2: Go to the door to annul the engagement

After returning to his Office, Lin Zifeng closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, feeling he absolutely had to do something.

Given his own capabilities, he couldn't help Zhang Yuhao in any way; he could only seek assistance from outside.

His own family background was ordinary, without any significant connections, but Zhang Yuhao was different.

For Zhang Yuhao to ascend to the position of county magistrate at such a young age would have been extremely difficult if his family didn't have connections.

If Zhang Yuhao were truly a corrupt official, he definitely wouldn't lift a finger.

But if he was being slandered and persecuted, as his secretary, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Otherwise, his own conscience wouldn't allow it.

Even at the risk of being invited for 'tea' by the Discipline Inspection Commission again, he had to do this.

Thinking this, he took out his work phone, found the number for Zhang Yuhao's Spouse Chen Yuqing, and dialed directly.

The call connected quickly, and an elegant woman's voice came through the receiver.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Hello, Sister-in-law, this is County Magistrate Zhang's secretary, Lin Zifeng."

He hurriedly introduced himself, as this was his first time calling Chen Yuqing.

"Oh, I remember you, Xiao Lin. What brings your call?"

Lin Zifeng quickly organized his thoughts and concisely told her about what had happened in recent days.

Finally, he added, "Sister-in-law, I've been working by County Magistrate Zhang's side for about a year now.

I believe the issues others have reported about County Magistrate Zhang are completely baseless. It's a means for some people to retaliate against him from behind the scenes.

But my words carry little weight. I was just released by the Discipline Inspection Commission and can't offer any real help. I could only inform you about this.

Sister-in-law, please think of a solution quickly! The longer the county magistrate is under investigation, the worse the impact, and the more detrimental it is for him."

"Xiao Lin, the fact that you took the risk to tell me these things shows Yuhao didn't misjudge you. The situation is urgent, so I won't say more to you now."

After hanging up, Lin Zifeng let out a long sigh, feeling as if all his strength had been drained.

What he didn't know was that his parents were currently at home, their heads spinning with worry.

Lin Jiahua and Zhang Chunhua, the husband and wife, were looking helplessly at a couple in their fifties.

Father Lin, Lin Jiahua, spoke to the other party: "In-law relative, we can't reach Zifeng right now either. Even if Zifeng was taken by the Discipline Inspection Commission to assist with the investigation,

I still believe my son wouldn't do anything against discipline or the law. Isn't it a bit too hasty for you to come here now to break off the engagement?"

"Old Lin, our Xin Xin and Lin Zifeng aren't married yet, so we aren't truly In-law relatives.

Don't fool yourself. Lin Zifeng was taken away for investigation along with County Magistrate Zhang Yuhao this time. Do you really think nothing will come of it?

The best outcome would be if he doesn't end up 'stepping on the sewing machine' (serving time). At the very least, his job is definitely gone, and he'll have no future in government or enterprise work.

Does such a Lin Zifeng still deserve our Xin Xin?

Our Xin Xin works at the Education Bureau, with a boundless future ahead. You should face reality and agree to cancel the engagement!"

"Vice Principal Chen, what era is this now? I think the matter between the two young people should wait until our Zifeng returns, for them to resolve themselves!

We parents shouldn't interfere."

Mother Lin, Zhang Chunhua, changed how she addressed the other party upon hearing their words.

"No, our Xin Xin is soft-hearted. It was us, her parents, who forced her to come here with us. You must agree to break off the engagement.

As parents yourselves, you should understand our feelings of wanting what's best for our child."

Mother Chen stated unequivocally.

It turned out the other party were the parents of Lin Zifeng's girlfriend of five years, Chen Xinxin, along with Chen Xinxin herself.

Chen Xinxin's father was the Vice Principal of the county high school, and her mother was also a teacher at that same school.

Lin Zifeng's father was also a teacher at this high school.

They were originally old colleagues and acquaintances. Lin Zifeng and Chen Xinxin had both attended this high school.

Later, by chance, they both tested into the same prestigious domestic university.

The two had known each other since high school and had mutual affection.

Once at university, they naturally got together.

At first, Chen Xinxin's parents didn't agree to their relationship.

It wasn't until after they graduated and both passed the civil service exam, with Lin Zifeng even entering the County Party Committee and County Government to work, that Chen Xinxin's parents agreed to their marriage.

So, at the beginning of the year, they got engaged, planning to marry by year's end.

But now that this had happened to Lin Zifeng, and knowing his future might be completely ruined, the couple forced Chen Xinxin to come to the Lin family to break off the engagement.

Chen Xinxin's personality was somewhat weak. Although she didn't want to end things with Lin Zifeng like this, faced with relatives' advice and her parents' pressure, she still followed them to the Lin house.

Hearing Mother Chen's words, Zhang Chunhua looked at Chen Xinxin, her face full of hope as she asked, "Xin Xin, do you also agree to break off the engagement?"

Chen Xinxin turned to look at her parents, her eyes full of pleading.

Mother Chen quickly said, "Xin Xin! This is a matter for a lifetime. How realistic is society nowadays? Do you want to spend your whole life with a man without a proper job?

Even if you could endure it yourself, what about when you have children in the future? Do you want your future children to suffer with you?

Love and affection can't fill your stomach, nor can they replace daily necessities.

An unequal love can't last a lifetime. A long pain is worse than a short one!"

"Xin Xin, just listen to us! We're doing this for your own good. Otherwise, we wouldn't act like such petty, opportunistic people, letting Uncle Lin and Auntie Lin look down on us."

Father Chen also spoke up to persuade her.

Hearing her parents' persuasion, Chen Xinxin turned to look at Lin Zifeng's parents. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she finally spoke: "Uncle Lin, Auntie Lin, I'm sorry.

I know I'm letting Zifeng down, but what my parents say isn't without reason.

My parents only have me, one daughter. I can't gamble my whole life away. Let's just consider my engagement with Zifeng over."

After saying this, Chen Xinxin turned and ran out in tears.

Zhang Chunhua sighed softly, her face filled with reluctance, but she said nothing.

Lin Jiahua said with difficulty, "Since that's the case, Vice Principal Chen, let's consider the engagement between our two families null and void as of today."

Mother Chen, Li Shufen, breathed a sigh of relief, a look of ease appearing on her face. She opened the handbag beside her, took out thirty thousand yuan and several pieces of gold jewelry, placing them on the coffee table.

Then she spoke: "This is the betrothal money and jewelry you gave during the engagement. I'm returning it all, untouched.

Since we're the ones initiating the breakup, we won't take advantage of you.

Old Chen, let's go.

Chen Dongsheng nodded, stood up, and walked out with Li Shufen.

Lin Jiahua forced himself to see them to the door. After turning back inside, seeing Zhang Chunhua sighing and wiping away tears, he tried to console her: "What's there to miss? It's not worth shedding tears over people like this.

Our Zifeng isn't even in a confirmed bad situation yet! He was just taken to assist the Discipline Inspection Commission with their investigation, and she chose to abandon him.

Who goes through life without encountering difficulties? If something like this happened later, after they were married and had children, it would be even harder to deal with.

It's a good thing everything is still reversible now. I think this is actually a good thing for our Zifeng. Isn't it better to see someone's true colors early?

It saves regretting it later when it's too late."