Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 90 Sister-in-law, this is our secret

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Yan's eyes: "Sang Jiaquan is such a womanizer? But how can he manage to be a womanizer while still getting promoted?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled wryly, "It's not just the Sang family that's involved. By the way, sister-in-law, how did Su Taohong get involved with Sang Chenglong?"

Liu Yan slowly said, "Sang Chenglong is a private enterprise owner who mainly does GG business. He has cooperation with provincial and municipal TV stations. Relying on his father's power, he has undertaken GG business for many companies."

Besides his business dealings with GG, he also invested in a friend's company, which is involved in businesses such as microloans and elderly care.

He inherited his father's womanizing genes, and since he wasn't in the system, he didn't have as many concerns.

He is still unmarried and is the most eligible bachelor in Longcheng, but he is never short of women.

Peach Blossom is pretty, so he probably had his eye on her.

Peach Blossom, maneuvering between the two of them, may have uncovered some secrets. She's practically playing with fire.

Wu Zhiyuan sighed softly: "She's not just playing with fire! She's right in the center of an extremely dangerous vortex!"

The Sang family, father and son, are a formidable force: one a cunning and deeply entrenched veteran of the political arena, the other a ruthless and unscrupulous business tycoon. For Su Taohong to become entangled in this twisted relationship is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger!

Liu Yan chimed in, "Yes, Zhiyuan, you're absolutely right."

Based on my understanding of Tao Hong over the years, she's a bit clever, but not the particularly scheming type. How could she possibly outmaneuver the Sang family father and son?

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Sister-in-law, before Su Taohong disappeared, did she give you anything? Or say anything special?"

"She didn't give me anything, but once I reminded her that the Sang family father and son were just playing with her, and in the end, she would still be abandoned."

She told me that she knew this day would come, and she just wanted to make some money because she had never been well-off since she was a child.

She told me mysteriously that she had left behind a "protective charm".

At the time, I just thought she was talking nonsense because she watched too many TV dramas, and I didn't take it to heart...

On another occasion, she also said, "Neither father nor son are good people, they're both ruthless..."

"A 'talisman'?" Wu Zhiyuan frowned. "What could it be? A USB drive? A laptop? Or...?"

Su Taohong had been working around the Sang family father and son for half a year. Given her cunning, she might have kept some things for self-protection or for blackmail.

In recent years, there have been many cases of officials killing their mistresses, some of whom were even deputy provincial-level officials. Why did they commit such a heinous crime? It was because their mistresses had been able to blackmail them time and time again.

What Su Taohong is holding is not a "protective charm", but a time bomb!

Liu Yan suddenly asked, "Could Tao Hong have been killed by the Sang family father and son?"

"Possibly! However, there is no direct evidence because the two suspects have been staying in Southeast Asia and have not returned."

This is not only something without direct evidence, but also without indirect evidence.

Although we know that Su Taohong was once Sang Jiaquan's mistress, what evidence is there? There isn't. It's just what Su Taohong told you verbally.

Without evidence, how can the police investigate Sang Jiaquan? Even setting aside his high position and power, an ordinary person could easily deny any romantic relationship with Su Taohong.

Liu Yan murmured, "Yes, doubt can't replace evidence."

"Sister-in-law, don't tell anyone about the relationship between Su Taohong and the Sang family father and son that I talked to you about today, so as not to cause any trouble."

"I understand." Liu Yan's eyes welled up with tears. "I hope Tao Hong isn't dead; she's just gone somewhere to hide. She made a mistake, but it doesn't deserve to die."

Wu Zhiyuan nodded heavily.

For both public and private reasons, he must continue the investigation.

From an official standpoint, Su Taohong may be a crucial witness in uncovering more crimes committed by the Sang family father and son, and may even expose a much larger network of relationships.

Personally, even though he no longer had love, he couldn't remain indifferent to the sudden disappearance of a life. Moreover, this woman was his ex-girlfriend, whom he had slept with many times.

After the discussion about Su Taohong came to an end, Liu Yan pleaded again in a low voice: "Zhiyuan, I hope you can keep my affair with Zhao Zhao a secret."

If Datong finds out, he'll most likely divorce me. I don't want to lose him.

Wu Zhiyuan tentatively believed that Liu Yan was only confused for a moment, which was why she was entangled with Zhao Zhao, and he also tentatively believed that Liu Yan and Zhao Zhao had not yet slept together.

It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage.

He made up his mind: "Sister-in-law, I'll pretend I don't know anything about you and Zhao Zhao. It's a secret between us."

Liu Yan said excitedly, "Thank you, Zhiyuan."

But Wu Zhiyuan immediately changed the subject: "However, I have one condition: you can no longer maintain an ambiguous relationship with Zhao Zhao."

There are some things I need to tell you clearly, as a good friend of Datong and someone who has always regarded you as my sister-in-law.

Your flirting with Zhao Zhao isn't about pursuing happiness; it's like walking a dangerous tightrope, with an abyss below.

Zhao Zhao only coveted your beauty; the one who truly loved you was Datong.

The most important thing in marriage is fidelity, mutual support during low points, and perseverance in the face of temptation.

"Datong's exile to Qinglongshan Forest Farm was already difficult enough. As his wife, what you should do at this time is support him and provide him with a stable and reliable home base, not stab him in the back and make his situation even worse."

"But I'm afraid Zhao Zhao will keep bothering me. He's a man with many tricks up his sleeve and he's also very obsessive."

I'm afraid that if I reject him, he'll expose our affair and even confront Datong.

Wu Zhiyuan recalled what Zhao Zhao had said that night: "Sister-in-law, Zhao Zhao also has a family; his wife is a teacher. Even if he's having an affair, he'll do it secretly. How could he possibly tell everyone?"

Liu Yan shook her head: "Zhao Zhao told me that his wife doesn't care about him at all, nor can she control him. He's not in the system, so he has nothing to worry about."

"Sister-in-law, I understand your concerns. But the more you fear, the more he will pester you. This matter must be dealt with decisively."

Wu Zhiyuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Don't contact Zhao Zhao again. If he sends a message or calls, be firm and tell him that your relationship ends here and ask him to respect your choice and your family."

You need to clearly tell him that you don't want any further contact or disturbance, for the sake of both of you, especially to avoid affecting your respective families.

Wu Zhiyuan added, "Remember, your attitude must be firm. Don't give him any ambiguity. Don't say things like 'let's be ordinary friends' or 'we'll talk about it later,' leaving room for negotiation. It's a clean break."

Liu Yan nodded: "But what if he disagrees, keeps pestering me, or even threatens me?"

Wu Zhiyuan said firmly, "If he doesn't appreciate my kindness and continues to harass me, or even dares to threaten me with those trivial matters, I will personally confront him."

Zhao Zhao is a shrewd businessman, and he's somewhat wary of me, the secretary to the municipal party secretary. This is evident from his obsequious behavior towards me tonight.

Wu Zhiyuan had another idea he didn't voice: if Zhao Zhao didn't listen, then he would have Sun Runcai "take special care of him."

……