouzui, Huaxi Qinggua, Hai Yan 123, and Ximen Jingshang for the monthly tickets. Thank you all for your support. Even though I’m still two votes short, I’ll release an extra Chapter tomorrow.
