The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Chen Fang asked this to probe whether he was aware of Hong Qian's attack on Qi Kexin.

From his reaction,

it seemed he was not involved.

He paused, then said solemnly, "You're my brother, and that's why I've come to warn you. Recently, Director Zhang might make a move against you."

Gao Jianzhao had just poured a drink into his mouth.

Before he could swallow,

he spat it all out with a burst of laughter.

"What did you say?"

"I said, you have offended Director Zhang, and he will soon act against you."

Chen Fang said without changing his expression.

Knowing it wasn't a joke,

Gao Jianzhao wiped his mouth.

He said, "I've never dealt with Zhang Cheng; isn't there some misunderstanding here?"

Seeing his anxious demeanor,

Chen Fang knew that deep down, Gao Jianzhao was still afraid of Zhang Cheng. His previous disdain was merely based on the belief that they would never cross paths.

"There's no misunderstanding. You haven't offended Director Zhang, but someone close to you has, and moreover, that person is very close to you."

After Chen Fang finished this sentence,

he outlined the whole situation once again.

As soon as he finished, Gao Jianzhao quickly gestured with his hands and said, "I don't know about this matter, I really don't, I wasn't involved."

Chen Fang nodded and said, "I know, you're definitely not involved. But saying this is useless. The whole Changming County knows that you're very close with President Hong Qian of Hongze Group. And as far as I'm aware, you're the one who paved the way for Hongze Group to enter Changming County. These are facts. No matter what you claim, do you think Director Zhang will believe you?"

"That Hong Qian, damn bastard! Is he trying to frame me? I'll give him a call!"

After saying that,

Gao Jianzhao took out his phone.

Chen Fang pressed down on his hand, saying, "You can't call. If you make this call, you'll really have no way back. Zhang Cheng already wants revenge. Won't your call essentially be tipping them off? Hong Qian is a businessman; if things go south, he can just return to Wen'an City. But what about you? Where can you hide?"

Upon hearing this analysis,

Gao Jianzhao fell silent.

And he released the phone in his hand.

He paused, then asked, "So what should I do? Should I go explain myself to Director Zhang?"

"I just told you that explaining is useless. You know Director Zhang's capabilities. If he takes action, not to mention maintaining your current position, it might well be the end of your career. There's only one way out now, and that's taking the initiative to strike first!"

Gao Jianzhao shook his head repeatedly.

He said, "No, no, no, I don't dare provoke Zhang Cheng. He has powerful backing."

"I'm not telling you to strike at Zhang Cheng; I'm suggesting you attack Hong Qian. I don't know what your relationship is with him, but this time, he clearly intends to drag you down with him. For such a person, you don't need to consider his feelings. Only by doing this can you show where you stand."

After Chen Fang finished,

Gao Jianzhao gasped sharply.

Clearly, he had "affections" for Hong Qian and struggled with the idea of taking action against him.

"Younger brother, you are so good to me, and I won't hide anything from you. To be honest, I don't have much ambition, and it's difficult for me to move against Hong Qian. He holds something over me that's not very honorable."

As he said this, Gao Jianzhao looked somewhat desolate.

Chen Fang knew,

at this moment, Gao Jianzhao had begun to waver.

After a moment of reflection, he said, "Brother, have you ever thought about if Zhang Cheng moves against him, he will use that leverage to force you into action? At that time, what choice will you make?"

It was like an enlightening moment,

Gao Jianzhao suddenly looked up at Chen Fang.

"Brother, look at it from another angle. Over the years, you've solved so many problems for Hong Qian, and now he's become reckless. He acted against Zhang Cheng behind your back, and when trouble arises, it's you who he expects to clean up the mess. But this mess, you can't fix. Hence, I suspect there's another possibility: you're no longer of use to Hong Qian, and he wants you to be the scapegoat."

"Impossible. Without me, he can't do anything in Changming County."

Gao Jianzhao objected.

Chen Fang sneered.

He said, "How come I've heard that Hong Qian has been in frequent private contact with County Chief Sun recently? Do you really think your capabilities exceed the County Chief's?"

"Is it true?"

Gao Jianzhao swiftly grabbed Chen Fang's hand and asked.

Chen Fang nodded and said, "Whether it's true or not, I think you have a way to find out, Big Brother. I wouldn't dare to lie to you."

At this moment, Gao Jianzhao.

Finally began to waver completely.

He stood up.

Paced back and forth near the door with his hands behind his back.

Then, he returned to his seat and sat down.

He said, "Little brother, you're right. Since he has no kindness, I shouldn't be blamed for lacking righteousness. But there's still something that concerns me. If he is backed by Sun Shenru now, I'm afraid I won't be able to touch him."

His heart leaped with joy.

Chen Fang said, "That's easy, even though Sun Shenru is powerful, if you join hands with Mr. Li, what is there to fear?"

"But I don't have any personal contacts with Mr. Li most of the time, do I?"

"Big Brother, have you forgotten? I am about to become Mr. Li's secretary."

"Oh, right, I forgot about that."

Gao Jianzhao suddenly realized.

He gritted his teeth, took a bunch of keys out of his pocket, and said, "To tell you the truth, Little Brother, I've not taken any money from anyone during my years as an official, except from Hong Qian. Now that I think about it, he must have intended to use this money to tie me down. I haven't touched a cent of it. Altogether, there must be at least ten million. After we fall out, Hong Qian will certainly use this to bite back at me. That's my biggest worry."

"Brother, if you trust me, how about I help you deal with this money?"

Chen Fang asked.

Gao Jianzhao was overjoyed.

Without any hesitation.

He directly stuffed the keys into Chen Fang's palm and said, "I trust you completely with this, Little Brother. This money is a hot potato; I don't want it anymore. You can deal with it however you like."

For Chen Fang.

The trip to the rustic restaurant today was really killing two birds with one stone.

Not only did he sort out Gao Jianzhao.

He also acquired a large sum of money.

With this money, many things would become much more convenient to handle.

The two continued to drink and toast for a while.

An hour-long meal also came to an end.

Gao Jianzhao stood up and said, "Little Brother, I have some other matters to take care of this afternoon, so I won't keep you any longer. Go ahead, I'll have my wife personally see you out."

His wife?

Was she still under the table?

Chen Fang felt a bit overwhelmed.

He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Brother, you go on with your business, I haven't had enough to eat yet; I'll stay and eat a bit more."

"Then I'll stay and eat with you, Little Brother!"

Having said that.

Gao Jianzhao was about to sit down.

Chen Fang hurriedly laughed and said, "Brother, you go attend to your business, is the girl who served the Jade Maiden Dish last time still around? How about letting her join me for some food?"

Between men, words are not always needed.

With that said.

Gao Jianzhao instantly understood, laughed heartily, and said, "Alright, I'll arrange it for you right now."

Then he opened the door and went out.

"Little ancestor, you better come out now."

Chen Fang lifted the tablecloth and said anxiously to Mo Zifei who had been busy under the table for an hour.

Mo Zifei crawled out from under the table.

She wiped her mouth.

And said flirtatiously, "Delicious! I want to eat it again next time!"

Then she pulled a face and went out.

This meal was truly suffocating for Chen Fang.

Not mentally, but physically.

The feeling of arousal stirred without any outlet was simply too uncomfortable.