Arc 22Chapters 526–550

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Chapters 526–550 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 526The official-poet

Zhou Yi pressed Jiangnan officials for answers about Pi Yijie's case while turning his attention to writer Wen Mosheng, prompting provincial leaders and Wen's allies to fear a scandal. The chapter ended with an anonymous letter accusing Zhou Yi of misconduct arriving at the Inspection Work Leading Group General Office.

  • Zhou Yi asked Xiang Chang'an for instructions, then requested that Liu Libin have the public security authorities explain everyone involved in Pi Yijie's wife-murder and arson case.
  • Liu Libin reported Zhou Yi's request to Zheng Qisheng, who worried that the investigation could expose Wen Mosheng and further damage Jiangnan Province.
  • Ou Qingwen met Wen Mosheng at a hotel, where Wen cursed Zhou Yi and worried that his secrets would be exposed.
  • Ou Qingwen urged Wen Mosheng to stay calm and argued that the province could keep his alleged consensual misconduct internal.
  • A few days later, an anonymous letter alleging Zhou Yi's misconduct arrived at the Inspection Work Leading Group General Office.

Ch. 527Secretary's Office Meeting

Jiangnan’s provincial leaders debated how to punish Wen Mosheng without disrupting the Misty Rain Jiangnan gala and how to accelerate the investigation of Zhou Shiyuan. They approved delaying Wen’s disciplinary announcement until after the gala while seeking the Inspection Team’s understanding, and ordered investigators to prioritize Zhou’s case.

  • Zhu Changlei demanded severe punishment for Wen Mosheng, while Ou Qingwen urged caution and Cao Cheng opposed letting Wen off to avoid repercussions.
  • Liu Libin proposed removing Wen from his cultural posts immediately but delaying the disciplinary announcement until after the Misty Rain Jiangnan gala, and Yan Huafeng and Zheng Qisheng approved.
  • Zhao Liangde suggested explaining the circumstances to the Inspection Team and asking Master Dong Qing to intervene, a plan that appealed to Yan Huafeng.
  • Yan Huafeng ordered Xu Jianxun to speed up the investigation of Zhou Shiyuan, whose alleged power-for-money dealings remained difficult to prove.
  • Zheng Qisheng stressed that investigators should balance efficiency with gathering evidence.

Ch. 528Truly outstanding!

Dong Qing asked the Inspection Team to delay acting against Wen Mosheng until the Misty Rain Jiangnan gala was over, and Xiang Chang'an said they would consider her request. When Xue Chuqing defended Wen Mosheng’s books and challenged Zhou Yi, he quoted passages from them to expose their contrast in how they portrayed China and Japan.

  • Dong Qing visited Xiang Chang'an and Zhou Yi with Yao Caizhi and offered to send them a video of her Secret Eight-Section Brocade practice, but they politely declined.
  • Dong Qing asked the Inspection Team to postpone action against Wen Mosheng until after the Misty Rain Jiangnan arts gala, and Xiang Chang'an promised to give the suggestion full consideration.
  • Yao Caizhi mentioned that Wen Mosheng’s works might be banned, and Xue Chuqing argued that his misconduct should not condemn his books.
  • Zhou Yi defended the Provincial Party Committee’s decision, prompting Xue Chuqing to insist that she had a right to question it.
  • Zhou Yi quoted two passages from Wen Mosheng’s works about China and Japan and challenged Xue Chuqing to interpret them.

Ch. 529Secretary Zhou had such a lovely smile

Secretary Zhou Yi challenged Xue Chuqing’s defense of Wen Mosheng, turning her argument about society’s darkness back on her and forcing Jiangnan’s literary leaders to distance themselves from the writer. Xue appeared to accept the rebuke but privately remained defiant and wanted to debate Zhou on equal terms.

  • Zhou Yi questioned Xue Chuqing’s defense of Wen Mosheng’s harsh depictions of his homeland and contrasting praise of foreign countries.
  • Xue argued that writers had a duty to expose society’s darkness, while Zhou Yi rejected her claim that isolated evils proved darkness was everywhere.
  • When Xue said one cockroach meant many more were hidden, Zhou Yi applied the same logic to the literary community and Wen Mosheng.
  • Dong Qing urged Xue to apologize, and Yao Caizhi declared that Jiangnan’s literary and artistic community disavowed Wen Mosheng and supported the Provincial Party Committee’s decision.
  • Xiang Chang’an warned Xue to speak carefully on fundamental questions, and she outwardly nodded while privately resenting the leaders’ pressure and challenging Zhou to an online debate.

Ch. 530Zhou Yi and I Are Sworn Enemies!

A misconduct complaint against Zhou Yi reached the Inspection Work Leading Group, which ordered an investigation. In Danqing City, Xie Chenglin admitted to his sister that he had helped prompt the complaint, convinced that Zhou Yi had improper relationships and hoping to make trouble for his sworn enemy.

  • After Dong Qing, his grandchild, and Yao Caizhi left, Zhou Yi considered how to get Wen Mosheng to report Ou Qingwen before Ou could cover up their connections.
  • Du Changqing reviewed a misconduct complaint against Zhou Yi and learned that the Jiangnan Provincial Party Committee Discipline Inspection Commission had forwarded it.
  • Du Changqing ordered Cheng Mingju to join Tao Beifang in investigating the allegations.
  • Xie Fangfei warned Xie Chenglin that the complaint might be baseless and provoke Zhou Yi's retaliation.
  • Xie Chenglin argued that Zhou Yi's supposed relationships with Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan and his wealth from stock trading were suspicious.
  • Xie Chenglin revealed that he had suggested making the complaint and supplied photographs and hearsay because he wanted to trouble Zhou Yi.

Ch. 531Some people just never learn...

Xie Chenglin explained to Xie Zheng why he had helped target Zhou Yi, while Xie Zheng warned him that the Xie Family would bear the consequences. Meanwhile, the Fourth Inspection Group was told to consider suspending Zhou Yi’s duties during an investigation, and Xiang Chang’an stood by him as Zhou Yi acted surprised by the news.

  • Xie Chenglin told Xie Zheng that Zhou Yi’s ties to Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan could expose him, and argued that the photos he provided were genuine.
  • Xie Zheng warned Xie Chenglin that his actions affected the whole Xie Family and told him not to act without consulting them again.
  • After hanging up, Xie Chenglin returned to his bedroom and resumed an affair, taking precautions to avoid being exposed.
  • The Inspection Work Leading Group General Office recommended that Xiang Chang’an suspend Zhou Yi’s duties pending an investigation.
  • Xiang Chang’an objected to suspending Zhou Yi and told Deng Chaoqiang he would report that position to the leadership.
  • Xiang Chang’an summoned Zhou Yi, who appeared astonished to hear that someone had reported him and that he might be investigated.

Ch. 532A declaration of war!

Zhou Yi learned that an accusation from Jiangnan Province had triggered an investigation into alleged sexual relationships and bribes involving Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan. He cooperated with the investigators but vowed to hold the accuser legally accountable, leaving Tao Beifang shaken by what he recognized as a declaration of war.

  • Zhou Yi's father-in-law told him about the accusation and trusted him, while Xiang Chang'an assured him that the investigation was routine and said they would demand an explanation afterward.
  • The Capital City investigation team arrived in Ganquan and questioned Zhou Yi, with Cheng Mingju and Tao Beifang conducting the interview.
  • Zhou Yi explained how he met Zhao Qiushui and said they had become good friends after her criminal case was resolved.
  • Tao Beifang asked about alleged improper relationships, group sex, and bribes involving Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan.
  • Zhou Yi denied the allegations, pledged to cooperate with a fair investigation, and vowed to pursue legal action against whoever had smeared him.

Ch. 533Whoever Starts Trouble Is in the Wrong!

Zhou Yi challenged the Investigation Team’s questioning and defended the origins of his assets, then suspected Xie Chenglin of orchestrating the report against him. After calling Shan Wenxu, Zhou Yi learned that Shan would ask his uncle to ensure Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan were treated properly.

  • Zhou Yi accused the Investigation Team of needing to investigate fairly after Cheng Mingju questioned him as though the allegations were true.
  • Zhou Yi said his reported income came from stock trading and challenged Tao Beifang’s doubts by comparing his trading success to his record of solving major cases.
  • After the questioning ended, Zhou Yi called Shan Wenxu and suggested that an enemy had supplied the allegations to the Jiangnan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.
  • Zhou Yi suspected Xie Chenglin, while also considering that Yan Huafeng and Zheng Qisheng might have helped spread the report.
  • Shan Wenxu agreed that Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan could be targeted and said he would ask his uncle to check the matter and ensure they were treated properly.

Ch. 534Had Ms. Zhao ever fallen for such an outstanding man?

Zhao Qiushui faced questioning in Changtian City over alleged favors in government projects, while Yi Xuefang tried to establish that she had romantic feelings for Zhou Yi. After two phone calls, Yi abruptly changed her tone and invited Zhao to stay for lunch.

  • Zhou Yi called Sima Yanan, who promised not to let anyone use underhanded means against Zhao Qiushui.
  • Yi Xuefang and Li Hua questioned Zhao Qiushui and asked whether she had fallen for Zhou Yi.
  • Zhao praised Zhou as an extraordinary man but denied having romantic feelings for him, then rejected Yi's leading questions about seeking government help for projects.
  • Zhao said she had won the Longwan District and Shaohua City projects through standard competitive bidding and stood up to leave.
  • Yi received two phone calls, then warmly invited Zhao to stay for lunch instead of stopping her from leaving.

Ch. 535Did he need it or not?

Discipline investigators found no evidence against Wen Wan or Zhao Qiushui, but Zhao Qiushui revealed that former Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin had demanded sex in exchange for a project and offered a recording. Meanwhile, Yan Huafeng confronted the fallout from the complaint against Zhou Yi and resolved not to let provincial factions drag him into their fight.

  • Yang Hongyong questioned Wen Wan, accepted her answers, and returned to Tao Beifang after verifying the matter.
  • Yi Xuefang reported that her team found no problems in Zhao Qiushui’s bidding records and asked whether to investigate the Shaohua project.
  • Yi Xuefang revealed that Xie Chenglin had allegedly demanded Zhao Qiushui spend the night with him in exchange for a project.
  • Yi Xuefang told Tao Beifang that Zhao Qiushui had a recording of the conversation and could provide it, leaving him unsure whether to request it.
  • Yan Huafeng challenged Xu Jianxun over the complaint against Zhou Yi, and Zheng Qisheng argued that the complaint might have come through another channel.
  • Yan Huafeng suspected provincial figures were backing the effort against Zhou Yi and vowed not to let them make him take the blame.

Ch. 536Want to get something on him? Dream on!

Jian Wanyan and Wei Siqi discussed the attempt to smear Zhou Yi as the Fourth Inspection Group exposed serious problems in Jiangnan. As the province faced growing pressure, Xie Chenglin learned Zhou Yi knew he was working against him but remained confident he was beyond Zhou Yi’s reach.

  • Jian Wanyan and Wei Siqi dismissed the complaint against Zhou Yi and discussed how officials were prolonging the investigation to damage his reputation.
  • Jian Wanyan said Hou Xiangyang had contacted Xiang Chang'an, and that the Fourth Inspection Group would soon report the problems it found in Jiangnan.
  • The Fourth Inspection Group's findings implicated Zhou Shiyuan and Wen Mosheng in misconduct and exposed serious failures in the Jiangnan Water Towns demolition and relocation program.
  • Xiang Chang'an rebuffed officials seeking his help, while Yan Huafeng ordered investigations into Zhou Shiyuan and Wen Mosheng and warned Xu Jianxun to act before a central task force arrived.
  • Xie Chenglin's sister warned him that Zhou Yi knew he was undermining him, but Xie Chenglin believed Zhou could do nothing to him in Danqing.

Ch. 537Superiors pressured subordinates, one rank after another

Xu Jianxun pressured Gao Lian to accelerate the investigations into Zhou Shiyuan and the tip-off letter, while evidence against Deshun Company forced Zhou to confess and exposed corruption within the Discipline Inspection Commission. As officials fell, Ou Qingwen feared Wen Mosheng would implicate him, but Wen called to assure him he had stayed silent and asked for help making a living.

  • Xu Jianxun ordered Gao Lian to uncover Zhou Shiyuan's violations quickly and investigate who had forwarded the tip-off letter.
  • Investigators arrested Duan Hongli after evidence and Qian's final letter revealed that the demolition company had deliberately caused five deaths.
  • Duan Hongli's confession led police to take control of Deshun Company's senior executives, including Ding Yan and Zhu Li, and Zhou Shiyuan confessed to his own violations.
  • Zhou Shiyuan exposed Chang Shuo as a messenger between him and the outside world, leading investigators to uncover Qiu Ci and Deputy Secretary Jiao Renshan.
  • Yao Geyu disappeared and was later reported under investigation, while Wen Mosheng was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office.
  • Wen Mosheng called Ou Qingwen and implied he had kept Ou's secrets, and Ou promised to arrange work for him outside the system.

Ch. 538That "Officialdom Killer" Nickname Was Cursed!

Ou Qingwen learned that a drugged hotel employee had publicly exposed his affairs and named his mistresses, prompting a provincial investigation. As Zhu Changlei ordered the police to investigate Pan Yan, Ou Qingwen realized Zhou Yi’s cursed “Officialdom Killer” nickname had caught up with him too.

  • After settling Wen Mosheng’s matter, Ou Qingwen received Jiang Yueqin’s call saying police had detained Pan Yan.
  • Jiang Yueqin explained that Pan Yan’s employee had driven after drinking and taking drugs, then claimed Pan Yan and Ou Qingwen’s other mistresses were involved with him.
  • The employee showed officers photos and videos and boasted about his affairs, prompting the police to report the claims up the chain to Tang Nan.
  • Tang Nan reported the incident to Zhu Changlei, who ordered an immediate investigation into Pan Yan at the Spring Arrival Hotel.
  • Ou Qingwen trembled as he smoked and blamed Zhou Yi’s cursed “Officialdom Killer” nickname for his predicament.

Ch. 539Who the hell was Zhou Yi? Why should I be afraid of him?

Zhou Yi learned that Ou Qingwen had turned himself in and reflected that the scandal had unfolded as he remembered, leaving him free to focus on Xie Chenglin. In Danqing, Xie Chenglin dismissed warnings about Zhou Yi and angrily argued with Zhuang Yuqian.

  • Xiang Chang'an told Zhou Yi that Ou Qingwen had confessed misconduct after meeting with senior officials, and Zhou Yi concluded Ou Qingwen’s wider crimes would likely bring criminal charges.
  • Zhou Yi recalled how a drug-fueled traffic accident had exposed Ou Qingwen’s affairs and corruption, and resolved to turn his attention to Xie Chenglin.
  • Zhuang Yuqian confronted Xie Chenglin for continuing to visit mistresses despite warnings to keep a low profile while Zhou Yi was in Jiangnan.
  • Xie Chenglin mocked Zhuang Yuqian’s warning and insisted Zhou Yi had no power to harm him in Danqing.

Ch. 540Send me a report, and I will return the favor!

Xie Chenglin learned that his wife and mistress were both pregnant, while Zhou Yi received a report accusing him of misconduct. Zhou Yi left Xu Jianxun and Gao Lian to consider the allegations against the Danqing City executive vice mayor.

  • Dai Yinxiang warned Xie Chenglin that Zhou Yi was dangerous and revealed that Zhuang Yuqian was pregnant.
  • Xie Chenglin accused Zhuang Yuqian of infidelity, but she insisted the child was his and challenged him to face the truth.
  • Xie Chenglin answered a call from his mistress, who told him she was pregnant, and promised to speak with her the next day.
  • Zhou Yi gave Xu Jianxun and Gao Lian a report alleging that Xie Chenglin kept mistresses and interfered with a serviceman's marriage.

Ch. 541I'm doing all this for your own good!

Zhou Yi pressured Jiangnan officials to investigate allegations against Xie Chenglin, forcing the provincial leadership to decide whether to act. At a hastily convened Standing Committee meeting, the members backed an investigation, leaving Yan Huafeng satisfied that responsibility was collective.

  • Zhou Yi told Xu Jianxun and Gao Lian that he had reported the tip-off letter to Team Leaders Xiang and Lu and expected Jiangnan to respond.
  • Xu Jianxun took the materials to Yan Huafeng, who convened a Standing Committee meeting to discuss investigating Xie Chenglin.
  • Zhu Changlei recommended sending an Investigation Team to Danqing, while Kong Chunshan suggested speaking with Xie Chenglin before opening an investigation.
  • Xu Jianxun reminded the committee to follow the same approach used in the investigation of Zhou Yi, prompting Kong Chunshan to fall silent.
  • Shen Tongyu and Liu Libin supported an investigation, and the other Standing Committee members joined them in approving verification of the allegations against Xie Chenglin.

Ch. 542Who do you think you are, acting so high and mighty, you homewrecker?

After the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission prepared to investigate Xie Chenglin, Dai Yinxiang ordered him to deal with Qiu Jingru’s pregnancy. Zhuang Yuqian confronted Qiu Jingru first, while Zhou Yi remained confident the investigation could still cause trouble for Xie Chenglin.

  • Xie Chenglin learned that an Investigation Team would visit Danqing and went home to consult Dai Yinxiang.
  • Dai Yinxiang told Xie Chenglin to resolve his affairs with his lovers before the Investigation Team arrived, and he revealed that Qiu Jingru was pregnant.
  • Dai Yinxiang ordered Xie Chenglin to make Qiu Jingru abort the child, and he agreed to go to her immediately.
  • Zhuang Yuqian reached Qiu Jingru before Xie Chenglin and confronted her about their affair and pregnancy.
  • Qiu Jingru calmly challenged Zhuang Yuqian, saying she could divorce and take her place.
  • Xiang Chang'an warned Zhou Yi that the Investigation Team might only go through the motions, but Zhou Yi said an investigation was better than none.

Ch. 543Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off...

Zhuang Yuqian confronted Qiu Jingru over her pregnancy and threatened to make her abort the child, then had her guards seize and drug Qiu. Xie Chenglin tried to reach Qiu to warn her about the upcoming investigation and urge her to end the pregnancy, but her phone had been switched off.

  • Zhuang Yuqian told Qiu Jingru to back away from Xie Chenglin and abort the child, while Qiu refused and said she would divorce her husband.
  • Zhuang Yuqian let two guards into Qiu's home, and they restrained her and stuffed a rag into her mouth.
  • Zhuang Yuqian said Xie Chenglin wanted Qiu to end the pregnancy and ordered her guards to take Qiu away.
  • A female guard carried the drugged Qiu to a sedan, and a neighbor photographed the car and its license plate.
  • Xie Chenglin called Qiu repeatedly to warn her about the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation and persuade her to abort the child, but her phone was switched off.

Ch. 544All that furious effort, only to end up looking like a fool!

Xie Chenglin learned that Zhuang Yuqian had arranged to force Qiu Jingru to abort her pregnancy, but Qiu escaped before the procedure. When the Investigation Team arrived and Qiu remained missing, evidence of her abduction surfaced, leaving Public Security Director Guo Maosheng to decide how to proceed.

  • Xie Chenglin returned home, where Zhuang Yuqian admitted she had taken Qiu Jingru to a private clinic for an abortion.
  • Zhuang Yuqian received word that Qiu Jingru had escaped during the trip and ordered her people to pursue her.
  • After a day and a night, Xie Chenglin, Zhuang Yuqian, and Dai Yinxiang learned that Qiu had not contacted the police but was still missing.
  • The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Investigation Team arrived in Danqing City but could not question the missing Qiu Jingru.
  • Qiu Jingru's neighbor reported seeing her carried unconscious into a car, and the police discovered the car had a fake plate.
  • The police found surveillance footage of Zhuang Yuqian's visit and Qiu Jingru's abduction, and Guo Maosheng decided to act despite the political risks.

Ch. 545Act First, Report Later

Guo Maosheng ordered Zhuang Yuqian brought in for questioning after surveillance linked her to Qiu Jingru’s abduction, despite pressure from Ren Baoping to release her. He challenged Ren over shielding Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin, leaving Ren silent as the investigation team’s evidence against Xie became harder to ignore.

  • Guo Maosheng ordered Yan Weitong to summon Zhuang Yuqian for questioning before reporting to Ren Baoping.
  • Ren Baoping summoned Guo Maosheng and urged him to call off the questioning because Zhuang Yuqian was Xie Chenglin’s wife.
  • Zhang Jishuai and other officers escorted Zhuang Yuqian from Zhuangfa Real Estate Company to a police car.
  • Ren Baoping ordered Guo Maosheng to release Zhuang Yuqian, but Guo argued that questioning her was necessary to protect Qiu Jingru’s life.
  • Guo Maosheng questioned Ren Baoping about concealing evidence of Xie Chenglin’s violations, leaving Ren silent.

Ch. 546Those who come mean trouble

Guo Maosheng’s attempt to expose Xie Chenglin’s crimes prompted Huang Zhongyi and Ren Baoping to detain him and suppress the evidence. When Zhou Yi arrived in Danqing City, he immediately asked about Guo Maosheng and the surveillance footage, leaving Ren Baoping trapped between conflicting answers.

  • Guo Maosheng told Ren Baoping he had handed evidence against Xie Chenglin to the Investigation Team and would not involve Ren.
  • Huang Zhongyi ordered Guo Maosheng suspended and directed Ren Baoping and Yang Hai to investigate and confine him while trying to destroy the footage.
  • Ren Baoping and Yang Hai had Guo Maosheng confined at the Case Investigation Center under the pretext of a disciplinary investigation.
  • Two days later, Zhou Yi arrived in Danqing City with Zeng Siming and Lin Zhixuan and demanded to see Guo Maosheng at the welcome meeting.
  • Yang Hai explained that Guo Maosheng was under investigation, while Huang Zhongyi claimed Xie Chenglin was absent on sick leave.
  • Zhou Yi asked whether the police had found surveillance footage at Qiu Jingru’s home, and Ren Baoping struggled to answer after Zhou revealed Guo had reported it to him.

Ch. 547Others laughed at his madness; he laughed at their blindness

Zhou Yi exposed that Guo Maosheng had sent surveillance footage to both the Inspection Team and the Investigation Team, forcing Liu Zongjun to investigate Xie Chenglin and Zhuang Yuqian impartially. Guo, held at the Case Handling Center, was visited by Danqing City's top officials, who apologized and sought to make amends, but he considered their repentance too late.

  • Ren Baoping denied that Guo Maosheng had reported the matter, and Liu Zongjun claimed he knew nothing about the footage.
  • Zhou Yi revealed the USB Drive containing surveillance footage from Qiu Jingru's home and handed it to Liu Zongjun for the investigation.
  • Liu Zongjun recognized that the footage implicated Xie Chenglin in illicit sexual relationships and Zhuang Yuqian in Qiu Jingru's kidnapping, and resolved to follow proper procedures.
  • Guo Maosheng ate calmly while Wu Zhidan questioned why he had risked opposing the Xie Family.
  • Huang Zhongyi, Jiang Zhentao, and Ren Baoping arrived with Yang Hai to apologize to Guo and offer to address his requests.
  • Guo Maosheng rejected their belated repentance as too late.

Ch. 548What was the difference? This was the fucking difference!

Zhou Yi questioned Liu Zongjun about the investigation into Xie Chenglin as the surveillance footage resurfaced and undermined the efforts to protect him. Xie Chenglin and his allies realized their influence might no longer save him, leaving his fate in Zhou Yi’s hands.

  • Huang Zhongyi urged Guo Maosheng to consider Danqing City's stability when speaking with the Investigation Team.
  • Liu Zongjun admitted that Guo Maosheng had submitted a corrupted video and said he had recommended filing a case review of Xie Chenglin.
  • Zhou Yi suspected Liu Zongjun was shifting sides and believed Xie Chenglin would not escape accountability.
  • Xie Chenglin learned that Zhou Yi had arrived with a USB drive containing the surveillance footage, wiping out his hopes that the evidence had been deleted.
  • Xie Chenglin and Qiu Jingru realized her husband might have installed cameras in their home, while Xie Zheng berated Xie Chenglin over the phone.
  • Dai Yinxiang, Zhuang Yuqian, and Xie Chenglin faced the possibility that their connections could no longer protect him from Zhou Yi.

Ch. 549If We Can Save Him, We Have to!

Xie Zheng decided to try to save Xie Chenglin from the consequences of his latest scandal, despite the risk to the Xie Family and Yan Huafeng's reluctance to intervene. He sent Xie Fangfei to Qingning to appeal to Jian Shuyue and planned other approaches to Zhou Yi, leaving escalation to the family elder as a last resort.

  • Xie Fangfei pleaded with Xie Zheng to help her brother, while Xie Qingtong blamed Xie Chenglin for repeatedly bringing disgrace on the family.
  • Xie Zheng weighed the danger of abandoning Xie Chenglin against the damage the scandal could cause the Xie Family and called Yan Huafeng for help.
  • Yan Huafeng said he could only ask the Discipline Inspection Commission to consider a suitable sanction and warned that interfering with a serviceman's marriage carried criminal liability.
  • Xie Zheng told Xie Fangfei to go to Qingning with a gift for Zhou Yi's newborn son and ask Jian Shuyue to persuade her husband.
  • Xie Zheng planned to approach Jian Wanyan and use an intermediary to negotiate with Zhou Yi, with involving the family elder as a last resort.

Ch. 550If Heaven Gave Him One More Chance...

Zhou Yi gained Guo Maosheng’s support as the provincial leadership moved to formally investigate Xie Chenglin. As the review team arrived to take Xie Chenglin in, a man stabbed him and surrendered, leaving Xie Chenglin bleeding on the ground.

  • Guo Maosheng admitted that Danqing City’s leaders had mishandled Xie Chenglin’s case and pledged his sincerity to Zhou Yi.
  • Zheng Qisheng ordered a formal investigation into Xie Chenglin, while Tao Beifang informed him that the investigation into Zhou Yi was ending without a case filing review.
  • Xu Jianxun arranged for the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to open a case filing review of Xie Chenglin.
  • On May 20, Gao Lian and three staff members arrived in Danqing City to take Xie Chenglin into custody for the review.
  • A lean, dark-skinned man recognized Xie Chenglin, stabbed him five times, and surrendered as the review team rushed to restrain him.
Arc 22 of 25