Just after nuclear fusion was successfully achieved, my brother Qi Tongwei committed suicide?

Page 435

Zhong Xiaoai sat in the main seat, her eyes sweeping over the faces of the group.

His gaze was serious.

"Everyone has felt Mu Chen's attitude, haven't they?"

Zhou Bingyi took off his gold-rimmed glasses, rubbed his temples, and spoke with a hint of weariness, but mostly with composure.

He spoke, saying, "I felt it."

"Forceful, direct, and with a clearly defined bottom line."

"The interests of Handong are paramount, the development of Handong is the ultimate goal, and the satisfaction of the people of Handong is the highest standard... We've already said all that."

Lin Jing interjected, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of sternness: "This is a warning, and also a decree drawn."

"We want to establish ourselves in Handong, we want to do things, and we even want to go further."

"We have to follow his rules."

"At least on the surface, it must be this way."

Zheng Yan nodded and added, "His first task was to refine the resettlement plan for the Luquan Township section of Guangming County to every household and assign it to specific individuals within three days."

"Time is tight, the task is heavy, and there are many conflicts."

"This is a test, and even more so, a warning."

"Doing a good job is our duty."

"If it's not done well, or if any mistakes are made..."

Zheng Yan didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present understood the unspoken meaning: their lack of ability gave Mu Chen and even the local forces in Handong a pretext to squeeze them out!

Zhong Xiaoai put down her teacup, looked around at everyone, and said in a resolute tone:

"Therefore, this task must be completed! And completed beautifully!"

"Director Zhou, you take the lead. Deputy Director Lin and Deputy Director Zheng, please provide your full cooperation. I will coordinate any resources needed."

"Our Zhong family sent you to Handong not to be decorations, nor to cause trouble!"

"We're here to get things done!"

"Only by overcoming this immediate hurdle and successfully tackling this tough pilot project can we demonstrate our value, sincerity, and capabilities to Mu Chen."

"Only then can we truly say we've put down roots in Handong!"

As for the rest...

A sharp glint flashed in Zhong Xiaoai's eyes.

"Put everything aside for now!"

"At this stage, Mu Chen's rules are the biggest rules in Handong!"

"Nobody should even think about getting anything funny about this!"

The meeting room was filled with solemn silence.

Everyone nodded, their solemn expressions replaced by a do-or-die determination.

The initial arrogance of a newcomer was sobered up by Mu Chen's cold water.

Instead, a more pragmatic and cautious attitude has emerged.

The waters of Handong are deeper than I imagined.

If you want to make a difference here, or even realize the Zhong family's plans, you must first prove yourself.

Prove that you deserve this position!

Prove that you can be of use to Handong!

Instead of causing trouble for Handong!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Provincial Public Security Department, Director's Office.

Qi Tongwei sat in his seat.

Gao Yuliang's heartbroken reprimand kept echoing in my mind.

"Reckless courage! Acting on impulse!"

Gao Yuliang's words struck him like hammer blows.

He understands.

Qi Tongwei knew perfectly well that his teacher was doing it for his own good.

How could they not know that Gao Xiaoqin accepting leniency and striving for a lighter sentence is the most rational choice at present, and the choice that best serves everyone's interests?

But he is not willing to give in!

But he couldn't do it!

A tremendous wave of pain and helplessness overwhelmed him.

Qi Tongwei closed his eyes in pain.

It wasn't just for Gao Xiaoqin.

Furthermore, his willfulness has brought enormous trouble and potential risks to his younger brother Mu Chen and his mentor Gao Yuliang!

Mu Chen has just brought down Zhao Lichun and eliminated the cancer in Handong. It is a critical moment to stabilize the situation and fully promote the pilot project.

However, for Gao Xiaoqin's sake, he overturned the table at the Anti-Corruption Bureau and confronted Zhong Xiaoai head-on!

This is tantamount to tearing a hole in the delicate balance that Mu Chen had painstakingly maintained!

This gave Zhong Xiaoai and the Zhong family a reason and opportunity to cause trouble!

Although Mu Chen didn't say it, Qi Tongwei could feel the invisible pressure.

He put Mu Chen in a difficult position.

And his mentor, Gao Yuliang...

Qi Tongwei recalled Gao Yuliang's disappointed and heartbroken eyes.

Gao Yuliang was cautious throughout his life and valued rules and balance above all else.

How much effort did Gao Yuliang put into Qi Tongwei's career? How much responsibility did he bear?

Now, because of his impulsiveness for a woman, he may be caught in a vortex, which could even affect his own reputation and position!

Qi Tongwei, you have failed your teacher's cultivation and painstaking efforts!

On one hand, there is loyalty and commitment, an obsession that cannot be let go of in one's heart.

On one hand, there is responsibility and the overall situation, and on the other hand, there are Mu Chen and Gao Yuliang's silent dedication and expectations.

A dilemma!

What should he do?

Should we continue to be so hard-line and do whatever it takes to overturn Gao Xiaoqin's case?

That would completely escalate the conflict, putting Mu Chen and the Zhong family, and even the higher-ups, into complete opposition, dragging Handong into turmoil once again, putting Gao Yuliang in a passive position, and possibly even burying everything he had worked so hard for!

give up?

Should Gao Xiaoqin be made to confess and accept the lenient treatment?

He will never be able to forgive himself!

He will forever bear the guilt he owes to Gao Xiaoqin!

He will always remember that he chose to back down when she needed to clear her name the most!

Qi Tongwei was filled with self-reproach!

In the end, he couldn't have it both ways!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

And on the other side.

Office of the Director of the Development and Reform Commission of Handong Province.

Bright lights.

Zhou Bingyi was hunched over a huge desk, which was covered with maps of Luquan Township in Guangming County, land expropriation compensation agreements, villagers' household registration information, resettlement site planning maps, etc.

His eyes were bloodshot, his brows were furrowed, and his pen flew across the paper as he sketched, calculated, and marked.

A cup of strong tea, long since cold, sat beside him.

The secretary tiptoed in, placed a newly compiled set of data beside him, and, noticing the director's bloodshot eyes and stubble on his chin, couldn't help but whisper:

"Director, it's almost 2 a.m., wouldn't you like to get some rest..."

"Need not!"

Zhou Bingyi didn't even raise his head, his voice hoarse from staying up all night, yet unusually resolute.

Time waits for no one.