Chapter 35

Chapter 19: Entering the Game

When Zuo Yuxi received the call, she was having dinner with her good friend Jiang Wei in a private room. Jiang Wei, the deputy director of the first supervision room of the city's disciplinary inspection commission, was in her early thirties, graceful and beautiful, and was known as a beauty in the disciplinary inspection system. They had known each other for three or four years, and their personalities were very compatible, making Jiang Wei one of Zuo Yuxi's few close friends.

Hearing Zuo Yuxi's gentle tone on the phone, Jiang Wei teased, "Oh, you naughty girl, did you secretly find a boyfriend? If others saw the coldest and most beautiful section chief in Qingzhou's political circle suddenly showing such a tender and gentle side, many people's eyes would pop out..."

Zuo Yuxi said irritably, "I give up on your mouth. I really admire how your husband, Lao Guo, can put up with you."

"He? To marry a beauty like me, he must have burned high incense for several lifetimes. What else could he be unsatisfied with? If he angers me, I might just give him a few green hats to wear."

Zuo Yuxi knew that Jiang Wei was just joking with her. In reality, Jiang Wei was very conservative—how many people in the disciplinary inspection commission were frivolous? She just took advantage of Zuo Yuxi's solitary and shy nature, teasing her about marital matters all day long.

"Phew! Even if you had the heart, you wouldn't have the courage. Don't think your husband, Lao Guo, is easy to talk to. When he makes a decision, you still have to listen obediently."

"Yuxi, which side are you on? Are you interested in my husband? Actually, I don't mind..." Zuo Yuxi, blushing, tickled her, and the two of them fell into a heap, their hands roaming under each other's armpits and waists. Their fair and smooth skin was visible through the gaps in their clothes, and sometimes their arms would touch their chests, revealing the marks of their firm, elastic curves. Fortunately, there were no outsiders, or seeing two beautiful women touching each other would have made any man bleed from the nose.

Jiang Wei was eventually convinced and stopped asking about the call. Zuo Yuxi breathed a sigh of relief and headed to Qingyi High School. When she pushed the door open, she heard a series of swallowing sounds. Zuo Yuxi frowned in disgust, coldly scanning Mu Shanshan and the others, and walked straight to Wen Liang's side.

"That girl is so beautiful, Brother Shan, I want her!"

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Shanshan was already sweating profusely and said helplessly, "She is Zuo Yuxi..." After being slapped by Zuo Yuxi and then scolded by Mu Zechen, Mu Shanshan had learned about Zuo Yuxi's background and status. For both him and his father, it was best not to offend someone like Zuo Yuxi.

Zuo Yuxi's personal involvement in such a small matter to support Wen Liang was unexpected. What was her relationship with the Wen family?

Hou Qiang, a son of an official, shrank back, his eyes filled with a mix of reverence and intense desire: "She is the flower of Qingzhou!"

Zuo Yuxi was stunningly beautiful, cold and aloof, with a prominent background and a promising future. Many people admired and pursued her, and some even called her the "Flower of Qingzhou," a title that gradually spread.

Zuo Yuxi first glared at Wen Liang and then asked Huagexi, "I am Zuo Yuxi. May I ask what school rules did Wen Liang violate that require a parent to be called in?" She had seen Huagexi before, but a mere head of the teaching office was not memorable to her.

Huagexi was stunned when Zuo Yuxi entered. He never expected that Wen Liang, who seemed unremarkable, would bring out such a formidable figure. Zuo Yuxi was the deputy director of the Qingzhou Education Bureau, in charge of basic education and finance, with the power to decide the fate of all primary and secondary schools in the city. She was the direct superior of Principal Ma Changxue, and with just one finger, she could crush him like an ant.

Huagexi had hoped that Zuo Yuxi was there for another reason, but when she mentioned Wen Liang, his mind went blank. After a moment, he quickly stood up, bowed deeply, and said with a smile, "Director Zuo, hello. I am Huagexi, the head of the teaching office at Qingyi High School. Please sit, please sit. What instructions do you have for us?"

"There's no need to sit, Director Huagexi. What exactly did Wen Liang do wrong? Please be straightforward. If he is at fault, I support any punishment the school decides to impose!"

"It's like this, Wen Liang and Mu Shanshan had a small misunderstanding," Huagexi knew that he had to interpret the leader's words carefully. It seemed that this beautiful director was very angry. "They had a friendly basketball match, and during the game, they had a verbal altercation, which led to a fight. Fortunately, the school intervened in time, and there were no serious consequences. My opinion is that since it's their first offense, a verbal warning should suffice."

Huagexi was in a difficult position. Since Zuo Yuxi had come in person, how to handle the incident was clear. He had to blame Mu Shanshan, but he couldn't afford to offend him either. Offending Zuo Yuxi could cost him his job, but offending Mu Zechen could force him to leave Qingzhou.

At that moment, Director Huagexi wanted to cry: Damn, who reported the fight? If I get through this, I'll make sure to get rid of you, you little brat!

"Verbal warning?" Zuo Yuxi snorted coldly, walked over to Mu Shanshan, and looked at each of them from head to toe. She was also a bit conflicted. The current situation in Qingzhou was delicate, and it was best to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Zuo Yuxi wasn't wearing a business suit, but her bright yellow sleeveless top and black slim-fit trousers still made her look radiant. The boys, captivated by her beauty, all lowered their heads, even Hou Qiang, who had been drooling, felt the overwhelming presence and dared not look at her again.

After all, although they were unruly, they understood the power and authority of the political circle. Zuo Yuxi, with her long experience in the political arena, exuded a natural authority that no teenager could resist. Wen Liang saw that Zuo Yuxi had immediately taken control of the situation upon entering, and even though Huagexi was one thing, the others were all powerful figures who had done many ruthless things, but they all became meek as lambs in front of Zuo Yuxi, not daring to make a sound.

Those who could navigate the political arena were truly talented. Wen Liang thought to himself, but his face remained calm as he smiled and said, "Thank you, Director Huagexi. We all made mistakes today, and I accept your arrangement. Director Zuo, thank you for coming."

With so many people around, he didn't want to appear too close to Zuo Yuxi, making it seem as if she had come at his father's request. Hearing his words, Zuo Yuxi turned her head slightly, her expressive eyes seeming to ask: Hmm, just like this?

Wen Liang nodded gently, and Zuo Yuxi immediately understood that he was trying to avoid putting her in an awkward position. After all, fights among young people were trivial matters, and her intervention might be seen as deliberately embarrassing others. She had hesitated earlier, but to stand up for Wen Liang, it was worth it.

However, since Wen Liang had spoken, Zuo Yuxi had no reason to escalate the matter. She could only warn Huagexi, "Director Huagexi, Qingyi High School is a model in Qingzhou, and its students are the best of the best. We must educate and protect them well. Let's put this incident behind us, but you must take it as a lesson and prevent such incidents from happening again, understood?"

This was a clear warning: If Wen Liang has any more trouble at school, we will settle all old and new accounts together!

Huagexi nodded quickly, but in his heart, he resolved: As long as I can get through this, even if you bleed, I won't get involved again.

After Mu Shanshan and the others left with sullen faces, Wen Liang ignored Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning's curiosity, told them to go home, and got into Zuo Yuxi's car. As soon as he sat down, his ear was grabbed, and he heard Zuo Yuxi's melodious voice, her scent filling his nose, making him feel lazy and relaxed.

"Good, you called me Director Zuo just now. You're tearing down the bridge before crossing the river, Wen Liang. Are you that afraid of those two girls finding out about our relationship?"

If anyone else had said this, they would have been terrified, but Wen Liang, who had been teased by Zuo Yuxi since they met, was immune to it. He smiled and said, "Sister, don't misunderstand. They are just ordinary friends, not like us..." However, it seemed that Zuo Yuxi didn't recognize Xu Yao, which was quite amusing given Xu Fuyan's position.

Wen Liang was about to speak when Zuo Yuxi lifted her hand to flick her hair, her smooth right arm swaying in front of him. The delicate, pale skin revealed fine blood vessels, and he couldn't help but think of the stunning moment when the towel slipped that day. His heart raced, but he couldn't bring himself to tease her.

"Oh, what is our relationship?"

Zuo Yuxi asked casually, but when she didn't hear Wen Liang's response, she turned to see him staring at her, his face flushed. She quickly changed the subject, "Mu Shanshan is causing trouble for you again?"

Wen Liang explained everything with a bitter smile, and Zuo Yuxi praised him, "Impressive, at such a young age, you're already fighting over girls and picking up two girlfriends along the way!"

"Hey, don't go too far..."

The car stopped near the No. 7 compound of the Municipal Committee. Wen Liang didn't get out, waiting for Zuo Yuxi to speak.

"That matter has been investigated."

After a long pause, Zuo Yuxi finally spoke. Wen Liang had known from the moment he saw her that she was troubled, guessing that it was related to the night of his rebirth. After so many days, if there were no leads, Zuo Yuxi might as well give up on revenge.

Wen Liang didn't intend to get too involved. Warning her last time was already more than enough, but thinking about their few interactions, he couldn't bring himself to leave.

"That thug's nickname is Zhu Yao. He lost his parents at a young age and lives with his 16-year-old sister. He's a reckless person on the streets and has a notorious reputation. When you warned me about him, I immediately sent people to look for him, but we couldn't find him anywhere in Qingzhou." Zuo Yuxi leaned back in her seat, her calm voice like she was telling someone else's story. "Well, it's better this way. A man with both legs disabled disappearing so thoroughly means that what you said was true, and that incident was indeed a conspiracy."

"Jiangdong Province is vast, so it took some time. A few days ago, my people used some small tactics and finally forced Zhu Yao to come out. I didn't ask him anything, and he confessed. However, he didn't know much. He didn't even know who the woman was... Of course, even if it was me, he would have done it..."

Wen Liang didn't want to know what small tactics she used or why Zhu Yao would definitely do it. Sometimes, not knowing was better. Though young, he was no longer naive.

He was amazed by Zuo Yuxi's capabilities. What did she mean by "Jiangdong Province is vast, so it took some time"? How many connections did she use to catch Zhu Yao so easily?

"Then I focused on investigating his social relationships and unusual behavior during that period. I followed the trail and found someone. Although there's no conclusive evidence, I believe there's a 70% chance it's him."

Wen Liang was silent for a moment and asked quietly, "Who is it?"

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