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

On Thursday evening, Chen Dapeng returned to his residence at almost eight o'clock.

The audit team stayed in Liuhe Town for four days, finishing work at around 6 p.m. each day, and didn't get back to the county town until almost 7 p.m.

He washed his face, changed into clean clothes, and was about to go downstairs for a bowl of noodles when there was a knock on the door.

It wasn't the polite three knocks of a delivery person, nor the casual two knocks of a neighbor; it was a rapid, forceful, and unyielding knock.

dong dong dong.

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment, walked to the door, and looked out through the peephole.

Chen Yang stood outside the door, wearing a dark trench coat, his hair was a little messy, and his complexion was not good.

She was carrying a bag, but she didn't look like she had come specifically to deliver something; it seemed like she had just gotten out of the car and headed straight here.

Chen Dapeng opened the door.

"Sister? What's wrong...?"

Chen Yang walked in without waiting for him to speak.

She placed the bag on the table, turned to look at him, her gaze deep, with an expression Chen Dapeng hadn't seen in a long time.

"Sis, have you eaten? I haven't eaten yet, how about..."

"Dapeng," Chen Yang interrupted him, "what exactly is your relationship with He Ying?"

Chen Dapeng was stunned for a moment.

This problem came so suddenly that he was completely unprepared.

"What relationship? She's the county magistrate, and I'm just a staff member. We're in a superior-subordinate relationship."

Chen Yang stared at him for a few seconds.

"Look me in the eyes and say it."

Chen Dapeng looked at her, trying his best to make his expression look normal.

"Dapeng," Chen Yang's voice lowered, "I heard rumors in the provincial capital—someone in Qingshun County is investigating problems in Liuhe Town, and you're one of He Ying's people. Someone's looking for you, you know?"

Chen Dapeng's fingers tightened slightly.

"Who's asking about me?"

"I don't know. But the news came from the provincial capital." Chen Yang took a step forward, getting closer to him. "Tell me the truth—are you helping He Ying investigate Liuhe Town?"

Chen Dapeng fell silent.

He really wanted to say "no".

But he knew it would be useless to say anything.

My sister won't believe it.

Moreover, she had already heard rumors in the provincial capital, which meant that this matter was no longer just an internal struggle in Qingshun County, but had spread to the provincial capital.

"Sister," he said, his voice slightly hoarse, "there are some things I can't tell you."

Why?

"Because it wouldn't be good for you to say it."

Chen Yang took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his emotions.

"Dapeng, I'm your older sister. You've told me everything since you were little. Now that you're in trouble, you're telling me 'it's not good for you'?"

Chen Dapeng remained silent.

"Do you even know who Fang Mingyuan is?" Chen Yang's voice rose several octaves. "He's been operating in the county for over a decade, and his people are everywhere in every department. He also has connections in the province! If you keep going like this, you won't even know how you died!"

Looking at his sister, Chen Dapeng felt a complex mix of emotions—guilt, heartache, and a touch of unspoken determination.

"Sister, I know." His voice wasn't loud, but it was calm. "I know everything you're saying."

"You knew that, yet you still rushed in?"

"Because I can't back out."

"Why not?"

Chen Dapeng remained silent for a few seconds.

"Because what County Chief He did was right. And the right thing always has to be done by someone."

Chen Yang stared at him for a long time.

Her eyes were a little red, but she didn't let the tears fall.

"Dapeng," her voice trembled slightly, "do you like He Ying?"

Chen Dapeng's heart suddenly raced, but he didn't answer.

Chen Yang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them.

"She asked me to inquire about Fang Mingyuan's network of connections in the provincial capital," Chen Yang said, lowering his voice. "She said it's inconvenient for you to investigate things in the provincial capital since you're in Qingshun County. She asked me to help her find out."

Chen Dapeng's throat tightened slightly.

He Ying had never told him any of this.

She asked her sister to investigate Fang Mingyuan's network of connections in the provincial capital, but she didn't tell him.

Why?

Is it because you're afraid he'll worry?

Or did she not want him to know that she was also taking a risk?

"Sis," his voice was a little hoarse, "what did you find out?"

Chen Yang looked at him and hesitated for a few seconds.

"Fang Mingyuan's network of connections in the provincial capital is larger than we thought. He has a person behind him, surnamed Nie, who has some influence in the province."

"Your surname is Nie?"

"I haven't found out exactly who it is yet. But what I can find out is that this guy surnamed Nie has financial dealings with Fang Mingyuan. It's not just the kind of thing like exchanging greetings or passing notes; it's the kind of thing where there's real money involved."

Chen Dapeng's fingers trembled slightly—it was real money.

This means that Fang Mingyuan not only violated regulations, but may have committed a crime.

And that guy surnamed Nie wasn't "helping him," he was "cooperating" with him.

"Dapeng," Chen Yang looked at him, "now you know who you're facing?"

Chen Dapeng nodded.

"Then why did you rush in?"

"Sister." He looked up, meeting Chen Yang's eyes, "If I don't rush, who will? County Chief He is all alone here, without a single person she can trust. Su Wanqing helped her because she's the county chief. I'm helping her not because she's the county chief."

Chen Yang looked at him, his gaze filled with complex emotions.

"Why is that?"

Chen Dapeng did not answer.

Chen Yang sat down on the sofa, as if he had suddenly lost all his strength.

She stared at the unopened bag of braised food on the coffee table and remained silent for a long time.

"Dapeng," she finally spoke, "do you know what Mom's been asking me lately?"

Chen Dapeng was stunned for a moment: "What?"

She asked me when I was going to start dating. She said I was already 24 and had a stable job, so it was time to start thinking about personal life.

Chen Dapeng didn't expect his sister to suddenly bring this up.

She also said that He Ying is a nice girl, good-looking and with a good job, but it's a pity she's six years older than you, otherwise they would be a good match.

Chen Dapeng's heart started racing again.

"I just smiled when I heard that," Chen Yang looked up at him. "Now I understand—Mom said, 'It's a pity she's six years older than you.' Do you think it's a pity?"

Chen Dapeng opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.

"Alright, you don't need to answer." Chen Yang stood up. "I'll stay in the county town tonight and go back to the provincial capital first thing tomorrow morning."

"Sis, have you eaten?"

"I didn't eat."

"I'll go downstairs and buy you a bowl of noodles."

"No need." Chen Yang picked up the bag on the table. "There's braised food and beer here. I'll have a drink with you."

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

"it is good."

The two sat at the table, which was covered with braised dishes, and two cans of beer were opened.

Chen Yang took a sip, put down the can, and looked at Chen Dapeng.

"Dapeng, tell me the truth, what do you have right now?"

Chen Dapeng hesitated for a moment.

"Sister, there are some things I can't..."

"I'm not asking you for details," Chen Yang interrupted him. "I'm just asking you—is what you have enough to get Fang Mingyuan in?"

Chen Dapeng thought for a moment.

960 million yuan in transfer records, related-party transactions of Hongda Commerce, Fang Zhiwen's brother-in-law's company, and the problems the audit team found in Liuhe Town—are all these things enough together?

"I'm not sure...it might not be enough."

"Then what else do you need?"

"We need more evidence. We need to find out where that 960 million yuan ultimately went. We need to confirm what role Fang Mingyuan played in this money."

Chen Yang fell silent.

She picked up the beer and took another sip.

"I'll continue investigating in the provincial capital. I need to find out who that guy surnamed Nie is."

"Sis, don't get involved—"

"You've already gotten involved, how can I just stand outside and watch?" Chen Yang interrupted him. "Dapeng, I'm your sister. Your business is my business."

Chen Dapeng looked at her, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Thank you, sis."

"Don't give me that." Chen Yang picked up a pig's trotter, took a bite, and said, "You're my brother, who else would I help if not you?"

When the two were drinking their third can, Chen Yang suddenly put down his beer and looked at Chen Dapeng.

"Dapeng, promise me one thing."

"What?"

"No matter what you find out, no matter what He Ying asks you to do—your safety is always the top priority. If one day you feel threatened, back off. Don't hesitate."

Chen Dapeng looked at her and remained silent for two seconds.

"But……"

"No buts..."

He finally nodded: "Okay."

Chen Yang reached out and patted him on the head, just like he did when they were kids.

"This is my brother."

Chen Dapeng's head tilted to the side after she patted him, and the corner of his mouth involuntarily curved into a smile.

After a while, Chen Yang left.

Chen Dapeng stood at the door, watching her figure disappear at the top of the stairs, then closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long sigh.

His sister must know about what happened between him and He Ying that night.

Could it be He Ying who told her?

My sister also learned that he was helping He Ying investigate Liuhe Town, and that Fang Mingyuan had connections in the provincial capital.

She also said, "Mom thinks it's a pity that He Ying is six years older than you."

Chen Dapeng walked to the window and looked at the night view of the county town outside.

He Ying is six years older than him.

Thirty years old, a division-level official, her superior, his sister's classmate, and the woman he spent the night with...

His phone vibrated, and when he picked it up, he saw it was a WeChat message from He Ying.

"Thank you for your hard work, audit team."

Chen Dapeng replied, "It's not hard work."

He paused, then added, "My sister came today."

The other party remained silent for a few seconds.

"I know, she told me."

"She said she'd help you investigate Fang Mingyuan's network of connections in the provincial capital."

"Yes."

He Ying remained silent for a moment.

"You should get some rest."

Chen Dapeng looked at the line of text and replied:

"The same to you."

After sending the message, he put down his phone and stood by the window.

In the distance, the lights of the county town twinkled.

He stared at the lights, thinking of one person—He Ying.

She asked her sister to investigate Fang Mingyuan's network of connections in the provincial capital, but she didn't tell him.

She was protecting him.

Chen Dapeng turned off the light and lay down on the bed.

In the darkness, he stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying his sister's words: "Do you like He Ying?"

He didn't answer, but the answer was clear: he liked her.