29: Chapter 29: Was it hush money?

"Stagnation," Sun Hongwei said, setting down his wine glass with a wry smile on his lips.

"Because of me, my father missed out on this promotion."

Zhao Yang had long anticipated this outcome.

With the suspicion of corruption and bribery hanging over his son's head, it was impossible for Sun Zhendong to be promoted at this time.

Some opportunities, once missed, are missed for a lifetime, but that wasn't an absolute rule.

Zhao Yang said with a sincere expression, "Brother Sun, don't be discouraged. Once your issue is cleared up, the organization will definitely give you and Uncle Sun an explanation."

Compared to losing a loved one, his father missing a chance for promotion didn't cause much of a stir in Sun Hongwei's heart.

He smiled and praised him:

"To be so composed at such a young age, it's no wonder my father speaks of you with such high praise."

Zhao Yang replied, "Uncle Sun is too kind. It is you who are truly a dragon among men."

Sun Hongwei sighed, "Clearing up the issue isn't that easy. Chief Captain Luo has already returned to Jiangzhou three days ago."

"The investigation into police misconduct has been terminated, and Director Wang from the Ministry of Public Security might return to the capital tomorrow."

The implication was that the work of the Special Investigation Team had reached a stalemate.

As for catching the real culprit, who knew how long that would take.

Clearly, the Sun father and son had already discussed the case with the Ministry of Public Security.

"The net of justice is wide, but it lets nothing through; the culprit will be caught sooner or later."

Zhao Yang poured more wine for both of them and continued:

"I mainly cover the political and legal beat, so I know a bit more about the public security system. If there's anything you need help with, just say the word."

Zhao Yang knew who the killer was, but there was no way to prove it right now.

Even if the killer's identity matched his memories from his previous life, he had to wait for the right opportunity to speak out.

He said this to test Sun Hongwei, wanting to see how the father and son would actually retaliate.

However, Sun Hongwei remained tight-lipped about it.

He raised his glass to clink with Zhao Yang's, "My father thinks highly of you. If he had successfully been promoted this time, I imagine you would have already become his secretary."

"If I have a need, I naturally won't stand on ceremony with you."

Zhao Yang knew that if Sun Hongwei could say these things, he certainly didn't treat him as an outsider.

"Brother Sun, before Director Wang from the Ministry of Public Security leaves, could you ask him to look after Xu Yiming from the Technical Brigade of the Criminal Investigation Detachment? Without him, I wouldn't have been able to get that evidence at all."

Hearing Zhao Yang's words, Sun Hongwei sighed deeply:

"It's difficult. My status is sensitive right now, and it's inconvenient for me to step in. I can only compensate him in the future."

Zhao Yang nodded slightly, "I understand."

The two drank and chatted, and before they knew it, it was past nine in the evening.

Sun Hongwei's phone remained quiet, which was something that had never happened to him before.

It showed the fickleness of the world.

When one is in power, the doorstep is crowded; when one loses power, it becomes deserted.

Instead, it was the ringing of Zhao Yang's phone that interrupted their conversation.

Zhao Yang picked up his phone and saw it was a call from Shen Li.

She was calling at this hour; could there have been a change in the farmers' compensation matter?

He didn't approve of Shen Li using her body to climb the ladder, but he knew she was a very loyal person.

This was also the reason why Zhao Yang was willing to associate with her.

Answering the phone, Zhao Yang felt a bit apprehensive, "Sister Li, is something the matter?"

From the other end of the line came a peal of laughter like silver bells.

"Giggle, do I have to have a reason to call you? Can't I, your sister, miss her little brother?"

This woman must have had a good time drinking.

Zhao Yang relaxed and chuckled, "Sister Li, you've discovered my only strong point."

"What strong point?"

The other end paused for a moment, then let out a loud laugh:

"Alright, little Yangyang, wait until tomorrow at work, and I'll measure exactly how long you are."

Zhao Yang replied offhandedly, "I'm afraid that might be a bit difficult to measure."

Shen Li nearly went crazy laughing, "Little Yangyang, you're quite the hand at dirty talk, I like it!"

Zhao Yang laughed, "Then should I keep panting?"

"Cut it out!" Shen Li said, becoming uncharacteristically serious.

"The farmers' compensation work will start tomorrow, and the advertising deal has also been negotiated: two million a year for a three-year contract."

See, Shen Li was still the practical one.

Over the three years, she would likely get a commission of nearly a million, and she didn't shy away from it at all.

Unlike Li Hongyi, who didn't say a word about it.

When it came to interests, he kicked his subordinates far away.

Zhao Yang offered his sincere congratulations, "Congratulations! For the next three years, you can just sit back and relax."

"Zhao Yang, thank you. There are some other things, we'll talk when we meet tomorrow."

"Alright." The company had agreed to the compensation, and Zhao Yang's wish had been fulfilled, so he hung up the phone readily.

The phone wasn't very soundproof, and Sun Hongwei, sitting next to him, listened in stunned silence, then shook his head in admiration:

"The rumors outside are absolutely true; you people at the Television Station really are all hooligans."

Zhao Yang smiled and teased himself:

"Only verbal hooligans. When it comes to practical ability, that would be the leaders in those departments with real power."

Sun Hongwei nodded, letting out a long sigh of reflection:

"Yes, the current atmosphere in officialdom has reached a point where it must be rectified."

Zhao Yang raised his glass, "Therefore, Brother Sun, you must hold on. The country needs good cadres like you."

The two drank to their hearts' content, and Zhao Yang ended up crashing on the sofa in Sun Hongwei's living room for the night.

This moved Sun Hongwei even more; he was currently under suspicion, and the cadres in the city were all avoiding him like the plague.

Therefore, he cherished this friendship with Zhao Yang even more.

Knowing that Shen Li had to get up early to cook porridge and had things to tell him, Zhao Yang arrived at the unit by 7:30.

When Shen Li returned with the porridge, Zhao Yang knocked on her office door.

Seeing that it was Zhao Yang, a hint of surprise appeared on Shen Li's face.

"When did you become such a flirt? You must have been up to no good out there last night, right?"

Shen Li always spoke directly and had a bold style.

Zhao Yang avoided answering and asked instead:

"How is the porridge? Has it been effective?"

Shen Li smiled slightly and said in a low voice:

"Haven't you noticed that Old Yuan's complexion has improved lately? He even praised the recipe you provided as being good!"

The recipe he passed on last time was indeed effective, and because of this, Shen Li felt Zhao Yang was a decent person and treated him as one of her own.

Don't look at those people in the Television Station; they might be polite on the surface, but who knows how they are cursing her behind her back.

The only one truly helping her from the heart was Zhao Yang.

That was why she didn't hold back at all when speaking in front of Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang was a bit puzzled; did the pillow talk actually work?

In his contact with Yuan Gang over the past two days, he hadn't felt any change in his attitude at all.

This old guy, his schemes really ran deep.

He put on a serious expression and started spouting nonsense:

"Sister Li, the dietary therapy effects are stable, but it works slowly. You shouldn't squeeze him too often."

Hearing this, Shen Li couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

"Little Yangyang, you haven't had your first taste of meat yet, have you?"

What's that? You want to be my enlightenment teacher?

The other party's thinking was too jumpy, leaving Zhao Yang a bit bewildered.

Seeing Zhao Yang's confused expression, Shen Li continued:

"Men and women are the same; if you cling to him too much, he'll get bored. I can't be bothered to squeeze him; who cares about that old cucumber!"

After saying this, she gave Zhao Yang a flirtatious glance.

If this topic continued, it would definitely go off the rails.

Zhao Yang quickly changed the subject, "Sister Li, I'll write down the recipe for the Goji and Lamb Kidney Porridge. In a few days, you can switch him to this recipe."

He turned around, found paper and pen on the desk, and scribbled it down.

Shen Li looked at her watch and said in a low voice:

"In about two hours, Finance will transfer one hundred thousand yuan to your card."

Something was wrong, absolutely wrong!

For no reason at all, how could a pie fall from the sky and land on his head?

Could it be hush money disguised from Qicheng Group?

Zhao Yang knew very well what money could be taken and what money couldn't.

Usually, singing praises for others, eating and drinking, and taking some transportation fees was normal in this era.

But no matter how much the exposure target offered, he couldn't touch it.

Zhao Yang stared at Shen Li, his voice lowered, but every word was clear:

"Sister Li, where... exactly did this money come from?"