Chapter 137: Chen Dengxiang's Transformation

  "Husband, you're really amazing! You and Bai Zhan Chang have been talking for a long time, and you two are really compatible. I don't even know where you got such great skills from."

  "Alright, I understand. It's not that I'm capable, it's just that Secretary Ding has arranged this opportunity for me to get close to Station Master Bai. Otherwise, how could things be so easy? Perhaps if Secretary Ding had just made a phone call to Station Master Bai, the matter would have been settled long ago, and there would have been no need for me to take any further action."

  Tang Wanrou was stunned by Xu Shaojie, and for a moment she didn't react.

  "Alright, Ruo, don't think too much about it. Fishing is a high-end activity and this isn't a place ordinary people can afford to play at. The food is really not good and yet so expensive. This afternoon we'll find a place to have a good meal, I'm getting hungry now."

  Tang Wanrou held onto Xu Shaojie's arm, strolling down the street. Xu Shaojie had completed his task and didn't have anything worth worrying about, so he was feeling very relaxed.

  However, this did not last long, as Xu Shaojie's phone rang.

  Xu Shaojie answered the phone call, feeling a bit dizzy, it was Chen Mubiao's call.

  "Director Xu, where are you now? I've run into big trouble."

  Xu Shaojie was speechless, Chen Mubiao only realized at this time that he had encountered big trouble, and it was a bit too late. If Ding Yuanshujie hadn't intervened and sent the gift through his own hands, the internal report would have already appeared in front of the leaders by now. However, Xu Shaojie also didn't dare to be overly pleased with himself. If it weren't for Ding Yuanshujie's consideration of this matter, he would still be in the dark, and that's the difference between being in office for a long or short time. The longer you're in office, the more unique your perspective on problems becomes, and the clearer you can see things.

  "Secretary Chen, I am in the provincial city, where are you? Are you still in Shalong County?"

  "No, I'm also in the provincial city. Let's meet up and talk about some things. I never thought that what seems like a good thing on the surface would have so many underlying complexities. It's really fucking complicated."

  Chen entered the private room and saw Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanyu sitting inside. Xu Shaojie had a relaxed expression, as if nothing was wrong, while Tang Wanyu had a smile on her face, looking at Xu Shaojie.

  Chen Mubiao had no appetite, and when he returned home, he saw his father Chen Dengxiang. Only then did Chen Mubiao understand the complexity of the situation. At first, a fire broke out at the Chenjiawan Forest Farm, and neither the Huaiyang Municipal Committee nor the Shalong County Committee pursued any responsibility for it. Chen Mubiao thought this was a good thing, but who would have thought that it wasn't? Now it has led to a whole series of things.

  "Secretary Chen, haven't had dinner yet? Let's have dinner together."

  Chen Mubiao saw Tang Wanrou here, didn't say anything, just sat down to eat, but his appetite was really bad, and the food in his mouth had no flavor. Fortunately, Tang Wanrou understood Chen Mubiao's thoughts, and must have something to do with Xu Shaojie, so she found an excuse to leave.

  "Director Xue, I've gotten into trouble, it wasn't until today when I listened to Dad that I found out the truth about the forest farm, it's not as simple as I thought."

  Xu Shaojie was just about to open his mouth to comfort Chen Mubiao, but unexpectedly Chen Mubiao suddenly said a sentence.

  "Hmph, nothing is impressive. After going back, I will resign from the deputy secretary position of the county committee. What else can they do? What's so impressive about letting reporters investigate the matter of officials protecting each other and investigating the background of things, and still trying to subtly point at my old man? I just don't understand why they have to bear a grudge against me and plot against me. Isn't it just one mistake at work? Do they have to blow it up to such a big deal?"

  "What are you doing by resigning? Do you think resigning will make things clear? I'm afraid that after you resign, things will become even more troublesome."

  "What else can I do? I won't just push the responsibility down, even if I wanted to, it's too late. At the Standing Committee meeting, I've already taken main responsibility. Thinking back, it was just a moment of excitement. If they investigate, I'll naturally take main responsibility. Rather than waiting for them to investigate, I'd rather be proactive and avoid trouble."

  "That won't do either, think about it, if you resign, what will County Mayor Chen Dazhi do, won't he also have to resign? Not to mention the deputy county mayor in charge. Won't they hate you to death? And aren't you proving the journalist's investigation?"

  Chen Mubiao didn't say anything else. Although Xu Shaojie found Bai Changlin, things are still unclear now, and Xu Shaojie hasn't received any definite news either, so he doesn't dare to tell Chen Mubiao.

  After Tang Wanrou came in, Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao both said they were full. Tang Wanrou went out and had already paid the bill. When Chen Mubiao arrived, Tang Wanrou knew that something must have happened, and Xu Shaojie shouldn't think about eating peacefully.

  "Director Xu, Tang Wanrou, come to my home and sit for a while."

  Xu Shaojie nodded, at this time, he had to make things clear with Chen Mubiao, otherwise, after Chen Mubiao's excitement, if he made some bad choices, it would be too late.

  Xu Shaojie didn't expect that Chen Dengxiang was at home. After Xu Shaojie entered the house, he felt that the atmosphere in the room was not good. Chen Dengxiang saw Xu Shaojie and nodded slightly, his eyes very serious. Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanyu both called out to Chen Dengxiang and Zhao Qingmei, but Zhao Qingmei pulled Tang Wanyu aside to talk. Chen Dengxiang sat in the living room without saying a word.

  Xu Shaojie felt very embarrassed and didn't know why such a situation would arise. Did Chen Dengxiang know everything, but this matter had nothing to do with him?

  "Dad, it was me who invited Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanyu to come home."

  Chen Mubao seemed dissatisfied with his father Chen Dengxiang's attitude and spoke up.

  "Alright, you know what? You don't understand many things. You lack the most basic vigilance, thinking that being a leader is so easy to take on. In the past, when you worked in Xueyuan District, it was simple, just office work, with not much at stake. But now it's different. As the county party committee deputy secretary, everything you do and say must be carefully considered."

  Chen Dengxiang was scolding Chen Mubiao, but Xu Shaojie felt that something was off. Had someone said something in front of Chen Dengxiang? Xu Shaojie believed that Chen Dengxiang must have understood the situation. Working in the provincial capital, he had access to a lot of information, and such a big thing couldn't be unknown to him. Xu Shaojie felt that Chen Dengxiang seemed to be scolding himself or Secretary Ding Yuan. A flash of insight crossed Xu Shaojie's mind, and he suddenly understood that Secretary Ding Yuan was the main person in charge of Huaiyang City. When submitting the report on Salong County, Secretary Ding Yuan could propose handling opinions. But his own suggestion to Secretary Ding Yuan was not to handle anyone. On one hand, the Salong County Party Committee had caused this trouble, and on the other hand, he had given Secretary Ding Yuan a bad idea. Now that things had developed to this point, it would also become a tool for some people to use.

  Xu Shaojie felt a chill run down his spine. Many times, Xu Shaojie would rather believe that the world is harmonious and that everyone's nature is good, but the things he saw and heard were not like that.

  Xu Shaojie won't be silent, otherwise the friendship between him and Chen Mubiao will have a huge crack that can never be repaired. Today he came to Chen Mubiao's home, perhaps it was fate, letting some people's schemes fail.

  "Uncle Chen, this afternoon, Secretary Ding arranged for me to meet someone, Bai Changlin, the head of Xinhua News Agency's station in Xishan Province. This afternoon, Tang Wanrou and I met with Director Bai."

  Chen Dengxiang was stunned for a moment, but after just a few seconds, Ma spoke up.

  "Xu, follow me to the study room, Ta Bao, you wait in the living room."

  "Uncle Chen, I brought it up not to deal with Chen's goal, which is mine. I was just considering Chen's future and didn't want him to suffer any blows, so I made this suggestion to Secretary Ding Yuan. But the report from Shalong County exceeded Secretary Ding's expectations, and at that time, Secretary Ding thought that there might be unfavorable situations in the future. At the municipal party committee meeting, which I attended as a non-voting delegate, Mayor Huang Haitao supported the decision of the Shalong County Party Committee. You know the situation in Shalong County; Mayor Huang is from Shalong County. When the Xinhua News Agency reporter arrived in Huaiyang City, Secretary Ding's first reaction was that this matter would not be beneficial to you. So, Secretary Ding asked me to pay close attention to the reporter's movements at all times. Secretary Ding is even more aware of my relationship with Chen Mubiao. This afternoon, I met with Director Bai, but I estimate that Secretary Ding had called Director Bai in advance."

  Xu Shaojie didn't hesitate, pouring out everything he knew. Chen Dengxiang listened very carefully. When Xu Shaojie got to the part about his conversation with Bai Changlin, a faint smile appeared on Chen's face, but it quickly turned serious again.

  "Xu, I know the situation. You go out and sit with the target for a while, advise him more, don't have any other ideas. Young people, encountering such things, it's nothing unusual."

  Xu Shaojie hastily walked out of the study and tightly closed the door. He knew that at this time, Chen Dengxiang must have some good phone calls to make.

  Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao were sitting in the living room, watching TV listlessly. At this time, Xu Shaojie had nothing to say, while Zhao Qingmei seemed to know that something was up and kept pulling Tang Wanyu into the house to talk.

  Half an hour later, Chen Dengxiang came out with a smile on his face. Xu Shaojie's heart was put at ease as he knew that Chen must have received accurate information and it wasn't bad news.

  "Goal, stay with Shaojie and Rou, go out for a late-night snack later. I have some things to attend to, so I won't be joining you guys. Shaojie, thank you, if it weren't for you coming home today, there were some things I really didn't know about. Goal, let's just drop this matter here and now, don't think about it anymore. In future work, pay attention to discussing with Shaojie which words can be used and which cannot."

  Chen Dengxiang went out, and Chen Mubiao stared at Xu Shaojie, as if he wanted to know what Xu Shaojie had given his father Chen Dengxiang, and why his father's face lit up with a smile so quickly.

  "Brother Chen, don't be like this to me, I also don't know what happened, I want to know too, but you can rest assured now, nothing's wrong, just continue with your work."

  Xu Shaojie didn't understand until he got to class, what exactly Chen Dengxiang had figured out. Of course, he and Chen Mubiao wouldn't be involved in these things. Chen Mubiao was different from Chen Dengxiang, and from Chen Dengxiang's attitude, it wasn't certain that Chen Mubiao was very clear about all aspects of the matter.

  Entering Secretary Ding Yuan's office, Xu Shaojie put a stack of files on the desk as usual and was about to leave when Secretary Ding spoke up.

  "Shao Jie, sit down for a moment, I have something to say."

  Xu Shaojie nodded and closed the office door.

  "Shao Jie, you went to Old Chen's house, this matter is something I didn't consider, if it wasn't for your visit this time, who knows how much trouble there would be in the future."

  Xu Shaojie didn't say anything, but he vaguely understood something.

  "Shao Jie, I know you must have some doubts in your mind, this is also something I didn't consider."

  "Secretary Ding, I just clarified the actual situation in front of Director Chen."

  "Haha, you know what? After your situation with Old Chen, I received a call from him. Later, we got together and cleared up some things. Then, Old Bai also came, and we had a few drinks together. Now, I know everything about the matter. It seems that there are quite a few people who care deeply about this thing."

  Xu Shaojie wore a dazed expression, his eyes filled with astonishment, like an unsolvable knot. As long as the right person was present, nothing seemed insurmountable. After everyone discussed it together, everything was settled. Xu Shaojie finally learned something: in official circles, so-called relationships are actually the most important capital and wealth.

  "Shao Jie, you know that Old Chen was very angry with you. If it weren't for your clear explanation face to face and later Old Bai's and my clarification, you would have been in trouble."

  Xu Shaojie nodded, and had already understood some of its subtleties.

  "It was Zhu Zongxiang who told Old Chen about the situation, and it seems to have had an effect, haha. Because there's been a contrast between before and after, Old Chen has finally come to understand who really cares about Chen Mubiao. I spoke with Old Chen on the phone for a long time. You and Chen Mubiao both have immature aspects. If Chen Mubiao had insisted on accepting punishment, none of this would have happened. If you could think more long-term and propose suggestions for dealing with those responsible, it wouldn't have come to this either. What Old Chen dislikes the most is unclear situations like this, but you've brought up such a suggestion. Old Chen has some misgivings about me, but the criticism is directed at you because your relationship with Chen Mubiao isn't ordinary. That day when we were drinking, Old Chen expressed his feelings and thought that you and Chen Mubiao didn't fully understand the dangers of officialdom, always being a bit too naive. In the future, when doing things, you must think clearly about all aspects and not act on impulse. Old Chen knows you care about Chen Mubiao, but good intentions almost led to bad consequences."