I slept with my sister's classmate, and she turned out to be my boss.

After compiling the verification results of the project files into official materials, Chen Yuanda did not stay in the provincial capital for long and went to Beijing again that same day with the materials.

He arrived at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's office building and went directly to Song Huai'an's office.

Song Huai'an was reviewing documents when he saw Chen Yuanda enter, and he put down his pen:

"You're back so soon?"

"The verification results have been compiled."

Chen Yuanda placed the folder on Song Huai'an's desk, but did not sit down; he stood there and waited.

Song Huai'an glanced at him, then reached for the folder and opened it.

He didn't turn the pages quickly, but he didn't deliberately slow down either.

First, I looked at the summary of the project file, then the corresponding records of the time nodes mentioned in Mr. Shen's letter, and finally turned to the photocopy of the page with the list of acceptance personnel.

When I came across Mr. Shen's letter.

He slowed down noticeably, rereading the text word by word, as if confirming something.

After reading the last word, he put the letter back in the folder, but didn't close it immediately; his finger paused on the edge of the page.

He looked up at Chen Yuanda: "I've heard of Shen Zhengqing. He was a principled man when he was young, and he didn't mince words. But he chose to remain silent back then, so it's not easy for him to stand up now."

Chen Yuanda didn't respond, waiting for his decision.

Song Huai'an was silent for a moment, then spoke: "Conduct further verification to ensure the authenticity, accuracy, and completeness of the results."

He didn't say "that's enough" or "that's enough," nor did he say "let's not move for now." Instead, he requested further verification.

Chen Yuanda understood what those words meant—the case had reached this stage, and there could be no loopholes; every clue had to be solidified.

Chen Yuanda nodded: "Okay. I'll go back and make the arrangements."

Song Huai'an didn't say anything more, closed the folder and placed it on the corner of the table.

Chen Yuanda turned and walked out, slowing down as the door closed behind him.

He didn't linger in the corridor, but went straight to the elevator.

While waiting for the elevator, he took out his phone and sent a message to Hu Yuheng: "Secretary Song has requested further verification to ensure that the information is true, accurate and complete."

Hu Yuheng replied with a single word: "Okay."

……

The provincial capital, the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Yang Xiujiang sat in his office, staring at a message on his phone, and remained silent for a long time.

The message was delivered through an old connection—and it was brief: "Old Master Shen submitted materials to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, concerning a project in the provincial capital ten years ago."

The specific details were not mentioned, nor was Zeng Zhiyuan mentioned.

But when Yang Xiujiang heard "the project in the provincial capital ten years ago," he understood most of it.

He first felt a sense of emptiness—as if the thread that had been hanging there had finally snapped.

Zeng Zhiyuan pushed him out as a scapegoat, and Old Master Shen added insult to injury, making him the lowest link in the chain of events in the case.

He picked up the landline on the table and dialed his home number.

The phone rang twice before being answered, and my wife's voice came through the receiver:

"Feed?"

Yang Xiujiang paused for a moment, then asked, "How is everything at home?"

"I'm fine. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just asking." Yang Xiujiang paused for a moment, "It's gotten colder these past few days, so wear more layers when you go out."

His wife asked suspiciously on the other end of the phone, "Is something wrong?"

"No," Yang Xiujiang said calmly. "I just wanted to make a call to ask."

His wife didn't press further: "Then take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."

"Okay. I'm hanging up."

Yang Xiujiang put the microphone back on the landline without immediately removing her hand.

He sat there, his gaze fixed on the greyish-white daylight outside the window.

At least one thing can be confirmed now: the task force has not yet turned its attention to his wife.

This is probably the only thing that can make him feel at ease right now.

He lowered his head, his fingers resting on the edge of the table, and sat quietly for a long time, neither flipping through the documents on the table nor picking up the phone again.

……

Meanwhile, in the capital city.

Zeng Zhiyuan received a call from Han Youde, whose voice sounded somewhat low:

"That old man from the Shen family submitted materials to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, talking about that project in the provincial capital ten years ago."

After hearing this, Zeng Zhiyuan remained silent for a few seconds before speaking: "Which old man from the Shen family?"

"Shen Zhengqing. He used to supervise that project in the provincial capital, and later he was transferred to Beijing. His granddaughter is the county magistrate of Qingshun County, and she was the one who first started investigating this case."

Zeng Zhiyuan's fingers slowly tightened.

He didn't expect Shen Zhengqing to step forward at this time.

He thought that the person who had remained silent ten years ago would continue to remain silent, and that the person had long forgotten what happened back then.

"Adding insult to injury!"

"This is outrageous!"

He roared, picked up the ceramic teacup from the corner of the desk, and smashed it on the ground.

The cup shattered into pieces on the floor, spilling tea everywhere.

He stood up, took a few breaths, and his chest heaved a few times before he slowly calmed down.

He bent down to pick up the broken pieces of porcelain, threw them into the trash can, wiped the water stains off the floor with a rag, and then sat down again.

He thought for a long time, then picked up the phone again and dialed Han Youde's number: "Why would Shen Zhengqing suddenly step forward?"

Han Youde's answer was brief: "His granddaughter is investigating this case, so he probably knows about it."

Zeng Zhiyuan didn't respond immediately, remaining silent for a moment before asking, "Who is his granddaughter?"

"He Ying. She was the one who spearheaded the investigation into the Liuhe Town case in Qingshun County."

Zeng Zhiyuan didn't ask any more questions and hung up the phone.

He sat at his desk, his gaze falling on a spot on the floor that had just been wiped, where the water stains were not yet completely dry.

He pondered to himself—if Shen Zhengqing was merely providing testimony, it could be explained as "the elderly person's memory bias";

But if Shen Zhengqing had something else in his possession, such as notes, documents from that time, or other witnesses who were present at the time, then the situation would be different.

He thought for a long time, then picked up his phone and found a number.

He didn't dial the number; he just looked at it and put it down.

He was considering whether to retaliate from the side—Shen Zhengqing was old, but he had a granddaughter, He Ying, who was the one who first started investigating the case.

If something were to happen to He Ying, would Shen Zhengqing still be able to continue speaking?

The thought lingered in his mind for a few moments before he put down his phone.

Taking action against He Ying now will only draw the attention of the task force to him more quickly.

He can't do anything superfluous, at least not now.

He sent another message to Han Youde: "What else can you find out about Shen Zhengqing?"

After sending the message, he stared at the screen for ten minutes without receiving a reply.

He posted another message: "No need to specifically inquire, just keep an eye out."

There has still been no reply.

He was wondering if Lao Han was scared.

He placed his phone on the table, screen down.

Thoughts flooded his mind like a tide, but none of them made him feel at ease.

He knew that some of those thoughts were unacceptable.

Once you get involved, you'll find yourself sinking deeper...