The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Just like that.

Chen Fang was taken away by Elder Ning.

The people in the meeting room watched them leave.

Everyone wanted to follow, but no one dared to.

There was a dead silence that lasted for about a minute.

An Tai cautiously asked, "County Chief Sun, are we still firing Chen Fang?"

Sun Shenru was furious, wasn't this the pot calling the kettle black?

He glared at An Tai.

And said, "Mr. Li is right, Comrade Chen Fang is after all his secretary, we... we should not comment anymore, right?"

To say such a thing was like slapping his own face.

However, no one laughed at him.

Because who would dare to touch Chen Fang now that he had relations with Elder Ning?

After returning to his office.

Sun Shenru finally unleashed his fury.

He picked up the ashtray on his desk and smashed it heavily on the floor, shattering it to pieces.

An intricately planned drama, unexpectedly finished in such a manner, not only failing to completely break Li Duming, but possibly because of Chen Fang's connection with Elder Ning, a resurgence was not unlikely.

"Damn it, how did Chen Fang get in touch with Elder Ning?"

Sun Shenru muttered to himself.

Jin Zhan saw this.

He approached Sun Shenru and said, "Leader, if the main road is blocked, we can take the side path."

"What do you mean?"

Sun Shenru asked.

Jin Zhan smiled slightly, pointed at the ceiling, and said, "Didn't they say they were going to act against Zhao Xixi? The relationship between Chen Fang and Zhao Xixi is unclear. Once we catch Zhao Xixi, then..."

He didn't need to finish his sentence.

Sun Shenru understood.

A sinister smile appeared on his face.

He said, "Fine, do as you suggest, but remember this time to ensure it is foolproof. If there's another blunder, you'll answer to me."

"Don't worry, leader, I'll handle this matter personally."

Jin Zhan nodded, turned, and left.

In the garden of the County Committee building.

Chen Fang and Elder Ning sat down at the stone table in the center.

It was the same place where he had talked with Xing Yu before.

"Elder, did you come all the way here to save me?"

Chen Fang asked curiously.

Elder Ning smiled slightly and asked, "What do you think?"

"But how did you know I was in trouble?"

Chen Fang scratched his head and asked.

Elder Ning said, "It's all thanks to my precious granddaughter. She's the one who sent me. As for how she knew, you can ask her yourself."

"Oh."

Chen Fang nodded.

Elder Ning looked at Chen Fang and asked, "Aren't you curious about my identity?"

Chen Fang nodded and said, "Curious, but if you don't say, I won't ask. Everyone has their own secrets, don't they? Moreover, now that you've shown your face at the County Committee, seeing how respectfully they treated you, I can roughly guess that your identity and status are exceptionally high. But I can't remember any prominent figures in Wen'an City with the surname Ning."

"Perhaps, I'm not from the city?"

The old man asked intriguingly.

Chen Fang shuddered. "Not from the city? Could it be you're from the province?"

He had barely asked the question when his mind buzzed.

He blurted out, "I know now. You're Ning Gang, you're our province's former Governor, right?"

The old man neither confirmed nor denied but just gave a faint smile.

He said, "Former Governor? Not many people call me that anymore."

This response made Chen Fang inhale a breath of cold air.

The name Ning Gang was incredibly prominent in Yong'an Province, to say his reputation was thunderous would not be an overstatement.

In his fifties, Ning Gang began serving as a Provincial Committee member, Executive Committee member, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Governor.

He held these positions for over a decade.

In those past fifteen years, the economy of Yong'an Province had made great strides, skyrocketing from a GDP ranking in the twenties to the seventh spot.

It wasn't just GDP growth.

During Ning Gang's tenure, his most dazzling achievement was the government's anti-corruption campaign.

A whole host of officials from section-chief level to department-head level fell from grace under his watch.

The common people bestowed upon him a nickname, "Ning Qingtian."

His accomplishments were thus evident.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Ning Gang offended many people. Otherwise, with his political achievements, being promoted to a top position or even to the central government would have been a breeze.

It was at that moment when he discovered his identity.

Chen Fang finally understood why Ning Yi wanted to join the system.

Ning Gang had a son named Ning Yuandao.

Ten years ago, when Ning Yuandao was the secretary of the Disciplinary Committee in a certain city, he suddenly disappeared while investigating a case. His whereabouts remained unknown, causing a huge sensation throughout Yong'an Province.

It seemed Ning Yi wished to complete the journey her father had not finished.

Now he finally knew why the secretary of the city's Political and Legal Committee personally called to demand the county's Public Security Bureau to make an arrest, and why Lin Mang was dismissed with just one phone call.

After all, the name Ning Gang still had significant leverage in Yong'an Province.

The elderly man before him was such a figure.

Chen Fang couldn't help feeling somewhat intimidated.

"Alright, my task is also completed, and I can report back to my granddaughter."

Having revealed his identity.

Ning Gang got up, ready to leave.

Just as he took a step out.

It was as though he suddenly remembered something, and he said, "I have investigated your background and details. You do have the ability, and I trust that with you looking after Yiyi, she will be safe. However, remember this: Yiyi's identity is confidential, and you cannot let anyone know."

"Understood, Elder Ning, I won't tell."

Chen Fang replied.

Ning Gang nodded and said, "I'll be leaving soon. If it weren't for Yiyi begging me, I would have preferred to stay a few more days. But now that I have revealed myself, I can't stay longer. The longer I stay, the harder it will be to protect Yiyi's identity. I'm entrusting her to you for now, and you'd better not disappoint me."

"Of course, Elder Ning, I assure you,"

Chen Fang said with conviction.

Ning Gang opened his mouth as if to say something more, but ultimately, he stopped himself.

And he left slowly and leisurely.

Chen Fang glanced back subconsciously.

He then noticed that all the windows of both the County Committee Building and the County Government Building were crowded with people watching every move in the small garden.

After all, it was the first time a person of such high stature had appeared in the County Committee compound.

Government agencies can't keep secrets.

Once Ning Gang left.

The events that took place in the committee meeting room started to spread wildly throughout the entire compound.

In particular, Chen Fang's scolding of the committee members became a satisfying story template for those who toiled at the bottom tier. After all, being bossed around by their leaders, everyone harbored resentment and wanted to curse; the only one who actually did so was Chen Fang.

If "heroic deeds" were adorned with a halo, they turned into "legends."

And this halo was "Ning Gang."

It's said that when one person attains the Tao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; this time, it wasn't Li Duming who prospered, but Chen Fang.

So when Chen Fang returned to Li Duming's office, Dong Jing, the head of the Propaganda Department, was already there, chatting pleasantly with Li Duming.

And it was clear from her cheerful demeanor.

The conversation went very well.

"Secretary Chen is back?"

Seeing Chen Fang come in.

Dong Jing attempted to stand up to greet him but felt it wasn't befitting of her status; she merely nodded slightly and sat back down.

Chen Fang exchanged a look with Li Duming.

Especially Li Duming, with a sly smile, seemed quite pleased with himself and could hardly contain his amusement.

"Good to see you, Director Dong."

Chen Fang hurriedly poured a glass of water and handed it to Dong Jing.

Dong Jing received it apprehensively, saying, "Secretary Chen, please take a seat."

"With the leader present, I'd better not sit,"

Chen Fang stood with his hands clasped by his side, making Dong Jing somewhat nervous.

Chen Fang remained Chen Fang; nothing had changed, except that Ning Gang's appearance had thrown all subtle relationships off balance.

This change wasn't limited to Dong Jing.

That afternoon, wherever Chen Fang went to handle affairs, the leaders were exceedingly warm, even more respectful than to Li Duming himself.