Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 109p1

Chapter 109 p1

Shao Qidong’s move from Hai City to Meng City had been thanks to Deputy Governor Xu’s support. In return, Shao Qidong had reciprocated over the years, both openly and covertly. Deputy Governor Xu wasn’t greedy for money, but he was obsessed with power.

Shao Qidong, catering to his desires, had invested heavily, utilizing his resources, even engaging in loss-making ventures, just to boost Deputy Governor Xu’s political achievements. He was in charge of economic development, and Shao Qidong had ensured his success in every position, which had clearly earned him Xu’s favor.

“Brother Xu, in your opinion, what will be the outcome of this… matter?”

They were alone in the private room today, so Deputy Governor Xu didn’t bother with pretenses, having called Shao Qidong here specifically to offer some guidance.

“Those two women aren’t simple, their programs these past few years have offended many people in Meng City, but their targets were all guilty, with evidence, and with Lao Li protecting them, those people could only endure it.”

Shao Qidong attentively served him food and refilled his wine glass; it seemed Deputy Governor Xu had a lot to say.

“But once they have a chance to retaliate, do you think they’ll just stand by and watch?”

Deputy Governor Xu scoffed, taking a bite of the braised beef, savoring its flavor.

Shao Qidong was well-versed in Meng City’s political landscape, he wanted to know who was behind this storm, after all, he was also in Meng City, despite the warning, he needed to understand the situation.

“You’re saying, those in Kyoto won’t act directly, they’ll use those people in Meng City instead?”

Deputy Governor Xu glanced at him disapprovingly, clicking his tongue. “Qidong, aren’t you supposed to be a shrewd businessman? Why are you becoming so naive? At this stage, do you really think they’ll just be pulling strings from afar? They’ve already extended their reach from Kyoto, do you really think they care about those small fry in Meng City? They’re just using them to muddy the waters, to create chaos.”

The word “chaos” made Shao Qidong frown, in business, chaos was the most undesirable situation, it meant uncertainty, unpredictable policies.

Deputy Governor Xu, having said enough, changed the subject, “How is your overseas branch doing? I’m asking about the real situation.”

Dongsheng had been showcased as a successful example of business transformation several times this year, both within the province and nationally, and he was tired of hearing those carefully crafted narratives.

“Everything is progressing as planned, just some personnel adjustments.”

“Personnel adjustments, at a time like this?”

Shao Qidong chuckled awkwardly and explained, “That financial expert I recruited from the US at a high price, Zhuo Cheng, do you remember him?”

Deputy Governor Xu thought for a moment, then nodded, “Yes, he was on Meng City’s list of high-priority talents last year, quite handsome, I heard Lao Li wanted him as his son-in-law.”

Shao Qidong shifted slightly, his leg having fallen asleep, his shoe scraping against the floor, the sound grating on Zhuo Cheng’s ears through the listening device, but having just heard his name mentioned, he had to endure it, he had to know what they were saying about him.

“I had intended for him to manage the US operations, to… clean up those patents and transfer them overseas, who knew he was so incompetent, messing things up over a woman.”

Deputy Governor Xu wasn’t particularly interested in this matter, but he understood, many young people made such mistakes, it wasn’t unusual.

“Are you still using him then?”

Shao Qidong, having also had a few drinks, said smugly, “Of course I am, he’s the one signing all those contracts, once the patents are transferred, someone has to stay behind and clean up the mess.”

“You want him to be the scapegoat?”

Shao Qidong didn’t just want Zhuo Cheng to take the blame for the illegal patent dealings, he planned to change the legal representative of Dongsheng after transferring the assets, appointing Zhuo Cheng as his replacement, all of Dongsheng’s debts would then fall on Zhuo Cheng.

Hearing his plan, Deputy Governor Xu scoffed, “You’re ruthless, ruining such a promising young talent.”

Zhuo Cheng’s fists clenched tightly, he wanted to confront Shao Qidong immediately.

Shao Qidong blew a smoke ring leisurely, “With his limited abilities and his lack of courage, if not for his few years of experience on Wall Street, he wouldn’t even be worth that much. Besides, I have… leverage over him, I can make him do whatever I want.”

Hearing about the “leverage,” Deputy Governor Xu was reassured and continued drinking, they didn’t care about Zhuo Cheng’s fate, he was just a pawn to be discarded after use.

Zhuo Cheng almost bit through his hand, suppressing his urge to confront Shao Qidong.

**

The storm arrived as expected, and although Li Wan and Qin Qianrou had been prepared, the impact was still significant.

First, there was an anonymous complaint against Li Wan, accusing her of using her father’s influence to advance her career at the television station, then, another complaint against Qin Qianrou, accusing her of violating regulations, of having unauthorized contact with informants, of deliberately misleading the public and sensationalizing news stories,

these were all work-related accusations, and the station didn’t make any immediate decisions, but they couldn’t ignore the complaints either, and this time, it wasn’t just the city government, officials from the provincial level were also involved, saying they had received complaints and were launching an investigation.

This was beyond the station’s internal authority, and Li Wan and Qin Qianrou were temporarily suspended, pending the investigation results, thankfully, it was still the initial stage of the investigation, and their freedom hadn’t been restricted.

Qin Qianrou invited Li Wan to her apartment, worried she might be upset, Shen Yiqiu knew about the situation, although concerned, she still believed justice would prevail.

“Sorry to impose on you again, freeloading and stealing your girlfriend’s attention.” Li Wan smiled at Shen Yiqiu, who was busy in the kitchen, her tone, however, not at all apologetic.

Shen Yiqiu felt that Li Wan, since getting together with Lin Shuangzhi, had become more and more… childlike. She had found it hard to imagine when Qin Qianrou first told her, the fiery and energetic Li Wan with the calm and quiet Lin Shuangzhi.

“Don’t worry about it, as long as you’re happy.” Having become more familiar with Li Wan, Shen Yiqiu no longer just blushed silently.

Li Wan turned to Qin Qianrou, clicking her tongue, “Qianrou, why has your little one become like this?”

Qin Qianrou, who had been reading the news, hearing Li Wan’s feigned complaint, couldn’t help but respond, “Like what?”

Li Wan was speechless, could she not see how protective Qianrou was of Shen Yiqiu? Oh well, being in their territory, I should be prepared for this.

“Nothing, she’s just becoming more and more adorable.”

Seeing Li Wan’s frustrated expression, Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but feel a little… amused.

She mentally rolled her eyes, chiding herself for such petty thoughts.

Li Wan suddenly sighed, “Living together is truly the best, just a turn of the head, a few steps, and you can embrace them.”

“Missing her?”

Li Wan had been busy with work lately, her brief weekend reunions with Lin Shuangzhi not leaving much time for sentimentality, but now, with so much free time, she couldn’t help but miss her.

She rested her chin on her hand, her voice slightly melancholic, “Especially these past few days, I keep thinking about her, and sometimes, it makes me angry, I don’t understand why,” she paused, then added, “Perhaps it’s because my period is about to start.”

The pressure had been immense, a constant barrage from all sides, even with her family’s support, it was still difficult to bear, and Qin Qianrou had also been feeling down lately, but she had Shen Yiqiu, they could lean on each other, find comfort in each other’s presence, while Li Wan was alone, the person she cared about so deeply far away in Yong City, although Lin Shuangzhi’s love and care were evident, the distance was still a painful reality.

“Don’t tell her, her family business is facing some challenges, I don’t want to add to her stress.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her with interest, “You’re the one who’s truly changed.”

Li Wan playfully glared at her, and they both chuckled, the earlier tense atmosphere dissipating slightly, and Shen Yiqiu, hearing their laughter from the kitchen, couldn’t help but smile,

Jiejies being happy made her happy.

**

Li Wan’s situation was relatively straightforward, her father, although the deputy mayor, his responsibilities weren’t related to the television station, and his reputation as an upright official was impeccable.

Lin Shuangzhi, ever meticulous, had kept detailed records of Li Wan’s work performance and achievements since she joined the station after graduating, and after thorough investigation, the only “flaw” they could find was that her family background had given her some advantages, but this was an external factor, her family wasn’t something she could control.

On the contrary, this investigation had only highlighted Deputy Mayor Li’s integrity and Li Wan’s own hard work and dedication, everyone had known Li Wan was a hard worker, but the extent of her dedication hadn’t been clear,

and Lin Shuangzhi’s records had provided undeniable proof.