2: Chapter 2 Taking the blame? That's impossible.

Qin Chuan returned to the large office of the Urban Construction Office with satisfaction, sat down at his desk, and pondered for a moment on how to proceed.

With his extensive experience in officialdom, he quickly formed a plan and knew exactly what to do.

A short while later, Director Liu Wei from the Urban Construction Office came over, stood at the entrance of the office, and beckoned, "Xiao Qin, come here for a moment."

Qin Chuan stood up and entered the office of the Director of the Urban Construction Office.

Director Liu Wei asked, "Xiao Qin, have you thought it over? Township Head Zhao values you highly. Just take the responsibility for this incident for now. Don't worry, it won't have much of an impact; at most, it will just be a verbal warning. With Township Head Zhao handling things, everything will be fine..."

After saying this, without allowing Qin Chuan to get a word in, Director Liu Wei stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go, we're going to the Township Head's office. Township Head Zhao wants to have a word with you."

Director Liu Wei walked in front, leading Qin Chuan into the Township Head's office.

As for Qin Chuan, while following behind, he discreetly turned on the voice recorder on his phone and slipped it into his pocket, ensuring that the upcoming conversation would be recorded.

One should not have the intention to harm others, but one must have the precaution to guard against them.

Years of experience in officialdom told him that he needed to be extra cautious about this matter; having evidence in hand would be for the best.

After all, he was just a nobody from the grassroots with no connections or background.

Qin Chuan was from a neighboring province, and his adoptive parents were ordinary people who had both passed away in a car accident two years ago.

Why did he call them adoptive parents? Because after Qin Chuan reached adulthood, he already knew; his adoptive parents had told him themselves.

Qin Chuan was not their biological child, but a foundling.

The couple had never been able to conceive and dreamed of having a child. That day, after coming out of a check-up at the city hospital, they saw a three-year-old Qin Chuan crying at the entrance of a small alley near the hospital.

It was obvious he had gotten separated from his parents.

Seeing little Qin Chuan looking so pitiful, the adoptive parents comforted him and even tried to help him find his parents, going so far as to visit the Police Station.

Unfortunately, information technology was not advanced at that time; there were no computers or surveillance cameras, and the comrades at the Police Station were unable to locate Qin Chuan's parents.

In the end, the adoptive parents adopted Qin Chuan.

After asking for his name, and since his adoptive father also happened to have the surname Qin, they simply didn't change it, and he had been called Qin Chuan ever since he was a child.

With his grassroots background, he believed Township Head Zhao Yijiang and the others had long since figured it out, and they were preparing to make Qin Chuan the scapegoat.

If it were the original owner, he might have happily shouldered this huge blame, but the current Qin Chuan certainly wouldn't do that; he was even thinking about how to refuse.

Pushing open the door to the Township Head's office, Director Liu Wei said, "Township Head, Qin Chuan is here."

Township Head Zhao Yijiang immediately put on a warm expression, "Ah, Xiao Qin is here, please, have a seat."

He even personally poured a cup of hot tea for him.

All of this was, of course, an act, intended to make Qin Chuan feel flattered, so that he might act impulsively and thump his chest, promising to take the blame.

After personally pouring the hot tea for Qin Chuan, Township Head Zhao Yijiang began to make small talk and inquire about his well-being.

"Xiao Qin, you're from a neighboring province, are you getting used to everything here? If there's anything you're not accustomed to, feel free to tell me directly."

Director Liu Wei chimed in with flattery, "Township Head Zhao is always so caring toward his subordinates as usual. Qin Chuan, our Xiushui River Bridge has collapsed this time, and the township is in a very passive position. We need someone to step up and take responsibility; this is the time for you to show some commitment."

Township Head Zhao Yijiang followed up on this topic, his expression turning serious, "Director Liu is right. The township is indeed in a very difficult spot. After some thought, I feel that you are the most suitable person to take the responsibility. Don't worry, it's just a formality. Once the heat dies down, the organization won't forget you and will certainly promote you."

Watching the two of them perform their little duet, Qin Chuan saw through them as clearly as a mirror.

Everything sounded nice, but if he really took the blame, all the dirt would be dumped on him, and it would be impossible to turn things around.

Qin Chuan feigned a look of great difficulty, "Township Head, but I'm just an ordinary clerk; I'm not qualified for this. Besides, I wasn't very involved in the bidding or construction of the Xiushui River Bridge."

The bidding had basically been rigged, because since the funding came primarily from Jinzhu Township, Township Head Zhao Yijiang had almost single-handedly decided on the contractor; the bidding was just a formality.

During the bridge construction process, the Urban Construction Office represented Jinzhu Township in supervision, and Director Liu Wei was heavily involved, while Qin Chuan was basically a peripheral figure.

Township Head Zhao Yijiang said, "Xiao Qin, don't worry. If we say you're qualified, you're qualified. Rest assured, I'll handle everything; it won't be a problem."

Qin Chuan sneered coldly in his heart, but his face betrayed nothing. People like Township Head Zhao Yijiang could never have imagined how deep his true nature ran.

"Township Head, this matter has absolutely nothing to do with me. Instead of making me take the fall, it would be better for Director Liu to take the responsibility. Whether it's the bidding for the bridge construction or the supervision of the construction, he was a key participant."

What! You're unwilling!!!

Township Head Zhao Yijiang's expression changed slightly, and he shot a look of dissatisfaction at Director Liu Wei.

That look seemed to say, "What are you doing? You couldn't even handle such a small matter before bringing him to me?"

He had thought everything was already settled by Director Liu Wei and that Qin Chuan had already agreed to take the blame.

Director Liu Wei's expression also changed, and he even felt a bit angry. Damn it, he thought, how dare you open your mouth like that; you actually want me to take the fall!

Since this was the Township Head's office, he couldn't lose his temper just yet and had to hold it in, offering only a rebuke, "Qin Chuan, what kind of bullshit suggestion is that? If I get involved, Township Head Zhao will also be implicated. It's best if you take the responsibility so that Township Head Zhao won't be affected and can continue with his operations..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted. Township Head Zhao Yijiang said, "Alright, that's enough. Xiao Qin, go back and think about it carefully. I'll give you half a day—no, I'll give you plenty of time. Just give me your answer tomorrow morning. I believe you will make a wise choice."

Upon returning to his large office, a trace of disdain appeared at the corner of Qin Chuan's mouth.

You'd better take the responsibility yourselves; I am not going to shoulder this blame.

In the Township Head's office.

Director Liu Wei did not leave but continued to conspire with Township Head Zhao Yijiang.

"Township Head, I don't know what got into Qin Chuan today. He's usually not like this; as soon as you dangle a carrot in front of him, he's like a chicken on steroids, rushing forward. I thought this was a sure thing; I didn't expect such a slip-up."

Township Head Zhao Yijiang said, "Go and tell him later that it would be best if he takes the blame voluntarily. Otherwise, I still have a hundred ways to make him take the blame. By then, it won't just be a simple verbal warning—he'll be going to the Police Station."

"Alright, I'll go tell him."

Director Liu Wei left the Township Head's office and immediately called Qin Chuan to his own Director's office.

He was still putting on an act and hadn't torn off the mask just yet.

With a tone of earnest persuasion, he said, "Xiao Qin, you were too impulsive in front of Township Head Zhao just now. Being so impulsive as a young man is not a good thing."

"I've put in a good word for you again in front of Township Head Zhao. As long as you are willing to step up and take responsibility, the Township Head says he won't hold anything against you."

"I advise you to take the responsibility voluntarily. You know Township Head Zhao has great influence; if he handles it, you won't be affected too much..."

Qin Chuan watched his performance, and after he finished his persuasion, he still said, "Director Liu, I was not involved in the bidding for the Xiushui River Bridge, nor was I involved in the construction supervision. I will not take responsibility for things I haven't done."

Director Liu Wei said, "Why are you so stubborn? Let me tell you the truth: you have to take this blame whether you want to or not. Taking the blame voluntarily is your wisest choice. Otherwise, things will get very serious, and it won't be as simple as just receiving a warning."