Chapter 120: A Sudden Turn of Events

Song Sifeng walked back into the county committee and county government building, heading up to the office levels. The 6th through 12th floors housed the county committee offices, while the 1st through 5th floors were dedicated to the county government. Above the 12th floor lay the offices for the County Commission for Discipline Inspection, the County People's Congress, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The 7th floor was where County Party Secretary Tan Long had his office, along with the County Committee Office. As Song Sifeng approached, he saw the door was still open. Seeing Secretary Tan inside, still reviewing documents, he knocked and stepped in. It was already past seven in the evening, yet Tan Long had not gone home; he remained buried in official business. Tan Long was a pragmatic leader who stayed late every day, a routine that had become the norm. Because of this, the atmosphere in the building was diligent, with lights burning in almost every office. If the Party Secretary hadn't left, who would dare to leave?

"Looking at your rounded belly, the meal must have been good, right?" Tan Long looked up, caught sight of Song Sifeng's stomach, and couldn't help but tease him with a smile.

"Leader, the food was excellent. Even though I didn't get any to go, it’s all safely tucked away in my stomach," Song Sifeng replied with a laugh, then reached over to pour a fresh cup of tea for Tan Long.

"Sifeng, you have a sensitive stomach; can you really handle eating that much?" Tan Long set down his fountain pen and rubbed his aching cervical spine. Seeing this, Song Sifeng immediately moved behind the desk to massage the leader's neck. He had specifically spent several days learning massage techniques for this very purpose.

"Leader, whether or not it’s easy to digest depends on if the food suits my appetite. Today's meal really hit the spot."

Tan Long pondered this for a moment before asking, "What is your impression of this Yang Dong?"

"Leader, I’d give him a 95. Even after I made it clear I couldn't help, the two people with him showed some temper, but Yang Dong himself was remarkably composed. From start to finish, he remained perfectly calm." Song Sifeng provided an objective, factual assessment without any embellishment.

Tan Long nodded, smiling. "To get a 95 from you, he must be quite something. What do you think he wanted from you?"

Song Sifeng thought for a moment. "He brought Lu Yanqing, the head of the First Special Task Force of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, along with two ten-year reserve bottles of Jijiang Daqu. This suggests that it wasn't Yang Dong asking for a favor, but Lu. The First Task Force must have run into some trouble and needed our county's assistance. Yang Dong also invited Yu Baijiang, the deputy captain of our county police's criminal investigation unit, which indicates the matter involves the police force. Since Yang Dong's own Tenth Task Force has already concluded its case, his presence now suggests an internal restructuring—they must be coordinating on a joint investigation with the First Task Force."

Song Sifeng’s analytical breakdown uncovered the hidden information behind Yang Dong’s actions, despite the latter having said very little. If Yang Dong were here, he would have given Song Sifeng a thumbs-up for his impeccable insight.

"We can't ignore the face of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection; Secretary Guan is sure to make waves once he settles in," Tan Long noted. After a long silence, he instructed, "Sifeng, go ask Yu Baijiang what exactly they need help with. If it doesn't violate any principles, have the municipal investigation team provide the official documentation, and we will coordinate through the proper channels. Help them if you can. Regardless, as the Party Secretary of Kaiyang County, I owe Yang Dong a favor, and it must be repaid."

Song Sifeng’s expression turned serious, and he nodded immediately. "Understood, Leader. I will see to it at once."

Watching Song Sifeng leave, Tan Long lingered in thought for a moment before picking up the desk phone and dialing a few numbers. "Connect me to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection office!"

...

"Team Leader, just tell me, will Kaiyang County really help us?"

Yang Dong and his team were still driving around Kaiyang County. Jiang Hu didn't know why Yang Dong wanted them to wander the streets, but he followed orders, driving through the city and taking in the night views, despite the mounting questions in his mind.

"Jiang Hu, stop pestering your team leader," Lu Yanqing said with a smile. "Your team leader has done my First Task Force a huge favor this time." Lu Yanqing couldn't help but admire Yang Dong. Initially, Song Sifeng had indeed refused to help, but after Jiang Hu nearly flipped the table, something had changed, and Song Sifeng had left a door open. That was when Lu knew there was a chance.

"Treating people with sincerity will eventually yield unexpected results," Yang Dong said enigmatically.

*Ring, ring...*

Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. Lu Yanqing leaned in, eyes filled with anticipation. Yang Dong checked the caller ID and smiled.

"Brother Yu, what's the word?"

Yu Baijiang's voice on the other end was serious. "Team Leader Yang, I am representing the Kaiyang County Public Security Bureau to coordinate with your municipal investigation team. Six plainclothes officers from our criminal investigation squadron will arrive in Lingyun City in an hour. Please have your team ready to receive them. Also, please provide the official documentation for our officers to sign; both sides must sign off on the paperwork."

Yang Dong finally let out a long sigh of relief. The dinner had been a journey of twists and turns, but the outcome was positive. "Understood. We will process the paperwork as soon as possible. Sorry for the trouble, Captain Yu."

"Team Leader Yang, I will be leading the team myself," Yu Baijiang added.

"Very well, I will wait for you in Lingyun City."

Yang Dong nodded, and without any further pleasantries, they hung up. Yu Baijiang’s strictly professional tone signaled that he was in the company of others and could not speak freely. Yang Dong put his phone away and looked at Lu Yanqing. "Team Leader Lu, it’s a go."

"Team Leader Yang, thank you so much!" Lu Yanqing reached out, his face full of gratitude.

Yang Dong shook his hand. "Don't mention it. We all work for the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection; we share the same goal—to solve cases and do our jobs well."

"Team Leader, I still don't get it. When did Song Sifeng agree to help?" Jiang Hu asked while continuing to drive.

"Huzi, I actually have you to thank. If you hadn't lost your temper with Song Sifeng, we might not have had a chance," Yang Dong said with a smile. If Jiang Hu hadn't flared up, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to demonstrate sincerity, and the secretary would have likely stuck to his refusal.

"Huh? My temper actually helped?" Jiang Hu stared, dumbfounded.