Rebirth of Corrupt Officials

Zhang Xiaoli was now an important witness for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and was still under protection. How could something happen to her?

As Zhang Xiaoli’s former boss, Jiang Xiaochuan was qualified to visit.

Jiang Xiaochuan had seen Zhang Xiaoli’s movements with his own eyes—the warmth she showed when she touched her slight bulge. Now that the child was gone, how would Zhang Xiaoli feel…

In the last life, Zhang Xiaoli was Jiang Xiaochuan’s right-hand assistant. In this life, perhaps due to the butterfly effect, this assistant was replaced by the inexperienced Wei Lai. However, Jiang Xiaochuan still harbored a deep sense of concern for Zhang Xiaoli.

Although he was defined as a corrupt official in his previous life, it did not mean Jiang Xiaochuan didn’t have any impersonal skill. His ability to thrive in the officialdom was also related to his popularity.

Jiang Xiaochuan was the kind of person who was well-rounded and knew how to behave. There would always be people who encounter difficulties from time to time. Jiang Xiaochuan knew how to provide help when needed, so he could be said to be a good person at one time.

Even though he was a new employee in this life, because he adhered to be good official, he didn’t offend people very much, and his popularity in the municipal government was pretty good. His approachability was also his magic weapon to win.

In his early years at university, Jiang Xiaochuan worked many part-time jobs and already knew a lot about the world.

The more things a person had experienced, the more stable his or her temperament would be.

Jiang Xiaochuan suppressed the unnecessary emotions in his heart, told Wei Lai some things, and then left by car to go to the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University.

But he didn’t expect he couldn’t to see Zhang Xiaoli yet. He saw Lian Cheng outside the corridor. Several people were standing around Lian Cheng, but he just kept talking on the phone without any useful information in his expression.

Jiang Xiaochuan secretly thought that Lian Cheng was now finding things difficult, right?

Now he only knew that something happened to Zhang Xiaoli, and that message was sent by Rong Shaobai. He didn’t know how Rong Shaobai got involved with Zhang Xiaoli, and he didn’t know how something happened to Zhang Xiaoli.

All the news in front of Jiang Xiaochuan all disappeared. The incident happened suddenly, and there was no time to know the whole story.

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In any case, Zhang Xiaoli’s courage to expose Zhou Qian was somewhat influenced and hinted by Jiang Xiaochuan. Now that Zhang Xiaoli was like this, Jiang Xiaochuan felt very complicated, but he didn’t know what Zhang Xiaoli’s situation right now.

Jiang Xiaochuan wanted to visit the ward but was stopped.

“Sorry, the patients inside are of critical importance, and visits are not allowed for the time being.”

At the other end of the corridor, Lian Cheng finished his phone call and seemed to have finally agreed on something. He came over, saw Jiang Xiaochuan but did not speak. He just glanced at him. Then walked into the ward.

Things might be really serious.

Zhang Xiaoli was the direct witness who testified against Zhou Qian. She had been by Zhou Qian’s side for a long time, possessing a wealth of information and insider knowledge. She was a crucial asset for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, represented by Lian Cheng. He had relied on Zhang Xiaoli for quite some time now.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had always been highly protective of its witnesses. It was absolutely unforgivable such a significant mistake was made this time.

Lian Cheng knew in his heart there must be internal problems at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, but it was not the time to address them. Chengzhou was in chaos, and so was the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

There were also corrupt individuals within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection

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Entering the ward first, Lian Cheng found Zhang Xiaoli lying on the bed, her face pale with no trace of blood. She stared blankly at the ceiling, devoid of expression, as if her entire being had been hollowed out. She seemed lifeless, lacking the essence of a soul.

Despite facing numerous storms, Lian Cheng, during the internal reshuffle of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in recent years, positioned himself on the right team at the right time.

Among the younger generation of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, he was considered the most promising. If not for strict government requirements of experience and qualifications, Lian Cheng would have surpassed the deputy department level. However, despite his position, he didn’t know how to approach Zhang Xiaoli in this situation.

What did a ‘condolences’ even mean?

Zhang Xiaoli’s unborn child was her most cherished treasure. She agreed to testify against Zhou Qian, mainly for the sake of the unborn child. But now that the child was gone, the situation’s development was unpredictable.

Lian Cheng remained silent, but Zhang Xiaoli spoke first. Her pale, bloodless lips opened and closed, and her voice, weak but calm, uttered, “Deputy Director Lian, I want to see Mayor Jiang.”

Lian Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

After a moment, he began to doubt why this matter had anything to do with Jiang Xiaochuan and asked, “Give me a reason.”

“I used to be Mayor Jiang’s subordinate, and I still want to ask him many questions.” Zhang Xiaoli closed her eyes, as if she didn’t want to talk anymore.

The clerk recording Zhang Xiaoli’s words frowned and paused, then looked at Lian Cheng.

Lian Cheng shook his head and said to Zhang Xiaoli, “Actually, Mayor Jiang is outside now. We are afraid that he will disturb your rest, so we have not invited him in for the time being. Since you want to see him, then invite him in.”

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At that moment, Jiang Xiaochuan got through Rong Shaobai’s call for the first time.

“This is Rong Shaobai, Mayor Jiang -” Rong Shaobai over there paused, waiting for Jiang Xiaochuan to speak.

Jiang Xiaochuan had not figured out how Rong Shaobai would be related to Zhang Xiaoli. Could it be that Rong Shaobai had secretly bribed the people around him?

This kind of thing had happened before.

When he spoke, he deliberately lowered his voice: “President Rong, thank you very much for informing me about Zhang Xiaoli, but this Jiang has a question: How did President Rong know the news?”

The previous missed calls were all from Rong Shaobai, indicating that Rong Shaobai knew the news very early.

Perhaps Jiang Xiaochuan was overthinking, as Rong Shaobai explained on the phone: “She was discovered by my men. She was kidnapped, and the situation was very dangerous at the time. She was almost thrown directly into the river outside. Recently, people also knows that officialdom is darker than ours, and I didn’t dare to think much. She used to be your secretary. Anyway, after my men rescued her, her last words before she fell into a coma were for me to call you.”

Jiang Xiaochuan was silent. Zhang Xiaoli… was she trusting him very much?

In fact, she was a very good girl, but it was a pity she had been stained by this officialdom. No one knew whether she would be able to clear her name in the future.

Rong Shaobai didn’t wait for his response and said, “I’m in the hospital now. But it seems the people from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection have arrived a long time ago. It’s not convenient for me to show up. If I have time in the future – I hopes to talk to Mayor Jiang alone. I can’t explain clearly on the phone.”

Rong Shaobai was a businessman on the surface, but secretly he was also the largest underworld leader in Chengzhou. If he and Jiang Xiaochuan appeared together, it would probably be very troublesome, especially in front of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Rong Shaobai didn’t know that Jiang Xiaochuan had handed in the self-examination letter, and he took Jiang Xiaochuan’s situation into consideration when he acted. However, Jiang Xiaochuan thought it was nothing.

It was possible to associate with people like Rong Shaobai, but not deeply.

The interaction between him and Rong Shaobai could be limited to a very narrow range, as long as the bottom line was not touched.

So, Jiang Xiaochuan agreed, “Then we can make an appointment another day to talk about Zhang Xiaoli’s matter – thank you.”

Rong Shaobai chuckled softly over there, and Jiang Xiaochuan, who was watertight, saying ‘thank you’ really made people feel very complicated. He looked at the situation outside the corridor and could see Jiang Xiaochuan’s posture and movements through the reflection of the floor-to-ceiling windows. He took two steps back, stopped looking at the situation over there, and prepared to leave.

“Well, Mayor Jiang, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

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Just as Jiang Xiaochuan hung up the phone, he saw someone from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection coming out and walking towards him.

“Mayor Jiang, Miss Zhang Xiaoli wants to see you, can you come over?”

His words withstand scrutiny, and every word was appropriate. Even a scholar like Jiang Xiaochuan, with a literary background, couldn’t find anything wrong.

Jiang Xiaochuan didn’t ask why and just followed the man silently.

The smell of disinfectant in the ward was not as strong as in the corridor, and it felt much better after entering.

Jiang Xiaochuan’s gaze fell on the hospital bed. It had been only a few days, but the smart and capable Zhang Xiaoli in his memory had seemingly vanished, replaced by a lifeless figure.

Before entering the ward, Lian Cheng had subtly hinted to Jiang Xiaochuan, urging him to persuade Zhang Xiaoli to continue testifying in Zhou Qian’s case. Otherwise, the investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection might face a deadlock. Zhang Xiaoli was their trump card.

Jiang Xiaochuan offered a bitter smile, shaking his head and nodding.

For the first time, Lian Cheng smiled wryly and sighed, “It’s not easy for us in discipline inspection. Mayor Jiang, please show understanding.”

He entered the ward following Lian Cheng’s sigh. Zhang Xiaoli opened her eyes, and a speechless moment ensued.

She appeared to have crumbled suddenly. Reaching out, she covered her abdomen with a thin white quilt, opening her mouth in silent cries. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, falling into her hair and vanishing quickly into the pillow.

In this cold and unforgiving ward, before Jiang Xiaochuan’s quiet gaze, she transformed all her sorrow, anger, and resentment into silent sobs and tears.

Jiang Xiaochuan understood why she cried, why she shed tears, why she couldn’t find words…

She didn’t want to break down in front of others, didn’t want to appear defeated or cowardly, didn’t want to become a subject of ridicule. She aimed to rise from the hospital bed, to stand tall again.

She had paid an excruciating price for her choice. Failing to eliminate future troubles immediately, they now faced the prospect of Zhang Xiaoli’s endless revenge.

The most formidable force in the world wasn’t the cunning villain driven by desire; it was the desperate individual who no longer desired anything, harbored no fear, and stood unfazed.

Those lurking in the shadows would come to regret their decisions.

Jiang Xiaochuan believed he didn’t need to say anything.

After observing Zhang Xiaoli for a while, he turned around and closed the door in silence.

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As the door cracked shut, he caught a glimpse of Zhang Xiaoli’s whitened knuckles and slightly raised blue veins…

What price must one pay for their actions?

He, too, had made a choice. What might await him?