"That's right, don't you know whose daughter I am!" Zhao Lihua said proudly.
"You! Haha... Li Yang, you'd better be more tolerant of me. I've spoiled you rotten!" Zhao Yunlong said kindly.
“Uncle, what are you saying? Lihua is very sensible,” Li Yang said immediately.
"Yeah, Dad, you're making me sound like a three-year-old!" Zhao Lihua said, displeased.
"Okay, okay...you've grown up." Zhao Yunlong immediately apologized.
"This is all thanks to your excellent teaching, Uncle!" Li Yang flattered.
Zhao Yunlong laughed heartily, his mood even better, but suddenly his smile faded as he asked, "Li Yang, what do you think about your family's recent demolition and relocation?"
"Has Uncle received some news?" Li Yang asked seriously. If Zhao Yunlong hadn't received some information, he wouldn't have summoned him so solemnly.
"Yes. The municipal party committee is exerting a lot of effort. They bypassed the public security system and mobilized the municipal riot police to help Hongtu Group with the demolition!" Zhao Yunlong said with a displeased expression.
"Isn't the riot police also under your uncle's command?" Li Yang asked in surprise.
"No. Even within my political and legal system, there are numerous factions, and they overlap. My control over the public security system is absolute, but although the leader of the riot police is currently my direct subordinate, he was promoted by the municipal party committee! He always outwardly obeys but inwardly defies my words," Zhao Yunlong said, slightly annoyed.
Chapter 620: I Want Milk Tea
"Who is that person?" Li Yang asked, frowning.
“His name is Yang Xuanhe, the captain of the riot police brigade. Secretary Cai promoted him and values him highly, mentioning him in meetings many times and assigning him many tasks. This time, in order to ensure that Hongtu Group can complete the demolition task smoothly, he directly gave orders to Yang Xuanhe, preventing us in the political and legal system from getting involved,” Zhao Yunlong said helplessly.
"Is Mayor Ye just going to let him do this? Does he really disregard the interests of the people?" Li Yang said with dissatisfaction.
“Secretary Cai is very insistent this time, and his attitude is tough. Mayor Ye can't easily refute him. Half of the Standing Committee members are from the Municipal Party Committee, so even if Mayor Ye refutes him, it will be useless. After all, he can't control the Standing Committee yet. Although he can rival Secretary Cai, if Secretary Cai takes a tough stance and uses some means, his votes could easily exceed half. Mayor Ye doesn't want to anger Secretary Cai and fall out with him. That wouldn't do anything good. We can only leave it at that for now!” Zhao Yunlong analyzed the situation in the city for Li Yang.
Generally, when the municipal party secretary and mayor decide on a matter, they hold a small meeting before bringing it up for discussion at the standing committee. Once the thirteen standing committee members have made a decision, neither the municipal party secretary Cai Lan nor the mayor Ye Qing has the authority to change it.
This demonstrates the importance of the Standing Committee. Therefore, if the two top leaders want to secure their positions as the top leaders, they must win over at least seven of the thirteen Standing Committee members. Only in this way can they achieve a majority and ensure that their words are carried out when voting.
The current situation is that Mayor Ye controls five members of the Standing Committee, while Secretary Cai controls almost six, with the remaining two being intermediate, wavering members.
Therefore, this introduces a lot of uncertainty for the Standing Committee. The former Secretary Cai once held a powerful position, controlling all eight members of the Standing Committee. At that time, Ye Qing was practically a figurehead, completely at the mercy of others.
Now that his strength has greatly increased, Zhao Yunlong's valiant entry into the Standing Committee is a testament to this. His ability to control five members of the Standing Committee fully demonstrates his power.
Cai Lan also developed a sense of crisis, which led to situations like Li Yang causing trouble at the Silk Rhyme Pavilion, and Cai Qingni swallowing her anger. This is because Cai Lan felt threatened in his position, and therefore dared not allow his son to leave any leverage for Ye Qing, thus preventing Ye Qing from launching an attack, damaging his prestige, and further strengthening his power within the Standing Committee.
"What instructions does Secretary Ye have?" Li Yang asked, his eyes flashing. If Ye Qing didn't give any instructions, even if Zhao Yunlong came to him, he would only offer some pointers and wouldn't discuss matters concerning the city.
Zhao Yunlong nodded slightly, his eyes shining with admiration, and said, "Not bad, you really are a talent. Mayor Ye did give instructions; his identity is very sensitive, and it's not appropriate for him to show himself directly. And I'm also not suitable to show myself. Therefore, you are the most suitable person to stop their despicable behavior."
You're neither a government official nor a member of the municipal party committee, and your home happens to be in Baihe, an area slated for demolition. Therefore, it's perfectly reasonable for you to lead the resistance against those dissatisfied with their compensation offers. Moreover, you have the power and ability to fight them.
"What do I need to do?" Li Yang asked, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"You just need to legally stop them from demolishing the house. You know what a holdout is!" Zhao Yunlong said with a cryptic smile.
"I understand. As long as I stall them, they will panic and create problems and loopholes. Then the situation will be different. Those who have already benefited will see that they not only won't get any benefits, but will also get into trouble. They will definitely make new choices. At that time, when Mayor Ye comes out and calls for action, everyone will push him down. Even if Secretary Cai is unwilling, he will have to make a tough decision and abandon Hongtu Group to protect himself!" Li Yang analyzed with bright eyes.
"You're a promising young man! Mayor Ye was right about you. You are indeed the most suitable candidate!" Zhao Yuanlong was increasingly satisfied.
"That's right, look who's taken a liking to her!" Zhao Lihua said proudly.
"Hahaha... My daughter has good taste! You two chat, I have something to do and need to go out for a bit!" Zhao Yunlong laughed heartily as he stood up and walked out of the study.
A moment later, the security door slammed shut, and Zhao Yunlong really left. Only Li Yang and Zhao Lihua remained in the study; the atmosphere instantly became ambiguous as the two were alone together.
"Is your Kung Fu tea ready?" Li Yang asked with a smile as he sat down.
"What's the rush! It'll be ready soon!" Zhao Lihua's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes were like water, and her movements while making tea suddenly seemed a little flustered.
“But I don’t want to drink Kung Fu tea anymore!” Li Yang said again.
"Ah? What kind of tea would you like to drink?" Zhao Lihua stopped what she was doing and asked in surprise. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled.
"I want to drink milk tea!" Li Yang said with a mischievous grin.
"Huh? I don't have milk tea at home. I don't drink that stuff often. It's okay at school, but I don't have any at home!" Zhao Lihua said helplessly.
“I said you have it, so you have it!” Li Yang squinted, staring at Zhao Lihua’s ample bosom with a lewd grin.
Zhao Lihua finally noticed Li Yang's lewd gaze as he ate the fruit, and immediately understood what Li Yang meant by "milk tea." She was embarrassed and blushed deeply.
"You damned Li Yang, go to hell!" Zhao Lihua swung the teapot lid at Li Yang, aiming straight for his chest.
Li Yang caught it skillfully and played with it casually in his hand, chuckling, "What did I say? Why are you so angry?"
"You shameless bastard and scoundrel!" Without the teapot lid, she couldn't brew tea. She dropped what she was holding and lunged at Li Yang.
"Hahaha... What do you want to do? Murder your husband?" Li Yang laughed as he parried her attacks. Although she had learned Wing Chun from Chu Hong for a while, her skills were nothing compared to Li Yang's, and she was powerless to fight back.
But Li Yang wasn't the kind of man who was oblivious to romance or lacked common sense. So, instead of subduing Zhao Lihua in one move, he continued to playfully tease and entangle her. During this time, he didn't forget to secretly take advantage of her—how delightful!
"You stinky Li Yang! You wicked Li Yang!" Zhao Lihua kept moving her hands and feet while denouncing Li Yang.
"Do you know how many teacups go with one teapot?" Li Yang grabbed her hands, gave her a slight jerk, and made her fall onto his lap. He rested his chin on her shoulder, blew a warm breath into her ear, and said ambiguously.
"Let's get several!" Zhao Lihua trembled, her ears turning red and hot, and said weakly.
"Do you know what the teapot and teacup represent?" Li Yang asked with a sinister look in his eyes.
Chapter 621: Zhao Lihua Takes the Initiative