72: Chapter 72 Gains Support

Everyone turned around to see Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang walking over with long strides.

He was only in his early forties, yet his temples were already greying. His washed-out blue shirt was tucked into his belt, making him look capable and unpretentious.

"Although Secretary Xiao hasn't been in his post for long, he has visited every administrative village in the town over the past six months and conducted in-depth research into the mining site issue."

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang stood beside Xiao Bei and said in a resonant voice, "The planning proposal for the Development Zone has been discussed by the Town Party Committee three times, and Town Mayor Sun Jiaming attended every single one. How can he claim not to be informed?"

Town Mayor Sun Jiaming's expression stiffened, but he immediately forced a smile:

"Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang, you've misunderstood. I was just saying that perhaps Secretary Xiao hasn't fully grasped the villagers' specific circumstances…"

"That's even more incorrect."

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang interrupted him and turned to the villagers. "Last month, Secretary Xiao specifically visited the families of the miners. He went to Old Chen's home, Jiang Dazhu's home, and Aunt Li's home. He even kept a thick notebook of his findings. I have seen all of this with my own eyes."

Xiao Bei looked at Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang in surprise.

He had indeed conducted those visits, but he hadn't expected this usually taciturn Deputy Secretary to remember them so clearly.

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang's words had an effect. Several of the villagers who had been mentioned looked at each other, and their attitudes visibly softened.

The young man named Chen Asu frowned, stole a glance at Town Mayor Sun Jiaming, and fell silent.

"Alright, it's getting late."

Xiao Bei seized the opportunity. "Everyone, go back and rest. We'll meet in the Town Government conference room tomorrow morning at nine. I guarantee I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Under the guidance of Bai Jinglin and the police officers, the villagers gradually dispersed.

Xiao Bei noticed that before leaving, Chen Asu leaned over and whispered something in Town Mayor Sun Jiaming's ear, and Town Mayor Sun Jiaming gave a barely perceptible nod.

"Secretary Xiao, I'll take some people to the hospital to check on the injured," Bai Jinglin requested.

"Go ahead. Put the medical expenses on the Town Government's account."

Xiao Bei instructed, "Make sure everything is handled properly."

Once the crowd had dispersed, Xiao Bei turned to Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang and said sincerely:

"Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang, thank you for just now."

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang waved his hand, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out:

"It was the right thing to do. As for Town Mayor Sun Jiaming… sigh, never mind."

He hesitated, wanting to say more, but ultimately just pulled out a cigarette case and handed a Liqun cigarette to Xiao Bei. "Secretary Xiao, you are young and capable, and you are someone who genuinely works for the people. I, Old Xing, have seen it all."

These simple words warmed Xiao Bei's heart.

During the six months he had been in Bishi Town, Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang had always kept a low profile and rarely spoke at Party Committee meetings. He hadn't expected him to show such strong support at a critical moment.

"Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang, you're too kind. I've only just arrived, and I still have a lot to learn from you."

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang smiled and suddenly lowered his voice:

"Secretary Xiao, be careful of Town Mayor Sun Jiaming. He and the mining site… have an unusual relationship."

After saying this, he didn't wait for Xiao Bei to respond and turned to walk toward his old Santana.

Watching Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang leave, the smile on Xiao Bei's face gradually faded. He beckoned Secretary He Mingxuan over:

"Look into that Chen Asu and see what his relationship is with Town Mayor Sun Jiaming."

Secretary He Mingxuan pushed up his cracked glasses and whispered:

"Party Secretary, there's no need to look into it. I know. Chen Asu is the cousin of Town Mayor Sun Jiaming's nephew's wife, and he works as a foreman at the mining site…"

"No wonder."

Xiao Bei replied coldly, "I knew this matter wasn't simple."

Secretary He Mingxuan looked at Xiao Bei in surprise:

"You knew about it already?"

"I guessed."

Xiao Bei narrowed his eyes. "Town Mayor Sun Jiaming appeared too conveniently, and Chen Asu's disruption was too deliberate. And…"

He pointed to a retreating figure under a tree in the distance. "That person has been secretly filming since just now. It's highly likely that Town Mayor Sun Jiaming arranged it."

Secretary He Mingxuan looked in the direction Xiao Bei was pointing, but could only see a blurry figure:

"Do you want me to…"

"No need to alert the enemy."

Xiao Bei shook his head. "Tomorrow, go to the village quietly and talk to the villagers, especially the old man who spoke first. Remember, don't let anyone see you."

"Understood."

Secretary He Mingxuan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Party Secretary, why did Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang help us? Isn't he and Town Mayor Sun Jiaming…"

Xiao Bei looked in the direction Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang had left, thoughtful:

"In official circles, there is no such thing as kindness without reason. Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang's move must have his own intentions behind it. However, overall, he is not a bad person."

The night wind blew across the construction site, whipping up a cloud of dust.

Xiao Bei suddenly felt a bit exhausted. He had experienced so much tonight—from the ambiguity with Su Yun, to the conflict at the construction site, and finally the unexpected support from Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang.

The waters of Bishi Town were much deeper than he had imagined.

"Party Secretary, are we heading back to the Town Government?"

Secretary He Mingxuan asked.

Xiao Bei shook his head:

"You go back first and prepare the materials for tomorrow's briefing session. I… want to walk a bit more."

...

The night was as dark as ink, and Xiao Bei walked alone on the road back to the Town Government.

The night breeze of early spring carried a hint of chill, but it couldn't blow away the thousand thoughts swirling in his mind.

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang's performance tonight was truly unexpected. That Deputy Secretary, who rarely spoke at Party Committee meetings on ordinary days, had actually supported him so strongly at such a critical moment.

Buzz, buzz~

His phone vibrated in his pocket, interrupting Xiao Bei's thoughts.

It was a message from Secretary He Mingxuan:

"Party Secretary, the materials are ready. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at nine in the second-floor conference room. I have also organized the list of villager representatives you requested."

Xiao Bei replied with the word "Good," but his finger slid through his contacts and stopped on the name "Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang."

After hesitating for a moment, he dialed the number.

"Comrade Xing Guoqiang, you haven't gone to rest yet, have you?"

Xiao Bei's voice sounded exceptionally clear in the silent night.

From the other end of the line came Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang's slightly surprised response:

"Secretary Xiao? Not yet, I just got home. Is something the matter?"

"There is some work I would like to discuss with you privately. If it's convenient, can you come to my office now?"

Xiao Bei deliberately lowered his voice.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, "Alright, I'll be there in a moment."

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei quickened his pace.

The Town Government compound was pitch black, with only the security office lit up. When the old security guard, Uncle Zhang, saw it was Xiao Bei, he quickly got up to open the gate.

"Secretary Xiao, still working this late?"

"A bit of an urgent matter."

Xiao Bei nodded with a smile and reached into his bag to take out a pack of cigarettes to hand to Uncle Zhang. "Have one."

Uncle Zhang took the cigarette, flattered, and smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits:

"Secretary Xiao, you really work too hard. You must take care of your health!"

Xiao Bei waved his hand and turned to walk into the Town Committee compound. The Party Secretary's office on the third floor was spacious and bright. He turned on a desk lamp and brewed two cups of tea.

He stood by the window, looking toward the entrance of the Town Government compound, but his thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened that night.

Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang was forty-three years old and had been the Deputy Party Secretary of Bishi Town for five years.

Logically speaking, at this age, there should still be room for advancement, yet he had remained stagnant in this position.

In the six months Xiao Bei had been in Bishi Town, he had noticed that Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang worked diligently and had achieved good results in overseeing agriculture and poverty alleviation. However, he rarely spoke at Party Committee meetings and never participated in the drinking parties of Town Mayor Sun Jiaming's group.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knock on the door interrupted Xiao Bei's thoughts.

"Please come in."