The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Chen Fang paused once again.

Before coming to Shangqing City, Chen Fang had already heard about the 626 case.

In Longxing City, Cen Qingmin provided Chen Fang with a detailed account of the 626 case.

This case lodged like a thorn in his heart, and coupled with Cen Qingmin's instructions, Chen Fang never forgot it for a moment.

He originally planned to solve the 626 case while the Supreme Disciplinary Committee's inspection team was still in Shangqing City. Unexpectedly, after Gu Mengsheng got her "revenge," Shangguan Shoudong quickly withdrew the inspection team, clearly not wanting to wade into the muddy waters of Jiuhai Province for the time being.

As he pondered where to start the investigation of this case,

Li Xuan arrived.

And the lead she provided,

was not mentioned in the previously opened files of the 626 case.

Qiu Feihong was the second victim in the 626 case.

Her body was found in an ordinary hotel in Shanghu District.

When discovered, she was completely naked, presented before the investigators in an SM pose.

Judging from the wax drips on her body and the various sex toys around her, Qiu Feihong was engaged in a "wild game" with someone at the time.

The cause of her death was an overdose of stimulants.

The first victim in the 626 case was named Yang Mu, a police officer at the Zuojiacai Police Station in Shanghu District, Shangqing City.

When the body was found, it was also completely naked; however, due to the length of time since death, the body had already decomposed. According to the forensic examination, Yang Mu's time of death was June 22.

While Qiu Feihong's time of death was June 23.

Two female police officers were murdered one day apart; such a case was enough to cause a sensational uproar anywhere.

If the police hadn't forcibly controlled the spread of the news, who knows how many versions of the case would have circulated among the public.

A week later, the City Disciplinary Committee received an anonymous letter.

The contents of the letter claimed that the deaths of the two female officers were related to Song Keyun, the head of the criminal police division of the Shangqing City Police Department.

Both maintained improper relationships with Song Keyun over a long period.

Subsequently,

then City Disciplinary Inspection Committee Secretary Xu Fengyuan decided, after consulting with Cen Qingmin from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, to secretly launch an investigation.

On the fifth day of the investigation,

Xu Fengyuan accidentally slipped and fell down a slope during a morning run, drowning in a septic tank at the foot of the mountain.

The police concluded it was an accident.

But the timing was too coincidental, making it hard not to suspect that there might be some conspiracy hidden behind Xu Fengyuan's death.

The entire process of the case,

Mei Yiru had thoroughly reported to Chen Fang.

As a member of the secret investigation team, Mei Yiru informed Chen Fang that although the Disciplinary Committee monitored and investigated Song Keyun for four days, no substantial evidence was obtained.

It was precisely because of this.

That Xu Fengyuan's accident didn't lead to further complications.

Now, Li Xuan surprisingly mentioned that the 626 case was related to Qi Kang, opening an entirely new line of investigation.

"Minister Li, a phone call doesn't really prove anything, does it..."

Chen Fang, regaining his composure, asked Li Xuan.

Li Xuan nodded.

She said, "I know, that's why I'm trying to buy time this way. I believe that with Secretary Chen's capabilities, finding some clues isn't too difficult..."

Chen Fang let out a long breath.

Smiling faintly, he said, "Minister Li, the Disciplinary Committee doesn't act on rumors. Without substantial evidence, we can't initiate an investigation. This is also to protect the officials. If Minister Li wants to accuse Comrade Qi Kang based on the violation you suffered, then I can certainly start an investigation..."

"Forget it, just pretend I didn't say anything earlier. Sorry for the disturbance, Secretary Chen. I'll take my leave now."

Before Chen Fang could finish his sentence.

Noticing Chen Fang's refusal,

Li Xuan quickly reacted.

She stood up immediately, her face sullen, and left this comment before opening the office door.

At the door,

Li Xuan paused and turned around, saying, "Secretary Chen, I thought you were someone who wouldn't fear authority. Now it seems you're far from Secretary Xu Fengyuan..."

After saying this,

Li Xuan left directly.

The sound of her high heels on the floor grew fainter and fainter, until it completely disappeared.

Chen Fang, still seated on the couch,

picked up a teacup and took a gentle sip.

Putting it down, he said to the partition of the office, "Come out, she's gone."

Creaking sound.

The partition door was pushed open.

Someone stepped out from inside.

It was none other than the Deputy Secretary of the Shangqing City Committee, Cui Liansheng.

What was he doing here?

It turned out that after the Standing Committee meeting, Cui Liansheng had come to Chen Fang's office at the earliest opportunity.

Without having a chance to speak,

Chen Fang informed Cui Liansheng that Li Xuan would be visiting shortly.

Cui Liansheng intended to avoid her.

Unexpectedly, Chen Fang had him stay.

He asked him to hide temporarily in the partition to hear what Li Xuan had to say and offer advice. After all, Cui Liansheng had clearly noticed Li Xuan's unusual behavior at the Standing Committee meeting.

Such an arrangement,

undoubtedly showed great trust in Cui Liansheng.

After thinking it over, he agreed.

Now that Li Xuan had left,

Cui Liansheng promptly closed Chen Fang's office door.

Then turned around and said, "Secretary Chen, regarding the actions of Qisheng, I... I apologize to you."

Chen Fang smiled slightly.

He said, "No need to blame yourself, Secretary Cui. If it weren't for your early warning, I might not have made it through today's Standing Committee meeting..."

This statement made Cui Liansheng blush with embarrassment.

It turned out that Chen Fang's handling at today's Standing Committee meeting was because of the leak from Cui Liansheng.

After these series of events, Cui Liansheng realized that Liu Yi was not a reliable ally at all. In contrast, Chen Fang, who gave him a chance despite past grievances, proved to be a better option. During his time in confinement, he also thought things through. Instead of being enemies with Chen Fang, it's better to stand on the same side with him. This way, he might still have a chance to turn things around.

Having understood this point.

Knowing about the matter with the photos of his wife and children, Cui Liansheng informed Chen Fang about it in advance.

This gave Chen Fang the opportunity to plan.

If not, Chen Fang might have been in Liu Yi's grasp.

"Alright, Secretary Cui, let's not dwell on the past. It's all water under the bridge..."

Chen Fang's words,

settled all past grievances with a single stroke.

In Cui Liansheng's heart, he felt a surge of gratitude.

He sighed deeply and said, "If I had understood this truth earlier, I wouldn't have ended up in such a state. As you age, your mind sometimes can't keep up."

"Haha, I don't think so. On the contrary, I believe Secretary Cui is much smarter than most people."

Chen Fang teased.

After saying this,

Chen Fang handed him a cup of tea.

He asked, "Secretary Cui, regarding what Minister Li said earlier, you must have heard it inside. You're more familiar with the situation in Shangqing City than I am. What are your thoughts..."