Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 132 Confiscating Property

With approval, the task force decided to search Chen Zhenglei's residence and Wang Xingxing's villa.

There is no specific order between detention and house search. Nor does detention necessarily lead to house confiscation.

Chen Zhenglei's home is located in an old municipal party committee compound. The house is not large and the decoration is simple.

The bulky, oversized television in the living room was particularly eye-catching, and the furniture consisted mostly of old items.

All of this seems to confirm the image of integrity that Chen Zhenglei has cultivated in his daily life.

Chen Zhenglei's wife, Sun Li, a bespectacled, quiet middle-aged teacher, showed strong resistance to the search.

She excitedly said to Ding Yiyi, who was leading the team, "Secretary Ding, this is a miscarriage of justice! Has someone framed Old Chen?"

I know Old Chen better than anyone! He's been a cadre for so many years, and he's always been incorruptible!

Everything we eat and use at home, isn't it all thanks to our combined salaries?

People often come to his door with gifts, but he always yells at them and throws them out, along with the gifts!

Several times, in a fit of anger, he threw things directly into the hallway; the neighbors across the hall can testify to that. How could he possibly be corrupt?

During the search, no major anomalies were found, except for a bankbook with more than one million yuan and a property certificate for a house purchased this year.

Sun Li explained, "This deposit of over one million yuan represents the savings of my husband and me accumulated over many years."

We both have high salaries, and we live frugally. Our income is completely legal, and you can check our salaries.

This new house was purchased at the beginning of this year, and it hasn't been renovated yet. The purchase price mainly came from compensation received when I bought a house last year.

We bought a house in Longteng Jiayuan last year, but the developer sold it to someone else. Mr. Chen said it was a double sale, and the developer was in breach of contract. They not only have to refund the money, but also bear the liability for breach of contract.

I sued, hired a lawyer, and the developer paid me over a million yuan in compensation. There's a court judgment; it's all legal and reasonable. Is there anything wrong with that?

Sun Li spoke calmly, her eyes were open and honest, and she did not hesitate at all when mentioning the amount of compensation.

Wu Zhiyuan observed her expression closely; it didn't seem like she was lying.

In cases of official corruption, some spouses not only know about it but also participate in it, and sometimes the whole family gets involved.

However, some people don't let their spouses know, fearing it will implicate their relatives, because if something happens, both husband and wife will be investigated, and their children will be left helpless.

Chen Zhenglei may have concealed his corrupt practices very well, even deliberately keeping them from his wife, with whom he shared a bed.

He may have wanted to protect his family, or he may have had other considerations.

But the result is that Sun Li may truly be unaware of her husband's other side and still live in the carefully constructed illusion of integrity he created.

After completing the initial search of Chen Zhenglei's home, Wu Zhiyuan consulted Ding Yiyi and received her approval.

He walked up to Sun Li, who was still emotional and firmly believed that her husband was innocent, and said, "Teacher Sun, we understand how you feel."

Next, we need to go to another location to conduct a lawful search.

To facilitate the verification of certain information and to give you a more comprehensive understanding of your husband, please cooperate with us and accompany us.

Sun Li paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Another place? Where to? Why do you want me to go?"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "You'll see when you get there. Please believe me, we are handling this case according to the law."

The car stopped in front of the impressive detached villa in Longhu Taohuayuan.

Looking at the luxurious environment before her, so different from her own home, Sun Li felt uneasy, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.

Does her husband have another family outside of his marriage?

This was hidden way too well?

Even his bedmate was kept completely in the dark?

When Wu Zhiyuan led his team into the villa, Wang Xingxing and her mother were standing in the living room with panicked expressions.

They stayed indoors and were severely behind on the news, only just learning that Chen Zhenglei had been arrested.

At this moment, they are in a state of extreme anxiety.

With Chen Zhenglei arrested, will this villa be confiscated? Will the ill-gotten gains Chen Zhenglei received also be confiscated?

Wang Xingxing was extremely flustered inside, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Who are you? What right do you have to break into my house? Do you have a search warrant?"

In fact, Wang Xingxing had already recognized Wu Zhiyuan.

Wu Zhiyuan and Sun Runcai came here last time.

Wu Zhiyuan presented the relevant documents and said with a serious expression, "We are staff members of the Longcheng City Discipline Inspection Commission, and we are conducting a search here in accordance with the law. Please cooperate."

The search proceeded methodically.

The exquisite wooden photo frame on the TV cabinet in the living room was still there. Wu Zhiyuan handed it to Sun Li: "Teacher Sun, look at this."

As Sun Li watched, her face turned ashen.

In the photo, her husband is holding a baby in his arms.

The young and beautiful Wang Xingxing nestled affectionately beside him, her face radiant with happiness.

The background is not local, but the "My Heart Resonates with Yours" pavilion at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in West Lake, Hangzhou.

This is clearly a heartwarming family portrait.

"No...this can't be! This is fake! They're not a family! Someone is trying to harm Old Chen!"

Sun Li screamed hysterically. She already knew what had happened, but she just couldn't face reality and couldn't believe that her husband of more than 20 years could be this kind of person.

Wu Zhiyuan calmly said, "Teacher Sun, please calm down. We have sufficient evidence to prove that Chen Zhenglei has maintained an improper relationship with Wang Xingxing for a long time. This villa was also purchased by him for his lover, Wang Xingxing, and they even have a son together. The photos are just one piece of evidence."

Wang Xingxing tried to argue: "Chen Zhenglei is my husband Chen Jun's cousin. Chen Jun and I are the legally married couple. We have a marriage certificate."

The child was born to me and Chen Jun, and Chen Jun is the father listed on the birth certificate.

"Is there anything wrong with Chen Zhenglei, as an elder, taking a photo with us?"

Wu Zhiyuan said seriously, "Wang Xingxing, stop hoping for the best! Chen Jun has already admitted that his marriage to you is a formality, arranged by his uncle Chen Zhenglei!"

You are young and beautiful, will you marry a disabled man who has suffered from polio since childhood and whose family is destitute?

How could he afford to buy you a luxury villa? His family doesn't own any mines, they only have a few acres of barren land!

Furthermore, Chen Zhenglei has admitted that you are his mistress! What's the point of your denials now? Do you want me to show you the video?

Finally, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, muttering in despair, "It's over, it's all over..."

Seeing Wang Xingxing collapsed on the ground, Sun Li's last hope of defending her husband was completely shattered.

A tremendous sense of deception and betrayal overwhelmed her like a tsunami!

More than 20 years of marital affection, and the image of her honest and upright husband that she had trusted for more than 20 years, vanished in an instant!

Extreme anger, grievance, and humiliation caused her to lose her mind instantly. Like an enraged lioness, she pounced on Wang Xingxing, who was slumped on the ground, and frantically grabbed her hair and face.

"You vixen! You seduced my husband! You ruined my family! I'll fight you to the death!"

Wu Zhiyuan stepped forward and pulled Sun Li aside: "Teacher Sun! Calm down! The main responsibility for this problem lies with Chen Zhenglei! Please control your emotions!"

Sun Li burst into tears, crying, "Chen Zhenglei! You've deceived me so badly! How could you do this to me! How could you do this to our family..."

Amidst the chaos in the living room, a staff member reported, "A hidden room has been discovered in the basement!"