Chapter 17: Conspiracy (Part 2)

After entering the room, the massage therapist started to take off her clothes to give Wang Jian a massage. Wang Jian immediately stopped her, saying, "What are you doing? You don't need to take off your clothes for a massage!"

The therapist smiled and said, "Why are you still shy, young man? You came here to be comfortable. Come on, don't be shy, let me give you an oil massage!"

"Get away, I don't want to be comfortable anymore!" Wang Jian felt something was wrong. This place was full of filth, and Lu Fang had brought him here for no reason, which might be a trap. He quickly ran out of the room.

As soon as he came out of the room, he saw several police officers walking towards him. They glanced at him and walked past, heading to the room Feng Guoqiang was in. After the server opened the door, they saw an unsightly scene: Feng Guoqiang was on top of the massage therapist, moving vigorously!

Feng Guoqiang was caught red-handed. The police then went to Wang Jian's room, but nothing had happened there. They also went to Lu Fang's room but found no massage therapist. Therefore, only Feng Guoqiang, with clear evidence, was taken to the police station.

Lu Fang immediately informed Zhang Zeguang about Feng Guoqiang being caught with a massage therapist. Zhang Zeguang was furious; if this news spread, it would tarnish the reputation of Xianhe Township. He also scolded Lu Fang for bringing Feng Guoqiang to such a place, but Lu Fang defended himself, saying Feng Guoqiang insisted on going there and he had no choice.

At the police station, Feng Guoqiang initially claimed he was a businessman, but after Lu Fang informed the police that he was a township official, it became a major news story. The police station planned to fine and detain Feng Guoqiang, but Zhang Zeguang used his connections to have Feng Guoqiang released, with only a fine of 500 yuan.

After being released from the police station, Feng Guoqiang was called to Zhang Zeguang's office and scolded severely. He was told that there were better ways to find women and that he should not have been caught by the police. Feng Guoqiang found it hard to defend himself; he couldn't understand why the police suddenly appeared at the bathhouse, and why they targeted him specifically. There must have been someone who tipped them off.

Wang Jian, reflecting on the incident, was also frightened. Someone must have set him up. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and didn't fall for the trap. Otherwise, he would have been caught by the police like Feng Guoqiang, and his career would have been over.

After much thought, Wang Jian suspected that Lu Fang was behind it. When the police came, there was no massage therapist in his room, which was strange. It seemed he had known about the police beforehand. But if Lu Fang did it, why? Wang Jian had no grudge against him and had not offended him. Why would he set him up? Strangely, why did he set up Feng Guoqiang as well? In a flash, Wang Jian thought of Fang Zhiming. Fang Zhiming was close to Lu Fang, and because of the selection of young officials by the organization department, there was a conflict of interest between Fang Zhiming and Feng Guoqiang. Therefore, he must have set up the trap to frame both of them. Unfortunately, Feng Guoqiang fell for it. Even if he wasn't removed from his position as assistant township head, he would not be promoted to deputy township head. Fang Zhiming had eliminated a competitor, while Wang Jian narrowly escaped.

Wang Jian felt it was necessary to tell Feng Guoqiang his analysis. Since Feng Guoqiang had a good relationship with Lu Fang, he had not suspected him. He also did not think Fang Zhiming was behind it. Wang Jian wanted to tell Feng Guoqiang his analysis but was afraid that Feng Guoqiang would think he was trying to sow discord between him and Lu Fang. After much thought, he decided to hint at it. If Feng Guoqiang realized it, that would be fine; if not, it would be left at that.

Wang Jian went to Feng Guoqiang's office and gently knocked on the door. Feng Guoqiang responded with a weak voice. His situation was already known in the township, and Zhang Zeguang had kept his position under pressure, but he was now under immense stress, with people pointing and whispering as he walked by. After working for so many years, he never expected to be caught in such a predicament.

When Wang Jian entered, Feng Guoqiang looked up and saw him. In fact, Feng Guoqiang had suspicions about both Lu Fang and Wang Jian. Since they had gone together, and only he had been caught, there must have been an informant among them. He had already questioned Lu Fang, who had sworn it wasn't him. This made Feng Guoqiang suspect Wang Jian, but he never thought it was Fang Zhiming, as he had always been a protégé of his. How could he have thought Fang Zhiming would harm him?

"Director Wang, what brings you here?" Feng Guoqiang greeted him with a forced smile.

Wang Jian sat down and frowned, saying, "Township Head Feng, I've been thinking about that incident for the past few days. I believe it was a conspiracy, and I wanted to discuss it with you."

"A conspiracy? What do you mean, Director Wang?" Feng Guoqiang clearly thought there was a conspiracy, but he had a different idea of what it was.

Wang Jian said, "Township Head Feng, I'm a straightforward person. Don't be angry if I speak my mind. First, I think the police coming was too coincidental and precise. When I was in the room, the massage therapist wanted to take off her clothes, but I stopped her. I felt something was wrong. Lu Fang and I are old acquaintances, but I'm not very familiar with him. Why did he suddenly invite me? There's no such thing as a free lunch, and I couldn't bear it. When the massage therapist tried to provide extra services, I became even more suspicious. So, I refused the massage and just as I went out, I saw the police checking the rooms. It was a close call. Second, regarding the selection of young officials in the county, I know my limits. I just became the director of the party and government office and can't compete for a higher position. But someone might not think so and might have a grudge against me, so they tried to frame me to achieve their sinister goals. I don't know why they involved you. Third, did Lu Fang inform the police? Please think carefully about who Lu Fang is close to, Township Head Feng."

Feng Guoqiang listened carefully to Wang Jian's analysis and then directed his suspicions towards Fang Zhiming. He never thought Fang Zhiming would use such手段 to陷害他，这说明Fang Zhiming would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"Director Wang, could this have anything to do with Fang Zhiming?" Feng Guoqiang suddenly realized.

Wang Jian calmly replied, "I don't want to make unfounded guesses, but this is too coincidental. Whether it has anything to do with him is hard to determine, as no one would admit to such a thing."

Feng Guoqiang nodded. He had initially suspected Wang Jian, but since he wasn't the one who organized the dinner, and Lu Fang couldn't have formed a close relationship with him so quickly, the person most likely to be involved was Fang Zhiming, who had frequent interactions with Lu Fang.

"Thank you, Director Wang. You've helped me understand the situation, so I won't be fooled again!" Feng Guoqiang stood up to express his gratitude.

"You're welcome, Township Head Feng. I'm also a victim!"

After Wang Jian left, Feng Guoqiang became increasingly angry. He had treated Fang Zhiming so well, recommending him for the position of director of the party and government office, and even though he didn't get it, he had made efforts. He never thought Fang Zhiming would do this to him, which was truly unbearable. After much thought, he decided to call Fang Zhiming to ask for an explanation.

When Fang Zhiming learned that Feng Guoqiang had been caught while Wang Jian had escaped, he was half displeased. He didn't expect Wang Jian to be so alert and escape the trap. Although he had eliminated one competitor, another remained. When he received Feng Guoqiang's call, he was still unhappy.

"What's the matter, Township Head Feng?" Fang Zhiming walked into Feng Guoqiang's office with an unhappy expression.

Feng Guoqiang noticed his displeasure and felt that since he was no longer his superior, Fang Zhiming was no longer respectful. He even looked unhappy, clearly not taking him seriously.

"What's wrong, Fang, you seem unhappy. Is there something on your mind?" Feng Guoqiang frowned.

Fang Zhiming realized that Feng Guoqiang was in a vulnerable state and should be given some reassurance, so he quickly smiled and said, "Nothing's on my mind, Township Head Feng. Do you have any instructions for me?"

"Instructions? Do you think I can give instructions now? Everyone is making fun of me. Have you been doing the same?" Feng Guoqiang stared at Fang Zhiming.

Fang Zhiming immediately put on a fake smile and said, "Township Head Feng, how could I make fun of you? You've always taken care of me, and I'm grateful!"

"You still remember that I've taken care of you? Lu Fang has told me everything. Don't you have anything to say to me?" Feng Guoqiang's voice suddenly became louder, trying to trick Fang Zhiming.

Fang Zhiming's mind went blank. He had instructed Lu Fang not to admit anything. How could he have told Feng Guoqiang? Was he trying to betray him? But he quickly thought that maybe Feng Guoqiang was just trying to trick him and that Lu Fang hadn't said anything.

"Township Head Feng, you called me, but I don't understand what you're saying," Fang Zhiming pretended to be confused.

"Don't you understand? Do I need to spell it out for you?" Feng Guoqiang sneered.

"I really don't understand, Township Head Feng. Don't accuse me wrongly, please," Fang Zhiming said with a pained expression.

"Accuse you wrongly? What have I accused you of? Tell me!" Feng Guoqiang pressed.

Fang Zhiming realized he had said something wrong and quickly denied, "Township Head Feng, you misunderstood me. I meant that you're accusing me of something you don't understand!"

"Then what do you think I'm accusing you of?" Feng Guoqiang was convinced that Fang Zhiming knew what he was talking about and was guilty.

"This... You really misunderstood, Township Head Feng," Fang Zhiming found it increasingly difficult to explain.

"Enough, whether you misunderstood or not, you know it best. Be careful in the future!" Feng Guoqiang didn't want to listen to Fang Zhiming's explanations anymore and waved him away.

Fang Zhiming knew that from that moment on, their relationship was over.

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