Chapter 35

Chapter 27: The Dust Settles

Su Nan's face, usually fair, turned alternately red and black, clearly indicating the intense struggle within him.

Yang Zixuan's final move left him truly unable to make a decision!

It was not entirely impossible for him to forcefully protect Liu Jian, but it would mean completely offending Yang Zixuan, and it would also deepen Lin Pei's dissatisfaction with him, leading to future retaliation!

If he backed down at this moment, it would be extremely difficult to protect Liu Jian in the future, and the credibility he had painstakingly built in the county committee would also be greatly diminished!

This choice was really difficult; he had underestimated this young man, who had forced him into a corner with no way out.

Su Nan was instantly caught in a dilemma.

"Actually, Secretary Su, what you said isn't wrong. We should look at problems from both sides. Although Liu Jian is not suitable for work in the government, perhaps from another perspective, assigning him to a party position might be appropriate. I think the propaganda department is still lacking a deputy minister. If Liu Jian's involvement in the Tianma incident is not deep, then assigning him such a position is not out of the question. What do you think, Secretary Su?" Yang Zixuan said with a faint smile. He enjoyed the feeling of being in control.

Su Nan was taken aback. Why was this kid suddenly speaking well of Liu Jian again? But he quickly calmed down, realizing that Yang Zixuan was giving him a way out, not letting him lose face. Without hesitation, he responded, "Yes, what the county magistrate said makes sense. If Liu Jian's involvement in this incident is not deep, it shows that this comrade has strong party spirit, and assigning him to the propaganda department as a deputy minister is not out of the question. However, if Liu Jian is deeply involved in the Tianma incident and violates party discipline, the discipline inspection commission will absolutely not let him off easily."

Lin Ruoshui, Liu Xiao, Chen Sheng, and the other standing committee members exchanged glances. How did the situation suddenly turn around? The two had almost torn the roof off the meeting room just a moment ago, and now they were suddenly on good terms again?

The drama was more intense than a double act.

However, these standing committee members were all shrewd and quickly understood the underlying dynamics. They were even more impressed by Yang Zixuan's mature political attitude, never expecting such a young man to have such breadth of mind and skill.

"Let's do this. Secretary Liu, after the meeting, you can dispatch a team to Tianma Township to conduct a thorough isolation and review of Wu Xiong and Liu Jian. We need to see if there are any issues." With a way out, Su Nan immediately resumed his role as the strong county party secretary, assigning tasks. However, even Yang Zixuan could tell that Su Nan's tone was not as confident as before, and his words were more cautious, not making any absolute statements.

"If there are no other issues, let's conclude the meeting here! Dismissed! We will reconvene once the discipline inspection commission submits the review report."

As Yang Zixuan walked out of the county committee compound, a faint, pleasant female scent wafted from behind.

"You're quite impressive." Lin Ruoshui followed and smiled. "I might not have the courage to stand up to Secretary Su."

"Do you think I was just doing it for fun? Or that I have nothing better to do? Do you think I'm that boring?" Yang Zixuan said irritably.

"You know, that carries a significant political risk. If the leadership gets the impression that I can't unite with the old comrades, my political career will be ruined." Yang Zixuan smiled bitterly. "I had no choice but to do it."

"Why?"

"I just want to do something honest for the people. I don't want to regret it. Even if it's unwise to stand up to the party secretary, I just hope that if I'm ever forced to leave this system, I won't regret it or feel any regret." Yang Zixuan sighed lightly. "I believe most party cadres, when governing a region, want to leave their mark. I'm no different."

Lin Ruoshui lowered her head thoughtfully, pondering Yang Zixuan's words. "Perhaps it's your pragmatic and serious character that will take you further in your career. There are many officials who are smooth and adaptable, but few can stick to their principles and beliefs and continue on their path. To truly reach a high position, one must have their own stance and principles, not just follow the crowd."

"Are you admiring me? Don't tell me you're infatuated with me. That would be a sin." Yang Zixuan smiled faintly, looking at Lin Ruoshui's beautiful smile, feeling a sense of admiration.

"Pah! Who would want that!" Lin Ruoshui pouted. At this moment, she was not the party secretary of the masses who could strongly counter Su Nan, but a young girl in her twenties. "I'm not that shallow, but I do find you more interesting the more I interact with you."

"What about your boyfriend?" Yang Zixuan changed the subject, smiling.

"What boyfriend? Don't talk nonsense!"

"Mr. Zhuang, isn't he good-looking? I saw him wearing an Armani suit and accompanying you on the train. That's quite a show of affection. Anyone who can afford Armani is either rich or powerful in this country." Yang Zixuan looked at Lin Ruoshui with a teasing expression.

"Ah! When did you see him? He's not my boyfriend, he's just a disgusting fly." Lin Ruoshui looked surprised.

"That day when you were on the train, I was also on the train, in the same carriage, right across from you." Yang Zixuan smiled faintly. "I heard you clearly call me a scapegoat."

"Ah!"

Lin Ruoshui's face turned red, and she was at a loss for what to do.

Walking on the main street of Hongshui County, the dim street lamps made the night scene particularly warm.

"Has Old He been giving you a hard time at the bureau? Do you want me to give him a talking to?"

The speaker was Yang Zixuan, wearing a black windbreaker, his profile sharp in the night.

An Zai Shan smiled, "I wouldn't dare trouble you, County Magistrate. You're so busy, where would you find the time?"

"That's not what I meant..."

"Isn't it? Playing the county party secretary around in the standing committee, and the beautiful deputy secretary in private, your life is quite comfortable."

"Are you praising me or criticizing me? I hear a hint of jealousy. I know many people in the county committee have designs on the beautiful deputy secretary. To be honest, I also want to win Lin Ruoshui over." Yang Zixuan smiled half-heartedly, not holding back in front of An Zai Shan. "Who wouldn't want to live a life of power and pleasure?"

Page break for AD

Page break for AD