Chapter 385: Give Hope to Those Who Carry the Firewood!

"Who called the police?" The police officer's gaze swept over everyone present.

"I did." Tang Ye responded and stood up.

Cao Lei followed the sound and looked over, a trace of hard-to-detect gratitude flashing in the depths of his eyes.

The police officer was slightly startled and raised his hand to signal the group: "Then let's all go to the Police Station to give a statement."

Inside the Interrogation Room, Police Station Chief Yin was stunned when he saw Cao Lei: "Old Cao, why is it you?"

Cao Lei shook his head with a bitter smile: "I won't hide it from you, my elderly father is seriously ill and hospitalized. I was running a street stall at night to earn more for medical expenses, but I ended up being targeted by Urban Management."

Police Station Chief Yin sighed heavily and patted his shoulder lightly: "Those Urban Management people... Alright, you go back first."

"Ah? That's it? It's fine now?" Cao Lei looked surprised.

"Bureau Chief Wan of the County Public Security Bureau gave the instructions personally," the Police Station Chief lowered his voice, "The equipment you use for your food stall hasn't been destroyed. I'll have someone send it back to you in a while."

Only then did Cao Lei realize that the matter had actually alarmed Wan Ming, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief in his heart.

In the room next door, Zhou Liang was cursing while clutching his red and swollen cheek.

He had followed hints from those above to cause trouble for Cao Lei, never expecting to get punched in return.

"Old Zhou," Police Station Chief Yin pushed the door open and entered, his tone cold and stern, "We've investigated. It was your subordinates who pushed Deputy Township Head Cao's mother first, which is why he acted. Put yourself in his shoes; if your mother were treated like that, could you endure it?"

"You're taking sides!" Zhou Liang's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Police Station Chief Yin handed him a cigarette, though his gaze was filled with disgust: "We're all in the system. Don't you know the situation in Old Cao's family? Must you force someone into a dead end?"

"He deserves it!" Zhou Liang sneered, "Who told him not to keep his eyes open and dare to go against Secretary Liao? Otherwise, could he have ended up like this?"

Seeing that he was impervious to reason, Police Station Chief Yin simply spoke bluntly: "Do you know who called the police tonight?"

"Even if it was Secretary Han who called the police, I still want justice. That slap cannot be taken for nothing..."

"It was Tang Ye, the new Deputy County Magistrate." Police Station Chief Yin interrupted him, "Along with him was Deputy Secretary Cheng Lin."

Zhou Liang's pupils contracted violently, his Adam's apple bobbing as he was unable to speak.

"If you insist on not settling, that's fine too," Police Station Chief Yin stood up and straightened his police uniform, "But Deputy Township Head Cao has already left. As for you, if you don't want to leave, then whatever..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Liang's arrogant aura instantly extinguished, his face turning as pale as paper.

Things had reached this point.

What else could he do besides settle?

Cao Lei returned home feeling depressed, yet the moment he stepped through the courtyard gate, he still forced a smile onto his face.

No matter how great the pain, it must be left outside the door.

His wife already knew about his encounter with the Urban Management enforcement that night and said softly: "Starting tomorrow, I'll go run the stall. You are a public servant, it's not very convenient."

Cao Lei patted his wife's hand lightly: "This public servant of yours isn't far from being dismissed. To tell you the truth, seeing that I'm already over fifty and have achieved nothing, I truly feel sorry for letting you suffer along with me."

His wife wiped the corner of her eye: "I'll go bring you your food."

Seeing his wife serving warm food from the pot, Cao Lei felt a surge of emotion in his heart.

Thinking back to the excitement his wife had shown half a year ago when he was promoted to Deputy Township Head, it now seemed like nothing more than a reflection of the moon in the water.

He shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice when his wife suddenly took out two hundred yuan.

"Two young people came to the house to look for you today, a man and a woman. The man was tall, the woman elegant. They said they were your colleagues. Before leaving, they left this two hundred yuan government consolation money, as well as milk and fruit. They said later they would go find you; did you meet them?"

Cao Lei put down his bowl and chopsticks, momentarily stunned: "Was the man about one meter eighty tall, and the woman also very tall, extremely beautiful, dressed simply, and wearing her hair short?"

His wife nodded quickly: "That's right!"

Only then did Cao Lei realize that the person who had come to eat at his food stall today was actually Cheng Lin. No wonder he had managed to get out of the Police Station without encountering any trouble.

Why did Cheng Lin come to his home and leave things and money?

Suddenly, a flame of hope surged in his heart.

Could it be that there was still a turning point for his future?

The next morning, a Five-Person Group Meeting was held in the County Party Committee small conference room.

Han Guangyao walked into the conference room and instructed the County Party Committee Office Director: "Today's meeting concerns the candidate for Deputy Director of the Industrial Park Management Committee. Comrade Tang Ye is in charge of the Industrial Park, so let him attend. His opinion is very important."

A moment later, Tang Ye stepped into the conference room and took a seat in the corner.

Han Guangyao coughed lightly: "Previously, Chen Jiadong, the Deputy Director of the Suiyuan County Management Committee, was investigated for suspected criminal cases, and the position has been vacant. Today we are mainly discussing the issue of the Deputy Director candidate."

County Magistrate Gao Hong already had a candidate in mind and said in a deep voice: "Yesterday, Comrade Nie Kai recommended Comrade Gao Xiang from the County Government Office. This comrade has worked in the office for many years and has outstanding ability. I believe he can be included in the candidate list."

Han Guangyao wrote the name down in his notebook and turned his gaze to Cheng Lin: "Comrade Cheng Lin, why don't you speak first?"

Cheng Lin said softly: "I recommend Comrade Cao Lei, the current Deputy Township Head of Dongwan Township. Although he has been in office for a short time, he dares to speak the truth and played a decisive role in reporting the illegal problems of Liao Guosheng."

Gao Hong frowned: "I have concerns about this. Cao Lei has not been Deputy Township Head for long, his qualifications are still shallow, and I fear it will be difficult to convince the public."

Cheng Lin said sternly: "Prestige is accumulated through work performance. I think he needs a platform to display his talents."

Gao Hong still had reservations: "I don't know much about Comrade Cao Lei, but a cadre who reports his superiors will inevitably cause controversy."

Seeing the two at a stalemate, Han Guangyao turned to Tang Ye: "Comrade Tang Ye, you give your opinion as well."

Tang Ye picked up the microphone: "County Magistrate Gao's concerns are not without reason. A cadre who reports his superiors may indeed be seen as an 'unstable factor,' and in a position like the Industrial Park Management Committee, controversy will inevitably exist.

But yesterday, I accompanied Secretary Cheng Lin to visit Comrade Cao Lei's home on-site. His father is bedridden with cancer, and he himself uses his spare time to run a food stall at the Industrial Park to raise medical expenses.

We cannot be too bureaucratic, and even more so, we cannot let those who carry firewood for the masses freeze to death in the wind and snow!

I believe that such a comrade who is in a predicament but always maintains his sense of responsibility deserves more opportunities."

After listening, Gao Hong sighed inwardly and spoke up: "I didn't expect Comrade Cao Lei's family situation to be so difficult. I hereby state my position: I agree to transfer Comrade Cao Lei to be the Deputy Director of the Industrial Park Management Committee."

One o'clock in the afternoon.

Cao Lei received a call from the County Party Committee Organization Department:

"Comrade Cao Lei, please come to the County Party Committee Organization Department at two o'clock this afternoon; a leader wishes to speak with you."

He was quite surprised: "Understood! I will arrive on time. Are there any materials I need to prepare?"

"There is no need to be nervous, it is just a simple conversation."

Cao Lei arrived at the County Party Committee Organization Department,

and under the guidance of a staff member, walked into the conference room.

Organization Department Minister Kang Jiayi introduced: "This is Comrade Cheng Lin, Deputy County Party Secretary, and this is Deputy County Magistrate Tang Ye. We invited you here today mainly to understand your thoughts. There is currently a Deputy Director position at the Industrial Park Management Committee, and both leaders believe you are very suitable. I wonder if you are willing to try this new position?"