In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

Are you willing to accept this?

Of course I'm not willing to accept this.

He worked his whole life within the system, enjoying a life of glory and prestige, possessing power, money, status, and position—he had it all. But people are just so greedy; the more they have, the more they want.

Moreover, they are no longer facing the question of whether or not to retire; rather, they may not even have the opportunity to retire if they want to.

Although Zhao Mingyuan's fate is still unknown, the outcome is practically certain.

What about them?

These die-hard loyalists of Zhao Mingyuan enjoyed immense glory when Zhao Mingyuan was riding high, but what good could come of it for them after Zhao Mingyuan's downfall?

Moreover, they are well aware of their own situation; at the very least, they could never be completely clean enough to withstand scrutiny.

"Old Wang, even if you're unwilling, what can you do? Do you really think Li Feitu will let us go?"

"Heh, do you think that's possible?"

Director Sun himself laughed at what he said.

Let them go?

How could that be? Putting ourselves in their shoes, they wouldn't let Li Feitu off the hook either.

But now, even knowing that it was impossible, Deputy Secretary Wang still held onto a sliver of hope.

Sometimes, people are like that; in despair, they always fantasize about unrealistic things, always thinking that luck and miracles might happen to them.

Deputy Secretary Wang knew very well that once he was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation, everything about the crimes he and his relatives had committed would be thoroughly investigated. Even if only a third of the facts were uncovered, he would never be able to get out of prison for the rest of his life.

So he was desperate; he didn't want things to come to this.

"Old Sun, I will never go to jail, not even if it kills me!"

As he spoke, a resolute glint flashed in Deputy Secretary Wang's eyes, as if he had already made up his mind.

Seeing this, Director Sun frowned and said, "Old Wang, are you trying to escape?"

Yes, besides this explanation, Director Sun can't find any other possibility for the time being. Deputy Secretary Wang wants to escape; otherwise, he would definitely go to prison.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Secretary Wang remained silent for a moment, then looked at Director Sun and said in a deep voice, "Director Sun, fleeing is the worst possible outcome. I think we should talk to Li Feitu first."

"With so many officials throughout Linchuan County, does he really think he can remove them all?"

"Putting everything else aside, just look at how many of Secretary Zhao's people are in the four leadership teams of the county. Does he intend to completely overhaul the leadership of Linchuan County?"

"The only person he wants to deal with is Zhao Mingyuan. If Zhao Mingyuan is defeated, we can go and join him, and he can take Zhao Mingyuan's people away peacefully. This is the best outcome for both him and us."

"Even if he wants us to retire, he should at least let us retire peacefully. Otherwise, if he really goes that far, I don't think he'll be able to sit comfortably in Linchuan County."

"After all, whether it's Secretary Zhao or us, we've been operating in Linchuan County for so long. Most people, from top to bottom, listen to us. Director Sun, you understand, right? We have leverage."

Deputy Secretary Wang gritted his teeth and said these words. He felt that there was no problem with his thinking, even if the possibility was small, at least it was still somewhat possible.

Friend? Enemy?

Sometimes, it all comes down to what matters and what you have to give up.

Director Sun seemed to want to say something, but fell silent.

In such a desperate situation, he was in the same predicament as Deputy Secretary Wang. If there were even a glimmer of hope, he would naturally be very happy.

But what if it doesn't?

"Old Wang, what if?"

Before Director Sun could finish speaking, Deputy Secretary Wang gritted his teeth and said with unwavering determination, "There are no ifs. I don't care what you think, but I have no way out."

Director Sun sighed and said nothing more. Just then, Deputy Secretary Wang looked down at Chen Jingcheng and frowned, saying, "I didn't expect Li Feitu to value Chen Jingcheng to this extent."

"They actually came to greet Chen Jingcheng in person, along with Li Guangming."

"Is this a show? Or a performance? To make Li Feitu seem like a sentimental person? The kind of person who, if you follow me today, suffer for me, and make sacrifices for me, I'll definitely treat you very well?"

Director Sun looked downstairs at this moment, and sure enough, Li Feitu and Li Guangming walked towards Chen Jingcheng with smiles on their faces. Li Feitu even reached out his hands before he even got to Chen Jingcheng, wanting to hug him.

This goes beyond a superior's trust in and reliance on a subordinate.

It's like the feeling of not seeing a long-lost friend.

Many people have seen this scene: Li Feitu and Li Guangming personally came to welcome Chen Jingcheng. It won't be long before everyone knows about it.

"Jingcheng, I'm so sorry you had to suffer like this."

"However, what I want to say now is thank you. Thank you. If it weren't for you, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

Li Guangming was standing next to Li Feitu. When he heard these words, he was even more shocked than when Li Feitu came to pick up Chen Jingcheng in person.

Thank you, Chen Jingcheng. He understands. After all, Chen Jingcheng faced that situation and still didn't betray him. Perhaps that's what Chen Jingcheng should do, but when you're at the point where you don't even have freedom, what's the point of talking about what you should or shouldn't do?

But what do you mean by "If it weren't for you, things wouldn't have turned out this way"?

Li Feitu isn't out of his mind, so why would he say such things so casually? But if Li Feitu is serious, then it means that Li Feitu's current situation, and even the Li family's current turnaround, are all related to Chen Jingcheng.

But, is that even possible?

Chen Jingcheng, with such great abilities, was still taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for a week?

However, Li Guangming wisely chose to remain silent, keeping all of this in mind, and his regard for Chen Jingcheng increased by another five points.

After exchanging a few words with Li Feitu, Chen Jingcheng looked at the driver who was getting out of the car.

He's tall and strong, and standing here gives people a very reliable feeling.

"Aren't you going to eat something before you leave?"

The driver smiled and shook his head, saying, "My mission is complete once I've safely delivered you to your destination."

"I need to get back quickly, thank you for your kindness."

Chen Jingcheng nodded and smiled, "Okay, thank you too. Drive carefully on the road. I'll treat you to a meal again sometime."

The driver then drove the car away.

Li Feitu said with a smile, "Jingcheng, let's go, let's rest at my place first, and then we'll have lunch and have a good chat."

Chen Jingcheng nodded, looked around the government compound, and then smiled, "County Chief, quite a few people are watching. You and County Chief Guangming came to pick me up personally. People will probably say that I, Chen Jingcheng, am putting on airs."

Although he spoke in a relaxed and humble manner, at this moment, Li Guangming felt that Chen Jingcheng seemed different from before.

In the past, Chen Jingcheng was somewhat reserved when he met them. After all, eyes don't lie. Back then, Chen Jingcheng looked at them as if he were looking at a high-ranking leader, so his restraint was understandable.

But now, he noticed that Chen Jingcheng's eyes no longer held that restraint, only indifference. It was as if Chen Jingcheng, while still respecting them, was no longer so reserved, as if he had seen it all before? Been used to it? Didn't care?

This puzzled Li Guangming. How could a trip to the Discipline Inspection Commission have changed his entire demeanor and background?

Li Guangming's feeling was not unfounded. The trip to the Discipline Inspection Commission and the torment he endured had already made Chen Jingcheng see many things clearly. Now, after the trip to Qingzhou, knowing who his biological father was, Chen Jingcheng's mentality had naturally changed even more. When facing Chen Min'en, even when he was leaving, he did not call him "father." He could respect this official or that official, but he also had his own confidence.

No matter how high an official's rank, can it be greater than Chen Min'en's?

Just as Li Feitu and Chen Jingcheng were about to leave the compound, the car of Zhao Mingyuan, the county party secretary, had already entered the county party committee compound.

Li Feitu and the other two saw this scene, but Li Feitu remained expressionless, as if he hadn't seen it, and continued walking forward.

However, Zhao Mingyuan's car did not stop inside the compound. Instead, it quickly overtook Li Feitu and his two companions, then stopped the car, and Zhao Mingyuan got out.

"County Magistrate Feitu, don't leave yet, let's talk."