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

Fang Mingyuan arrived home at 11 p.m.

The living room lights were still on, and his wife was sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Hearing the door open, she stood up, walked over, and her gaze fell on Fang Mingyuan's face, her brows furrowing slightly.

"What's wrong? You look terrible."

"fine."

Fang Mingyuan changed his shoes, didn't look at her, and went straight upstairs.

"Have you eaten?" his wife asked from behind.

"have eaten."

Actually, he didn't eat it.

After Lao Nie left, he sat in the private room for more than an hour. When the waiter came in to ask if he wanted to order, he said no.

"Mingyuan," his wife said, her voice tinged with unease, "has something happened?"

Fang Mingyuan stopped and stood at the top of the stairs without turning around.

"No. You should go to sleep early; I want to be alone for a while."

He went upstairs, entered the study, and closed the door.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

My mind was filled with what Lao Nie had said.

"He Ying's maternal grandfather—Old Master Shen."

"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."

"Admit your mistakes if you need to, and explain yourself if you need to. Taking the initiative might help you retain your rank."

Every word was like a needle, piercing his mind.

Old Nie never revealed Old Master Shen's name or his identity, which must be so great that even Old Nie was unwilling to mention it easily.

Having worked within the system for over twenty years, he understood better than anyone the power of a big shot.

Even ordinary staff members in departments are treated as honored guests by leaders at all levels when they go to local areas.

Let alone a hidden big shot?

He Ying is that person's granddaughter.

Fang Mingyuan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

These days, he has been investigating He Ying's background.

Zheng Hai asked around and found out that Lao Li was active in the provincial capital. He used all the connections he could, but after searching, he only found out that Lao Li's surname was Shen, his rank was not low, and he was very tight-lipped.

He thought it was just a retired provincial-level official, and that he could keep him in check thanks to Lao Nie's network of connections.

Now he knows—this is someone he can't afford to mess with.

He didn't offend He Ying; he offended the old man behind He Ying whose name he didn't even know.

Fang Mingyuan opened his eyes, reached out and pulled open the desk drawer, where a USB flash drive was located at the very back.

The USB drive had no label, no markings, it was completely bare.

This USB drive had been with him for many years, from the Development and Reform Bureau to the county government.

The USB drive contained all his financial transaction records over the years.

Not all of them, but enough to get him in there several times over.

Every single transaction has a date, amount, account, and purpose. From the initial 50,000 yuan to the later misappropriated special funds, falsely reported project expenses, and withheld project payments, every single one is remembered clearly.

When he made these records, he was thinking of protecting himself from Lao Nie—in case Lao Nie turned against him one day, he would at least have something to protect himself and negotiate terms with, so that he wouldn't be sold out and still be helping others count the money.

He stared at the USB drive for a long time.

What should we do with it? Destroy it? Or keep it as leverage?

If it's destroyed, he'll have nothing left—no evidence to prove Lao Nie's connection to him, no evidence to prove where the money went, and he'll even lose his last trump card.

If the disciplinary committee really comes knocking, what will he have to offer in terms of terms?

Who would believe it if someone simply said, "Old Nie also took money"?

If we keep it, what if it gets found in a search?

What if someone reports him and he gets investigated?

In the event of a surprise inspection or a house search, this USB drive will serve as irrefutable evidence. Every record will be unearthed and thoroughly investigated.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Mingyuan".

It was his wife's voice.

Fang Mingyuan held the USB drive tightly in his hand and did not respond.

"Mingyuan, what's wrong? What were you doing in there?"

"It's nothing." His voice was a little hoarse. "You go to sleep. I'm going to read something."

There was silence at the door for a few seconds. The wife didn't ask any more questions and left.

Fang Mingyuan sat alone in his study.

He lowered his head, opened his palm, looked at the USB drive for a long time, then pulled open the drawer, put the USB drive back, pushed it all the way down, and closed the drawer.

Should we give up? Or should we not decide now?

He stood up and paced back and forth in the study, considering several options—

The first rule is to proactively confess to the organization and strive for leniency.

This path best embodies what Lao Nie meant by "being proactive."

They proactively confessed, cooperated with the investigation, explained the issues clearly, refunded the money that was due, and identified the people to whom they were responsible.

Perhaps I can keep my rank, perhaps I can keep my job, perhaps I can even keep my personal freedom.

But can he move?

If he confesses everything, everyone will hate him.

But what if they don't explain?

If He Ying has evidence, if the disciplinary committee has already obtained the materials, and if the audit team's report has already been written—then it won't be a "voluntary confession," but rather a "verification."

What are the consequences if this is confirmed?

Liu Zhiyuan made it very clear: expulsion from the Party, dismissal from public office, and transfer to the judiciary.

When Lao Nie said "maybe I can still keep my rank," it was on the premise that he voluntarily confessed.

If he doesn't take the initiative, he won't even be able to keep his rank; he'll be arrested along with his position.

The second point is to shift all the blame onto Fang Zhiwen, claiming that he was merely negligent in his oversight.

This road is the safest, but also the dirtiest.

Fang Zhiwen was his cousin, someone who had followed him around since childhood and called him "brother." He was the one Fang Zhiwen had promoted and arranged to be the secretary of Liuhe Town.

He wanted to pass the buck to Fang Zhiwen, but what did he say?

Saying "I don't know the specifics"?

To say that "Zhiwen did all of it himself"?

Or is it that "although I am his brother, I really don't know what he did"?

Who would believe these words?

The audit team isn't stupid, the disciplinary committee isn't stupid, and He Ying is even less of a fool.

How did that money leave the finance office? Who approved those contracts? Who arranged those projects? Every clue points to Fang Zhiwen, and every clue points to him.

He can say "I don't know," but the evidence doesn't lie.

If Fang Zhiwen is arrested, will he take the blame?

Or will they expose him as well?

When Fang Zhiwen said on the phone that day, "Brother, I can't take it anymore," the despair in his voice was genuine.

When a person is truly desperate, they are capable of anything—including betraying him.

The third rule is to run.

This road is the stupidest, but also the most brilliant.

Where could he run to? Abroad? He has no foreign passport, no overseas accounts, and no one to rely on.

Domestically? I'd move to another city, live under an assumed name, and live a life of constant hiding and fear, afraid to use my ID card, afraid to take the high-speed rail, afraid to stay in a hotel, afraid to go to the hospital, and even afraid to use my cell phone.

That's not living, that's waiting to die.

And what about his wife? What about his children? He's run away, what about them?

There are three paths, each with its own risks and its own price.

He couldn't make up his mind.

Fang Mingyuan stopped and stood by the window.

He recalled Fang Zhiwen's childhood.

Fang Zhiwen was thin and small, and was always bullied.

He was always the one who stood up for Fang Zhiwen, beating the children who bullied him until they were bruised and battered, until their parents came to complain.

His mother scolded him, "Why are you always fighting?" He didn't say anything. Fang Zhiwen stood behind him, tugging at his clothes, his face covered in tears and snot, saying, "Brother, you're amazing."

He felt that was the most glorious moment of his life—not becoming the deputy county head, not becoming the executive deputy county head, but fighting for his younger brother, getting a bloody scratch on his face, and being scolded by his mother when he got home. But Fang Zhiwen said, "Brother, you are a great hero."

Great Hero—

Now, he's debating whether to push Fang Zhiwen out as a scapegoat.