Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 293 Breaking the situation

Zhou Guohua, an engineer at the Municipal Construction Bureau, is an authority in the field of construction engineering quality in the city.

He's a very honest person, excellent at his job, and very upright, but he's also timid and sometimes hesitant to take things too seriously.

Jiang Xiaoli had a reason for including him in the investigation team this time.

On the one hand, he is highly professional and an authority in the industry; his endorsements are very persuasive.

On the other hand, he was honest and law-abiding, timid and afraid of trouble, and dared not take things too seriously.

If he were very serious, Jiang Xiaoli would be unlikely to let him join the investigation team.

"I see." Wu Zhiyuan understood. Jiang Xiaoli's choice of Zhou Guohua was indeed a wise one, utilizing his professional authority to endorse the report while also knowing his weakness of not daring to take things too seriously, ensuring that he wouldn't become a problem.

Yin Xueyao said, "Zhou Guohua refused Bi Yuan's gift shopping card, which is consistent with his cautious and meticulous personality."

But expecting him to voice public opposition, or even to report or expose wrongdoing, is probably difficult.

"I understand, Director Yin. There are quite a few people like Engineer Zhou within the system."

They are professional and have a sense of justice, but they are timid and fearful, or rather, they are self-protective and accustomed to seeking self-preservation under rules and pressure.

It's unrealistic to expect him to step forward and take the blame.

"Yes, with Engineer Zhou's professional expertise, he was fully able to see that the main cause of the bridge collapse was not force majeure, but the quality of the engineering."

He was also very frustrated and complained to me privately, but he felt powerless to help.

He knew very well that he couldn't change the overall situation on his own.

Wu Zhiyuan thought for a moment and said, "Actually, Director Yin, if you and Engineer Zhou can both stand up and provide key evidence, it is entirely possible to overturn the absurd conclusion that the bridge collapsed due to force majeure."

"Step forward? Provide evidence? County Chief Wu, do you think I don't want to?"

Do you think I would willingly sign the investigation report against my conscience?

Do you think I willingly close my eyes every night to see the eyes of the victims' families, to see that shoddy bridge that collapsed less than a year after it opened?

"Director Yin, I know you have many concerns, but think about it. Now you seem to be compromising to protect yourself, but in reality you are binding yourself to their pirate ship."

Jiang Xiaoli, Bi Yuan, and their gang can use leverage to force you to sign something today, and they can use the same methods to force you to do more things against your will tomorrow.

Once the truth is revealed in the future, as the signatory of the investigation report, you will not be able to escape blame, no matter how many difficulties you have.

But if you stand up now, you will not only be a hero for revealing the truth, but you will also be able to break free from their control and live with dignity.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I will try my best to communicate with Engineer Zhou."

He is timid, but that doesn't mean he lacks conscience.

If you are willing to take the lead and show him that you are not fighting alone, he may well be able to muster up his courage.

With Secretary Lin Xue backing us up, we have nothing to fear from those threats and intimidation.

You may only lose temporary peace, but you will gain a lifetime of innocence and an explanation for the four lives lost.

"County Magistrate Wu, it's not that I don't want to stand up, it's that I'm ashamed to!"

"Director Yin, don't be afraid. Even if you've made a mistake, it's not an irreparable one."

But signing a false investigation report is not only a grave mistake, but also a betrayal of one's own conscience, the expectations of the people, and the souls of the innocent victims.

If the conclusions of the investigation report are completely wrong, this is a meritorious act, and it can make amends for the mistakes.

Conversely, if you sign now and the conclusion is overturned in the future, you will be an accomplice who knowingly committed a crime, and you will never be able to wash away this stain for the rest of your life.

"No one will listen to your grievances then, no one will care that you were coerced; everyone will only remember that you signed that report covering up the truth, that you betrayed your profession, and that you let down those who lost their lives."

Yin Xueyao was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

She considered herself an upright person, despised the corruption in officialdom, and refused to associate with its bad practices.

Having served in officialdom for so many years, she can be described as an honest official.

However, unexpectedly, when she turned fifty, she fell for a handsome man's charm.

Actually, you can't entirely blame her.

Over the years, she has lived like a widow, as her husband never touches her.

She is a woman of flesh and blood, too.

In the quiet of the night, she also longed for a man's caresses.

That's why, when the handsome and masculine Ayu patiently coaxed and seduced her step by step, she could hardly refuse.

If she and her husband have a good relationship and he doesn't have extramarital affairs, she would never betray him.

In a sense, her falling for A-Yu was also partly an act of revenge for her husband's infidelity.

"County Chief Wu, I know you are a good person and a good official with a strong sense of justice, and you are deeply trusted by the people."

Your character is trustworthy. Sigh, I didn't want to say this, but after thinking it over, I'll be honest with you.

I'm fifty years old this year. I've worked at this company my whole life, always with a clean conscience. I've never taken anything I shouldn't have, and I've never done anything against my conscience.

People say behind my back that I'm rigid or cold-hearted, and I accept it all, because I stick to my principles.

But I never imagined that at my age, I would still fall for a man.

Ultimately, it's because I feel too empty and lonely.

My husband and I have a bad relationship. It's not even close; we're sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams, because we haven't slept in the same bed at all for the past few years.

Over the years, I've lived in an empty house, clinging to the so-called respectability of my marriage, living like a lonely person.

I am a woman too, and I also want someone to care for me and cherish me.

When Ah Yu appeared, I couldn't resist his sweet talk at all, and I quickly succumbed to him..."

"Looking back now, it was all a trap. What coincidence could there be attentive waiters at Bi Yuan's Biyuan Villa?"

That was a trap they had laid long ago, just waiting for me to fall into it.

The hidden camera in the room, with its disgusting images, became leverage for others to control me.

I dared not resist; I was afraid. I was afraid those videos would leak out, afraid people would say I was unchaste at my age, afraid my boss and colleagues would find out, afraid my daughter would find out.

Bi Yuan and Jiang Xiaoli knew exactly what I was doing and threatened me, saying that as long as I obeyed, they would pretend that nothing had happened.

"If you dare cause trouble, I'll ruin your reputation and make sure you can never hold your head up high again."

Wu Zhiyuan comforted him, saying, "Director Yin, thank you for trusting me and being willing to tell me the truth."

I understand your difficulties, and I understand your grievances even more.

This is not your fault. It is Bi Yuan and his gang who are too despicable and shameless, taking advantage of people's weaknesses to set up such a filthy trap.

The ones who are wrong are those who will stop at nothing for profit and treat life like dirt.

You just crave a little warmth, a feeling of being cared for, and there's nothing shameful about that.

If it were anyone else, enduring a cold marriage and lonely days, they would inevitably be moved by such deliberate tenderness and consideration.

Bi Yuan and his accomplices preyed on people's vulnerabilities, setting this despicable trap. They are the ones who deserve the most contempt.

Yin Xueyao burst into tears: "County Chief Wu, thank you for your understanding."

But now, I really don't know what to do.

The video was like a ticking time bomb in their hands.

If I sign, I'll become an accomplice; if I don't, they can ruin my reputation at any time. I feel like I've walked into a dead end.

Wu Zhiyuan said frankly, "Director Yin, you are older than me, so you are like an older sister to me."

Since you trust me so much, I'll tell you a few things from my heart. Of course, what I say might be wrong.

The video is with Bi Yuan, and it won't be easy to get it back.

Therefore, he always has leverage over you to control and threaten you.

How to resolve this? There are essentially two paths.

One option: I will speak with Secretary Lin in person to raise this issue. I believe Secretary Lin will handle it fairly.

Of course, you might receive a minor punishment. After all, the issue of your lifestyle has been confirmed.

Another option: Divorce your husband decisively.

As you said, it's not even a matter of sleeping in the same bed with your husband; in reality, you're living apart for a long time.

There's no need to continue this marriage.

The reason you didn't get a divorce before was probably because you were considering your daughter's feelings.

But now that your daughter is in college and an adult, she should understand your decision.

And if it really comes to that, you can tell your daughter the truth. I believe she can distinguish right from wrong and know that you were framed. She will only feel sorry for the grievances you have suffered over the years and will never blame you.

Once you're divorced, you're a single woman, and regardless of A-Yu's motives, he's a single man.

No one has the right to interfere when two single men and women are together.

As for the age difference, that's not a problem at all.

The videos that Bi Yuan possessed were no longer of any real significance.

If he dares to post it online, that would be disseminating obscene videos, a criminal offense.