Song Guanchao has already decided to accept the invitation tonight and, incidentally, to give in a little.

After all, given their attitude, unless they resolve things with him, they're unlikely to forcefully demolish the building anytime soon.

To expedite the process, he can only "give in a little."

Right before getting off work, Ji Lin called, and Song Guanchao accepted the invitation.

In the evening, inside the private room.

As soon as Song Guanchao walked in, Ji Lin eagerly came up to greet him, shaking his hand warmly.

"Please, Secretary Song, have a seat."

Ji Lin took the teacup from the waiter, placed it in front of him, handed him a cigarette, and even helped him light it.

Song Guanchao wore an expression of calm acceptance, took a drag once lit.

Li Qingtang stood quietly on the side, saying nothing.

The conversation was entirely between Ji Lin and Song Guanchao.

When the dishes were served, Ji Lin stood up: "Secretary Song, shall we go to the table?"

After taking their seats, Ji Lin opened a bottle of Moutai and poured him a glass.

Earlier that afternoon, Song Guanchao had looked into Ji Lin's identity, discovering his mother was the head of the National Development and Reform Commission of Nanjiang Province.

In terms of status and identity, he's no less than Li Qingtang.

But while both are second-generation, their personalities and approaches are starkly different.

Li Qingtang clearly seems spoiled from a young age, while Ji Lin appears more normal and intelligent.

"Secretary Song, let's have a drink."

After a few glasses of liquor, Ji Lin cut to the chase: "Secretary Song, I heard there are some conflicts between you and Jiang Sheng?"

Song Guanchao rolled his eyes and laughed: "There is a bit."

Ji Lin nodded, suddenly grabbed his phone to dial a number: "Come in."

As he set down the phone, the room door was also pushed open.

Jiang Sheng walked in.

Ji Lin stood up and said, "Secretary Song, today I'll play the mediator; let's lay our conflicts out on the table."

He looked at Jiang Sheng: "Mr. Jiang, apologize to Secretary Song."

Jiang Sheng swallowed his pride and bowed his head: "Secretary Song, I'm sorry."

Ji Lin then turned to Song Guanchao: "Secretary Song, can you do me the honor?"

Song Guanchao smiled and said: "It's not a big conflict, and since Mr. Ji is stepping in, naturally I'll give you this face."

He raised his glass and downed it in one go.

Seeing his action, Ji Lin nodded in satisfaction—this guy knew when to be sensible.

Meanwhile, Li Qingtang felt slightly aggrieved.

Damn, this guy turns out to be so easy to deal with?

Seriously, this is messed up.

"Mr. Jiang, you go ahead and do your work." Ji Lin waved his hand, and Jiang Sheng left the room with a smile, although feeling extremely frustrated inside.

But to expedite the demolition and development projects, he tolerated it.

Ji Lin sat down and said: "Secretary Song, since the issues have been aired, can we move past the Fengmen Building matter too?"

"Fengmen Building?" Song Guanchao furrowed his brow: "What matter is Mr. Ji referring to?"

Ji Lin became a bit unhappy, sensing he was pretending to be clueless, but still patiently explained:

"I heard the group of residents refusing the demolition compensation agreement at Fengmen Building. Secretary Song, the conflict between you and Mr. Jiang was personal, and it's now resolved."

"But lifting personal grievances to this extent isn't necessary, right?"

Song Guanchao looked bewildered, drank another glass in slight irritation: "Does Mr. Ji believe I'm the one behind the scenes? Did Jiang Sheng say that?"

His reaction left Ji Lin puzzled.

What's going on?

Wasn't Song Guanchao encouraging those residents behind the scenes?

Even Li Qingtang was flummoxed.

They exchanged a glance, realizing they seemed to have misunderstood.

Song Guanchao's reaction didn't seem feigned.

He genuinely appeared uninformed.

Song Guanchao angrily said: "Mr. Ji, you call Jiang Sheng back here, and let me ask him, did he say that?! Ma Legebi, I'm just a secretary to the City Committee, how much influence do I have to sway a group of residents?"

"Such a trivial conflict, and they pull me into this!"

"Really screwed up!"

His reaction was explosive.

Ji Lin was sure that he really got it wrong.

He cast a reproachful glance at Li Qingtang, who said: "You weren't behind it? Then why did you treat me like that yesterday?"

Song Guanchao raised his brows and glared: "Treatment?"

"You came yelling at me, talking about attitude?"

"What, does a Deputy Governor's son have two pairs of eyes or two brains to be so impressive?"

"You came in showing off, giving orders, and I had to indulge you?"

Bang!

Song Guanchao slammed the glass on the ground, releasing a sudden aura: "And you threatened to kill me?!"

"Come on then, I'm right here, try killing me!"

"Let's see who dies first!"

Li Qingtang went berserk, retorting fearlessly: "Song, are you challenging me?"

"Damn it!"

Song Guanchao yanked his chair aside, picked up the bottle, ready to physically confront.

Li Qingtang was intimidated by his momentum, instinctively stepping back, knocking over the stool.

Ji Lin quickly grabbed him: "Secretary Song, let's talk this out, don't be impulsive, please don't be impulsive."

Then he spoke to Li Qingtang: "Old Li, why are you yelling? This mess is your fault."

"I..."

"People like Secretary Song are doing their job, you went over to yell at them, are you nuts?"

With the effort of a Herculean strength, he managed to hold Song Guanchao down in his seat, thinking this guy must be a tiger, given his strength.

He poured another glass of wine, and said to Li Qingtang: "Come on, you're both grown men, no conflict can't be sorted out. Give me face, drink up, you'll still be good friends."

Li Qingtang ground his teeth in frustration, but he also realized Song Guanchao had an unruly personality.

The fact that he's a deputy governor's son hardly mattered to him.

For the sake of the bigger picture, Li Qingtang reluctantly picked up his glass.

Ji Lin also handed a glass to Song Guanchao: "Secretary Song, would you do me the honor, alright?"

"Hmph!"

Song Guanchao took the glass and drank it all.

The situation was temporarily calmed down, and their emotions gradually soothed.

Ji Lin chatted a bit more, steering the conversation back to Fengmen Building.

He wondered: "It's really odd, why won't that group of residents sign?"

Song Guanchao took a sip and said: "I have a theory."

"Oh?" Ji Lin asked: "Do tell, Secretary Song."

Song Guanchao asked: "Do you know the type of people who live in that area?"

"What kind of people?"

"Previously employees of the Ministry of Railways."

Song Guanchao said: "Even though the Ministry of Railways was dissolved, the spirit still exists. That area is full of former railway workers whose solidarity is beyond your imagination."

"So, stop guessing."

"The reason no one's signing isn't any other; they simply don't accept the compensation plan."

"And this group of railway workers, they are stubborn."

"If you want smooth demolition, there's only one solution."

"What solution?" Ji Lin posed attentively.

Song Guanchao tossed a peanut into his mouth: "Convert the house tickets to cash."

Ji Lin furrowed his brow; Li Qingtang scoffed and disdainfully said: "And you call yourself a secretary."

"The only solution you can think of is this?"

Song Guanchao raised his brow: "Oh, do you have a better one?"

Just as Li Qingtang was about to speak, Ji Lin glared at him, and he swallowed his words.

His solution was forcible demolition.

But, that couldn't be said to Song Guanchao.

"Come, drink up."

He changed the subject, deciding not to continue the discussion.

Having eaten and drunk enough, the three left the private room.

Once Song Guanchao exited, Ji Lin said: "Call Jiang Sheng back here."

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