"That evening we had dinner together, how could something happen afterward? It's impossible! How could Ye Jian suddenly die!" Behind the desk, Zhou Rong lit a cigarette, his face filled with sorrow and gravity.
He and Ye Jian were classmates, both thirty-nine this year, but he looked much younger than his peers. With handsome features and a well-defined face, his fit physique—free of a belly—was rare among men his age. Never married and perpetually single, a man like him was never short of female companionship.
Sitting across from Zhou Rong was the company's board secretary, Hu Jianren, a loyal subordinate who had followed him for years. Hu Jianren was short and lean, wearing metal-framed glasses that made him appear sharp and capable—which he was, as Zhou Rong entrusted him with most affairs.
"The police are keeping this case tightly under wraps. I’ve tried asking around but couldn’t get any information. It’s said the newly appointed Director Zhang is personally handling it."
"Zhang Yi'ang? He’s Gao Dong’s man. Uncle Dong mentioned that Gao Dong pulled strings to have him transferred here to replace Lu Zheng’s position. It’s possible he’s specifically targeting us. I heard he cracked a major nationwide case as soon as he arrived at Three Rivers Estuary. If someone that capable uncovers what happened to Lu Zheng..." A shadow crossed Zhou Rong’s face as he clutched his chest. "Every time I think about Lu Zheng, my heart races like crazy."
Manager Hu chuckled reassuringly. "Rong-ge, it’s been so long, and there’s no evidence left. You shouldn’t worry. As for Ye Jian, I always felt he suspected we were involved in Lu Zheng’s case. His death actually removes a potential threat for us."
"Bullshit! You don’t understand a damn thing!" Zhou Rong snapped, shaking his head ruefully. "Many outsiders think Ye Jian and I were involved in power-for-money deals, but the truth is, we were just childhood friends who grew up together. When I was a kid, I was small and got bullied—by Lang Bowen and Lang Botu, those two brothers. Ye Jian protected me, fought for me, and I helped him with homework. Later, he became a cop, and I went into business. Over the years, aside from meals and gatherings, we never had any other dealings. At this age, how many real friends do we even have left? If I find out who killed Ye Jian, I’ll make sure they pay!"
Hu Jianren forced an awkward smile and changed the subject. "Rong-ge, there’s news about the biggest Industrial Park supporting tender in Eastern New City. The government will announce the bid in three months—around 200 acres, half for office and commercial-residential use, the other half for supporting housing. The base price is 600 million, with financial subsidies. Our finance team calculated that just selling the housing units would cover costs, and the office and commercial spaces would bring in over a hundred million in annual rent—pure profit. If we secure this project, the group will have tens of millions in net cash flow every year."
"That much!" Zhou Rong inhaled sharply, pondering for a few seconds before frowning slightly. "With returns that high, other companies will have done the math too. There’ll be fierce competition, especially from those listed real estate giants. If we compete openly on price, we can’t outbid them. Hmm... Here’s what we’ll do. Have Mayor Luo find a way to tailor the bidding qualifications to us. This project must land in our hands!"Manager Hu looked troubled. "Mayor Luo said we have to figure this out ourselves this time. The Eastern New City is a provincial-level project. Although he and the director of the management committee work in the same building, the director's personnel relations are with the higher-level city government. His administrative rank is even half a level higher than the mayor's. They haven’t interacted much, so the mayor can’t intervene."
"That director’s surname is Fang, right?"
"Yes, Fang Yong. He was transferred here as the director when the Eastern New City was first planned five years ago. Back then, most people didn’t think much of the new district, and he wasn’t very noticeable. But now everyone’s scrambling to get in, and the status of the management committee is nothing like before. Mayor Luo also said that if we want to secure this project, we’ll have to compete openly in the bidding. Going through Director Fang won’t work because he’s known for his integrity—a model of clean governance. For example, it’s normal for government investment officers to dine with businesses, right? But Director Fang is different. He doesn’t allow anyone in the management committee to attend corporate dinners without approval. If caught, they’re publicly reprimanded, and accepting gifts leads to direct disciplinary action. He even brought in higher-level auditing departments to conduct annual financial reviews of everyone in the committee, including himself. Any issues found are reported directly to the disciplinary commission."
"What’s the big deal?" Zhou Rong scoffed with a laugh. "Mayor Luo also shouts anti-corruption slogans every day. In the entire Three Rivers Estuary, no one’s more vocal about fighting corruption than Luo Ziyue."
"But Director Fang isn’t like Mayor Luo. The mayor fights corruption with words. Director Fang lives frugally himself. I heard he still uses a button phone from years ago. The unit provided him with a car and a driver, but he refused, saying it would save public expenses. He insists on biking to work every day. When it’s windy or rainy, he takes the bus with ordinary folks. No one would ever guess he’s the one steering the Eastern New City. He donates his saved salary and allowances to welfare organizations every month. Provincial TV and newspapers have reported on him many times."
After hearing Hu Jianren’s almost promotional introduction, even Zhou Rong couldn’t help but click his tongue. "The Three Rivers Estuary… damn, it actually produced a Hai Rui?"
Just what kind of person was this "Hai Rui of Three Rivers Estuary," whom even the local tyrants didn’t believe existed?
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