"Auntie, don't worry, tell me slowly," Chen Yang quickly reassured her upon hearing the anxious voice of Guo Li's wife on the other end of the phone.
Guo Li's wife sobbed as she said,
"Mr. Fang, Lao Guo has been taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission..."
Through her fragmented account, Chen Yang finally understood the whole story. It turned out that Guo Li had already suspected something a few days ago and specifically instructed his wife to contact Chen Yang immediately if anything happened to him. This morning, Guo Li had just entered his office when several cadres from the Zhonglou District Discipline Inspection Commission entered, announcing that Guo Li had been placed under "shuanggui" (a form of internal party discipline).
A confidant of Guo Li from the demolition office secretly called his wife to tip her off. Guo Li's wife, completely disoriented, suddenly remembered Guo Li's instructions from a few days ago and quickly found Chen Yang's number and called.
"Auntie, do you know why Director Guo was placed under investigation?" Chen Yang's mind raced as he calmly asked.
Guo Li's wife, her voice trembling with tears, replied:
"I don't know! I heard it was a deputy secretary of the district discipline inspection commission who led the team. They came in and announced the district committee's decision, saying that Lao Guo was suspected of violating discipline, and then they took him away… Mr. Fang, Lao Guo said that if anything happens to him, he should contact you immediately. You can definitely help him, right?"
Chen Yang was somewhat annoyed by Guo Li's wife's crying, but he knew she must be extremely anxious, so he didn't argue with her. He gently comforted her for a few moments and then hung up.
With the noise gone, Chen Yang's mind was in turmoil.
He silently lit a cigarette and went to the balcony outside the room, smoking and lost in thought.
Chen Yang wasn't a hot-blooded fool. Without knowing whether Guo Li himself had any problems, Chen Yang wouldn't impulsively try to intervene on his behalf.
But why did Guo Li have to run into trouble now of all times? There must be something fishy about it.
And why was Guo Li so certain that he had his wife contact him? Although Guo Li had helped him with the demolition of the house in Hengxiang, their relationship wasn't that close. What made Guo Li think he could help him, and would definitely help him?
There's only one possibility: Guo Li's investigation is related to him!
Thinking this, Chen Yang's eyes narrowed as he gazed into the distance.
His only connection with Guo Li was the demolition of the house in Hengxiang. So, someone was trying to use that demolition agreement to their advantage!
This matter isn't as simple as it seems!
Chen Yang suddenly felt extremely alert. Considering Fan Changtian's identity as the deputy secretary of Zhonglou District, Chen Yang's brows furrowed slightly, and a fleeting glint of fierceness flashed in his eyes.
Fan Zihong has gone too far! Chen Yang knew perfectly well that Fan Zihong had orchestrated the whole Su Jun incident in Beijing. His motives for targeting Su Jun were clear: it was aimed at him, and perhaps even at Su He.
Chen Yang already had a plan for dealing with Fan Zihong. He didn't want to resort to violence like a street thug. With a scoundrel like Fan Zihong, Chen Yang wouldn't hesitate to strike, but when he did, he would inflict excruciating pain and severe damage.
But now, Chen Yang felt an urge. If Fan Zihong were in front of him, he would undoubtedly disregard all decorum and give him a good beating.
The cool breeze blowing from the elegant lake across the way cleared Chen Yang's head. Everything he was doing now was just speculation. His immediate priority was to find out the truth before considering his next move.
Chen Yang hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and dialed Xie Fangzhi's number, getting straight to the point:
"Director Xie, I need to ask you about something..."
"You mean Lao Guo's matter, right?" Xie Fangzhi had already guessed Chen Yang's intention and sighed, "Xiao Fang, I just got the news myself. I inquired through a few friends who work in the district, and it seems a bit complicated..."
Chen Yang chuckled:
"The case itself isn't complicated, but the attention from the district's top leaders makes it a bit complicated, right?"
Xie Fangzhi was slightly surprised, but then he thought about Chen Yang's seemingly aristocratic background and understood. If he could find out the information, how could Chen Yang not know?
Xie Fangzhi had misunderstood; Chen Yang hadn't actually found out anything, otherwise he wouldn't have contacted him.
After a brief moment of surprise, Xie Fangzhi nodded and said,
"Yes, I heard that Deputy Secretary Fan of Zhonglou District attaches great importance to this matter and is personally overseeing the case. Also..."
He lowered his voice, saying,
"I heard that a section chief surnamed Xu from the demolition office filed a formal complaint, saying that Lao Guo was dishonest in this Hengxiang relocation, accepting money from relocated residents and seeking improper benefits for them... The complaint letter seems to mention you as well."
Chen Yang smiled faintly and said,
"As expected! Director Xie, do you have any other information?"
Hearing this, Chen Yang's understanding gradually became clear. He knew that Guo Li might just be a fish caught in the crossfire, and Fan Changtian's target was likely him. Hearing the complete lack of panic in Chen Yang's voice, remaining calm and composed, Xie Fangzhi couldn't help but admire the young man. He thought for a moment, then continued:
"There's another piece of news, though I can't guarantee its accuracy. It's said that the disciplinary committee found a supermarket shopping bag containing 100,000 yuan in cash in Lao Guo's office. A demolition office worker identified it, saying that when you went to the demolition office to sign the demolition agreement that day, you were carrying this bag..."
"...I understand, Director Xie, thank you!" Chen Yang said calmly after a long pause.
...After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang took out a cigarette and lit it. His eyes gleamed, revealing his overflowing anger. Chen Yang could naturally deduce that Fan Changtian was determined to pin the blame on him, even resorting to such underhanded tactics as framing him.
Chen Yang knew very well that he hadn't given Guo Li a single penny. Furthermore, Chen Yang had directly questioned Xie Fangzhi on the phone earlier and learned that Guo Li's personal conduct was quite good. To directly accept 100,000 yuan and then so carelessly leave it in his office was simply unbelievable.
Moreover, Chen Yang went to the demolition office empty-handed that day, yet now a so-called demolition office staff member claimed that Chen Yang carried the bag of money into Guo Li's office.
This was blatant framing!
Chen Yang considered for a long time, realizing that it wasn't advisable to handle this through Guan Weiping. Firstly, although Chen Yang hadn't engaged in any money-for-power transactions with Guo Li during the demolition of the house in Hengxiang, and his contracts and incentive clauses were all legal and legitimate, it was undeniable that Guo Li had skirted the edges of policy to maximize Chen Yang's gains.
Secondly, news of Guan Weiping's demotion to Deputy Secretary of the Rongcheng Municipal Party Committee, Deputy Mayor, and Acting Mayor was already widespread. Having him intervene in a corruption case already investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission at this time would indeed have a very negative impact.
However, Fan Changtian was now pressing forward relentlessly, his true intentions about to be revealed. Fan Changtian had served under Fang Hongda for the past few years, always walking on eggshells. This time, the high-level investigation into a corruption case within his Zhonglou District was so obvious that Chen Yang wouldn't believe it without Fan Zihong's backing.
"Fan Changtian?" Chen Yang muttered to himself subconsciously, his mind racing. "Bastard! He dares to play dirty tricks on me? Well, I won't be polite!"
Having made up his mind, Chen Yang suddenly stood up, strode towards the apartment elevator, and went straight down to the first floor.
Su He was already taking her grandmother for a walk by the elegant lake, a daily routine she had maintained without fail lately.
Meanwhile, Ning Qiaoqian was engrossed in a police action movie, clutching a box of preserved plums. During the tense moments, she was practically glued to the screen, afraid to blink and miss a single exciting scene. Her hands even unconsciously clenched into fists, as if she could lend strength to the characters in the film.
Seeing Ning Qiaoqian's animated expression, Chen Yang couldn't help but chuckle. Hearing footsteps, Ning Qiaoqian, without turning around, said,
"Little Yang, come give me a shoulder massage!"
"Coming!"
Chen Yang, needing her help, immediately ran behind Ning Qiaoqian's sofa with a fawning expression and began massaging her shoulders.
Chen Yang's technique was excellent, the pressure just right. Ning Qiaoqian quickly felt a pleasant, tingling sensation in her shoulders. She even forgot about the gunfire on TV, her eyes slightly closed, occasionally letting out a comfortable moan with each of Chen Yang's movements.
"Little Yangzi, this isn't like you! You didn't talk back and came immediately when summoned..." Ning Qiaoqian said, her eyes slightly closed and a faint smile playing on her lips.
Chen Yang immediately massaged even more vigorously, a fawning smile on his face as he said,
"Sister Qian, it's my honor to serve you! How could I possibly complain?"
Ning Qiaoqian felt something was off today. Usually, Chen Yang would seize any opportunity to tease her, but today he was being so obedient. There must be something fishy going on, and a significant one at that…
Ning Qiaoqian suddenly turned around, staring into Chen Yang's eyes, and said,
"Wait! Little Yang, when you offer a gift, you must want something in return. You must have something to ask of me, right?"
Chen Yang stretched his slightly sore fingers, a fawning smile on his face, and said,
"It's nothing serious… Sister Qian, could I borrow your two bodyguards, Acheng and Awu, for a couple of days? It's an emergency, please be kind…"