Chapter 69: The Secret Is Revealed

Zhang Hongxia could hardly believe her ears when she heard the news. She stared at her husband for a long while before murmuring, “Is this true?” Yang Pengyi smiled and replied, “Would I lie to you about something like this? I already reported for work yesterday. I just didn’t dare tell you before, afraid it might all be a dream.”

With her husband’s firm reassurance, Zhang Hongxia finally accepted that it was real and not some trick of her hearing. She stood there, dazed for a long time, then suddenly squatted down, covered her face, and began to sob.

These days, she had been worrying about her husband every day, and about their family as well. Though she had been prepared to return with her husband to her parents’ village to raise pigs, the thought that her husband—a city man, a university graduate—had lost his job and would have to join her in pig farming pained her deeply.

She knew that although her husband hadn’t complained, he must have been suffering inside. Fearing he would be upset, she had avoided mentioning it, keeping her distress to herself until now, when it finally burst forth.

After a long while, the couple embraced again, this time tears of joy streaming down their faces.

…

Back in his office, Yang Pengyi organized his materials, including the undercover video of Yongxing Chemical Plant and the written evidence he had gathered. There was also documentation of Guo Zhenning’s collusion with Yongxing Chemical, concealing the truth for their benefit. Yang Pengyi signed his name on each piece of evidence, placed them all in a file folder, and headed to the Discipline Inspection Commission to submit them with great care.

Because it was a real-name report from an insider—no less than the well-connected Yang Pengyi—the file quickly landed on the desk of the commission’s secretary.

Meanwhile, in the newsroom, Guo Zhenning was in a state of panic. He racked his brain but could think of no way to escape this disaster. If this were before, when Yang Pengyi was just a junior reporter, Guo’s connections could have helped him. But now, Yang Pengyi was deputy director of the municipal party office, close to the center of power; who would risk so much to help him?

After several calls were met with outright rejection, Guo Zhenning lost all hope. With no other options, he sat down at his computer. His only choice now was to run—he had no intention of going to prison. Over the years, he had taken so many bribes and twisted so many truths that even he could not keep track; if investigated, he would never see the outside world again. Prison was simply not an option.

Gritting his teeth, he logged into his account, planning to transfer his money abroad. Though just an editor-in-chief, he had collected enough over the years to live comfortably overseas for the rest of his life. But when he opened his account, he was stunned to find it had already been frozen.

A chill ran through him—he realized everything had been exposed. After a moment’s thought, he made up his mind. He still had five million in cash stashed elsewhere, enough to start a small business abroad. Now that exposure was certain, he could not hesitate—he had to flee at once, or the next step would be prison.

At his age, if he went to jail, he would never come out again. He had to take his chances.

Resolute, Guo Zhenning left his office immediately. But as he entered the main hall, several people in the uniforms of the Discipline Inspection Commission appeared before him. His legs gave out and he collapsed to the floor.

Their speed had far surpassed his expectations. The leader of the group stepped forward, produced a document, and flashed it before Guo Zhenning, declaring:

“Guo Zhenning, you are suspected of accepting bribes. You have been expelled from the party and are now under investigation. Please come with us.”

With a wave of his hand, two others stepped forward and cuffed the ashen-faced Guo Zhenning.

All the newsroom staff stared in shock at this sudden turn of events. After Guo was taken away, the room erupted in whispers.

“I always knew he was no good—now he’s finally been caught.”

“If you walk by the river long enough, your shoes are bound to get wet. He got what he deserved.”

“I heard Yang Pengyi went to work for the city committee—could he have been the one who brought Guo down?”

“Even if he was, Guo only has himself to blame. If he had nothing to hide, nobody could have touched him!”

At the same time, the City Environmental Protection Bureau, together with the police, rushed to Yongxing Chemical Plant, where Liu Qiming was taken into custody for bribery and environmental pollution.

…

That morning, Lu Ming got up and went downstairs, only to see Qin Lan and Yun Ketian waiting for him yet again, giving him a headache. Qin Lan refused to leave, and ever since her arrival, Yun Ketian had shown up almost daily.

Frowning at the two, Lu Ming said, “Time to eat,” and headed out.

Qin Lan and Yun Ketian quickly followed. Outside, Lu Ming saw that Sister Zhang’s breakfast stall was open, and a smile appeared on his face.

The three walked over, and Lu Ming called out, “Sister Zhang, you’ve opened up!”

“Yes, I’m open,” Zhang Hongxia replied with a smile.

“Great! I haven’t had your steamed buns in two days—I’m dying for them. Bring us ten baskets right away!”

“Coming right up. Take a seat, please.”

A radiant smile never left Sister Zhang’s face.

“What’s got you in such a good mood, Sister Zhang?” Lu Ming asked, grinning.

Bringing the buns to their table, she replied, “Your Brother Yang has been transferred to work at the city committee!”

“Wow, congratulations!”

“And, my in-laws called today—they want to have dinner with us.” Her smile grew even brighter.

Lu Ming chuckled, “Just a meal, and you’re this happy?”

She sighed. “You don’t know. Ever since I married Yang, he’s barely been in contact with his family. Maybe now, we’ll finally reconcile.”

“That’s wonderful. Something to be happy about,” Lu Ming said warmly.

He knew a bit about this—Sister Zhang had mentioned it before. Because she married Yang Pengyi, he was thrown out by his family. All these years, though technically family, Zhang Hongxia hadn’t even set foot in their home.

Yang Pengyi, too, had little contact with his family; at most, he’d bring gifts during the holidays, only to have them thrown out. This had always been a knot in Zhang Hongxia’s heart—her husband’s estrangement from his family was all because of her, and she had always felt guilty. She had tried many times to mend the relationship, but her in-laws refused to see her, and there was nothing she could do.

Soon, the three finished breakfast, said their goodbyes to Sister Zhang, and returned to the general store. They lounged on the sofa, chatting idly.

“Guo Zhenning and Liu Qiming really brought this on themselves. They never imagined that someone they looked down on would one day trample them underfoot,” Yun Ketian said smugly.

Qin Lan shot him a look. “You’re always scheming.”

Yun Ketian quickly protested, “Sister Qin, that’s not fair. Guo Zhenning and Liu Qiming were bad people—they deserved this. And someone as upright and responsible as Yang Pengyi deserves to be an official, serving the people.”

Seeing Yun Ketian’s righteous expression, Lu Ming laughed. “You did well in this matter. But are you just going to freeload here every day, eating and drinking for free?”

Yun Ketian was about to play the victim when his phone rang. Seeing it was his father, he quickly answered.

Moments later, he hung up and said to Lu Ming, “Brother Lu, don’t say I just freeload. My dad just called—he wants to invite you to lunch. What do you say?”

Lu Ming replied lazily, “After all the meals you’ve mooched off me, of course I’ll go.”

Yun Ketian beamed. “Great, I’ll call my dad right now.”

Lu Ming hadn’t intended to go, but on second thought, Yun Shenguo surely had more than lunch in mind—he was, after all, the top official in the Northwest Province. Lu Ming decided to accept.

At noon, at the Jingsheng Grand Hotel.

Yang Pengyi and Zhang Hongxia, along with several others, arrived at the hotel entrance and headed toward their reserved private room. Besides the couple, there were Yang Pengyi’s younger brother, Yang Pengju, and his wife, Miao Jiayi.

Miao Jiayi was dressed extravagantly, casting sidelong glances at Zhang Hongxia, who looked plain and rural by comparison. Yang Pengyi’s mother, in particular, seemed to seethe at the sight of Zhang.

She glared at Zhang Hongxia and, frowning, said to Yang Pengyi, “Pengyi, look at your status now. Why does your wife still dress like a country bumpkin? Isn’t it embarrassing to go out like this?”

Yang Pengyi’s face darkened, but just as he was about to speak, Zhang Hongxia quietly tugged at his sleeve, and he forced himself to hold back.

His mother continued, “Now that you’ve reached this position, hurry up and get your brother a good job. Our whole family can finally rely on you.”