An incident that serious could never be covered up, and the higher-ups naturally learned about it.
Only after an investigation did they discover that the Water Resources Bureau's deputy director had awarded the project to his own brother-in-law. That brother-in-law was both greedy and stupid. Thinking quality materials were a waste of money, he had cut corners on the construction.
Later, both the director and deputy director of the Water Resources Bureau were removed from office.
The vice governor overseeing the Provincial Water Resources Bureau also received a public reprimand for inadequate supervision.
Lin Chao Ci was speechless. He had clearly helped his father avoid one disaster, only for this to crop up.
If the dam issue was not handled properly, disciplinary action would be the least of their worries. People could die—thousands of people across several villages.
Lin Chao Ci frowned and said nothing, considering how to resolve it.
Seeing his son's tightly furrowed brow, Lin Jianguo felt guilty. What am I doing? Why am I asking my own son about political matters? All I've done is worry him!
Lin Jianguo composed himself, hoping to move past the subject. He forced a faint smile and said, "I was too caught up in it. Reaching deputy provincial rank at forty-five already puts me ahead of plenty of people. It's fine if I haven't joined the standing committee. I can wait a little longer!"
His father's voice brought Lin Chao Ci back to the present. Seeing the bitterness on his father's face as he tried to look calm, Lin Chao Ci did not know whether to laugh or sigh.
His father was still a little too straightforward. All he knew was to work and work. If he had put more thought into navigating politics, he would never have ended up in such a miserable position in his previous life.
Lin Chao Ci sorted out his thoughts before saying, "Since the leadership has already issued the order, they won't change it anytime soon!"
"Whichever department you oversee, you're still serving the people. Why dwell on it? Just focus on doing your current job well!"
After first setting his father's perspective straight, Lin Chao Ci continued, "What I'm really worried about is the Water Resources Bureau!"
"What's wrong with the Water Resources Bureau?" Lin Jianguo asked in confusion.
"A friend of mine visited the Lishui Dam a few days ago. He said bits of stone were falling off its walls, and several small cracks had appeared..."
Lin Chao Ci could not tell him the truth, so he could only invent a friend and attribute everything to him.
"Oh? The Lishui Dam? Isn't that a key project in Jishan City? It was only completed a few years ago..."
Lin Jianguo was highly knowledgeable about his work and had always kept track of developments within the province. He remembered the dam, which had cost tens of millions to build.
"Yes. My friend later asked the villagers around the Lishui Dam about it too. They said cracks had appeared in the walls several years ago..."
"I was very surprised when I heard, so I specifically sent someone to investigate. By chance, they discovered that the contractor who built the Lishui Dam had cut corners..."
He had no choice. The Lishui Dam would collapse this May.
There were only four months left. If they dragged their feet and failed to take it seriously, people really would die when the time came.
Whether for the villagers' sake or his father's, Lin Chao Ci had to bring this matter to light.
His father fell silent after hearing him. He finally understood why his son had frowned earlier. There was actually a ticking time bomb this serious hidden within the Water Resources Bureau.
If corners really had been cut on the Lishui Dam and it collapsed, causing major repercussions, he would definitely be implicated as the official in charge.
"How certain are you that corners were cut on the Lishui Dam?"
His son's performance on several previous occasions had unconsciously led Lin Jianguo to rely on him. He trusted his son completely.
"One hundred percent. Go inspect the Lishui Dam in person, and you'll see. The walls are cracked... This has to be dealt with as soon as possible. The New Year is almost here, and April and May are the rainy season. There really isn't much time left to handle it..."
Lin Chao Ci spoke with absolute certainty.
"All right, I understand. I'll find some time soon to make a discreet visit!"
Lin Jianguo nodded, taking the matter to heart.
The two then discussed a few more political matters. Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Chao Ci said he should leave.
His father did not stop him. He simply watched his son's retreating figure and remarked with even greater admiration, "Steady and clever, with such a deep understanding of politics. A born official!"
Only after returning to his room did Lin Chao Ci have time to check his phone.
While he had been in his father's study, his phone had remained on silent, both out of respect and to avoid interrupting their conversation.
Now that he checked, he found that quite a few messages had indeed come in.
He skipped straight past the work-related ones, only giving the more important messages a quick glance.
What mattered most were the messages from his family and his women.
Tomorrow was Friday. His mother, younger brother, and younger sister would be coming to Haikou City with Qin Chi Chi.
First, the family had not seen one another for a long time. Second, they were celebrating his father's entry into the ministry.
As Lin Chao Ci remembered it, his mother was a deputy director of the Culture Department in Imperial Capital City, holding deputy departmental rank. She was a gentle, refined woman from a distinguished family in Jiangnan, cultured and gracious, with an air of scholarly elegance.
She treated everyone in the family wonderfully and doted especially on Lin Chao Ci.
Sadly, after his father died in despair, his mother was also diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Although the medicine available at the time could not cure it, it could still have extended her life by more than a decade.
Yet his mother had chosen not to cling to life. She wanted to die looking beautiful and join his father sooner.
Her life had been fulfilling. She had a husband who loved her, three children who respected their elders, and no conflict with her mother-in-law. She had been happy all her life and had no regrets.
Lin Chao Ci respected his mother's decision. He knew that after his father's death, she often cried alone in secret at night. Deep down, she had probably long since resolved to die.
Lin Chao Ci clearly remembered that on the day his mother died, spring was warm and the flowers were blooming.
"Whew... That won't happen again in this life! I'll change my family's fate and make sure everyone lives happily!"
Lin Chao Ci became even more determined to rewrite his life.
"Beep, beep, beep!"
As Lin Chao Ci recalled his previous life, his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it and saw that his beloved younger sister was calling.
"Hehehe, big brother, did you miss me?"
"Princess Weiyi! Of course I missed you. How have you been lately, little princess? Are you happy at school? How about coming here to study near me?"
"I'm so bored without you around! I want to go to school where you are, but Mom won't let me!"
"Don't worry. Once you get here tomorrow, I'll talk to Mom and get her to agree to let you come study here..."
Seeing that the call was from his younger sister, Lin Chao Ci's voice grew unusually gentle, and a smile spread across his face without him realizing it.
Lin Weiyi, Lin Chao Ci's younger sister, was the only girl in three generations of the Lin Family.
She was the entire Lin Family's one and only little princess, showered with love from the moment she was born.
Naturally, Lin Chao Ci also doted endlessly on his beloved little sister.
But whenever he thought back to his previous life, Lin Chao Ci could not help gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.
In his previous life, his sister had fallen in love with a childhood friend who was skilled at putting on an act!
That man knew his sister had extraordinarily powerful connections and immense influence behind her.
From the moment they were assigned to the same class in middle school, he had begun plotting and disguising his true self.
With a flawless scheme and a flawless persona, he had completely fooled his innocent little sister.
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