Chapter 1162: I Really Didn't Dare Spend It!

During the first week, Zhang Lei's state of mind was still relatively stable; he confessed to some things, but they were all insignificant trifles.

Because he still held expectations in his heart, adopting a delaying tactic, wondering if a miracle might happen...

By the second week, Zhang Lei began to grow anxious. The high-intensity interrogations by the working group made him miserable; his entire mental state was poor, and his willpower was being constantly eroded.

By the third week, Zhang Lei's psychological defenses collapsed completely.

He took the initiative to request a meeting with the County Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary, Zhao Shuli.

Zhao Shuli was somewhat surprised when he saw Zhang Lei!

Because in less than twenty days, Zhang Lei had lost over twenty catties, his appearance had completely changed, and he had become a different person.

Zhao Shuli sat opposite Zhang Lei and said calmly, "Since you've thought it through, then hurry up and confess!"

Zhang Lei nodded slightly, "I want to smoke!"

Zhao Shuli gave a look to the staff member beside him.

The staff member took out a cigarette and gave it to Zhang Lei.

Zhao Shuli took the initiative to take out a lighter and lit the cigarette for Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei puffed away and said softly, "Secretary Zhao, I admit that in the position of Director of the Transportation Bureau, I committed many mistakes. It was mainly because I listened to the bewitchment and slander of others at the time."

Zhao Shuli's expression turned grave, and he said coldly, "At this point, you are still making excuses for your own mistakes. If your will were firm, how could you have been easily swayed?"

An awkward look appeared on Zhang Lei's face, and he laughed sheepishly,

"When people do something wrong, they always habitually look for excuses.

My biggest mistake was trusting Qiu Family Village too much.

Back when we were carrying out transportation reform, I supported them in establishing the Yechuan County Cargo Transportation Association.

This association was originally intended to make the operation of transportation enterprises within the county more standardized; I didn't expect it to become a breeding ground for organized crime."

Zhao Shuli asked calmly, "According to your tone, you were unaware?"

Seeing that Zhao Shuli's tone was off, Zhang Lei began to backtrack, "I knew about some situations, but I didn't expect them to be so arrogant."

Zhao Shuli said disappointedly, "If this is still your level of awareness, it shows you haven't reflected clearly. I'll talk to you again when you've thought it through!"

Seeing Zhao Shuli stand up to leave.

Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised; he hesitated for a moment and called out to stop Zhao Shuli.

"Secretary Zhao, if I actively plead guilty and confess everything, can I be given a lighter sentence?"

Zhao Shuli sat back down, "If your attitude is upright, we will consider it at our discretion. Of course, everything depends on how much loss you can recover for society."

Zhang Lei steeled his heart and gritted his teeth, "Secretary Zhao, I have indeed had some savings over these past few years, and I am willing to take all the money out and hand it over to the organization. I hope you can put in a good word for me."

Zhao Shuli nodded slightly, "I cannot make any promises, I can only do my best."

Zhang Lei struggled internally for a difficult moment before saying, "Three years ago, I bought a three-story house in a village in the suburbs. I would go there every Friday to store the money in the ceiling cavity of the attic. This secret is known only to me."

Zhao Shuli gave a look to the staff member.

The staff member immediately stood up, walked out the door, and arranged for people to search that house.

The staff members stepped inside, and a vast scene presented itself before their eyes; there were no decorations or furniture in the house.

They went straight to the attic at the corner between the second and third floors.

Someone found a bamboo pole and tried poking the ceiling a few times, and soon found the wooden board that could be moved.

Moving the board aside, the staff member exclaimed, "Stolen goods found!"

They cleared out all the money in the ceiling cavity.

Besides cash, there were also a large number of jewelry pieces.

"I suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg," someone raised a doubt.

"That's right, a wily rabbit has three burrows; it's impossible that he only hid money in this one place."

Accompanied by a carpet search, the experienced staff members soon found a box under some floorboards.

Opening the box, a pungent, moldy smell rushed toward them.

"My god, so much money, it has actually all gone moldy."

"This money must have been hidden in another place and then got damp; because the amount was huge and he didn't dare go to the bank to exchange it, he just kept it here."

Meanwhile, Zhao Shuli and Zhang Lei were chatting in a seemingly aimless manner.

In the process of chatting, Zhao Shuli figured out Zhang Lei's method of corruption.

It must be admitted that Zhang Lei still had quite a few tricks.

The people below were divided into layers.

Zhang Lei only had contact with Qiu Family Village.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so many years without the scandal breaking.

A cell phone rang, and Zhao Shuli answered the call.

The staff member's tone was filled with surprise and emotion, "Secretary Zhao, we found a large amount of cash and jewelry in the ceiling cavity, worth over ten million. Much of the cash is damp and moldy, and severely damaged."

Zhao Shuli said, "Understood, keep a good record, don't miss anything."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Shuli asked curiously, "With so much money, you'd rather let it go moldy and rot than spend it; what were you thinking?"

Zhang Lei covered his face in pain, "I really didn't dare spend it. At first, I dared to buy watches and some luxury goods, but after seeing people online being stripped bare for wearing famous watches, I didn't dare do that anymore.

You might think I'm being hypocritical.

Really, every time I took money, I couldn't feel happy.

I really like playing basketball, sweating on the basketball court.

That is the simple and pure joy."

Zhao Shuli had seen many corrupt elements, and he had to admit that Zhang Lei's words of repentance left a deep impression on him.

Zhao Shuli twirled his fountain pen, "The evidence of your corruption has already been found, and your attitude is considered sincere. Alright, let's talk about your lifestyle issues now!"

Zhang Lei's expression changed slightly, and he said awkwardly, "Secretary Zhao, I am a person who keeps myself very clean and self-disciplined; there are no problems with my lifestyle."

Zhao Shuli sighed and took out a list, "Are you familiar with the names of these people?"

Zhang Lei took the list into his hands and tried hard to control his expression, but his eyes still betrayed his guilty conscience.

He finally realized that his secrets had long since been laid bare by others.

Any desperate resistance would be futile.

"You all are very capable, to have investigated so thoroughly!" Zhang Lei sighed dejectedly.

Zhao Shuli took out a pen and paper and said in a deep voice, "Even the most meticulous plan has its oversights; since things have reached this point, you had better confess honestly!"

Zhang Lei picked up the pen, and countless memories flooded into his mind.

What left the deepest impression was when he had just been assigned to an important position, and someone came to his door to ask him for a favor.

That feeling was just like going to a massage parlor for the first time; he felt excited, yet felt annoyed, and felt even more that he was no longer clean or pure.

But, the matter of taking money was just like that business between a man and a woman.

Once there was a first time for cheating, there would be a second, and then one would become addicted...