The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"You lost."

Turning his head, Chen Fang heard Li Xuan speak bluntly.

As she said this, her expression was exuberant, showing that she felt no threat whatsoever.

"I had thought you might seek help from Secretary Qi, but wasn't sure. Now it makes sense; it's your only way to save yourself."

Chen Fang spoke calmly.

Li Xuan sighed deeply.

"I underestimated you. You're unexpected. I may not know how you discovered the truth, but there's still time for you to back down," she said.

"Back down? Those words are more fitting for you, don't you think?"

Chen Fang replied with a smile.

"Are you really going to fight me to the end?"

Li Xuan asked.

Chen Fang waved his hand, saying, "Minister Li, you're mistaken. I never intended to fight you. Case 626 needs truth, I'm only after finding the truth."

"Alright then, name your terms."

"Terms? I don't need any terms!"

Chen Fang responded firmly.

Li Xuan laughed heartily.

"It's just the two of us now, I have no recording devices on me, stop with the pretenses. Why take this route if not for promotion and wealth? Let go of this matter and I can help you with positions—Deputy Mayor, City Committee Deputy Secretary, even Mayor. Also, money, how much do you need? Five million, ten million, up to thirty million, I can agree to it."

Liu Xuan spoke animatedly.

But Chen Fang remained unmoved.

He merely kept staring at Li Xuan's face.

As if appreciating an intriguing object.

In that moment.

Li Xuan seemed to realize something.

With a cold laugh, she said, "So you want both power and wealth, you should've said earlier, then it wouldn't have come to this. Fine, as I said, let go and anything is negotiable, tomorrow pick a place, I'll accompany you."

"Minister Li, do you think you're attractive?"

"Naturally. Do you not think so?"

Chen Fang gently shook his head.

"Inner beauty reflects outward; to me, you're not only unattractive, but extremely ugly. Sorry, I'm not interested in you at all. I was staring not because I'm drawn to your looks but because it fascinates me how you speak of positions and wealth unattainable by ordinary people so casually. You're unfit for office, and associating with people like you is a disgrace for me."

"You... you bastard! Oh Chen Fang! Since you're impervious to reason, don't blame me for being ruthless, you'll be crying soon!"

Li Xuan finally exploded in anger.

Stomping her foot.

She stormed inside furiously.

Chen Fang sighed.

Ascended the steps of the building.

At that moment, Mei Yiru was looking at him with worried eyes.

Chen Fang paused his steps.

Took a glance at Mei Yiru.

Murmured, "You're still more agreeable to look at."

"What do you mean?"

Mei Yiru hadn't overheard the previous conversation.

She hesitated and asked.

Chen Fang waved his hand, saying, "Nothing, just making a casual comment, let's meet up when free."

With that.

He walked inside leisurely.

Mei Yiru was stunned, then blushed.

Muttered, "Cracking jokes even at a time like this, truly shameless."

Though she said so.

Inside, she felt inexplicably tickled.

In the conference room of the Public Security Bureau.

Qi Shouting was already seated firmly at the head.

Mayor Liu Yi was on his left, Li Xuan on his right.

It was well known that hierarchy is important in officialdom.

Chen Fang's ranking in the city government was higher than Li Xuan's, so the seat to Qi Shouting's right should belong to Chen Fang.

Li Xuan's breach of protocol showed her disdain for Chen Fang.

Chen Fang wasn't bothered.

Stood aside.

Asked, "Leaders, visiting late at night, is there something urgent?"

With a loud bang.

Liu Yi slapped the table.

Shouted angrily, "Chen Fang, stop pretending, you really disregard authority, a City Disciplinary Committee Secretary detaining the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Deputy Secretary, who gave you the guts, who gave you the power?"

His words were passionately spoken.

Clearly trying to impress Qi Shouting.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Li Xuan mockingly chimed in, "Our Secretary Chen detained two heads of departments and now even dares to detain direct superiors..."

"Ahem..."

At this moment.

Qi Shouting cleared his throat.

Li Xuan dared not continue.

All eyes were on Qi Shouting's face.

"Comrade Chen Fang, Comrade Cen Qingmin is the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Deputy Secretary, a provincial-level cadre, what authority do you have to detain him? Even if he has committed any crimes, it's not within your jurisdiction. This is overstepping authority, do you understand? This violates organizational discipline, do you understand? Are the Party's rules and regulations no longer in your eyes?"

Qi Shouting's voice grew louder and louder.

By the time he finished.

His fingers were tapping on the table.

"Yes, yes, leader's correction is right."

Chen Fang nodded.

Seeing Chen Fang submit before Qi Shouting.

Li Xuan's smugness grew.

Qi Shouting, upon seeing this, heightened his voice once more and asked, "Since you know you made a mistake, hurry and release the person!"

"Sorry Secretary Qi, I cannot release the person, I don't have that authority."

Chen Fang replied.

Qi Shouting was taken aback.

Briefly flabbergasted.

He had just admitted guilt.

Yet now he couldn't release the person?

Isn't this knowingly breaking the law?

Not getting a response from Chen Fang was no problem, wasn't Liu Yi still there?

He coldly said, "Comrade Liu Yi, coordinate and release the person for me. We'll discuss Chen Fang's issue later."

"Understood, leader, I'll go right now."

Liu Yi shot Chen Fang a look.

Stood up.

Hadn't yet reached the conference room door.

A medium-built, rather slim figure blocked his path.

Liu Yi instinctively wanted to curse.

But upon seeing him, was momentarily shocked.

Immediately greeted with respect, "Secretary Xu, what brings you here?"

The address 'Secretary Xu' stunned the people in the conference room.

They turned to look at the entrance.

Where stood a middle-aged man in a white shirt.

Of moderate build, slightly lean, but exuding a dignified presence, his looks bore an imposing air typical of longtime officials.

This man was none other than Xu Yanchi, Jiuhe Provincial Committee Member, Standing Committee member, Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary.