After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

Chen Ping closed his laptop.

He turned to look at Xiao Yuhan and whispered, "We can't hand in this clue about the teacher right now."

Xiao Yuhan stared at the ledger, and after a few seconds, nodded.

"Wang Jianzhong just pushed Li Ming out as a scapegoat. Now, if we hand over the teacher's lead," Chen Ping tapped his finger on the table, "that person will definitely destroy all the evidence immediately, and then Wang Jianzhong will be even less able to do anything."

Xiao Yuhan stood up and walked to the window. The sound of police sirens outside grew fainter and fainter, and the lights in the municipal government building went out one by one.

"Let's get the credit for the Jinshuiwan case first." Xiao Yuhan turned around, her eyes cold. "Although Wang Jianzhong didn't fall this time, his power has been reduced by more than half. We have plenty of time to investigate slowly."

Chen Ping took out the few sheets of draft paper he had used for calculating the accounts, walked to the paper shredder, and stuffed them in one by one.

The machine made a piercing noise.

Xiao Yuhan also connected her hard drive to the computer and, in front of Chen Pingfang, deleted all the hidden content related to the teacher.

Neither of them spoke, but they cooperated very well.

Liu Tiemian and Zhang Zheng stood at the door, watching the situation inside, not daring to breathe.

……

half a month later.

The court's verdict has been delivered.

Zhao Defu stood in the dock, his hair mostly white, and he looked emaciated.

He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for several crimes, including environmental pollution and bribery.

As the gavel fell, Zhao Defu's legs went weak, and he was carried out by the bailiffs.

In the audience, Lin Xiaoyue lowered her head, tears falling onto the back of her hand.

Meanwhile, Li Ming's verdict was also handed down.

He was sentenced to twelve years in prison for bribery and abuse of power.

Before being put into the prison van, Li Ming glanced back at the direction of the municipal government office building, his eyes showing nothing.

Wang Jianzhong stood by the office window, watching the prison van drive away downstairs, his face expressionless.

On the table was a document stating that Wang Jianzhong had been given a severe warning within the Party.

Although he kept his position, all the real power he held over urban construction, environmental protection, and land approval was taken away, and now he can only do some idle jobs that nobody wants to do.

Sun Zhigang walked into the tea room with a teacup in his hand and saw several colleagues chatting quietly.

"Have you heard? Chen Pingfang has done a great service this time."

"It's a pity that although Consultant Wang suffered a setback, the root of the problem remains."

Sun Zhigang put down his teacup and said in a low voice, "Someone like Chen Pingfang who loves to show off is definitely going to be sidelined. He might be transferred away in a while."

Several colleagues who had originally intended to build a relationship with him quietly withdrew after hearing this.

As Chen Ping walked down the corridor with documents in his hand, he overheard the conversation inside. He didn't stop, nor did he show any reaction on his face.

……

In the conference room of the municipal government office, people sat on both sides of the long table. The room was silent, and everyone's expression was serious.

The director sat in the main seat, flipping through the documents in his hand: "We're having a meeting today to discuss personnel adjustments."

As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Secretary-General Liu Wei cleared his throat. He was one of Wang Jianzhong's men and had just been called in for a chat by Wang Jianzhong before the meeting.

"I have a different opinion about Chen Pingfang," Liu Wei said loudly. "He hasn't been here long enough, and he doesn't follow the rules when handling cases. It's not appropriate to promote him now."

He paused for a moment, looking at the people present: "I think we should let him train for another two years."

The meeting room fell silent immediately. Everyone looked at each other and lowered their heads.

Sun Zhigang, sitting in the corner, almost smirked. Liu Wei leaned back in his chair, seemingly convinced the matter was settled.

Just then, Xiao Yuhan took out an official document from her file bag and slammed it on the table with a "bang".

Everyone was startled.

"This is an internal briefing just issued by the province," Xiao Yuhan said, pushing the document over. "Take a look for yourselves."

Liu Wei paused for a moment, then picked up the briefing. The cover bore the words "Top Secret" in red. He opened to the first page, and his face immediately paled.

The headline praised Yunzhou City's environmental protection efforts, specifically commending Chen Pingfang, saying that this young cadre dared to take action and was responsible.

The briefing was passed around the table, and everyone's expression became subtle.

Xiao Yuhan stood up, braced her hands on the table, and stared at Liu Wei.

"People who are commended by the province are being suppressed in our city just because they dare to take action?" she asked, emphasizing each word. "Are you going to take responsibility for this?"

Liu Wei's forehead immediately broke out in a sweat, and his lips trembled for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

Sun Zhigang, who was in the corner, turned pale instantly.

The director, who had been silent, put down the briefing, looked at Liu Wei, and then at Xiao Yuhan.

"I think we should not only promote him, but also give him special consideration." The director's voice was calm, but no one dared to object. "I propose that Chen Pingfang be appointed as the deputy head of the Comprehensive Section 1, responsible for writing materials and coordinating work."

A collective gasp filled the conference room.

The deputy head of the comprehensive section is a core position in the municipal government office. Whoever gets this position will be promoted quickly in the future.

Liu Wei slumped in the chair, completely exhausted.

Xiao Yuhan sat down again, her face expressionless.

"Does anyone else have any objections?" The director looked around.

No one dared to speak.

"Then it's settled."

……

Three days later, Chen Pingfang's appointment notice was posted on the bulletin board on the first floor.

Sun Zhigang stood in front of the bulletin board, his eyes fixed on the notice, hardly believing it. He had been hoping for the position of deputy head of the Comprehensive Section for years.

The corridor was crowded with people, all whispering among themselves.

"Secretary Chen is about to take off!"

"He's capable; he deserves the promotion."

"From now on, I'll have to call him Section Chief Chen."

Chen Ping moved into a small office on the east side of the third floor. The room wasn't big, but it had its own desk and bookcase, and the window faced the city hall square.

Liu Tiemian and Zhang Zheng ran over to help move things, their faces full of smiles.

"Brother Chen, no, Section Chief Chen!" Zhang Zheng grinned broadly, "From now on, I'll follow you!"

Liu Tiemian patted Chen Pingfang on the shoulder, his eyes a little red.

The door rang, and Sun Zhigang walked in carrying a potted money tree. He had a smile on his face, but it looked fake.

"Section Chief Chen, congratulations!" Sun Zhigang placed the money tree on the windowsill. "Please continue to take care of me in the future."

Chen Ping sat behind his desk, looking at Sun Zhigang without saying a word.

Sun Zhigang felt uncomfortable under his gaze, chuckled awkwardly twice, and then slipped away.

After the door closed, Zhang Zheng spat out, "A fence-sitter."

Chen Pingfang didn't speak, but just looked out the window. Under the glow of the setting sun, the entire city of Yunzhou was bathed in a golden light.

……

It was 7 p.m. in Xiao Yuhan's office.

She handed Chen Ping a cup of hot tea, and the two sat on the sofa.

"The case at Jinshui Bay is finally coming to a temporary close." Xiao Yuhan leaned back on the sofa and rubbed her temples.

"We'll find that teacher in the ledger sooner or later."

Xiao Yuhan nodded.