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

The next day, at nine o'clock in the morning.

After Fang Mingyuan arrived at the office, he never stopped smoking.

There were seven or eight cigarette butts in the ashtray.

Because if you stop, you'll start thinking about things you don't want to think about.

How much did the audit team find in Liuhe Town?

When Fang Zhiwen said he "couldn't take it anymore," was he really at his breaking point, or was he just giving himself a heads-up?

Back in the provincial capital, Lao Nie still wasn't answering the phone.

Not answering the phone is itself a signal.

Lao Nie didn't want to have any further contact with him, didn't want to be associated with him, and didn't want to be implicated.

This signal made him even more uneasy than Fang Zhiwen's "I can't take it anymore".

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Zheng Hai pushed open the door and came in, holding a folder in his hand.

He walked to the desk and stood there, his gaze lingering on the ashtray for a moment before quickly looking away.

"County Magistrate Fang, what about the provincial capital..."

"Have you made plans yet?"

Zheng Hai shook his head.

"Old Nie is still not answering his phone. I asked a friend in the provincial capital to go to his company, but the receptionist said he was 'on a business trip' and it was uncertain when he would be back."

"On a business trip?" He sneered. "He's avoiding me."

Zheng Hai lowered his head and remained silent.

"If he doesn't answer the phone, I'll go find him. I'll go in person."

Zheng Hai looked up at Fang Mingyuan and paused for a moment.

"County Chief Fang, are you going in person? Old Nie, that guy..."

"His not answering the phone means he's hesitating—hesitating about whether to cut ties with me. I can't let him make a decision while he's still hesitating. If he makes a decision first, I'll be at a disadvantage."

Zheng Hai remained silent for a few seconds.

"County Chief Fang, if Old Nie is determined to cut ties..."

"That's why I'm going in person. Things that can't be explained over the phone, we'll talk about in person; things that can't be explained in person, we'll sit down and talk about it slowly. Old Nie has been in the provincial capital for so many years, he's not an unreasonable person. My ten-year friendship with him won't be severed just because he's hiding for a few days."

Zheng Hai did not try to persuade him further.

He had been following Fang Mingyuan for five years and knew the man's temperament—once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

"Then I'll call again. Just say... County Chief Fang would like to have a meal with you and catch up."

Fang Mingyuan nodded.

Zheng Hai took out his phone, found Lao Nie's number, and pressed the call button.

The phone rang once, twice, three times.

Fang Mingyuan tapped his fingers on the table, once, twice, three times.

Surprisingly, the call was answered on the fourth ring.

Zheng Hai's breathing tightened noticeably.

"Hello, Mr. Nie. I'm Xiao Zheng, the secretary to County Magistrate Fang."

There was no response on the other end of the phone.

Zheng Hai tightened his grip on the phone slightly, but his voice remained steady.

"Mr. Nie, County Chief Fang would like to meet with you in the next few days. When would be a convenient time for you?"

silence--

Fang Mingyuan looked at Zheng Hai's expression, trying to read what the other person had said from that expressionless face.

A moment later.

"Okay, okay. You can set a time then."

There was a few more seconds of silence.

"Okay. Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, same place. County Chief Fang will definitely be there."

The phone hangs up.

Zheng Hai took the phone away from his ear and looked at Fang Mingyuan.

"He agreed. Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, 'Guanlan Pavilion,' the usual place."

Fang Mingyuan nodded.

Just now, he sensed that Lao Nie had been silent for a long time before agreeing.

The biggest problem is that they have been silent for a long time.

If Lao Nie says with a smile, "It's great that County Chief Fang is here, my treat," as usual, then everything is normal.

But he remained silent for a long time, which indicated that he was hesitating, weighing his options, and wondering whether he should meet with him.

"Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, Guanlan Pavilion." Fang Mingyuan silently recited the time and place in his mind, as if confirming something.

"it is good."

Zheng Hai stood there, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Is there anything else?"

"County Magistrate Fang, would you like me to accompany you?"

Fang Mingyuan thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"No need. I'll go alone. In these kinds of situations, the fewer people, the better."

Zheng Hai nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

The moment the door closed, Fang Mingyuan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment.

He was thinking about a question—

Why did Lao Nie remain silent for so long?

Is he thinking about how to bring up the idea of ​​"let's not contact each other anymore"?

I'm still wondering how to bring up the subject, "I know about your situation, but I can't help you."

Either way, the answer wouldn't be what he wanted to hear.

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

Smoke rose in wisps before his eyes, blurring his vision.

……

Fang Mingyuan set off at four o'clock the next afternoon.

He drove himself, and the Passat drove out of the county government compound and onto the highway to the provincial capital.

On the passenger seat was a briefcase containing several documents he had compiled overnight—a list of projects in Liuhe Town in recent years, financial allocation records from the Economic Development Zone, and copies of contracts from Hongda Trading.

He didn't know if he would need these things when he met Lao Nie, but he still brought them with him.

Having something in your hand makes you feel less anxious.

Fang Mingyuan gripped the steering wheel, looking ahead, but his mind was reminiscing about things from ten years ago.

Ten years ago, he was the director of the county's Development and Reform Bureau.

That year, the province allocated a special fund for the county's infrastructure construction.

Old Nie—Nie Jianguo—found him through various connections.

We first met in a teahouse in the provincial capital.

Old Nie was wearing a dark jacket, and his hair was neatly combed, making him look several years younger than his actual age.

He speaks slowly and calmly, and his smile is very kind, making him seem like a non-aggressive person.

But Fang Mingyuan later learned that Lao Nie's greatest skill was making others feel that he was not aggressive.

During that meeting, Lao Nie didn't discuss business or kickbacks; they simply drank tea, chatted, and made friends.

He asked about Fang Mingyuan's resume, the situation in the county, and the details of the project.

The questions were very detailed, but they didn't make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Fang Mingyuan immediately sensed that this person was not simple.

Later, Lao Nie's company won the bid, and Fang Mingyuan helped him—not in a direct or illegal way, but by including some clauses in the tender documents that were favorable to him.

The terms are public, the procedures are compliant, and no one can say anything about it.

Old Nie appreciated the favor.

After the project ended, Lao Nie invited Fang Mingyuan to dinner and slipped an envelope to him on the table.

Fang Mingyuan didn't take it, and Lao Nie didn't insist either. He put the envelope on the table and said, "Director Fang, this is what you deserve. If you need anything in the future, feel free to contact me."

Fang Mingyuan looked at the envelope for a few seconds, then picked it up and put it in his pocket.

That was the first time he had ever received money.

Fifty thousand yuan.

Not many, but not few either.

What happened next was like a snowball rolling downhill.

Fang Mingyuan was promoted from Director of the Development and Reform Bureau to Deputy County Head, and then from Deputy County Head to Standing Committee Member of the County Party Committee and Executive Deputy County Head.

Every time Fang Mingyuan was promoted, Lao Nie gave him a push – not directly, but by helping him smooth things over, connecting him with connections, and providing information.

Old Nie's network of connections in the provincial capital was the foundation of Fang Mingyuan's confidence in operating in the county for more than a decade.

He didn't know the names of the provincial leaders, but Lao Nie did.

He didn't know which departments had money or which projects could be handled, but Lao Nie did;

He didn't know who was watching him or who wanted to harm him, but Lao Nie did.

Lao Nie was his eyes, his ears, and his hands.

Now, these hands are going to be pulled back.

Fang Mingyuan gripped the steering wheel tightly.

He didn't know what Lao Nie would say to him tonight, but he knew it wouldn't be anything nice.

The car sped along the highway, road signs flashing by one after another.

"Provincial capital 36km", "Provincial capital 22km", "Provincial capital 8km".

He recalled what Fang Zhiwen had said on the phone yesterday—

"Brother, I can't take it anymore."

He said "stay calm" back then, but now he doesn't know if he can stay calm.

……

At 7:50 p.m., Fang Mingyuan arrived at "Guanlan Pavilion".

Guanlan Pavilion is located in an upscale residential area on the east side of the provincial capital. It is not open to the public and only accepts members.

The security guard at the gate recognized Fang Mingyuan's car and let him through directly.

He parked his car in the underground garage and took the elevator to the first floor.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor covered with a dark carpet, with oil paintings hanging on the walls on both sides, and a wall lamp every few meters, the light soft and not glaring.

At the end of the corridor is the entrance to "Guanlan Pavilion," a dark wooden door with a gleaming brass handle.

A hostess in her early twenties, wearing a cheongsam and exquisite makeup, stood at the entrance.

"Sir, do you have a reservation?"

"Fang Mingyuan. Ordered by President Nie."

The greeter glanced at the reservation book in her hand and nodded.

"Mr. Fang, this way please."

She led Fang Mingyuan through a deeper corridor to the innermost private room.

The private room was small, with a round table and four chairs, and the tableware on the table was neatly arranged.

The curtains were half-drawn, revealing the garden outside. The garden lights were already on, illuminating the neatly trimmed shrubs and stone paths.

Fang Mingyuan sat down, and the hostess poured him a cup of tea.

"Has Mr. Nie arrived yet?"

"Not yet. He said he'd arrive at eight."

Fang Mingyuan nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Time passed by, second by second.

He glanced at his watch—7:55.

He glanced at it again—7:58.

At 8:00 sharp, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Nie Jianguo stood at the door, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed.

Fang Mingyuan stood up.

"Old Nie."

Nie Jianguo looked at him, his gaze lingering on his face for two seconds, then walked in and sat down opposite him.

He didn't exchange pleasantries, didn't ask "Is the traffic congested?" or "How have you been lately?"

He sat down, glanced at Fang Mingyuan, and said something.

"County Chief Fang, do you know who you've offended?"

Fang Mingyuan was taken aback.

"What?"

Nie Jianguo leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together on the table.

"He Ying".

Fang Mingyuan's fingers tightened slightly.

"What happened to He Ying?"

Nie Jianguo shook his head.

"you do not know?"

"Know what?"

Nie Jianguo stared at him for a few seconds, as if to confirm whether he really didn't know or was pretending.

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

Fang Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat.

The Shen family has deep roots in the provincial capital, and the older generation held high-ranking positions before retiring—this is what Zheng Hai discovered.

However, there is a significant gap between "not low-ranking" and "who exactly is he/she".

"Shen what?"

Nie Jianguo did not answer immediately.

He picked up the teacup in front of him, blew on it, took a sip, and put it down.

Then he slowly spoke: "Old Master Shen."

"Who is he??"

Nie Jianguo did not answer directly, but looked at him with a hint of pity in his eyes.

"County Chief Fang, I, Old Nie, have been in the provincial capital for so many years, I know who I can mess with and who I can't."

Fang Mingyuan opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"He Ying is thirty years old, a full-fledged division-level official, the youngest county head in the entire province. Do you think she got there on her own merit? Of course she has ability, but ability alone isn't enough. If she didn't have powerful connections, could she have become a county head at thirty?"

Nie Jianguo gave a cold laugh.

"You've lived in Qingshun County for over a decade, which has narrowed your horizons. You only know how to have fun in the county, but you don't know how deep the waters run up there."

Fang Mingyuan sat there, feeling as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over him from head to toe, chilling him to the bone.

He thought He Ying was just an ordinary cadre parachuted in from the province, and that she was at most backed by a leader in the provincial department. He thought he could use Lao Nie's network of connections in the provincial capital to fight against her.

But to his surprise, Lao Nie only referred to him as "Old Master Shen" and dared not reveal his real name.

Then this person must have a lot of energy!

So powerful that even Lao Nie dared not mention his name...

Old Nie looked at him, leaned back in his chair, and placed his hands clasped on his lap.

"County Chief Fang, let me tell you the truth."

Fang Mingyuan raised his head and looked into his eyes.

"Of all people to mess with, you had to pick on the Shen family. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you."

These words were like a knife, stabbing into Fang Mingyuan's chest and then pulling out.

Fang Mingyuan looked at him.

He wanted to say, "Old Nie, we've known each other for so many years," he wanted to say, "You can't just stand by and watch someone die," he wanted to say, "Please help me think of a way."

But he swallowed those words back down.

Because he knew that saying it would be useless.

Old Nie has made a decision. He came today not to discuss countermeasures with Fang Mingyuan, but to inform him that from now on, we have nothing to do with each other.

"Old Nie," Fang Mingyuan's voice was hoarse, "then tell me, what should I do now?"

Nie Jianguo stared at him for a few seconds.

"What should we do? Go back, admit your mistakes, and explain yourself. If you take the initiative, you might still be able to keep your rank. If you drag this out any longer, you'll lose everything."

Fang Mingyuan's fingers clenched even tighter under the table.

"Confess voluntarily? What do you think I could save by confessing voluntarily now?"

"At least you'll retain your personal freedom. County Chief Fang, if the Shen family wants to take you down, you can't escape. Do you want to be taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission, or do you want to walk right into it yourself?"

He went in by himself, which is tantamount to turning himself in.

Being taken away was a passive verification.

Fang Mingyuan knew the difference.

"County Chief Fang, I've said everything I needed to say. From today onwards, this matter between us ends here."

Fang Mingyuan looked up at him.

"Old Nie, what do you mean by this?"

"County Chief Fang, those accounts should be cleared up where they need to be, and destroyed where they need to be. From today onwards, all my dealings with you end here."

Fang Mingyuan stared at him, his gaze slowly turning cold.

"Old Nie, you're kicking me while I'm down."

Nie Jianguo shook his head.

"It's not about crossing the river and then burning the bridge. I'm just protecting myself."

Fang Mingyuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.

Nie Jianguo stood up and picked up his phone from the table.

"County Chief Fang, I'll be going now."

"Old Nie, I have one more question for you."

Nie Jianguo stopped and looked at him.

"When did you find out about He Ying's background?"

Nie Jianguo remained silent for two seconds.

"Before the audit team went to Qingshun County, someone inquired about the Shen family in the provincial capital, and that's how I found out."

Fang Mingyuan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

Before the audit team went to Qingshun County, Lao Nie already knew about He Ying's background.

What has he been doing all this time?

He was arranging for Zheng Hai to find someone to write a letter of complaint, sending a message to Fang Zhiwen telling him to "stay calm," and preparing to come to the provincial capital to ask Lao Nie for help.

Old Nie already knew the answer, but he didn't tell him a single word.

Nie Jianguo glanced at him, then turned and left.

Fang Mingyuan sat alone in the private room, staring at the teacup in front of him.

He recalled the first time he met Lao Nie ten years ago.

At that time, he felt that he had found someone he could rely on, and that with Lao Nie's network of connections in the provincial capital, he could have a smooth life in Qingshun County.

Now he knows that those connections were never his.

He can only use it if Lao Nie is willing to let him use it;

If Lao Nie takes it back, he'll have nothing left.

The reason Lao Nie took it back was simple—he had discovered someone he "couldn't mess with."

Fang Mingyuan sat there for a long time.

The waiter came in and asked him if he wanted to order. He shook his head, then stood up, picked up his briefcase from the table, and left the private room.

Walk through the corridor, take the elevator down to the underground parking garage, open the car door, and get into the driver's seat.

He tossed his briefcase onto the passenger seat, gripped the steering wheel with both hands, and rested his forehead on the back of his hands.

It took him a long time to start the car.

He was thinking about a question—how should he tell Fang Zhiwen when he got back?

How should I deal with the audit team?

How can I continue to stay in Qingshun County?