Officials from the environmental protection department suddenly arrived and issued a stop-work order on the spot.
The smile on Chen Lin's face went out instantly, like a candle snuffed by an icy wind.
Only yesterday, he had dealt with the local tyrant Li Youtian with ruthless efficiency. Today, the authorities themselves had stepped into the fray.
There was no way this wasn't a setup!
They were clearly coming after him.
He spoke to Gao Qiqiang on the other end of the line in a low voice, devoid of emotion. "I'll be right back."
Chen Lin hung up and turned around.
Song Qiuya was watching him anxiously, her beautiful eyes full of concern.
He gently patted the back of her hand and gave her a reassuring look.
Then he strode over to An Changlin, Gao Yuliang, and the others, an apologetic expression returning to his face.
"Mayor An, Professor Gao, Mr. Ji, Mr. Ding, I'm terribly sorry. Something urgent has come up at my project, so I may have to excuse myself."
An Changlin was no ordinary man. One glance was enough for him to detect the chill in Chen Lin's expression.
"Chen, what happened?"
Chen Lin concealed nothing.
He knew perfectly well that there was no point being evasive at a time like this.
"The environmental protection department just shut down my Reservoir Project."
"They said it was polluting the environment."
At those words, An Changlin's brows immediately knitted together.
He had personally overseen this project and put it through expedited approval. He had spoken to every department involved to make sure nothing went wrong.
And now the environmental protection department had issued a stop-work order without first consulting him, the leader responsible?
This was a slap in his face!
Gao Yuliang, Ji Changmin, and Ding Yizhen exchanged knowing looks.