The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"Yes, they knew each other very early on," Wen Mei said.

According to Liang Abao's confession, Tan Yandong had once been the town mayor of Fuxing Town in his earlier years. At that time, Liang Abao's family was a well-known needy household in the town, and it was Tan Yandong who persuaded his father to let him take the driving test, which provided him with a valuable skill.

After Liang Abao obtained his driver's license,

it was still Tan Yandong who had pulled strings at the construction site to get Liang Abao a job.

In a sense, Tan Yandong was sort of a benefactor to Liang Abao.

Chen Fang scratched his head.

He said, "But that's not right either. Liang Abao isn't a fool; having seen his wife cheating with someone else, he should have been desperate to go out and do something about it. However, by doing this, the traffic accident turns into murder, and he won't be able to get out anytime soon."

"Maybe it's because he knew that Tan Yandong was dead and he wouldn't be able to get the subsequent money, and with his wife messing around outside, he lost all hope and spoke the truth. But it's not important now; at least your suspicion has been cleared,"

Wen Mei said.

Indeed.

This was great news.

But Chen Fang still felt that something was fishy.

First, he couldn't accept that Tan Yandong would kill someone.

Moreover, Liang Abao's confession didn't seem logical.

"Let's do this, let's not jump to conclusions about this matter. I still think there's something off with Liang Abao. Try to find out if, during this recent period, any strangers have had contact with him in prison. There might be more to it,"

Wen Mei sighed.

She asked, "Hasn't this case been threatening you all along? Wouldn't it be the best outcome if it were closed now?"

Chen Fang smiled and replied, "Liang Abao's confession now is just someone trying to direct all the blame onto Tan Yandong. This way, the case can be closed, and whoever is behind his suicide can now rest easy. Tan Yandong took care of me for ten years; if I did nothing, what would be the difference between me and an animal?"

Wen Mei took a deep breath.

She asked, "Have you thought it through clearly? If you say someone forced Tan Yandong to his death, then you should know that person must be very powerful."

"I know,"

Chen Fang nodded firmly.

He said with a smile, "So, why do you think I am so keen on keeping my position? Just to be an official and get rich?"

After saying that,

Chen Fang turned around and left.

Wen Mei, left standing there, shivered a little.

After thinking for a moment, a smile crept across her lips, and she murmured, "Wow, this man is getting more and more interesting."

As he left the special case team's office,

Chen Fang was still immersed in his thoughts.

At that moment, a black sedan car slowly stopped beside him.

The rear window rolled down,

revealing the face of Zhao Shoujiang.

"Get in!"

Zhao Shoujiang commanded.

The inevitable had finally arrived.

There was no escape.

If soldiers come, put up defenses; if water comes, build a dam.

Chen Fang steeled his heart and got into the car.

The vehicle slowly started up.

Zhao Shoujiang coughed, cleared his throat, and said, "Chen Fang, it seems there has been a little misunderstanding between us."

Misunderstanding?

What did he mean?

Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Shoujiang continued, "I'm aware of what happened with my daughter. You're her savior, and I've specifically come to thank you."

Chen Fang was taken aback and said, "Deputy County Head Zhao, your daughter... "

"Enough, no need to say anything. I apologize for the past issues. Here's a document for you to look at first,"

he said.

Then he took a folder from the side.

Chen Fang opened the folder and quickly glanced at it, immediately freezing.

It was a joint appointment notice from the county government and the organization department.

Chen Fang was being relieved of all his duties at the Health Bureau and was reassigned to the position of Party Committee Member and Deputy Director of the County Safety Supervision Bureau.

Deputy Director?

That was equivalent to a deputy division-level position.

He was suddenly catapulted into the rank of a county-managed cadre.

Chen Fang found himself struggling to digest this for quite some time.

"This appointment, first, is to clear up our misunderstanding, second, it's a token of appreciation for saving my daughter, and additionally, I believe that you are capable of shouldering this responsibility,"

Zhao Shoujiang stated.

Chen Fang was at a loss for words for a moment.

The car had already pulled up in front of the Health Bureau.

Zhao Shoujiang patted Chen Fang on the shoulder and said, "Young man, work hard, your future is limitless."

After dropping that statement,

Zhao Shoujiang left.

Leaving Chen Fang disheveled in the wind.

He walked into the Health Bureau building somewhat dazed.

Just as he stepped into the office, he heard a "bang" above him.

Confetti cannons exploded overhead.

The office colleagues, emerging from God knows where, had faces brimming with smiles, applauding Chen Fang.

Their enthusiasm made it hard to believe that just a few days earlier, he had faced a collective snub.

Wu Lili was the first to jump out.

She exclaimed loudly, "Congratulations to Department Head Chen on his promotion!"

"What Department Head Chen, from now on we should call him Director Chen,"

Office Director Zheng Wenfeng joked from the side.

Wu Lili quickly corrected herself, "Right, right, Director Chen, Director Chen, having a deputy director from our Health Bureau is our collective pride, isn't it?"

Like the moon surrounded by stars, Chen Fang was encircled by everyone.

After he had returned the greetings,

he grabbed Wu Lili's hand and asked in a low voice, "Sister Wu, do you have a moment? I'd like to talk to you."

"Sure thing, what is it you want to talk about?"

Wu Lili followed Chen Fang to the end of the corridor.

Chen Fang lowered his voice and asked, "Sister Wu, did you know about my promotion in advance?"

The reason he asked this was that Wu Lili's husband, Qiu Zhengguo, worked at the organization department, so she was usually the first to know any news of job movements.

Wu Lili stroked her chin and pondered for a moment.

"Not really, but a short while ago, Old Qiu at home was saying the organization department was leaning towards selecting a deputy director internally. Today at noon when I went home to eat, Old Qiu said that Vice County Head Zhao personally ordered your transfer to the Administration of Work Safety."

As expected, it was Zhao Shoujiang's doing.

Chen Fang laughed and said, "Sister Wu, thank you. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time."

"I should be the one treating you,"

The two exchanged pleasantries for a bit more.

Chen Fang knocked on Gu Jingshu's office door.

"Come in!"

The voice was still as cold as ice.

Chen Fang pushed the door open and entered.

Gu Jingshu, who had been working, looked up to see Chen Fang and set her pen down.

"Oh, it's Director Chen. With such a distinguished visit, my humble office is honored indeed,"

Gu Jingshu stood up and teased.

Chen Fang forced a bitter smile and said, "What 'Director Chen'? Zhao Shoujiang must be setting a trap for me to fall into."

"Setting a trap? Who would dig a trap in such a way?"

The two had broken their final barriers and had even played a round of threes, so naturally, there were no more barriers left.

Gu Jingshu openly took a seat next to Chen Fang.

"I don't know, but judging from what I know about Zhao Shoujiang, this promotion definitely isn't without its perils; I might not come back in one piece."

"Is it that serious? Then I'll file a report to keep you here,"

Gu Jingshu was about to get up.

But Chen Fang wrapped his arm around her waist.

With a mischievous tone, he asked, "What, can't bear to part with me?"

"Stop it, I'm not going to miss you,"

Gu Jingshu had barely retorted.

When Chen Fang's hand began to wander beneath her skirt.