Chapter 32: Settling the Accounts

Sensing she had perhaps said something inappropriate, she immediately shifted the tone of the conversation. "We live in an era governed by the rule of law; even prisoners are guaranteed their basic rights."

"Very well. That puts my mind at ease."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoyang felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he set down his phone. It seemed his father was safe, merely being held under house arrest. These people were clearly after his father’s position.

Jiang Zhaoyang dialed his mother’s familiar number. On the other end, her voice cut through the connection instantly, laced with irrepressible anxiety and worry. He explained the reality of the situation clearly and concisely. As the information was conveyed, the sound of her breathing on the other end gradually steadied. Zhou Jing’s heart, which had been suspended in mid-air, seemed to settle back into its rightful place with every word he spoke. She, too, felt a sense of relief.

Over the next few days, Jiang Zhaoyang buried himself in his work. His progress was rapid and efficient, every second charged with a sense of urgency. Finally, on the third day, the weighty research report was officially completed. Every line was infused with his sweat and intellect. As he straightened the pages, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. The next step would be for Lin Weiquan to discard him like a worn-out tool. But he didn't want to drag it out. He wasn't that kind of person.

Carefully, Jiang Zhaoyang bound the report—the culmination of countless days and nights of his blood, sweat, and tears regarding the potential and direction of the town’s economic transformation—into a neat stack. Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he walked toward Lin Weiquan’s office, feeling a mix of apprehension and anticipation.

Arriving at the office, he knocked. "Come in!" Lin Weiquan’s voice boomed from within.

Jiang Zhaoyang entered and handed over the report. "Mayor Lin, I am here to settle my account. My task is complete."

Lin Weiquan took the report, sat down slowly, and leaned back, beginning to flip through it meticulously. With every page he turned, his brow furrowed slightly. He seemed to be savoring every piece of data and every analysis, leaving no detail unexamined.

The office was silent, save for the sound of rustling paper, creating a stifling atmosphere. As he delved deeper, he nodded to himself, silently acknowledging the excellence of Jiang Zhaoyang’s work. The report was not only rich in data and thorough in analysis, but more importantly, it offered forward-thinking and feasible suggestions that pointed the way for the town’s future development. If he claimed this as his own, it would certainly bolster his own career advancement.

Finally, he closed the report and uttered a single, flat word: "Good." He then motioned for Jiang Zhaoyang to sit. Jiang Zhaoyang complied, pulling up a chair.

Lin Weiquan squinted, scrutinizing Jiang Zhaoyang with an imperceptible smile playing on his lips. "Xiao Jiang, things here have finally settled. You should proceed as planned and take up your post at the reservoir."

"The reservoir—now, that is a truly picturesque destination. The landscape there is nature’s proudest work, every corner overflowing with poetic charm. Once you are there, you will not only feast your eyes on the beauty of nature and enjoy its peace and harmony, but you will also have the chance to cultivate your character and refine your temperament. I believe that in such an environment, your perspective and vision will be further elevated."

There was a hint of subtle sarcasm in his tone. Changing the subject, he added, "Don't be too worried, Xiao Jiang. If you can fully demonstrate your talent and ability there, achieve real results, and earn the recognition of your superiors and colleagues, I believe you will have the chance to return. After all, the organization always keeps an eye on outstanding talent and will never let your efforts go to waste."

His words were wrapped in encouragement, as if he were paving a path for Jiang Zhaoyang’s return. "Consider this a test for you."

Jiang Zhaoyang scoffed inwardly. *This old fox is truly cunning and deeply duplicitous.* It was clearly a pretext to remove him from a core position and exile him to that remote reservoir, yet he put on this mask of deep care and consideration, claiming it was an opportunity for growth and hinting at a future return. It was a preposterous joke; such rhetoric might fool a child, but not him. That was one big pie in the sky!

However, he remained outwardly calm, a playful smile touching his lips as if he were truly moved by these words. "Thank you for your kindness, Leader, and for thinking so highly of me," he said slowly. "Giving me an opportunity that others would find hard to come by—allowing me to display my talents in a wider world—is truly my honor."

"Rest assured, I will work hard there! I will be a diligent reservoir keeper, ensuring the safety of the water; I will be a faithful forest ranger, guarding those green hills and clear waters; and I will be a forest auxiliary officer, contributing my strength to maintaining harmony and stability in the woods."

Jiang Zhaoyang listed his three "duties" in one breath. Lin Weiquan’s face showed a flicker of confusion, his brow furrowing as he struggled to process a term he hadn't heard before. "What kind of auxiliary officer? That’s a term I’ve never heard."

Jiang Zhaoyang spoke with a touch of self-deprecation. "If I’m not a formal police officer, yet I have to share part of their workload, what else would you call it? An auxiliary officer, perhaps? Or should I call myself a full-fledged officer?"

Lin Weiquan gave an awkward laugh. "Xiao Jiang, you’re quite the comedian. Those who can, do more. You are a registered civil servant; an auxiliary officer is not the same thing. There is a fundamental difference."

*I am a civil servant,* Jiang Zhaoyang thought bitterly, *but I’m probably worse off than a temp.* Those temporary workers with connections could stay indoors during the sweltering heat of summer, enjoying the cool of air conditioning. In the biting cold of winter, they could hide in warm offices, avoiding the freezing wind.

And what about me? What am I doing every day? I have to patrol the reservoir to ensure water safety. I have to guard the forest to prevent illegal logging and fires. I have to pit my wits against cunning poachers to protect endangered wildlife.

Lin Weiquan naturally caught the subtext in Jiang Zhaoyang’s words. He knew the man was using irony to express his resentment. *Jiang Zhaoyang,* he thought to himself, *what good will complaining do? If I let you off, if I marginalize you and let you slack off, how will Zhang Chaoshen view me? Can I get on his boat? Can I enter his circle?*

In the end, this world was inherently snobbish. The chill of human indifference and the fickleness of the world revealed the cruelty of reality. The political arena, in particular, was where the law of the jungle was played out to its fullest extent.