Chapter 472

Zhou Ruohan vented, then turned and left; Cui Mingjiu was completely bewildered.

Just now Secretary Zhou said I had confessed and would be given lenient sentencing, but with you it's become a key focus of care—who did I provoke?

He originally thought that as long as his adoptive older brother made a slight move, the county leaders would tremble and definitely give him and his brother face.

He even thought this was a good opportunity for those three to curry favor with the municipal Party Committee leaders, and they might even thank him after it's over.

Yet those three county leaders gave him no face at all, making him simply unable to imagine that within the system there could be such a topsy‑turvy situation.

Of course he never imagined that he, this local tyrant, could hold his position for three or five years and then just walk away whenever he wanted.

But now he finally understands that his local tyrant status is nothing; they can pinch him like crushing an ant.

At the same time he finally realized that Su Yang is someone he cannot afford to provoke, but it's already too late.

From this moment on, the heavens of Xiushui Township may completely change.

At dinnertime, Su Yang received a call from Fang Jingwen; facing this female leader who might suddenly lash out at him at any moment, he remained highly vigilant.

As soon as the call connected, he said, "Secretary Fang, do you have any instructions? Or do I need to go to the Discipline Inspection Commission to assist with the investigation of this Xiushui Township incident?"

"I'm still in the hospital; if it's not urgent, I'll come tomorrow morning."

Fang Jingwen said, "Don't be so nervous, okay? In your heart, do I have anything besides work to talk to you about?"

After saying that, she deliberately paused, but Su Yang didn't even catch his breath, just remained silent; at that moment a strange feeling rose in her heart.

After a full half‑minute, she then said, "I actually called to tell you that Cui Mingjiu has already confessed what he should, and will be handed directly to the procuratorate tomorrow."

"And Lu Kai also has some problems, so he can't continue as the Party Committee secretary either; this time he'll also be removed."

"So I just recommended you, in front of your cohabiting girlfriend and Secretary Zhou, to serve as the Party Committee secretary of Xiushui Township, without appointing a township head for now; you will be fully responsible for the township's daily work and poverty‑alleviation work."

"Don't let me down—be sure to bring out your boldness, capability, daring, and that vigorous drive."

Su Yang felt odd about this, because to him it wasn't a surprise at all, and he was waiting for Vice Provincial Governor Huang to directly appoint him, which would happen at most in these few days.

As a result, he now owes Fang Jingwen a favor, leaving him wondering what to say.

If this happened to someone else, they'd probably be moved to tears, already thinking about thanking the leader and how to accept congratulations from comrades, even planning where to book a hotel for a meal.

Moreover, Fang Jingwen surely knows about his relationship with Zhou Ruohan, yet hearing her bluntly label it a "cohabiting girlfriend" feels awfully awkward.

But he still ought to thank her, after all she has put considerable effort into this matter.

"Thank you, Secretary Fang—I'm a cadre who was just removed; many people probably don't want to see me continue in such an important post, and might even make you bear some public‑opinion pressure—I truly don't know how to thank you properly."

As soon as those pleasantries came out, he suddenly felt they were inappropriate; Fang Jingwen's personality is clearly known, and she certainly wouldn't play by the rules—sure enough she said, "Don't just spout empty thanks; you need to show some real action."

Su Yang really wanted to slap himself twice—why did he just run his mouth like that?

But now that the words are out, he can only grit his teeth and say, "Well, if you don't mind, when Secretary Fang has time, I'll treat you to a simple meal."

He wanted to hang up after saying that, but Fang Jingwen had already anticipated his move: "Free? I'm free right now—come over now."

Su Yang went numb; he clearly understood that Fang Jingwen didn't harbor any special feeling toward him—she simply wanted to make Zhou Ruohan unhappy.

Moreover, if nothing unexpected happens, Zhou Ruohan should call him any moment to go out for dinner; at this critical juncture, could he possibly run off to eat with Fang Jingwen? Obviously not.

Still, he had a bit of wit; he immediately pulled the phone away and said, "Hey hey, Secretary Fang, can you hear me? I can't hear you speaking."

"Hello… Secretary Fang… is the signal bad?"

"Secretary Fang, I don't know… can you hear me? Over here… for some reason the signal just cut out, hello… hello… hello… hello"

"Beep beep beep!"

Fang Jingwen almost couldn't hold back laughter hearing the beeping from the receiver.

In her heart she thought her mind was still sharp, but this matter couldn't just end like that; having just shown off Zhou Ruohan's face today, she intended to press the advantage and continue making Zhou Ruohan uncomfortable.

It seems she has found her life's goal: constantly showing off Zhou Ruohan, constantly making Zhou Ruohan suffer, thereby finding life's joy and a strong sense of accomplishment.

After Su Yang finished speaking, he immediately hung up, then seeing Wei Xiaohai's especially fervent gaze fixed on him, he frankly said, "Comrade Wei Xiaohai, Cui Mingjiu and Lu Kai have been investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission for violations of law and discipline."

"Those two can't come back; next, a new Party Committee secretary might take over the work, which would be extremely favorable for our poverty‑alleviation efforts. Rest well—given your outstanding performance, the organization won't forget you."

"Um, I won't keep you company tonight; I still need to go back for a bit."

Merely, Wei Xiaohai had already guessed something from Su Yang's phone call earlier, and could even clearly hear Su Yang saying thanks to Secretary Fang.

Since the only township Party secretary in the whole county is Fang Jingwen, and now they're talking about personnel adjustments involving the Party Committee secretary, as long as he's not addled, he'll naturally figure it out.

"Congratulations, Director Su—please keep giving me opportunities in the future, or else I'll treat you to a barbecue."

He said this and was about to sit up from the hospital bed; after all, he's a young person just starting work, not as scheming as those old oil‑men, who would silently digest the news and later look for a suitable chance to cling to Su Yang's thigh.

Moreover, he wouldn't say to go ask for barbecue; just think—asking a section‑level cadre to treat the county's absolute power‑holder to barbecue, who would that be chilling? Hmm.

But Su Yang didn't mind; on the contrary, he felt Wei Xiaohai genuinely wanted to treat him to a meal.

He laughed and said, "Sure, sure, but first you need to get well; later one barbecue won't be enough—you'll have to come for another one or two, and bring some beer too."

"Look at Cui Mingjiu, eating well and drinking spicy stuff every day in the township—if we organize a little beer and barbecue event, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Wei Xiaohai nodded eagerly, "No problem, no problem, Director Su—please give me that chance then."

At that moment he still hadn't realized he had already latched onto a thick, sturdy thigh.

When Su Yang got home, before he could even settle his seat, he saw a face as cold as water.