Chapter 14

"Warmed by the gentle spring breeze, peach blossoms bloom one after another..."

The shrill ring of the mobile phone sounded again.

Chu Tianshu lazily opened his eyes and, seeing the caller was Jian Ruoming, a spark of new hope ignited in his heart.

He grabbed the phone and said softly, "Director Jian, hello!"

Jian Ruoming's tone was icy cold: "Chu Tianshu, you're not confused, are you? You still know who I am?"

Chu Tianshu hurriedly replied, "Not at all, Director Jian, what instructions do you have?"

From the tone, Jian Ruoming was extremely dissatisfied: "Chu Tianshu, can I still give you instructions now?"

"Director Jian, you are the leader, not only can you give instructions, but you can also criticize."

"Xiao Chu, I'm really too lazy to criticize you." Jian Ruoming said bluntly, "A little setback and you lose heart and become dispirited, skipping work and neglecting tasks. With your attitude, even if you stay in the SASAC, you won't amount to much."

What's going on? I only offended Tian Touzi, I didn't provoke you, Jian Ruoming.

Chu Tianshu was completely puzzled and couldn't remember what Jian Ruoming had asked him to do. Holding the phone, he didn't know what to say.

After a long while, Chu Tianshu suddenly realized.

In the morning, Tian Keming had instructed him in the office that there was a box for Jian Ruoming at the front desk, and he should deliver it after work. With all the events at noon and his low mood, he had forgotten about it completely while sitting in the coffee shop.

Chu Tianshu quickly explained, "Director Jian, I'm sorry. I went out to meet a friend in the afternoon, had a bit too much to drink, and forgot to deliver your things."

Jian Ruoming didn't listen to Chu Tianshu's explanation and continued to criticize harshly, "Hmph, young and impulsive, and drinking to the point of neglecting your duties. If you can't handle such a small task, how can you handle big things? A man should be able to take and let go, do you understand?"

"Yes, yes, the criticism is well-deserved." Chu Tianshu had said this many times to various leaders, but today it was truly heartfelt.

Indeed!

Throughout history, who among those who achieved great things hasn't faced setbacks and blows?

Chu Tianshu often paid attention to the resumes of high-ranking officials. Most of the current provincial and ministerial-level cadres had the experience of being sent to the countryside as educated youth, some for seven or eight years, others for two or three. This was just a year of "living in the village," so why should he be so dispirited?

Jian Ruoming was absolutely right. With such a weak mental resilience, how could he shoulder important responsibilities?

A good drum doesn't need to be hit hard!

Jian Ruoming's words were heartfelt, sincere, and to the point. Chu Tianshu felt as if a sudden enlightenment had struck him, and he was completely awakened.

Thinking about this, Chu Tianshu's spirits lifted, and he immediately told Jian Ruoming that he would go to the office building and deliver the box to her shortly.

After hanging up, he called the waiter to settle the bill.

The waiter was a bit puzzled. This man had been sitting dejectedly all afternoon, but after a phone call, it seemed as if he had been criticized, and he suddenly changed, looking much better than when he came in, full of energy and confidence.

Chu Tianshu settled the bill, put his phone in his pocket, and took a taxi straight to the SASAC.

The box Jian Ruoming had left at the front desk wasn't what Chu Tianshu had imagined, a gift from a subordinate unit, but various shoes that Jian Ruoming often wore. She had had someone bring them from Linjiang City and temporarily stored them at the SASAC front desk. Tian Keming had seen them and instructed Chu Tianshu to deliver them to her residence after work.

Jian Ruoming was a woman who paid great attention to the details of her life. Even the most common slippers were categorized, with different pairs for bathing, moving around the room, and wearing before bed.

When she returned to her residence after work and suddenly found no slippers to wear, it felt quite awkward.

Thinking about not having matching shoes to go with her clothes the next day, she felt uncomfortable and called Chu Tianshu, using this as an excuse to scold him.

When Chu Tianshu arrived at the SASAC, he was stunned. The usually open gate was closed. He tried to push it but couldn't. He put his hand on his forehead and looked through the glass, but the front hall was empty, with no sign of the box or anyone.

That's strange! According to the SASAC's internal management regulations, even during holidays, the front desk reception staff must be on duty 24 hours a day.

Chu Tianshu had scheduled the shifts for the front desk reception staff and remembered clearly that today it was the girl named Zheng Xiaomin's shift.

He looked around again but saw no sign of Xiaomin.

Zheng Xiaomin, 20 years old, had graduated from high school two years ago and was accepted into a second-tier university but had to drop out due to the high tuition. Her father, a laid-off worker from the Qingyuan City Instrument Factory, now ran a meat stall in a nearby market. When he heard that the SASAC was hiring reception staff, he signed up his daughter.

According to Qian Meihua, on the day of the interview, Zheng Butcher intercepted Tian Keming, Ouyang Meimei, and others on his way home and gave each of them a large piece of high-quality pork rib, which helped Zheng Xiaomin stand out among the many competitors. Whether this was true or not, no one knew.

However, Zheng Xiaomin, from a poor family, was obedient and diligent, with a sweet mouth and good looks, though her vanity was a bit stronger than average.

After starting work, she also learned to be attentive, using the opportunities of going to and from work and delivering newspapers to make the leaders very happy. She was especially close to Tian Keming, Ouyang Meimei, and others, and even to Chu Tianshu and Liu Chunna, calling them "brother" and "sister" affectionately, making her very likable.

Chu Tianshu thought that Zheng Xiaomin might have left for a moment and waited by the wall for a while, but after almost ten minutes, she still hadn't returned. He found it strange: for a temporary hire like Zheng Xiaomin, if she dared to skip work without reason, Tian Keming would fire her immediately.

He remembered that Qian Meihua had mentioned that Zheng Xiaomin was working hard to win the favor of the leaders, hoping to get a chance to become a permanent employee. In such a situation, why wouldn't she come to work? Even if she was sick or had an emergency at home, she would have called in and switched shifts with her colleagues.

Did something happen?

Chu Tianshu became alert and felt a bit nervous.

Last night, Chu Tianshu had watched the news on Qingyuan TV's "First Scene" program, which reported that a gang of wandering thieves had targeted government buildings, committing multiple thefts. They urged all units to be vigilant and strengthen security.

Could these guys have come to the SASAC building?

Chu Tianshu looked up at the windows of the leaders' offices but saw nothing unusual. He then walked quietly to the front desk reception staff's rest room. Before he got close, he heard some unusual sounds.

Chu Tianshu became even more cautious. He noticed that although the curtains were drawn, a small gap about the size of a cigarette box was left due to a newspaper stand. He crouched down and listened, hearing heavy breathing.

This sound seemed a bit stimulating. Chu Tianshu couldn't help but think of Ouyang Meimei's coquettish behavior.

Damn, these guys are not only robbing but also trying to take advantage of women!

Chu Tianshu took out his phone to call the police, but then he heard Zheng Xiaomin's voice from the gap.

"Don't rush, wait a moment."

What? Can you negotiate with a criminal?

Chu Tianshu was extremely puzzled, slowly raised his body, squinted one eye, and peeked through the gap.

Damn!

The first thing he saw was a shiny bald head, followed by a smooth back.

A small desk lamp was on in the rest room. Tian Keming was on the bed, and beneath him were two smooth, slender legs tightly pressed together.

Tian Keming was frantically kissing and touching, his oily bald head moving up and down, and the heavy breathing was coming from beneath him.

Zheng Xiaomin was sobbing softly, her small hands holding the bald head, and finally, she freed her mouth from beneath it, panting, "Director, I'm scared..."

Tian Keming stopped and said impatiently, "At this point, what are you afraid of?"

Chu Tianshu almost lost control and wanted to jump in and slap Tian Keming's shameless face, but then he remembered that in the afternoon, Tian Keming had flirted with Liu Chunna, and he had denied it by saying there was no evidence.

Fine, today I'll get the evidence first, and see how you deny it!

Chu Tianshu held back his anger, slowly opened the video recording function on his phone, and pressed it against the gap in the curtain.

Zheng Xiaomin said fearfully, "Wah, if my father finds out, he'll kill me."

Tian Keming said, "What are you afraid of? You're mine now, even the emperor wouldn't dare to touch you."

Damn you, Tian Keming, using my words to deceive a little girl. Chu Tianshu was so angry that his head was smoking: just wait, and see how I deal with you!

"Director, it's my first time, you can't deceive me," Zheng Xiaomin still seemed unsure.

Tian Keming finally lost his patience and threatened, "Zheng Xiaomin, do you still want to solve your employment status? If you keep dilly-dallying, I'll fire you tomorrow."

A naked threat!

Zheng Xiaomin said pitifully, "Director, no, my mother is still in the hospital, and all our savings have been spent on medical bills. If I lose my job, my family won't be able to survive."

Tian Keming immediately started to entice her, "Zheng Xiaomin, if you listen to me, I'll give you ten thousand yuan after this, and I'll find a way to help you get a permanent position."

Zheng Xiaomin didn't say anything.

Then, Tian Keming's satisfied and lecherous laughter echoed.

Chu Tianshu moved his hot phone a bit and squinted to take another look.

Zheng Xiaomin's head was turned to the side, her eyes closed, her face expressionless. She was breathing heavily, her hair scattered on the pillow, her dress pulled up to her neck, her bra undone, and only a pair of panties remained, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.