Chapter 85

The only person Su Mu could call "Uncle Xu" was Xu Zhengcheng. However, unlike their usual casual banter, when Su Mu answered the call, Xu Zhengcheng covered the phone and whispered, "Su Mu, is it convenient to talk?"

"Uncle Xu, wait a moment!" Su Mu said, nodding to the two people and walking out of the private room to a secluded corner in the corridor. "Uncle Xu, it's fine now."

"Su Mu, where are you now?" Xu Zhengcheng asked softly.

"I'm in Shengjing," Su Mu replied.

"Put aside your work and get back to Xingtang as soon as possible. Something big has happened here!" Xu Zhengcheng's voice was somewhat anxious.

"Something big? What kind of big thing?" Su Mu asked urgently.

"It's hard to explain over the phone. You should come back as soon as possible! I have something to do, so I'll hang up now." Xu Zhengcheng said and hung up.

Su Mu held his phone, frowning deeply. Instead of rushing back to the private room, he lit a cigarette and smoked it slowly. As the smoke rose, a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

For Xu Zhengcheng to be so anxious, it must be something serious. And since no one else had called, this matter must be very strange. Could it be related to Li Ya?

Thinking of the gray number representing Li Ya's political life on the official ranking, Su Mu's mind raced, and the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. With no hesitation, he threw the cigarette to the ground, stomped on it, and turned to walk back to the private room.

"Brother He, I'm really sorry. I was going to drink with you until we were both drunk, but now I have an urgent matter and need to go back to the county. When Brother He leads the inspection team, we can have a good drink then," Su Mu said.

"No problem, if you have something to do, go ahead," He Sheng said, smiling and standing up.

"Then I'll leave first," Su Mu said.

"Teacher, you've been drinking, so you can't drive. Do you want me to take you back?" Du Pinshang said hurriedly.

"Have I been drinking, and haven't you been drinking too? Forget it, just arrange for someone to drive me back," Su Mu said without being too formal, as the matter was urgent.

"Alright, leave it to me!" Du Pinshang said, standing up to make the arrangements.

Su Mu walked out of the Di Hao Club, and while waiting for the car, he called a few people, telling them he had to leave Shengjing. Among them were Ye Xi, Li Letian, and Zheng Mu.

Although these three were somewhat reluctant, they knew Su Mu must have something important, as he wouldn't skip the opening of the Chunjiao Auction House the next day otherwise.

"Teacher, am I disturbing you?" Su Mu asked respectfully.

"You little guy, what's up?" Wu Qingsource asked with a smile.

"Teacher, I have an urgent matter and need to go back. I won't be able to make it this time. When I come next time, I'll visit you," Su Mu said.

"If you have something to do, go ahead. Don't worry, I'll get the research team ready for you soon. When it's ready, I'll come to find you," Wu Qingsource said without much ado.

"Thank you, Teacher," Su Mu said a few more words before hanging up and immediately calling Mei Zheng. After connecting, Mei Zheng didn't say much and simply said, "When you come next time, remember to bring me two Chinese sturgeons and some bamboo shoot tea."

"Understood, Master!" Su Mu replied with a smile.

After Su Mu had made all the necessary calls, the car arrived. Du Pinshang stood beside it, smiling. "Teacher, this is my father's driver, Uncle Quan. He's a great driver. He'll take you back and then return directly."

"Alright!"

Because the situation was serious, Su Mu didn't hesitate and got into the car, saying goodbye to Du Pinshang before leaving. He Sheng stood on the steps, watching the car drive away, and then turned to leave with a smile.

"Du Shao, shall we go in and have another drink?"

"Next time, I have a class in the afternoon. If I don't go, my teacher will be very angry," Du Pinshang said, smiling and declining.

For a businessman like He Sheng, it was already a great honor for Du Pinshang to chat with him. If not for the fact that He Sheng had accompanied Su Mu to dinner today, Du Pinshang wouldn't even have greeted him. As the young master of the Giant Group, Du Pinshang had to maintain his dignity.

"Alright, next time then!" He Sheng said, smiling and leaving without any anger.

Su Mu sat in the car, his eyes slightly closed, looking calm on the outside, but his mind was already racing. He played with his phone, but didn't make any calls.

Ding ling ling!

After the car had left Shengjing, the phone rang quietly. When he answered, Xu Yan's excited voice echoed in his ear.

"Leader, where are you now?"

"I'm on the highway out of Shengjing," Su Mu said.

"Good, hurry back, there's a show to see," Xu Yan said excitedly.

"What exactly happened?" Su Mu asked in a serious tone.

"Li Ya and Xue Feng have been placed under double regulation!" Xu Yan said in a low voice.

This calm statement hit Su Mu like a thunderclap. The official ranking had predicted it accurately! Li Ya had indeed been placed under double regulation! And Xue Feng too? What's going on? If both of them are in trouble, what will Xie Wen do? These two are his absolute confidants...

Numerous thoughts flooded Su Mu's mind, each one intertwining with the others. From Xie Wen, Su Mu's thoughts turned to Zhao Rui'an. Up to now, the county magistrate hadn't called him at all. What does this mean? Even if he couldn't explain in detail, he could have at least had Lin Shuang give him a heads-up, right?

This isn't a small matter; it's a major political earthquake in Xingtang County! A county party committee member and a public security bureau chief, either one is a high-ranking official.

Does Zhao Rui'an really consider me one of his confidants? Or am I just a stepping stone for him? After he connected with Li Xinghua, did he abandon me?

Zhao Rui'an, Zhao Rui'an, I gave you a chance, but you pushed me away. If you do this again, don't blame me for really parting ways with you.

However, the final result was truly disheartening. Even when the car entered Xingtang County, Zhao Rui'an hadn't called.

"Uncle Quan, it's late. Why don't you stay overnight and go back tomorrow?" Su Mu asked.

"Don't worry about me, I have a way to get back," Uncle Quan said stubbornly.

"Alright! Be careful on the road. When I go back to Shengjing, I'll definitely have a good drink with Uncle Quan," Su Mu said.

"Alright!"

After watching Uncle Quan leave, Su Mu called Xu Yan in the darkness. "I'm back. What's going on? Uncle Xu?"

"I'm with my father. Where are you? We'll come to find you!" Xu Yan said.

"Don't come, I'll go to the place you tell me," Su Mu said.

"South City Liangye Teahouse."

"Right away!"

After hanging up, Su Mu took a taxi. Xingtang County wasn't very big, and he arrived quickly. Xu Yan was already waiting outside and hurriedly approached when he saw Su Mu.

"Leader, you're finally back."

"Let's go inside and talk," Su Mu said. When they entered the teahouse and saw Xu Zhengcheng, who looked somewhat agitated, Su Mu smiled and said, "Uncle Xu, what's going on? So excited?"

"You little guy, you're making fun of me now. Come, sit down and talk. You must be hungry from rushing back, right? I've already ordered some food, let's eat while we talk!" Xu Zhengcheng said with a smile.

"Alright!"

Su Mu was indeed hungry and didn't refuse, picking up the rice bowl and starting to eat. Xu Zhengcheng lit a cigarette and, looking at Su Mu's calm face, organized his thoughts and began to speak.