In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 45. Clear Goals
Han Mingqian stared at Yang Guangming for a good ten seconds.

There was no panic or restlessness in the young man's eyes, only a calm after being wronged and a composed acceptance of the verdict.

This composure made the scales in Han Mingqian's heart tip even further.

He certainly knew who was the most suspicious.

Li Weidong's outburst when he stormed out of the office that afternoon, his meticulously crafted but never-submitted report, and his usual subtle hostility towards Yang Guangming...

All the clues pointed to him. However, there was no direct evidence.

No one witnessed Li Weidong altering the data; relying solely on subtle differences in handwriting and speculation about motives is insufficient to form a conclusive chain of evidence.

If one rashly makes accusations, it will not only be difficult to convince the public, but may also cause a bigger uproar.

More importantly, once this matter is made public and blown up, regardless of the outcome, it will seriously damage the prestige and image of the factory affairs office and even the factory leadership.

Factory committee documents were tampered with? This would be a huge scandal if it got out!
As the office director, Han Mingqian's primary responsibility is to safeguard the normal operation and overall reputation of the organization.

The copies provided by Yang Guangming are sufficient to clear him of his responsibility, and this is the best possible outcome.

"Alright, I understand the situation." Han Mingqian's voice returned to its usual calm, but with a hint of coldness. "Keep this copy safe. This matter ends here. I will dispose of the altered original."

He picked up the original manuscript with the number "82," and in front of the bright sunlight, tore it into several pieces and threw them into the wastepaper basket under the table.

Yang Guangming understood perfectly. Director Han chose to handle the situation calmly.

He may have already taken responsibility for the "typo" and is now suppressing the pursuit of the truth. This is not cover-up, but rather the most realistic choice that best serves the overall interests of the office under the current circumstances.

Sacrifice a truth in exchange for superficial peace and institutional stability.

"Yes, Director Han, I understand."

Yang Guangming didn't ask any more questions, respectfully agreed, and picked up his carbon copy and draft. "I will take this as a lesson. In the future, I will always use carbon paper to keep a copy of all important documents when transcribing them, and I will make sure that the documents are always within my sight before handing them to you."

His statement was both a summary of this incident and a commitment to future work, and also subtly expressed his understanding of Director Han's handling of the matter.

Han Mingqian gave him a deep look, a complex expression of approval flashing in his eyes.

This young man is not only exceptionally capable, but his composure in assessing situations and considering the overall picture far exceeds his age.

"Okay, go ahead. Just pretend this never happened and focus on doing your job well."

Yang Guangming nodded and left the director's office.

The atmosphere in the office became somewhat subtle after Yang Ming returned.

Although Zhang Yuqin was not clear about what exactly happened, Director Han called Yang Guangming away alone, and the two stayed in the office for quite some time.

Adding to this was Director Han's more serious expression than usual when he came out, and Li Weidong's tense demeanor after returning in the afternoon—head down, pale-faced, and constantly pushing up his glasses after writing just a few words…

None of this could escape her eyes, which had been working in the factory office for many years and were well-versed in human relationships.

Her knitting slowed, her gaze shifting subtly between Yang Guangming's calm face and Li Weidong's tense back, and she roughly guessed what was going on. She sighed inwardly, not initiating a conversation as usual, but instead casting a gentler, even slightly sympathetic, look at Yang Guangming.

This kid has had a tough time. He's already being targeted as soon as he arrived.

Old Zhou Bingsheng remained engrossed in his "Reference News," seemingly far more concerned with the changing international landscape than with the minor turmoil in his office.

As he flipped through the newspaper, his gaze, seemingly fleetingly, glanced in Li Weidong's direction behind his thick glasses, carrying a barely perceptible, almost indifferent understanding, before plunging back into the printed words.

To him, this petty office politics was as insignificant as dust, far less worthy of consideration than a speech by a national leader in the newspaper.

Li Weidong felt extremely uneasy.

He heard Director Han call Yang Guangming in, and then saw Yang Guangming come out with several pieces of paper, his face showing no emotion.

The fact that Director Han didn't contact him immediately didn't reassure him; instead, it made him even more fearful.

It was the agonizing wait for the guillotine to fall!
He could feel the gazes from Zhang Yuqin and Zhou Bingsheng; though brief, they felt like thorns in his back.

His fingers, which were holding the pen, trembled slightly, and his palms were covered in cold sweat.

He repeatedly pushed up his glasses, trying to hide the turmoil and immense regret in his heart.

He knew he might have committed a grave offense. Not only had he failed to bring down Yang Guangming, but he might have also completely exposed himself, and even... ruined his future!
Fear and frustration, like two cold, venomous snakes, gnawed at his heart.

Yang Guangming returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

He calmly and carefully clipped the crucial carbon copy into a hardcover notebook and tucked it deep into a drawer. Then, he picked up his pen again, dipped it in ink, and began to continue compiling the summary of the afternoon's factory committee meeting minutes.

The pen tip glided across the manuscript paper, making a steady, even scratching sound. In the somewhat stagnant office, the sound was exceptionally clear and calm.

His heart was not without turmoil.

Li Weidong's despicable and insane nature truly exceeded his expectations.

This incident served as a wake-up call for him: in this seemingly peaceful factory office, the dark side of human nature can be magnified infinitely in the face of competition that concerns personal interests.

His previous precautions were too mild!
However, the anger was fleeting. Yang Guangming quickly suppressed his emotions, and his thoughts became exceptionally clear and calm.

When he arrived at Hongxing Factory and joined the secretariat of the factory affairs office, his goal was never to compete with Li Weidong.

He knew perfectly well that Deputy Factory Director Zhao Guodong was still short of a full-time secretary, a position that was of paramount importance to him.

This is not just a promotion, but a crucial step towards gaining access to core power, acquiring more resources and information, and planning for the future.

He is bound to win!
From another perspective, this data tampering incident was not entirely detrimental to him.

Although Director Han chose to handle the matter quietly, this experienced and discerning director must know the truth perfectly well.

Han Mingqian took the initiative to take responsibility for the typo and suppressed the investigation afterwards. This not only maintained the office's reputation but also protected Yang Guangming from unnecessary questioning. This favor and recognition is an invisible bonus.

(End of this chapter)