Chapter 2714 - 2776: Saving Face

Ning Tao calmed down after thinking about it, picked up the phone, but found it broken, so he took out his own mobile phone, picked up the paper slip, dialed the number on it for Li Yifei. On the other end, the phone rang, Li Yifei glanced at the number and still waited a while before answering. This time, he was standing outside the electroshock therapy room, where Wang Pang and others were screaming miserably. As the call connected, Ning Tao first heard the screams and immediately frowned, wanting to say something but restrained himself.

"Hello, I am Ning Tao!" Ning Tao said.

"It’s you again, what now, still trying to threaten me?" Li Yifei replied displeased.

Ning Tao paused and said, "My wording was problematic earlier, Li Yifei. I am the mayor of Lin City. I want to communicate with you. Since this incident has happened, none of us knows the reason. There must be a reason for what you’re doing, so I am willing to understand a bit."

Li Yifei sneered, "Hah, finally revealing your identity? Mayor, huh, quite a position. So tell me, how should this matter be resolved?"

"I am an acting mayor, not yet officially in office!" Ning Tao felt the dominance of Li Yifei. Although he was very angry, he controlled his temper, having climbed to this level, he couldn’t lack endurance. So, he said, "I just learned about this incident, I’m not clear about the specifics, that’s why I need to communicate with you to understand what exactly caused you not to go through the police but to handle the problem yourself."

"Acting mayor, huh?" Li Yifei repeated in his mind. Given the other’s changed attitude, he didn’t need to act arrogantly anymore, and said, "Since you have this attitude, I am willing to communicate as well. Do you know anything about what Yang Wei has done?"

"I know he is an expert in internet addiction treatment. I was scheduled to inspect his place next month!"

Li Yifei nodded, regardless of the truth in the other’s words, he was trying hard to shed his own responsibility, which was fine. Li Yifei said, "Yang Wei isn’t treating, but abusing, using electric shock, even raping, murdering, doing all sorts, and colluding with local police. I now hold a large amount of testimony and video evidence, as well as the names, positions, and details of the government personnel colluding with him, along with the money and gifts received!"

Ning Tao took a deep breath secretly, judging that Li Yifei was not joking. Even though he just arrived not long ago, he couldn’t be unaware of what Yang Wei and others did. Electroshock therapy sounds painful enough, and as for someone protecting him... not hard to imagine. He was just astonished at Li Yifei’s efficiency, wasn’t this guy acting today? How could he have grasped everything so quickly?

Are people from the Flying Hawk Squad this capable? Ning Tao didn’t speak for a long while, Li Yifei did not rush him, and after a moment Ning Tao said, "Li Yifei, are we not joking? Is what you said true?"

"Of course it’s true, precisely because I have enough evidence and their crimes that I contacted East Hill Province. If such people continue to be rampant outside, and still get protection, my impression of your Lin City and East Hill Province will drop to the lowest!" Li Yifei said.

Ning Tao didn’t find the remark offensive, he frowned, appearing serious, and said, "If that’s really the case, rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate. But... though I am a mayor, there are many things I cannot speak as much."

"You mean there’s someone above, right?"

"That’s appropriate, also reasonable."

"Haha, well, that’s not for me to manage, Ning Tao. I’m holding back from pushing further, considering for your side, but it doesn’t mean the matter is resolved like this. Hope you understand this!"

Ning Tao felt today was unlucky, encountering Li Yifei, such a character. Calling him a rogue? This guy indeed is a rogue, yet he holds the truth, and has a substantial background, no wonder Yang Wei is doomed, crossing paths with such a person, coming across provinces to deal with him.

However, Ning Tao did sit in that position, even if it was acting, it still held authority. He replied, "Mr. Li, I will seriously investigate this matter. If it’s true, they will definitely receive the punishment they deserve!"

"Do you mean you think I’m lying?" Li Yifei asked very displeased.

"Not at all... but we should wait until the investigation to know. I believe Mr. Li can understand, and if it’s really as you said, then it should be easy to investigate, shouldn’t face much obstruction!" Ning Tao replied.

Li Yifei snorted: "Other matters I can overlook, but not this. It must be quick and strict. I’m not expanding the issue further doesn’t mean it stops here. The responsible ones should be dealt with. Not only you, but I’ve also briefed the provincial side. Of course, I’ll keep a copy of the evidence, once you handle it well, these evidences will naturally be destroyed!"

Li Yifei’s direct threat is something Ning Tao had never encountered in his life. He’s a noble official with a red background, having risen from the Communist Youth League, never dealing with someone like Li Yifei. Hearing Li Yifei threatening a mayor so directly, he almost felt he heard wrongly.

"Li Yifei, are you sure you want to do this? Doing so won’t look good for everyone’s face." Ning Tao said.

Li Yifei laughed sarcastically and said coldly: "Face? Without me, your neighboring province, East Hill Province’s face would have been much worse. Such people who deserve to die a hundred times, are actually set up in your place as models, star entrepreneurs, goodwill ambassadors. Aren’t you guilty? Isn’t Lin City shamed? Isn’t East Hill Province shamed? Still face? Now you’re asking me about face?"

"How to make your faces look better isn’t about desperately covering up, but immediately investigate everything as it is, sternly deal with the guilty, restore innocence to those children, recompense what should be, apologize what should be, rectify what should be, remove from office who should be removed! Ning Tao, aren’t you aged enough to not need me to teach you this? Of course, sitting in that position, you long don’t use your brain, but this time... I don’t care what you use to think, if the matter should be done this way, then it must be done this way, no exception!"

Hiss! Ning Tao was so taken aback by Li Yifei’s words, straightforward and firm, showing no intention of compromise, hadn’t expected that!

So the breathing sound of Ning Tao came through the phone, his momentum weakened in an instant, and after a full minute, he said, "Determined to do it this way?"

"Don’t ask me, ask your conscience, also, you can look at those people’s testimonies afterward, see what they’ve actually done!" Li Yifei said.

Ning Tao sighed lightly and said, "Alright, let’s proceed as you said, I’ll arrange someone to connect with you later, naturally won’t let a bad guy go, but mustn’t wrong others, don’t rush, since you’ve spoken straightforwardly, I, Ning Tao, will also state it, guilty ones won’t be let go, no matter who it is, innocent ones won’t be wronged, equally irrespective of who it is."

"Let’s hope so, this is an opportunity for Lin City!" Li Yifei said before ending the call first, and the beeping sound came through the phone. Ning Tao didn’t throw his phone this time but rarely started cursing, abusive words emerged from his office, showing he was extremely angry. However, after cursing, he didn’t say much, holding the phone, Ning Tao moved towards another building in the courtyard. Lin City’s administrative and party officials were separated, but all in one big courtyard, left by the predecessor, Ning Tao didn’t mind, whether he stays for one term or two, he’ll likely move place. Officially not clashing with the head in the other building, unless he plans to loaf through his term. Yet wanting to work must have frictions.

This incident for Ning Tao was also a big chance, because among the names Li Yifei mentioned were several bureau-level officials, now seen as allies of the other side, Ning Tao couldn’t directly handle it, to offend the head would be unwise, but directing misfortunes was skillful instead.

Anyway, that’s what Li Yifei intended, his attitude was so determined, if the head doesn’t consent, then let them clash and see who laughs to the end.

Yet beyond Ning Tao’s expectation, once he clarified his intent, the head directly said, "I know about the matter, the impact is too negative, if Yang Wei is really as Li Yifei’s investigation presents, we must punish severely. Of course, we mustn’t wrong anyone, thus I’ve sent someone to call Old Xing, have him lead a thorough investigation on related personnel."

Hmm? The head was unexpectedly easy to talk to? After all, it’s taking down his people, why so straightforward.

Ning Tao hesitated and said: "There’s quite a lot of upper-level officials involved, shouldn’t we... choose carefully?" It was giving the head a step down, yet the other shook his head, coldly smirked and said: "The guilty must be punished, the innocent must apologize and compensate, I have great responsibility in this matter’s emergence, so I’ll report to the province. Old Song, don’t rush, I’ll explain clearly."

This... was really too accommodating. The most direct impact of this matter’s emergence was on the head himself, his age... probably doesn’t have another term. Oh no, if there’s a next term, either he’ll be promoted to a higher position, a provincial deputy, or step back aside. Yet the emergence of this matter likely makes his wish to climb higher fade.

In this time not only not angry, but exhibiting such response, was beyond Ning Tao’s expectation, but the other wasn’t foolish either, quickly deduced a bit, likely Li Yifei’s background is bigger than he knows, otherwise Lin City’s head wouldn’t decisively, with a somewhat wrist-cutting attitude, making his stance clear for Li Yifei.