Chapter 2820 He's off work

Just after Qin Feng went downstairs, got into his car, and left, Shao Hongli's secretary knocked on the door and entered Shao Hongli's office.

Shao Hongli sat in a chair, his phone playing a short video, but he was already drowsy. There was nothing he could do; that's how it is for older people. Usually, Shao Hongli would be getting ready for bed by this time.

"Mayor...Mayor..." The secretary walked to Shao Hongli's side and called softly.

Logically speaking, Shao Hongli was only a deputy mayor and should not be called mayor, but Shao Hongli specifically asked his secretary to address him that way.

Shao Hongli was woken up by his secretary, somewhat dazed and even a little angry: "What?"

"Mayor Qin has left," the secretary said.

"Gone? Where did they go?"

"I just saw him leave the office, go downstairs, get into a car, and leave. The office lights were also turned off. He probably went home after get off work," the secretary explained.

Shao Hongli was taken aback, quickly glanced at the time on his watch, stood up and asked his secretary, "You said he went home after get off work?"

"Probably, he gets home around this time every day," the secretary replied.

"He didn't come to see me? He didn't call either?" Shao Hongli asked again.

"No," the secretary shook her head.

Shao Hongli sat down again, still somewhat dazed. He sat there for a long time without saying a word, unable to understand why Qin Feng hadn't come to him to beg for mercy.

Qin Feng was naturally unaware that Shao Hongli had been waiting for him in the office to admit defeat, and he didn't have time to think about what Shao Hongli was thinking.

Halfway there, Zhang Xinming answered the phone. After saying "uh-huh" a few times, he hung up and turned to Qin Feng to report: "Mayor, Director Jiang reported that the operation has begun. All the suspects have been arrested, and they are preparing to conduct a surprise interrogation overnight to secure all the evidence."

Qin Feng nodded without saying much. In the current situation, the assessment work was just a minor matter. Moreover, because precautions had been taken in advance and the response had been appropriate, it was unlikely to cause any major problems. Therefore, Qin Feng did not pay much attention to the assessment work.

As the car approached home, Qin Feng's phone rang. He glanced at the number and saw that it was Xiao Jian'an calling.

Xiao Jian'an had never contacted Qin Feng before since arriving in Shazhou; this was the first time.

Qin Feng knew that Xiao Jian'an was a sensible person, so if he took the initiative to contact Qin Feng, he must have something to say.

"Hello, Mr. Xiao." Qin Feng answered the phone.

"It's so late, I hope I haven't disturbed the mayor's rest?" Xiao Jian'an said politely on the other end of the phone.

"Just got off work, still on my way home. What's up? Something wrong?" Qin Feng asked with a smile.

"Mayor, I just finished dinner with the Secretary-General," Xiao Jian'an said.

"I know about this."

"The Secretary-General has asked me to meet with Vice Mayor Sun tomorrow morning to discuss several projects," Xiao Jian'an continued.

Hearing this, Qin Feng paused for a moment, then said, "Do you still have any concerns?"

"Mr. Xiao, I made it very clear to you last time in Xidu that this matter does indeed carry a great risk. That's why I asked you to consider it carefully before making a decision, because once you made a decision, we would make the corresponding arrangements."

“Although we have already made complete arrangements for your situation, if you want to withdraw now… I can understand,” Qin Feng said.

"No, no, no... Mayor, you misunderstood me. I, Xiao Jian'an, have spent my whole life in the business world. My principle is to keep my word and deliver on my promises. Now that I have promised you and come to Shazhou, I will never go back on my word."

“Besides, I’ve already invested here and brought so many people here. I sold off a lot of my assets over there to invest here. The investment is already huge, how could I possibly turn back?” Xiao Jian’an said hurriedly.

"Then what's the point of you calling me?" Qin Feng asked, somewhat confused.

"Mayor, please don't misunderstand. I'm calling you for no other reason than to meet with Vice Mayor Sun tomorrow to discuss the specifics of taking over the project. Before that, I'd like to hear your advice in person."

"I wonder if it's convenient for the mayor to come see you now? I'd like to come over and see you?" Xiao Jian'an said politely.

Qin Feng glanced out the car window and then said, "I'm in the car now, on XX Road. Come over here now, I'll wait for you."

After hanging up the phone, Qin Feng said to the driver, "Pull over."

Qin Feng had already smoked a cigarette in the car and waited for nearly twenty minutes when a Mercedes-Benz with a Zhongjiang license plate pulled up behind him. Qin Feng knew that Xiao Jian'an had arrived.

The Mercedes parked behind Qin Feng's car, and Xiao Jian'an got out from behind the car, followed by Meng Dan.

"You two go down and stretch your legs, let President Xiao come up," Qin Feng said.

After listening, the driver and Zhang Xinming got out of the car. Zhang Xinming went over and said a few words to Xiao Jian'an, and then Xiao Jian'an walked to Qin Feng's car door, opened the door, and got in.

At Meng Dan's invitation, Zhang Xinming and the driver got into Zhang Xinming's car, because at this time of year, the sandbar was not only windy but also very cold at night.

When Xiao Jian'an opened the car door and got in, a gust of cold wind blew into the car. Xiao Jian'an wrapped himself in his coat and sat down.

"I'm sorry to bother the mayor so late," Xiao Jian'an said politely as he walked in.

"Are you adjusting well to the sandbar? The climate here is completely different from that of Jiangnan. You see, it's still autumn in Jiangnan at this time of year, but here the wind is already howling at night. I heard they say it will start snowing soon." Qin Feng also greeted them with a smile.

"Yes, the climate here is indeed much harsher than in the south. The low temperature is tolerable as long as you don't go out too much, but the dryness is a bit uncomfortable. My lips have cracked and I have a sore throat after only a few days here, but everything else is fine."

The two chatted in the car for a while before Qin Feng spoke up, "You insisted on seeing me so late because something happened or you're feeling uneasy?"

"I had a few drinks with the Secretary-General tonight and we talked about many things, including taking over the project and the future development of our Huayang Group in Shazhou," Xiao Jian'an said again, recounting his meeting with Chen Guohua.

Qin Feng smiled and said, "It seems that nothing has happened to you, but you're just feeling uneasy."

“Old Xiao, Chen Guohua is the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, and he was promoted by me after I came to Shazhou. You should understand that he is absolutely reliable and trustworthy.” Qin Feng said to Xiao Jian’an.

“I understand that. I absolutely do not mean to distrust the Secretary-General,” Xiao Jian’an quickly replied.

"It was my idea for Chen Guohua to come to you tonight. Everything he said to you represents my intention. I think he has said everything he should and shouldn't have to tonight."

Xiao Jianan nodded.