Chapter 2630: Severe Punishment

Upon entering the meeting room, Hu Lan pushed the door open and stepped back to make way: "Director, Secretary, please come in."

Zhou Andong and Gu Bing walked in; the meeting room was nicely decorated and spacious enough to accommodate at least forty or fifty people.

Kong Weimin quickly entered, pulled out the two front chairs, and said: "Director, Secretary, please have a seat."

Zhou Andong and Gu Bing sat down; Hong Jinyan gave Kong Weimin a meaningful glance, then sat beside Zhou Andong, while Kong Weimin sat beside Gu Bing.

Soon after, people continued to arrive one by one, taking their seats according to rank and authority.

Originally, Wang Jin and his group were not qualified to enter, but today's situation was exceptional, so they were allowed in and sat at the back.

After everyone was seated, Su Dali and Zhu Qifa hurried into the meeting room. Last to arrive were Mu GaoYu, Chen Guang, and Du Jiaquan, who were unaware of what had happened in the Design Department but had a vague sense of it.

Zhou Andong glanced around and softly asked: "Is everyone here now?"

Hu Lan, standing at the door, nodded: "Everyone's here."

"Hmm!" Zhou Andong acknowledged, then handed the document in his hand to Hong Jinyan: "Comrade Hong Jinyan, please take a look."

This action startled Hong Jinyan—it was Su Dali's whistleblower material, and Zhou Andong giving it to her showed he trusted her. Or perhaps he didn't want to escalate the matter, preferring stability instead.

The more Hong Jinyan thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed: the head office had conducted a major purge, which, although it didn't disrupt normal factory operations, had caused some negative impact.

Moreover, the head office had many deep-rooted problems; resolving them completely would certainly not take just a day or two. If they targeted Jinshi Guang now, the reform efforts at the woolen mill would surely be hampered—something Zhou Andong certainly did not want to see.

Therefore, Zhou Andong's visit to Jinshi Guang today was genuinely an inspection, preparing for the upcoming woolen mill reform. As for Wang Jin and others reporting Su Dali, that was likely just an accident.

These thoughts flashed through Hong Jinyan's mind, and her previously anxious heart calmed down. Since Zhou Andong wasn't targeting her, anything could be discussed.

Hong Jinyan opened the document and read it carefully. Some of the incidents recorded in the whistleblower material were known to her; others were not. And strangely, the things she didn't know were all major issues.

As she read, her brow furrowed tighter. Su Dali, that scoundrel, had secretly done all these things behind her back—especially his money-making schemes, which were more numerous than hers. The document recorded over one million yuan involved.

Hong Jinyan slowly closed the document and looked toward Zhou Andong: "Director, I've finished reading."

Zhou Andong asked: "Comrade Hong Jinyan, you are the factory director of Jinshi Guang and a member of the woolen mill Party Committee leadership. What do you think should be done about this?"

Upon hearing Zhou Andong's words, Su Dali—who had been tense and fearful—suddenly lit up. He stared intensely at Hong Jinyan, hoping she would speak up for him; if she did, he would surely get through today.

Su Dali turned to look at Wang Jin and the others sitting in the back, a provocative smile on his face. He opened his mouth and silently mouthed: "Damn your mother, just wait—I'll kill you all someday."

Meanwhile, Wang Jin and the others, upon hearing Zhou Andong's question, changed expression. What did the factory director mean by asking Hong Jinyan for her opinion? Was he planning to let Su Dali off?

At that moment, seeing Su Dali's provocative smile—though they couldn't understand his words—they knew it couldn't be anything good. It nearly made their lungs burst with anger, and their disappointment reached its peak.

Chen Guang and Du Jiaquan's eyes narrowed; they exchanged a glance, then looked toward Mu GaoYu beside them. Mu GaoYu appeared calm, sensed their gaze, turned his head, and gave them a slight shake.

Things had come to this point—he absolutely did not believe Zhou Andong would make a big show but then let Su Dali off lightly. Yet he couldn't figure out what Zhou Andong's real purpose was.

Hong Jinyan never imagined Zhou Andong would ask for her opinion. Naturally, she wanted to protect Su Dali—after all, he was her nephew—but as the words formed on her lips, a flash of insight crossed her mind, and she swallowed them back.

Given Zhou Andong's recent conduct and the ample evidence proving Su Dali's serious misconduct, if Zhou Andong were to let him off based on just one word, his hard-earned reputation for fairness, integrity, and impartiality in the woolen mill would collapse completely.

Thus, Zhou Andong's inquiry was actually a veiled test and examination. If she answered carelessly, she would lose his trust—and then face transfer away from Jinshi Guang.

If she were transferred, her hidden secret—her "tail"—would likely be exposed. Therefore, she absolutely could not leave Jinshi Guang, at least not for the next two years.

Hong Jinyan didn't even glance at Su Dali again, speaking in an unusually stern and resolute tone: "My opinion is: handle this strictly, punish severely!"

Su Dali is my nephew, the person I trust most. Who could have imagined he would betray my trust, recklessly abuse his position to amass wealth through corruption, shamelessly harming the interests of the state and the broad masses of workers? Such behavior is simply outrageous!

Upon hearing Hong Jinyan's words, Su Dali's smile froze on his face; he stared at her with utter disbelief.

"Sis… Sis!" Su Dali's voice turned hoarse: "What did you say?"

Hong Jinyan ignored Su Dali and continued: "Director, Secretary, immediately notify the Supervision and Inspection Office to take Su Dali away for investigation."

Zhou Andong nodded slightly, speaking calmly: "Tang Wenjuan, let Chu Ming and the others come in—first take Su Dali to the Design Department, then wait for the Supervision and Inspection Office to send personnel."

"Yes!" Dong Tang Wenjuan turned and left the meeting room, soon returning with Chu Ming and the others.

"Chu Ming!" Zhou Andong instructed: "Take Su Dali to the Design Department, wait for the Supervision and Inspection Office personnel to arrive, then hand him over to them."

"Yes!" Chu Ming and another guard approached Su Dali: "Section Chief Su, are you walking with us, or shall we carry you?"

Su Dali silently stood up and walked toward the door. As he stepped out, he glanced back at Hong Jinyan. His icy eyes held anger and resentment, but Hong Jinyan did not see it.