In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong!

"Well, then I'll have to trouble Director Zhong."

Sha Ruijin's tone was filled with regret and pity, and he only smiled again after the call ended.

"The Zhong family has really lost face this time. Chen Hai? Ha! This Zhong Xiaoai really isn't picky. You should at least find a college student, a young and handsome guy!"

He shook his head; he was very busy with work.

Just complain a bit. If the Zhong family can solve it, they can. If they can't, Handong can just hold a meeting and they'll crush Zhong Xiaoai with a single finger!

At the same time, after finding out Chen Hai's information, Zhong's father made a call to Zhong Xiao Ai with a gloomy face.

"Xiao Ai, you know your own situation, don't you?"

Hearing her father start with such a sentence, Zhong Xiaoai nodded silently.

"Dad, the man in the video has been exposed."

Mr. Zhong took a deep breath to keep himself calm.

"I know that you were set up by Zhao Ruilong and Hou Liangping in this matter, and it was not your intention. However, your video has caused a great uproar and can no longer be suppressed."

Sha Ruijin just called me. Some people at the Handong Provincial Party Committee meeting are already dissatisfied with your matter, feeling that it affects the image of Handong cadres.

If handled improperly, you... could very well...

Zhong Xiaoai's face turned pale instantly; she knew what this might mean.

"Dad, I..."

"Don't say anything yet. Can you control yourself, Chen Hai? Tell everyone that you two are dating and that the video was secretly filmed and uploaded from the hotel. Tell everyone that it was photoshopped."

You understand what I mean, right?

Zhong Xiaoai thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Dad, controlling Chen Hai isn't difficult, but..."

"But what? What other explanation do you have? Unless you don't want your job!"

Zhong Xiaoai actually wanted to say that the videos she was filmed with weren't just with Chen Hai, but also with other people. Those videos were a ticking time bomb. If she explained it this way, and those videos were ever released, she would be utterly destroyed.

However, considering that the other videos were all under Zhao Ruilong's personal control, and that as long as she didn't touch the Zhao family, Zhao Ruilong was unlikely to leak the videos, Zhong Xiaoai gritted her teeth and agreed to her father's plan.

"Dad, I understand!"

"Okay, I understand. I'll give you half a day to handle it. I'll personally call Sha Ruijin to explain tomorrow morning."

After hanging up the phone, Zhong Xiaoai let out a long sigh of relief.

Ignoring the work of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhong Xiaoai picked up her bag and left the building, heading straight for Guangming District.

Half an hour later, in the district head's office, Chen Hai looked at Zhong Xiaoai in silence.

"You mean we should officially announce it?"

"Otherwise what? Chen Hai, if we don't do this, both of us will be considered to be having illicit relationships. Your district head position and my deputy secretary position will both be stripped of our titles and positions by the organization!"

Chen Hai immediately became withdrawn.

However, looking at Zhong Xiaoai and sizing her up and down, Chen Hai felt a strange emotion rising within him.

"Which one is for real or just pretending?"

Zhong Xiaoai was completely dumbfounded when she was suddenly asked such a question.

"What are you thinking! Of course it's fake!"

Chen Hai was clearly disappointed, but he still agreed for the sake of his future.

"Okay, I'll cooperate with you!"

That evening, some media outlets debunked the rumors, first stating that both Chen Hai and Zhong Xiaoai were single, and then pointing out that the photos were fabricated.

As for Zheng Xipo and Dafeng Factory, the media has also sorted out the whole story, proving that it was Dafeng Factory's boundless greed rather than the district government's deliberate obstruction.

Internally, Chen Hai wrote a self-criticism to the city government, admitting that he and Zhong Xiaoai were not paying attention to being secretly photographed while dating. Zhong Xiaoai, on the other hand, wrote a self-criticism to Tian Guofu.

As the efforts to refute the rumors intensified, the Chung family also mobilized their resources to block the videos and images, working continuously for two full days, and the overall discussion subsided somewhat.

If nothing unexpected happens, this matter will most likely be resolved hastily, but unfortunately, there are always "what ifs"!

Hou Liangping and Yun Haifeng met again at the same old spot.

"Liangping, you did a great job this time. The effect was absolutely phenomenal. The Zhong family is still dreaming, thinking they've suppressed public opinion. Little do they know that the harder they suppress it now, the more painful the backlash will be later!"

"It's all thanks to Director Yun's excellent leadership!"

Hou Liangping was extremely happy. His role had been recognized. As long as he made contributions, he would be content even if he could maintain his current position, let alone climb higher in the future.

"Hmm, do you have any ideas about whose photos and videos to use next time?"

Hou Liangping replied very quickly.

"Yun Ting, of course, we should release Zhong Xiaoai and Zhao Ruilong directly, preferably along with that man. That way, the Zhong family's attempt to refute the rumors will only add fuel to the fire!"

Yun Haifeng nodded, then looked at Hou Liangping and said, "Liangping, you should think carefully about the consequences of doing this. You said yourself that Zhao Ruilong has a recording of you plotting against Zhong Xiaoai. What if they find out that you were the one who did it..."

Hou Liangping instantly stood up straight.

"Yun Ting, I'm not afraid! A recording alone doesn't prove anything. Where's the evidence? I just took Zhong Xiao Ai out for drinks and then went to the bathroom by myself."

Besides, I trust you, Yun Ting!

"Tsk, you've gotten smarter."

"You don't need to worry about this. As long as the Zhong and Zhao families are ultimately gone, even if you go to jail, we can get you out. Don't worry, we mean what we say. We're not like the Zhong family that we use and then discard; that would be something to be talked about behind our backs."

Hou Liangping nodded emphatically!

The clarification campaign had only just ended a few days ago, and seven days have flown by; it's Friday again.

For some reason, Zhong Xiaoai felt uneasy when she went out. The public opinion had gradually calmed down in the past few days, but her heart was becoming more and more flustered, like the calm before the storm.

9:40 a.m.

With several media outlets releasing videos of Zhong Xiaoai and Zhao Ruilong, as well as videos of Zhong Xiaoai with a stranger, the previously suppressed buzz exploded instantly.

The rebound was too strong.

The people behind Yun Haifeng are really ruthless this time. They posted this message on all sorts of dark websites across the country, and some high-definition videos can even be found through a search.

This made the Zhong family's denial seem like a joke.

The entire Zhong family is a joke.

Mr. Zhong fainted from anger after receiving the phone call and learning about the incident. Mr. Zhong was so upset by his old comrades' teasing that he ended up in the hospital.

In Handong, Zhong Xiaoai's experience was not as simple as being angered. With the evidence basically conclusive, Zhong Xiaoai was taken to a small private room for investigation as soon as she arrived at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Chen Hai from Guangming District was also taken away by the staff of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.