Neither of them spoke, focusing intently on their breakfast.

This continued for about ten minutes.

Finally, the late-arriving Chen Fang was the first to put down his cutlery and took a napkin to wipe his mouth.

Then, Hou Jidao also set down his chopsticks.

He didn't take a napkin but wiped his mouth with his hand.

"Chen Fang, have you noticed the difference between us? You eat quickly as if you're just completing a task, whereas I'm enjoying my breakfast. To me, every meal is a gift from above."

Hou Jidao crossed his legs, took out a cigarette, offered one to Chen Fang, then lit his own.

Chen Fang didn't take the cigarette.

He smiled and said, "I eat this kind of breakfast every day. No matter how delicious the food is, if you eat it daily, it becomes just sustenance. Old Hou, you're different. You probably have lavish breakfasts daily; with so many options to choose from, tasting it occasionally would naturally feel tasty."

Chen Fang's words were barbed.

He was subtly mocking Hou Jidao for talking without consideration.

Given your status, rank, and conditions, how would you know the hardships of ordinary people?

He initially wanted to use this to suppress Chen Fang.

Unexpectedly, Chen Fang found a chance to retort.

A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Hou Jidao's face.

But it was only for a moment.

He paused and said, "There's another difference: you wiped your mouth with a napkin, while I used my hand. You young people today are really unnecessarily particular. In our day, let alone napkins, there weren't even towels."

"Is Old Hou saying I'm wasteful?"

Chen Fang asked.

Hou Jidao immediately seized on this, retorting, "Isn't it?"

"No!"

Chen Fang shook his head.

He continued, "The cost of a napkin is negligible. If this is considered wasteful, how many napkins could those embezzled national assets buy? Old Hou, wouldn't you agree?"

"Bang!"

Hou Jidao slapped the table.

About to get angry, he realized his own lapse.

With his status, was it worth getting angry with someone of Chen Fang's level?

Youyou said, "They say you have a sharp tongue. It's indeed true."

"Old Hou is no less formidable, not only in words but also in methods."

"Are you talking about my daughter, Hou Jingjing?"

As he said this, Hou Jidao kept staring at Chen Fang's face, trying to discern something from it.

Chen Fang laughed heartily.

He said, "Old Hou, there's no need for such probing. Since we both know what's going on, let's not beat around the bush. I'm straightforward; it's better to speak out than to hide."

"Alright, frank enough. In that case, I'll be direct. No matter what Jingjing is like now, she's still my daughter. Leave her to me. Members of the Hou Family should be dealt with by the Hou Family."

Hou Jidao said.

Chen Fang slowly shook his head.

He said, "Old Hou, you're mistaken. Apart from her surname being Hou, she's free and independent, not an appendage of any person or family. I can't hand her over, nor can anyone else. Neither I nor you can."

This outcome.

Was within Hou Jidao's expectations.

He nodded slightly.

He said, "In that case, I won't force it. But please pass on a message to her for me."

"Please go ahead, Old Hou."

"Come home, and everything will be forgiven. What should be hers will still be hers. But if she doesn't come home, then she won't be a part of the Hou Family anymore. Life and death are up to fate, prosperity is in heaven's hands."

"Rest assured, Old Hou, I'll convey this to her. Of course, I also know that this message is not only for her but also a warning to me, right?"

Chen Fang asked with a smile.

Hou Jidao remained unchanged in expression and said, "You're smart. However, it's a pity. In life, people face many decisions. Choosing correctly once leads to success, choosing wrongly leads to demise. Your choice this time is gravely mistaken."

"As far as I'm concerned, as long as I believe this path is correct."

Chen Fang said.

The two stared at each other.

Sparks flew in their eyes.

Hou Jidao knew that he couldn't persuade Chen Fang.

Chen Fang also knew that no matter what he said, Hou Jidao wouldn't abandon his plan.

Hou Jidao propped himself up with his cane and stood up.

He leisurely walked to the door.

After opening the door, he looked up at the bright sunshine and turned to Chen Fang, saying, "The weather's nice today. If you have time, bask in the sun, look at the sky; otherwise, you'll regret not seeing it one day."

"Thank you for the advice, Old Hou. I'll pass the same words to you. After all, you're getting on in years, and each day counts."

A belly full of anger, Hou Jidao didn't explode.

Since Chen Fang remained so calm, why would he let anger show a lack of depth?

He laughed heartily and left the breakfast shop.

Then he got into a black car and disappeared in the busy street traffic.

At that moment.

The breakfast shop owner came in.

Chen Fang pulled out a hundred-yuan note and placed it on the table.

Seeing this, the shop owner immediately shouted, "The old gentleman already paid for the breakfast."

Chen Fang smiled and said, "That was his, this is mine, it's different."

With that, he left directly.

At nine in the morning.

Chen Fang walked into the City Committee Courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he saw the courtyard in chaos, with many people running back and forth, looking flustered.

Chen Fang grabbed a young man and asked, "What's going on? Why is everyone so anxious?"

When the young man saw it was Chen Fang, he immediately greeted him respectfully and said, "Mayor Chen, last night, Secretary Yang from the Disciplinary Committee and Director Huang from the Public Security Bureau were both taken away by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee. The Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Committee is in chaos, and many people haven't come in. Secretary Peng asked us from other departments to help count the attendance."

"Oh, carry on then."

Chen Fang said.

Just as expected.

The incident with Huang Ken and Yang Pei is a huge benefit for Peng Guoliang. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he could sweep away Zhou Nongxin's faction and insert his own people. This would further constrict Zhou Nongxin's power range again.

"Mayor Chen, Mayor Chen..."

From afar, the deputy secretary of the municipal government, Wei Xing, came running.

"Old Wei, what's the matter?"

Chen Fang paused and asked.

Wei Xing pointed towards the building, took a breath, and said, "Mayor Zhou asked to see you."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"I don't know, but it seems he's in a foul mood. Mayor Chen, don't say I didn't warn you; with all that's happened recently, Mayor Zhou is in a bad temper. Be cautious with your words."

"Thanks."

Chen Fang patted Wei Xing on the shoulder.

He walked confidently into the City Government Building.

What must come will come. It's time to confront Zhou Nongxin...

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