Chapter 554: Scapegoat

My father-in-law, Minister Huang Shan, greeted me with a pleasant countenance, and I was so flattered that I bowed my head like an obedient little dog. In front of the Huang family, I truly lacked confidence.

First, I didn't come from a family of high officials, and second, I lacked the temperament of a noble family.

Although my maternal grandfather ran five herbal medicine shops, he was ultimately just a businessman. As for my grandfather, he could barely be mentioned in polite society. From birth until now, I had never even visited his grave.

My old man returned to his hometown one year and spent several days asking hundreds of people, trying hard to search his memory, but in the end, he couldn't find the grave he had personally erected. My father was heartbroken; after crying, he returned to Hengyue City and built an empty grave for my grandparents. I had visited it with my father, but every time I thought about how empty it was, my originally sorrowful heart would feel hollow, as if it could never find a foothold.

The Huang family was different. It was said that my father-in-law's father was also an old revolutionary, and his official rank during his lifetime was no lower than my father-in-law's. Bureau Chief Chen Yazhi's family was even more incredible; she was the only member of the Chen family left in Hengyue City. Her family was all in Beijing and belonged to the ranks of high-level cadres.

Therefore, a grassroots commoner like me basically lived by looking at others' faces. In front of the Huang family, even if I were quite remarkable, I was nothing more than a clown.

Fortunately, my wife, Huang Weiwei, never looked down on me. In her eyes, I was her mountain, her great river. Even if Minister Huang Shan and Bureau Chief Chen Yazhi were unwilling, they could only accompany their daughter and carefully protect our love.

After we sat down, Minister Huang Shan asked about my situation at the Provincial Party School. I reported truthfully, without adding any embellishments.

In front of him, one couldn't exaggerate or be evasive. As a dignified Municipal Organization Minister, he didn't necessarily know everything about the entire Central Province, but there was nothing that could be hidden from him.

Upon hearing that I was the class monitor, a faint, relieved smile appeared on his face.

Huang Weiwei didn't miss the opportunity to praise me: "Dad, didn't I say Chen Feng was good? Among so many young talents in the province, he's still the one who became class monitor."

Minister Huang Shan nodded and said, "Young man, don't be arrogant."

Huang Weiwei stuck out her tongue and said, "Dad, one should be proud when it's due. If my husband didn't have ability, would others let him be class monitor?"

Bureau Chief Chen Yazhi gently patted her daughter and said, "You talk too much."

I lowered my head and said, "Mom and Dad, I serve all my classmates."

Minister Huang Shan nodded in approval and turned to ask me, "Did you have any insights from your research this time?"

Before coming to do the research, Provincial Governor Chen had given instructions that the content of our research was currently in a semi-confidential state. Because no one could guarantee that this policy would definitely be implemented. After all, it was a tradition that had continued for thousands of years; changing it suddenly required extraordinary courage and ability.

I answered him earnestly, "We have only just begun, and everything is not very clear."

Minister Huang Shan nodded with satisfaction. I didn't make any grand claims, which was exactly what he was looking for. If I had boasted wildly, the impression I left on him would certainly have been one of vanity and superficiality.

After chatting for a while, Minister Huang Shan said to me, "Little Chen, come to my study for a moment."

Huang Weiwei wanted to follow me, but Bureau Chief Chen Yazhi grabbed her and scolded, "Silly girl, your dad wants to talk to Chen Feng about business, why are you joining in? Sit here and watch TV obediently; I'm going to stew some pigeon soup for you."

I followed Minister Huang Shan upstairs in fear and trepidation.

The study was the same as before, spacious and bright. The four walls were covered in books, and each one showed signs of having been flipped through. This made me secretly admire my father-in-law.

As the saying goes, "A belly full of poetry and books makes one naturally elegant." Every gesture of Minister Huang Shan revealed his deep cultural foundation.

I handed him tea with both hands, and he signaled for me to put it on the table and sit opposite him.

"Little Chen, the first thing you need to do now is go to your aunt's company and withdraw all your shares and everything else."

I was taken aback. Had something happened? But I didn't dare ask, so I could only nod vigorously and say okay.

Initially, investing in my aunt's company had nothing to do with me. I didn't know when I had shares, nor did I know how many shares I had. All of this was arranged by my aunt and Bureau Chief Chen Yazhi.

"Not just yours, Weiwei's as well," Minister Huang Shan said sternly. "As a Party and government cadre, you cannot hold shares in an enterprise."

I said carefully, "Others don't know either."

Minister Huang Shan's face darkened, and he said, "There are no airtight walls in the world. As long as there is registration, others will know."

I nodded submissively, indicating that I was childish, immature, and thought about problems too simply.

Minister Huang Shan suddenly making such a request must mean there was wind of something.

With this question, I wanted to open my mouth several times to ask. After all, the company was my aunt's. If the company really had problems, even if it had nothing to do with me, as long as it was my aunt's business, it was definitely my business.

Minister Huang Shan clearly saw through my thoughts. He waved his hand and said, "You don't need to think too much. There are no other problems. It's just that you are now a cadre being cultivated by the organization, and you cannot stumble over such small matters. If you want to walk steadily, you must first clear the obstacles on the road. As long as there is anything that can affect your progress, even if it is something you love, you must endure the pain and cut it off."

Minister Huang Shan stood up, took an envelope from the bookcase, handed it to me, and signaled for me to open it.

I hesitated for a moment, but still opened it.

This was a whistleblower letter, reporting that the Hengyue City Public Security Bureau was corrupt and disregarded life.

I read through it quickly, and the more I read, the more my heart jumped.

This whistleblower letter had something to do with me; it was about the Qilin Villa case.

Minister Huang Shan waited for me to finish reading and said one sentence: "Even I can receive such a whistleblower letter, which shows how many there must be."

My heart skipped a beat. Minister Huang Shan was the Organization Minister; such letters couldn't possibly reach his hands. But the fact was he had indeed received it, so Municipal Party Secretary Chen, the Mayor, and provincial-level leaders should have received them too.

This was the rhythm of courting death! This was the rhythm of throwing the world into chaos!

I didn't answer Minister Huang Shan's words directly and read the letter from beginning to end again.

After reading it this time, I basically had a bottom line in my heart.

This letter was written fluently, the wording was reasonable, there weren't many words, it was concise and to the point, but it presented the whole picture of the event clearly.

I carefully looked at the name of the whistleblower, and just as I expected, it was Lao Can's wife, Su Ya.

Su Ya couldn't write such a letter. Except for Chen Meng, no one else could write such high-level text.

The spearhead of the letter didn't just point to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, but vaguely pointed out a bigger backer behind it. This made me understand why Chen Meng didn't give this case directly to her father.

Chen Meng must have understood that this case wasn't something her father could lead.

"What is your opinion?" Minister Huang Shan asked me.

I mumbled, not knowing how to express it.

"The case happened in your Chunshan County, and you are the Executive Deputy County Magistrate. If it isn't thoroughly cleared up, I'm worried it will involve you." Minister Huang Shan sighed and said, "If it isn't handled well, who will be the scapegoat?"

The term "scapegoat" coming out of his mouth surprised me greatly.

"Someone has to come forward to take the burden." Minister Huang Shan pondered for a long time and said, "Little Chen, you must walk the road steadily. If you have anything, call me more often. You must remember, I am also your father."

His last sentence almost made me tear up.

I choked and said, "Dad, I know!"

Coming out of Minister Huang Shan's study, I secretly made up my mind that in this life, I must treat Huang Weiwei well! ===== CHAPTER 555 =====