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

Fang Mingyuan picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and put it down.

"First, complete all the formalities. Contracts, invoices, and acceptance reports—none of them can be missing. Regardless of where that 960 million yuan ultimately went, the accounts must be flawless."

Fang Zhiwen nodded.

"Second," Fang Mingyuan looked at Qian Cheng, "you personally oversee the progress of the projects in the Economic Development Zone. He Ying needs an explanation of the budget adjustments, so give it to her. The data must be accurate, but don't give her everything. Give her what you can give her, and don't mention anything you shouldn't."

Qian Cheng nodded repeatedly.

"Third," Fang Mingyuan's gaze fell on Liu Zhiguo, "Zhiguo, you continue to keep an eye on that guy surnamed Chen. I need to know his every move. Who he contacts, who he meets, where he goes, no detail is too small."

"Understood." Liu Zhiguo nodded.

"Fourth," Fang Mingyuan said, turning to Zheng Hai one last time, "speed things up in the provincial capital. I need to know He Ying's background, who's backing her, and what she's really up to in Qingshun County."

Zheng Hai nodded: "I'll make the arrangements first thing tomorrow morning."

After Fang Mingyuan finished stating these four points, he picked up his wine glass and glanced around.

"Everyone, He Ying is not one of the previous county magistrates."

She is young, energetic, and has powerful backers.

But we're not pushovers either. We've been operating in Qingshun County for over a decade; we're deeply rooted. She can't take us down so easily."

He paused for a moment.

"This glass is for everyone. No matter what tricks He Ying pulls, we'll accept them together."

Several people raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Fang Zhiwen downed the drink in one gulp, his expression still grim, but his eyes were more determined than before.

Qian Cheng drank half of his wine, put down his glass, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Liu Zhiguo took a sip, put down the cup, and continued to lower his head.

Zheng Hai drank it all in one gulp, his expression remaining unchanged.

Fang Mingyuan finished the wine in his glass, put down the glass, and picked up his chopsticks.

"Alright, let's eat. The food's getting cold."

The atmosphere at the dinner table relaxed a bit.

Fang Zhiwen picked up a piece of pork rib, took a couple of bites, and suddenly looked up.

"Brother, is that kid surnamed Chen really not going to move?"

Fang Mingyuan glanced at him.

"I told you, don't touch him."

Fang Zhiwen opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately didn't, and lowered his head to continue gnawing on the ribs.

Fang Mingyuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked out at the courtyard.

He was pondering a question—how much exactly did He Ying possess?

He didn't know if He Ying had anything else in her possession.

If so, what is it?

If not, what will she do next?

Fang Mingyuan put down his teacup and stood up.

"You guys take your time eating, I'm going out for some fresh air."

He walked out of the living room and stood in the yard.

The night breeze, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, brushed against my face, feeling slightly cool.

He looked up at the night sky; there weren't many stars, and the moon was mostly obscured by clouds.

"He Ying." He repeated the name, his voice so soft that only he could hear it, "What exactly do you want?"

No one answered him.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the intermittent barking of dogs coming from afar.

Fang Mingyuan stood there for a while, then turned and went back into the house.

In the living room, Fang Zhiwen and Qian Cheng were talking in hushed tones. When they saw him come in, they immediately stopped talking.

Liu Zhiguo had finished eating and was sitting on the sofa with a teacup in his hand, seemingly deep in thought.

Zheng Hai was on the phone, his voice was very low, and it was impossible to hear what he was saying.

Fang Mingyuan walked back to the main seat, sat down, and picked up his teacup.

"Zhiguo".

Liu Zhiguo raised his head.

"You just said that guy surnamed Chen always carries it with him?"

"Yes."

Do you know what he was carrying?

Liu Zhiguo shook his head.

Fang Mingyuan remained silent for a few seconds.

"Let's find a way to figure it out."

Liu Zhiguo looked at him, his gaze holding something indescribable.

"County Chief Fang, this is a bit difficult. He carries his things with him at all times, so I can't help it..."

"I didn't tell you to do it yourself," Fang Mingyuan interrupted him. "I told you to figure something out. Keep a close eye on him and look for an opportunity. There will always be a weakness."

Liu Zhiguo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"I'll give it a try."

Fang Mingyuan nodded and said nothing more.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze fell on the plate of braised pork on the table.

The meat had cooled down, and the fat had solidified on the surface, making it look a bit greasy.

He put down his teacup and stood up.

That's enough for today. Let's call it a day.

Several people stood up one after another, put on their coats, grabbed their bags, and walked out.

Fang Zhiwen walked at the back, and when he reached the door, he stopped and turned around.

"elder brother."

Fang Mingyuan looked at him.

"About that 960 million..." Fang Zhiwen's voice was very low, "...what if it really traces back to me?"

Fang Mingyuan looked at him and remained silent for a few seconds.

"It won't be traced back to you."

"I mean, if."

Fang Mingyuan walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Zhiwen, you're my brother. I won't let anything happen to you."

Fang Zhiwen looked at him, his eyes slightly red.

"Alright, let's go back." Fang Mingyuan withdrew his hand. "Drive carefully."

Fang Zhiwen nodded, turned around and left.

His car drove out of the yard, its taillights gradually disappearing into the night.

Fang Mingyuan stood at the doorway, watching the two taillights disappear around the street corner, and stood there for a long time.

Then he closed the door and went back to the living room.

Zheng Hai hadn't left yet; he was standing next to the sofa, holding his phone.

"County Chief Fang, there's news from the provincial capital."

Fang Mingyuan walked over and sat down on the sofa.

"explain."

"We've found out He Ying's maternal grandfather's surname."

Fang Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat.

"What's your last name?"

"His surname is Shen."

Fang Mingyuan frowned slightly.

His surname is Shen. In the provincial capital, there's a very important person with the surname Shen…

Several names flashed through his mind, but he wasn't quite sure about any of them.

"Who exactly is it?"

Zheng Hai shook his head: "It's not certain yet. The people over there said they're keeping a tight rein on things and don't dare ask too many questions. But the information we can find out is that the Shen family has deep roots in the provincial capital, and their elders held high positions before they retired."

Fang Mingyuan remained silent for a long time.

"Continue the investigation. But don't push too hard. We can't afford to offend the Shen family."

Zheng Hai nodded.

"And one more thing," Fang Mingyuan said, looking at him, "Don't make any moves with He Ying for now. Find out her background first, then decide how to deal with her."

"clear."

Zheng Hai put on his coat and went out.

Fang Mingyuan was the only one left in the living room.

He sat on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, his mind filled with Zheng Hai's words: "The Shen family has deep roots in the provincial capital; before the older generation retired, they held high-ranking positions."

He Ying's maternal grandfather's surname was Shen.

The Shen family in the provincial capital.

Fang Mingyuan picked up the cigarette case on the coffee table, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

Smoke curled up under the lamplight, blurring his expression.

He was pondering a question—what was He Ying's real purpose in coming to Qingshun County?

Fang Mingyuan stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, stood up, turned off the light, and went upstairs.

His wife was already asleep in the bedroom.

He lay down in the dark, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

Occasionally, a car drives by on the distant street, its headlights sweeping across the ceiling before disappearing.

Fang Mingyuan closed his eyes.

A thought kept running through my mind—

He Ying's trump card is the Shen family.