Liu Zhizhong had already begun to feel hostility from the Zhang father and son.
When he reached the fountain, he still took out a cigarette, intending to offer one to ease the atmosphere.
Zhang Hongyang, almost as usual, declined his cigarette and took out one of his own to light.
Liu Zhizhong had no choice but to light his own cigarette and started smoking, saying, "County Mayor Zhang..."
With just that address, Zhang Hongyang interrupted him, "At this moment, you must be quite pleased, right?"
Liu Zhizhong's expression was serious as he faintly replied, "The Old Secretary has passed away, how could there be any talk of pleasure? County Mayor Zhang, your suspicion of my intentions is also..."
"Mr. Billionaire, you didn't attend the birthday banquet last night, and yet you, by yourself, moved the entire audience and stole my father's limelight. How capable! But let's not talk about that. My grandfather's death is inextricably linked to you, you understand? Once again, by yourself, you saw off an old veteran of Yangzhou's political scene. How capable! Are you happy now?"
Zhang Hongyang's voice was sarcastic, making Liu Zhizhong very uncomfortable.
Liu Zhizhong said, "County Mayor Zhang, what are you saying? Are you suggesting that the Old Secretary died because of me? I wasn't even present, how could it be related to me?"
"No relation? Haha..."
Zhang Hongyang sneered coldly, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and exhaled slowly before continuing coldly, "Do you think the time of my grandfather's death was really at 5:58 AM as announced? It wasn't! That was just an auspicious time set by the Zhang Family Members! Do you think he died in the hospital after a rescue attempt? That wasn't the case either!"
After saying this, he forcefully flicked his cigarette butt and stamped it out ruthlessly with his foot.
Liu Zhizhong realized there was indeed a problem. "County Mayor Zhang, please, calm down. What exactly happened?"
"What happened? Ask yourself!" Zhang Hongyang pointed his finger at Liu Zhizhong's chest, poking him, "To be precise, it was your "Shadow" that moved everyone. Minister Luo also suggested that our table should listen..."
This was indeed true, because Zhao Han had also mentioned it while working with Liu Zhizhong, feeling her man was outstanding, even the Old Secretary was moved to tears.
Zhang Hongyang clenched his teeth as he spoke, "Grandfather looked so sad, so distressed, this is the first time in many years I saw him cry! He was always a strong old man, my role model and idol!"
"He said he was tired, wouldn't eat or drink, and wanted to go back to rest. It was my father and Minister Luo who helped him back to lie down. They came back and told us that the old man slept very well, and should have a good rest."
"We were all happy at that time because granddad usually could not sleep until 12 at night and would wake up very early; his sleep had not been good in recent years." Chapters fırst released on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥
"But who would have thought, at six o'clock this morning, the housekeeper went to wake him up. That was his usual time to get up every morning. He was already stiff, did you know that?"
Zhang Hongyang ground his teeth, his voice low like a wounded beast, his eyes full of tears, glowering at Liu Zhizhong.
If he wasn't restraining himself, with his feelings, he would definitely pounce and give Liu Zhizhong a beating!
Liu Zhizhong's face was grave as he realized something.
He didn't speak, knowing Zhang Hongyang would definitely continue.
At this moment, Zhang Hongyang was genuinely grieving, not pretending.
That much, Liu Zhizhong knew.
The Old Secretary had always doted on and placed high hopes on his eldest grandson. Zhang Hongyang's affection for his grandfather even surpassed his affection for his father.
Thus, Liu Zhizhong understood and empathized.
Sure enough, Zhang Hongyang wiped away his tears and bravely suppressed his sadness.
He stared directly at Liu Zhizhong, stating gravely, "Grandfather was already stiff... He had passed away for quite a while! We called in the best ambulance and the best emergency doctor. Do you know what they said?"
Liu Zhizhong somberly, silently, waited for the rest.
"The most experienced doctor, after examining, said Grandfather had been dead from a massive heart attack for over 9 hours. 9 hours, do you fucking understand?"
"Last night when Grandfather went to sleep, I specifically noted the time, it was only 8:47 PM. I thought to myself, Grandfather really is tired, he's sleeping so early tonight!"
"To myself, I also thought, Liu Zhizhong that son of a bitch is really something. 'Shadow' touched something in Grandfather's heart, made him cry, stimulated him emotionally, and drained him completely."
"I even thought to myself, it's good Grandfather could rest early! But who the fuck knew? From the time he fell asleep to when we discovered his body, more than 9 hours, do you fucking understand?"
"What does this imply? What does it imply? Tell me!"
Zhang Hongyang, barely able to contain his emotions, grabbed Liu Zhizhong's collar as if he wanted to tear him apart!
What could Liu Zhizhong possibly say?
He felt somewhat innocent, somewhat wronged.
But Zhang Dingkang had died...
After the people he cherished most, his son Zhang Zhengchang and his favorite disciple Luo Tianlin, took him to his room, laid him down, and left shortly afterward, he had suffered a massive heart attack and died.
Ironically, at that time, the Zhang Family children and relatives, the officials of Yangzhou, all 99 tables of them, were still outside in the manor, joyously celebrating Zhang Zhengchang's 66th birthday banquet, and eagerly discussing Mr. L's new work 'Shadow', alas...
Or is fate playing tricks?
At this moment, what could Liu Zhizhong say?
With Zhang Hongyang throwing out this sequence of reasoning, perhaps not entirely nonsensical, what could Liu Zhizhong respond with?