Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

Although he said that, Hou Liangping didn't really believe it.

Zhou Zheng then asked, "Mr. Chen, I heard that you two donated the entire proceeds from that house sale, leaving not a single penny behind?"

This sum of money is considerable; it represents the greatest asset the elderly couple has accumulated over half their lives.

Zhou Zheng had heard the rumor, but he wasn't sure if it was true.

Chen Yanshi nodded, "It was all donated; not a single penny was kept."

Money is nothing but an external thing; you can't take it with you when you're born, and you can't take it with you when you die.

We take from society and give back to society.

"We're an old couple, we have enough to eat, wear, and use. Leaving so much money is useless; it might even breed trouble."

Wang Fuzhen got up and walked to the cabinet inside the room, opening an iron box.

The paint on the iron box was mottled, and the lock was rusty.

I took out a yellowed donation receipt.

Roll up the edges of the paper.

Wang Fuzhen took out the receipt and handed it to Hou Liangping.

Hou Liangping took it with both hands and examined it carefully.

Seven figures!

The signature is from the Jingzhou Charitable Wealth Foundation.

It's enough to ensure that many families can live a life free from worries about food and clothing.

After reading it, Hou Liangping handed it back to Wang Fuzhen, saying, "Aunt Wang, you and Uncle Chen are truly noble and virtuous."

Having worked both during his graduation internship and after graduation within the procuratorate system, Hou Liangping has handled numerous cases.

Having seen far too many people driven by profit and corruption, such selflessness and openness are truly rare.

Zhou Zheng leaned closer for a look, then subconsciously took out his phone and snapped a picture.

It was quite shocking.

This is true selflessness: dedicating one's life to public service and remaining incorruptible throughout one's life.

Wang Fuzhen carefully placed the receipt back into the iron box and gently fastened the lock.

Chen Yanshi recalled an old story about the Zhao family, "Let's go back to Zhao Lichun and Zhao Ruilong."

I personally handled a traffic accident involving the Zhao family years ago.

For the first time, a case that had been sealed away for decades was revealed in public.

Hou Liangping perked up again. The Zhao family was involved in a traffic accident, so it seemed he would have to visit Chen Yanshi's nursing home more often in the future.

"Mr. Chen, was this a hit-and-run?"

Cases of spoiled brats causing trouble and abusing their power were not uncommon back then.

Back then, traffic regulations were not perfect, and there was no surveillance. Everything depended on eyewitnesses and word of mouth.

Chen Yanshi shook his head slightly, lost in distant memories. "There was no hit-and-run. It was a traffic accident."

When the Zhao family father and son returned to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors, Zhao Ruilong was driving the car on their way back to Jingzhou.

On a country road outside Jingzhou, they bumped into villagers driving an oxcart.

There were only two people in the car at the time: Zhao Ruilong was driving, and Zhao Lichun was in the passenger seat.

After the incident, Zhao Lichun immediately had Zhao Ruilong get out of the car to check on the injured. Zhao Lichun personally dialed the emergency medical services and the police.

The process was compliant, the attitude was correct, and there was no abuse of power.

Hou Liangping was a little surprised, thinking that the Zhao family would not do such a thing. "Looking at it this way, Zhao Lichun back then was quite responsible."

If it were any other high-ranking official, they would most likely have found someone to take the blame and quickly suppressed the matter.

Chen Yanshi took out a cigarette. "At that time, it was the crucial period for Zhao Lichun's promotion announcement."

During the public announcement phase of an official's career path, even the slightest negative public opinion or violation of regulations can directly ruin their future.

Zhao Lichun isn't that stupid, and he wouldn't dare do that. I, Chen Yanshi, am watching him.

Hou Liangping immediately spotted the suspicious point. "Mr. Chen, do you think it's possible that Zhao Lichun had Zhao Ruilong take the blame and escape unscathed?"

Chen Yanshi never considered this possibility back then.

Zhao Lichun was extremely ambitious about his career, valuing his future above all else throughout his life.

It wasn't a hit-and-run accident back then; the injured villagers drove their oxcart into the ditch.

The injured person suffered a fracture and couldn't remember who was driving the car.

Moreover, there weren't many motor vehicles at the time, especially in rural areas.

The villager really couldn't tell whether the driver's cab was on the left or the right.

If Hou Liangping had been under his command back then, and had put in the effort, Zhao Lichun might have been removed from office during the public announcement phase.

Thinking about it that way, I feel a little regretful.

Wang Fuzhen nudged Chen Yan's arm and couldn't help but retort, "Old Chen, even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs."

Even if Zhao Lichun is extremely pragmatic, he wouldn't go so far as to personally push his own son out to take the fall.

Most parents in the world love their children dearly.

Wang Fuzhen's reminder was not because she believed Zhao Ruilong.

It's because Chen Yanshi was in charge of investigating the case, so there's no point in delving into it now.

Even if Zhao Ruilong took the blame and the case was overturned, Chen Yanshi, the investigator, still has to bear some responsibility.

Hou Liangping quickly took out a lighter and lit Chen Yanshi's cigarette. "It's possible, I think it's possible?"

Chen Yanshi took a puff of his cigarette. "Logically speaking, that's impossible."

Zhao Lichun had three children in his life: two daughters and one son.

The one they doted on the most was their only son, Zhao Ruilong. Everyone knew they spoiled and indulged him.

Liangping, now that you mention it, there seems to be something suspicious about it.

Why didn't I think of that back then!

Zhou Zheng pointed out the suspicious point: "Old Chen, do you think it's possible that Zhao Ruilong is willing to take the blame for Zhao Lichun?"

Is it because he took all the blame and averted his father's career crisis back then that Zhao Lichun later compensated him so much and spoiled him so excessively?

One sentence seems to connect all the unusual details.

Chen Yanshi fell silent.

He had never thought about this perspective in depth.

Hou Liangping quickly sorted out the logic with a furrowed brow. "If that's really the case, then the relationship between the Zhao father and son is very intriguing."

What appears to be a loving and doting relationship between father and son actually conceals a cover-up.

Their actions were illegal.

Chen Yanshi spoke after a long pause, "Regardless of the inside story, I personally handled the case back then, and I know the process, the records, and the outcome perfectly well."

The two parties reached an understanding on the spot, and the case seemed to be without any flaws.

But the more perfect something is, the more likely it is to have problems.

Wang Fuzhen sighed softly, "Old Chen, you've always been too serious about everything, always wanting to get to the bottom of things."

There's no need to dwell on decades-old grievances.

It might backfire and cause you a lot of trouble.

Everyone else prefers to mind their own business, but Chen Yanshi is the only one who loves to meddle.

Chen Yanshi was adamant: "What needs to be investigated must be thoroughly investigated."

If Zhao Lichun were truly honest and selfless, I, Chen Yanshi, wouldn't have kept a close eye on him forever.

Wang Fuzhen couldn't bear to listen anymore, "Old Chen, don't mention it."

The more you focus on Zhao Lichun, the more progress he makes.

No one in Handong is qualified to investigate who Zhao Lichun is, not even Xiao Jinzi or Liu Changsheng.

If you bring this up again, I'm going back to my parents' house and I won't live with you anymore.

I didn't expect things to escalate like this.

Hou Liangping changed the subject at the right moment, saying, "Let's not talk about the past."

Chen Hai once mentioned to me in casual conversation that his parents had sold their house to raise funds for the donation.

Seeing the receipt with my own eyes today, I truly appreciate the magnanimity of the two elders.

You two are role models for our anti-corruption bureau to learn from.

A little flattery and everything will be fine.

At the same time.

The Hantong Provincial Government Building.

Office of the Executive Vice Governor.

Qi Tongwei sat upright in his office chair, sipping tea.

Zhao Ruilong sat in the chair opposite him, still wearing the bright red suit he had just received the award in.

Qi Tongwei raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Ruilong. "Ruilong, you must fully cooperate with Daxun regarding the follow-up rectification of the food court."

No shirking responsibility, no perfunctory work, and no underhanded tactics.