LRAB Page 107
Page 107
Zhong Xiaoai was slightly tipsy, her cheeks flushed. She pointed at Chen Hai, as if to vent her grievances.
You must understand, she was also a woman. Hou Liangping had been demoted to Handong ever since.
Zhong Xiaoai hadn't been with a man for almost half a year.
Chen Hai was taken aback by Zhong Xiaoai's question. Looking at Zhong Xiaoai's slightly tipsy face, her usually calm eyes now somewhat hazy, he couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.
He took a deep breath and said seriously, "Xiao Ai, you've had too much to drink. As the district head of Guangming District, I naturally have my own duties and responsibilities. Whether I'm capable or not is not for you to judge."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai's lips curled into a cold smile: "Responsibility? Hou Liangping has responsibility, but what happened? Now he's seriously injured and hospitalized, becoming a laughing stock in other people's eyes."
"And you, Chen Hai, do you think you can really shine just because you've been transferred to Guangming District? Look at you now, being targeted by Li Dakang, having to rectify the petition office window, and even making the CCTV news. You also have to deal with some labor dispatch issue. Are you happy?"
Chen Hai frowned. He understood that Zhong Xiaoai's emotions at this moment were not directed at him personally, but rather a venting of her frustrations with reality.
Chen Hai took a deep breath and gently advised, "Xiao Ai, I know you're suffering. But things have already come to this, and all we can do is try our best to change things. Although Hou Liangping was demoted, he solved the Wan Hai case in Dongping City, which was a notorious organized crime case."
Zhong Xiaoai was silent for a moment, then a resolute glint flashed in her eyes: "Yes, I can't give up. We must find out the truth about Li Dakang's case, and we must find evidence of Zhao Lichun's crimes. I can't let Hou Liangping suffer in vain, and I can't let our Zhong family be laughed at."
After saying that, she picked up the Erguotou again, filled a glass, and drank it all in one gulp.
Chen Hai watched her actions, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that Zhong Xiaoai was a strong woman, but at this moment, she seemed so fragile and helpless.
He gently patted Zhong Xiaoai's shoulder: "Xiaoai, don't worry. We'll get through this together."
A hint of gratitude flashed in Zhong Xiaoai's eyes. She knew how rare and precious it was to have someone to confide in and rely on in this complex political circle.
The two drank Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) in large gulps, quickly consuming one and a half jin (approximately 500ml).
Chen Hai staggered as he tried to stand up, but he stumbled and fell forward. He instinctively grabbed Zhong Xiaoai's conscience.
"Hey."
Zhong Xiaoai almost fell over when Chen Hai grabbed her. She quickly steadied herself and supported Chen Hai.
"Chen Hai, you're drunk," Zhong Xiaoai said.
Chen Hai chuckled, let out a burp, and reeked of alcohol: "I'm not drunk, I can still drink. Come on, let's... drink until we drop."
Zhong Xiaoai shook her head helplessly. Looking at Chen Hai's appearance, she knew that there was no way to talk to him tonight.
She struggled to help Chen Hai lie down on the sofa, then poured him a cup of tea.
"Have some tea first, it'll help you sober up," Zhong Xiaoai said.
Chen Hai took the tea and drank it down in one gulp. Then he burped and instinctively opened his arms to hug Zhong Xiaoai tightly.
Looking at Chen Hai so close to her, feeling his presence, Zhong Xiaoai couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Back then, the three of them were all top students in university, but now they had each gone down different paths.
She sighed softly, then picked up her bag and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Zhong Xiaoai felt dizzy and feverish all over.
Then, they undressed.
What followed was a natural progression.
Requesting flowers...
That night, Chen Hai had a dream.
In his dream, he came to a water curtain cave, where there was a white snake. The white snake slithered up to him; it was slippery.
Chen Hai suddenly woke up to find himself lying in a hotel room, his head still throbbing. He looked around and realized that Zhong Xiaoai was no longer beside him, and a strange sense of panic welled up inside him.
He tried hard to recall what had happened last night, but his memory was hazy. He only remembered drinking a lot of alcohol, and then…
Chen Hai dared not think any further. He quickly got up, dressed, and prepared to leave the room. Before leaving, he glanced at the mess on the bed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew he had made an unforgivable mistake. This mistake would not only harm his family, but could also affect his political future.
Liangping, I'm sorry.
I treated you like a good brother, but I cheated on you.
Chen Hai took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that the most important thing now was how to face this situation and how to make amends for his mistakes.
He stepped out of his room and into the hotel lobby. It was early morning, and sunlight streamed through the windows, making the lobby exceptionally bright. Looking at the sunlight outside, Chen Hai felt a deep gloom in his heart.
He knew he had to make a decision and face the consequences of his mistake. He took out his phone and dialed Zhong Xiaoai's number.
“…Xiao Ai. I’m sorry, last night I…” Chen Hai trailed off, unsure what to say next.
On the other end of the phone, Zhong Xiaoai was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Chen Hai, stop talking. We're all drunk. Let's just pretend last night never happened."
Upon hearing this, Chen Hai felt an indescribable sense of guilt and self-reproach: "Xiao Ai, I know I've made an unforgivable mistake. I will take responsibility for you."
Zhong Xiaoai sighed: "Take responsibility? What responsibility can you take? Hou Liangping is still in the hospital, and I'm a mess right now. The three of us are all caught in this political vortex in Handong."
"Besides, your wife is dead. You also have a son, Little Ball."
Chen Hai fell silent; he knew Zhong Xiaoai was telling the truth. The three of them had once been such close friends, but because of this...
Ugh, how embarrassing.
Chen Hai looked guilty and said in a low voice, "Xiao Ai, I'm sorry. I really didn't know that such a thing would happen last night. I will try my best to make up for my mistake."
Zhong Xiaoai sighed again: "Make amends? How can we make amends? We can't go back to the past. Chen Hai, you should leave. Just pretend nothing happened last night."
After saying that, Zhong Xiaoai hung up the phone.
Chen Hai stood frozen, phone in hand. He knew the mistake he had made was irreversible. He could only silently endure the torment and pain in his heart.
He turned and left the hotel lobby, stepping into the morning sunlight. Yet, his heart remained shrouded in darkness.
He didn't know how to face Hou Liangping or Zhong Xiaoai.
He could only move forward step by step, not knowing what awaited him ahead.
Zhong Xiaoai, too, silently wept in the hotel bathtub. She knew she had lost too much. She didn't know how to face the future, how to face Hou Liangping.
She knew that their marriage had developed cracks. And those cracks might never heal.
She could only silently endure the pain and torment in her heart, unaware of what treachery awaited her ahead.
110. Li Dakang changed his attitude and tried to win over Lin Yunfei.
110. Li Dakang changed his attitude and tried to win over Lin Yunfei.
The office building of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee.
Li Dakang sat in his office, picked up the landline, and dialed Chen Hai, coldly questioning, "Chen Hai, there's only one day left until the seven-day deadline."
"The petition office of Guangming District has now been featured on CCTV news, generating public opinion."
"I'm telling you, I'll go back to the petition office to investigate later."
"No matter how many retired officials you have behind you, or how many people you know, this matter has already made it onto CCTV News."
“Then our municipal party committee and government must resolve this issue.”
Li Dakang's words were a threat to Chen Hai. He was warning Chen Hai that he, Li Dakang, was not afraid of Chen Yanshi's father, nor of Sha Ruijin.
Chen Hai frowned, feeling extremely irritated: "Secretary Li, I already gave the order yesterday to allocate funds for rectification. The window of the Guangming District Petition Office has already begun to be dismantled."
"However, it will take a few more days to convert it into a bank counter."
Li Dakang sneered, his attitude extremely domineering: "Chen Hai, don't try to complain to me. I don't want to hear it. This is your problem."
"You promised me you'd have seven days to complete the rectification."
"If you don't finish within 24 hours, then you'll be facing a warning within the Party."
After saying that, Li Dakang hung up the phone.
On Chen Hai's end, listening to the busy signal, he felt incredibly bitter.
No, I have to go to the site myself and personally supervise the Guangming District Petition Office to urge the construction team to speed up the 510 project.
Thinking of this, Chen Hai couldn't help but shudder. He quickly ran out of the Jingzhou Grand Hotel.
. . . . . .
Let's return our attention to Li Dakang's office.
Li Dakang thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed Lin Yunfei's number.
Lin Yunfei's voice came through, sounding somewhat distant: "Secretary Li, what are your instructions?"
Li Dakang changed his attitude and tried to win over Lin Yunfei. A bright smile appeared on his face: "Yunfei, you are a leader among young cadres. The development of Jingzhou City cannot do without young cadres like you."
Lin Yunfei was immediately puzzled and a little apprehensive. What was Li Dakang planning to do?
"Yunfei, you are the vice mayor of Jingzhou City, succeeding Ding Yizhen. I've made up my mind, you will be in charge of the integration of mineral resources and land approval in Jingzhou City."
Li Dakang, known for his outrageous remarks, uttered these words.
This is Ding Yizhen, in charge of two projects. Both are very lucrative.
Lin Yunfei's eyes lit up immediately; he needed Wanchuan Mining in Dongping City, because Wanchuan Mining was a copper-nickel mine.
If I could take charge of the integration of mineral resources in Jingzhou City, as well as land approval.
That would be perfect, creating favorable conditions for Feihu Group to acquire Wanchuan Mining's copper-nickel mine.
Faced with Li Dakang's attempt to win him over, Lin Yunfei accepted the offer with a smile.
Requesting flowers...
"Secretary Li, you think too highly of me. I will certainly live up to your expectations and contribute my strength to the development of Jingzhou City."
Lin Yunfei spoke in a nonchalant tone, confident that Li Dakang would understand the implied meaning in his words.
In plain terms, Lin Yunfei agreed. He agreed to Li Dakang's conditions.
Hearing Lin Yunfei's reply, Li Dakang nodded in satisfaction: "Yunfei, I knew you were a smart man. Don't worry, as long as you do a good job, I, Li Dakang, will not treat you unfairly."
"Currently, the position of Party Secretary of Guangming District is vacant."
“I personally strongly agree that Yunfei should concurrently serve as the Party Secretary of Guangming District.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Dakang hung up the phone.
He sat at his desk, his eyes revealing a deep and calculating gaze. Lin Yunfei, however, had a powerful background. His wife, Zhao Lan, was the First Political Commissar of the Handong Military Region, a major general with real power.
He needed to be flexible and adaptable, since Sha Ruijin had abandoned him, and he had received a major demerit because of Chen Yanshi.