Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Qin Siyuan said earnestly, "From an organizational perspective, we must also consider the family circumstances of our cadres. If Comrade Xiao Ai has a valid reason to disagree or has significant concerns, forcing you to go would be irresponsible to you and your family. Therefore, Liangping, this decision needs to be made jointly by you and your husband."

Hou Liangping opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Qin Siyuan's determined eyes, he sighed helplessly and nodded, "Alright, Director, I understand. I'll go back tonight and discuss it properly with Xiao Ai."

"It's about having a proper discussion, not just issuing a notification," Qin Siyuan emphasized. "You need to listen and communicate. Tell her honestly about your thoughts, the organization's considerations, and the potential risks. I believe Comrade Xiao Ai is sensible and considerate of the big picture, but you need to reach a consensus."

Qin Siyuan glanced at his watch. "There's nothing urgent today, so you can go home early. Go home and spend time with your family, and have a good talk. I'll be waiting for your final answer tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Director!" Hou Liangping stood up, saluted, and said, "I will report to you promptly tomorrow morning."

Hou Liangping's home in Beijing

Hou Liangping sat on the sofa, with two cups of tea that had already cooled down in front of him. Zhong Xiaoai, dressed in comfortable loungewear, sat on the single sofa opposite him, her arms crossed, her brows slightly furrowed, her face lacking its usual gentleness, only showing a quiet disapproval.

They have been talking for almost an hour.

"So, Director Qin means he wants me to agree to your return to Handong?" Zhong Xiaoai's voice was calm, but beneath the calm lay suppressed emotions. "To continue investigating Ding Yizhen's case?"

"Yes." Hou Liangping nodded. "I've worked in Handong before, so I'm familiar with the situation. This is a case I lost track of before, so both morally and logically, I should go back and close it. This is also a sign of the organization's trust in me."

"Trust?" Zhong Xiaoai finally raised her eyes. "Liangping, why did we go to such lengths to transfer you back from Handong? It wasn't because Handong was bad, it was because it was too complicated, too murky! Ding Yizhen was able to escape despite layers of surveillance; what forces were behind him? Chen Hai was even punished and transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau because of this case! Aren't these lessons profound enough?"

Zhong Xiaoai's tone became agitated, "You're doing very well at the General Administration, your professional abilities are recognized, and your future is bright. Why do you insist on going back into that vortex? What's the situation in Handong right now? Secretary Sha Ruijin just left, the provincial party committee is being reshuffled, and the Crescent Lake incident is causing a huge uproar. Gao Yuliang, Li Dakang, Qi Tongwei… none of them are easy to deal with! Going back is like throwing yourself back into a powder keg!"

Hou Liangping knew his wife was telling the truth. "Xiao Ai, I know all that. Director Qin reminded me today too; Handong might be more complicated than before. But it's precisely because it's complicated that someone needs to lift the lid. Ding Yizhen's escape isn't just my dereliction of duty, it's a blatant provocation of the law! If even we back down because we're afraid of the complexity and the danger, wouldn't these parasites be even more unscrupulous?"

"Moreover," Hou Liangping looked into Zhong Xiaoai's eyes, "have you thought about this? If the protective umbrella behind Ding Yizhen isn't exposed, if the problems in Handong aren't thoroughly resolved, the Zhao family won't fall, and it won't be so easy for Dad to take any further steps."

Hou Liangping continued, "Xiao Ai, I promise you, I will protect myself to the best of my ability. I will report to you regularly and will not hide anything from you. This time I'm not going back to risk my life, but to complete a mission that must be completed. Once Ding Yizhen's case is solved and those who should be arrested are brought to justice, I will definitely apply for a transfer back."

"Stop." Zhong Xiaoai finally spoke, interrupting him, "You've already said so much... what else can I say? I understand what you're thinking. You want to help Dad break through this situation, so I won't stop you."

"But!" Zhong Xiaoai held up a finger, her expression turning extremely serious. "You remember what I said today—first, safety first, never be reckless! Second, you must report that you are safe every day, no matter how late! Third, if you encounter difficulties, ask headquarters and your family for help immediately, don't try to tough it out on your own!"

"I promise! I will definitely do it!" Hou Liangping nodded heavily and hugged his wife. Zhong Xiaoai leaned on her husband's shoulder, finally letting down her guard and letting out a soft sigh.

Conference Room, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn, and the oval conference table was full of people.

Except for those who were away on business, all the directors, deputy directors, and key personnel of the Anti-Corruption Bureau were present. — We received the notification yesterday that an important personnel announcement would be made today.

The door was pushed open, and Ji Changming walked in. Behind him was a middle-aged man wearing a dark jacket and a white shirt, Hou Liangping.

Ji Changming walked to the head seat and gestured for Hou Liangping to sit in the empty seat to his right.

Ji Changming surveyed the meeting room and slowly began to speak, his voice transmitted through the microphone, "Comrades, the meeting is now in session. Today's meeting has only one agenda item: to announce the decision of the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Provincial Party Committee regarding the adjustment of the leadership team of the Provincial Procuratorate's Anti-Corruption Bureau."

Ji Changming opened a dark blue folder in front of him and took out an official document stamped with a bright red national emblem.

"After deliberation and recommendation by the Party Group of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and with the consent of the Handong Provincial Party Committee," Ji Changming read out word by word, "Hou Liangping is appointed as the Executive Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption and Bribery Bureau of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate, at the deputy bureau level."

Ji Changming then announced, "Comrade Lu Yike is appointed as the Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate, and concurrently as the Director of the First Investigation Division."

This appointment caused an even more noticeable upheaval.

Lu Yike, the female section chief known for her rigorous and upright style and outstanding professional skills, was directly promoted to deputy director and will continue to serve as the head of the first investigation division. This means that she will not only be a leader in the future, but will also firmly control the core investigative force of the anti-corruption bureau.

Some people turned their gaze to Lu Yike, who sat upright in her seat with a straight back and no expression on her face, except that her hands under the table were slightly clenched.

"Comrade Lü Liang," Ji Changming read the next name, "is no longer serving as the Executive Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate. He will be transferred to the Jingzhou Municipal People's Procuratorate as Deputy Chief Procurator and a member of the Party Leadership Group."

Lü Liang's expression remained unchanged; he nodded slightly to indicate that he understood. His transfer from the position of Executive Deputy Director of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau to Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Municipal Procuratorate, while no longer within the province, was still a promotion.

"Comrades Lin Huahua and Zhou Zheng, your positions remain unchanged," Ji Changming said briefly.

Lin Huahua pursed her lips but said nothing. Zhou Zhengze's expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this.