In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

That's absolutely right.

Faced with overwhelming evidence, including Chen Jingcheng's unsubstantiated claims and other people's so-called witnesses and physical evidence, it seems self-evident who to believe and how to believe them.

Chen Jingcheng fell silent.

He certainly has evidence, but he's unwilling to release it now.

This was his trump card for turning his life around, and he couldn't possibly tell Secretary Zhao about it. Otherwise, if he revealed it now, it wouldn't be a trump card anymore, and his plan to turn things around would be flawed. In the end, even his last glimmer of hope would be taken away.

He would never do such a thing, so he could only remain silent.

Seeing Chen Jingcheng's silence, Secretary Zhao felt he had Chen Jingcheng under control, and his tone softened.

"Jingcheng, you are a young man I admire. Among young cadres, you are the most promising. As long as you stay safe and sound, you will have money, power, status, and everything else in the future."

"I don't want to see someone with such a bright future fail before they can even realize their potential."

At this point, Secretary Zhao picked up the photo from the table and said calmly, "Evidence is evidence during the investigation and filing of a case, but it is not considered evidence before an investigation is launched."

"I admire and protect young cadres, especially young cadres like you. In addition, we tend to treat and save leading cadres who have made mistakes but have a strong desire to correct them."

"So, Jingcheng, if you're willing, this evidence won't end up in anyone else's hands, and no one will talk about the matter of Yangliushu Village."

"You understand, right?"

Chen Jingcheng understood what Secretary Zhao meant.

As long as Chen Jingcheng agrees to follow Secretary Zhao and work for him, then no one will bring up the so-called frame-up, and no one will investigate it.

However, Chen Jingcheng did not intend to agree. Besides having a clear conscience and having evidence to support his claims, he was also disappointed in Secretary Zhao.

Secretary Zhao may have disagreements with County Head Li, or they may have some conflicting political ideologies. Even the fact that Linchuan County has not made much progress over the years can be attributed to issues of ability and responsibility.

Chen Jingcheng still didn't expect that Secretary Zhao would do such a thing, using this matter to threaten him, a mere deputy section-level cadre.

Shaking his head slightly, Chen Jingcheng said, "Secretary, I did not do it. I have a clear conscience."

He's completely unresponsive.

Secretary Zhao felt a sense of frustration; he had already said a lot to Chen Jingcheng that day.

He even brought this matter up, which Secretary Zhao felt was unnecessary for him to personally discuss with Chen Jingcheng, let alone do something that would lower his status.

If I do it, I'm sure I'll succeed. This shows how much I value and trust Chen Jingcheng. Chen Jingcheng should agree.

But the result disappointed him.

If this matter hadn't been so significant, involving the downfall of Li Feitu and even the entire Li family, Secretary Zhao wouldn't have wanted to do this, much less have been willing to do so.

Since Chen Jingcheng is completely unyielding, it means that some things are becoming increasingly difficult.

However, with witnesses and physical evidence, it wouldn't be a problem to open a loophole through Chen Jingcheng to make Li Feitu pay the price, thereby triggering a chain reaction throughout the Li family.

He gave Chen Jingcheng a chance, but Chen Jingcheng gave it up himself, so he can't be blamed.

After giving Chen Jingcheng a deep look, Secretary Zhao nodded, his expression becoming indifferent.

Since he can't win him over and he won't give him face, why would he go out of his way to beg Chen Jingcheng?

That would be a joke.

"Chen Jingcheng, since that's the case, there's nothing more to say. You can go back now."

"Regarding the matter in Yangliushu Village, whether you are truly innocent or involved in bribery, I will not comment. Let the relevant departments make the decision."

"What a pity, what a pity."

"Such a fine young man, what a pity."

Secretary Zhao shook his head and returned to his office chair, repeatedly saying what a pity. As for what he regretted, he knew, and Chen Jingcheng knew too.

In Secretary Zhao's view, Chen Jingcheng probably has no chance of turning things around.

Chen Jingcheng didn't say much, and just walked out of Secretary Zhao's office. He didn't go anywhere else, but went straight back to the second floor.

After returning to the second floor, Chen Jingcheng was summoned to Li Feitu's office.

Sitting in Li Feitu's office, Chen Jingcheng's mood was completely different from when he sat in Secretary Zhao's office.

Although Li Feitu and Secretary Zhao are both county-level leaders, and Secretary Zhao even appeared to be benevolent and amiable when communicating with Chen Jingcheng, it was all an act.

Chen Jingcheng didn't feel very relaxed with Secretary Zhao, but he was able to relax with Li Feitu.

Chen Jingcheng told Li Feitu about his conversation with Secretary Zhao without hiding anything.

After saying that, he added with some concern, "County Chief, although I don't know what Secretary Zhao means, I can tell from his words that he seems to have some secrets."

"Moreover, this secret makes him feel that he can definitely beat you."

"County Chief, Secretary Zhao has been in office for many years and his connections are not to be underestimated. You should probably be more careful."

Upon hearing this, Li Feitu smiled and nodded, saying, "Jingcheng, don't worry, I have never underestimated Secretary Zhao, not before, and not now."

"As for what kind of conspiracy he might have, I don't know, but whatever the conspiracy, the result will be the same!"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, let's talk about something else."

Li Feitu did not ask Chen Jingcheng why he did not agree to Secretary Zhao's request, nor did he question how much of Chen Jingcheng's words were true or false. Since he had chosen to believe Chen Jingcheng, he would definitely believe him to the end.

Moreover, he wasn't worried, and Chen Jingcheng didn't need to worry about anything either. They had the evidence, and Chen Jingcheng's innocence was beyond doubt.

The file folder he received, along with the money inside, had all been personally handed over to Li Shanshan, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, and had been filed. Based on this alone, no one could do anything to Chen Jingcheng.

However, there were some things that Li Feitu had arranged, so Li Shanshan didn't tell Secretary Zhao.

There's nothing wrong with that. Li Shanshan is the secretary of the county discipline inspection commission. She can't possibly report everything to Secretary Zhao. The discipline inspection commission has so many things to do every day. Not only could Secretary Zhao not know everything, but Li Shanshan also couldn't possibly be involved in every little detail.

No one can find fault with this.

Chen Jingcheng looked at Li Feitu, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "County Chief Li, there is something that has been bothering me for a long time."

"Just now, I casually asked Secretary Zhao a question, but I didn't get the answer I wanted."

"I know, the answer might lie with you."

"County Magistrate Li, I'd like to ask, why do you favor me so much?"

"Your kindness, trust, and reliance on me have gone beyond the appreciation that a leader usually shows to his subordinates. I, Chen Jingcheng, am self-aware. I know that I may indeed have some abilities and some likable qualities, but I am not so arrogant as to deserve such favor from a county magistrate like you."

"Is there anything I don't know about this?"

Hearing Chen Jingcheng's doubts, Li Feitu sighed inwardly. He knew that sooner or later, Chen Jingcheng would definitely ask these questions.

Even if you don't ask, you'll still have doubts in your heart.

After all, this is not something that can be simply explained by good luck, nor can it be explained by mere appreciation.