Chapter 16

Chapter 8, The Mist

When Liang Li came back with the tea, she had already changed into a new set of clothes. A long-sleeved striped knitted cardigan accentuated her ample chest, resembling two ripe papayas hanging in front. Her still well-maintained, fair neck was exposed to the air, and she had changed into a light gray skirt. Long flesh-colored stockings wrapped up to the top of her thighs...

Carefully placing the tea on the dark red wooden table in front of Yang Zixuan, Liang Li, whether intentionally or unintentionally, bent down, revealing a small patch of white, tender skin on her buttocks. The low-cut knitted cardigan exposed everything to Yang Zixuan's eyes...

She wasn't wearing anything underneath!

Yang Zixuan could even see the two rosy spots.

Yang Zixuan was momentarily taken aback. It seemed this woman really saw him as a young, inexperienced, and easily aroused man, resorting to such seductive tactics.

Liang Li was in her thirties, and her long-term maintenance made her look young. In a town like Qianchi, she was also well-off.

Yang Zixuan, however, had no ulterior motives towards this woman. He took a sip of the tea and leaned back in his chair, saying nothing.

"County Chief Yang, there are some things I'm not sure if I should say or not?" Liang Li, seeing Yang Zixuan's calm demeanor, knew her seduction had failed. Her beauty didn't impress him. She then sat on a chair near Yang Zixuan, her voice deliberately gentle and alluring...

Although he had no interest in this woman, Yang Zixuan had to admit that she did have a certain charm. It wasn't surprising that she had secured the position of the town's family planning office director, a position with significant power over the town's fiscal revenue.

"As long as it's about work, feel free to speak. I just took office and want to understand the situation of the grassroots cadres in the town," Yang Zixuan said with a faint smile, giving Liang Li a meaningful look. "I also want to understand whether Qiu Nan's suicide was due to human factors, his personal actions, or deeper reasons."

Liang Li's expression became slightly flustered but quickly returned to normal. Her face no longer carried a seductive smile, becoming serious. "County Chief Yang, regarding why Town Chief Qiu jumped, I personally believe there are deeper reasons. I often hear rumors at the town government, but I don't know if they are true, so I dare not speak out of turn in front of you..."

"Hmm? Speak freely."

"Then I'll say it. Many people in the town government know that Town Chief Qiu and Secretary Li often have disagreements and conflicts in their work." Seeing Yang Zixuan's composed listening, Liang Li felt a strange sensation in her heart, but she couldn't quite describe it.

"Disagreements between the party and government leaders are common. As long as they can find common ground and serve the bigger picture, it's not a big issue." Yang Zixuan narrowed his eyes, also noticing Liang Li's unusual gaze, which made him feel uncomfortable.

"But it's not just about having different opinions in their work. Many people in the town government know that the relationship between Town Chief Qiu and Secretary Li is very tense. Whatever Town Chief Qiu proposes in meetings, Secretary Li always rejects it. The atmosphere is very tense whenever they are together."

Yang Zixuan frowned and said calmly, "Are these rumors reliable?"

"County Chief Yang, you can talk to our deputy town chief Li Tian or even our town police chief Liang Fei. They are very clear about it." Liang Li carefully refilled Yang Zixuan's cup and whispered.

"Town Chief Qiu is a graduate of a prestigious university in our province. He came to our town from the county party committee office. He is young, well-educated, ambitious, and full of passion to achieve something. Secretary Li, on the other hand, is also well-educated but later joined the military and was transferred back to our town. He is more conservative and steady, disapproving of the new ideas Town Chief Qiu introduced. For example, the reform of our town's food factory was led by Town Chief Qiu and implemented by Deputy Town Chief Li Tian, but it was stalled by Secretary Li... Thus, their resentment grew deeper over time, leading to the current irreconcilable situation."

"I believe Town Chief Qiu's suicide is related to his long-term depression and unfulfilled ambitions. He was an idealist who struggled to achieve his goals in reality. In a moment of despair, he chose this extreme way to end his life..."

After listening to Liang Li, Yang Zixuan began to think, muttering to himself, "Is it really like that?"

Sitting in the meeting room, Yang Zixuan's cold gaze swept over the faces of the people in front of him: Secretary Li, Deputy Town Chief Li Tian, and Town Police Chief Liang Fei...

The Li and Liang surnames were major surnames in Qianchi Town. In terms of seniority, Li and Li Tian, as well as Liang Fei and Liang Li, were related by clan.

Even the experienced Li was shaken by Yang Zixuan's cold gaze and spoke first, "County Chief, I must make a self-criticism. I was negligent in the case of Town Chief Qiu's suicide. I bear responsibility..."

Yang Zixuan waved his hand, leaning to the side with a deep gaze, his voice firm, "The reason for Comrade Qiu Nan's suicide is not yet clear. Let's not talk about responsibility for now. Once the matter is clear, no one responsible will escape!"

"Old Li, you are a veteran of Qianchi Town and the leader of the town's leadership team. What do you think about the reason for Town Chief Qiu's suicide?" Yang Zixuan called out Li's name.

"County Chief, I cannot understand why he jumped. Logically, Town Chief Qiu was well-educated, young, and capable, with a bright future. There was no need for him to take such drastic action. Moreover, I heard that he and his wife had a good relationship, with no family conflicts..."

Yang Zixuan didn't continue questioning Li Tian and Liang Fei. If Li really had issues and was running a one-man show, they wouldn't dare speak up in front of him. He would have to talk to them privately...

That night, Yang Zixuan declined the enthusiastic dinner invitation from Li and Liang Fei and hurried back to Hongshui County. He had received a call from the county party secretary's office secretary, Chen Sheng: The newly appointed county party secretary from Daming City would arrive in Hongshui County that night and officially take office the next day. He needed to return to welcome him.

---

---

---