Qi Tongwei: Sign-in relationship started during student days

Chapter 1052 The Standing Committee's "Cannon Fire" (2)

The clamor of the argument was still lingering in their throats when the clock quietly slipped past 10:15. The door creaked open, and Qi Tongwei walked in steadily, carrying a water glass.

The words "Serve the People" printed on the cup wall still gleamed faintly under the light.

Qi Tongwei's steps were slow, but his eyes were quick. He first looked at Xu Lian, then at Duan Feng and Wu Yingjie, and finally at Li Lincheng and Wu Huiying.

From the scattered sounds he heard outside the door, he had already deduced some information, but his face remained completely calm, with the faint smile he had worn since entering the house.

"Why are you all standing?" Qi Tongwei waved his hand, his voice low but carrying a commanding presence, "Sit down, everyone."

Xu Lianxian relaxed and sat back down in his chair with a sullen face. Wu Yingjie glanced at Duan Feng and sat down as well, but Duan Feng remained rooted to the spot.

His mind raced. He wondered if Qi Tongwei, having just pledged his allegiance to Xia Guanglei, could use this opportunity to have Xia Guanglei give Xu Lian a warning.

The thought popped into his head, so he simply spoke up: "Mayor Qi, you have to be my judge. Do our municipal government comrades have any sense of political bottom line?"

Qi Tongwei sat down in the first seat on the left, placed his water glass on the corner of the table, looked up at Duan Feng, and said with a smile, "Comrade Duan Feng, what do you mean by that? How come you don't have any political bottom line?"

Duan Feng immediately pointed at Xu Lian, raising his voice: "Just now, our Executive Vice Mayor Xu Lian, without any evidence and based solely on hearsay, maliciously slandered me, a veteran Party member who has served the Party and the people for nearly forty years! Tell me, isn't this a complete lack of political principles?"

Qi Tongwei's smile hadn't faded as he glanced at Xu Lian, his tone as calm as a still lake: "Oh? What did he say?"

Duan Feng's heart skipped a beat; he suddenly felt something was amiss.

Logically, Qi Tongwei should have followed up by criticizing Xu Lian, so why did he instead press for details?

Duan Feng suppressed his doubts and said, "Comrade Xu Lian said I have a lot of scandals and that women are all flocking to me!"

Mayor Qi, tell me, is this something a senior cadre of the Red Star Party should say?

Qi Tongwei's smile vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and his gaze fell directly on Xu Lian.

Xu Lian's face flushed, and just as she was about to open her mouth to defend herself, Qi Tongwei spoke first, his voice deepening.

"How did this gossip spread so widely? Huh? Comrade Duan Feng, not only has he heard it, but I've heard it too, and quite a few times, and it's all very vivid."

"What sisters, mother and daughter, they've got real details."

Duan Feng's face, which was flushed from high blood pressure, turned even paler. "Mayor Qi... Mayor Qi, this is all slander, slander!"

Qi Tongwei waved his hand, "Comrade Duan Feng, don't worry, I didn't say that this is definitely the truth."

He then looked at everyone and shrugged.

"I've been in Beishan for about a year and a half now, and to be honest, I have a deep understanding of the political atmosphere in Beishan."

What we in Beishan have is plenty of this kind of tabloid gossip.

A few days ago, I saw several tabloids calling me, Qi Tongwei, a GDP-driven mayor who only cares about the economy and not the people. Compared to me, Comrade Duan Feng, you're being lenient.

Duan Feng's expression shifted, turning red and white in turns. He then secretly glanced at Wu Yingjie, who met his gaze with an unnatural smile.

Qi Tongwei paused, then changed the subject, his gaze fixed on Duan Feng's face. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable force, "However, Comrade Duan Feng, since Comrade Xu Lian brought it up today, why don't you tell everyone in front of everyone whether these so-called gossip rumors are true or not?"

Duan Feng was stunned for a moment, but reacted very quickly, saying firmly, "Of course it's a rumor! I guarantee with my party spirit and personal integrity that there is absolutely no such thing!"

These are all fabrications and rumors spread by people with ulterior motives!

Qi Tongwei scoffed inwardly. Party spirit, integrity, indeed. He wondered if this kind of party spirit and integrity could even last until tonight.

"In that case, we must clear Comrade Duan Feng's name and not allow others to maliciously slander our leaders in Beishan City."

After saying that, he glanced around the office, his gaze lingering on an empty seat, and asked knowingly, "Where is Comrade Zuo Ming?"

Wu Huiying replied, "Oh, Comrade Zuo Ming said that the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has a meeting that he is required to attend. I think he should be on his way to the provincial capital now."

"I see, alright then." Qi Tongwei nodded. "Comrade Duan Feng, what a coincidence."

"Alright, when Comrade Zuo Ming returns, I'll speak with him and have him investigate the source of this rumor, clear your name, and also have Comrade Xu Lian do some publicity for you. Now, you can sit down."

Duan Feng could no longer sit still.

An investigation? Can he withstand an investigation?

But he still tried to remain calm, sat down, and smiled to smooth things over: Mayor Qi, I appreciate your kindness, but it's really not worth making such a fuss and having Comrade Zuo Ming investigate this gossip.

Besides, rumors are inherently something that can't be brought to light. They should be left to the wise. The more you investigate, the more murky things become. Just get used to it.

Let alone me, a deputy director-level official, even our Governor Zhao is not immune to gossip.

There's a rumor going around that Governor Zhao's career began more than twenty years ago with a naked meeting between him and our Comrade Ma Da.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the office door was pushed open with a bang, and Ma Da rushed in, his formal attire still carrying a trace of the chill from outside.

Duan Feng's naked meeting happened to be heard by him without missing a single word.

The fatigue on Mada's face vanished instantly. He stopped at the door, his face so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

The air in the room suddenly froze, and even breathing became quieter.

Duan Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he cursed his bad luck, wondering why he had to run into this at this time.

After hesitating for a moment, Ma Da could only pretend not to hear and sit down in his seat.

Xu Lian's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he deliberately raised his voice to press, "Old Duan, continue! What kind of historic meeting with bare bottoms?" Turning to look at Ma Da, he feigned surprise, "Secretary Ma, I really didn't expect that you and Governor Zhao had such a past."

"Bang!" Having been exposed by Xu Lian, Ma Da could no longer pretend not to hear. He slammed his hand on the table, making Qi Tongwei's teacup shake. His anger burst out with the sound of his voice: "Comrade Duan Feng! Where did you hear such nonsense? Huh?"

Is there no party spirit or principle left? Huh?

Officials should know to avoid mentioning the faults of those in positions of authority and those of virtue. But you, in such a serious setting as the Standing Committee meeting room, are you going to spout such vulgar and trivial matters? Is that appropriate?

I think your moral character has long been seriously flawed, old comrade!

He wasn't focused on his work at all; he was just gossiping about these baseless rumors.

Instead of gossiping about others, take a good look at yourself and see if your own actions are truly clean!