Chapter 17: Encountering Qin Yi Again

“Alright, regardless of your cousin’s matter or your request for a deputy section chief position, I will do my best to handle it, but I can’t guarantee the outcome,” Ye Ziyi said without closing the door completely.

Lu Hao hadn’t expected her to care so deeply about Liu Yuanda’s situation. Such loyalty made Ye Ziyi’s impression of him even more certain—he was not someone she had misjudged.

“Thank you in advance. By the way, I don’t even know your surname yet,” Lu Hao said quickly, raising his glass with a smile.

“Just call me Ziyi. As for my surname, you’ll find out in time,” Ye Ziyi replied, her faint smile full of intrigue.

After parting ways around nine in the evening, Lu Hao couldn’t help but feel as if the entire night had been a dream.

He never imagined that the person he had casually helped three years ago would appear when he was at his lowest, extending a helping hand.

Whether she could truly help or not, the fact that Ziyi had quietly listened to his complaints all night left Lu Hao feeling surprisingly content.

The next morning, when he arrived at the Poverty Alleviation Office, only Tang Chunyan was there.

This had become the norm; the other colleagues, including Niu Dashan, were habitually late every day.

“Lu Hao, I’ve heard about your situation. Those leaders’ consciences must have been eaten by dogs,” Tang Chunyan said indignantly upon seeing him.

Though she wasn’t responsible for the office’s funds, she was well aware of the many irregularities. Lu Hao had inexplicably taken the blame for Song Bo and Niu Dashan shortly after arriving, a situation no one could accept.

“I won’t let them throw dirt on me without a fight,” Lu Hao said firmly, feeling a warmth in his heart.

He had decided to confront Party Secretary Zhao Gang for an explanation. Zhao was the top official in Fangshui Township, and as long as he relented, there might still be room to maneuver regarding Lu Hao’s disciplinary action.

As he spoke, Lu Hao stepped out of the office.

He intended to knock on Zhao Gang’s office door on the second floor, but before reaching the stairs, he suddenly heard voices coming down.

“Director Deng, I have to go to the county for the leadership meeting today. Hurry up and report Lu Hao’s disciplinary case to the county; we must make this matter solid and give the County Poverty Alleviation Audit Team a proper explanation.”

“Understood, Secretary Zhao. Rest assured, I’ll take care of it today,” came the reply.

Their back-and-forth made it clear to Lu Hao that one was Zhao Gang, and the other was Deng Song, who also served as the propaganda committee member.

Lu Hao quickly hid in the nearby utility room, fearful they might spot him coming down.

“Secretary, I heard a rumor that the county party secretary Liu Yuanda will soon be removed. It’s said that County Mayor Li was originally to replace him, but something went wrong, and the province changed its mind. Apparently, a new county party secretary is being sent to take office.”

“You sure have good sources and sharp instincts,” Zhao Gang said with surprise, glancing at Deng Song before continuing, “I hear the appointment will happen in a couple of days. The new secretary has already arrived in our county. I need to seize this chance to curry favor—maybe even advance further. It’s a pity for Mayor Li; after so many years, he’s still stuck as the perennial number two.”

Zhao Gang feigned a sigh but was clearly in good spirits.

Li Haotian was close with Li Zhen, but Zhao’s relations with Li Zhen were mediocre at best. Naturally, he didn’t want Li Zhen to become the top leader; otherwise, Zhao might soon be transferred to make way for Li Haotian.

“By the way, Song Bo told me yesterday that Lu Hao has a bad temper and threatened to cause trouble, saying he’d report the disciplinary action to higher-ups. You’d better teach him a lesson,” Zhao added.

“Don’t worry, Secretary. I’ll make sure the kid falls in line. But I noticed Secretary Lin has been defending him at the party committee meetings. Isn’t that going too far? Could it upset Secretary Lin?” Deng Song asked cautiously.

“I punished him, and Secretary Lin opposed it. If she had the power, she could’ve used her connections to save Lu Hao. I don’t believe she’d go to such lengths for just him,” Zhao said dismissively.

He knew Lin Xiyue had backing, but for someone like Lu Hao, he didn’t think Lin would make any reckless moves.

Their conversation gradually faded as they walked away, leaving Lu Hao shivering in the utility room.

People’s hearts are impossible to read. Now, not only the township head but even the party secretary was targeting him.

At least it was some consolation to learn Li Zhen wouldn’t become county party secretary. Otherwise, if Li Zhen rose to the top, Lu Hao would face even harsher scrutiny.

As for Secretary Lin, hearing she had spoken up for him once again piqued Lu Hao’s curiosity.

Not long after Lu Hao returned to the office, Niu Dashan came in. Seeing Lu Hao, he sneered sarcastically, “A major demerit in the Poverty Alleviation Office—what bad luck. You’d better pack up and move to the supply room to work. Disgraced people have no place here.”

Niu Dashan’s expression was vicious. The supply room he referred to was a storage space next to the restroom, usually filled with miscellaneous items.

Once a notorious local thug, he had clawed his way up to this position through connections and was always arrogant and domineering in bullying others.

But Lu Hao sat at his desk without any reaction.

When Niu Dashan was ignored, he pointed a finger at Lu Hao’s nose and shouted, “Are you deaf? Can’t you understand? Get out of this office immediately!”

“Director Niu, Lu Hao has already been disciplined. Isn’t it excessive to kick him out?” Tang Chunyan could no longer stand it and spoke up indignantly.

“Oh, Tang Chunyan, this kid just arrived a few days ago and you’re already defending him? Are you interested in this pretty boy? Want me to kick you both out?” Niu Dashan’s arrogance only grew.

As he spoke, he grabbed Lu Hao’s bag and threw it by the door, commanding, “Get out, you hear me?”

Lu Hao, who had remained silent, suddenly stood up. His cold, piercing gaze fixed on Niu Dashan as he said sharply, “Pick it up.”

“Oh? You dare talk back to me? I threw your stuff, what can you do about it?” Niu Dashan sneered and, after Lu Hao bent down to retrieve the bag, he knocked over his water cup in disdain.

Faced with Niu Dashan’s brazen provocation, Lu Hao no longer wasted words.

With a swift step forward, he grabbed Niu Dashan by the collar and lifted him off the ground.

His physique was formidable, and the icy glare he shot made Niu Dashan shudder in fear.

Since he was already disciplined, Lu Hao didn’t mind teaching Niu Dashan a lesson; otherwise, everyone would think he was a pushover.

“What… do you want to do? If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll make sure you regret it,” Niu Dashan stammered, trying to sound fierce despite his fear.

Just then, several people entered the office, all dressed in identical suits adorned with the national emblem.

Each wore an expressionless face, radiating an air of authority.

Leading them was a woman. Upon seeing her, Lu Hao was stunned—it was Qin Yi!

“Lu Hao, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. How are you settling into Fangshui Township?” Qin Yi asked with a bright smile.