Right path to power

Sitting at his desk, Lin Xiao couldn't help but feel sorry for Fan Yuyan. Although he didn't expose the lie in public, he had already conveyed his meaning. Based on his previous judgment, Lin Xiao always thought that Fan Yuyan wouldn't resort to such methods, because she had room for advancement.

However, people often lose self-control when faced with desires, ambitions, and vanity, and then recklessly plunge into the quagmire of "taking shortcuts" from which they cannot extricate themselves.

Thinking about this, Lin Xiao felt a little scared.

Recently, the public security and education systems have been thoroughly investigated, resulting in the downfall of a large number of leading cadres, causing a great shock throughout the county. As the protagonist who orchestrated all of this, Lin Xiao has become a fearsome figure in the eyes of many.

Although he was not a discipline inspection official, in some people's minds he was more awe-inspiring than a discipline inspection official.

The combination of a leader's favor, colleagues' envy, subordinates' respect, classmates' jealousy, and rivals' fear can easily lead a young person astray without sufficient composure and self-discipline.

Fortunately, Lin Xiao did a good job in this regard; avoiding arrogance and impetuosity is a standard quality of an excellent cadre.

"Next, it's time to relax a bit and focus on concrete tasks to achieve some tangible results..."

Lin Xiao muttered to himself.

Around 10 o'clock, after finishing her secretary's work, Lin Xiao convened a brief debriefing meeting with all members of the inspection office to make arrangements for the next phase of routine inspection work.

During this period, the influence of the inspection office has been greatly enhanced, and the notices and requirements issued have been responded to in a timely manner, which has also increased everyone's enthusiasm.

Afterwards, Lin Xiao reported to Gong Lei that he had transferred the responsibilities of the Supervision Office to Wu Lan, while he himself would focus on his secretarial work and the pilot project in Songmao Village.

After getting off work, just as Lin Xiao reached the main gate of the county government building, a person emerged from the shade of a large tree behind him and called out to him, "Lin Xiao, let's talk."

Fan Yuyan!

Upon hearing that familiar yet unfamiliar voice, Lin Xiao immediately frowned, even feeling a bit of a headache, wondering what the woman wanted.

"What else is there for us to talk about?"

Seeing Lin Xiao turn to leave, Fan Yuyan rushed forward and blocked his way with her arms outstretched.

"What exactly do you want?" Lin Xiao asked angrily.

Fan Yuyan's face flushed red, and she gritted her teeth as she said, "Don't go yet, let me finish what I have to say, okay?"

Lin Xiao glanced at the office building and saw that people were starting to leave and heading towards the main entrance. Fearing that it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings or other problems, he had no choice but to back down and say, "Let's talk outside. I have something to do later, just ten minutes."

The two walked out of the county government gate and came to the door of a closed breakfast shop.

Fan Yuyan spoke first: "Let's make a deal. If you promise not to ruin my plans and let me continue as my director, I'll tell you a secret."

Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried at the same time. He thought Fan Yuyan was going to talk about how to win back their relationship, but he didn't expect her to ask him to make some kind of deal.

"First of all, I absolutely will not allow you to do anything in my name, even if we hadn't broken up, let alone since we have; secondly, I'm very busy and don't have time to care about your affairs; finally, I don't want to know any secrets."

Lin Xiao said it firmly and decisively, his meaning was clear and his attitude was resolute.

"What about the pilot project in Songmao Village? Would you still like to know?"

Fan Yuyan gritted her teeth and said, then tilted her head back and glared at Lin Xiao with a hint of confidence in her eyes.

"What do you know?"

Lin Xiao paused for a moment, then asked casually.

A smug smile flashed across Fan Yuyan's face, then she pouted and said, "If you agree to my conditions, I'll tell you. And I promise, I'll never bother you again from now on."

This time, Fan Yuyan seems to have made up her mind to "go all in".

Lin Xiao's attitude softened considerably. He said in a deep voice, "Lu Gexuan probably already knows that we're not boyfriend and girlfriend. How can I possibly cover up this lie for you now?"

Fan Yuyan said, "I'll handle things at work myself. Just make sure you don't put pressure on anyone. As for whether I live or die, I'm sure you don't care at all, so it's none of your business."

Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised, not expecting Fan Yuyan to make such a trivial request. He knew that although he had hinted at it, he hadn't exposed it in public or offered much explanation, which was enough to show that even if he disliked Fan Yuyan's actions, he wouldn't push her to the brink.

After all, there were good times when the two were together, and Lin Xiao didn't want people to say that he had abandoned her after getting back together.

Therefore, Fan Yuyan's condition is not harsh at all.

"Okay, but you can't use this kind of fabricated relationship again. Also, you can't use those old photos of us together to fool people. Delete them all."

Fan Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled charmingly, "Then don't worry, I won't mention this to anyone again. As for those photos, I can keep them as a memento or just enjoy them myself, right?"

Lin Xiao said seriously, "Let me make this clear first: if I find out you have ulterior motives, don't blame me. And I think you'll regret it then."

"I already regret it now."

Fan Yuyan gave a bitter smile and said in a low voice, "Lin Xiao, I know I hurt you before, and I know we can't go back. Don't worry, I've thought it through. I will try my best, and I will fight for what I want."

"Isn't this great!"

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

Lin Xiao didn't want to continue this topic, so she changed the subject, saying, "Tell me, what's the secret?"

"Can we really never go back?"

"Didn't you just say..."

"But, which couple breaks up so easily? Doesn't it take a long time to go through all that back and forth? Besides, we're each other's first love, so..."

Now, Lin Xiao's face finally fell.

"Lin Xiao, you..."

"Yuyan, we really can't go back. I hope you can truly let go, and I believe you will find someone better. How about we call it a day? I have something to do."

After saying that, Lin Xiao started to move and prepared to leave.

"Okay, okay, I'll talk, I'll talk."

"Um!"

"Actually, some people don't want the pilot project in Songmao Village to succeed. They will try to sabotage it, including deliberately delaying investment attraction, artificially adding conditions, inciting villagers to obstruct the project, and hiring people from outside the village to stage accidents..."

Fan Yuyan spoke with such conviction that anyone who didn't know better would think it was her idea.

"How did you know that? And in such detail, you...?"

Lin Xiao frowned, her expression grave.

"I overheard it by chance at a party with friends."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment; this was such a familiar scenario.

"Unintentionally? Then who are they?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I heard..."