Chapter 68

As Wang Hu spoke up to this point, he picked up his phone, pressed the speaker button, and before he could even open his mouth, Xu Chunming's gloomy voice immediately came through the phone, asking, "Wang Hu! What do you really want?"

Hearing Xu Chunming's inquiry, Wang Hu put on an air of bewilderment and feigned ignorance, saying, "Deputy Xu! What do you mean? What do I really want? It seems like it's been you and your son who have been targeting my friend all along, even resorting to framing him. If anyone should be asking what you want, it should be my friend asking you what you want."

Hearing Wang Hu's response, Xu Chunming was so angry that he was speechless. His blood boiled, and the anger he could not bear flowed all the way to his fingertips. In a low voice, he threatened Wang Hu, "Wang Hu! We are both smart people. Do you think this is amusing?"

Hearing Xu Chunming's words, Wang Hu thought about the actions of Xu Chunming and his son. The anger that had been building up all morning erupted like a volcano. He coldly replied, "Deputy Xu! You are the typical example of allowing the soldiers to set fires but not allowing the common people to light lamps. You, a high-ranking bureau chief, use such despicable methods to frame my brother, and your no-good son even used private torture on my friend in the Public Security Department. Do you think this matter can be settled like this? Besides, it's not me who wants to cause you trouble, but my friend who wants to cause you trouble."

Feeling Wang Hu's naked contempt, Xu Chunming's eyes blazed with anger, his cheeks turned pale, then red. His hands and fingers twitched strangely and unconsciously. After a long while, he gradually calmed down because he was very clear that although the bureau had not yet reacted, he believed the bureau chief would soon find him. If he did not resolve this matter before the bureau chief found him, he would become very passive.

Thinking of the foreseeable consequences, Xu Chunming suppressed the burning anger in his heart and asked Wang Hu, "Wang Hu! What do you really want? If you can delete the video online, I guarantee that I will nominate you for the position of head of the Criminal Investigation Team at the next bureau party committee meeting."

As the saying goes, a soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier. However, Wang Hu was not a naive young man who knew nothing. Although he was not as cunning as those officials, he had learned to be cautious and observant in the big melting pot of the government, to see more, hear more, and speak less.

When Wang Hu heard Xu Chunming's tempting offer, he immediately guessed Xu Chunming's true intentions and cursed in his heart, "Proposing me as the head of the Criminal Investigation Team, this Xu Chunming is still playing mind games with me even when he's on the brink of death. Do you really think everyone in the world is a fool? But to be fair, this strategy is indeed a win-win plan. If I were just starting my career, I would definitely fall for it!"

"Deputy Xu! I appreciate your kindness, but I have no other strengths except self-awareness. I know my capabilities and do what I can. Unlike some officials who aim too high and think not about doing their jobs well but about climbing the ranks. As for your request, it's not that I don't want to agree, but this matter has nothing to do with me. I have failed to meet your expectations, and I deserve to be punished."

In Xu Chunming's mind, his proposal was a fatal temptation for Wang Hu. It would not only isolate Wang Hu but also create a rift between Chen Shengping and Wang Hu, a win-win situation. However, he did not expect Wang Hu to not only see through his plan but also mock him, making his face turn blue with anger and his heart heavy with frustration, unable to control himself.

But reason told him that it was not the time to turn against Wang Hu. If he broke ties with Wang Hu, and Wang Hu released the content of the recording, it would not just be a matter of a disciplinary action; he might be transferred from his position.

Thinking of this consequence, Xu Chunming suppressed the boiling anger in his heart and said to Wang Hu with a forced smile, "Wang Hu! When Deputy Chen proposed that you take over as the head of the Criminal Investigation Team, I opposed it mainly because I did not know you well enough. But after this period of interaction and understanding, I realize that I made a subjective mistake. You are a capable and energetic official, and a department like the Criminal Investigation Team needs a leader like you. Rest assured, I will have a good talk with Deputy Chen this afternoon and strive to get it approved at the bureau party committee meeting."

The political arena is a place of constant compromise and struggle. When Chen Shengping first proposed that he take over as the head of the Criminal Investigation Team, Wang Hu was full of hope and ambition, wanting to achieve great things to thank his old leader for his trust. But just when he thought everything was secure, Xu Chunming's strong opposition made him miss the position.

The current head of the Criminal Investigation Team was promoted by the bureau chief. At this point, if Xu Chunming brought up this matter, it would not only make people think they were using the online incident to obstruct his competition for the bureau chief position but also make the bureau chief hate them. The bureau chief, who was about to retire, had a crucial say in the selection of the new bureau chief, and the higher authorities would lean towards the bureau chief's nominee.

Thinking of Xu Chunming's ultimate intention, the anger in Wang Hu's heart flared up instantly. At this moment, he no longer held back and directly confronted Xu Chunming, sarcastically saying, "Deputy Xu! You are really cunning, but do you really think everyone else in the world is a fool? Now I finally understand why Xu Guozheng is so stupid; it turns out he inherited your genes. You really are a father who begets a son like himself."

"You are in charge of the Public Security Department, not the Criminal Investigation Team. You don't need to worry about my work. I just saw that video before dinner. I didn't expect that the process of your bizarre son arguing with my classmate yesterday was recorded and uploaded to the internet. As your colleague, I think what you need to worry about now is how to face the public's condemnation."

Wang Hu said this and, without waiting for Xu Chunming to speak, hung up the phone.

Wang Hu and Xu Chunming's conversation was on speaker, and Wu Potian had been sitting beside him the whole time. When Wu Potian saw Wang Hu hang up the phone, the laughter he had been holding back finally burst out. He mocked Wang Hu, "No wonder people say the police station is the fastest place to turn people bad. If I hadn't seen you on the phone with Xu Chunming just now, I wouldn't have dared to associate the righteous you of the past with the slick and cunning you of now. If your Deputy Xu has a heart condition, he would definitely be dead from your actions by now."

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