Chapter 61: Lin Yaodong's Attempt at Showing Off Ends in Failure

“Mom, please stop crying for now!”

It was evening at Han Wen’s home.

Feng Ling was wiping her face with tissues as she wept.

Han Wen looked at her mother in distress. Ever since she’d come back from the hospital, her mother had done nothing but cry.

Whenever Han Wen asked what had happened, her mother refused to say a word—only weeping, endlessly.

“Don’t cry anymore. What really happened?” Han Wen pressed.

At that moment, Han Wen’s father, Han Daming, furrowed his brow and set down his newspaper, turning to look at his wife.

Feng Ling gradually quieted, though she was still sobbing as she spoke haltingly.

“It’s all because of that Yang Dong. He came today with someone who needed to see a doctor.”

“I told him I was off duty and he should wait for the on-call physician.”

“But he insisted I see the patient. We argued a little, and that offended the person who needed treatment.”

“Then Director Xu Zhongmu and Chief Zhang from General Affairs came, and they suspended me. I feel so wronged…”

Feng Ling began to sob aloud again after finishing her story.

Han Wen’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Who? Yang Dong? Him? He has enough influence to get the director to suspend you?”

“What really happened? That patient must not be ordinary, right?”

Han Daming, as Feng Ling’s husband of more than twenty years, knew his wife’s character best. She was obviously not telling the whole truth—she must have done something, or provoked the wrong person.

Otherwise, things wouldn’t have escalated like this.

“You’re right, the patient wasn’t ordinary. It was Yin Tiejun, Secretary-General of the Municipal Administration.”

Feng Ling replied gloomily.

Han Daming’s brow furrowed deeper. “Wasn’t he put under double designation? How could he… What did you say?”

Suddenly, Han Daming shuddered, sat up straight, and stared wide-eyed. “You said Yin Tiejun was at the hospital?”

“Yes, he came for treatment. Claimed he had a stomachache.”

Feng Ling grabbed another tissue, dabbing at her eyes.

Han Daming’s expression grew darker and more unsettled. He was shocked.

Yin Tiejun had gone to the hospital accompanied by members of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission. What did that mean?

The crux was not Yin Tiejun’s illness.

It meant Yin Tiejun was out and about…

The once “double designated” Yin Tiejun had vanished from the Lingyun municipal scene for half a month. Now, suddenly appearing at the municipal hospital signified something momentous.

It meant Yin Tiejun’s return to the post of Secretary-General was imminent.

Han Daming, as the vice principal of a key high school, had political sense and intelligence. He knew the Two Sessions were underway.

If nothing unexpected happened, after the Two Sessions, Lingyun would surely convene a meeting to discuss Yin Tiejun’s case.

Given the current makeup of the Standing Committee, Mayor Hou Yong would likely hold a certain advantage.

In that case, Yin Tiejun’s reinstatement would be inevitable.

But his foolish wife had managed to offend Yin Tiejun—and even refused him treatment? She was being as stupid as a pig.

Of all the people to offend, why the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government?

Did she not realize both the municipal hospital and the high school were directly managed by the city government?

The municipal hospital fell under the Health Bureau, and the high school under the Education Bureau. Both bureaus were directly subordinate to the city government.

If she angered the Secretary-General, Han Daming himself might suffer collateral damage.

Han Daming was burning with frustration but couldn’t afford to blow up. At this moment, if he lost his temper, there was no telling what even more foolish thing Feng Ling might do, potentially making things worse.

Besides, what was done was done—anger was pointless.

“Wenwen, this matter now depends on you.”

With this thought, Han Daming turned to Han Wen and spoke to her.

Han Wen looked at her father in surprise, not quite understanding his meaning.

Han Daming went on, “There are two ways to resolve this, and both require your help.”

“First, you could go to Yang Dong and ask him to be magnanimous and persuade the hospital to let your mother off.”

But as soon as he said this, Feng Ling stopped crying, glared at him fiercely, and shouted, “No! My daughter will never bow her head to that good-for-nothing!”

“Who does he think he is? How could my daughter beg him?”

“If only I’d known Yin Tiejun, none of this would have happened.”

“That Yang Dong set me up on purpose—he’s a wicked boy.”

“If he’d just said from the start that it was Secretary Yin, would I have acted that way?”

“That boy is useless and so devious. Wenwen breaking up with him was the smartest thing she ever did.”

Feng Ling spoke through gritted teeth, her hatred for Yang Dong running deep enough to gnash him to pieces.

“Enough! What good does talking like this do?”

“Sometimes you have to bow your head when under another’s roof!”

Han Daming snapped, giving Feng Ling a stern look.

Then he turned to Han Wen and continued, “If you don’t want to ask Yang Dong, there’s only one other choice—go to Yaodong.”

“Yes, yes, go to Yaodong!” Feng Ling’s eyes lit up. She clapped her hands at Han Wen, urging her on.

“Yaodong’s father, Lin Liangming, is the head of Section One in the Organization Department. He’s in charge of official appointments.”

“Go to Yaodong and ask him to appeal to his father to help me get reinstated!”

“I doubt the hospital director would dare offend the Organization Department.”

Feng Ling, puffed up like a triumphant rooster, spoke proudly, her chest thrown out in self-satisfaction.

“If only you’d used your head, none of this would have happened!” Han Daming couldn’t help but taunt, seeing her like this.

“What? You’re blaming me? Huh? You’re blaming me?” Feng Ling couldn’t take the accusation. She flew at Han Daming, clawing at him in a frenzy.

“You shrew, stop it! Stop right now!”

“Dad, Mom, that’s enough!”

Han Wen, thoroughly exasperated, shouted at her parents.

Only then did Feng Ling and Han Daming stop, both turning to look at Han Wen.

In truth, both were putting on a bit of a show, hoping to force Han Wen to seek help from Lin Yaodong.

Actually, things between Han Wen and Lin Yaodong had been a little strained lately. They’d been wondering how to mend the rift.

Now, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to patch things up between the couple.

After all, they were both very satisfied with Lin Yaodong as a prospective son-in-law, and even more with his family background.

“Fine, I’ll go, okay?”

Han Wen slapped her cheeks in frustration, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

She knew full well her parents were acting, pushing her to go to Lin Yaodong.

But she and Lin Yaodong had argued—he’d complained she was spending too much money.

They’d been at odds these past couple of days, both angry.

Why should she be the one to bow her head now?

If she went to Lin Yaodong, it meant admitting fault.

And in relationships, whoever yields first always loses ground—and if this goes on, soon Han Wen would have no authority or standing with Lin Yaodong at all.

Yet her parents were forcing her hand, leaving her no choice but to seek out Lin Yaodong because her mother had been suspended.

An hour later.

Lin Yaodong strutted into Han Wen’s home like a victorious rooster, chest puffed high, hands in his pockets.

Han Wen’s family lived in an upscale neighborhood—her parents were both highly educated professionals: her mother, a chief physician at the municipal hospital, and her father, vice principal of a key high school. Their combined salary had long surpassed ten thousand a month.

Having a high-end apartment was hardly out of reach.

“Uncle, Auntie, don’t worry. This is nothing, really.”

“There’s no need for my dad to intervene. I can settle this myself.”

“And as for Auntie’s grudge against Yang Dong, I’ve already avenged her.”

“His younger brother back home had his leg broken—hahaha.”

“That was all my idea for Secretary Tian!”

Lin Yaodong swung his feet in pride, his head full of self-satisfaction.

Just the thought of Yang Dong’s impotent fury and his brother’s miserable state made him want to laugh.

So what if Yang Dong found out? So what if he knew it was Tian Guanghan or Tian Yuan who did it?

Would he dare retaliate?

He was just a low-level clerk—would he risk it?

And as for Yang Dong taking revenge on him? He’d never dare.

His own father was head of Section One in the Organization Department.

Even if Yang Dong had ten times the guts, he wouldn’t dare act out.

“I’ll give Director Xu a call. Let’s see what’s going on—how dare he show such disrespect?”

“How could he suspend my future mother-in-law? That’s outrageous.”

Lin Yaodong sneered, taking out his Nokia phone, finding Director Xu Zhongmu’s number, and dialing.

After a few rings, Xu Zhongmu picked up.

“Hello, Director Xu? This is Lin Yaodong. Why did you suspend my girlfriend’s mother?”

Director Xu, standing in a hospital room, gave an apologetic look to Yin Tiejun, then stepped aside to take the call.

“What’s the matter? Is there a problem?” Xu’s tone was frosty, clearly unhappy with Lin Yaodong’s demanding attitude.

“Nothing. I just think Dr. Feng Ling should be reinstated.”

Lin Yaodong spoke confidently, certain Xu would understand the hint.

“That’s impossible.”

But Xu Zhongmu’s tone was icy cold.

“What? Impossible?” Lin Yaodong’s face fell, his bravado vanishing in an instant.

He’d boasted so much to Han Wen’s family, and now Director Xu had left him hanging.

“If you want, I can have my father call you.”

This was his trump card, and he played it.

“Oh, by all means—have your father call me.”

To his utter shock, what had always been an unbeatable move failed him this time.

Xu Zhongmu coldly replied, then hung up directly.

The beeping dial tone was loud and clear in the silent living room—Han Wen and her parents all heard it.

Awkwardness was written all over Lin Yaodong’s face.