The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"I can tell that Comrade Sun Jinan seems to have some opinions about you."

Chen Fang said.

Mei Yiru was taken aback.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief.

After a pause, she nodded and said, "Actually, it's not really an opinion. You could say I stole most of her spotlight..."

The two of them joined the Disciplinary Committee at the same time.

Before they came, apart from one woman the age of Aunt Gao Yue, the Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Committee was almost entirely composed of men.

Mei Yiru was beautiful and had a good figure, plus she had a County Party Secretary husband backing her up.

Naturally, she garnered the attention of most men.

As for Sun Jinan, well, she didn't have such outstanding physical attributes, and she got to this position through her dad's connections. Usually used to being treated like a princess, she felt overshadowed by Mei Yiru.

Therefore, she had an innate hostility towards Mei Yiru.

"Ever since my ex-husband was arrested, many male colleagues have been looking at me strangely. Sun Jinan secretly calls me a vixen, saying I spend my days seducing colleagues. She even claims I got my position through my looks and body, saying I have no skills beyond that..."

As she spoke.

Mei Yiru became somewhat melancholic.

Chen Fang asked, "Ex-husband? You... you divorced?"

Mei Yiru nodded.

"Actually, we divorced a long time ago. Ever since Chai Xijiang became the County Party Secretary, he changed completely, keeping many women outside. We were only married in name since then. I brought up divorce to him, but he refused at the time because he had just taken office and his position wasn't stable. We divorced less than six months after he became County Party Secretary, but I never mentioned it to anyone..."

Chen Fang understood.

No wonder the higher Disciplinary Committee couldn't find any evidence against Mei Yiru.

It turned out.

She had long been unrelated to Chai Xijiang.

"When they insult you like that, why don't you explain?"

Chen Fang asked.

Mei Yiru smiled faintly and said, "There have been so many rumors that I've gotten used to them. Besides, some things just get worse when you try to explain. Can my explanations really change anything?"

That's actually true.

In the system, there are indeed many matters you can't explain away even if you jumped into the Yellow River.

Mei Yiru sighed.

She said, "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. Ah Fang, tell me about your next plans, and let me see how I can help you?"

"The reason Li Xizhong can contend with Xu Fengyuan and confront me head-on now is mainly due to having Huang Qichang and Lu Yun's support. So, to break them apart, we just need to leverage their relationships."

Chen Fang said.

"Breaking them apart sounds easy. I can't speak for Huang Qichang, but just Lu Yun makes it impossible. Even though he's now on par with Li Xizhong, everyone at work knows he's just playing Li Xizhong's little follower. You can't break them up."

Mei Yiru said firmly.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "There are no ironclad relationships in the officialdom. All alliances and cooperations are built on interests. So, to break them up, you just need to offer enough sincerity."

"Are you saying you want to buy off Huang Qichang and Lu Yun?"

Mei Yiru asked.

Chen Fang shook his head and asked, "Have you heard of the story of 'two peaches killing three warriors'?"

Mei Yiru nodded and said, "I've heard of it, but what does it have to do with your plan?"

Chen Fang was full of confidence.

He said, "Just wait and see. Tomorrow morning, the two of them will come to work..."

The story of 'two peaches killing three warriors' happened during the Spring and Autumn Period in the Qi State.

Qi Jinggong had three famed warriors known for their valor: Gongsun Jie, Tian Kaijiang, and Gu Yezi. With their skills overshadowing their lord and disregarding the law, they became a potential threat to the state.

At this time, the chancellor of Qi State, Yan Zi, devised a brilliant plan.

Yan Zi suggested to Qi Jinggong to reward the three warriors with two precious peaches, letting them distribute based on their contributions. This seemingly simple proposal held deep implications.

Gongsun Jie took the lead. He considered himself immensely powerful, having slain wild boars and little tigers, boasting great merits; hence, he was the first to take a peach.

Tian Kaijiang followed closely, considering himself unmatched due to his enemy-annihilating feats and also took a peach.

When it was Gu Yezi's turn, though slow to act, his words were sharp. He recounted his achievements of escorting the monarch across the Yellow River, slaying a colossal turtle, and rescuing the monarch's chariot in a crisis. He believed his merits were unmatched and deserved a peach, but with none left, he angrily drew his sword.

Faced with Gu Yezi's accusation, Gongsun Jie and Tian Kaijiang felt deeply ashamed, realizing their merits indeed paled compared to Gu Yezi's, yet they had snatched the peaches first—an unjust act.

Thus, both laid down their peaches and committed suicide to apologize to the world.

Seeing this, Gu Yezi was filled with anguish and struggle.

He was moved by the two colleagues' brave acts yet ashamed of his own words and deeds. He believed if he didn't die, it would be a betrayal to his comrades.

In the end, he too committed suicide to uphold righteousness.

Of course, Chen Fang didn't expect these people to be so courageous and self-sacrificing, but getting them to turn against each other was doable.

Leaving the café.

It was already past ten in the evening.

It wasn't because of the time but because the café was closing.

The two returned to the roadside.

Just as they were about to part ways and say goodbye.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked across the night sky.

The rain poured down torrentially.

Neither had prepared, quickly running under an ATM at a bank, soaked to the bone.

Chen Fang wasn't too bad.

Wet was wet.

But Mei Yiru wasn't so fortunate.

Her newly bought clothes, just a shirt.

After being drenched, the fabric became semi-transparent, clinging entirely to her body.

Chen Fang could even clearly see the black underwear she wore inside.

Even more problematic was the wet fabric outlining two distinct shapes.

The full curves left nowhere to hide, making it awkward for Chen Fang to look her in the eye.

The rainstorm came too suddenly.

For a while, not even a taxi could be hailed.

Initially thinking the rain would stop after a while.

Unexpectedly, it took twenty minutes, and the rain continued without signs of stopping.

"Ah Fang, where do you live?"

Realizing the situation wasn't looking good.

Mei Yiru asked Chen Fang.

"Upper City."

"That far, it takes half an hour by car?"

Mei Yiru exclaimed.

Chen Fang nodded, showing a face of helplessness.

Mei Yiru pondered for a moment.

Said, "Looking at this rain, it might not stop anytime soon, and with everyone taking taxis on rainy days, this area is remote; who knows when we'll get a ride. I live not far from here, so why not... stay at my place for the night?"