Qin Mu went downstairs but didn't see Liang Sijia again. He looked around; the place was empty.
She's gone already?
Qin Mu was somewhat surprised, but he didn't look any further. Some people are just passersby, fleeting moments. Liang Sijia had completed her mission and naturally had to disappear.
Back at the county government building, he had just reached the corridor when he heard shouts coming from an office not far away.
"I haven't left yet!"
"Are you trying to rebel?!"
"What are you all doing, gossiping behind people's backs?"
"You don't even have any rank. Believe me, I'll fire you all!"
...
Chen Xin's angry shouts made Qin Mu frown.
This guy, he lost the bet and stubbornly refused to leave, and now he actually has the nerve to scold others?
"What's going on?"
Han Ying came out, and Qin Mu asked casually.
"A few junior officials were gossiping about the bet behind their backs, probably making a few sarcastic remarks, and Deputy County Head Chen overheard them. That's why he's reprimanding them!"
Han Ying said in a low voice.
Qin Mu almost laughed. This Chen Xin was yelling so loudly to remind everyone in the county government that he wouldn't resign, he wouldn't leave.
At the same time, it was also a reminder to some junior officials that while it would be difficult for the county head to fire him as deputy county head, it would be easy for him, as deputy county head, to target some section-level cadres. This was a way of establishing his authority.
"These grasshoppers in autumn won't be able to jump around for much longer," Qin Mu said coldly, then returned to his office.
Han Ying stood there, listening to these words, her eyes filled with surprise and delight.
She knew that County Head Qin never made empty promises. If he could say that, it meant he had gotten what he deserved.
Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu probably didn't have many good days ahead of them.
Qin Mu returned to his office and placed the USB drive Zhang Kui had given him on his computer, examining it carefully.
What he saw was truly remarkable!
No wonder he was the county party secretary's secretary; the information he possessed was extraordinary.
He had always known Zhang Kui had something, and that the other party wouldn't easily hand it over. Now, at this crucial moment, Zhang Kui had no choice but to give it to him.
After reviewing the information, Qin Mu immediately picked up the phone and dialed the office of Fang Xiu, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission.
Since their last meeting and serious conversation, his relationship with Secretary Fang had grown considerably. After all, Fang Xiu was someone who liked his father, and his character was trustworthy.
"Qin Mu?"
"You wanted to see me, huh?"
"Speak."
As soon as the call connected, Fang Xiu's voice rang out, getting straight to the point without any beating around the bush.
"Secretary Fang, I'm a little embarrassed by your question. What if I just wanted to catch up?"
Qin Mu felt a pang of embarrassment and quickly replied. "Catch up?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiu on the other end of the phone became even more interested. "Sure, catching up is my favorite thing! Why don't you tell me about your father? I haven't seen him in many years, and to be honest, I really miss my idol!"
Uh…
How did the conversation turn to his father?
Qin Mu was taken aback, then felt a little helpless. It seemed Secretary Fang was still thinking about his father; the excited yet admiring tone in her voice was almost heartbreaking.
"Secretary Fang, let's get down to business!"
Qin Mu gave an awkward smile and said, "Um… I have some updated information about Yu Xuewen's criminal gang that I need your review!"
"You brat, you don't want to chat about family matters anymore."
Fang Xiu said impatiently, "Come to the Jiangzhou Municipal Party Committee yourself. Come find me."
"Beep beep beep…"
With that, Fang Xiu hung up the phone, leaving a bewildered Qin Mu.
It seems I can't joke around like this anymore. This Secretary Fang is clearly a man of temper, and I can't just do whatever I want because his idol is my father.
Grabbing the USB drive, Qin Mu headed straight for Jiangzhou.
Upon arriving at the municipal party committee building, a young woman with pigtails approached him, looking very capable.
"Excuse me, are you County Head Qin?"
"I'm Liang Na, Secretary Fang's secretary. Secretary Fang asked me to pick you up."
The young woman quickly ran to Qin Mu, smiling as she spoke.
"Yes, I'm Qin Mu. Thank you for your help."
Qin Mu nodded in response.
"You're too kind."
Liang Na smiled and said, "Is your relationship with Secretary Fang quite special? Other county heads and secretaries have come to see Secretary Fang before, but none of them have received this kind of treatment—having someone come out to greet them. You're the first one!"
Really?
Am I that special?
After listening, Qin Mu casually waved his hand and said, "It's possible that Secretary Fang thought I was too slow and worried I wouldn't be able to find your office, so he arranged for you to come!"
"County Chief Qin, you're so modest and so easygoing."
Liang Na's eyes lit up with surprise at these words. "Are you always this humorous and witty?" she asked.
"Actually, it depends on the person. Chatting with a young lady like you makes me feel younger, so I speak more casually."
Qin Mu smiled and spoke casually.
Ah?
Young lady?
Liang Na blushed slightly and said, "County Chief Qin, I'm not young anymore. I'm quite grown up, a young woman!"
Uh…
A young woman?
Qin Mu, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, albeit helplessly. Luckily, she added "young woman," otherwise, Qin Mu would have misunderstood.
"This way, please!"
After a few casual words, Qin Mu, led by Liang Na, entered the office floor of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.
"This is Secretary Fang's office. Please go in directly."
Liang Na gestured towards the door and said.
"Okay, thank you."
Qin Mu thanked her and then pushed open the door and went inside.
"What an interesting person."
Liang Na muttered to herself as she walked back. She had worked at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection for a long time, and Secretary Fang had always been a serious person, rarely smiling, and never specifically arranging for anyone to greet a particular leader.
Today, County Head Qin was an exception!
Secondly, Secretary Fang's schedule was always very full. Without an appointment, it was almost impossible to see anyone, especially a county head. In Huaining County, this county head might have some power, but in the entire city, there were too many officials of that rank. For Secretary Fang to cut in line for a meeting?
Truly rare!
Wait a minute…
Liang Na suddenly realized that Secretary Fang had been single for many years, always alone. This County Chief Qin, so young and incredibly tall and imposing, could it be that Secretary Fang found him…?
Thinking this, Liang Na's face flushed.
As a woman herself, she could understand how difficult it was to be without a man for so long. Secretary Fang, at his age, was perhaps going through the toughest time. Finding someone young and strong…
didn't seem so bad?