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

Soon, Gao Xiaoqin called over all the people who had been by Zhao Ruilong's side during this time.

This includes Tang Chuchu.

"Who are you!"

When Zhao Xiaohui saw Tang Chuchu, she instinctively felt a strange sensation.

Where had Tang Chuchu ever seen a character like Zhao Xiaohui?

It would be a lie to say I wasn't afraid.

"I...I've been keeping the boss company during this time..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui finally looked away. She knew her younger brother well; he would never let go of a woman with such alluring charm.

The investigation lasted for three hours, but the result was that there was no evidence at all. Zhao Xiaohui breathed a sigh of relief and immediately called a bus for everyone.

These people cannot stay in Handong, and no matter what they know, they cannot come back during this period.

The reason is simple: it's a company benefit from the Shanshui Group, a two-week trip to Hawaii, and as for passports... those are no problem for Zhao Xiaohui.

The Zhao family's actions could not be kept secret from Zhong Zhengguo, but he had been busy taking care of his old man these past two days. Only after his old man's condition improved somewhat did Zhong Zhengguo have time to look after Zhong Xiaoai.

Old Zhong, pale-faced, sat by the hospital bed. He was ninety-nine years old. How many more years could he live?

Holding his son's hand, Old Zhong spoke earnestly.

"Jung-guk, is there any news about Xiao Ai's situation?"

Zhong Zhengguo, engrossed in his work, took a deep breath and told his father everything that had been announced by Handong.

"Oh, Xiao Ai is so foolish! She didn't even explain this to her family. Now look what's happened, they're turning around and accusing her."

Without evidence, Xiao Ai will probably lose her job, and what about our family's reputation...

"Dad, no matter what, there can only be one outcome: Xiao Ai was forced into it. Whether she works or not, her position as deputy secretary is not important; what matters is the reputation of our Zhong family!"

"Our Zhong family can tolerate Xiao Ai being forced, but we cannot tolerate her doing it voluntarily. Otherwise, our family will never be able to hold our heads high again."

"You handle this... By the way, has anything happened these past few days?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo's face stiffened. He really didn't dare to say that his attempt to outmaneuver Chen Luo had backfired. Zhong Xiaoai had only brought shame to the Zhong family, but his actions had almost dragged the entire Zhong family into the abyss. How could he dare to speak of it?

"No, it's nothing, Dad. It's just about Xiao Ai. Everything else is going smoothly."

"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. I probably won't last more than a few years. Zhengguo, I know you want to take Zhao Lichun's current position because of the Zhong family's descendants."

But you can't push things too far. If someone gets desperate and resorts to desperate measures, it will only result in a lose-lose situation, and in the end, the other person will benefit.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing and I'm confident in my abilities!"

"Flies don't land on eggs without cracks; the problem lies with Zhao Lichun's own principles. Raising a fine son is such a rare opportunity, I don't want to give it up."

"Alright, you're sixty-seven already, you have your own judgment, so I won't say any more."

After his father fell asleep, Zhong Zhengguo went to the yard, took out his phone and made one call after another. Since a struggle was inevitable, then let's go crazy!

The next morning, Tuesday, Zhao Xiaohui originally planned to send Tang Chuchu and the others out of Handong, but when she arrived at the airport, she encountered a problem: their passports were not approved, and the reason was simply that the procedure had not been completed.

It wasn't until Zhao Xiaohui investigated that she discovered that the Zhao family's contacts at the Handong Provincial Entry-Exit Administration Bureau had been dealt with overnight.

That wasn't the end of it. One after another, some of Zhao's core confidants were investigated and examined by the Discipline Inspection Commission. Among them was even a deputy provincial-level official who was investigated and examined by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The speed at which this happened was quite fast.

Of course, the Zhao family wasn't unprepared. If the Zhao family members weren't clean, were the Zhong family members all clean?

The struggle has shifted from Zhao Ruilong and Zhong Xiaoai to a struggle between the Zhao and Zhong families. Within a single day, news of officials being investigated and prosecuted has emerged across various regions, at different levels.

Those who know the inside story are either just watching the drama unfold or waiting for their chance.

Only Handong, the epicenter of the vortex, seemed unaffected.

That evening, Zhong Zhengguo felt a pang of heartache looking at the soldiers and officers he had lost that day. Some of them were his former subordinates, all of whom were disciples and former officials of the Zhong family.

He took a deep breath, took out his phone, and made the call.

"Hey, Zhao Lichun!"

"Tsk tsk, Chung Jung-kuo? It's like the sun rose in the west for you to call me."

"Stop with the nonsense. Your Zhao family has lost several key positions in just one day. You must be having a tough time, right?"

"It's alright, I'm sitting here doing nothing. If you want to prune me, go ahead. I'll be retiring in a couple of years anyway. I heard your daughter is seducing my son, Zheng Guo, how about we become in-laws?"

That's just disgusting.

"Nonsense! How dare you, as the father, mention the things your son, that bastard, did!"

"Well, it's already happened, isn't it? Besides, it's still undetermined. Whether it was forced or voluntary is still up in the air. Brother Zhengguo, what if Handong announces it was voluntary in the end... tsk tsk!"

"Zhao Lichun! You're shameless!"

"You can't eat your face! I, Zhao Lichun, consider myself fairly decent. My only problem is that I haven't disciplined this brat of mine. But what about you? You actually want my Zhao family to disappear?"

If you want to take my position, you'd better offer something in return! You're trying to get something for nothing and then crush me?

Hmph! Dream on!

"Zhao Lichun, don't be so smug. Today was just a small test. You only have one son."

"If Zhao Ruilong spends ten or so years in prison, your Zhao family line will basically be wiped out!"

"Then why don't you give it a try!"

"Who's afraid of you? Try it if you want. I heard that Handong Oil and Gas Group transfers hundreds of millions to your son every year. Over the years, it must have amounted to billions, right?"

I may not find evidence that your son forced my daughter, but this incident is enough to ensure your son's utter demise, and that you and he will be blown to smithereens!

"You dare!"

"At a time like this, who cares? Just you wait!"

After hanging up the phone, both men were seething with anger. Zhao Lichun knew all too well that Handong Oil and Gas Group was a ticking time bomb. Once it exploded, his son would definitely not be able to escape, and even he himself would not be able to get away unscathed.

On Wednesday, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection received a report alleging that Handong Oil and Gas Group had embezzled state assets.

Upon receiving the report, an investigation team was immediately dispatched to Handong. It must be said that although the Zhong family boasts, their strength is equally formidable.

When Zhao Lichun heard the news, he turned pale. Zhong Zhengguo really didn't care at all!

"Come on, come on! Doesn't your Zhong family have any shady dealings? We'll just take you all down with us!"