Scared to Faint

On the other end of the line, Guo Zhengwen was startled when he saw the caller ID.

He had, of course, saved Qin Ning's number and knew how special the other party was.

Moreover, Qin Ning had previously saved his father's life. The last time he invited Qin Ning to his home for dinner, even Elder Liu had personally come because of him.

"Young Master Qin, you're looking for me..."

He answered carefully, placing the phone to his ear.

"Are you busy?" Qin Ning asked softly.

"Not busy at all, Young Master Qin. Just say the word if you need anything."

Guo Zhengwen was flattered. Regardless of whether he was busy or not, even if he was swamped with work right now, he had to put everything aside temporarily.

"It's like this..."

Following that, Qin Ning briefly explained the situation to him over the phone.

Hearing this, Guo Zhengwen said with a serious face, "Don't worry, Young Master Qin. I'll call Bin City right now. Within half an hour, I guarantee the matter will be handled properly."

"Alright, we'll leave it at that for now. Let's grab a couple of drinks together next time we're free."

With that, Qin Ning hung up directly. He then looked at the crowd, smiled, and said, "It's all sorted out. Let's eat and not let this ruin our mood."

Although Huang Ping didn't know who he had called, she could guess. Given Qin Ning's special status, he was definitely connected to the higher-ups. Since he said it was fine, the matter would definitely be resolved.

Soon, inside the private room, everyone started eating and chatting.

Meanwhile.

Lin Zeliang, who had just returned to his county office, was still fuming.

Duan Liqin brewed some tea for him and helped tidy up the documents on his desk, saying, "Uncle, don't stress over it. This project was hard to negotiate to begin with. Plus, with Huang Ping taking the blame this time, the higher-ups definitely won't pin it on you."

Hearing this, Lin Zeliang nodded. Just as he was about to say something, the door to his office was suddenly pushed open violently.

The person who entered was the county secretary, followed by several police officers. Lin Zeliang was startled. Were they here to hold him accountable for the failed project negotiation?

But what were these police officers here for?

Although curious, he hastily stood up. "Secretary..."

"What the hell did you just do?"

But before Lin Zeliang could say anything, the county secretary roared and cursed at him, looking as if he wanted to eat him alive.

"I, I... Secretary... about the project... I do bear some responsibility..."

"What project? Am I asking you about the project? What the hell did you actually do? Do you know the city just called me? The city has already sent people from the Disciplinary Committee over. Lin Zeliang, let me tell you, your life is over!"

After saying that, the secretary waved his hand, and the police officers behind him rushed forward, subduing Lin Zeliang and Duan Liqin on the spot.

Lin Zeliang was completely dumbfounded with fear.

What was going on?

It wasn't about the project?

And even the Disciplinary Committee was alarmed?

Rushing over from the city?

"Secretary, I really didn't do anything. I was just at the restaurant earlier..."

Looking panicked, he hastily recounted the incident from beginning to end.

He had only failed to negotiate a project, how could it cause such a massive uproar?

"That's just your one-sided story for now, and it's useless telling me. My mission is simply to get you under control first."

The secretary took a deep breath and continued, "This matter is definitely not as simple as you say, but the problem most likely stems from that Huang Ping."

Duan Liqin frowned. "Secretary, Huang Ping is just a lowly external clerk. How could she..."

"Didn't you just say Huang Ping was eating at the restaurant? Who else was with her?" the secretary asked.

"There was her daughter, Yang Xin, who is a middle school classmate of mine. Besides her, there were a few others, probably Yang Xin's friends," Duan Liqin said innocently.

The secretary fell silent. Looking at it now, it was definitely Huang Ping's daughter or her daughter's friends.

Otherwise, the city would have no reason to suddenly make a move against Lin Zeliang.

"Secretary, I'm truly innocent. You have to help me with this." Lin Zeliang had been handcuffed, his face now deathly pale from fright.

"Don't beg me. This matter isn't for me to decide. The person who just called me was the City Secretary."

The county secretary looked over and snorted coldly. "If you are truly clean, then fine. But you'd better pray I don't find any issues with you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his phone suddenly rang.

The county secretary picked it up and saw it was an unknown number, with the location showing as the provincial capital, Guangning City.

He frowned slightly and answered it with some curiosity. "Hello, this is Sun Yong from Jiangling County. Who is this?"

"Me, Guo Zhengwen."

On the other end of the line, those few simple words instantly made Sun Yong's scalp tingle.

"Sec... Secretary Guo?"

Sun Yong's voice trembled. This was the top leader of the province, a true provincial heavyweight.

To call so suddenly at this moment, it had to be related to Lin Zeliang's matter.

What in the world had this guy done?

Not only did he alarm the city, but now even the provincial top leader had personally called him.

"Is Lin Zeliang under control?" Guo Zhengwen's voice came through again, sounding somewhat deep.

"Un... Under control. He is right beside me at this moment..."

"Good. Keep a close eye on him. I've already dispatched people from the Provincial Disciplinary Committee; they will arrive in the afternoon. When the time comes, hand him over to the City Disciplinary Committee for an initial review, and then let the Provincial Disciplinary Committee bring him back," Guo Zhengwen stated.

Sun Yong realized that the matter was far more severe than he had imagined. He hastily agreed a few times before finally hanging up the phone, covered in a cold sweat.

After taking a moment to recover, Sun Yong suppressed the shock in his heart. He then looked at Lin Zeliang and said indifferently, "That was a call from Secretary Guo of the province. Lin Zeliang, oh Lin Zeliang, sigh..."

Hearing this, Lin Zeliang nearly fainted from fright.

What was going on?

The provincial top leader, Guo Zhengwen?

How was this possible?

The fact that the City Secretary called was already unbelievable to him. He never expected that even the big shot in the province had been alarmed!

Had he broken some heavenly law or something?

Just then, suddenly, several fully armed soldiers rushed in from outside the office door.

The pitch-black muzzles of their guns were aimed at everyone inside.

Such a scene gave the police officers holding Lin Zeliang a massive fright.

"I am Colonel Qiu Xingrong of the Western Province Military Region. Who is Lin Zeliang?"

A man dressed as a military officer swept his gaze across the room.

County Secretary Sun Yong looked astonished. How did even the military region get alerted, and a colonel at that!

He hurriedly said, "Comrade Colonel, I, I... I am..."

"You are Lin Zeliang? Take him down!" Qiu Xingrong waved his hand.

"No, no, no... I'm not Lin Zeliang... I am County Secretary Sun Yong..."

Sun Yong gulped, then pointed to the handcuffed Lin Zeliang next to him. "He is Lin Zeliang, and this one is his niece, Duan Liqin."

"Take them all away."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Xingrong waved his hand again.

"But what about the Disciplinary Committee..." Sun Yong frowned.

Before he could finish, Qiu Xingrong pulled an official red-letter document from his pocket. "I am acting on the direct orders of the highest authority in the capital. If the people from the Disciplinary Committee come looking, just tell them to head straight to the Western Province Military Region."

Staring at the document in his hand, Sun Yong was left completely dumbfounded.

Had this matter really alarmed the capital?

Meanwhile, the sheer terror of the situation caused Duan Liqin and Lin Zeliang to pass out on the spot.

"Take them away."

At Qiu Xingrong's command, several heavily armed soldiers hoisted the two unconscious individuals and swiftly escorted them away from the scene.