Official Career Storm
Chapter 637

Chapter 637: Chapter 637

"Oh?"

Xue He Ping was quite surprised; he had actually admitted it directly.

Zheng Bihui said, "Back then, there was an accident at a construction site in Lingjiang, and I was in charge of handling it. I visited the deceased’s family to offer my condolences. This Li Zhuang was a villager of one of the deceased."

"At the time, the deceased’s family members were rather emotional, and it was Li Zhuang who was busily dealing with everything. Afterwards, to thank him, I specifically invited him out for a meal."

"But who would have thought that Li Zhuang would take advantage of my name, pretend to be more important than he was, and slip into the town government, sneaking onto the payroll."

Zheng Bihui shook his head and sighed. "Alas, by the time I found out about this, he had already become the deputy mayor."

"I take responsibility for this matter. If I had asked An County to investigate his background at that time, this problem wouldn’t have occurred."

"Captain Xue, please record all of this and submit it to the provincial authorities. I accept any criticism and punishment from the province."

His words were earnest, his face radiating fearlessness and integrity.

Because he knew clearly that it was impossible to sever ties with Li Zhuang.

Rather than forcibly cutting ties, it was better to come clean proactively.

After all, his relationship with Li Zhuang was only that much.

As for these audio recordings, they couldn’t count for much.

Xue He Ping said, "I will report this to the province. Mayor Zheng, you will continue to come to work, but all official duties are to be suspended for the time being. This is not my request; it is a decision from the province. I hope you can cooperate."

Zheng Bihui’s heart felt a little lighter. "I will cooperate!"

Xue He Ping hummed in acknowledgment, stood up, and said, "Oh, by the way, I’ll be speaking with Director Xu shortly to further understand the situation."

"Also, Mayor Zhang of Panlong Town has been taken into custody. We will be talking to her too."

Leaving this statement behind, Xue He Ping left the conference room with a meaningful smile.

Zheng Bihui’s heart pounded.

He is going to speak with Xu Xin?

And Zhang Wei...

But why tell me this?

Zheng Bihui felt somewhat chaotic inside, unable to think and analyze objectively.

After leaving the station, Zheng Bihui stood by the roadside waiting for a car, immediately took out his phone, and called Secretary Lu.

"Secretary Lu..."

He recounted in detail his recent experiences and the last few words said by Xue He Ping, and then asked, "Secretary Lu, what do you think Captain Xue means by this?"

Secretary Lu chuckled lightly. "What else could it mean?"

"Li Zhuang provided so-called evidence which is a string of phone calls with someone unknown."

"Do you think Captain Xue would show you the evidence without conferring with the province?"

"Would the province not know that these calls can’t prove anything?"

Zheng Bihui said, "If they can’t be used as evidence, why show them to me?"

Secretary Lu said, "The calls themselves cannot be used as evidence, but the people mentioned in the calls could implicate you."

"Captain Xue’s last words were a reminder for you to reach an understanding with Zhang Wei and Xu Xin before he talks to them, to prevent this matter from escalating further."

"Captain Xue has no personal connection to you. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t take the initiative to warn you. If I’m not mistaken, it must be the province’s decision."

"Even if you truly had an affair with Zhang Wei and it was confirmed, it would only result in a notice and criticism. Such a punishment is neither light nor severe, but at such a critical moment, it still represents a negative impact."

"The province is considering the big picture; they don’t want to move against you. Do you understand?"

Thanks to Secretary Lu’s thorough analysis, Zheng Bihui’s thoughts suddenly became clear.

"I understand now!"

His mood finally lifted, as if clearing the clouds to see the bright moon, completely exhilarated.

Just as he was about to hang up the phone, Zheng Bihui remembered something else he hadn’t asked. "Secretary Lu, can you find out where Zhang Wei is being held for me?"

"Hmm."

At that moment, the taxi pulled up; he got in and went straight to the City Committee.

On the way, he received a call from Secretary Lu.

Zhang Wei was being held at An County Detention Center.

Upon arriving at the City Committee, he stood in the parking lot and called Xu Xin.

"Good day, Mayor Zheng."

"Director Xu, please come down here."

"Come down?" Xu Xin was perplexed.

"I’m in the parking lot; I have some work to assign to you."

Xu Xin always felt something was off—this was the City Committee, not the city government.

What business required personal attendance?

Moreover, why should the city government’s affairs be reported to the City Committee?

Despite her confusion, she didn’t think too much of it.

After all, the meeting place was the parking lot.

In a government unit, in an open area, he wouldn’t possibly do anything.

As Xu Xin walked, her posture was slightly awkward, occasionally, she inadvertently strained her thigh, causing a sour and painful sensation.

Arriving at the parking lot, she saw Zheng Bihui standing in the corner. She approached and stopped three meters away, "Mayor Zheng, what do you want to see me for?"

Seeing how she deliberately kept her distance, Zheng Bihui felt a surge of nameless anger in his heart.

But he knew that times had changed.

In the past, he could be aggressive, threatening, and could even forcibly take possession of her body without considering the consequences.

But now, that was no longer possible.

Wu Qiangwei was backing Xu Xin; if he wanted to make a move, he had to think twice about it.

"The provincial police will come to ask you about some matters. Director Xu, don’t say what you shouldn’t say,"

Zheng Bihui said in a low voice, "You understand what I mean."

The provincial office is coming to see me?

Xu Xin felt perplexed.

And "don’t say what you shouldn’t say," she didn’t quite understand either.

"What do you mean, Mayor Zheng?"

"Xu Xin, don’t play games with me, you know what I mean!"

Zheng Bihui said, "I warn you, if I am in trouble, don’t expect to have it easy! Remember, don’t talk nonsense!"

With those words, Zheng Bihui turned and left.

Xu Xin felt even more bewildered.

She returned to her office, completely distracted.

Zheng Bihui’s sudden threat left her in a state of panic, with thoughts swirling in her head.

Why would the provincial office be looking for her?

How was Zheng Bihui involved?

While she was unsettled, a knock on the door suddenly sounded, startling her so much that she almost knocked over the cup of tea in front of her.

"Come in."

A junior clerk stood at the door, "Director Xu, the leaders from the provincial office are looking for you."

"The provincial office? Alright, please let them in." Xu Xin maintained her composure without showing any flaws.

Soon after, Xue He Ping arrived.

He came alone.

Upon entering the office, the junior clerk poured some tea and then closed the door.

After Xue He Ping introduced himself, Xu Xin showed an appropriate amount of surprise, yet without any sign of nervousness.

Only those with a guilty conscience would be nervous.

Even though she was unclear about what Zheng Bihui’s words truly implied, Xu Xin had a clear conscience, never having engaged in any misconduct or disciplinary violations—she wasn’t afraid of investigation.

Xue He Ping asked, "Director Xu, when did you first get to know Mayor Zheng?"

Xu Xin replied, "My father died in an industrial accident, and it was a project under Mayor Zheng’s responsibility. He came to my home to offer condolences. That was my first encounter with Mayor Zheng."

Xue He Ping asked, "Someone reported that Mayor Zheng molested you during the time your mother passed away. Is there any truth to this?"

Xu Xin’s mind exploded with shock.

How did this information reach the provincial office?

Is this what Zheng Bihui warned her not to speak of?

Xu Xin’s lips quivered, unsure whether to acknowledge or deny the claim.

"I..." Xu Xin suddenly felt like she lost her backbone. After a while, she asked suddenly, "Captain Xue, may I go to the restroom?"

"Please do,"

Xu Xin hurried out of the office and rounded the corner to the outside of Wu Qiangwei’s office.

Song Guanchao looked up to see Xu Xin in a flustered state, "What’s wrong?"

"Secretary Song, can you come here for a moment?"

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