Gao Yuliang's words fell calmly over the noisy construction site, yet carried more weight than Zhao Lidong's hoarse, desperate self-criticism moments earlier.
Chen Lin froze.
Then he nodded.
He knew the real show was only just beginning.
"Gentlemen, Mayor An, please follow me."
Chen Lin turned, naturally took Song Qiuya's hand, and headed toward the Farmhouse Courtyard.
Song Qiuya's palm was still damp with sweat. She turned her head slightly, stealing a look at the man beside her.
He had defused the crisis at the construction site with just a few words, remained perfectly composed when Mayor Zhao Lidong bowed in apology, and now received a personal invitation from a former Deputy Provincial Party Secretary.
It all felt like a dream to her.
How many secrets were still hidden inside this man, who never seemed serious and always wore that cheeky grin?
Zhao Lidong tried to follow, but Ding Yizhen stopped him with a warm smile that left no room for refusal.
"Comrade Lidong, we old fellows are just going to have a casual chat with Xiao Chen. You have plenty of official business to attend to, so go back to your work."
"Wang Peirong and that secretary must be dealt with severely. This must never happen again!"
Zhao Lidong stiffened. He dared not utter a word of objection and could only nod and bow in agreement, watching the group walk away.
As he watched Gao Yuliang and the others surrounding Chen Lin, a jumble of emotions churned inside him.
Who exactly was this young man?
He decided that once he returned, he had to go through every piece of information on Chen Lin immediately, right away, a hundred times over!
The group returned to the Farmhouse Courtyard.
It was not yet dinnertime, but a scattering of customers still