The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"Chen… Director Chen, that… I was wrong, please… these photos can't get out, I'm begging you."

If Wu Di and Lan Lv were still there, Wang Qin wouldn't have dropped her haughtiness so quickly.

At this moment, she started to plead with tears and snot running down her face.

Chen Fang gave a faint smile.

He said, "As for these photos, I'll keep them safe for Director Wang. After all, they're safest with me. However, I will need to charge a safekeeping fee."

Safekeeping?

In nice terms, it's safekeeping.

In less kind terms, it's a weapon to threaten Wang Qin.

Of course, the camera didn't actually contain those photos.

"Director Chen, just say it, as long as I can do it."

Wang Qin said.

Chen Fang paused, then asked, "Who beat up Lu Mingxian?"

Upon hearing this question.

Wang Qin shivered.

She looked as though she wanted to speak but stopped herself.

Seeing this, Chen Fang started fiddling with the camera again.

Wang Qin became anxious and said, "It was Tang Weiping, Tang Weiping led people to do it."

"What about the electrician work permit? The person who demanded money for it was him too, right?"

Chen Fang asked.

Wang Qin swallowed hard.

She said, "Yes, it was him. He's in charge of issuing all the special industry permits, and he charges about two thousand yuan for each permit."

"Does the whole bureau know about this?"

"Everybody knows. Tang Weiping isn't keeping it all to himself; he takes a cut to replenish the bureau's 'small coffers,' and some of the bonuses everyone gets come from there as well."

Yet another shocking revelation.

Initially, Chen Fang thought this was some people's secret scheme for personal gain.

Turns out, the whole Safety Supervision Bureau was in on the act.

Two thousand per permit.

That indeed was no small sum of income.

Next.

Chen Fang asked about some issues related to everyone having the day off.

Wang Qin indeed had a lot to say.

After the previous deputy director was transferred away, Mei Shikang had always wanted to promote Tang Weiping. That way, the lucrative path of permit issuance could be completely under their control.

Chen Fang's sudden arrival disrupted their plans.

Angry, Mei Shikang gave everyone a day off, intending to teach Chen Fang a lesson and undermine his authority within the Safety Supervision Bureau, making it impossible for him to contend with Mei Shikang.

As for Wang Qin.

She rarely had any time for affairs.

Seizing this opportunity, she invited Wu Di to the office for a good time.

After all, in her view, even if Chen Fang showed up, seeing the iron gatekeeper at the door, he probably wouldn't come in.

How could she imagine that Chen Fang would not only enter but also have a reporter sneak in?

Her moment of passion was interrupted, and to top it off, she ended up with dirt in someone else's hands.

Totally bad luck.

"Found it!"

Suddenly.

The office door was pushed open.

Lan Lv walked in excitedly with a folder in hand.

He said, "Lu Mingxian not only passed all three exams, but he also scored full marks on two of them."

Chen Fang took the file and looked it over.

Just as expected.

Lu Mingxian's examination scores were quite good.

Yet despite this.

He had taken the test three times without receiving the permit simply because he hadn't given a red envelope.

Now, he was beaten up, and all the medical expenses were coming out of his own pocket.

"Director Wang, did you take part in this?"

Chen Fang asked.

Wang Qin waved her hands repeatedly.

She said, "Of course I didn't take part. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't qualify. Tang Weiping is Mei Shikang's man. They wouldn't possibly hand over such a lucrative opportunity."

Makes sense.

Since Mei Shikang had already made his move.

If Chen Fang didn't fight back, he would just be waiting to get hit.

New officials take office with a burst of activity.

That first fire would have been perfect for burning Tang Weiping.

Just as he was contemplating his next move, the phone suddenly rang.

To his surprise, it was Mo Zifei calling.

Without giving it much thought, he quickly stepped into the corridor and had barely answered the phone when Mo Zifei's anxious voice came through, "Ah Fang, just now... Gao Jianzhao asked me to drive to Xiao Wang Village to pick up a guest..."

"Xiao Wang Village?"

Chen Fang paused and asked.

Mo Zifei said, "Yes, I've confirmed it, it's Xiao Wang Village."

"It looks like Gao Jianzhao is about to make his move. You go now, I'll be there soon!"

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Mo Zifei clearly trusted Chen Fang completely.

After hanging up the phone.

Chen Fang turned back to his office and said to Wang Qin, "Do something for me, and I guarantee your issue today will never come to light."

"Chief Chen, just say it."

Wang Qin said.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Fang said, "Gather the disciplinary inspection team immediately and wait for me in your office. I'll be there this afternoon to give you the specific instructions."

Wang Qin had no other choice.

She had to follow Chen Fang's instructions.

She nodded and asked, "Should I inform anyone else?"

"No need, all your actions will be under my command. If anything goes wrong, I, Chen Fang, will take the blame, and it will have nothing to do with you."

Having said that, he turned to leave.

"What about me?"

Lan Lv grabbed Chen Fang and asked.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "Just wait here. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're the first to break the news, as I promised."

And so.

Chen Fang left the safety supervision bureau, mounted his motorcycle, and sped off towards Xiao Wang Village.

Why was Chen Fang in such a hurry?

Because of the location of Xiao Wang Village.

Xiao Wang Village was a village in the mid-mountain district. It was somewhat remote, and more importantly, the village had started to be demolished last year to make way for the future Changming County stadium.

The construction later stopped due to funding issues.

Now, Xiao Wang Village was a desolate and uninhabited place.

Gao Jianzhao had chosen that spot because if anything happened, Mo Zifei would have no one to call for help.

One had to admit.

He was indeed cunning and deceitful.

Around ten-thirty in the morning.

Mo Zifei slowly drove into the boundary of Xiao Wang Village.

Ruins and rubble were everywhere.

Had she not known in advance what Gao Jianzhao was up to, Mo Zifei might not have been so nervous, since it was broad daylight.

But now, even the hands holding the steering wheel were shaking.

Soon.

The road ahead was blocked with rubble.

She took a few deep breaths to summon her courage before opening the car door and stepping out.

"Ding-a-ling!"

Suddenly, the phone rang without warning.

It startled Mo Zifei.

Checking the caller ID, it was Gao Jianzhao.

"Zifei, have you arrived?"

On the phone, Gao Jianzhao sounded as if nothing was wrong.

Mo Zifei did her best to steady her emotions.

She said, "Old Gao, I've arrived. Where is the person you asked me to pick up?"

"Do you see a three-story building in the middle of the village? He is inside. Take him to the local cuisine restaurant!"

Mo Zifei looked intently and indeed saw a three-story building amid the ruins. Even though the windows and such had been stripped away, the main structure was still standing.

"Okay, I got it."

After hanging up the phone.

Mo Zifei looked around.

If Chen Fang said he would come.

Then it was possible he was already here, hidden in some corner.

Thinking of Chen Fang.

Mo Zifei felt a sense of security.

Just as she was preparing to walk towards the three-story building, suddenly, a burly arm wrapped quickly around her neck from behind…