Chapter 334: Rumors Are Spreading

Chapter 334: Rumors Run Wild

After Fu Dajun and his family returned to the city to complain to their son Fu Tinghua, the town mayor surprisingly didn’t send anyone or come himself to plead with or threaten them in the following days.

Fu Dajun wondered: Is he plotting some big move? Otherwise, why the sudden silence?

Two days passed like this before the village chief came to the Fu household. His conversation with Fu Dajun beat around the bush, but his tone was obviously sucking up.

“Come on, Chief, if you’ve got something to say, just say it outright.”

Fu Dajun thought to himself: So the mayor hadn’t shown up to stir trouble these past two days because he was waiting for this?

“Oh, what could I possibly want? I just suddenly missed you and came to visit, that’s all,” the village chief said with a beaming smile.

That made Fu Dajun's skin crawl.

“Chief, speak properly. What’s with all this lovey-dovey talk between two grown men? It’s just weird.” Fu Dajun shuddered, his expression one of total awkwardness.

“Haha, what are you talking about, Dajun? It’s just—hey, by the way, when is Tinghua coming back?” Unexpectedly, the village chief abruptly changed the subject.

“Why are you looking for Tinghua? Trying to get him to pull strings for someone’s medical appointment again?” Fu Dajun retorted irritably.

He had already made up his mind: when it came to matters concerning his youngest son, he wouldn’t back down.

“Oh, listen to you, Dajun! Tinghua is our village's golden boy, with serious talent. Ah! At the time, I really didn’t expect things to turn out like that. Even now, I regret it deeply, truly! From here on out, no one in our village will interfere with Tinghua’s career—you have my word!” The village chief vowed solemnly.

Fu Dajun eyed him suspiciously, finding his behavior increasingly bizarre today.

“Are you serious?” Fu Dajun asked skeptically.

“Absolutely, as true as can be! But Dajun, you know I’m just a village chief. When the mayor came to me with a request back then, how was I supposed to say no? Thankfully, nothing bad happened to Tinghua, or else I… I’d have become a criminal, wouldn’t I?”

The village chief let out a heavy sigh. In situations like that, when the person asking the favor was his highest superior, refusal wasn’t an option.

“And now you can refuse?” Fu Dajun asked coolly.

“Of course I can now! Nothing is more important than our Tinghua, right?” The village chief put on another suck-up smile.

“But I still think you’re acting strange,” Fu Dajun grumbled to himself.

The village chief cleared his throat nervously before saying, “I heard the mayor has been dismissed.”

Fu Dajun: “...”

“You’re serious?” Fu Dajun frowned.

“100% serious. Why would I lie? This morning, I ran into an acquaintance in town who told me.” The village chief lowered his voice.

“That’s unbelievable. It’s not because of our Tinghua, is it?” Fu Dajun doubted his son had the power to just get someone fired like that.

“It’s true, absolutely true. And it seems the higher-ups have already appointed someone new as the mayor of Xinxu Town.”

Thankfully, his relationship with the Fu family hadn’t been affected by this incident—otherwise—

The village chief felt his position would’ve been on the line.

“Dajun, rest assured. From now on, I won’t let anyone in the village trouble Tinghua,” the village chief emphasized again.

“Yeah, whatever. But honestly, his work is mostly done through the hospital's booking system now. Asking him for favors would just put him on the spot, wouldn’t it?”

"That’s right, that’s right."

As for the matters in Xinxu Town, Fu Tinghua had no clue.

He was biding his time, ready to report the town head if he crossed the line.

As an official, using his position for personal favors and interfering with cases was enough grounds for Fu Tinghua to take legal action.

But little did he know, his conversation with Fu Dajun was overheard by the two plainclothes cops tailing Fu Tinghua.

The mayor had already ordered them to report any incidents to him.

The two felt the Xinxu Town head was shady too, especially since the incident originated from his family, so they reported it to the mayor.

No surprise how it ended—the town head was suspended for investigation.

These days, what official isn’t dirty to some degree? It all depends on whether someone’s gunning for them.

And coincidentally, the town head of Xinxu Town had offended the mayor of Wencheng City, so naturally, his days as town head were numbered.

Though Fu Tinghua had been followed for days, it didn’t cramp his style one bit.

The recent hospital incident left a bit of a stain on both the hospital’s and Fu Tinghua’s reputation.

Some claimed Fu Tinghua’s medical skills didn’t live up to the newspaper hype, saying the patient and their family had come with high hopes only to be told he couldn’t be cured.

Blinded by grief, the family snapped.

It seemed someone was deliberately manipulating the narrative lately, trying to ruin Fu Tinghua’s reputation.

People in the know saw right through the BS, but gullible folks who bought into the gossip ran with the story.

Despite the recent character assassination, Fu Tinghua’s schedule stayed backed up for months.

The hospital director, afraid Fu Tinghua might take it to heart, came to offer reassurance.

"Xiao Fu, I’m afraid you’ll have to ride this out for now. The escalating rumors only confirm someone is targeting our nation’s top talents. They tipped their hand pretty quick," the director sighed.

Fu Tinghua likely became a target after the newspaper article, especially after saving agricultural expert Huang Chaoming.

The mayor had foresight—unusual events often hint at hidden schemes, and someone was indeed calling the shots from the shadows.

With Fu Tinghua and Huang Chaoming now under protection, the attackers switched to mudslinging.

The mayor also demanded strict interrogation of the Xinxu Town head to see if he was involved.

If he was, he might as well be a turncoat.

"Director, I don’t pay much attention to the rumors," Fu Tinghua replied calmly.

The director realized Fu Tinghua seemed unaffected, sticking to his routine as usual.

Those around him knew his capabilities, so no one dared gossip in his presence.

The whole controversy probably flew right over his head.