It was midday at the Jiangbin No. 1 Clubhouse.
An Audi Q7 SUV pulled up in front of the clubhouse, and a waiter quickly offered valet parking. Chen Yang handed the car keys to the waiter, along with a 100-yuan bill.
The waiter accepted the keys and money with delight, thanking him profusely.
In China, tipping wasn't a common practice, and Chen Yang rarely gave such a generous tip.
On the passenger side, Guo Li also got out of the car. Three days of being "double-regulated" had left him looking haggard. The physical exhaustion was secondary; the main problem was the immense mental pressure. Several times he had almost collapsed.
But now, everything was alright. After the storm, a beautiful rainbow should appear! Guo Li stood beside the SUV, overwhelmed with emotion.
When the secretary of the Rongcheng Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection personally went to the railway hotel to announce the lifting of the "double regulation" measures against him and his immediate resumption of work, Guo Li still felt like he was in a dream. These past few days had felt like a rollercoaster ride, a thrilling and dramatic ups and downs.
Stepping out of the railway hotel, he breathed in the first breath of free air. Immediately, Guo Li saw Chen Yang, who had come to greet him. When Chen Yang mentioned preparing a calming lunch, Guo Li didn't refuse; he was eager to know what had happened in the past few days, and how the situation had reversed so quickly.
Listening to Chen Yang's casual recounting, Guo Li learned that Fan Changtian, the deputy secretary of the Zhonglou District who had been all-powerful just yesterday, was now a prisoner. Moreover, Guo Li could vaguely sense that this young man in his early twenties beside him had orchestrated Fan Changtian's swift downfall.
Although Fan Changtian's downfall was his own fault, a consequence of his own actions, the immediate trigger was Fan Changtian's attempt to manipulate the demolition compensation issue, targeting Chen Yang. These were all results of Chen Yang's swift and decisive counterattack.
Understanding these connections, Guo Li felt Chen Yang became even more mysterious. The sheer power behind him, the ability to urge the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to take such swift and decisive action, and the resulting shockwaves throughout the Zhonglou District's officialdom, instilled a sense of awe in Guo Li.
"Director Guo, I'm sorry you've suffered these past few days!" Chen Yang's smile was radiant as he led Guo Li into the clubhouse. "Why don't you call your wife to let her know you're safe? She's been so worried!"
"Right, right! I almost forgot." Remembering this, Guo Li quickly pulled out his phone to call his wife.
Two waitresses in red cheongsams stood at attention outside the private room. Seeing Chen Yang and his companion approach, they quickly opened the door and bowed in unison, saying, "Welcome!"
As soon as Guo Li entered the room, a hearty voice rang in his ears:
"Haha! Old Guo! I knew you'd be alright! Come on, eat this bowl of pig's feet noodles first, it'll ward off the evil spirits!"
Guo Li looked closely and saw Xie Fangzhi standing there, smiling, holding a bowl of pig's feet noodles.
"Director Xie..." Guo Li felt a surge of warmth, and his eyes welled up with tears.
Chen Yang had told him on the way that since his accident, his former boss, Xie Fangzhi, had been working tirelessly for him, but Xie Fangzhi's abilities were limited and he couldn't offer much help. However, this kindness was invaluable.
True friendship is revealed in times of trouble! Xie Fangzhi handed the pig's feet noodles to Guo Li, then patted him on the shoulder with a smile, saying,
"Old Guo! This time we were able to turn the tide thanks to Chen Yang! You should toast him a few times later..."
Guo Li nodded repeatedly, understanding without words.
At this moment, a person in the corner of the private room walked up to Guo Li with their head down, saying shamefully,
"Director Guo, I'm sorry..."
Seeing Song Xiaoyun, Guo Li's face darkened. At the railway hotel, the district discipline inspection commission staff had shown Guo Li Song Xiaoyun's testimony, hoping to break down his defenses. Therefore, Guo Li was fully aware of Song Xiaoyun's actions.
He had treated Song Xiaoyun well in the demolition office; the young woman was meticulous and attentive, earning Guo Li's deep trust. Guo Li never imagined that such a trusted subordinate would betray him, almost delivering a fatal blow.
Now that Song Xiaoyun was standing before him, Guo Li's resentment was palpable. He stared coldly at her, saying nothing. The atmosphere in the private room became extremely awkward.
Seeing this, Chen Yang stepped forward and said,
"Director Guo, I asked Sister Xiaoyun to come. She already knows she was wrong. This is a long story; let's sit down and I'll explain it to you slowly..."
Guo Li could be stern with Song Xiaoyun, but he couldn't disrespect Chen Yang, so his expression softened slightly. However, he still ignored Song Xiaoyun and went straight to his seat.
This time, Chen Yang didn't refuse, taking the seat of honor without hesitation, and then gestured for Xie Fangzhi and Song Xiaoyun to sit down as well.
"Xiaoyun, sit next to Director Guo. You can offer him a few drinks to apologize later."
Song Xiaoyun's eyes were red. She glanced quickly at Guo Li, who sat there with a livid face, offering no response. She hesitated.
"Old Guo!" Xie Fangzhi intervened, "Why are you arguing with a little kid? Say something!"
Guo Li reluctantly said, "Xiao Song, please sit down!"
Song Xiaoyun nodded with relief and timidly sat down next to Guo Li.
Chen Yang signaled the waiter to serve the dishes, then personally poured drinks for Guo Li and the others before smiling and saying, "Director Guo, I know this meal will be unpleasant if things don't get clear. Before we eat, I'll explain things to you on behalf of Xiaoyun…"
Song Xiaoyun would be a key member of his company in the future, and Chen Yang needed to consider her needs. He immediately recounted Song Xiaoyun's family situation to Guo Li in detail. When he spoke of how Song Xiaoyun, under Xu Maorong's coercion and inducement, took the 50,000 yuan, gave false testimony against her will, and felt her conscience was deeply troubled, Song Xiaoyun couldn't help but sob softly.
"That's roughly what happened, Director Guo. Xiaoyun was confused for a moment, and she was truly desperate, which led her astray. Now she deeply regrets it. This morning she voluntarily confessed everything to the organization, which is why you were able to regain your freedom so quickly!"
Chen Yang paused, then continued:
"So… please forgive Xiaoyun! She mustered up a lot of courage to come here today."
"Director Guo, I'm sorry… I… I'm so sorry!" Song Xiaoyun couldn't help but sob uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. Guo Li's heart softened upon hearing Chen Yang's words. Seeing Song Xiaoyun's remorseful tears, he couldn't help but sigh, his expression softening considerably. He said,
"Xiao Song, your family's situation is so difficult, why didn't you report it to the organization? If you had spoken up, everyone would have helped you!"
Song Xiaoyun sobbed,
"Director, I was afraid of causing you trouble... but I really couldn't hold on any longer. I borrowed all the money I could, and later I couldn't even afford my father's basic dialysis fees, let alone a kidney transplant... I... if I didn't take that money, my father would die..."
"Foolish! You dared to take such ill-gotten gains..." Guo Li couldn't help but rebuke her with heartache, "Now you might even lose your job, wouldn't that be even worse? What about your father?"
Song Xiaoyun was already filled with remorse, and now she couldn't hold back her tears any longer, looking utterly pitiful. After a long pause, Guo Li sighed and asked,
"Xiao Song, what are your plans now? I reckon this matter is so serious, you'll definitely be expelled from the Party and dismissed from your public office…"
"Expulsion from the Party and dismissal from public office" means being expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office, which is tantamount to the end of a person's political life.
"Mr. Fang is willing to hire me to work for his company… and he has already lent me 100,000 yuan, which will help me get through this difficult time for now," Song Xiaoyun said softly, glancing gratefully at Chen Yang.
"Oh?" Guo Li also looked at Chen Yang with great surprise, feeling extremely admiring.
Although Song Xiaoyun's actions had put Guo Li in a very passive position, they had indirectly made her an accomplice of Fan Changtian in dealing with Chen Yang. He never expected that Chen Yang would disregard past grievances and even repay evil with kindness by helping Song Xiaoyun; his magnanimity was truly remarkable! Chen Yang, feeling a little embarrassed by the stares from Guo Li and Xie Fangzhi, scratched his head and said,
"Director Xie, Director Guo, please don't look at me like that! It's making me a little uneasy… Sister Xiaoyun is a rare talent; she just made a mistake in a moment of confusion. Since she can no longer serve the country, of course I can't waste her talent! She will be an important backbone of our company in the future!"
Song Xiaoyun, feeling a little embarrassed by Chen Yang's praise, blushed slightly.
After clearing things up, Guo Li generously forgave his past grievances. Chen Yang then raised his glass, smiling, and said,
"Director Guo! A near-death experience is sure to bring good fortune. Come, let's all toast Director Guo, wishing him great success and a bright future!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" Guo Li smiled and raised his glass, clinking glasses with Chen Yang and the others in turn. After this incident, Guo Li considered himself one of Chen Yang's trusted followers. He knew Guan Weiping would soon be demoted to acting mayor of Rongcheng City, and given the close relationship between Guan Weiping and Chen Yang, as long as he followed Chen Yang's lead, his future was promising. At Guo Li's age, there was still considerable room for advancement in his career.
"Director, this is my apology. Because of me, you've suffered so much injustice. I'm truly sorry!"
Song Xiaoyun poured herself a full glass of baijiu (Chinese white liquor), more than three ounces, stood up, bowed deeply to Guo Li, and said:
"I'll drink it all! Please, help yourself..."
With that, Song Xiaoyun tilted her head back and gulped down the strong baijiu. Before Guo Li could stop her, Song Xiaoyun had already finished the entire glass, choking and coughing incessantly until tears streamed down her face.
Guo Li could only shake his head helplessly, gently patted Song Xiaoyun's shoulder, and said earnestly,
"Xiaoyun, when you work at Chen Yang's company, you must do your best and not let him down!"
After saying that, Guo Li also readily downed a small glass of baijiu.
Immediately afterwards, Song Xiaoyun poured herself a full glass of baijiu and toasted Chen Yang. Seeing Song Xiaoyun's heartfelt emotion, Chen Yang didn't stop her and smiled as he drank with her.
After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Yang raised his glass and said,
"Director Xie, Director Guo, I might invite Director Lu Mingjun of the Cultural Industry Creative Park to dinner in a few days. I hope you two will grace us with your presence!"
With this matter basically settled, Chen Yang began to consider the issue of contracting the city radio station's 89.6 frequency. And once he successfully secured this frequency, the station's operation would require the help of Xie Fangzhi, a leader from the Housing Management Bureau.
The radio station's revenue primarily comes from advertising. While substantive negotiations haven't yet begun, Chen Yang's sights have already been set on Xie Fangzhi, who possesses extensive connections with real estate developers.
Real estate advertising is an extremely tempting pie!