Chapter 23: End of the Secondment?

Lin Yaodong appeared, walking side by side with another man. He approached the group with a broad smile on his face.

He first nodded to Ji Hongyu, “Chief Ji, I am Lin Yaodong from the Municipal Office. I’ve come to take Yang Dong away.”

Then, turning to Yang Dong, his smile deepened, “Group Leader Yang, Secretary Tian has requested your transfer back. The Municipal Discipline Inspection Office and the Organization Department have canceled your secondment.”

“This is the statement of cancellation from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Office!”

With an air of triumph, Lin Yaodong handed the statement to Yang Dong.

Yang Dong glanced at it, his expression unchanged. He had foreseen this moment—when Yin Tiejun warned him earlier that morning, he knew it was coming. That was why, as soon as Jiang Hu returned, he urgently reported the case to Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan. Even a delay of half an hour would have put him at a disadvantage.

“Comrade Yang Dong, I am from the Organization Department of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee,” said the man accompanying Lin Yaodong. “Here’s your phone, I’m returning it to you. Please hand over the investigation phone issued by the Discipline Inspection Committee.”

Yang Dong swept his gaze over Ji Hongyu, noting the cold, mocking smile on his face, full of derision. Lin Yaodong’s smile, on the other hand, seemed to warmly welcome him back—though in truth, he was simply enjoying the spectacle.

Yang Dong said nothing, handing over the official phone and slipping his own into his pocket.

“Yike, you’ll be the leader of Group Ten from now on!” Yang Dong turned and addressed Lu Yike. Group Ten was still investigating the case, and he needed someone trustworthy to take charge.

“Comrade Yang Dong, you are no longer authorized to interfere in the Discipline Inspection Committee’s investigations, nor to issue any orders,” the official from the Organization Department declared sternly.

Yang Dong’s attempt to assign Group Ten to Lu Yike required a formal organizational appointment—his informal designation was invalid.

“Alright!” Yang Dong nodded with a smile, showing no sign of anger, calmly accepting the outcome.

“Yang Dong, looks like you can only swagger back to the Municipal Office now,” Ji Hongyu mocked, amusement all over his face.

“Chief Ji, you’re mistaken. He can’t go back to the Municipal Office either—he’s been suspended and is under review,” Lin Yaodong interjected with exaggerated seriousness, explaining to Ji Hongyu.

But his explanation only made Ji Hongyu laugh harder.

“Ah? Hahaha, no wonder…”

Ji Hongyu burst out laughing at Lin Yaodong’s words.

“So, he’s got nothing left?”

Lin Yaodong nodded, “Pretty much. During his suspension at the Municipal Office, he can’t work.”

They were deliberately humiliating and ridiculing Yang Dong, playing a double act.

Jiang Hu’s face turned red with anger. Though he didn’t know these men, their words made it clear they were insulting Yang Dong. He had deep admiration for Yang Dong, who had cracked Yin Tiejun’s case in a single day.

Now, as they demeaned Yang Dong, Jiang Hu could not stand by. He was about to speak up when Yang Dong quickly pulled him back, shaking his head.

“Summer insects cannot comprehend the ice; don’t let it anger you.”

“Donglai, Shuangquan, Yike—I thank you all for your support, though we’ve only worked together for less than two days.”

Yang Dong turned to the three, bowed, and expressed his gratitude.

“Jiang Hu, let’s have a drink sometime. I consider you a true friend!”

Yang Dong patted Jiang Hu on the shoulder, sealing their friendship.

Jiang Hu nodded, still furious, but heeding Yang Dong’s words, he held back.

“Secretary Yin, I’ll be waiting for you outside!” Yang Dong called toward Room 107, then strode out of the hotel.

Lin Yaodong might be thriving now, but he would surely be called to account sooner or later.

Yang Dong was certain Yin Tiejun could hear everything happening outside and would know exactly what Yang Dong was going through.

Indeed, Yin Tiejun was aware of it all. Though locked inside and unable to leave, he listened from behind the door, from start to finish. He was furious at Yang Dong’s predicament, but the more passive Yang Dong’s situation became, the greater Yin Tiejun’s guilt and trust in him. He had come to see Yang Dong as his own, a steadfast confidant.

When all his other trusted aides were powerless, it was Yang Dong, a mere junior officer, who ran tirelessly to clear his name. And now, because of Yin Tiejun’s entanglement, Tian Guanghan’s targeting, and Lin Yaodong’s humiliation, the facts were clear to him.

“Haha, Secretary Yin, I, Lin Yaodong, am waiting for you to come out too.”

“I’ll be leaving first, Secretary Yin.”

Lin Yaodong laughed heartily, mimicking Yang Dong’s words toward the room, though his meaning was entirely different—his words were pure mockery, even humiliation. He was certain Yin Tiejun would never get out.

Yin Tiejun returned to his bed, his face calm, almost frighteningly so.

Yang Dong stepped out of the hotel; it was nearly noon. Outside, the snow was thick but slowly melting. In a few days, it would be March.

March’s spring—when all things revive, and even the Northeast would begin to warm. Everything was moving toward the better. The blizzard was now a thing of the past. The vast, warming sun awaited him.

Standing at the hotel entrance, he gazed at the road ahead. Cars passed by, mostly motorcycles and tricycles, with few automobiles. In 2008, the economy was booming, yet in the Northeast, especially in Lingyun City, Jijiang Province, the changes were less evident.

The Northeast, having exhausted the dividends of state-owned enterprises, had entered the post-development era ahead of other regions. Meanwhile, the southern coastal areas were reaping the benefits of private enterprise, growing rapidly. But Yang Dong knew well: give it twenty or thirty years, and as the private sector saturates—or as the real estate economy reaches its limit—the coastal regions’ growth too would stall.

At that time, other regions would mirror the Northeast—low desire, low fertility, low growth, high urbanization.

“Yang Dong, why are you still standing here? Are you hoping to return to the Discipline Inspection Committee’s investigation team?” Lin Yaodong stood behind him, sneering.

His demeanor was utterly different from in the hotel—a typical petty man, switching faces at will.

“Lin Yaodong, have you ever heard the story of popping champagne at halftime?” Yang Dong turned, half-smiling, eyes fixed on Lin Yaodong.

Lin Yaodong’s expression changed, then he snorted coldly, “Still dreaming? Yin Tiejun is finished, and so are you.”

“Is that so? Well, let’s wait and see!”

Yang Dong couldn’t be bothered to waste words arguing with Lin Yaodong.

“Heh, let’s wait and see. But don’t forget, you’re suspended at the Municipal Office. Where can you go?”

Lin Yaodong shook his head, his tone full of mockery.

“Yang Dong!” At that moment, a taxi stopped at the roadside. The window rolled down, revealing a beautiful face waving and calling out to Yang Dong.

Lin Yaodong instinctively looked at the taxi and was stunned. Wasn’t that Guan Jiujiu, his girlfriend Han Wen’s colleague?

What was she doing here?

Yang Dong also saw Guan Jiujiu waving and was puzzled. Why was she here? And how did she know he was at this hotel?

He suddenly recalled that when he was at the hospital, Guan Jiujiu’s mother had an extraordinary presence, clearly not an ordinary woman. Guan Jiujiu herself was serene and graceful, a gentle, refined girl—her upbringing and temperament were not those of a typical family.

She was, evidently, not simple.

“Where I go is none of your concern,” Yang Dong replied, casting Lin Yaodong a glance, then walked forward, opened the taxi door, and got in.

“Damn it!” Lin Yaodong gritted his teeth, glaring at the departing taxi, seething.

He had just realized a bitter truth: though it seemed he’d won Yang Dong’s woman, in reality, Yang Dong had spent five years playing with her—he’d merely picked up what was left behind.

And now Yang Dong… seemed to have set his sights on a new target.

Guan Jiujiu was exceptional in looks, bearing, and temperament.

Yet he was stuck with Han Wen, whom he’d soon marry.

His heart could no longer find balance.