Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 123 A New Backer

After get off work, Wu Zhiyuan worked overtime in the office until eight o'clock before walking to Lin Xue's dormitory area.

Only after confirming that no one was around did he knock on the door.

What caught people's attention was that Lin Xue wasn't dressed in black tonight, but in pink pajamas.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Wu Zhiyuan would have thought Lin Xue was only wearing black.

"You're here, come in quickly." Lin Xue stepped aside to let Wu Zhiyuan into the house, then casually closed the door. "Didn't see anyone you know?"

"No." Wu Zhiyuan wanted to be a secret agent. When he went to Wang Xingxing's house, he acted like a secret agent; when he came to Lin Xue's house, he also acted like a secret agent.

"Secretary Lin, where does the layout need to be adjusted?"

"Zhiyuan, don't call me Secretary at home, just call me Sister Lin." Lin Xue smiled slightly.

Wu Zhiyuan never saw Lin Xue smile at work, not even when she was with Xu Youwei.

However, in private settings where it was just the two of them, Lin Xue laughed more than once, and even asked him to call her "Sister Lin".

It was only when I helped her move last time that I discovered why Lin Xue thought so highly of him: he looked exactly like her boyfriend from when she was young.

Lin Xue led Wu Zhi towards the study: "This is the study. I feel that the arrangement of the bookshelves and desk is not quite right, and I would like to rearrange them. I really can't move them by myself, so I'll have to trouble you."

The study is small, with two solid wood bookshelves against the wall and a large desk in the center, making it feel a bit cramped.

Wu Zhiyuan rolled up his sleeves and looked her over. "Sister Lin, how would you like to adjust it?"

"I want to put these two bookshelves side by side against this wall," Lin Xue said, pointing to the longer wall. "I'll move the desk under the window so the light will be better and the space will feel more open."

Wu Zhiyuan first tested the weight of the bookcase. The bookcase was made of solid wood and was indeed quite heavy.

He pushed hard, and Lin Xue helped support him from the side. The two worked together seamlessly and carefully moved the heavy furniture.

After much effort, the bookshelf and desk were finally put in place.

The study now appears much more spacious and bright.

"Great, that's settled then, Zhiyuan, thank you for your hard work." Lin Xue handed Wu Zhiyuan a bottle of mineral water. "Take a break and have some water."

Lin Xue brought up Chen Zhenglei's case: "Chen Zhenglei has been operating in Longdong District for many years, from the township to the district, and has a deep foundation."

He had a powerful backer, namely Sang Jiaquan. Sang Jiaquan also had a close relationship with Zhang Xiaotian.

"By the way, Zhiyuan, during the last move, I remember you implied that your ex-girlfriend's disappearance was related to Sang Jiaquan?"

During the massage after the last move, Wu Zhiyuan talked a lot, including about his ex-girlfriend Su Taohong and the entanglement between Su Taohong and Sang Jiaquan.

"Sister Lin, I discovered from Su Taohong's 'suicide note' that Sang Jiaquan owns an apartment in an old neighborhood. That apartment might be his treasure trove..."

Wu Zhiyuan then recounted the story of the treasure pavilion.

During his last massage, he hadn't yet discovered the "suicide note."

Lin Xue was surprised: "Really?"

Wu Zhiyuan took out a digital photo of Su Taohong's "suicide note" from his phone and showed it to Lin Xue.

He also sent Lin Xue a video of him scouting out what he suspected was Sang Jiaquan's treasure vault.

"Zhiyuan, if the judgment is true, and that place really is the den where the Sang family hid their stolen money and goods, then this is a bombshell, and its power may far exceed that of the Chen Zhenglei case."

However, the Sang family are all provincial-level officials, and our municipal discipline inspection commission indeed has no authority to directly initiate an investigation against them. I will report to the provincial discipline inspection commission once I discover any important leads.”

Wu Zhiyuan tentatively offered his idea: "Sister Lin, could we focus our efforts on investigating Chen Zhenglei's case now?"

Chen Zhenglei was a close confidant of Sang Jiaquan, and many shady dealings likely involved or were facilitated by him.

If we can find a breakthrough with Chen Zhenglei and obtain direct evidence of his accusations against Sang Jiaquan, wouldn't that logically lead to Sang Jiaquan's arrest?

Lin Xue nodded: "Your approach is correct. Going from the bottom up and from the outside in is one of the safest and most effective strategies for investigating and prosecuting cases involving multiple individuals or related cases."

This tactic of investigating low-ranking, high-profile underlings to break through the more powerful, deeply hidden behind-the-scenes figures is a tried-and-true method.

Zhiyuan, you guys consolidate the evidence further. When the time is right, set up a special task force, concentrate our superior resources, and strive for a major breakthrough in the case in the shortest possible time…”

After chatting for a while, Lin Xue suddenly said, "Zhiyuan, the shoulder and neck massage you gave me last time was very effective. Could you give me another one?"

"Sister Lin, of course you can." Wu Zhiyuan agreed without hesitation.

In officialdom, without a powerful backer, it's difficult to move an inch.

Lin Xue is the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Although her status and power cannot be compared with Ai Kun's, the Discipline Inspection Commission system is relatively independent. If the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission disagrees, Ai Kun has no right to adjust the candidate for the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

However, the division of responsibilities among the other standing committee members can be decided by the municipal party committee standing committee itself.

Wu Zhiyuan knew very well that if Lin Xue hadn't asked for Xu Youwei to be demoted, he would most likely have been sent to a low-ranking, insignificant government office.

With Lin Xue around, he was able to truly gain a foothold in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, instead of being as helpless as a duckweed in the wind.

In officialdom, there are few who add flowers to brocade, and many who kick someone when they're down. He was in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, and no one dared to despise him, because many people had dirty hands. The Commission for Discipline Inspection was like a sword hanging over one's head, and no one could say for sure when that sword would fall on their head.

There is no doubt that Lin Xue is the new backer.

Lin Xue sat down with her back to Wu Zhiyuan and relaxed her body.

Wu Zhiyuan stood behind her, clearing his mind of all distractions, and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. Through the soft fabric of her pajamas, he focused on using acupressure and kneading techniques, applying moderate pressure to relax her.

The massage lasted for more than 20 minutes, and Lin Xue felt that the soreness in her shoulders and neck had been relieved by most, and she felt much more relaxed.

Lin Xue stood up: "Alright, Zhiyuan, thank you for your hard work. I feel much better. Your cooking really solved a big problem for me."

After a while, she seemed to remember something, and a girlish shyness appeared on her face: "Zhiyuan, my back, near my spine, sometimes feels very sore and stiff. It's probably a problem caused by long hours of sitting at a desk."

If you have time and it's convenient for you later, could you please press that spot for me as well?

Wu Zhiyuan immediately said, "Sister Lin, please don't be so polite. It's my duty to help alleviate your discomfort. How about we do it now?"

"No, no, let's skip it today. You just helped me move such heavy furniture and massaged my shoulders for so long, you must be tired too."

Massage is also a physically demanding job; we can't treat you like a laborer.

Let's talk about it another day, when we have time.

Lin Xue glanced at the clock on the wall and continued, "It's getting late. You have to go to work tomorrow, so go home and get some rest. You've had a long day."

"Sister Lin, you're too kind. I'm not tired. Okay, you should get some rest too. Just let me know if you need a back massage."

After leaving Lin Xue's residence, Wu Zhiyuan did not return to his own rented room, but went to Lin Keke's apartment.

Lin Keke didn't get back until after 9 p.m.

Since arriving at Institute 942, Lin Keke has only come back once or twice a week.

After their tender moment, Lin Keke nestled in Wu Zhiyuan's arms and suddenly said, "Zhiyuan, there's something I need to tell you. The institute has arranged for me to go to Beijing tomorrow for a closed-door training program that will last for about a month."

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback: "Go to Beijing for training? What kind of training?"

"It mainly involves some cutting-edge technical theories and security and confidentiality procedures."

This training may be more than just a simple learning experience.

After the training, there might be new work arrangements at headquarters, and I might not necessarily return to work in Longcheng.

At that moment, Wu Zhiyuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The warmth from their earlier intimacy vanished, leaving him feeling icy cold all over.