Transmigrated into a female-oriented novel, and put an end to the domineering CEOs all over the city

The call connected, and he tried to keep his voice steady.

"Director Cui, this is Zhou Yanlin. The expulsion of that student... was arranged by President Mo. Could you perhaps speak to the publicity department to try and reduce the public attention?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

This silence made Zhou Yanlin's heart sink. He was hesitant, he was carefully choosing his words, which meant that every word he said next was weighed.

"Old Zhou," Director Cui finally spoke, his words slow and deliberate, "I know about this matter."

Zhou Yanlin's heart sank.

"On your end, cooperate with the investigation if necessary. As for things online, the publicity department has its own rules, and I can't directly interfere. Do you understand what I mean?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanlin panicked: "Director Cui, then I—"

"Alright," Director Cui interrupted him, "I have another meeting here. As for your matter, proceed according to procedure."

Then the call ended.

Zhou Yanlin slowly lowered his hand holding the phone, and slumped helplessly into the chair.

He understood. Having worked within the system for so many years, he understood the meaning behind those words perfectly.

"You should cooperate with the investigation..." This sentence implies that he has already entered the investigation process, so don't struggle or implicate others.

If a department head hints that he should be placed under investigation, which investigation procedure could it be? It could only be the provincial discipline inspection commission's investigation procedure.

"The propaganda department has its own rules for things online..." This sentence implies that in the current situation, no one can help you.

Someone in the publicity department has already put in a good word for you, so it's no use talking to anyone else.

Within the system, the phrase "follow the procedures" is the clearest form of rejection: follow the rules, don't try to pull strings, I'm not going to get involved in your affairs.

Zhou Yanlin gave a wry smile.

He was cut off and abandoned; his backer had decided to remove him from the chain, like picking off a rotten fruit to prevent it from polluting the whole tree.

Director Cui wasn't unwilling to help; if it were just a minor matter like removing a trending topic, he could have done it with a single word.

But his decision not to help indicates that someone is already waiting above him on this chain, and Director Cui doesn't want to be dragged down.

He looked at the family photo on his desk.

That photo was taken the year he became the principal; he was full of vigor and ambition.

Then he picked up his phone and slowly deleted the chat history.

He knew it was useless; the disciplinary committee's methods for restoring data were far more sophisticated than his methods for deleting records, but he no longer knew what to do.

He had to do something, even if it was just a futile struggle.

My fingers mechanically swipe, long press, and confirm delete on the screen, as if I'm doing something meaningless but that helps me calm down.

He knew that the poor student's identity was definitely not that simple.

What is the normal reaction of a student from an ordinary family after being expelled?

Just let it go.

It's impossible for public opinion to escalate to this extent within just a few hours, impossible for the municipal discipline inspection commission to launch an investigation ahead of schedule, and impossible for the provincial discipline inspection commission to intervene overnight.

There's someone pulling the strings behind this, and this person's power is far greater than he imagined—great enough to make the propaganda department stand by, the vice mayor avoid the issue, and the department head personally distance himself from it.

How could he have believed Mo Linyuan's words back then, thinking that he was just an ordinary student with no background and no money?

He did not call the school's office director and ask them to destroy the student's materials.

Because he knew it was too late.

The fact that the provincial discipline inspection commission has launched an investigation means that the municipal discipline inspection commission had already sealed and submitted the relevant materials during the day today.

Destroying evidence now will only lead to charges of "interfering with the investigation and resisting the organization."

This is one of the most egregious circumstances reported by the disciplinary commission, which means severe punishment, possibly even expulsion from the party and removal from public office and referral to the judiciary.

However, if he does not destroy the documents and voluntarily confesses, he may only be relieved of his administrative post, retain his professorship, and have his job grade reduced.

He doesn't need leniency; he just needs to avoid severe punishment.

Zhou Yanlin stood up and walked to the French windows.

He stood in the darkness for a long time, then reached out and slowly pulled back the curtains.

Outside the window, thousands of lights shine.

The night in Bashi is bustling and noisy, with skyscrapers lit up with twinkling lights, and behind each light is a home.

The elevated highway is bustling with traffic, and the headlights form a flowing light strip that slowly meanders through the city.

The city is beautiful at night. He has lived in Bashi for decades, rising from associate professor to principal, moving from a tenement building to a luxury apartment, and from riding a bicycle to work to being driven by a chauffeur.

He had seen this night view countless times, but never before had he felt as far away as he did tonight, with every light outside his window seeming so distant.

A few years ago, such a city represented a broader scope for his career.

But now, his political career has suddenly come to an end.

Zhou Yanlin stood with his hands behind his back, motionless, like a statue.

…………

Inside a lakeside villa in Bashi.

Mo Linyuan, dressed in a dark gray silk bathrobe, stood in front of the French windows, holding a glass of red wine in his right hand, gazing at the meticulously maintained garden outside.

As night deepened, the garden lights shone, casting interplay of light and shadow on the neatly trimmed shrubs and fountain.

"Mr. Mo, we've only found out the man's basic information so far."

His assistant stood two steps behind him, holding a tablet in her hands, speaking cautiously.

"His name is Lu Jingxiu. He studies at Badu University. He had a girlfriend named Li Qingqing before. Other than that, nothing else can be found."

It's not normal that we can't find anything about him—no family information, no social connections, not even which neighborhood he lives in.

I only found out about this information by asking around at Badu University.

"Lu Na has been expelled from the University of Science and Technology," the assistant continued, pausing before adding, "but Badu University rejected our request."

Mo Linyuan frowned upon hearing this.

How dare Badu University refuse his request? This made him even more displeased.

Normally, he would definitely have someone get rid of the president of Badu University and replace him with someone more obedient.

But let's hold off for now and prioritize. We need to deal with that guy named Lu Jingxiu first, and then we can go back and deal with these clueless people.

"We also found out..." the assistant hesitated, "Lu Na was picked up by Lu Jingxiu, who must have arranged accommodation for her."

Upon hearing this, Mo Linyuan's expression turned cold.

He went to such great lengths to ruin Lu Na's job, her studies, and her place of residence, just so that she would be all alone off campus, with nowhere to go, nothing to eat, no one to rely on, terrified, and then obediently bow her head and come back to beg him.

As a result, Lu Jingxiu blocked the road.

They took her away, arranged accommodation for her, and gave her a way out.

That woman looked docile, but she was incredibly tough inside, and she refused to back down even after enduring so much hardship by herself.

Now that a man has suddenly appeared to protect her, she is even less likely to back down.

It seems that if we want Lu Na to submit, we need to get rid of this extra man first.