85: Applying eye drops in public

Hearing Jiang Yufei's inquiry, he briefly explained what had happened.

"How can these people be like this? Do they have no shame? We worked so hard to bring in the Investor, why should we share the spoils with them? Is it just because they are thick-skinned?"

Hearing his account, Jiang Yufei said indignantly.

"Secretary, this really is too infuriating. If they want to attract investment, why don't they find a way themselves? Why set their sights on us? Aren't they afraid that the common people of Heping Town will curse their ancestors for eight generations?"

Wang Zhongyu also looked resentful, and even Li Qiang, who was driving, was breathing heavily with anger.

"Calm down. If they want to snatch the investment from our hands, they have to see if they have the capability. Didn't Secretary Wan guarantee it to me? He said they would only be given a chance after the Investor conducts an on-site inspection in Heping Town. So, we will strive to sign the cooperation contract right after the Investor's inspection, making their calculations come to nothing, wasting their efforts, and embarrassing themselves. Only by having strong capabilities ourselves can we best respond to their shameless behavior; getting angry is useless. If we can't retain the investment and really let them snatch it away, then it's because our work wasn't up to par and our capabilities were insufficient."

"Then what if they make even more excessive demands at the expanded Standing Committee meeting?" Jiang Yufei said with some concern.

"Committee Member Jiang, there is a limit to everything. If they really dare to do that, do you think I'm a pushover? If that happens, the responsibility won't lie with us in Heping Town. I, Lin Zifeng, am not someone to be bullied; how could I let them manipulate me? Don't forget, the initiative is in our hands!" Lin Zifeng said with a firm gaze.

Wei Ting, who was organizing supervisory work in Heping Town, also received a notice from the County Party Committee Office, asking her to rush to the County Party Committee before seven o'clock for an expanded Standing Committee meeting.

Although she didn't know the purpose of the evening meeting, she still handed her work over to Deputy Secretary Qin Xiao and the other team members, then had her driver drive her toward the county seat.

By less than half past six, Li Qiang had driven the car off the Expressway.

Knowing that Lin Zifeng was going to the county for a meeting, Li Qiang increased the speed significantly afterward.

The two cars drove one after the other and stopped in front of a fast-food restaurant. After getting out, everyone stretched their bodies and walked into the restaurant one after another.

While eating, he made arrangements for work.

"Town Chief Cao, I'm going to the County Party Committee for a meeting shortly, so I won't be returning to Heping Town tonight. It works out well, as I'll go to the Expressway Exit tomorrow to welcome the Investor. After we finish eating, your car can head back first! There should be a lot of work to do in the township tomorrow morning; you should go back and help implement it!"

"Alright, Secretary. Tomorrow, once you've met the Investor, let's keep in touch by phone."

After Cao Shuang readily agreed, a thought occurred to him, and he asked again: "Secretary, why did the County Party Committee choose to hold a meeting late at night? Holding a meeting at this time, could it be related to our investment attraction project?"

Jiang Yufei sought Lin Zifeng's opinion with a look, and seeing that he didn't object, she recounted the general situation of the matter.

Hearing Jiang Yufei's account, Cao Shuang's face turned livid with anger. "These bastards, are they fucking shameless?"

Hearing Cao Shuang curse in anger, Lin Zifeng smiled and waved his hand.

"Town Chief Cao, there's no need to be so angry. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. If we secure all the investments, won't they end up with nothing? Go back and do your work well; wouldn't it be more satisfying to slap them in the face with reality?"

Hu Yulin and Liu Ju were also filled with righteous indignation, but hearing what he said, they swallowed back the words they were about to say.

"Secretary, please rest assured. Even if we don't sleep after we go back, we will get the work done well," Hu Yulin said, sharing the same hatred for the enemy.

Cao Shuang and the others nodded one after another, finally suppressing their anger.

After finishing a simple dinner, everyone said goodbye at the entrance. Jiang Yufei claimed she was going to spend the night at a friend's house and would stay in touch by phone. She didn't get back in the car and walked toward Zhang Yuhan's house.

She refused a ride, saying she wanted to stretch her legs because she felt uncomfortable from sitting in the car, and Lin Zifeng didn't insist, simply telling Li Qiang to drive to the County Committee Compound.

After seeing their car drive away, Jiang Yufei took out her phone and called Jiang Shiyu directly.

She told Jiang Shiyu the whole story behind Yushu County holding an expanded Standing Committee meeting.

Finally, she said angrily: "Dad, do you think these people are too shameless? I've never seen anything like this; isn't this trying to reap without sowing? It's infuriating."

"Hahaha, it's rare to hear our Yufei use profanity; it seems you've been really angered. You're reporting across levels again!" Jiang Shiyu said with a hearty laugh.

"Dad, how can you still laugh? I'm so angry I want to hit someone," Jiang Yufei said coquettishly.

"You! You're just too impatient. You're a year older than that Lin Zifeng! Your ability to cultivate composure is far behind his. Where is there no struggle? Where is there no deception? This is just a small test; there's no need to take it too seriously. I believe that young man, Lin Zifeng, will certainly handle this matter properly. This is also a test for him, which will be beneficial for his rapid growth. You should learn more from him. Don't lose your composure at the slightest sign of trouble," Jiang Shiyu said earnestly, his tone full of confidence.

Hearing what Jiang Shiyu said, Jiang Yufei's hanging heart settled down quite a bit, and her mood recovered.

The father and daughter chatted for a while longer before hanging up the phone.

Jiang Yufei knew that her cousin was also going to the county for the meeting, so she wasn't in a hurry to go to her house and instead turned toward a shopping mall.

When Lin Zifeng walked into the conference room, the Secretaries and Town Chiefs of the other townships had already arrived.

Even more than half of the County Party Standing Committee Members had arrived. Seeing him walk into the conference room, everyone focused their gazes on him.

He smiled and nodded, as a way of greeting.

Wei Ting, who had arrived earlier, waved at him, indicating the empty seat beside her.

He nodded again and walked over to Wei Ting.

As he passed by Yushu Town Secretary, Wu Dexing, the latter said the following in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft.

"Secretary Lin is truly busy with a thousand tasks! Now that only the Secretary and the County Mayor haven't arrived, you arrive late. Those who didn't know better might think you were some leader of the County Party Committee! It seems Secretary Lin is truly a very busy person!"

Although Wu Dexing's voice wasn't loud, everyone in the conference room heard it.

This was clearly an attempt to undermine Lin Zifeng, almost equivalent to pointing at his nose and saying he didn't understand the rules.

Wu Dexing was a veteran, and as the Secretary of Yushu Town, where the county seat was located, he felt superior to other township Cadres.

Therefore, he wanted to give Lin Zifeng a public dressing-down before the meeting started.

Because he was the most active one among those who wanted to snatch the investment results of Heping Town, and he had incited several other township Secretaries.

He was responsible for more than half the effort in getting this meeting convened.