In theory, this child who should not have been born should have been aborted.

But He Meimei, who had Ding Jianmu wrapped around her finger, was unwilling.

She knew that only by giving birth to this child could she firmly tie Ding Jianmu to herself and extract more money from him.

However, Ding Jianmu couldn't possibly divorce his wife to marry her—this was the reality.

After all, he was the village chief; if such a scandal were to break out, he might lose his position.

So, He Meimei devised a plan that was best of both worlds.

That was to marry Ding Jianmu's son, Ding Hua.

Upon hearing this, Ding Jianmu thought it was a good idea; from then on, they would no longer need to meet in secret, and the child could be born without issue.

After some discussion.

Ding Jianmu arranged for his son to meet He Meimei on a blind date.

Having never tasted such delicacies, Ding Hua was instantly captivated by the beautiful woman.

Thus, in less than two months, Ding Hua and He Meimei entered the sanctity of matrimony, and six months later, the child was born. Thanks to Ding Jianmu's skillful maneuvering, they registered the child as prematurely born, and like this, his affair with He Meimei seemed to have slipped under the radar.

The past two years.

Ding Hua treated his wife He Meimei with great affection.

But he did not know that this woman, He Meimei, was his father's mistress, and the child he doted on was in fact his father Ding Jianmu's son.

What's more.

In the past, Ding Jianmu and He Meimei would have to sneak out to carry on their affair.

Now, there was no need at all.

Even if He Meimei was cooking in the kitchen.

Anxious Ding Jianmu would seize the moment when no one was around to have a quick "snack".

The most outrageous time was when Ding Hua was watching TV in the living room; in the stairwell, He Meimei was bent over engaging in a "cart-pushing" session with Ding Jianmu.

All along, Ding Hua was kept in the dark.

Chen Fang finished relating the story.

Ding Jianmu's breathing became noticeably rapid.

Chen Fang observed the changes in his expression.

He smiled and said, "What do you think Ding Hua's reaction would be if I told him this story?"

"No, please don't, Minister Chen, I am begging you, please don't!"

Seeing Chen Fang about to turn and leave.

Ding Jianmu became frantic and pleaded with Chen Fang.

Chen Fang said, "I don't have to tell him, but... I expect you'll tell me what I want to know, right? That's only fair."

"I'll tell, I'll tell you whatever you want to know..."

Ding Jianmu let out a sigh.

And murmured.

At that moment.

In the surveillance room.

Xue Bo and Pei Shanglian were intently watching the screen; they had heard every word of Chen Fang and Ding Jianmu's conversation.

"Go ahead, send someone to take the statement."

Xue Bo exhaled deeply.

His mind was a mess, not so much because of Ding Jianmu's situation but also because he wondered how Chen Fang, a newcomer, had come to know so much about Ding Jianmu's affairs. After all, even with money, such information should not be so easily acquired, right?

At that time.

In the lobby of the Public Security Bureau.

Shen Shanghu, along with the Disciplinary Committee staff, was causing a commotion with Lin Fei.

His emotions were running high.

Just as Lin Fei seemed to be losing control of the situation, Chen Fang casually walked out from inside.

Upon seeing him.

Lin Fei breathed a sigh of relief and said to Shen Shanghu, "Vice Secretary Shen, whatever you have to say, please speak with Minister Chen."

"Minister Chen, hello."

Although anxious, he did not forget his manners.

Shen Shanghu approached Chen Fang and reached out to shake his hand.

"Vice Secretary Shen, is there something the matter?"

Chen Fang asked.

Shen Shanghu replied, "Minister Chen, according to the division of responsibilities, the case involving Village Chief Ding Jianmu of Heshou village suspected of misappropriating public funds should be handled by our Disciplinary Committee, and I am here to take charge."

"No way."

Chen Fang said bluntly.

Shen Shanghu was taken aback.

He thought Chen Fang would make some pretexts, but instead, the answer was a simple two words.

"Minister Chen..."

He wanted to argue his case.

Chen Fang didn't let him continue, interrupting him, "I said no, and that means no."

"Minister Chen, this is somewhat unreasonable of you. You are the Minister of the Organization Department; you should understand the organizational procedures more than us. Crimes committed by public officials should be dealt with by our Disciplinary Committee. That's the regulation," Shen Shanghu said urgently.

Chen Fang smiled slightly and said, "What if I don't agree? Is Deputy Secretary Shen going to snatch the person away?"

When he said this, Chen Fang's voice was loud. He wasn't speaking for Shen Shanghu to hear; he knew that it was impossible for Shen Shanghu to come alone to retrieve someone.

He didn't have the guts nor the capability.

This statement choked Shen Shanghu up.

As a leader, one speaks and acts with depth, so someone like Chen Fang who blatantly made his stance without any regard was truly rare.

It caught him off guard all at once.

"Minister Chen, such a great display of authority, why make it difficult for those below when it's just a matter of jurisdiction?"

Just then.

A resonant voice came from the door.

Meng Zheqing, hands behind his back, followed by another middle-aged man, the Standing Committee Member of the Guyang City Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Cui Weiguo.

The words just spoken were by Meng Zheqing.

This was the first formal meeting between Chen Fang and Meng Zheqing.

"Who is this..."

Chen Fang deliberately asked Lin Fei.

Lin Fei replied, "Minister Chen, this is Vice Mayor Meng Zheqing."

"Oh, it's Mayor Meng. Huh, the Public Security Bureau isn't in the High-tech Zone. Why is Mayor Meng meddling in the affairs of the Public Security Bureau?" Chen Fang asked in feigned surprise.

Hearing this, Meng Zheqing's face turned pale, and somewhat discontentedly he said, "If you can manage it, why can't I?"

"Oh, so Mayor Meng means to say that you are specifically here to stand up for Deputy Secretary Shen, right?" Chen Fang asked.

"What is standing up or not standing up? I just happened to pass by and heard your dispute, so I came to see what's going on. I think Comrade Shanghu is making sense. Since it's a matter within the Disciplinary Committee's purview, why not let them intervene? Or is Minister Chen trying to obstruct judicial justice?"

A tall hat was thrown down.

Chen Fang hastily said, "Not at all, I don't dare to take such a risk, it's just... the police are still in the middle of an investigation, and once it's concluded, the case will naturally be handed over to the Disciplinary Committee. After all, it was the police who arrested him; it wouldn't be right to let their efforts go to waste, correct?"

At this moment, Cui Weiguo stepped forward and said, "Minister Chen, your statement is incorrect. Since Ding Jianmu is a village party secretary, even if he has committed rule violations or discipline breaches, it should be the Disciplinary Committee that examines it before handing it over to the Public Security, according to the proper procedure. What you're doing is procedurally illegal."

"Minister Chen is the Minister of the Organization Department, how could he be unaware of procedural illegality? He's trying to garner political achievements, isn't that right, Minister Chen?" Meng Zheqing said sarcastically.

The implication was that Chen Fang was knowingly breaking the law.

Chen Fang smiled faintly.

He said, "Mayor Meng, you can say anything you want today, but as long as Chen Fang is here, nobody is taking Ding Jianmu away today, and that includes you."

These words were deliberately spoken by Chen Fang.

His purpose was simple, to provoke Meng Zheqing.

As expected, Meng Zheqing laughed upon hearing such presumptuous words and murmured, "You've been here for just a few days and think yourself almighty. Since Minister Chen put it this way, I'll make sure to help out with this matter today. Shen Shanghu, take your men with you and come with me to get the person."

"Yes!"

With Meng Zheqing's firm backing,

Shen Shanghu felt confident.

He responded loudly.

Meng Zheqing, hands behind his back, approached Chen Fang's side with Cui Weiguo and deliberately paused, saying beside Chen Fang, "Minister Chen, people should never overestimate themselves. You've just arrived, and there's no need to rush into causing a commotion. The first thing is to find your footing, don't think you can run before you've learned to walk, or you'll end up falling hard..."

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