Li Zhiyan's eyes flickered with a complex emotion. She walked closer to Sun Zhewen, her voice low and slow. "Sun Zhewen, do you know? Sometimes I really envy you. At least you still have hope. As for me, reality has already beaten me to a pulp."
Sun Zhewen looked at Li Zhiyan, his heart filled with pity and helplessness. He reached out to comfort her, but she pushed him away. "Don't touch me. I don't need your pity."
Li Zhiyan turned her back to Sun Zhewen, her voice choked with emotion. "Go. I don't need your pity, nor do I need your help. I will handle everything myself."
Sun Zhewen stood there, feeling powerless. His gaze, illuminated by the moonlight outside the window, seemed somewhat lost and helpless. At that moment, he felt like a fly caught in a spiderweb, struggling but unable to escape.
"If you can help us, we can get rid of them faster," Sun Zhewen said, his voice laced with a hint of pleading and anticipation.
A cold smile appeared on her face, but a flicker of barely concealed pain flashed in her eyes. Her hand gently caressed her lower abdomen, where a life she didn't want to acknowledge was growing.
"I can help you get out of the country, but I won't gamble my life for you," Li Zhiyan said coldly, yet with a resolute tone. "Do you think I don't want them to be destroyed sooner? When I think about the bastard in my belly, I want to rip him out and smash him to pieces."
Sun Zhewen's heart clenched with pain when he heard this. He understood Li Zhiyan's suffering, but he also knew that without her help, their plan would become even more difficult.
"Then you should help us even more!" He said unwillingly, his voice tinged with urgency.
Li Zhiyan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Impossible. Don't even think about it. If you're capable, investigate it yourselves." Her voice was filled with resolve and coldness. "I'll say it again: I can help you get out, and I can support you for the rest of your lives, but don't drag me down with you. I'm going to rest now."
With that, she turned and gracefully walked towards the second floor. Sun Zhewen watched her back, his heart filled with complex emotions. He sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and the smoke slowly diffused into the air, mirroring his own confused and helpless state of mind.
He hadn't expected the inside story to be even bigger than he had imagined. In the smoke, his thoughts churned, and Li Zhiyan's words echoed in his mind. He knew her refusal wasn't just because of fear; it was also because of the unhealed wound deep within her heart.
Sun Zhewen inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. He looked at the swirling smoke, but couldn't see his own future.
He wanted to tell Chen Qingyan about what happened last night, but he was afraid she was with Liu Qunqi. From the snippets Li Zhiyan had said, he could see the darkness of Jiang City. His current position was too low, and he was powerless. He couldn't influence the bigger picture. He tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well.
\n\n
Monday morning. Sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, spilling onto the plaza in front of the County Women's Federation building. The interplay of light and shadow made it appear exceptionally bright. The leaders of the Women's Federation, led by Chen Qingyan, stood neatly outside the main entrance, welcoming the day with polite and appropriate smiles. Everyone understood that today was an important day; the leaders of the County Organization Department were coming to announce new cadre appointments.
\n\n
Before long, a black official car slowly drove into the plaza. The tires lightly rolled over the ground, making a subtle rustling sound. The car door opened, and Li Mingyao, the head of the Organization Department, was the first to step out. He wore a neat white shirt, his tie perfectly knotted, and his expression was serious and focused. Behind him were a man and a woman, both holding files and documents, appearing somewhat reserved.
Chen Qingyan smiled and stepped forward, extending her hand to shake Li Mingyao's. She greeted him warmly, "Welcome, Minister Li! Thank you for coming!"
Li Mingyao nodded, grasped Chen Qingyan's hand, and replied with a hint of official formality, "Chairwoman Chen, it's my pleasure. This is part of our duty."
After a few pleasantries, Li Mingyao looked up at the building, seemingly deep in thought. He then turned to the group and said, "Let's go to the conference room to make the announcement."
The group filed into the building. Inside the conference room, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and a red banner hung on the wall, reading "Welcome to the Leaders of the County Organization Department for Guidance." Li Mingyao walked to the center of the room, surveyed the surroundings, cleared his throat, and announced in a loud voice, "Comrades, today our Organization Department, in accordance with the organization's arrangements, is here to send Comrade Liu Rumei to her new post. We are also announcing that, effective immediately, Comrade Chen Qingyan is relieved of her duties as Chairwoman of the County Women's Federation, and will be reassigned to a more important role."
With that, he gestured for the woman behind him to step forward. Liu Rumei, dressed in a navy blue business suit, took a slightly nervous step forward and saluted everyone. Her eyes revealed a trace of unease, but also a great deal of determination and confidence.
Li Mingyao smiled slightly and continued, "Comrade Liu Rumei, you may not all be familiar with her. She is a very capable cadre, who has performed outstandingly in several positions. She will take on the role of Chairwoman of the County Women's Federation. I hope you will all give her your full support."
Liu Rumei nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips, trying to appear less nervous.
Li Mingyao began to introduce Liu Rumei's background and job responsibilities, his voice loud and clear. He recounted Liu Rumei's achievements and contributions in her past work, his words sincere and filled with trust and expectation.
"Comrade Liu Rumei previously worked at the County Education Bureau, where she spearheaded several educational reforms that were highly praised by teachers, students, and parents alike. Not only is she an outstanding worker, but she is also a very approachable leader. I believe that under her leadership, the work of the County Women's Federation will reach new heights," Li Mingyao said.
\n\n
After the introduction, Li Mingyao shook hands with each of the existing members in the meeting room, encouraging everyone to work together and serve the people in this new phase of work. Chen Qingyan also stepped forward, smiling as she shook hands with Liu Rumei, and said softly, "Welcome, Chairwoman Liu. The comrades are very much looking forward to working with you."
\n\n
Liu Rumei gratefully held Chen Qingyan's hand, responding, "Thank you, Chairwoman Chen. I will do my best to fulfill this role."
\n\n
After explaining the relevant matters, Li Mingyao reiterated the organization's expectations and requirements, and then left with the staff of the Organization Department. The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat somber. Chen Qingyan, as the former leader, remained composed and elegant, hosting a brief welcome ceremony before taking the newly appointed Liu Rumei to the chairman's office.
\n\n
"Chairwoman Liu, these are the documents you need to review. They are some materials for daily work," Chen Qingyan handed the documents to Liu Rumei one by one, her tone gentle, but her eyes revealed a hint of reluctance.
\n\n
Liu Rumei took the documents, smiled slightly, "Thank you, Chairwoman Chen. Please rest assured, I will do my best to fulfill this role."
\n\n
Chen Qingyan nodded and turned to leave the office. It was said that there should be a welcome ceremony, but the County Women's Federation, being a place with little funding, couldn't afford to host such a reception. Therefore, there had never been a welcoming dinner for new officials. Liu Rumei didn't care about these formalities; she was more concerned with how to quickly integrate into this new environment. After handing over her work, Chen Qingyan sent Sun Zhewen a message, "Zhewen, I'm going home first. Call me after work this afternoon."
\n\n