After dinner, Liang Jianfeng called Song Guanchao into the study.

"Work-related matters?"

"Yes."

Song Guanchao took the cigarette and lit it, then told him about the situation he discovered at Fengmen Building today.

"Five thousand..."

Liang Jianfeng knew that the compensation fee for the old city redevelopment project wasn't high, but he didn't expect it to be pressed so low.

"Did you report to Secretary Wu?"

"I did."

"What did Secretary Wu say?"

Song Guanchao repeated Wu Qiangwei's words to him.

Liang Jianfeng took a couple of puffs and asked, "Do you think Secretary Wu is wrong?"

Song Guanchao stayed silent.

Liang Jianfeng smiled, suddenly finding this fortunate son-in-law quite pleasing to the eye.

"You found it hard to watch?"

"Think Secretary Lu is going too far?"

"Hoping for Secretary Wu's approval but finding out she and Secretary Lu think alike."

"So you're disappointed, doubting your initial decision to follow Secretary Wu."

Song Guanchao still said nothing.

"Your thoughts are correct," Liang Jianfeng said.

Song Guanchao glanced at him.

Liang Jianfeng continued, "But Secretary Wu isn't wrong either."

"'If you're not in that position, mind not its policies.'

"You're a secretary, and an idealistic and ambitious one at that, untouched by the bureaucratic world's corruption."

"At the end of the day, you're just an ordinary person. So when confronted with apparent injustice, you stand with the displaced, speak up for them, defend them."

"Secretary Wu's a leader. Does she have principles? I don't know her well, but my sight for people isn't bad. I think she's a rare good leader."

"You shouldn't think Secretary Wu doesn't care because she doesn't want to."

"Actually, Secretary Wu has already told you her difficulties; it's you who hasn't figured it out."

"Let me ask you—have you thought about what would happen to Secretary Wu if she stood up and blew things up?"

"You've probably thought about it, but maybe not very deeply."

"Secretary Wu probably can't explain clearly to you, so I'll do it."

"The issue, regardless of who raises it, isn't good for Lingjiang."

"Why?" Song Guanchao asked.

Liang Jianfeng replied, "Because the treasury is empty."

"Secretary Wu told you, if you blow it up, there's hope to make Secretary Lu stop."

"But even if it's blown up, there's still no money."

"Do you really think Secretary Wu wants this to happen?"

"Trust me, she doesn't want it either."

"She just can't think of a solution."

"Before finding a solution, the problem shouldn't be raised. Otherwise, it only adds trouble."

"Tearing faces rashly wouldn't even be a lose-lose situation but a self-harm."

"Following Secretary Lu's plan, the people suffer, but at least the project continues. If Secretary Lu can suppress the discontent from the displaced and keep the impact minimal, socially, it's acceptable."

"The people get a bit less money; the government saves a bit more, and the project completes satisfactorily. At least one party wins."

"As a leader, you often face such dilemmas. You certainly will in the future; you'll need to adjust your thinking."

Song Guanchao frowned, "Uncle Liang, you're a leader too."

Liang Jianfeng laughed, "I'm no leader, I'm a cop. I have a gun; there's no problem a bullet can't solve. If there is, two bullets."

"..." Song Guanchao asked, "What would you do if you encountered such a situation, Uncle Liang?"

"Oh, you..."

Liang Jianfeng shook his head, "Sometimes you're mature, sometimes naive."

"Is there any point in such hypotheticals?"

"First of all, I wouldn't let myself end up in such a predicament."

"That's why I've always been a police officer."

"Do you really think I had no chance to assume a leadership position in Lingjiang?"

"I'm just too lazy to do it."

"Because I know what kind of person I am, I don't want to put myself in a moral bind."

"Listen to Secretary Wu on this matter."

"Since Secretary Wu asked you to investigate this project, do it diligently."

"Collect and summarize the issues. When the time is right, Secretary Wu will naturally let these issues serve their purpose."

Liang Jianfeng patted him on the shoulder, "Your aunt and I are going to the Provincial City tomorrow. Keep an eye on Jiajia."

"Hmm."

"Have Jiajia take you back later; she's staying tonight to keep her mom company."

"Okay."

Song Guanchao extinguished his cigarette and stood up to leave.

As they exited the kitchen, Liang Jianfeng said, "Jiajia, see Xiao Song off."

"Oh."

Hu Xing watched the closed door and asked, "What's wrong with Xiao Song?"

"He's facing some challenges."

Liang Jianfeng, hands in pockets, said, "This challenge, he must solve it on his own; others can't help."

"Is it difficult?"

"For him, it's tough."

"The kid's actually quite nice."

"He is good, but also quite a flirt."

Hu Xing raised an eyebrow, "Is he fooling around outside?"

Liang Jianfeng said, "Last time, when Old Wu brought his daughter over, didn't you notice? His daughter likes Xiao Song too."

Hu Xing chuckled, "The young man is quite attractive to women."

Liang Jianfeng, puzzled, asked, "Why are you reacting like that?"

"What else?" Hu Xing said, "Get angry? Would anger help? Back when you were the sub-bureau director, people lined up to show favor. He's a big shot with the City Committee, far better than you were."

"Ahem."

Liang Jianfeng awkwardly said, "Let's not talk about the past."

...

Liang Jiajia got into the car, "Mom asked me to come back later."

"Hmm."

"What did you talk about with Dad? Why do you seem more upset?"

Song Guanchao shook his head without a word.

Suddenly, Liang Jiajia parked the car in a corner of the neighborhood.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned over to undo his belt.

Song Guanchao grabbed her shoulder, "I'm all sweaty."

Liang Jiajia suddenly took a candy bag out of her pocket, shyly said, "Pop Rocks, want to try?"

"..." Song Guanchao was amused, "Next time."

He wasn't in the mood at all now.

"Alright."

Liang Jiajia put the Pop Rocks away and refastened her seatbelt.

As the car drove out of the neighborhood, Song Guanchao suddenly said, "Go to Li Lake Mansion."

"Huh?" Liang Jiajia asked, "Where's that?"

"Secretary Wu's residence."

Song Guanchao said, "I need to report my work to Secretary Wu."

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

Song Guanchao opened the navigation.

Liang Jiajia was full of questions but held them in.

Once they arrived at the neighborhood, Song Guanchao said, "I'll catch a cab back; just drive home and let me know when you've arrived safely."

"Got it."

Once the car was far away, Song Guanchao messaged Wu Qiangwei, "Secretary, are you still awake?"

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