Chapter 5: The Beauty Su Chen

Once again at the small store in the train station, Su Ming, who had changed his appearance so much that he was almost unrecognizable, was already waiting there.

"County Chief, how's the situation?"

"Su Ming, you did a great job. Now, the disciplinary committee people are temporarily distracted, and we have ample time." Yang Zixuan patted Su Ming on the shoulder. Although Yang Zixuan was much younger than Su Ming, he was taller and didn't look out of place.

"Actually, the one who did the real work was my sister. I just ran some errands." Su Ming smiled somewhat shyly.

Yang Zixuan nodded, realizing that Su Ming's sister was no ordinary person. A young girl had the courage to rally the workers at the Red Water Textile Factory. He should meet her sometime.

"County Chief, what should we do next?"

If before, Su Ming had some doubts about Yang Zixuan's intelligence, now he was certain that this county chief was a master of hiding his true abilities, a man who wouldn't leave any bones behind.

Of course, he didn't know that this seemingly foolish county chief was originally truly foolish, but had been replaced by someone else!

"I need someone who is very familiar with the Red Water Textile Factory. Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"My sister! She used to be an office worker at the Red Water Textile Factory." Su Ming blurted out without hesitation, "She knows the Red Water Textile Factory very well. But later, an old pervert became the office director, and she requested a transfer."

"Alright, bring her here. I have some questions to ask her face-to-face!"

At the riverside teahouse, there were few customers at the moment.

This was the place where Yang Zixuan had arranged to meet Su Ming and his sister.

Yang Zixuan sat at a table by a cement path in the teahouse, looking out the door. He saw Su Ming and his sister riding an old Shanghai Phoenix 29-inch bicycle coming from a distance...

For a moment, he was completely stunned...

The face that lingered in his memory reappeared. Even though he couldn't see her clearly with her half-face covered by a curtain of black hair, he could still recognize her from the serene features exposed to the air. She was Su Chen, the director of the welfare home who had completely changed his life in his previous life.

It was she who held his hand and led him into the welfare home, ending his long life of wandering!

She was the woman who had completely altered the course of his life.

She had given him a second life, guiding him from self-abandonment and inferiority to confidence. He later attended a prestigious university, and although they lost touch, when he returned from studying at the University of Pennsylvania, he found that she had been dismissed from her position.

Rumors said that the mayor had his eye on her and wanted her to be his mistress. When she refused, he was furious and had her dismissed, after which she disappeared without a trace.

Enraged, Yang Zixuan had a fight with a man who had insulted Su Chen, and then went back to collect evidence of the mayor's crimes. However, he was murdered by the mayor's network of officials and businessmen, who were also his business rivals, on an unknown street...

No, never again!

Yang Zixuan clenched his fists. Since heaven had given him a second chance at life, he would not let it end in such tragedy again.

Su Ming brought Su Chen and sat her down opposite Yang Zixuan.

"County Chief, this is my sister, Xiao Chen. You can ask her about the Red Water Textile Factory."

Su Chen was tall and slender, wearing a light yellow windbreaker, a pair of cheap but not vulgar leather shoes, and a youthful, unweathered face.

All of this gave Yang Zixuan a fresh feeling, as he had never seen such a youthful version of the director.

In his previous life, Su Chen was mature and beautiful. No matter how difficult the welfare home's finances were, she always remained calm and reassuring in front of the children.

"Hello, County Chief." Su Chen seemed a bit nervous, her chin slightly tilted, but she also stole a few curious glances at the young county chief who was not much older than her.

"Alright, sit down!" Yang Zixuan realized he was a bit out of sorts and quickly instructed, "Xiao Chen, who usually handles the accounts at the Red Water Textile Factory?"

"Are you talking about our factory's accountant?"

"Yes, who is responsible for the factory's expenses and income?" Yang Zixuan nodded.

"The accounts are usually managed by Deputy Factory Manager Yuan Hong, who is Factory Manager Tian Li's apprentice. However, the specific accounts are handled by Accountant Cao Mei."

"This Cao Mei is the witness we need!" Yang Zixuan immediately locked onto the target. "Tell me more about Cao Mei, including her marital status, family background, and other details. We need to find a way to break through."

"Cao Mei has no significant background. She is from Cao Village in our county and has been a long-time employee at the Red Water Textile Factory, working her way up from a production line worker to an accountant. It's said that her husband treated her poorly, and she divorced him a few years ago. She has a daughter who is in the first grade at the county's first primary school, and she dotes on her very much."

Su Chen spoke quickly and clearly, finishing her explanation in a few sentences.

Yang Zixuan paced around, thinking for a moment, and then asked, "When does the county's first primary school dismiss?"

"Midday at 11:30, and evening at 5:30."

Yang Zixuan looked at the clock on the wall; it was already 4:00 PM. Time was running out. He waved his hand and asked, "Does Cao Mei always pick up her daughter in the evening?"

"I'm not sure about that." Su Chen's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she fiddled with the hem of her coat.

"That's fine. Let's go to the county's first primary school together."

Yang Zixuan called An Zai's beeper from the teahouse counter.

After a while, An Zai replied.

"Hello, this is Yang Zixuan. How is the situation at the county government compound?"

"The situation is not good. County Chief Li has come out to calm the workers and made some promises, but he hasn't gained their trust. The workers are still agitated and haven't dispersed." An Zai's voice was tired and low, "How are the preparations for the evidence?"

"Almost ready. Immediately find two trustworthy arrest personnel with their work credentials and come to the county's first primary school by 5:30. I'll be waiting there."

"No problem, act quickly and be careful!"

After hanging up, Yang Zixuan and Su Chen and Su Ming immediately headed to the county's first primary school. It was already past 4:00 PM, and when they arrived, two tall men in plain clothes were already waiting, clearly the arrest personnel sent by An Zai.

"Hello, County Chief!" The two tall men immediately greeted him. Yang Zixuan was no longer in disguise and had appeared in various county meetings, so the men quickly recognized him after receiving An Zai's instructions.

Yang Zixuan waved his hand and said seriously, "I believe Director An has already briefed you. I won't repeat it here. Follow my instructions."

The two tall men nodded quickly in response.

"Xiao Chen, as soon as you see Cao Mei, let me know." Yang Zixuan turned to Su Chen, whose beautiful face was slightly flushed from the cold, and his heart stirred again.

It was almost time for school to dismiss, and the county's first primary school was already crowded with parents on motorcycles or bicycles waiting for their children in the cold wind. In the 1990s, small cars were still rare in a small county like Red Water, unlike 20 years later when private cars and even private planes were common for picking up children.

"County Chief, look, Cao Mei is here." Su Chen said crisply.

Following Su Chen's finger, Yang Zixuan saw Cao Mei's pale face. She looked decent, wearing a red cotton jacket, with a hint of a young woman's charm.

Yang Zixuan signaled the two tall men and walked toward Cao Mei, who was standing in the wind with a small bag.

"Are you Accountant Cao Mei from the Red Water Textile Factory?" Yang Zixuan asked as he approached her.

"Who are you?" Cao Mei looked at the young man who suddenly appeared, feeling a bit familiar but unable to place him. The two tall men behind him also seemed threatening.

"I am Yang Zixuan. I want to talk to you about today's incident at the Red Water Textile Factory."

Hearing Yang Zixuan's name, Cao Mei's face changed immediately. She had heard this name many times from several factory leaders, who often mocked this county chief as a scapegoat.

"This has nothing to do with me. I know nothing." Cao Mei's face turned cold, and her tone was icy.

Yang Zixuan's lips curled into a strange smile, "We have already gathered evidence of the disciplinary violations of the Red Water Textile Factory's party secretary and Factory Manager Tian Li. According to our preliminary findings, you were involved in fabricating false accounts, helping the corrupt officials at the Red Water Textile Factory to embezzle and misappropriate public assets, which is a serious offense... However, if you cooperate with our investigation, you can atone for your crimes..."

Extortion! Break through Cao Mei's psychological defenses!