The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"That damn Yuan Zhenting, does this even benefit him? Doesn't he not want Zhong Xiqian to invest in Fuguang Town? By offending me, aren't they just sabotaging their own plan?"

Zhang Chenbo bellowed.

Up until now, he still couldn't figure out why Yuan Zhenting would set up such a trap for him to fall into.

"Of course he benefits from this, he's already pulled off the 'lure the tiger out of the mountains' strategy. I'm certain that right when I left the town, his people must have already made a move on Cui Xianghui."

Chen Fang suddenly said.

Pei Shaochun, with a twig in his mouth, laughed and said, "It's well known how smart Mayor Chen is. Just from this point, it's indeed true. Mayor Chen, you must be quite disappointed right now. You won a round in the meeting, but in the end, you were still overturned by my godfather. With Cui Xianghui gone, I'm afraid you'll have to take responsibility as the head of the investigation team, right?"

"Brilliant, truly brilliant, but what I don't understand is how could you be sure that I would definitely know about Zhang Chenbo's whereabouts without any hints beforehand? What if I hadn't come to save the day? Wouldn't your plan have fallen through?"

Pei Shaochun smiled faintly.

He said, "Godfather's plans never fail. If you hadn't managed to save Miss Zhong, then she naturally would have been ruined by Zhang Chenbo. Do you think under those circumstances Miss Zhong would still invest in Fuguang Town?"

"Of course, that was just the backup plan. From the start, godfather had already made sure you could find this place."

Chen Fang fell into thought.

Then, he suddenly saw the light.

He asked, "It was Ling Shaoqiu, wasn't it? Ling Shaoqiu told me about this place, so, is she a mole set up by Yuan Zhenting in advance as well?"

"Hahaha..."

Pei Shaochun laughed loudly, "Godfather took us four in, representing the four seasons, and out of us, Shaoqiu is the most favored one. She hardly has to do anything for godfather and still gets the most care. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because Shaoqiu is foolish enough, pure enough. She always thinks too highly of herself, believing she's the standout among us four. But in fact, all three of us, including godfather, know she's just a fool!"

Chen Fang nodded slightly.

He asked, "So, even Ling Shaoqiu herself doesn't know she's being used?"

"Right, godfather intentionally took her to meet Zhang Chenbo that day. Zhang Chenbo suggested that Shaoqiu stay to keep him company, and of course she wouldn't agree. How could godfather not understand her temperament? Next, she would definitely go to the health center to eliminate Cui Xianghui. With that, there are two possible outcomes. First, if Cui Xianghui was really killed by her, then she becomes the scapegoat, a murderess, nothing to do with godfather at all."

"Of course, the second outcome is the most likely—she gets captured by you. In this way, borrowing your name to take Miss Zhong away, you would naturally be able to find this place."

While saying all this, Pei Shaochun was very smug.

Chen Fang was also somewhat shocked.

No wonder Yuan Zhenting has been able to stand unchallenged in Fuguang Town for twenty years. His tactics are indeed masterful, always thinking three steps ahead, each move guaranteed not to fail, and every outcome in his favor.

"Heh, it's quite funny that you all knew from the start that Ling Shaoqiu was going to betray you."

Chen Fang laughed at himself.

Pei Shaochun said, "She was groomed to be sacrificed from the beginning. Otherwise, why would godfather spoil her so much? You really think she believes herself to be some chosen one destined to enjoy exclusive favor? Hahaha..."

"Shaochun, is what you're saying true?"

Just as Pei Shaochun was laughing.

A voice came from the entrance.

Pei Shaochun suddenly turned around and saw a resentful Ling Shaoqiu.

"Shaoqiu, why are you here?"

Pei Shaochun asked.

Ling Shaoqiu didn't answer her question and instead asked again, "Tell me, has godfather always seen me as a sacrificial pawn?"

Pei Shaochun's complexion turned ugly.

She had always thought that Chen Fang would not keep her by his side.

Even if he did, he wouldn't allow her to move around freely.

And she believed that as long as Ling Shaoqiu wasn't present, even if Chen Fang told her the truth, she wouldn't believe it. But now, there was no need for Chen Fang to relay it—she had heard it with her own ears.

"Shaoqiu, listen to me, let me explain, godfather he..."

"Enough, no need to speak further. I already have my answer."

Ling Shaoqiu said, looking somewhat despondent.

"Shaochun, what I just said was all lies to deceive Chen Fang. Don't believe it. In reality, godfather treats all of us the same."

Pei Shaochun slowly walked up to Ling Shaoqiu.

She reached out her hand.

And stroked her hair.

Suddenly, her palm flipped over.

In her hand appeared a dagger.

Everything changed in the blink of an eye, so fast that no one noticed.

With a soft thud, the dagger plunged into Ling Shaoqiu's abdomen.

The intense stabbing pain made Ling Shaoqiu look at Pei Shaochun in disbelief, trembling lips asking, "Sister Chun, why...why would you do this?"

"There is no why, it's because you know too much. Now that you've learned the truth, to foster dad, you're like a time bomb. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I can't let you live," Pei Shaochun said, her eyes filled with a vicious glint.

Ling Shaoqiu laughed.

She laughed inexplicably.

She said, "I thought the four of us were close as sisters. I didn't expect that it was all a lie."

"Close as sisters, what a joke! Shaoqiu, don't blame me. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for being too stupid and naive—"

After these words.

She fiercely pulled out the dagger.

This time, she tried to stab it into her heart.

Tragedy was about to strike.

Fang Mei wanted to rush over.

But given the distance, it was definitely too late.

Just at this moment.

Only a shadow was seen darting by.

Behind the door, a long leg shot out, directly hitting Pei Shaochun's chest.

Pei Shaochun wasn't prepared, and was sent flying.

She crashed heavily to the ground.

Fang Mei was quick to react.

She knelt on one knee on Pei Shaochun's neck and disarmed her.

By this time, Ling Shaoqiu couldn't hold on any longer, taking a staggering step. Just as she was about to fall, she was supported by Fang Gui who was behind her.

Fang Gui touched the back of her head and said, "I kindly asked for your advice, and you attacked me? If I hadn't woken up in time today, you would be dead..."

"I'm...I'm sorry!"

All Ling Shaoqiu managed to say was this before she closed her eyes.

"Fang Gui, drive her to the county hospital immediately."

"Okay!"

In the urgency of the situation, Fang Gui hurriedly scooped up Ling Shaoqiu in a princess carry, carried her downstairs, put her in the car, and drove off with the gas pedal floored.

Seeing the turn of events, Zhang Chenbo was trembling with fear.

Thinking of the consequences that would follow, his legs shook uncontrollably.

He knelt down in front of Zhong Xiqian, begging through sobs, "Qianqian, this is my fault. I was blinded, no, it's Yuan Zhenting's fault. He instigated me, he gave me the opportunity to do this. Please let me go, spare the Zhang Family..."

Facing such a plea.

Zhong Xiqian's face was one of disgust.

After a pause, she said, "I will explain the whole story in detail to my father, and as for how you and Juming Group are dealt with, that's not my concern. I am his only daughter, and you know how much he dotes on me!"

"Qianqian, I was wrong, I'm sorry Qianqian..."

The more arrogant he was before.

The more pathetic he was now.

Having come downstairs, Zhang Chenbo was still wailing pitifully on the spot.

The car they had come in was driven away by Fang Mei.

So, when they left, they could only take Zhang Chenbo's car.

Chen Fang drove, neither too fast nor too slow, seemingly not in a hurry at all.

Pei Shaochun, tied up in the backseat, found it more and more strange.

She asked, "Aren't you worried about Cui Xianghui's situation at all?"

"Worried? Why should I be worried?"

Chen Fang asked.