Chapter 952: Someone Behind

"What is this?!"

"Who let you do this?!"

Li Huai De stared at the dance team members standing in the small dance hall.

Especially the waitress-style skirts they were wearing, with their eyebrows drawn and faces made up, they were very beautiful.

The heads of the brother units following behind him had smiles in their eyes, but their faces still maintained the appearance of upright gentlemen.

They had just come over after eating lunch in the restaurant, wanting to find a quiet place to chat.

The service standards of the Red Star International Hotel were very high, and the equipment and facilities were very novel, leaving a deep impression on the heads of these brother units.

Listening to their compliments, Li Huai De's mood had always been very good, and the nature of the conversation was also very high.

But being led here by the waiter, looking at these dancing actors with exposed arms and legs, it was like a basin of cold water poured on his head, making his face turn red all of a sudden.

Fortunately, they were all friends who came today. If someone asked if they had taken the wrong road and entered a brothel at this time, I'm afraid his face would be lost.

Seeing him get angry, the waiter had long been frightened and lost, and explained stammeringly: "It was arranged by Deputy Director Shi. He said the leader likes..."

"What likes!"

Li Huai De interrupted the waiter's explanation and scolded with red eyes: "How many times have I emphasized that we must cherish the current achievements and put the comrades' enthusiasm for literature and art in the workshop and in the performance post!"

"What does he want to do? Messing around!"

He turned his head and looked around, but didn't see Shi Ruoweng. He muttered a few words, waved his hand at the dancing actors, and said: "Get out quickly."

Zhou Miaomiao had long been frightened. Seeing the leader speak, she quickly greeted the team members to leave.

At this time, Zhang Songying appeared at the door, saying sorry repeatedly: "I'm sorry, leader, we didn't expect you to come here."

She explained in an unhurried voice: "We were trying on the summer waitress uniforms. We were in a hurry for a while, causing trouble for you and the leaders. I'm really sorry."

This reason was not very sufficient, especially since Li Huai De had already broken the identity of those people.

But everyone present knew that Old Li wanted face the most. At this time, they all pretended not to know and nodded in agreement with Zhang Songying's explanation.

Then, looking at the waiters filing in to pour tea for them, they started laughing and talking again, not taking what they just saw to heart at all.

Li Huai De looked at the atmosphere in the room and eased up, nodded to Zhang Songying, and gave instructions: "Go find Shi Ruoweng and let him wait for me at the door."

"Okay, leader."

Zhang Songying first responded, then whispered and criticized the waiter who led the way: "How do you serve the leader? Is Deputy Director Shi someone you can talk about?"

The waiter was also a clever ghost. Seeing Deputy General Manager Zhang scolding people, tears fell down all of a sudden.

Li Huai De looked at it from the side, his brows frowned slightly, and his dissatisfaction with Shi Ruoweng in his heart became even stronger.

"Do your work well, it doesn't matter."

He first comforted the waiter, then exhorted Zhang Songying: "For the International Hotel, ask Deputy Director Li of the Office for instructions."

After speaking, he glanced at Zhou Miaomiao who was standing at the door aggrieved, and said: "Ruoweng doesn't manage business work, why do you listen to him."

"I'm sorry, leader."

Zhang Songying said with a face full of apologies: "Deputy Director Li has been busy recently, and Deputy Director Shi is managing the reception work..."

"Even if he is busy, he has time to manage you."

Li Huai De emphasized with a frown, and then gave instructions: "In the future, don't worry about anything else for foreign reception work, just ask Deputy Director Li. Do you hear clearly?"

"Yes, Director Li, clear."

Zhang Songying responded timidly, and then whispered: "Deputy Director Shi arranged for the comrades of the dance troupe to come and then ignored them. You entertain the guests first, I will go to appease them and send them back. Standing outside is not very appropriate."

"Mm."

Li Huai De nodded, looked at Zhang Songying and said: "I am at ease with you doing things. Talk to them well, don't make trouble, go."

"Understood, you go ahead."

Zhang Songying arranged for the waiter to continue serving fruit on the coffee table, greeted Li Huai De, and left.

As the door closed, isolating Zhou Miaomiao's sight, her tears couldn't help falling.

Zhang Songying glanced at her, signaled to the waiter at the door, and reached out to wipe her tears.

She took the tissue handed by the waiter and comforted her softly: "It's not your fault. The leader just said he didn't scold you. Alright, stop crying."

These beautiful girls from the dance troupe of the literary and propaganda team were all delicate. The cadres in the team coaxed them, and the leaders above spoiled them. Where had they suffered such grievances?

It was already bad enough to ask them to wear summer uniforms of waitresses to dance here, but they didn't expect to be scolded.

Just looking at the eyes of those leaders, you know they didn't treat them as good people, and they didn't know what they were thinking about them in their hearts.

In fact, this outfit was not revealing. In summer, waitresses in the guesthouse also wore this.

But it was winter now. Wearing it like this gave them some dusty air, more like inducing those people to make mistakes.

Think about it, a sailor suit worn in school in summer is a student, what is it worn in a bar in winter?

What kind of occasion is this today, what time is it, and what kind of people are coming? You say Li Huai De can not get angry.

Especially the waiter's sentence "the leader likes," Li Huai De almost cursed.

When did he like it? He clearly didn't say such things on such occasions. Slandering people!

To say that the leaders of the two units gathered together to drink and dance at night, it doesn't matter.

In broad daylight, and with the heads of many units present, suddenly doing this, the Red Star International Hotel has become a club.

Zhou Miaomiao and others were naturally aggrieved. They didn't want to humiliate themselves. It was Deputy Director Shi who falsely passed the imperial decree saying that Director Li was on the scene and wanted this.

She is now the head of the dance troupe and the deputy head of the literary and propaganda team, and she has to be responsible for this matter.

Li Huai De felt that he had lost face, and she felt even more ashamed in the face of the suspicious eyes of the little sisters. This is not treating her as a procuress.

Zhang Songying comforted them softly, pushed open the door of the billiard room next door, and let them go in to rest.

"Dang~"

The girls of the dance troupe had just entered the billiard room when they found someone playing ball inside.

Li Xuewu had a cigarette in his mouth, his shirt was unbuttoned with two buttons, and he was bending over and squinting, aiming at the white ball and hadn't hit it yet, when Zhang Songying's voice came from the door.

"Oh my, Deputy Director Li, I really admire you!"

Zhang Songying wiped Zhou Miaomiao's tears with a tissue and arranged for them to sit down on the sofa in the rest area.

"You don't even look at how busy it is outside. You still have the mind to play billiards here."

"Is it?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her, then poked out with a pole, the white ball hit the black ball, and it went into the hole with one pole.

"Amazing~ Amazing~"

Eriko Momotani, who was standing opposite the table, clapped her hands and praised with a smile: "Mr. Li's technique is so amazing~"

"Mm~"

"Your Chinese is also very amazing."

Li Xuewu praised back with a smile, handed the billiard cue to Peng Xiaoli on the side, raised his hand to pinch the cigarette in his mouth, looked at the dance troupe girls who had quieted down after entering the room, and asked: "What's wrong?"

"Hi~ don't mention it~"

Zhang Songying looked like she didn't want to mention these rotten things again, glanced at Zhou Miaomiao and the others, and said softly to him: "They were wronged for taking the blame for others."

"Is it!"

Li Xuewu's brows frowned slightly, and he said dissatisfiedly: "Who made this mess?"

As he spoke, he pointed at Zhou Miaomiao and the others and said: "Hurry up and find clothes for them to wear. It's so cold, what kind of style is this."

Zhou Miaomiao had already been moved by Zhang Songying's warm words. Hearing Li Xuewu's active defense now, her tears couldn't stop again.

When she cried, the other girls in the dance troupe also started to shed tears, and the scene was out of control for a while.

Today is the opening of the Red Star International Hotel. As a partner of the Steel Rolling Factory and a foreign businessman received by the Foreign Affairs Department, Eriko Momotani became the first batch of guests of the Red Star International Hotel.

The three Japanese businessmen Kenichi Nishida, Kazuya Ninomiya, and Hideji Nakamura have returned to their country, leaving only Eriko Momotani as the person in charge of the local office of the three-person cooperative enterprise.

Because of the change in the situation, there is only one person in the office, and she is exclusively responsible for contacting, conveying, supervising, and handling local affairs, etc.

The opening of the Red Star International Hotel did not have any ceremonies or rituals, but many foreigners who heard the news came here to consult about check-in matters.

Looking at the duty posts standing in the courtyard in front of the door and the staff sent by the Foreign Affairs Department, you know that the safety conditions here are no worse than the Foreign Affairs Dormitory.

Comparing the living environment and service quality, and it's not spending their own money, of course, they choose to stay in the hotel.

Eriko Momotani is a socialite. She met Li Xuewu when eating at noon and made an appointment to play billiards here.

I don't know if it was a formal invitation, but Li Xuewu came very formally, bringing Peng Xiaoli, the big light bulb, very afraid of others misunderstanding.

It is said that there is no ceremony, but there must be a drinking party. So many brother units gave face to congratulate, how can they not eat and drink well.

The good cooks in the factory are mainly divided into four places. The big canteen is managed by He Yuzhu, and the guesthouse is managed by Yang Shuqian.

Originally, the small canteen was rotated by the cooks on both sides. Now Master Shang and Master Qian brought Wei Wei to the International Hotel, so they can only make do with each other.

Director Li has already spoken last night that cooks can be recruited to fully satisfy the needs of reception and hotels, and must have characteristics and real skills.

He has only two pursuits in his life, which are to eat well and play well. He thought he could achieve the goal of easy enjoyment when he became the director of the factory management committee, but he didn't expect to be more tired than before.

So he doesn't discount these two pursuits at all. There is no room for negotiation.

The food must be good, and he must play well with the girls in the dance troupe. What Director Li values is important.

The girls cried, so naturally someone has to stand up and take responsibility.

All Zhang Songying can do is let these girls know who made them suffer such humiliation and know who they should hate.

And all Li Xuewu can do is make them feel more aggrieved and have more contrast in their hearts. What bad intentions can he have?

Organizing the shirt on his body, wearing the sweater thrown on the sofa, while organizing his clothes, he said indignantly: "What are you doing? Let foreign businessmen see it and think our hotel has done something shameful."

"Please stop talking."

Zhang Songying looked at Eriko Momotani who was sitting on the side drinking tea, listening to the girls crying louder, and quickly persuaded Li Xuewu: "Director Li needs your help, hurry up."

"I'm really sorry."

Li Xuewu took the administrative jacket she handed over and put it on himself, and said to Eriko Momotani: "I have received the opinions and suggestions you raised. I will study them carefully when I go back."

"Sorry, I caused you trouble."

Eriko Momotani stood up and bowed to thank him, looking very polite. Her Chinese is indeed very good.

A waiter came in from outside the door, holding a lot of clothes, obviously belonging to the girls of the dance troupe.

Li Xuewu was even more inconvenient to stay here for a long time. He signaled Eriko Momotani to Zhang Songying and asked her to help receive her.

He commented a few words casually, adding fuel to the fire for the girls who were crying, making them cry louder, and then walked out the door with satisfaction.

To say who is bad, who can be worse than Li Xuewu? He is bad to the bone.

Seeing Shi Ruoweng coming down from upstairs in a panic at the door, he whispered to Peng Xiaoli to go to the service desk to call the duty doctor in the hotel to come here to help.

Peng Xiaoli has only been with Li Xuewu for a few days, but he has fully understood the leader's intentions and temper.

To say play, to say fool, the leader is also a young man. Although he is serious and serious in work, he is still very lively in private.

They are all young people, Peng Xiaoli dares to play. After getting Li Xuewu's instructions, he was more panicked than Shi Ruoweng who came down from upstairs, greeting the service desk to call a doctor while running, saying that the girls in the dance troupe were not good.

What does the duty waiter at the service desk understand? Seeing Peng Xiaoli panicked, they were even more panicked, carrying the medicine box and running toward the billiard room.

Shi Ruoweng had already received the news and knew that the leader was dissatisfied with his arrangement.

Seeing the chaos downstairs, he really thought that the girls in the dance troupe couldn't stand the stimulation and went to extremes.

He also felt a tremble in his heart, his legs went soft, and he rolled down the stairs directly.

Fortunately, he walked fast and there were only a few steps left, but he still bruised his knees and face, making him grin in pain.

Seeing that he had an accident here, the duty officer carrying the medicine box wanted to come over to help him, but was waved away by him.

"Don't worry about me, hurry up and see how they are, don't let anything happen!"

Deputy Director Shi is a true hero of iron and blood!

Watching the big piece of skin bruised on his face, his hands holding his knees in pain, he was still worried about the girls at this time.

Who is Li Xuewu? That is the famous little Mengchang who is happy to help others, a selfless and dedicated timely rain. Can he watch him get hurt and not care?

Waving a few security guards over, carrying him out the door to the hospital.

Shi Ruoweng didn't want to go. Director Li just said that he should wait at the door to be criticized. What is it to leave now?

Especially since he was covered in injuries now, it was just right to sell misery in front of the leader.

Seeing Li Xuewu waving to call someone, he insisted on standing up, but the injury on his knee was really not light, and he couldn't stand up no matter what.

Li Xuewu comforted him very kindly, saying that he must take good care of his injuries, and he would definitely help him keep the mistakes and conditions that happened here secret from the leader.

If Shi Ruoweng's face and legs were not really painful, he would definitely stand up and curse.

I finally got bruised like this, and I have a reason to vent the leader's anger, and you actually want to help me keep it secret?!

I really thank you for your kindness!

If Li Xuewu hadn't stood far away, he would have suspected that Li Xuewu pushed him down the stairs behind his back.

Li Xuewu didn't care about his struggle and unwillingness, and told the security to send Deputy Director Shi to the nearest hospital for treatment, and must not delay the treatment time.

Before they went out, he told the service staff on the scene that the ugly things that happened to Deputy Director Shi today must not be spread, and just say you don't know if anyone asks.

This bad egg finished his instructions and walked out, ignoring Shi Ruoweng's wailing and arguing.

When things calmed down here, the group of leaders in the small dance hall finished drinking tea and talking, and they all walked out.

When Li Huai De came out, he glanced at the door, and there was still no sign of Shi Ruoweng, and the fire in his heart became even more vigorous.

After sending the guests away, he asked Secretary Li Haiyang to find Shi Ruoweng for the first time. Secretary Li Haiyang asked many people, and the waiters all answered with wide eyes that they didn't know.

They all received instructions to keep secrets for Deputy Director Shi.

On Friday, Li Xuewu had just finished the personnel office meeting and hadn't entered the office yet when he heard the phone ringing urgently in the room.

Peng Xiaoli went into the room to answer the phone first. When he came in, he whispered: "City Discipline Inspection."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows slightly, walked to the desk, and answered the phone.

Xiang Yunnian's voice was very recognizable. He didn't say much on the phone, just notified Li Xuewu to go to a meeting.

"Leader, we have a safety meeting in the afternoon, and the foreign business travel group is arriving today. You have to go and meet with Director Li."

Peng Xiaoli heard the notification on the phone. At this time, he had to remind Li Xuewu of the itinerary arrangement.

"Mm, I know."

Li Xuewu nodded, walked back to his office seat and thought about it, and gave instructions: "Please ask Deputy Group Leader Yu to preside over the safety meeting, and we will go to the Discipline Inspection meeting."

"Yes."

Peng Xiaoli's answer was very crisp. He knew that the leader had poured a lot of effort into this case, and there must be arrangements.

Especially since Section Chief Yu of the Confidentiality Department came to discuss the case twice, and it was related to Section Chief Xiang of the Discipline Inspection, it was a big case at first glance.

He hadn't seen any big scenes in the two years he had worked in the factory office, but every time he went out with Li Xuewu, he could increase his knowledge.

The leader is young, has courage, has friends, knows everyone, and his rank is not low, so he naturally sees a lot.

Just when Peng Xiaoli went out to arrange the safety meeting, Li Xuewu picked up the phone and called Li Huai De.

Mainly reporting on going out to handle the case, as well as the reception of foreign businessmen in the evening.

Li Huai De didn't care about that fraud case; he attached great importance to this visit of the commercial travel group.

He exhorted Li Xuewu on the phone not to give up eating for fear of choking and delay proper work.

In his eyes, Li Xuewu can go out to do odd jobs to earn fame, but he must never let the fields at home lie fallow.

Li Xuewu made guarantees again and again, and said that he would report specific work to him in the evening, which was considered to be over.

After eating lunch, he didn't rest either, took Peng Xiaoli to the car and set off, straight to the City Discipline Inspection.

The meeting place notified by Xiang Yunnian was at the City Discipline Inspection, which fully explained that the nature of the case had changed.

And after Li Xuewu arrived at the venue, he really saw Yu Daru and Zheng Fuhua sitting together.

Good guy, Discipline Inspection, Confidentiality, and Industry Safety are all here. Xiang Yunnian is still presiding over the meeting. This case doesn't know where it has been crooked.

"Hmm, everyone is here, let's start the meeting."

Xiang Yunian glanced at Li Xuewu, nodded at Zheng Fuhua, and began to introduce the situation of the case.

Li Xuewu listened while observing the attendees at the meeting.

Yu Daru brought three investigators, the Discipline Inspection side had more people with five cadres, but the branch bureau side had fewer, with only the person in charge of the Criminal Investigation Group.

Strangely, Lai Shanchuan was not at the scene, and the person in charge of the Public Security Group was also absent.

"We have conducted an in-depth investigation into Zhao Ziliang's situation, and combined with the conclusions given by the Public Security side, it shows that there are still economic loopholes."

Xiang Yunian reported: "The Confidentiality Department provided an important investigative clue, which is Du Xiaoyan's consumption situation and her family's economic status, which far exceed the economic capacity of her and Zhao Ziliang."

"We initiated a Discipline Inspection investigation into the Credit Union regarding this situation of Du Xiaoyan, and based on the actual situation already grasped, we have placed the Credit Union's deputy director, Han Luyao, under detention for questioning, and coordinated with the Confidentiality Department to detain Du Xiaoyan..."

Li Xuewu listened while taking notes, sketching out a relationship diagram of several key figures and important suspicious issues in his notebook.

Han Luyao must have his own problems for being detained for questioning, and he is also involved in this case.

Du Xiaoyan's situation is somewhat strange; she was detained by the Confidentiality Department, not the branch bureau, so there must be a problem somewhere on the branch bureau's side.

The fact that Yu Daru can appear here and Zheng Fuhua can sit here for the meeting shows that the three parties have communicated.

The influence of this case has been controlled by the three parties, and it has not been escalated for handling, becoming a collaborative effort, which is a good thing for all parties.

Especially for Zheng Fuhua, he is the lead official for this case, and being able to control the initiative after so many problems have been exposed is a victory.

"We used Han Luyao as a breakthrough point to carry out specialized work to crack Du Xiaoyan's problems."

Xiang Yunian reported: "During the review period, Han Luyao's problems were indeed investigated, but Du Xiaoyan's problems are even greater."

"According to Han Luyao's confession, after Du Xiaoyan became the financial accountant, there have always been deficits in the accounts, though he is unclear about the amount."

"How could he be unclear?"

Yu Daru raised his eyebrows and interjected: "He is the deputy director of the Credit Union; he doesn't know about the deficits in his own unit's accounts?"

"We also think so."

Xiang Yunian did not mind his interruption and continued: "Judging from Han Luyao's active maintenance and help in covering for Du Xiaoyan, this matter is not that simple."

"Han Luyao also confessed a key issue; he said that the accounts in the Credit Union were slowly balanced in the last month or two."

"Du Xiaoyan did it very covertly; even he didn't know when the accounts were balanced, let alone dare to think that the accounts were related to the fraud case."

"They must be related."

Li Xuewu looked at the relationship diagram in his hand, tapped his pencil, and said: "The investigation direction can basically be determined."

"That's right."

Xiang Yunian nodded and said: "Han Luyao was afraid of bearing responsibility before, so he never dared to say this part."

"This is not just dereliction of duty."

Zheng Fuhua said in a low voice: "This is shielding, it is intentionally concealing criminal facts."

Xiang Yunian glanced at him, knowing he was unconvinced, feeling that Han Luyao's malicious shielding had led the case astray.

The situation seems to be indeed the case; if Han Luyao could have actively spoken about this issue when they were questioned initially, the branch bureau's investigation direction would not have been stuck on Zhao Ziliang.

Even though everyone knew Du Xiaoyan and Zhao Ziliang were husband and wife, no one noticed that Du Xiaoyan, right under their noses, had a problem.

"According to Han Luyao's confession, Du Xiaoyan has many historical problems, has been married, has had injury cases, and has had unclear dealings with many cadres."

Xiang Yunian looked at the group and said: "Inviting you all here today is to clarify and resolve this case."

"I will state my position here."

Zheng Fuhua heard the meaning in Xiang Yunian's words and spoke first: "If any cadres from the branch bureau are involved, I will never tolerate evil, and I will resolutely handle it."

"Thank you, Director Zheng, for your understanding and support."

Xiang Yunian thanked him very earnestly, then said to Yu Daru: "In a while, I will have to ask the comrades from the Confidentiality Department to help us go with our Discipline Inspection team to invite a few people back to assist in the investigation."

After he finished speaking, Zheng Fuhua's complexion instantly became much uglier; he had long sensed it, guessing that cadres from the branch bureau might be involved.

He didn't expect that the Discipline Inspection side had really found problems; it could be seen from the assignment of the Confidentiality Department to assist in the execution that they did not trust the branch bureau side.

Li Xuewu also saw where the problem lay; he observed Zheng Fuhua for a few moments and didn't see any problems with him, which put him at ease.

If Zheng Fuhua were involved, this case would truly have poked a hole in the sky; in the current situation, it would be very easy for things to blow up.

If the lid couldn't be kept on, Li Xuewu wouldn't touch this risk; he was ready to retreat at any time.

Yu Daru had his own reasons for staring at this case; he had been given the cold shoulder by Lai Shanchuan while assisting the branch bureau with the case a few days ago, and he had been holding back anger in his heart.

If it weren't for Li Xuewu mediating, putting pressure on him, and introducing Zheng Fuhua to meet him, this matter would have surely become a huge scandal.

"The people from the Confidentiality Department are on standby at all times."

He said to Xiang Yunian: "Du Xiaoyan is downstairs, guarded by our people the whole time, and there will absolutely be no problems."

Hearing him say this, Li Xuewu tilted his head slightly, seeing that the expression on Zheng Fuhua's face opposite him had become even more serious.

What on earth did Lai Shanchuan do to Yu Daru to provoke such great anger?

Is it a fight to the death?

"Then that's it, let's split into two groups."

Xiang Yunian looked at Yu Daru and said: "Please go through the trouble of acting with our comrades."

After finishing, he looked at Li Xuewu and Zheng Fuhua and said: "I'll trouble the two leaders to move to the interrogation room; we will interrogate Du Xiaoyan again."

"I don't think it's necessary for me to participate, right?"

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Daru, who had stood up, and Zheng Fuhua, who was sitting there, and said: "This case is basically clear and understood."

"No, this case has just begun."

Xiang Yunian looked at Li Xuewu very earnestly and said: "Inviting you here is to support the interrogation force; our task is very arduous."

He could see Li Xuewu's hesitation and knew what Li Xuewu was worried about; in front of Zheng Fuhua, he said bluntly: "The city already knows about this case and has instructed us to get to the bottom of it and give the people an explanation."

Well, the issue had already been raised to such a high level that Li Xuewu couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.

The reason he rushed over after receiving the call today was that he wanted to see who this case could involve.

If the problem wasn't big, he could make a profit where he could; it was all easy pickings anyway.

But if the fire couldn't be contained, he would absolutely not provoke this trouble, lest he fail to catch the fox and end up smelling of its musk.

If Xiang Yunian could say this, it meant the problem was still within his control, and it also proved that Li Xuewu could participate.

"Then let's see who this accountant-cum-cashier really is, and how she could scheme such a big play."

It wasn't that Li Xuewu hadn't seen Du Xiaoyan; he had questioned and investigated her and Han Luyao with Lai Shanchuan at the branch bureau.

He had been suspicious at the time, but the case was in Lai Shanchuan's hands, and he was only assisting as an interrogation and analysis force.

Especially since the investigation direction of the case at the time was clearly pulled by the traps set by the other side; even if he raised objections, no one believed him.

In the end, it wasn't that he hadn't proposed investigating the economic situation of Du Xiaoyan and Zhao Ziliang, but the branch bureau's investigation focus was on Zhao Ziliang.

Indeed, they really did find problems with Zhao Ziliang, which further corroborated Zhao Ziliang's ability and motive for murder and fleeing.

Li Xuewu was so cunning; seeing Lai Shanchuan trying his best to investigate Zhao Ziliang as a suspect, how could he wade into muddy waters?

Times are different now; the case finally fell into the hands of the Discipline Inspection, which was something no one expected.

If the fraud and murder cases were of great significance, it would be appropriate for them to be in the hands of the branch bureau.

Even if Zhao Ziliang had violations, the Discipline Inspection would just be assisting.

But now that the Discipline Inspection is leading the case investigation, it clearly shows that a big problem has emerged in this case.

Either Du Xiaoyan's problem is big, or the investigators' problems are big.

A week later, seeing Du Xiaoyan again, this beautiful young woman had long since lost the arrogance and pride she had when they last met.

Escorted into the interrogation room by a Confidentiality Department officer, seeing the few people sitting behind the interrogation table, her heart was in her throat.

Xiang Yunian watched her sit down and be handcuffed and shackled before speaking: "Du Xiaoyan, today we are conducting a second interrogation of you. Please fully cooperate with our investigation, actively confess your criminal facts, and strive for lenient treatment."

After finishing, he introduced the two people sitting beside him: "Your case is very big. We have combined the branch bureau and the Confidentiality Department to handle the case together. Do not have any fluke mentality."

"This is Deputy Director Zheng from the branch bureau, and this is Section Chief Li, an interrogation expert from the ministry. Your every word and action are under our scrutiny; do not play any small tricks."

"Yes, I will confess for leniency, I will actively confess."

Du Xiaoyan was clearly frightened; her gaze was somewhat wandering, and she didn't dare look at the three people interrogating her, though what she said was clear.

"Let's talk about the injury case."

Li Xuewu was signaled by Xiang Yunian to be the lead interrogator; he deferred slightly and then began the interrogation work.

He didn't start with the fraud and murder case, nor did he start with her historical problems, but asked about the injury case that Han Luyao had confessed to.

Interrogation has techniques—avoiding the heavy and focusing on the light, feigning an attack on one side while striking on the other—anything can be used as long as it is used well.

Du Xiaoyan also didn't expect Li Xuewu to start asking from this matter.

"I hope you speak truthfully and clearly. Whether you are lying or deceiving me, I can tell just by looking at you."

Li Xuewu said in a steady voice: "Letting you speak now is giving you a chance. You are already sitting here; it's only a matter of time before we investigate it. By then, you won't have the chance to strive for the initiative."

"That... that matter is already in the past."

Du Xiaoyan was still guarded against Li Xuewu's questioning; she observed their faces and said hesitantly: "It's... it's already been handled, and no one is pursuing it."

"But that doesn't mean there isn't a problem, does it?"

Li Xuewu tapped the table and said: "Think carefully about who your affairs have involved."

As he spoke, he signaled to Zheng Fuhua and Xiang Yunian beside him to remind her: "One is a deputy director of the branch bureau, one is a section chief of the Discipline Inspection, and I am coordinated and arranged by the ministry. Don't you understand the influence of this case yet?"

"I... I didn't."

Du Xiaoyan's heart was still struggling; she kept her head down, resisting the pressure from across the table.

"Ahem~"

Zheng Fuhua coughed and said: "You don't need to hold any fluke mentality. The investigation team for your case has been reorganized, and your connections are not within the team."

"I'll make it clear to you: if you don't speak now, you will be the one taking the fall when it comes to sentencing."

He suddenly deepened his voice, his expression even more terrifyingly majestic; he tapped the table lightly and said: "I'll tell you this: your problems are very serious. To put it bluntly, you're looking at a firing squad!"

"I didn't!"

Du Xiaoyan raised her head and shouted, then stubbornly pursed her lips, tears falling down.

But no one in the interrogation room showed any sympathy or pity; one person was dead and one was missing in this case, and the person in front of them was the main criminal suspect. Who could pity her?

"Telling you this isn't to scare you, nor is it to threaten you."

Li Xuewu moved the teacup in front of him, looked at her, and said: "Look at the iron chains on your hands and feet. You don't still think you can walk out of here, do you?"

"I advise you to give up your fantasies. If you are truly stubborn and refuse to confess, I don't need to tell you the only reason for unlocking those chains."

"Think about your parents and siblings. You provided them with food, clothing, and money to squander. Do they have the ability to pay for this bullet for you?"

"I dare say they can't afford it."

Li Xuewu tapped the table with his finger and emphasized: "Because of you, they will be held jointly liable."

"Not only will your illegal gains be confiscated to compensate for the deficits, but they will never be able to hold their heads high for the rest of their lives, and they might even be implicated and go to jail with you."

"You are educated, you know the law, and this isn't your first day here. You should have thought about a lot, right?"

Li Xuewu said a lot, helping her build psychological defenses; everyone in the room was waiting for Du Xiaoyan's reaction.

"That was my ex-husband."

Du Xiaoyan hesitated for a long while with her head down before saying: "My marriage to him was arranged by my family. We were only sixteen at the time."

"My father was a carpenter, and his master was a cook. A matchmaker introduced us, saying that being a cook was a good trade and you wouldn't go hungry, so my father believed it."

"Although our family wasn't wealthy, I was the eldest daughter, and my parents were very good to me. I was pretty, and many people came to our house to propose; I never thought about marrying a cook."

"After we got married, we lived with his master. They often ran outside to cook for banquets, and I was the only one at home..."

As the old saying goes, young couples shouldn't be separated; if they are separated, they will drift apart. How could a young bride who just got married withstand such loneliness?

Du Xiaoyan had been someone who couldn't sit still since she was a child; she was lively, enthusiastic, generous, and pretty—wasn't that just a recipe for attracting men?

If she were an unmarried girl, it would be one thing; her parents would be watching, and anyone who dared to make a move would have to be cautious.

But once it was clear she was a young bride, there were plenty of people who would make a move.

She often went to the grain station to help her family prepare grain, and after going back and forth, she hooked up with the person in charge of the grain station.

The cook was often busy outside, and she and the person from the grain station were busy at home—busy until something happened.

The cook was never sure when he would be out cooking banquets; if he happened to not have work, he would come home and catch them on the kang.

The world has never lacked Ximen Qings and Pan Jinlians. Du Xiaoyan spoke of her grievances, saying they were both young then and didn't know what marital affection was; they only knew how to play.

The person from the grain station actively hooked up with her, promising to help her arrange a job, so she squeezed into the same quilt with him.

The cook who returned naturally wouldn't stand for it, but the person from the grain station was big and burly; he pushed and hit him, and somehow broke the cook's leg.

This time the matter blew up, but the person from the grain station wasn't afraid of this; he used his connections to not only settle the cook but even tore up the divorce certificate between her and the cook.

In that era, think about it—how much power did someone from the grain station have?

Having driven away the cook, the person from the grain station took over the nest and became Du Xiaoyan's backer.

It wasn't in vain that she played the role of Pan Jinlian once; although the other party didn't marry her, he really did arrange a job for her.

She started at a high level, working as an accountant at the grain station. For a young girl from a not-so-wealthy family, only sixteen years old, dealing with large amounts of money all day—anyone would end up having problems.

Seeing others wearing watches, seeing others eating well, could she not be envious?

So she directly dipped her hands into the public funds. According to Du Xiaoyan, she didn't dare take much the first time, only one hundred yuan.

Good heavens, one hundred yuan—that was equivalent to three months' wages for an ordinary worker.

Just think about it: she had never done accounting work before; she was only given the job because someone arranged it, and she was still in the learning stage.

She didn't know how to cook the books after stealing the money; when people asked her, she was terrified and revealed flaws in her words. The old accountant knew how much money she had stolen as soon as he checked.

This matter wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. Her hands weren't clean, and coupled with the fact that the way she came to the grain station wasn't proper, there were many rumors spreading in the station.

How could the person in charge of the grain station dare to let her stay? He found someone to use connections to send his little lover to the neighboring vegetable brigade to continue her old trade.

You really can't say—she actually settled down in the few years she worked at the vegetable brigade. I don't know if she learned from her mistakes, but Du Xiaoyan studied financial skills diligently.

All the accountants in the brigade put together weren't as slick with the abacus as she was.

People shouldn't be praised; once praised, they start to get cocky.

Just after the brigade's financial work commendation meeting, she embezzled five hundred yuan from the brigade's public accounts.

Good heavens, she was truly bold; the brigade leader held the account book and calculated—his own annual salary was gone.