Walking back through the village, Ji Yang's legs were still a bit wobbly. That woman was a bit crazy!
All around was silence. On the rural pathway, Ji Yang walked on, also savoring the recent events.
In just one short day, so much had happened that he had never before imagined.
This must be the real thrill of power!
Ji Yang felt he was beginning to understand the meaning of power.
Miao Xiaoying was ambitious, probably stung by a man. Now, she wanted to improve her own lot and then get revenge on her man.
From what she'd said, Ji Yang gathered that Miao Xiaoying would soon be divorcing.
These matters weren't Ji Yang's to meddle in; his mind was filled with Miao Xiaoying's schemes.
That woman seemed to have watched plenty of adults-only material. She had so many tricks up her sleeve and was quite uninhibited.
Ji Yang felt the dignified image he had of her crumble.
However, after this incident, Ji Yang felt that he had gained some insight.
He hadn't expected such a situation, and now he seriously contemplated the pros and cons.
Night deepened, the place deserted, save for the occasional bark of a dog. Some barbecue stands had also closed.
Under the moonlight, as Ji Yang was walking, he overheard voices coming from a secluded spot near the entrance to the neighborhood.
Hearing the sounds, Ji Yang quickly dodged into a nearby thicket.
Having been in official circles for so long, Ji Yang knew some things were better not known. Knowing more only made him less safe. So, upon hearing a familiar voice, he chose to hide immediately.
Listening more closely, he recognized Deputy Secretary Lu Shijie's voice.
That's odd, why is Lu Shijie here communicating with someone?
Ji Yang became even more cautious, not daring to make a sound.
"Secretary Lu, you told me to keep an eye on them, to catch their handles, and I will surely do it."
That voice was also familiar!
Ji Yang recognized immediately that it was the police chief's voice.
Now this was getting interesting. Lu Shijie had always been associated with the police's Qian Dayong, who had been the deceased secretary's confidant. Yet now, he was involved with Lu Shijie.
Moreover, the spot they had chosen was a hidden grove, clearly not wanting to be seen.
Had Ji Yang not arrived from another direction, he probably would have been spotted by them right away.
Ji Yang wondered why they weren't making a phone call but chose to speak here like conspirators in hiding.
"I feel that our new Secretary has some kind of relationship with Ji Yang. You keep an eye on both of them, and report anything unusual to me." Pondering the situation, Ji Yang didn't expect them to mention him, prompting him to listen more intently.
"Secretary Lu, we've already checked out that kid Ji Yang before; he couldn't possibly have any connection with Secretary Chu, could he?"
"I sense something's off. Be more cautious. Even though those few have been dealt with, I reckon the higher-ups are still investigating covertly. If something goes wrong, neither of us can escape!"
"Don't worry. I've always been hiding in the shadows. We have no contacts in our daily lives; nobody knows we're together." Qian Dayong laughed, seeming quite smug.
Lu Shijie, however, didn't care about the other's demeanor, saying, "This sudden maneuver from the higher authorities means trouble. Be careful. It'd be best to complicate their situation, to muddy the waters."
Ji Yang was sweating all over at this point, realizing he had stumbled upon something significant.
"Secretary Lu, that youngster Ji Yang is inexperienced. We haven't focused on him. But now, with a few tactics, we can soon have him by the handle. Once we've got something on him, we can manipulate him at will."
"This kid is key. Get it done quickly. After arranging it, bring me some evidence on him."
"Secretary Lu, the Party Government Office is short-staffed now. If we plant someone there, then design a trap, taking him down will be too easy. As long as you transfer someone in, it will be fine."
"Fine, there are things I can't discuss over the phone. I suspect our calls are being monitored lately. Going forward, we should always make contact like this, privately. Your police station should be cleaned up as well. Don't let anyone find out; you did a good job last time."
"Don't worry, everyone has dirt on them that I hold, and no one dares to disobey. However, I'm worried about Li Xinggui, as he's been promoted. I fear he's slipping away from our control."
"He wouldn't dare!"
"We've searched Zhang Guosong's place and still haven't found what he left behind. We have no idea where he could have put it."
"I didn't expect this brat to have kept a private ledger. We must find it. Investigate his associates thoroughly. I refuse to believe he could have hidden it anywhere without a trace."
"Could it be in his office?"
"Didn't you guys check there covertly?"
"After a few deaths, we thought it was all over, but that kid still had an ace up his sleeve."
"Right, check the surveillance in those rooms again. Make sure it's not discovered."
"It's been checked. Rest assured, no one will find out. Whatever they're doing inside, they'll be under our watch. Plus, the waitresses we specially arranged are all carefully selected—they'll definitely take good care of those men."
"Drag the newbies into it too. Once they're in the mud, many things will become easier."
"That's already been arranged, and they're all beauties. It won't take long to bring them down."
"If we really can't get anything good, capture footage of those women in the bath."
"Women have needs too. We've selected some male attendants very carefully. With a little help from some drugs, we can easily take them down."
At this point, both men shared a laugh.
Ji Yang was genuinely startled. He'd been in this village for such a long time and yet knew nothing of these affairs. It seemed like Lu Shijie had done many things in secret; perhaps those who had died hadn't really died from drunk driving after all.
The two continued to talk in undertones for a while before Qian Dayong peeked outside. Only then did they leave cautiously, one after the other.
Ji Yang didn't immediately come out but stayed hidden for a while longer.
Just as Ji Yang was about to leave, Qian Dayong, seemingly out of nowhere, reappeared, looking around before carefully departing.
Damn!
Ji Yang was shocked inwardly—if he had left earlier, he might very well have been discovered.
Now, Ji Yang wasn't in a rush to leave and continued to hide there for another ten minutes or so.
Just when Ji Yang was about to go, Qian Dayong and Lu Shijie popped up again.
"I feel like there's someone here," Lu Shijie said.
"Must have heard wrong."
"I've been feeling like something is about to happen lately. Stay cautious."
After a few more words, they finally left this time.
No way!
Ji Yang was truly shocked—they were actually still hiding out here.
Forget it. I'm not in a hurry to go back. Might as well wait here a bit longer.
There were several corners in this place, and Ji Yang had no real idea if they had genuinely left.
Time passed slowly and it wasn't until an hour later that Ji Yang quietly climbed out and found a place to hop the wall into the inside.
This time, no one appeared again. Ji Yang observed for a while and didn't notice anything else.
Back in the room, Ji Yang did not dare to turn on the light. In the dark, he washed his face and feet and lay down on the bed, his mind quickly replaying the events that had occurred.
He hadn't expected that so many secretive affairs were taking place in the village. Before, he had noticed nothing.