Moonlight filtered through the window, spilling into the bedroom, while the air conditioner emitted a faint hiss. The silhouettes of a man and a woman were cast upon the wall, and the room was filled with the sounds of teaching and learning.
"Let's do it again later," Lu Hao said, pinching Fang Jing's face and lighting a cigarette with a refreshed air. Fang Jing was his fiancée, a teacher at a rural middle school, fair-skinned and beautiful. The two had just gotten engaged last week.
"Honey, you must talk to your cousin and have me transferred to a school in the county town. I don't want to be stuck in the countryside," Fang Jing cooed, hugging Lu Hao.
"I'll go to my cousin tomorrow. Such a small matter, he can solve it with just a phone call," Lu Hao leaned against the headboard, leisurely exhaling a smoke ring. His cousin was the county committee secretary of Anxing County, the real top dog and also Lu Hao's backing.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
Just as Lu Hao was about to turn over and prepare for another round, there was a sudden, rough knocking on the door. Lu Hao checked the time; it was almost one in the morning. Who would be knocking on his door at this hour, interrupting his pleasure?
"Bang, bang, bang..."
Urged by Fang Jing, Lu Hao put on his pajamas and reluctantly opened the door. Standing at the door were three strangers with stern expressions. The leader was a woman, followed by two men.
"Who are you? Why are you knocking on my door in the middle of the night?" Lu Hao asked with a darkened face.
"Are you Lu Hao? You work at the county committee office, right?" The leading woman scrutinized Lu Hao, her voice carrying an indescribable, imposing aura. She had short hair, fair skin, a black suit, and high heels, looking no more than thirty years old, with an extremely cold expression.
"Yes, I am. Who are you?" Lu Hao had an uneasy feeling.
The next second, the leading woman took out her identification and said sternly, "My name is Qin Yi. I'm here from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to handle a case. Lu Hao, please come with us."
Lu Hao's face tightened upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but feel alarmed. He was just a small civil servant in the county town; why would the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission come for him?
"Please, what have I done wrong?" Without time to think more, Lu Hao swallowed his saliva and tentatively asked.
"What it is, you should be clear. Now please get dressed and come with us immediately," Qin Yi sneered, her voice brooking no refusal.
Seeing the situation, Lu Hao knew it was futile to argue and quickly went back to change his clothes.
Fang Jing, inside the house, had also heard the conversation and was terrified. Even when Lu Hao was dressed and taken away by the two men from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Fang Jing was still in shock.
In the black sedan of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Lu Hao didn't know where he was going, feeling anxious and restless. He thought and thought, and couldn't believe he had made any mistakes that would warrant the involvement of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission.
Could it be that he was implicated in someone else's affairs?
The next moment, Lu Hao couldn't help but think of his cousin, Liu Yuanda, the secretary of Anxing County.
Soon, his guess was confirmed.
Lu Hao was taken to the county committee guesthouse, a standard single room with a table, three chairs, and a strong spotlight on the table.
"Sit!"
Qin Yi pointed to the chair opposite the table and said to Lu Hao.
Lu Hao pretended to be calm and didn't say a word; the more he spoke, the more he might lose. In such a situation, a wrong word could lead to irreparable consequences.
"Director Qin, I'll leave first," another man said, placing two bottles of mineral water on the table. After receiving a nod from Qin Yi, he respectfully closed the door and left.
Director Qin Yi?
The name sounded increasingly familiar to Lu Hao. He suddenly remembered that he had followed Liu Yuanda to a city meeting before, where this Qin Yi had given a report on behalf of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission. She was the director of the first department and, despite being a woman, was already a section chief at a young age, well-known in her circle.
It was said that on her wedding night, her husband died in a car accident. Coupled with her impartiality in handling cases, her usual stern demeanor, and her frequent wearing of black clothes, she was nicknamed the Black Widow. Having just taken office for two years, she had investigated and dealt with three section chiefs, six deputy section chiefs, and ten clerks in the education and transportation systems, causing panic and fear among many, making them wary of being invited for tea by her one day.
"Lu Hao, have some water, don't be nervous," Qin Yi's tone was not as stern as before, much more gentle.
"Director Qin, why have you brought me here..." Lu Hao picked up the mineral water, trying to turn the tables.
"Today, we brought you here to follow the procedures of the Discipline Inspection Commission, to ask you some questions. We hope you will cooperate with us, do not conceal anything, and do not harbor any lucky thoughts. As long as you have not violated any laws or disciplines, I assure you that you will be fine," Qin Yi's tone was even more gentle, and she even smiled.
Her smile was quite beautiful, very feminine, but Lu Hao had no mood to appreciate it at the moment.
The more Qin Yi said this, the more complicated the matter seemed.
"Director Qin, go ahead and ask, I will definitely cooperate," Lu Hao finished his water and said solemnly.
"You are Liu Yuanda's cousin and work by his side. You must know a lot about his affairs. First, let's talk about his mistress, Liu Ruyan, and any other illegal or disciplinary matters you know about," Qin Yi knocked on the table, getting straight to the point.
Lu Hao's head buzzed. His cousin was indeed in trouble!