After being reborn, I refused to be a sucker, and my whole family was dumbfounded.

Chapter 538

"The fire department and the health department have some kind of connection with them. They've withdrawn this time, but they'll find another way next time. We can't guard against it all."

Song Gui narrowed his eyes and revealed a cold smile.

Secretary Liu paused for a moment, then asked, "Mayor Song, what are you planning to do...?"

Song Gui turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Hold a meeting. Call the heads of the fire department, health department, and transportation department. I want to ask them whether they listen to me or Shi Gandang."

A hint of surprise flashed in Secretary Liu's eyes, then he nodded and said, "Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

He turned and left, his steps hurried.

Song Gui stood by the window, gazing at the city outside, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

"Lin Ling, you really know how to cause me trouble. But I owe you a favor for helping my teacher's faction settle things last time. Consider this my way of repaying you."

An hour later, the atmosphere in the city government conference room was so tense it was almost frozen.

The heads of the fire department, health department, and transportation department sat together around a long table, heads bowed, with beads of cold sweat on their foreheads.

Song Gui sat in the main seat, holding a cup of tea in his hand, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone.

The projector in the conference room was lit, displaying news reports about the seizure of Lingyun Group, with glaring headlines.

Song Gui put down his teacup and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table: "Tell me, whose idea was this?"

Old Chen, the head of the fire department, swallowed hard and said in a low voice, "Mayor Song, this... this wasn't something we did on our own initiative. Someone gave us a heads-up, saying that Lingyun Group's fire safety facilities were not up to standard, so we went there."

"Someone?"

Song Gui sneered, his gaze as sharp as a knife falling on Old Chen. "Old Chen, how many years have you been with me? Still playing these tricks on me? Who is this guy? Shi Gandang?"

Old Chen was stunned for a moment, and even more cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

He said in a low voice, "Mayor Song, please don't misunderstand. The Shi family did approach me, but I couldn't refuse. They've sponsored a lot of money for the fire department, and I couldn't turn them down."

Song Gui turned to look at Lao Li, the head of the health department, and asked, "Lao Li, what about you? I heard you got involved too, that Lingyun Group's hygiene standards are not up to par?"

Old Li wiped the sweat from his brow and explained, "Mayor Song, I had no choice. The Shi family sent word that if this matter isn't handled, our department can forget about receiving funding this year. I was... forced into this situation."

Seeing this, Old Wang, the head of the transportation department, quickly whispered, "Mayor Song, we in the transportation department didn't get involved much, we just cooperated a bit. But the Shi family's power is too great, we dare not offend them."

Song Guichen angrily said, "Forced to do so? Afraid to offend? How dare you! Fire protection, sanitation, and transportation are the lifeblood of Nanzhou City, the lifeblood of serving the people. When did they become the private property of the Shi family?"

"It's true that the Shi family are locals, but they're not the kings of Nanzhou! You're all paid by the government, yet you're their lackeys. I think you're all tired of working for them!"

These words struck like a heavy hammer, leaving the three of them pale.

"Chief Song, we know we were wrong."

Song Gui slammed his hand on the table, splashing water from the teacup onto the surface.

He said angrily, "This time you only withdrew because the province gave the order, right? Do you even respect me as the mayor? I don't want to hear any more news about the Shi family being above Nanzhou, do you understand?"

The three nodded in unison, cold sweat trickling down their cheeks.

"Mayor, we understand. We will definitely consult you first if such a thing happens again."

Song Gui snorted coldly and leaned back in his chair: "You all better remember who's the boss of Nanzhou. Meeting adjourned."

The three felt as if they had been granted a pardon and quickly got up and left.

Meanwhile, inside the Shi family's old house, the atmosphere in the study was like the calm before a storm.

Shi Gandang sat in a grand chair, holding a celadon teacup in his hand, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

Shi Qian stood aside and said, "Master, we just received news from the fire department and the health department that their leaders have gone to the municipal government for a meeting. I suspect Song Gui is planning something against us."

Shi Gandang sneered and smashed the teacup in his hand on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

He stood up, his eyes burning with rage: "Who does Song Gui think he is? Mayors come and go, but the Shi family remains the same. Does he dare to oppose my Shi family? And those departments, I've given them so many gifts, and I haven't skimped on their benefits during holidays. It wasn't for nothing!"