Rong Shaobai had arrived at the scene. Jiang Xiaochuan, who had been speaking with the old man on the rooftop, noticed his arrival. Frowning slightly, Jiang Xiaochuan continued reassuring the old man, “Please don’t be anxious. I’ll have someone locate Xue Yan for you.”

He subtly signaled the negotiator to keep the situation under control while he turned to address the matter with Rong Shaobai. The implications of a public security incident involving an underworld figure, particularly one related to a journalist, were extremely severe.

Rong Shaobai, dressed in a light gray-green shirt with two of the middle buttons loosely fastened, glanced dispassionately at the unfolding situation. He was holding a slender mobile phone, evidently discussing the situation on the phone.

Such events were seemingly routine for him, and the frequency of their occurrence was no surprise. He recognized the seriousness behind Jiang Xiaochuan’s demeanor despite the casual attire.

As Jiang Xiaochuan approached him, Rong Shaobai’s interest was piqued, but he refrained from making hasty judgments. He exchanged a brief greeting, “Mayor Jiang.”

“President Rong.” Jiang Xiaochuan’s words were succinct. He glanced back at the ongoing situation with the elderly man and saw Lu Xiu and his team were already in the process of contacting the TV station, which reassured him.

“President Rong, we need to address this matter,” Jiang Xiaochuan said.

Rong Shaobai turned his gaze from the security chief to Jiang Xiaochuan, sensing an unusual tone in the mayor’s voice. He considered laughing but understood that it wasn’t an appropriate time for a joke. Nevertheless, he maintained a composed expression as he responded, “Certainly, let’s discuss it.”

Jiang Xiaochuan followed Rong Shaobai to a spot near the staircase corner but didn’t proceed further. He positioned himself so that he could maintain a view of the rooftop situation at a glance. With a stern expression, he continued, “President Rong, if you cannot provide a clear explanation for this incident…”

The details of the matter had been relayed to Rong Shaobai by the club’s manager. He was well aware of the ins and outs of the situation. Certain actions might be considered routine within their club, but to outsiders, they appeared shocking.

Rong Shaobai didn’t appear fazed by Jiang Xiaochuan’s stern tone. He understood that any new mayor would be irate when confronted with such a problem upon taking office, particularly one involving Rong Family’s Club. Although the previous administration had bestowed the “model enterprise” designation upon the club, everyone knew the nature of the establishment. Now that a situation like this had arisen, Jiang Xiaochuan’s reaction was entirely understandable.

“This incident isn’t the club’s fault. We are simply following our usual protocols. In fact, Mayor Jiang, you’re well aware of the club’s operations. Often, we dare not explain everything explicitly.” Rong Shaobai responded directly. He wore a silver ring on his index finger, appearing quite nonchalant as he held his phone.

Jiang Xiaochuan directed his focus toward Rong Shaobai, but his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Xue Yan. He had finally identified the underlying issue. Turning his attention back to Rong Shaobai, he asked, “If the government doesn’t step in and I request you to handle this matter, how would you handle it?”

Rong Shaobai found Jiang Xiaochuan’s question somewhat perplexing. He noticed the depth in Jiang Xiaochuan’s eyes and sensed that he might have chosen the wrong partner. Rong Shaobai offered a straightforward answer, “We have our methods, which would involve silencing the old man outside permanently. It’s a simple and crude approach.”

Jiang Xiaochuan couldn’t help but laugh at Rong Shaobai’s response. He extended a hand to pat Rong Shaobai on the shoulder.

Rong Shaobai was taken aback by the physical contact. He wasn’t comfortable with it, as it triggered a sense of danger associated with his past life in organized crime. However, he acknowledged that Jiang Xiaochuan was the deputy mayor, not an adversary from the underworld.

Suppressing the strange feeling, he inquired, “Mayor Jiang, why are you laughing? Our approach is indeed simple and crude, just as you asked.”

Jiang Xiaochuan withdrew his hand and chuckled, saying, “Fortunately, I met him.”

The heart of the matter rested with Xue Yan, a man who, in Jiang Xiaochuan’s previous life, gathered evidence of corruption, collusion with the underworld, illegal dealings with military personnel, and more. This event had unknowingly set everything into motion.

If this situation played out as it had in his previous life, Rong Shaobai’s final actions would indeed be simple and crude. The old man’s son would end up dead, and Xue Yan, a journalist at the TV station, might face threats. In the past, Xue Yan had no outlet for his grievances and was likely harboring resentment against corrupt officials and collusion, making Jiang Xiaochuan’s eventual dismissal inevitable.

Jiang Xiaochuan redirected his thoughts, turning to Rong Shaobai. He firmly stated, “We must handle this matter properly. As a model enterprise, I trust you won’t make any errors. I recommend that a new forensic examination be conducted. President Rong, I believe you understand my meaning.”

Rong Shaobai realized that he had underestimated Jiang Xiaochuan. He understood the gravity of the situation. Mishandling it would damage not only Jiang Xiaochuan’s reputation but also invite scrutiny of Rong Family’s Club. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded and offered a reassuring smile, saying, “Mayor Jiang, rest assured, I will handle this matter appropriately.”

This gesture conveyed goodwill to Jiang Xiaochuan.

Suppressing his lingering annoyance, Jiang Xiaochuan nodded and turned to make his way back to the rooftop.

At that moment, a man with a camera hurried in from the stair corridor. He had kept the lens cap on but was determined to film. It was the same young man he had seen in the flower bed with the elderly man. It was Xue Yan.

Jiang Xiaochuan approached and asked, “Are you Xue Yan?”

Xue Yan had recognized Mayor Jiang Xiaochuan, and his initial nervousness began to subside. He was only an intern reporter and had minimal experience interviewing prominent figures, but he spoke confidently and calmly.

“I am Xue Yan. Is Uncle Qiu up there?” He was straightforward and keenly aware of the urgency of the situation.

Jiang Xiaochuan guided Xue Yan up the stairs, leading him toward the rooftop. Xue Yan was surprised by Jiang Xiaochuan’s approachability and replied, “I was already here. I was covering the news, but I didn’t expect it would involve Uncle Qiu.”

As they reached the rooftop, Xue Yan’s expression darkened. He gazed back at Jiang Xiaochuan and inquired, “Are you a good official?”

Jiang Xiaochuan was jolted by Xue Yan’s question, and an explosion seemed to occur in his mind. The face of Xue Yan before him transformed into the faces of others he had seen before his death, a blend of Zhang Qing, Lian Cheng, and the plea from that last memory.

“Are you a good official?”

Just before he confessed about Yue Qingci, he had asked someone the same question. He recalled that the young man from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had responded vehemently – “Of course!”

Jiang Xiaochuan stumbled, his face paling, his gaze unfocused. He felt a wave of dizziness and took a step back, only to be caught by someone.

Rong Shaobai was there to steady him, his eyes fixed on Xue Yan, a sudden intensity in his gaze.

Xue Yan, a seemingly ordinary young man with a somewhat rigid and dogmatic appearance, walked past Jiang Xiaochuan. He glanced at the pale deputy mayor, then at Rong Shaobai, and headed toward Uncle Qiu on the rooftop.

Before Rong Shaobai could comprehend the situation, he realized Jiang Xiaochuan was pushing his hand away.

Jiang Xiaochuan gritted his teeth, using his own strength to regain composure, and followed Xue Yan with unwavering determination.

He couldn’t answer the question honestly – he was not a good official. Not yet.

Rong Shaobai whispered, “Is it so crucial to be a good official?”

Jiang Xiaochuan rubbed his forehead, fighting to regain his calm. After being reborn, he was still adjusting to this new life, often affected by remnants of his previous one.

Why did Xue Yan ask this question?

Could he have discovered something with his journalistic instinct?

Jiang Xiaochuan understood that he was not unjustly labeled a corrupt official. He had indeed deserved his fate. It was ironic to encounter the person responsible for his downfall in this reborn life, simply upon hearing Xue Yan’s name.

Yet, with Xue Yan’s words, did Rong Shaobai also view him as a good official?

Jiang Xiaochuan turned to Rong Shaobai, who wore a nonchalant expression. He contemplated this matter silently, and a slight smile graced his lips.

Being a good official was not necessarily the most important thing; what truly mattered was not betraying one’s own conscience.

With newfound courage and clarity, Jiang Xiaochuan realized that there was nothing to fear.