County Government Building, Lin Fan’s entrance instantly ignited Cai Mao’s agitation.
"County Magistrate, seize this village tyrant, this debacle! He must be dealt with severely!"
"Cai Mao, you think by bringing all your relatives to cause a scene, you can twist the truth? Let’s confront each other right now. When did I ever seize land, and whose land did I seize?"
Lin Fan, with his arms crossed, walked up beside County Magistrate Luan, a smile on his face.
"You... you seized Lin Dazhu’s land. As a public servant, according to national regulations, no administrative staff should engage in profit-making activities. You leased the land from Lin Dazhu’s home to plant Chinese herbal medicine. Isn’t that a profitable activity? How are you going to deny it now?"
Cai Mao’s face was smug as this was their pre-arranged tactic — just this point, exaggerated a bit, would be enough to force Lin Fan out of his deputy mayor position. Then, they’d press various charges against him, making sure his life wouldn’t be easy.
"Mayor Lin, this is a serious violation of discipline. Is this true?"
County Magistrate Luan adjusted his glasses and looked toward Lin Fan.
"Indeed, it’s true. However, the tenant is not me personally, but a newly-established Chinese Herbal Medicine Cultivation Company. This is purely a business action. Although I am involved, I am on the leasing side. I leased ten acres of my family’s land to them for five years. Here are the qualifications of the group company and the signed contract, and I had already reported this work to the county previously, Magistrate Luan, you’re aware of this."
Lin Fan smiled and directly handed County Magistrate Luan the prepared documents.
"This is false, just rumors and slander. He forcibly leased it, there is no company."
Cai Mao, looking puzzled at the thick pile of documents in Lin Fan’s hands, realized that he had never heard of this before.
"Cai Mao, open your damned eyes and see clearly. This group company is worth two billion, just the registered capital of its subsidiary company is thirty million. The contract clearly specifies everything, and the company profile is crystal clear. If you can’t read, you can have your son read it."
Lin Fan sneered coldly, while County Magistrate Luan nodded and added, "Mayor Lin is in charge of attracting investment in Lotus Town. This project indeed has been approved by the county, and even has the technical support of the Provincial Agricultural Science Institute. The relevant procedures are underway. Though the company is only doing preliminary survey and expressing interest, without actual substantial presence yet. Thus, even though Mayor Lin is spearheading this, he merely represents the government’s stance, not the operational nature you accuse him of."
"This... something’s off... Sun Widow indeed mentioned Lin Fan leasing land... She talked about Lin Fan leasing land... not a company."
Even County Magistrate Luan was siding with Lin Fan now, especially when he mentioned "the county knows," which left Cai Mao stunned. Just then, a sedan slowly stopped outside the county gate. Emerging from the car in her customary cheongsam and high heels was Sun Qimei.
"Mr. Cai, which ear of yours heard me say Mayor Lin wanted to rent land himself? I clearly said Mayor Lin led the effort to lease the land to our company. It’s a project spearheaded by Mayor Lin, he was conscientious enough to lease out his family’s land, playing a pioneering role. Isn’t this the grandest support for our company? What’s wrong with that?"
Sun Qimei smiled composedly, stunning the Cai Family members.
"You... you didn’t say that... Sun Widow, you’ve set me up!"
Cai Mao glared angrily at Sun Qimei who simply sneered coldly: "Mind your words, or I can sue you for defamation. Remember, my name is Sun Qimei, currently the project leader at the Agricultural Development Company of Shengrong Group. If you claim I said that, where’s your proof?"
"I... I just heard it..."
Cai Mao had no evidence; he had impulsively brought people to cause trouble.
"You dare block the county government building without evidence, Cai Mao? You’re truly bold!"
Lin Fan rubbed his nose, looking at him coldly: "Also, you said I destroyed crops, you ought to have evidence for that, right? If not, you best think carefully about the consequences."
Cai Mao was at a loss for words. As he turned his head to look at Lin Dazhu, his eyes suddenly became sharp: "You... you’ve messed around with relationships. You and Lin Dazhu’s wife... having an affair..."
The curse rang out from behind just as Chang Wanyun, who came charging up, grabbed Cai Mao by his collar and slapped him across the face.
"Wife... you... how did you get here!"
Looking at Chang Wanyun, who had knocked the fifty-something Cai Mao to the ground, even Lin Dazhu, sitting in a wheelchair, was shocked.
"How did I get here? Lin Dazhu, you bastard, you still have the nerve to ask me how I came here, following him to the County Committee saying your wife slept with another man. You damn well have no shame."
Chang Wanyun, seething with anger, kicked his wheelchair: "Lin Dazhu, this wheelchair was bought with my salary. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, everything came from my salary. If you don’t produce evidence today of my infidelity, I’m divorcing you. From now on, go beg from your parents!"