Suddenly receiving a call from Song Guanchao, Qu Xiangru was quite surprised.
She had heard about Song Guanchao’s situation from Zheng Bihui.
Moreover, she had just had another phone conversation with Zheng Bihui.
Zheng Bihui, realizing that the overall situation was settled and could not be changed, had switched tactics.
But unexpectedly, just after Zheng Bihui had made arrangements, Song Guanchao turned around and called.
Had he already come out of the mountains?
With doubts in her mind, Qu Xiangru answered the phone.
"Governor Qu, it’s me, Song Guanchao."
"The position of Vice Mayor of Dujiang City, Governor Qu can make the arrangements now."
Qu Xiangru gave a noise of acknowledgment to show she understood, then asked, "When did you come out of the mountains?"
"Huh?" Song Guanchao was a bit surprised. Did the provincial authorities know about his situation?
Qu Xiangru pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "Contact Secretary Wu, and have Secretary Wu give Director Qin a call, so she won’t go looking for you."
Song Guanchao was somewhat confused by her instructions and didn’t understand why she would bring this up.
Director Qin was looking for me?
Was she coming to the mountains to find me?
Was such a thing necessary to warrant Wu Qiangwei making a phone call specifically?
There was absolutely no need for that, right?
I could make the call myself.
After hanging up, Song Guanchao thought about it and decided to call Wu Qiangwei anyway.
It was a trivial matter, yet Qu Xiangru had specifically mentioned it.
That indicated there was a problem.
"Secretary, I just spoke with Governor Qu..."
He briefly reported the situation, and Wu Qiangwei immediately became furious: "Is that how Governor Qu said it?"
"Okay, I understand."
Song Guanchao felt even more puzzled.
Wasn’t it a good thing that Director Qin was coming over?
Why was Wu Qiangwei so angry?
At that moment, Wu Xinan returned in his car.
Arriving at the hospital and after an examination, Song Guanchao was found to only have a fever.
While receiving an IV, he leaned back in his chair, with his eyelids fighting to stay open.
He didn’t dare to rest in the mountains, but now that he was safe and could finally relax, exhaustion washed over him like a tide.
But still, he forced his eyelids open, as there were things that needed to be handled.
He sent a message to Liang Jianfeng, telling him the approximate location of his hidden safe.
Inside were the details of Li Zhuang framing him.
Next, he went through his missed calls from the past few days and returned each one.
Zhang Meilin was the first to know something had happened to him, but sensing that Song Guanchao wasn’t in good shape, she didn’t talk long.
Liang Jiajia had sent many messages and made many calls; Song Guanchao talked to her for a while.
Then he called Chu Xiao’e.
As soon as the call went through, Chu Xiao’e asked, "What happened to you?"
"Ran into some trouble, just got my phone."
"In a hospital in An County getting an IV, I have a bit of a fever."
"When are you coming back?"
Lastly, he called Liu Lanzi.
From Liu Lanzi, he learned that the two helicopters tonight were actually arranged through her contacts.
"After I’m done with these couple of days, I’ll come to see you to talk."
After making calls to each of the women, Song Guanchao pressed on his temples, then called He Songming.
Mr. He had been calling him since that morning, making over a dozen calls.
"Hello, Mr. He, what’s up?"
"Why couldn’t I get through to your phone?"
"Ran into some trouble, what do you need me for?"
"There’s an issue with the relocation in Three Lanes."
"Couldn’t agree on the price?"
"Yes, they’re asking for too much."
"It’s not just a few people, it’s everyone!"
"Everyone?" Song Guanchao uttered softly in surprise, "Is there someone organizing them?"
"It’s unclear whether there is an organizer, but there certainly is someone mobilizing them. The newly established demolition office was smashed by them this morning, the city authorities have deployed a lot of police officers, and the negotiations have been ongoing until now."
"Have they come to an agreement?"
"Not yet, we’re still in the negotiation phase."
"I’ll come over tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Song Guanchao had no mood to sleep anymore.
How could the smooth relocation process suddenly encounter problems?
And during a time when he was in a precarious situation himself.
Was it Zheng Bihui’s doing?
Trying to take the project back in this opportunity?
It seemed that some things must have happened during the few days he had been out of the picture.
He glanced at the IV drip and called Wu Xinan, asking him to make a trip over.
Wu Xinan had just dined with his daughter and Zhou Qian, and had originally planned to send them straight back to Lingjiang tonight.
However, the two women insisted on staying, wanting to wait for Song Guanchao.
Coincidentally receiving the call, he brought the two women over, and also packed some food.
"Guanchao, how are you feeling?" Zhou Qian asked with concern.
Wu Yun also wanted to show her concern, but with her father present, she simply offered a silent, sympathetic glance.
"I’m doing quite well," Song Guanchao smiled at her and turned to Wu Xinan, "Secretary Wu, do you have other matters to attend to here?"
"I don’t have any other business."
"I need to return to Lingjiang, can you give me a lift?"
"Yes." Song Guanchao stood up, grabbed the IV drip and said, "I can continue the IV treatment back home."
Wu Xinan guessed he had matters to take care of upon his return, and grunted an acknowledgment, "Let’s go."
After entering the city, Song Guanchao spoke, "Secretary Wu, please take me to the Li Lake Mansion."
At 8:10 PM, the car stopped at Li Lake Mansion.
Song Guanchao, still holding the IV drip, said, "Secretary Wu, I’ll need to trouble you to send Zhou Qian back."
"She’s staying at my place tonight, sharing a room with Xiao Yun."
Song Guanchao was a bit surprised, but seeing that Wu Xinan had already made arrangements, nodded his head, greeted the two women, and then walked towards the building complex.
He had sent a message to Wu Qiangwei in advance, telling her he was coming over.
In less than two seconds, the door opened.
Wu Qiangwei was still dressed in a blouse and slacks. Usually, by this time, she would have already taken a shower.
Moreover, there was a profound weariness in her eyes, her spirits seemed a bit wilted.
Probably due to his recent troubles, she hadn’t gotten much rest over the past couple of days.
"You haven’t gone home?" Seeing Song Guanchao in his ragged, beggar-like clothes, Wu Qiangwei’s eyes showed a flash of distress.
"Wait to go home until after we report the news."
"Come in first," Wu Qiangwei walked toward the room, "have a seat." Orıginal content can be found at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵
Song Guanchao looked around and finally went to the balcony, where he hung the IV drip on the drying rack.
Wu Qiangwei came out holding a set of clothes. Seeing the scenario, she moved a chair over, "Sit down."
Song Guanchao sat down and asked, "Secretary, is Zheng Bihui behind the mess at Three Lanes?"
Even if any perceptive person could identify the mischief-maker, without evidence, it was unwise to make accusations.
Wu Qiangwei said, "After your incident, Mayor Zheng dispatched all available personnel in the city."
She briefed him on what Zheng Bihui had done over the past two days.
Song Guanchao narrowed his eyes. That old bastard, so damn sly and ruthless!
Wu Qiangwei continued, "With residents protesting the demolition, Director Qin recalled all police officers involved in the rescue. Tonight, I intended to rent helicopters from the Civil Aviation Authority or from airlines, but I couldn’t get through on the phone."
"Eventually, it was Chairman Liu from New City Company who helped by arranging through the tourism bureau to rent two helicopters."
"We need to remember this favor from Chairman Liu."
Song Guanchao thought that a direct meat payment could settle Chairman Liu’s favor.
"By the way, Qu Xiangru asked me to call Director Qin back in. What’s that about?"
Wu Qiangwei took a deep breath, showing a trace of anger, "Director Qin was at Three Lanes handling the demolition when I had arranged for the helicopters. But as soon as I did, Mayor Zheng immediately sent him to assist in the search operation."
Song Guanchao was taken aback and then chuckled coldly, "How crafty of him. He obstructs when I’m in danger, but seems to help when there’s a chance of rescue."
"Help?" Wu Qiangwei shook her head, "With me already dispatching helicopters, he still sent all the city police to the rescue. Do you think he’s giving up the fight against you, embellishing the success? No, he’s trying to entrap me!"
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