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

On the morning of the third day, Chen Yang's phone rang.

She was cooking porridge in the kitchen when she heard the phone ring. She wiped her hands, picked up her phone, and glanced at it—the screen displayed the words "Director Gu".

She quickly answered the phone: "Good morning, Director Gu."

A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying a businesslike calmness: "Chen Yang, there's been progress on that matter you mentioned before."

Chen Yang's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped his phone.

She walked to the window, her back to the kitchen, and lowered her voice: "Please speak."

"Qingshun County has been included in this year's special audit plan. The specific time has not yet been determined, but it should be before the end of the month."

The audit scope includes the county's fiscal revenue and expenditure, the use of special funds over the past three years, and extended audits of several key townships—Liuhe Town is on the list.

Chen Yang took a deep breath, trying to sound calm: "Director Gu, thank you. This news is very important to me."

"You're welcome." Director Gu paused for a moment, "but I'd like to remind you of a few things."

"Please speak."

"First, the provincial audit office is investigating accounting issues, not individuals. If they want to investigate specific people, the audit report needs to be transferred to the discipline inspection and supervision commission after it is issued. This process takes time; it's not like you can investigate today and take the person away tomorrow. You need to be aware of this."

"I see."

"Secondly," Director Gu lowered his voice, "some people in Qingshun County are also inquiring about the audit. A few days ago, someone in the provincial department received a call asking about the audit arrangements for Qingshun County. The caller didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear—they wanted to know when the audit would come, how long it would last, and what it would investigate."

Chen Yang's heart sank.

"Who's asking?"

"I don't know. The call was made to a department in the provincial government. The person on the other end didn't identify themselves, just said 'Let me know.' But not identifying themselves is itself a form of identification."

Chen Yang, be careful in Qingshun County. Some people don't want this audit to go smoothly; they'll use any means necessary.

"I understand. Director Gu, thank you anyway."

"Alright. Get everything ready before the end of the month."

The phone hangs up.

Chen Yang stood by the window, holding his phone, and remained silent for a long while.

She turned around and went back to the kitchen.

The porridge is ready; it's thick, golden millet porridge, and steaming hot.

She turned off the stove, ladled out two bowls, and placed them on the table.

Chen Dapeng came out of the bathroom, his face still wet with water droplets.

The gauze on the corner of his mouth was removed yesterday, revealing a thin, pink wound underneath. It hadn't fully healed yet, but it wasn't very noticeable unless you looked closely.

The bruises on my face had mostly faded, leaving only a small patch of pale yellow on my cheekbone.

"Sis, who's calling so early?"

Chen Yang placed the bowl of porridge in front of him and sat down opposite him.

"Director Gu."

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment.

"That Director Gu from the Provincial Audit Office?"

Chen Yang nodded: "He said Qingshun County has been included in this year's special audit plan. They'll come before the end of the month. Liuhe Town is within the audit scope."

Chen Dapeng's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, not from fear, but from excitement.

"It's finally here."

His voice was a little hoarse.

"Dapeng, there's one more thing. Director Gu said that some people in the county are also inquiring about the audit. A few days ago, someone called the provincial department to ask about the audit arrangements for Qingshun County."

"Who?"

"I don't know. The other party didn't reveal their identity. But you know who it is."

Chen Dapeng remained silent for a few seconds.

Fang Mingyuan.

Chen Yang neither nodded nor shook his head.

Both of them knew the answer.

"He's getting anxious. He's asking when the auditors are coming, which means he's scared."

"Being afraid doesn't mean he'll surrender. He's afraid, which is why he'll try to stop it. You were beaten before because he was afraid, wasn't it? Now that the provincial audit department is coming, he's even more afraid, and his methods will only become more ruthless."

Chen Dapeng looked at his sister.

"Sis, are you scared?"

Chen Yang was stunned for a moment, then gave a cold laugh.

"What am I afraid of? No matter how far he can go in the county, he can't reach the provincial capital."

Chen Dapeng looked at her without saying a word.

Chen Yang's smile faded.

"But Dapeng, you're here. I'm afraid something might happen to you."

"Sister, I won't get into any more trouble." Chen Dapeng's voice was calm. "Fang Mingyuan is too busy taking care of himself right now, he can't take care of me."

How did you know?

Chen Dapeng remained silent for a few seconds.

"Fang Mingyuan can't afford to worry about me right now. The Provincial Audit Office is coming, and he's busy dealing with things above him. He doesn't have the energy to deal with a nobody like me."

Chen Yang stared at him for a few seconds, her gaze holding something indescribable—as if she were judging whether he was telling the truth or trying to comfort her.

Are you sure?

"I'm not sure." Chen Dapeng lowered his head, picked up a bite of pickled vegetables, "but it's better than worrying every day."

Chen Yang opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.

She took her phone out of her pocket, found Director Gu's number, hesitated for a moment, and didn't dial it.

"Dapeng, have you told He Ying about this?"

"Not yet. We'll talk about it after you finish your call."

Chen Yang nodded, put down his phone, and picked up his bowl of porridge.

"Let's talk after breakfast. The porridge is getting cold."

At 9:30 a.m., Chen Dapeng sent a message to He Ying.

"The Provincial Audit Office will be here before the end of the month. Liuhe Town is within the audit scope. Source: Confirmed by my sister."

After sending it, he stared at the screen.

Less than ten seconds later, my phone vibrated.

He Ying's reply was only one sentence: "Are you sure?"

Chen Dapeng typed: "Confirmed. Director Gu said it himself."

The "typing" message flashed for a long time.

Chen Dapeng waited, sensing that He Ying on the other end of the phone was considering something. About a minute later, the message came through.

Is your sister still in Qingshun County?

"exist."

"If it's convenient for you at noon, let's have lunch together. I'll treat her."

Chen Dapeng glanced at Chen Yang.

Chen Yang was collecting clothes on the balcony. He took the dried shirts off the hanger, shook them, and hung them on his arm.

"Sis, He Ying said she'd like to treat you to lunch."

Chen Yang paused for a moment.

"Invite me? Or invite us?"

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment, then typed: "County Chief He, my sister is asking if you're inviting her or us?"

He Ying quickly replied: "Come on, everyone."

Chen Dapeng handed his phone to Chen Yang to look at.

Chen Yang glanced at it, a slight smile playing on his lips, and put the shirt into the closet.

"Okay. Then we'll all go."

At noon, at Qingshun's house.

It was the same private room as last time, and the same round table.

Chen Dapeng sat by the window, Chen Yang sat to his left, and the chair to his right was empty—that was He Ying's seat.

The food has already been ordered.

Chen Yang ordered it; she knew what He Ying liked to eat—steamed sea bass, water spinach with garlic, hot and sour soup, and also added braised pork ribs.

"Dapeng, have you ever eaten with He Ying?" Chen Yang asked, holding his teacup and looking at his younger brother.

"I've eaten. It was a work lunch."

"Work meals don't count," Chen Yang shook his head. "I mean eating alone."

Chen Dapeng thought for a moment.

He Ying had invited him to eat at the "Old Place" farmhouse restaurant once before, but that was to discuss serious business.

Later, when the audit team was in Liuhe Town, she sent him a message telling him to "be careful." Later, he was beaten, and she went to the hospital to see him and took him home.

These are all meetings, but does that count as "having a meal together"?

"I guess so."

Chen Yang looked at his expression and didn't press him for details.

The door to the private room was pushed open.

He Ying stood at the door, wearing a light gray thin sweater, her hair down, and light makeup on her face.

"You're here? Have a seat." Chen Yang pointed to the empty chair.

He Ying walked in and sat down next to Chen Dapeng.

Their arms were almost touching.

Chen Dapeng could smell her scent—not perfume, but the faint smell of shampoo, just like the one he smelled in the car last time.

His heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless.

"Yingying, the provincial department's matter is confirmed. Director Gu said it himself; they'll come before the end of the month. Liuhe Town is within the audit scope."

He Ying tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

"How do you plan to prepare?" Chen Yang asked.

He Ying put down her teacup and leaned back in her chair.

"Everything that needs to be prepared has been prepared. Materials, vouchers, and ledgers—we've given what we can, and even what we can't give, we've given. This is an audit from the province, not the county, so we can't stop it."

Chen Yang looked at her.

"Aren't you afraid?"

He Ying's lips twitched slightly, not in a smile, but in a relaxed manner after being understood.

"I'm afraid. But I have to do it even if I'm afraid."

Chen Yang nodded and said nothing more.

The dishes were served one after another.

He Ying picked up a piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and ate very slowly.

Chen Dapeng lowered his head and ate even faster.

He hasn't changed his eating habits—he finishes the rice in his bowl in just a few bites.

"Dapeng, eat slowly." Chen Yang glanced at him.

Chen Dapeng slowed down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Yingying," Chen Yang put down his chopsticks, "After the provincial department arrives, is there anything else you need help with?"

He Ying thought for a moment.

"Not yet. Everything that needs to be prepared is prepared. But there's one thing—" She glanced at Chen Dapeng, then looked at Chen Yang, "After the provincial department arrives, Dapeng might have to go to Liuhe Town. The audit team needs someone familiar with the situation."

Chen Dapeng's fingers tightened slightly.

Chen Yang glanced at his younger brother, then looked at He Ying.

"He got beaten up once. Are you sure you still want him to go?"

He Ying did not avoid Chen Yang's gaze.

"I will arrange for someone to protect him. Besides—while the audit team is in Liuhe Town, Fang Mingyuan won't dare to make a move again. To harm the audit team would be tantamount to directly challenging the provincial authorities. He's not that stupid."

Chen Yang was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Okay. But you have to promise me one thing."

"you say."

"No matter what happens, tell me immediately. Don't let me find out from other people."

He Ying looked into Chen Yang's eyes.

I promise you.

"Alright. Let's eat. The food's getting cold."

After finishing their meal, the three of them left Qingshun's house.

Chen Yang stood at the door and stretched.

"I'm going to buy some things this afternoon, and I'm going back to the provincial capital tomorrow."

He Ying nodded: "I'll take you."

"No need. Dapeng can take me." Chen Yang turned to look at Chen Dapeng, "You take He Ying back to her workplace."

Chen Dapeng glanced at He Ying.

He Ying did not speak.

Chen Yang got into the taxi, rolled down the window, and waved to them.

"I'm leaving. Take care of yourselves."

The car drove away and disappeared into the traffic.

"Let's go."

He Ying turned and walked towards the county government.

Chen Dapeng followed, falling half a step behind her.

The two walked side by side on the sidewalk.

"Your sister is very smart," He Ying suddenly said.

"Um."

"I've looked at the materials she helped you organize. They're much clearer than before."

Chen Dapeng nodded without saying anything.

After walking for a while, He Ying suddenly stopped.

Chen Dapeng also stopped and looked at her.

"Dapeng".

"Um?"

"You'll probably be very busy after the provincial authorities arrive. Tell your sister not to worry. I won't let anything happen to you again."

Chen Dapeng looked into her eyes: "I know."