Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: Second Life

If it was a joke, then this joke has gone a bit too far.

But it was clear to everyone present that this was no joke; at least the new mayor's expression showed no sign of a smile.

"Cooperate with the government?"

Zhi Yu also dropped his previous politeness, his face turning very unpleasant. He vaguely guessed the new mayor's methods, so he brought in a few "unrelated people" from the beginning, attempting to confuse the public and delay the progress of cooperation by using some of Mo Jianjun's original people and policies.

Bo Bing lowered her eyelids.

Today was truly an undeserved disaster.

To put it bluntly, Li Dai was originally a shield that Zhi Yu grabbed. He arrested Li Yuan to blackmail Li Dai into speaking on his behalf, and he himself was probably part of Li Dai's "confession".

But to everyone's surprise, Yin Fengzhu was a guy who didn't care about smiles and went straight to the point: "The country will not allow private enterprises to affect transportation hubs, interfere with normal market competition, or disrupt the normal operation of state-owned transportation enterprises... Boss Zhi's reach is a bit too far."

Yin Fengzhu had sharp eyes.

"Even if some people think that the Northwest is underdeveloped and the emperor is far away and can't control them, and want to continue to act as local bullies to disrupt the state-owned enterprise market and reap huge profits, they have to consider the weight of the phrase 'long-term social stability' in the issued documents."

Bo Bing almost burst out laughing at the atmosphere on the table.

Yin Fengzhu had already done his background check on Zhi Yu. Zhi Yu thought that a woman couldn't do anything to him, but he probably didn't expect that the new mayor wasn't the type to play him.

The life of wine and women dulled Zhi Yu's sharpness, making him so dull that he didn't even realize this; or perhaps he closed his eyes and ears, thinking that he was still in the chaotic era when he fought for territory with knives, and that any problems could be solved by giving gifts and women.

The black-haired youth took a sip of tea. This jasmine tea wasn't cheap; it had a refreshing aftertaste and left a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.

"I don't need to mince words on this; Boss Zhi is well aware of the consequences of disturbing public order and outwardly complying while inwardly resisting, isn't he?"

Yin Fengzhu's words remained calm: "Wanting to monopolize transportation, run illegal taxis, and make money from nightclubs and rest stops under the government's very nose—do you think this is like riding the wave of opportunity to make a fortune, or swallowing a knife in the northwest wind?"

To dare to speak sarcastically to Zhi Yu's face must mean he has a strong backbone, strong abilities, and a tough style. Yin Fengzhu's boldness made Bo Bing look at him with more respect.

People who solve problems directly and efficiently are always more respected than those who try to get things done by beating around the bush and diverting attention.

Zhi Yu's face turned dark with anger. He thought about the empire he had built up in L City Transportation over the past ten years—he had colluded with people throughout L City, bribed officials, and purged a large number of people to avoid the nationalization of the company.

And with the protection of his family, he went straight into the pot and got his share of the spoils. He had been bullying others like this for more than ten years, but now he is being mocked so rudely by a woman. No one could stand that.

"Mayor Yin, are you joking or warning me?"

The middle-aged man slammed his chopsticks down on the plate with a loud thud, clearly his composure had been broken by the sharp words.

"Mo Jianjun is suspected of corruption, money laundering, and diluting state-owned assets overseas... He has been taken away by people from the central government."

Yin Fengzhu put down his teacup, his voice calm and his movements pleasing to the eye.

In the past, Zhi Yu would probably have already flipped the table.

But upon hearing this news from Yin Fengzhu, he merely chuckled dryly, like a punctured balloon, "I never intended to disturb public order... I'm just doing some small business, why is the mayor pressing me so hard?"

"This is a serious notification, Mr. Zhi Yu. Mayor Yin is now representing the government's intentions."

He Zhongtian adjusted his glasses. "We will discuss the acquisition of Jiaoyun Group according to the rules of business transactions. The assets of Jiaoyun Group will be nationalized, and you will remain a shareholder who enjoys the group's dividends. Your position in the company will remain unchanged, and you will enjoy the treatment of a public official in the Department of Transportation."

It's just a nominal position.

It's like being nominally incorporated back into the government, but without real power, and still subject to strict unified control.

Zhi Yu sneered. Having been used to being a local tyrant who could command the wind and rain and was used to lording things over others, how could he possibly hand over his group to someone else?

Having grown accustomed to being able to command a large following, he would never be willing to be managed by others again.

“I understand what Mayor Yin means,” Zhi Yu said, turning to look at the woman.

"However, even if it's a group I built, dozens or hundreds of people under me depend on me to make a living. If I just arbitrarily transfer them to other jobs, what role do you think those unemployed employees can play in society?"

Zhi Yu is using personal connections and employment opportunities as leverage.

The person in charge of the betting simply didn't take his bait.

Yin Fengzhu smiled contemptuously—a smile so sarcastic and mocking that it stung Bo Bing's eyes.

"Zhi Yu, do I have to publicly praise the 'businesses' and 'employees' under your overpass before I'm done?"

Yin Fengzhu's expression was gloomy.

"Driving unlicensed taxis and intercepting passengers inside the station is, at best, deliberate poaching of customers and malicious competition; at worst, it's an organized crime syndicate!"

The air went still for a minute.

"I hope you can give a satisfactory answer to both sides," the new mayor glanced at Zhi Yu, stood up, and walked away from Li Dai and Bo Bing. "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

"Eat and drink well, everyone," He Zhongtian nodded, though it was unclear who he was referring to.

But clearly, no one was in the mood to eat anymore.

Bo Bing, having eaten her fill during the battle between the two sides, stretched out lazily.

With coercion and enticement, even Zhi Yu couldn't save face; this woman is truly no simple person.

If he wasn't mistaken, the new mayor and secretary were both quite skilled; they walked steadily and breathed evenly. It seemed that L City had brought in an expert to clean up the chaos at the hub.

"What, have you all finished laughing at me? Are you expecting me to personally escort you out?"

Zhi Yu finally slammed down his chopsticks and stared at the three of them with a forced smile.

“That won’t be necessary,” Bo Bing said, standing up first with the same forced smile. “It’s alright if you stay, Mr. Zhi.”

Zhi Yu had just heard Yin Fengzhu address him like that, and found the young man's words extremely grating.

Thin ice doesn't matter.

It's fine if Zhi Yu wants to make an example of him, let alone whether Zhi Yu can actually kill himself. In the past, Zhi Yu dared to smear something on his already unclean backside, because he was already full of lice; now that Yin Fengzhu is eyeing him covetously, if he really makes a move, it's no different from defecating in public.

As he walked out, the remaining two exchanged a glance. Neither of them expected things to turn out this way, but knowing Yin Fengzhu's attitude, they felt a little more at ease and exchanged some polite words about calming down and meeting again.

Turn around and leave.

Cao Xin and his men brushed past the young man, Cao Xin looking at Bo Bing with a complicated expression, "What happened inside?"

"I don't know," Bo Bing said, tilting her body to the side and scratching her head, a toothpick in her mouth. "I'm going to eat now."

"I'll eat you to death."

Cao Xin's eyes widened, and he turned to find Zhi Yu.

"Tsk, look at that skinflint Zhou," Bo Bing clicked her tongue, pulled Li Yuan to her side and walked out, "He won't even let us eat a meal with him."

The light rain has stopped.

Zhou Tao had already lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "I didn't provoke you, so don't make veiled accusations."

"Row."

Bo Bing took a lollipop that cost one cent from the front desk and chewed it with a loud crunch. "This candy is not bad."

"Why didn't you pick something more expensive? It's not like you're paying anyway," Zhou Tao said, rubbing his slicked-back hair with his short, thick fingers. "You have no sense of propriety."

“Zhi Yu made a mistake, and my shield was useless,” Li Dai adjusted his glasses. “I lost both my wife and my army, offended people, and embarrassed that person.”

“Mayor Yin speaks with such finesse, and even that bald-headed secretary, judging from his tone, is no ordinary guy,” Zhou Tao said with a sneer as he walked.

"Zhi Yu showed up on my turf without warning, making a big fuss to take my guest away. He really doesn't take me seriously. I usually give him face, does he think we're afraid of him?"

Zhou Tao runs a catering business. In his youth, he worked as a cook in the army for a few years. He started his business based on his cooking skills and reputation. He has nothing to do with Zhi Yu, so he is not afraid of him or Yin Feng's investigation.

“One’s the good cop, the other’s the bad cop,” Li Dai shook his head.

"He's really tough, really tough, with leather shoes and glasses."

Zhou Tao sighed in his local dialect-mixed Mandarin, then tossed away his cigarette butt, "This new mayor... is as tough as a steel plate."

"I guess."

Bo Bing swallowed the candy and winked at the two of them, "They're probably in there needing to pee right now."

Then the mischievous group burst into laughter.