208: Chapter 208 Handong Shifts the Blame, Zhong Xiaoai Returns to Her Parents' Home

The next evening, in the Imperial Capital, at Hou Liangping's home.

Hou Liangping had already learned from Chen Hai that Ding Yizhen had been caught while fleeing, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. According to the news from Qin Siyuan, Zhao Dehan's bribery issues had basically been made clear, and they indeed involved Ding Yizhen's criminal acts.

But Ding Yizhen's escape attempt still left him fuming—it must have been a leak from Zhao Dehan's side. If Handong Province hadn't reacted quickly and Ding Yizhen had actually escaped, things would have been disastrous.

Just then, Zhong Xiaoai came back with red eyes.

Early this morning, Handong Province's Governor Liu had filed a complaint with the Supreme Commission for Discipline Inspection. Although he didn't say it outright, the meaning was very clear: the Supreme Commission for Discipline Inspection's confidentiality during the investigation was lax, which almost caused a major accident for the local comrades cooperating with them.

Once this call was made, the blame was basically pinned on the Supreme Commission for Discipline Inspection, and they had to take it whether they liked it or not. In the afternoon, Zhong Xiaoai was called in by her superior and reprimanded. Since she was in charge of Zhao Dehan's case, she was naturally held responsible for the leak.

Zhong Xiaoai felt extremely wronged.

Secretary Zhong had reminded her to maintain confidentiality, and she had indeed done her absolute best, even ruling out any possibility of a leak from her side.

Therefore, she naturally thought of Hou Liangping, because Zhao Dehan's surrender had occurred during Hou Liangping's secret surveillance, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau was also aware of this matter.

She walked into the house, intending to have a serious talk with Hou Liangping, but Hou Liangping spoke first: "Xiaoai, what is going on with your Discipline Inspection Commission? The news leaked all the way to Handong Province, and Ding Yizhen almost escaped abroad!"

Zhong Xiaoai froze, staring at Hou Liangping, and said through gritted teeth, "Hou Liangping, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't you know?" Hou Liangping had a look of surprise on his face. "Because of a confidentiality issue with the Discipline Inspection Commission, Ding Yizhen got wind of it in advance and almost escaped last night!"

Bang!

Zhong Xiaoai slammed her bag onto the floor, pointed at Hou Liangping's nose, and said angrily, "Hou Liangping, make yourself clear! What do you mean by a confidentiality issue with the Discipline Inspection Commission? I could just as easily say the leak came from your side!"

Hou Liangping was taken aback. "You're the one in charge of the case. Why are you coming to me about a leak?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Zhong Xiaoai stood with hands on her hips. "Aside from our Discipline Inspection Commission, only your Anti-Corruption Bureau knew about Zhao Dehan's surrender! Moreover, you watched him walk into our Discipline Inspection Commission courtyard with your own eyes! If there was a leak, your Anti-Corruption Bureau is even more suspicious!"

Hou Liangping widened his eyes. "Zhong Xiaoai, why are you being so unreasonable?"

"I'm being unreasonable?" Zhong Xiaoai's chest heaved violently. "I'm unreasonable? Fine, you think I'm unreasonable, right? Then go find someone reasonable to live with!"

With that, she wiped away her tears, quickly walked into the inner room, and began packing her clothes.

Hou Liangping was stunned, suddenly feeling a wave of regret. "Xiaoai, Xiaoai, don't be impulsive. I didn't mean it that way, I..."

"Get lost." Zhong Xiaoai pointed at him, her gaze sharp as a knife. "Didn't you say I leaked the information? Fine, I won't be associating with an unrelated person like you for the time being."

She grabbed a few pieces of personal clothing, turned around, and walked out.

She was long used to returning to her parents' home, where everything she needed was already there.

Seeing Zhong Xiaoai walk out the door, Hou Liangping shouted, "Xiaoai, Xiaoai, come back, come..."

He called out a few times, but Zhong Xiaoai didn't even look back.

Hou Liangping slumped into his chair. After staring blankly for a moment, he quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Secretary Zhong's number. "Dad, it's Liangping. I'm sorry, Xiaoai and I had a spat..."

He braced himself and explained the whole argument. After a moment of silence on the other end of the line, Secretary Zhong's voice came through: "Alright, you were indeed too impulsive. A leak is no laughing matter; don't make accusations without evidence. I will talk to Xiaoai, and once she's in a better mood, I'll have her go back."

Hou Liangping could tell his father-in-law was displeased, but he could only repeatedly agree. Hanging up and checking the time, he hurriedly rushed out—it was time to pick up the child.

Zhong Xiaoai returned to her bedroom at her parents' home, her eyes still red. Working at the Supreme Commission for Discipline Inspection, she occasionally heard news from the Magic City. Zhao Yang was now the Chief Prosecutor of the Third Branch of the Magic City Procuratorate, a solid Great Perfection of the bureau director level. He had handled countless key cases over the past few years, executing every single one beautifully. Many of their internal training sessions even used Zhao Yang's cases as teaching material.

It was just a pity that Zhao Yang hadn't visited the Imperial Capital once in these past few years; otherwise, she would have found an opportunity to meet him, even if only to catch a distant glimpse.

Looking at Zhao Yang's photo on the official website of the Shanghai Procuratorate on her computer, Zhong Xiaoai once again softly hummed with tears in eyes, "It's a pity it's not you who accompanied me to the end..."

Two days later, Zhao Yang received a phone call from Minister Cai, who revealed that the organization was preparing to send him to Handong Province to take over Chief Prosecutor Ji Changming's position.

Zhao Yang didn't say anything, but he felt a bit helpless in his heart.

Good grief, this was even later than what Meng Dehai had mentioned. If Chief Prosecutor Ji Changming was to retire, it would still take about a year. What could he possibly do in Handong Province by then?

After some thought, he realized that he would likely be sent to clean up the mess after Secretary Sha Ruijin shattered Handong Province's political and legal system.

To the higher-ups, they would naturally send their most valued person for such a task, and choosing Zhao Yang was absolutely the right move. When Handong Province's political and legal system was in a state of panic, he would descend like a savior, win over people's hearts, and take charge of the overall situation. A few years later, he would logically take Secretary Gao Yuliang's current position, and then enter the Imperial Capital's Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Supreme Commission for Discipline Inspection...

In the Dragon Kingdom, the Peak is not just a single summit, but a platform.

Although the platform has a core, major decisions all come from the leadership team.

Clearly, the higher-ups had already paved the way for him to step onto the platform.

Even if he went to work in Handong Province's government departments as Meng Dehai had suggested, it would merely be a different path, with the destination remaining the same.

As long as he didn't court death, his path would be steady and secure.

But unfortunately, the completion rate of 'No Regrets in Placing the Pieces' would be abysmal.

To Zhao Yang, 'No Regrets in Placing the Pieces' was clearly more important.

Because he was a 'Passerby,' and stepping onto the platform, or even reaching the core, was not his ultimate goal.

...

Subsequently, he saw news of Secretary Tian Guofu and Secretary Sha Ruijin taking up their posts in Handong Province. Since Ding Yizhen had been caught for some time now, he figured Handong Province should be able to produce an internal handling result soon.

However, Zhao Yang underestimated the willpower of that fat man, Ding Yizhen.

During his detention, he remained completely silent, letting Chief Prosecutor Ji Changming and Chen Hai bombard him in turns. No matter whether the questions were useful or useless, important or unimportant, he didn't utter a single word. He knew that since the Zhao family could arrange his escape, as long as he kept his mouth shut, the Zhao family would find a way to get him out. Even if they didn't get him out, they would find a way to send information in so he would understand what to say and what not to say.

So he kept holding out, pretending to be sick when all else failed—complaining of various aches and pains or hemorrhoid flare-ups, which actually got him several free physical examinations.

That night, Ding Yizhen lay on the bed in the interrogation room, looking out at the night sky through the small window, feeling ruthless in his heart. "That Lao Mo is a complete idiot. How could Hongdou Logistics let such a creature be a regional manager? He actually ruined my plans at the airport. Just wait until I get out; I'll torment you to death."

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt as if something was pressing violently against his chest. The excruciating pain caused him to break out in a cold sweat, and all the strength in his body was drained in an instant.

...

At two in the morning, Chief Prosecutor Ji Changming was dragged from his sleep by a rapid ringing of the phone. Frowning, he picked up the phone, and after hearing just two sentences, he blurted out in shock, "What? Ding Yizhen is dead? I'll head over right away."

He didn't have time to explain to his wife. He quickly dressed, grabbed his bag, and rushed out. Just as he stepped out of his house, Chief Prosecutor Ji Changming felt his head spin. His body tilted, and he fell headfirst, tumbling down the stairs.