On the surface, Li Xianyao's words seemed harmless.
But a deeper look revealed that he was essentially telling Qin Mu, "I've dealt with what I needed to deal with today's matter. Don't push your luck, and definitely don't complain to the municipal party committee or leak today's information."
Of course, Li Xianyao also offered Qin Mu a rosy promise: he would help him in the future if the opportunity arose, but the extent of that help was uncertain.
Actually, Qin Mu didn't intend to pursue the matter further. Having received a favor from Li Xianyao was already a good thing; at least he had gained something.
However, Qin Mu felt somewhat displeased.
Why was he being schemed against like this?
Why couldn't he just say it directly?
Why resort to such underhanded tactics?
Qin Mu had always been disgusted by dishonest people, which was why he pretended to be confused, brushed it off, and refused to tell the truth.
At least he needed to retain the right to speak in the future!
"Since that's the case, then I'll handle it. If you have any opinions, feel free to speak them, and I'll consider them accordingly."
Li Xianyao said calmly.
"I have no objections for now. Please handle it all!"
Qin Mu waved his hand slightly, stood up, and said, "Director Li, it's getting late. I should go. I'll leave the rest to you."
With that, he walked directly out of the interrogation room, leaving Li Xianyao alone.
Watching Qin Mu's retreating figure, Li Xianyao actually felt a bit awkward.
He had originally planned to adopt a high-handed attitude, give Kang De and Chang Yun a good scolding, just to put on a show for Qin Mu, to calm him down, and then have a private chat with him to resolve the matter completely.
But he hadn't expected Qin Mu to see through all his ideas and not let him succeed at all.
Dealing with this young man was proving to be quite difficult!
Li Xianyao was now in a dilemma. If he dealt with Kang De and Chang Yun, he would definitely offend the Kang family; if he didn't, Qin Mu might cause trouble at the municipal party committee, and he, as the vice mayor and bureau chief, would lose all face.
Moreover, the Qin family behind Qin Mu was not to be trifled with!
"Fine..."
"Always getting himself into trouble!"
Li Xianyao muttered irritably and walked into the place where Kang De and Chang Yun were being held. He needed to talk to them; there were some things they needed to do.
...
After leaving the police station, Qin Mu let Zhao Yanan know he was safe. She immediately said she wanted to come see him.
However, Qin Mu refused!
Why bother with all this late at night?
Let's all get some rest!
He was truly exhausted after all this and just wanted to find a hotel to get a good night's sleep. He had to go to work tomorrow!
On the phone, Zhao Yanan kept apologizing to Qin Mu. After all, she was the one who caused the problem with Kang De, and if Qin Mu hadn't been so skilled, he would have been in trouble.
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
"It was just a small incident. Not only did I not suffer any losses, I even beat that kid up!"
"Besides, Director Li of the Municipal Bureau owes me a favor again. I made a fortune this time!"
...
This wasn't Qin Mu boasting. For an official of Li Xianyao's rank to gain someone's favor was no easy feat.
Qin Mu would inevitably have to come to the city sooner or later, so this was a way to make allies in advance.
More friends, more paths!
After briefly explaining, Qin Mu found a hotel, booked a room, and fell fast asleep.
The next morning, he hurriedly ate breakfast and headed to the county town.
Upon entering the county government compound, Qin Mu saw Liang Guan chatting with several members of the county party committee and deputy county heads, basking in the sun and seemingly enjoying himself.
"County Head Qin is here! Come, come, let's chat."
Liang Guan suddenly beckoned to Qin Mu and said, "Comrades Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu just came up with some ideas for attracting investment. Their suggestions are quite good; you can listen to them!"
Oh?
Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu?
These two can come up with good ideas for attracting investment?
Nonsense!
It's probably just flattery.
Qin Mu looked around. The people standing there—such as Cheng Gang, director of the county party committee office; Gao Qiang, deputy secretary of the county party committee; and Lei Ming, the organization minister—were basically people Liang Guan was cultivating. Adding Niu Feiyu and Chen Xin, was he building his own circle?
Qin Mu more or less understood Liang Guan's intentions.
This was a reminder to him, and to everyone in the county government compound, that Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu were his men, and no one could touch them.
As for resignation or dismissal, that was out of the question.
In short, Liang Guan was openly confronting Qin Mu!
In this public setting, in the compound, if everyone could see that Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu would be unscathed after today, whose face would be lost the most?
Definitely Qin Mu!
A man who directly said he wanted Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu out failed to do so.
This would be a huge blow to Qin Mu's prestige!
"I think it's unnecessary!"
Qin Mu directly rejected Liang Guan's wishful thinking, coldly saying, "No matter how good the suggestions from two people about to leave the county government are, I cannot adopt them!"
"I am a cadre who serves the people, and I must be responsible to the people. As for those parasites within the organization, I will resolutely sever ties with them!"
What?
Parasits within the organization? Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu, who had been smug, turned pale instantly upon hearing Qin Mu's words.
No one had expected County Chief Qin to publicly insult them.
"County Chief Qin, what do you mean by that?"
Chen Xin, enraged, pointed at Qin Mu and said, "Don't think that just because you're the county chief, I won't dare to speak ill of you. We are all leading cadres, members of the same team. You may be the team leader, but that doesn't mean you can slander us like this!"
"That's right, you must explain yourself clearly, otherwise this matter is not over!"
Niu Feiyu was equally furious, his face flushed. With the entire county committee compound watching, and County Party Secretary Liang Guan present, they all assumed Qin Mu would cooperate.
But now, with public insults, they were all finding it hard to bear.
"No interest."
Qin Mu said calmly, "If you break the law and commit crimes, the Discipline Inspection Commission will deal with you. Don't worry, none of you will escape!"
"Of course, if you two resign voluntarily now, I can approve it!"
What?
He wants us to resign voluntarily?
That's utter nonsense!
"Comrade Qin Mu, please watch your words."
Liang Guan said sternly, "Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu are our comrades. If you continue with this attitude, I, as the county party secretary, need to remind you to speak properly to your comrades. Otherwise, I don't mind reporting your lack of unity to the municipal party committee leaders!"
Unity among comrades is an important criterion for judging whether a leading cadre is qualified.
Everyone in the county party committee compound witnessed today's incident, so Liang Guan has factual basis to speak to the municipal party committee.
"I'm really sorry, Secretary Liang, but I don't consider them my comrades. If you think they are, then please state your position."
Qin Mu said calmly, "How about publicly supporting Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu in front of everyone in the entire county committee compound?"
This…
What does that mean?
Listening to Qin Mu's words, Liang Guan felt that this guy was digging a pit for him again.