Chapter 1772
This call, Lin He could not make.
Once the Lin Family knew about the mess he had made, his position in the family would plummet.
The family’s resources would no longer favor him, and even the business he was in charge of might be handed over to someone else.
"Director Song, I will get the money back!" Lin He made his final struggle.
Song Guanchao threw away his cigarette, stood up, and said, "If you don’t make the call, I’ll have to contact them myself."
He knew very well what kind of consequences Lin He making this call would bring.
But why should he care?
What did it have to do with him?
He didn’t care about Lin He’s fate at all.
"Director Song!" Lin He grabbed him, unusually showing a trace of pleading: "Please give me a chance!"
Lin He was angry and ashamed!
This was the first time he had begged someone, and it was someone much younger than him.
However, Song Guanchao remained indifferent, pointing at his phone: "Don’t waste my time, I’m giving you one last chance. If you don’t call, I’m leaving."
In his heart, Lin He waged a fierce internal battle, unable to make a decision.
Song Guanchao was not one to coddle him; he shook off Lin He’s hand and went to grab the phone.
"I’ll make the call!" Lin He grabbed the phone.
No matter if he made the call or not, the family would know about this matter.
If he made the call himself, there might still be a chance for him to be reused by the family.
But if Song Guanchao contacted the Lin Family, he would most likely be completely abandoned by them.
He dialed a number.
"Uncle, it’s me..."
Lin He used the most steady tone possible to describe the course of events.
His uncle on the other end remained calm, not interrupting him, with even his breathing unchanging.
When Lin He finished speaking, his uncle said: "Give the phone to Director Song."
Song Guanchao took the phone and heard the other side say: "Hello, Director Song, this is Lin Jingsheng."
"Hello, Mr. Lin."
"Director Song, are you free for lunch? Could you do me the honor of having a meal together?"
"Mr. Lin might have also heard from Mr. Lin about the significant matters happening here. I can’t find the time."
"I understand, should I come to the City Government then?"
"Alright."
After agreeing on a time and place, Song Guanchao called Director Ma in: "Take him away."
Lin He, disheartened and lost, was taken away. Director Ma asked, "What about Su Rong?"
"No rush, leave her for a while," Song Guanchao asked, "Did the City Committee call today?"
"No, they probably still don’t know."
"If they contact you, inform me immediately."
"Understood."
...
On his way back to the City Government, Song Guanchao received a call from Leader Hong.
He couldn’t see Leader Hong yet, so he found an excuse to delay.
Back in his office, after waiting for about ten minutes, Lin Jingsheng arrived.
He looked around fifty to sixty years old, with thick, jet-black hair, meticulously groomed, and his face showed no signs of age.
Underneath a tailored khaki coat was a custom-fitted suit.
After exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands, he sat down, and Song Guanchao personally poured him a cup of tea.
Song Guanchao asked, "How much does Mr. Lin know about what Mr. Lin has been doing lately?"
Lin Jingsheng shook his head: "Lin He is in charge of one of the family’s enterprises. He usually manages independently and only reports and exchanges insights at the quarterly internal meetings."
Implicitly, he claimed not to know what Lin He had been up to recently.
Song Guanchao didn’t care if he was telling the truth or not.
What he wanted was precisely Lin Jingsheng’s stance of being "unaware."
Song Guanchao said, "Then may I take some time to explain to Mr. Lin?"
"Please tell me, Director Song."
"The city has recently been dealing with the High-tech Zone chemical park issue..."
He briefly explained the pollution problem, describing how Lin He got involved, and even targeted him several times, going so far as to hire someone to harm him.
"Absurd!" Lin Jingsheng showed great anger: "That Lin He, utterly preposterous!"
After expressing his fury, he stood up and said, "Director Song, on behalf of the Lin Family, I apologize to you!"
With that, he bowed to Song Guanchao.
Song Guanchao accepted his bow and quickly rose to support him: "Mr. Lin, you’re too kind, haha. I initially thought this was the Lin family’s intention. Since it’s Mr. Lin’s individual actions, it has nothing to do with the family. Sit down, let’s talk."
Lin Jingsheng sighed and said, "I never expected such a disgraceful individual to emerge in our family. If I had known about his actions, I would have certainly put a stop to it!"
"Rest assured, Director Song, Lin He will no longer be responsible for any Lin Family affairs. Once Director Song has some free time, please let me have the chance to formally apologize with a banquet!"
His attitude couldn’t be more humble; he’s a shrewd man.
Song Guanchao didn’t believe such a big commotion from Lin He could have gone unnoticed by him.
But matters like this are best kept in one’s mind; they shouldn’t be brought into the open.
Even if both parties are aware, they must tacitly play their roles.
"Alas," Song Guanchao sighed, "Mr. Lin, you might not know, but Mr. Lin He..."
"Just call him Lin He," Lin Jingsheng corrected him.
Song Guanchao nodded and said, "Due to Lin He’s interference, the account of a pollution-linked enterprise was unfrozen, and in just one afternoon, three to four billion in cash vanished."
It was the first time Lin Jingsheng frowned; he understood what Song Guanchao meant.
He wanted to hold the Lin Family accountable for these losses?
Make the Lin Family bear the responsibility?
He knew Lin He and also knew Lin He had instigated enterprises to jointly report grievances, aware that he had set up hiring assassins against Song Guanchao...
But regarding unfrozen enterprise accounts, Lin He hadn’t mentioned it.
Therefore, this matter was definitely not Lin He’s doing.
But the incident did happen.
And it happened at such a sensitive juncture.
By pinning this on Lin He, no one could find fault with it.
Lin Jingsheng understood he must show a stance.
Three to four billion in cash is also a substantial sum for the Lin Family.
But compared to the imperial envoy crisis... it’s a tolerable loss.
However, he couldn’t just swallow this ambiguous debt outright.
"Director Song, may I have a word with Lin He?"
"This..." Song Guanchao hesitated for a few seconds, "Let me ask."
He called Director Ma, pretending to inquire a few questions, then said, "Mr. Lin, you can go to the City Bureau and find Director Ma; he’ll make the arrangements."
"Thank you." Lin Jingsheng stood up: "Director Song, I will provide you with a satisfactory answer regarding this matter. As for the arson, I hope Director Song conducts a thorough investigation."
"Rest assured, Mr. Lin, with a case this significant, the police will be very prudent and will not rush the conclusion. However, I’m afraid it can’t be suppressed for long. At the latest, the city committee leaders will know by tonight. Oh, by the way, Central Disciplinary Committee officials are still in Jiangzhou. The news might reach them."
Song Guanchao’s friendly reminder made Lin Jingsheng twitch once more.
"I understand."
Lin Jingsheng presented a polite smile and turned to leave.
Song Guanchao glanced at the time; it was already noon.
He went upstairs and told Shu Xue, who was about to get lunch, "Get an extra serving."
Shu Xue glanced at the office, gave a simple acknowledgment, and went to the canteen.