Chapter 1889

Chapter 1889: Chapter 1889

The next day, Song Guanchao booked two tickets for that evening’s flight to Jinling and reserved two rooms at a hotel in the city.

He received a call from Director Ma around ten in the morning.

Qi Siming and Director Zhu had already been apprehended.

"How’s the interrogation going?" Song Guanchao asked casually, his focus entirely on attracting investment; otherwise, he would have gone to Lishan County in person yesterday.

However, this wasn’t a critical matter; it wasn’t solely dependent on him.

With the cooperation of Secretary Xu and County Magistrate Qin, Director Ma could handle it.

"They won’t admit to anything. I already sent people to arrest the museum curator."

"What about that gang rape case?"

"They won’t admit to that either."

"Then investigate slowly."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao found Wu Qiangwei: "The tickets and hotel are booked; the flight is at six in the evening. Do you want to meet with Secretary Xiao? There’s still time."

Originally, they planned to meet Secretary Xiao yesterday.

Although Xiao Qiang had retired, he was still an old leader, and Qi Siming was promoted by him. Before arresting anyone, it was only right to give him a heads-up.

But they were swamped with things yesterday and forgot.

Now that the people were already in custody, they thought of informing him.

Wu Qiangwei thought for a moment and said, "I’ll contact Secretary Zhou first."

"Why contact him?"

"To inform him."

No matter what, Qi Siming was the Deputy Secretary of the County Committee. Arresting him should ideally be communicated with the City Committee.

Since they informed after the fact, this action had overstepped bounds.

"Secretary Zhou, we received a report that Deputy Secretary Qi Siming of the Lishan County..."

Wu Qiangwei narrated Qi Siming’s situation over the call to him swiftly.

Zhou Zheng’s face grew darker as he listened.

The County Committee Deputy Secretary made a mistake, and you arrested him before telling me?

Though not visible, his silence conveyed that anyone could sense his anger.

Wu Qiangwei asked, "I’m planning to visit Secretary Xiao. Do you want to join, Secretary Zhou?"

Zhou Zheng scoffed: "Mayor Wu, no matter how big the issue is with Qi Siming, he’s still part of the Party Committee. You arrested him without notifying me? If you like overstepping authority so much, why don’t you become the secretary?"

Wu Qiangwei replied, "Secretary Zhou misunderstands; the incident was quite sudden. The report was directly handed to Director Song, who then immediately contacted the city bureau for the arrest."

On the other end, Song Guanchao rolled his eyes, "Using me as a scapegoat again."

Zhou Zheng’s smile grew colder: "When did Director Song, an office director, start being responsible for reports?"

Wu Qiangwei thought she had given him enough face, but he refused to take it.

She no longer accommodated him and seriously countered: "Yes, why is that? Why didn’t the victim report to the Disciplinary Committee but instead came to the City Government? Is it a lack of trust in the Disciplinary Committee? Secretary Zhou’s reminder is apt; I think we need to seriously address this issue."

Zhou Zheng was stumped and didn’t know how to respond.

He initially wanted to point out that Song Guanchao, as an office director, shouldn’t handle report matters.

But Wu Qiangwei turned the issue back onto the Disciplinary Committee itself.

Secretary Bao from the Disciplinary Committee was his person; did Bao Qi have problems?

Undoubtedly, he did.

If Wu Qiangwei pursued this reason to investigate, what if something truly surfaced?

Zhou Zheng cleared his throat and redirected the topic: "I’ll contact Secretary Xiao to see if he has time."

With a sound, Wu Qiangwei casually placed the phone on the table, noticing the speechlessness on Song Guanchao’s face, she parted her red lips slightly: "I heard Jinling’s duck blood vermicelli pairs well with potstickers; I’ll treat you tonight."

Song Guanchao chuckled: "Using me as a scapegoat, can a meal suffice?"

"What do you want then?" As soon as she spoke, she saw Song Guanchao’s sly eyes darting around her.

Wu Qiangwei rolled her eyes with a blush, her body under the clothes inexplicably heating up.

"Buzz buzz..."

The phone vibrated on the table, Zhou Zheng called back.

He had contacted Secretary Xiao, who was available now.

Hence, Wu Qiangwei said they should visit now.

She stood up and said, "Come with me to see Secretary Xiao."

"I’m going too?"

"Do you have other things to do?"

Song Guanchao thought carefully for a few seconds and said, "No."

They planned to stay in Jinling for two days, having already postponed work, cherishing this rare free time.

"If not, come with me."

The two left the office, and Shu Xue stood up upon hearing them, ready to follow. Wu Qiangwei said, "I’ll be handling some matters with Director Song; contact me by phone if you need anything."

"Alright, Secretary." Shu Xue stopped, watching the two walking side by side, increasingly sure of her suspicions.

Hierarchies in officialdom are strict, and juniors usually maintain humility when meeting seniors.

It’s rare to see someone like Song Guanchao walking abreast with the leader.

Such details might escape others occasionally, but remaining with Wu Qiangwei daily allowed Shu Xue to detect discrepancies.

Shu Xue wasn’t the gossip type but occasionally wanted to share her discovered secrets.

Yet she restrained herself, knowing if such gossip spread, Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao could instantly identify her.

...

Half an hour later, Zhang Ming drove them to Secretary Xiao’s residence.

It was in a villa district.

Getting out of the car, Song Guanchao looked at the villa and remarked, "Secretary Xiao is quite wealthy."

Many believe officials are low-key.

In reality, once reaching a certain level, some things become public.

They’re not even afraid to be reported.

At this level, ordinary reporting has no impact; only aligning incorrectly does.

Not long after they arrived, Zhou Zheng also drove over.

"Secretary Zhou." Wu Qiangwei nodded slightly.

Zhou Zheng smiled at her, glancing at Song Guanchao with a hint of animosity.

Song Guanchao sensed the unfriendly gaze from Zhou Zheng.

They arrived at the iron gate, rang the doorbell, and soon an elderly woman emerged from the villa, crossing the yard to open the gate for them.

Upon entering the villa, Secretary Xiao was already waiting, warmly welcoming them into the living room.

The elderly woman brewed tea and poured some for them.

"Secretary Zhou, Mayor Wu, what brings you to my place?" Having received Zhou Zheng’s call, he learned they’d be visiting him, feeling surprised and anxious.

Zhou Zheng’s expression gradually grew serious, prompting a similar response from Secretary Xiao.

"Qi Siming has been reported."

Secretary Xiao let out a long sigh, adopting a stern expression: "What happened to him?"

Zhou Zheng explained the situation learned from Wu Qiangwei.

After his explanation, Secretary Xiao was furious, slamming his teacup on the table: "This Qi Siming is simply despicable! The organization promoted him as Deputy Secretary for personal gain through coercive power?"

Expressing disappointment and anger, Secretary Xiao continued with his stance: "Secretary Zhou, go ahead and arrest him as needed. Don’t hesitate just because I once supported him. I am a person who supports fairness over affiliation."

Zhou Zheng smiled: "Secretary Xiao, don’t be too angry; everyone makes mistakes. Being a leader makes it even harder to maintain one’s integrity. Qi Siming... yes, he’s disappointing. However, rest assured, since this is a family scandal, Mayor Wu and I decided to handle it discreetly."

Song Guanchao glanced at Zhou Zheng and Secretary Xiao, noting Secretary Xiao’s apparent relief.

Zhou Zheng knew how to play the good guy.

His words portrayed it as if he was discreetly handling it to protect Secretary Xiao’s dignity specifically.