Chapter 99: with translation of chapter title

The people of the Beihu Sub-bureau failed to capture Ye Jiaying, and the news was quickly reported up to Bai Wentao.

Bai Wentao hastily reported to Xiao Yunce:

"Mayor, the online public opinion domestically has been suppressed. Indeed, it was Lin Dongfan pulling the strings behind the scenes—just now Lin Dongfan stopped us from making the arrest."

"This bastard actually thinks he's somebody."

With a light chuckle, Xiao Yunce tapped the table twice with his index finger.

Bai Wentao, understanding without words, picked up the teacup on the table and refilled Xiao Yunce's cup with steaming tea water that contained not tea leaves but premium wolfberries, each plump and naturally colored, few seeds, thick flesh.

Xiao Yunce lifted the teacup and gently blew to cool it.

Bai Wentao then continued to ask for instructions:

"The paternity test has now been published, proving it's a rumor; I think we can file a case and make arrests. However, Xu Liangyuan of the Faction has clearly sided with Chu Jinsong, refusing to sign the arrest warrant. Chang Jian of the Procuratorate also seems to have second thoughts, unwilling to urge the City Bureau to file a case. What do you think of this…"

"Chang Ming is the type who always hesitates and shrinks back," Xiao Yunce replied dismissively. "He's still waiting, anticipating that the provincial discipline commission will come talk to me."

"Should we notify Chang Jian to come over?" Bai Wentao asked.

Xiao Yunce remained composed: "No rush; after the provincial discipline commission reaches a conclusion, it's not too late to make arrests. For now, we must first control online public opinion, do a good job cleansing the net, and prevent a resurgence."

"Alright, if there are no further instructions, I'll get back to work."

"Go ahead."

After Bai Wentao left, Xiao Yunce picked up his phone.

He found Shang Keqing's contact information.

He sent Shang Keqing a message: "Old Shang, I heard you've returned to the country; don't believe the online rumors—they're just Chu Jinsong's son-in-law stirring up trouble."

At that moment, Shang Keqing was sitting in his car, heading to Ding Yuxia's home.

He saw the message Xiao Yunce had sent.

Shang Keqing's first reaction was that his movements were being monitored; otherwise, how would Xiao Yunce know he had returned to the country? He had only just left the airport less than half an hour ago.

"That hypocritical old dog Xiao!"

Shang Keqing cursed with a laugh, then ripped out the SIM card, snapped it between his teeth, and tossed it out the car window.

Ten minutes later.

Shang Keqing arrived at Ding Yuxia's house and pounded hard on the door: "Open up!!!"

"You're going to die, you have no manners at all."

Even before they divorced, Ding Yuxia never gave Shang Keqing a pleasant look; now that they're divorced, she glares at him, and even if she opens the door, she blocks the doorway, unwilling to let him in.

Shang Keqing angrily shoved Ding Yuxia aside and stormed straight into the house.

Ding Yuxia followed behind, shouting: "Shang Keqing, if you want to go crazy, go crazy at your own place—this isn't somewhere you can run wild. Get out right now!"

"Answer me one question and I'll leave right away," Shang Keqing said as he walked through the hall into the room, glancing around for any illicit lover while asking: "Is Weiliang really my son?"

"He's the spawn of a beast—get out!"

Ding Yuxia glared at Shang Keqing, her right hand pointing angrily at the door, indicating that's where he belongs.

Shang Keqing didn't even give her the time of day.

After checking the master bedroom, then the guest room, then the toilet, and seeing no imagined lover, he listlessly turned his gaze to Ding Yuxia.

Ding Yuxia laughed angrily: "Shang Keqing, you're something else—still trying to catch an affair after the divorce."

"I haven't even gotten home yet, and you've already posted the paternity test online—you're more efficient than I am." Shang Keqing snorted angrily: "Isn't this just a case of 'no silver here but three hundred taels'?"

"Who knows where you are? Wait for you to come back to dispel the rumor—do I still have to live? Do I still have to work?" Ding Yuxia declared righteously: "If you're capable, just don't acknowledge your son!"

"The more I think about it, the more something feels off." Shang Keqing doubted: "Back when we were young, you always said your unit required overtime, and even when you came home at night you wouldn't let me touch you—do you dare say you didn't cheat?"

"I think you're just being paranoid!"

Ding Yuxia stared straight into Shang Keqing's eyes; with her tough mental fortitude, she scorned feigning victimhood, let alone shouting like a shrew.

She simply defined herself as someone upright who has nothing to fear from their own shadow.

For a moment, even Shang Keqing was stunned into silence, wondering if he had truly been addled by the rumor, becoming suspicious and paranoid.

Just then, two knocks sounded on the door outside.

Lin Dongfan walked in, followed by Jian Sining, Tang Xia, and Zhang Xiaoguang.

This sight caused Ding Yuxia's face to drain of color in shock.

Ding Yuxia asked: "What are you here for?"

"We're here to investigate you." Lin Dongfan directly produced a search warrant: "Director of the Changming District Education Bureau, this position is pretty lucrative, huh? Did you volunteer the illicit funds yourself, or shall we extract them ourselves?"

"Lin Dongfan, don't spout bloody nonsense! What illicit funds do I have?" Ding Yuxia declared righteously, pointing at various corners of the room: "If you want to search, go ahead!"

"Captain Lin, you suspect my wife of embezzlement? You've got it wrong."

Although Shang Keqing had long heard Lin Dongfan's name, seeing the man in person today was his first encounter, and he was quite surprised by Lin Dongfan's arrival.

Lin Dongfan smiled: "Boss Shang, is the son really yours? You never went for a paternity test? And after all this time, you still keep saying 'my wife'—you're truly devoted."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shang Keqing's face fell into a gloomy, dim shade.

Shang Keqing glared at Ding Yuxia: "Tell me the truth—is Weiliang really my son? Don't force me to slap you in front of outsiders!"

"He's clearly trying to sow discord—do you believe him or me? Shang Keqing, you're a bastard!" Ding Yuxia yelled, tears welling up as she spoke.

At last, she could no longer remain as calm and composed as before.

Lin Dongfan's face darkened slightly: "Ding Yuxia, even at death's door you still cling to a hard mouth—how interesting. You posted the paternity test online, and within less than half an hour we apprehended the president of Renmin Yiyuan. According to his confession, you brandished Mayor Xiao's name, threatening him to help you forge the paternity test."

"Damn, that's low!"

Upon hearing the three words "Mayor Xiao," Shang Keqing flew into a rage, swung his hand, and slapped Ding Yuxia so hard she lost her voice and screamed.

Ding Yuxia lowered her head, covering her burning cheeks, and wept silently.

Lin Dongfan then asked Ding Yuxia: "Director Ding, since I've come with a search warrant, I'm confident I'll find your illicit evidence—don't you want to confess voluntarily?"

"Captain Lin, as for her cheating during the marriage, there's nothing to say—I admit it. But you claim she's embezzled funds; that really seems unlikely." Shang Keqing said frankly: "Since I left office to go into business, my ventures have been doing well. Even though we're divorced, I still give her a sum of money each month."

"Director Shang, your ex-husband really knows how to be genuine." Jian Sining couldn't help but laugh and comment.

Shang Keqing sighed: "She usually spends money lavishly, which has become a habit. I give her a sum of money each month, hoping to heavily subsidize her integrity. She lacks no money, so there's no need for her to engage in corruption."

"Director Shang, it seems you still don't understand your ex-wife enough."

Lin Dongfan gave a light laugh.

He then shifted his gaze to the silent, head-down Ding Yuxia: "Bureau Chief Ding, with your help, each of your six natal brothers built a villa in the countryside—you're quite generous……"

"Enough said, I'll cooperate with the investigation."

Ding Yuxia wiped away a tear, went to the bedroom, and brought out thirteen bank cards.

She confessed to Lin Dongfan and the others: "These two cards were opened under my eldest brother's name; together they hold 3.5 million. This card was opened under my second brother's name; it seems to have over two million. These four cards were opened under my third brother's name; I don't remember the exact amount, but it should be over ten million……"

Faced with this pile of unheard-of bank cards, Shang Keqing was completely petrified.

Never would I have imagined that my ex-wife is actually a brother-supporting demon.

And I'm a huge idiot!

Shang Keqing anguishedly questioned Ding Yuxia: "Why would you do this?!"

Ding Yuxia lowered her head and replied: "Who doesn't want to bring glory to the family? If my natal relatives can't bask in my glory, what's the point of my position as a leader? You can forego face, but I demand it."