The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

There are two purposes for doing this.

First, if Chen Fang is capable enough, he could leverage his skills to make headway in Jiuhai Province.

In this way, the Hou Family's claim to rule Jiuhai Province would be disrupted.

It also strengthens the upper echelon's control over Jiuhai Province.

Secondly.

If Chen Fang lacks the capability,

he can also deflect some of the Hou Family members' grievances against Shangguan Shoudong.

This allows him to focus on other matters.

In summary,

no matter the outcome, it's advantageous for Shangguan Shoudong.

Noticing the change in Chen Fang's expression,

Shangguan Shoudong asked, "What? You don't want to go?"

Chen Fang suddenly smiled.

He said, "Mr. Shangguan, I understand now. Hou Jingjing isn't really that big of a threat to you. If you just force her to leave the country, you could have taken her down. You actually want me to go to Jiuhai Province, right?"

It seemed like he had been seen through.

Shangguan Shoudong paused for a moment.

Then he laughed heartily and said, "The path was your choice. All I did was help it along."

"Was that beautiful lady I met today at Huahua Restaurant also arranged by you?"

Chen Fang asked.

Since everything was clear,

there was no need to hide anything.

Shangguan Shoudong stood up.

He walked to the study door and opened it.

"Come in and listen. Sneaking around, did you think I didn't know you were outside?"

As Shangguan Shoudong spoke,

Chen Fang curiously turned his head.

There stood the lady from Huahua Restaurant, leaning at the door. From her posture, it was easy to guess she had been eavesdropping with an ear to the door just before it opened.

Seeing Chen Fang,

her expression turned awkward.

She scratched her head, walking in with discomfort.

Complainingly, she said, "Shangguan Dad, that's not fair. I helped you, and now you're exposing my secrets. That's not how one should act."

"What do you mean I'm not fair? I didn't ask you to go to Huahua Restaurant, you wanted to go. How does that mean I'm not doing the right thing? Come on in and meet Chen Fang."

Shangguan Shoudong said.

The woman, a hint of fear in her eyes, walked into the study.

She walked up to Chen Fang, stretched out her hand, and said confidently, "Hello, my name is Gu Mengsheng."

Gu Mengsheng?

She doesn't have the surname Shangguan?

Despite his doubts, Chen Fang extended his hand to Gu Mengsheng and said, "No need for introductions, Miss Gu, you're quite the actress. At Huahua Restaurant, I really thought you didn't know me."

"Heh heh, I deliberately pretended to be surprised when I heard your name. This way, when I help you later, it seemed only natural. Plus, you'd have no clue who I really am."

Gu Mengsheng said smugly.

Chen Fang nodded.

"Indeed, Miss Gu, you're impressive," he said.

After receiving Chen Fang's compliment,

Gu Mengsheng pouted and said to Shangguan Shoudong, "Shangguan Dad, I told you I'm not a child anymore. I can solve problems for you now."

"Alright, alright, you're amazing, truly amazing. Now, I need to discuss serious matters with Chen Fang. It's late; go rest now."

Shangguan Shoudong said.

Gu Mengsheng, slightly displeased, said, "Shangguan Dad, didn't you promise me that if Chen Fang decided to go to Jiuhai Province, I could go with him? Are you going back on your word?"

"We'll discuss this later," he replied.

"No, you promised. Why discuss it later? I want to go to Jiuhai Province with Chen Fang…"

Gu Mengsheng said stubbornly.

Shangguan Shoudong, with no other choice, nodded and said, "Alright, alright, you can go. If you don't leave now, I might change my mind."

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving. I'll go right now."

Gu Mengsheng quickly became happy, made a face at Shangguan Shoudong, and skipped out.

When the door closed again,

Shangguan Shoudong pointed to the direction of the door and said, "She's the daughter of an old friend. Grew up with me, and I've spoiled her, which is why she turned out so headstrong."

"Mr. Shangguan, what's the meaning of her going to Jiuhai Province with me? To supervise me?"

Chen Fang asked.

Shangguan Shoudong waved his hand.

"Of course not. I have no need for that."

"Then why did she say she wants to go to Jiuhai Province with me?"

Chen Fang asked.

Shangguan Shoudong sat down.

His expression became serious.

He downed a cup of tea in one go.

He said, "Her father is buried in Jiuhai Province."

Hearing those words,

Chen Fang was startled.

He sat up straight and looked at Shangguan Shoudong.

Shangguan Shoudong paused, then said, "I wasn't going to mention it, but since she's so determined to go to Jiuhai Province, and I can't really take care of her, I'll leave her in your care."

Gu Mengsheng's father was Gu Jin.

Over two decades ago, he served as the president of the Shangqing City Intermediate People's Court in Jiuhai Province.

It was a snowy, windy New Year's Eve.

Outside, there was a cacophony of drums and fireworks.

The Gu family gathered in front of a black-and-white TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Gu Jin's mother, Gu Mengsheng's grandmother, went to answer it after hearing the noise.

The moment the door opened, a dark gun barrel was aimed at her head, and the trigger was pulled.

After Gu Jin's mother was the first to fall,

his father, sitting in the living room, instinctively grabbed something to fight off the assailant.

No one expected that there was another assailant with a shotgun behind the first.

He fired at Gu Jin's father.

In this way,

the elder couple was killed on the spot.

At the same time,

Gu Jin was busy in the kitchen; his wife was in the bedroom with their five-year-old daughter, Gu Mengsheng, trying on new clothes.

After the assailants burst in, Gu Jin rushed out upon hearing the commotion. However, meeting the assailant head-on, he was shot down immediately.

Gu Jin's wife heard the commotion and peeked outside, terrified by what she saw.

In extreme panic, she first closed the door, then stuffed Gu Mengsheng into the wardrobe, covering her with clothes and blankets, telling her not to make a sound.

Having done all this,

the assailants were now pounding on the door.

Just as they broke it down,

Gu Jin's wife climbed onto the windowsill and jumped out directly.

Being on the sixth floor, she died on impact.

While Shangguan Shoudong recounted this, Chen Fang's heart was already seized.

Upon hearing that Gu Jin's wife committed suicide by jumping, he understood the noble intention behind her actions.

Her leap created noise, alerting neighbors that something was wrong, forcing the assailants to leave quickly and preventing them from searching for the child.

She used her own death to protect Gu Mengsheng.

"Were those two assailants ever caught?"

Chen Fang asked.