Official Career Storm-Chapter 1298:

"Mr. Zhong, have a seat."

Song Guanchao and the others stood up to greet him.

Everyone present actually held high positions.

Zhong Baofeng was merely a vice district chief, and normally, they wouldn't pay him much attention.

But since they were here to discuss cooperation, they naturally needed to show the right attitude to avoid seeming insincere.

They sat down, and the waiter brought tea, fruits, and snacks, then left.

Zhong Baofeng quickly scanned the group, his eyes brightening as he glanced at Jiang Yiren and Chen Yirou.

Beauties in the political scene are rare, and someone like Jiang Yiren is even rarer.

However, he didn't show any inappropriate interest and swiftly looked towards Song Guanchao.

"District Chief Song, let's get straight to the point."

"Alright, I'll be direct."

Song Guanchao liked dealing with straightforward people.

"I plan to take down Mr. Cao."

That sentence left Zhong Baofeng stunned, his movement to serve tea halted mid-air.

Chen Yirou and the other three were equally shocked.

Wasn't the subject supposed to be the accident?

Why did it suddenly involve Mr. Cao?

Zhong Baofeng swallowed hard and cleaned his ears: "What did District Chief Song say?"

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a gentle puff, not repeating himself.

He knew Zhong Baofeng heard him.

It's just that his words were too audacious, making him doubt reality.

"Is Mr. Zhong interested?"

"If you're interested, we can continue talking. If not, I'll switch to a topic that interests you."

He wanted to keep control of the conversation's direction and pace.

So far, he was succeeding.

Zhong Baofeng was already following his lead.

Zhong Baofeng calmed his mind, feeling a bit suspicious.

After pondering for a few seconds, he said, "If there's an opportunity, of course, I'm interested."

Song Guanchao replied, "Opportunities are definitely there; it's just a matter of whether you can seize them."

"Let me ask a few simple questions first, and you answer them, then I'll tell you in detail."

"Go ahead."

"Regarding the accident, what's the driver's responsibility?"

"None."

"Alright, then proceed with no responsibility." Song Guanchao set the tone initially.

"District Chief Song..."

"Is Mr. Zhong worried about Mr. Cao?"

"Yes."

"No need to worry; a district chief can't stir much trouble."

His calm and easy tone made everyone shiver internally.

Such audacity!

Is this the Provincial City, and you don't care about the district chief here?

You're just a district chief in a prefecture-level city!

Zhong Baofeng had a different thought.

He knew about Song Guanchao and Wu Qiangwei's close relationship, and today's visit was probably Wu Qiangwei's way of communicating a message to him.

That means Wu Qiangwei wants him on her side?

Zhong Baofeng felt he understood.

That must be it!

"Regarding this accident, I'll hold off from intervening and see how Mr. Cao handles it first."

"If he proceeds with no responsibility, that's ideal, and everyone will be happy."

"But, does Mr. Zhong think Mr. Cao's character would respond that way?"

"No." Zhong Baofeng shook his head, answering confidently.

"Good that it won't."

"It won't... good?" Zhong Baofeng was perplexed.

"Isn't it good?"

Song Guanchao said, "Clearly, the driver has no responsibility, yet he insists on attributing wrongdoing. Seven people died, even minor responsibility could lead to criminal charges. Just for compensation money, sending an innocent person to jail. Mr. Zhong, if I were to put the accident site footage and dashcam online, would the public be outraged?"

Zhong Baofeng's eyes lit up.

He understood!

"Yes, absolutely!" Zhong Baofeng's breath quickened.

Song Guanchao said, "Then, Mr. Zhong, please share the accident site footage and dashcam with me."

"I'll choose a suitable time to share it online."

Zhong Baofeng nodded, ready to agree, but suddenly thought of another issue.

"If it's shared, won't the compensation come at the expense of the district government?"

"Yes, the district government will pay."

"But, doing so will affect me as well."

Zhong Baofeng furrowed his brow.

Once the video leaks, Mr. Cao will undoubtedly be criticized by thousands, but he, as the vice district chief, won't escape blame.

Song Guanchao said, "What Mr. Zhong can think of, I can naturally consider too."

Zhong Baofeng asked, "Can you solve it?"

"I can."

"How?"

Song Guanchao replied, "With the district government directly funding, the City Committee and Municipal Government will surely be displeased. After all, public opinion arises, and money must be paid—almost a lose-lose situation, with their reputation tarnished."

"However, if we can eliminate this kind of accident at its source, won't that spending be worthwhile?"

"Hmm~" Zhong Baofeng pondered for a moment, echoing Chen Yirou and the others' question, "Can the issue be resolved at its root?"

"Yes!"

"How?"

Song Guanchao shook his head silently, sipping his tea.

Zhong Baofeng knew he didn't want to talk now.

But if he didn't speak, Zhong Baofeng wouldn't dare agree.

"Mr. Zhong, such opportunities are rare."

Song Guanchao smiled slightly as the door to the private room was knocked, and the waiter brought in the dishes.

He stood and said, "Let's eat."

This meal, Zhong Baofeng ate somewhat distractedly.

After the meal, Song Guanchao said, "Mr. Zhong, contact me if anything arises, I'm heading back first."

"...Alright, I'll see you off."

"No need, being seen together isn't good for Mr. Zhong."

"Uh, right."

Zhong Baofeng smiled awkwardly. After they left, he was still hesitant, unsure.

He furrowed his brow, reviewed the situation.

If Song Guanchao truly could resolve this at the root, then even if the footage went online and stirred public opinion, he wouldn't be afraid.

But the question was, could Song Guanchao really solve it?

As he pondered during and after the meal, he still couldn't figure out how to prevent these deceased families from having their funerals early in the morning.

This was entirely an act of nature, impossible to counteract with human effort.

Could he be deceiving me?

But why would he deceive me?

What would he gain from deceiving me?

...

"Old Song, are you really planning to take down Mr. Cao?"

Outside the restaurant, Cheng Xiang asked the question that had been on his mind for over an hour.

"It's just convenience."

"..."

Taking down a district chief is simply convenient?

Chen Yirou said, "But even if this matter goes online, it's not likely to take him down, right?"

"Normally it'd be difficult, but if public opinion grows, there's a chance."

"Moreover, if one attempt fails, then continue. A person like Mr. Cao is sure to have a dirty record; any investigation will reveal it."

"Once public opinion rises and the Disciplinary Committee intervenes, with some anonymous tips, even if he doesn't fall entirely, he'll suffer greatly."

The three listened, feeling so anxious, as if meeting him for the first time.

How in his words, taking down a district chief seemed so effortless?

Cheng Xiang couldn't help but ask, "Old Song, do you have a grudge against Mr. Cao?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"No grudge? Then isn't your approach a bit excessive?"

"Didn't I say? It's just convenience."

"..."