46: Yu Guodong is no longer trusted.

Yu Guodong occasionally glanced at Lin Zifeng, and seeing his calm and unhurried demeanor was something Yu Guodong hadn't expected.

He had intended to use this method to pressure Lin Zifeng and put him in his place, but he didn't expect such an expression from the other party.

Thus, without realizing it, Yu Guodong began competing with Lin Zifeng.

He had originally planned to let Lin Zifeng wait for ten or eight minutes before ending this silent reprimand.

Once the competition began, more than half an hour passed without either realizing it.

Yu Guodong knew that if he continued, the result would be the same.

Because from beginning to end, Lin Zifeng hadn't moved, and his expression hadn't changed at all.

So, he put down the documents in his hand, looked up, and acted as if he had just noticed Lin Zifeng's presence.

He forced a smile, lightly patted his forehead, and said, "Zifeng, please sit down! I got completely absorbed in reviewing these documents."

Who was he trying to fool with that excuse? Not even a three-year-old Child would believe it.

Lin Zifeng scoffed at Yu Guodong's clumsy excuse internally, but said aloud, "It's nothing, Secretary. You are busy with a myriad of affairs; this is no big deal."

As he spoke, he sat down on the sofa.

Following that, he began reporting to Yu Guodong on his work in Heping Town during this period.

He spoke openly about the renovation of the school playground and the Special Poverty Alleviation Funds.

Finally, he added, "Secretary, as you know, Heping Town's work in all aspects ranks at the bottom of our entire county.

To change the situation in Heping Town, while looking for ways to attract investment and revitalize the economy, we must also curb unreasonable expenditures in all areas.

We must find ways to increase income while also reducing expenditure."

"Zifeng, the work of a Town Head encompasses all aspects. While striving to develop the local economy, you must also ensure the unity of the leadership team members.

You must understand your position, and all work must revolve around the Party Committee.

There is no room for individualism or heroism, and forming cliques or small factions is absolutely unacceptable.

Knowing that you are young and prone to impulsive actions, some people expressed such concerns during the Standing Committee meeting regarding your appointment.

It was I who overcame all objections and ultimately allowed you to take the post of Town Head of Heping Town.

Perhaps my initial decision was a bit too idealistic. Seeing the situation in Heping Town, I may have been too eager for quick success."

Yu Guodong's tone was measured and emphatic, stopping just short of pointing his finger and saying: In Heping Town, you must listen to Yu Hualin in everything, otherwise you are disrupting unity and forming cliques and small factions.

I have the power to make you the Town Head, and I can also dismiss you at any time.

"Secretary, while a leadership team must be unified, different voices should also exist. Isn't our consistent principle to pool our efforts, utilize collective wisdom, and learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses?

When you recommended me for the position of Town Head of Heping Town, you surely didn't want me to be a mere yes-man, did you?

I admit that I have been somewhat impatient in my actions and haven't paid enough attention to methodology. I will humbly accept your criticism and guidance."

Seeing his neither humble nor arrogant manner, Yu Guodong realized he had hit a soft wall. He wanted to criticize him more harshly, but he remembered that the most urgent matter was dealing with Comrade Jiang Yufei first, solving Secretary Hualin's trouble. He would have plenty of time later to deal with Lin Zifeng.

So, he suppressed his anger and offered a gentle smile.

"Zifeng, you are still young, and making some mistakes is understandable. You can slowly correct them in your future work.

I just received a report from Secretary Hualin. He claimed over the phone that he had some misunderstanding with your town's Propaganda Committee Member, Comrade Jiang Yufei, which led to a very unpleasant incident!

He has recognized his mistake and admitted it to me, and I have also severely criticized him.

I heard that Comrade Jiang Yufei left with you? Do you know where she went?

Secretary Hualin wanted to call her to apologize, but Comrade Jiang Yufei refused to answer.

We are all internal Comrades. If there are any issues, we should resolve them privately.

Otherwise, how can we work together as a team in the future, and how can we face each other? What do you say, Zifeng?"

Lin Zifeng inwardly sneered, thinking, *Was that a misunderstanding? That bastard Yu Hualin was trying to rape her!*

For such a major incident, instead of figuring out how to deal with Yu Hualin, you, the County Party Secretary, are actually trying to cover it up, minimizing the serious matter and letting the small matter fade away?

You want to cover Yu Hualin's backside for something like this? That's truly eye-opening. It seems the relationship between the two of you is indeed extraordinary!

Thinking this, he forced a smile and feigned ignorance, saying, "Secretary Hualin and Comrade Jiang Yufei had a misunderstanding? If I hadn't heard you mention it, Secretary, I wouldn't have known about it at all. It seems my work hasn't been thorough enough!

To be honest, Secretary, Comrade Jiang Yufei came to me today saying she wasn't feeling well and hadn't been home for almost three months. She asked me to take her home when I returned to the County Seat.

I saw that her complexion was indeed poor, and I thought she might be ill, so I didn't refuse.

After all, she is a female Comrade, and it wasn't appropriate for me to ask too much, so I just drove her straight to the City Level.

Once we reached the City Level, I immediately returned. What happened between Comrade Jiang Yufei and Secretary Hualin, I truly have no idea, Secretary."

Faced with his complete lack of knowledge, the somewhat helpless Yu Guodong felt a surge of anger.

Just as he was contemplating how to force Lin Zifeng to persuade Comrade Jiang Yufei and thus achieve his goal, his private cell phone rang with an incoming call.

He subconsciously glanced at it and saw that it was a call from his backer in the City Level, Executive Vice Mayor Jiang Donghai. He quickly picked up the phone and motioned for Lin Zifeng to wait for him.

Holding the phone, he walked toward the inner lounge.

After answering the call, just as Yu Guodong was about to greet the person, the other party spoke first.

The person only said a few brief words, and Yu Guodong's face turned pale. Before he could speak, the other party hung up.

Yu Guodong stared blankly at the hung-up phone screen for a long time before wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. After recovering for a while, he forced himself to appear calm and walked out of the lounge.

Looking at Lin Zifeng, who was sitting obediently on the sofa, Yu Guodong gazed at him with a complex expression for a few seconds before saying faintly, "You should go back now! Work hard in the future."

"Understood, Secretary. I won't disturb you any further."

After greeting him, Lin Zifeng left Yu Guodong's office without any hesitation.

Staring at the closed door, Yu Guodong slumped into his chair as if all his strength had been drained.

The reason he was like this was because of the phone call he had just received.

He hadn't expected that the Municipal Party Committee had dispatched a Joint Investigation Team, which was already on its way to Yushu County, and they hadn't even notified him, the County Party Secretary.

The Municipal Party Committee leadership's abnormal behavior alone spoke volumes and sent a strong signal.

This indicated that the Municipal Party Committee no longer trusted him. Thinking of this, a chill ran down his spine, and a profound sense of crisis surged in his heart.

As an old hand in the officialdom, he knew very well that if the superiors decided to get serious, many things would not stand up to scrutiny.

Even if he tried to make some remedial actions, it would be useless.

That was why he had sent Lin Zifeng away. He was now struggling to look after himself; how could he possibly be in the mood to deal with Yu Hualin's messy affairs!