Chapter 56: Encouraging the Secretary-General to Show Goodwill

“Team leader, are you sure you want to file a report under your real name?”

Lu Yike was startled, staring at Yang Dong in surprise.

She had known Yang Dong would do something—after all, Tian Guanghan had already targeted Yang Dong’s family. If Yang Dong didn’t react at all, he’d be too much of a pushover. But she never expected he’d take this route. Filing a report under your real name? Reporting your own superior, your leader? Even if he succeeded in bringing down Tian Guanghan, Yang Dong’s own future would be destroyed.

“I know that the moment I file a report with my real name, my prospects will be over,” Yang Dong said. “No one appreciates a subordinate who reports on their leaders. It leaves a very bad impression. But a man, when pushed too far, will risk everything. Tian Guanghan has gone too far, using my family, taking his anger out on my brother. I will not let him off.”

Yang Dong’s expression was dark, anger burning in his eyes and refusing to die down.

Lu Yike sighed. She didn’t know how to persuade him. Yang Dong’s impulsiveness was a major taboo in official circles. She herself was prone to acting on impulse—whenever she encountered a corrupt official with solid evidence against them, she’d push forward with the investigation, even if her superiors disagreed. But she could afford to be impulsive; she had a powerful father at her back. Yang Dong didn’t have that. He was from a farming family, with no background. In the system, it was nearly impossible for someone like him to act on impulse.

She didn’t look down on him—she just understood how things worked inside the system. But seeing Yang Dong’s determination, she said nothing more. Their relationship was good, but not close enough for total honesty.

An hour later, Lu Yike drove back to the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission building. As soon as Yang Dong got out, he headed straight to the third floor, to the office of Wei Chonghu, the executive deputy secretary of the commission.

Why not go directly to Secretary Guan Mushan? Given his relationship with Guan Jiujou, Guan Mushan would surely take his case seriously. But it wasn’t about not wanting to go—it was about not being able to. The head of the commission’s investigation team was Wei Chonghu; as a member of the investigation team and the leader of the special task force, Yang Dong could only report to Wei. Going straight to Guan Mushan would be a glaring violation of political protocol, showing total disregard for Wei’s authority.

“Comrade Yang Dong, what’s the rush?” Before Yang Dong reached Wei Chonghu’s office, he ran into Ling Zhenting, the secretary-general of the commission, in the hallway.

Ling Zhenting was dressed in a black jacket, holding a thermos. Coming out of his office, he smiled at Yang Dong.

Yang Dong didn’t dare be disrespectful, even though Ling had targeted him before. But he’d only done so to give Vice Secretary Xu Yuncai face, and because his nephew Ji Hongyu had stirred things up. There was no real personal animosity between them, so Yang Dong harbored no grudge. Best not to make unnecessary enemies.

“Good morning, Secretary-General,” Yang Dong said politely, bowing slightly.

Seeing Yang Dong’s courtesy, Ling’s last trace of dissatisfaction melted away. His previous dislike had been entirely due to Xu Yuncai’s influence and his nephew’s instigation.

“How’s your hand?” Ling asked, pointing to Yang Dong’s injury. “I didn’t get a chance to visit after your accident. You’re not holding it against me, are you?”

“No need for such formality, sir. It’s almost healed. No trouble at all,” Yang Dong replied with a smile.

Since Ling was extending goodwill, Yang Dong responded with even greater courtesy. “Where are you headed?” Ling asked with another smile.

“I need to report something to Secretary Wei,” Yang Dong answered, maintaining his respectful tone. He didn’t expect any favors—he just hoped Ling wouldn’t go out of his way to make trouble for him in the future.

“Oh? Then let’s go together. I need to see the secretary as well,” Ling said, gesturing towards Wei’s office.

“Please, after you, Secretary-General,” Yang Dong said. “I’ll wait my turn.”

He knew his place—no matter how urgent his own business, he couldn’t cut ahead of a superior. Ling’s invitation was mere politeness; it would be disrespectful for a junior official like Yang Dong to walk in alongside the secretary-general.

“You young people—fine, wait outside for a bit, then,” Ling said, smiling as he knocked on Wei’s door and entered, thermos in hand.

Yang Dong could only stand in the hallway and wait.

“Team leader, weren’t you going in to see Secretary Wei? Why are you standing here?” Lu Yike arrived and asked in surprise. She’d taken longer because she had to park the car.

“The secretary-general is in there,” Yang Dong explained.

Lu nodded. “That explains it. Let’s wait, then.”

“Yike, what’s the status of the case against Gu Santong, the director of the city’s Education Bureau?” Yang Dong asked, remembering that their tenth task force was also handling Gu’s case.

Lu’s expression immediately grew serious. “Team leader, after several days of covert investigation, Jiang Hu and I are convinced that Gu Santong has committed serious acts of embezzlement. But we haven’t yet found where he’s hidden the money. Since we’re still investigating discreetly, we can’t make too much of a stir, or we might alert him. If we can just find where he’s stashed the cash, we’ll have enough to put him under double designation measures.”

She gave her report carefully. Though she was deputy section chief, Yang Dong was her team leader and deserved respect. She was proud and reserved, but never careless about her work. Fortunately, she respected Yang Dong as a leader. Anyone willing to risk their own safety and act as bait to crack a case was worthy of admiration.

“The place where Gu Santong hid the money…” Yang Dong’s gaze grew distant, his thoughts drifting.

He tried to recall memories from his previous life. Where did Gu Santong hide the money? Gaojiayuan Residential Complex? Or Gaojiayuan Square? He had a hazy recollection, but wasn’t sure. Still, it must be in that general area.

“He…”

Yang Dong was just about to tell Lu Yike the two places when the door to Wei Chonghu’s office opened with a click.

Ling Zhenting emerged, smiling broadly. “No need to see me out, Secretary Wei. I’m off now!” He pushed Wei gently back inside, declining the formality of being seen out by the deputy secretary. Then Ling spotted Yang Dong and Lu Yike. “Xiao Yang, go on in. Ah, Xiao Lu, you’re here too?” he said, his tone friendly. He even asked kindly, “Xiao Lu, how is your father’s health?”

Yang Dong glanced at Lu Yike, now understanding. No wonder, in his previous life, she had become the director of the seventh and third supervisory offices of the provincial commission by her forties, reaching sub-department rank. Without connections, it would have been impossible.

“Thank you for your concern, Secretary-General. My father is well,” Lu Yike replied with a slight smile.

“Good, good. I’ll report to your father some time. Go on in, don’t let me hold you up,” Ling said with a chuckle, returning to his office.

Yang Dong turned his gaze away from Ling, studying Lu Yike closely. No wonder…

“Yang Dong, how long do you plan to leave me waiting?” Wei Chonghu stood in the doorway, having watched Yang Dong stand there for ages. “What are you daydreaming about? Get in here!”

Yang Dong snapped back to reality. “Sorry, Secretary Wei, I was a bit distracted,” he apologized, hurrying into the office.

Lu Yike smiled faintly, understanding the reason for Yang Dong’s distraction—he was probably pondering her background. She said nothing, and silently followed him inside.