Chapter 313: Chapter 215: Betrayal

After hanging up the phone, Liu Meng looked over with guilt on his face, “Old Qi, I’ve caused you trouble. I know the company has been…”

“Why say all this.” Before he could finish, Qi Yun interrupted, “Can I just watch you get beaten for nothing?”

Li Cuixia, next to them, also tugged at her husband’s arm, signaling him to keep quiet and let Qi Yun handle it.

“Has the construction site stopped work?” Qi Yun asked again.

Liu Meng shook his head, “It seemed to have stopped in the morning, but when I got there, they were already preparing to start working again.”

After hearing this, Qi Yun rubbed his chin. The construction site had an accident only yesterday, and they could resume work this afternoon. Seems like the boss is quite powerful.

Within two minutes, Ma Baoguo called back.

“Brother Qi, I just asked, when the police officers arrived at the scene, that person was indeed not there. However, the C precinct has already arranged for someone to summon him, and I will keep an eye on it.”

“Alright, let me know as soon as there’s news.”

After hanging up, Qi Yun put his phone in his pocket and then patted Liu Meng’s shoulder, saying, “Let Brother Wei take you to make a statement, don’t worry about the rest, I’ll handle it for you.”

Liu Meng nodded after hearing this, not saying anything more.

Qi Yun didn’t stay long at the hospital. He went back to the car to get the two paintings, then took a taxi to Zhang Dayong’s place.

He initially planned to have Zhong Rui deliver the paintings, but Liu Meng’s incident happened, so he decided to go personally.

Zhang Dayong’s place was not far from the New District Branch. After receiving Qi Yun’s call, he returned quickly.

In the living room, Qi Yun sat on the sofa and placed the two paintings on the coffee table.

“I picked these from a friend’s place this morning, see if they’re alright.”

Zhang Dayong took the scroll of paintings and slowly unfolded them, just glancing briefly before closing them again.

“How much do these two paintings cost? The twenty thousand I gave you probably isn’t enough, is it?” Though he was clueless about antiques and calligraphy, he sensed these paintings were worth more than twenty thousand.

“My friend gave me a discount, exactly twenty thousand.” Qi Yun chuckled, not telling the truth.

These works from great artists of the Qing Dynasty, a quick search online would reveal their value, no need for him to spell it out.

Zhang Dayong scrutinized him, seemingly noticing the odd expression on his face. Just as he was about to say something more, Qi Yun waved his hand, “There’s no need for us to fuss over this. As long as we can get things done, it doesn’t matter how much.”

Seeing him say this, Zhang Dayong didn’t insist, taking a bottle of water from under the coffee table and handing it over, “If it’s not enough, consider it a loan, I’ll repay you later.”

Qi Yun took the water, opened it, took a sip, and didn’t continue the topic.

“I want to ask you about something—do you know the construction site for the elevated bridge on Fuyang Road?”

Zhang Dayong nodded, “Yes, it’s this year’s major project for the district, why?”

Qi Yun immediately told him about yesterday’s fatal incident at the construction site and today’s beating of Liu Meng.

After hearing, Zhang Dayong’s brows furrowed slightly as he pondered, “What are you getting at?”

“Someone died at the construction site yesterday, and your Government Office hasn’t closed the case yet. Now the site is resuming work, isn’t it a bit against the rules?” Though Qi Yun framed it as a question, his intent was clear.

Zhang Dayong sighed, “That’s how it is; we indeed have the authority to stop the construction. But this project is highly valued by the district, regarded as an achievement project. So even if I try to suspend it, there’s likely to be interference from above.”

He paused, looking up at Qi Yun, “But if you really want to do this, while I can’t promise much time, getting a delay of three to five days is still doable.”

Hearing this, Qi Yun didn’t respond immediately, instead lighting a cigarette and contemplating.

He had already guessed the other party had significant connections, or they wouldn’t have secured such a project. However, he hadn’t expected the district to emphasize it so much.

Just as Zhang Dayong said, even if the Government Office were to halt the project, the district would first jump in to exert pressure.

Though the Government Office is quite special and has high autonomy, many times it still has to heed the district’s opinions.

“Forget it, I won’t trouble you further.” After careful consideration, Qi Yun gave his answer, “But the ones who beat up, especially that person in charge, shouldn’t be easily let go, right?”

“Don’t worry about that; that’s within our scope of business. The district won’t intervene. I’ll call them later to have them sent to the branch.”

“Even if someone privately approaches me, I can withstand it.” Zhang Dayong said confidently.

Qi Yun believed him, knowing someone was backing him up.

Noticing the time was getting late, he stood up to leave, “Alright, I’ll head out then.”

“Sure, I’ll inform you if there are any developments.” Zhang Dayong walked him to the door.

After leaving the neighborhood, Qi Yun called Chen Wei and learned that Liu Meng had finished his statement and been sent home. Only then did he take a taxi back.

…

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious standalone villa in the West Mountain Villa District.

A young man in his late twenties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, sat upright on the sofa, his hands on his knees, with only a small part of his bottom on the seat, appearing very tense.

Opposite him, a middle-aged man sat with his legs crossed, holding a cigar in his right hand and a phone in his left, making a call.

It’s unclear what was said on the other end, but the middle-aged man’s expression looked somewhat unpleasant.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep