She let out a long sigh.

"When I learned that Jiang Chuo was appointed as Governor of Jiangdong Province, I started worrying about you. But I know you; if I asked you to leave Xiaxiang City, you definitely wouldn't agree. And I also know if I offered to help you, you wouldn't accept. I had no choice but to use this method to let them help you."

At that moment.

Chen Fang was not angry.

Instead, he felt somewhat moved.

Just like Qianqian said.

If Qianqian had said she was going to do this from the start, Chen Fang would never have agreed to it.

Involving others in his own issues was not his style.

But now, the deed was done, and since Zhong Xiqian also had to make significant sacrifices to help him, Chen Fang couldn't blame her for anything.

In fact.

The arrival of Xu Lianyun and Li Weiyang really did help him quite a bit.

If it weren't for Li Weiyang's voluntary sacrifice.

He might already be trapped now.

"Qianqian, thank you."

Chen Fang stood up, sat next to Zhong Xiqian, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Qianqian shook her head.

"You should thank those sisters. I was behind the scenes and didn't do anything; those who really acted have always been them."

"I will, but now you have to tell me, what exactly happened with Hou Jingjing? Why was she shot?"

Chen Fang asked.

Zhong Xiqian shook her head.

"After you took office in Xiaxiang City, I also went to the headquarters in Guyang City and have been following your news there. Today, around four in the afternoon, as I drove out of the headquarters building, a woman suddenly crashed into me..."

At that moment, Zhong Xiqian was terrified.

She thought she had hit someone.

Upon getting off to look, the woman was covered in blood, and her mind immediately went blank.

But upon closer inspection.

She discovered that the woman lying there was actually Hou Jingjing.

After all, they had met once at the wedding.

Seeing Hou Jingjing so severely injured.

Zhong Xiqian wanted to get her phone from the car to call for rescue.

At that moment, Hou Jingjing suddenly regained consciousness, stopped Zhong Xiqian, and told her not to take her to the hospital, saying someone wanted her dead, and she had to see Chen Fang immediately, or it would be too late.

Zhong Xiqian had no choice.

She struggled to move Hou Jingjing into the car.

Seeing that her shoulder was still bleeding.

Zhong Xiqian had no choice but to bring her to Xiaxiang City.

On the way.

Zhong Xiqian contacted Fang Gui.

Under Fang Gui's guidance, they arrived at Yunshang Palace.

Then, Shen Zhi called Chen Fang.

The rest, Chen Fang knew all about.

So that's how it was.

Even though he learned the truth, Chen Fang's heart was still clenched.

The issue stemmed from Hou Jingjing.

Hou Jingjing was the young lady of the Hou Family; her status was extremely prestigious. Generally, people couldn't even get close to her, let alone fire a gun – that would be impossible.

Moreover, after being shot, her first thought wasn't to get treatment but to see him.

This meant that Hou Jingjing's shooting might be intricately linked to him.

The following time.

Was quite torturous.

In a bedroom without surgical conditions, Yu Zhengchuan and Su Lu'an worked tirelessly for three hours before emerging.

Upon hearing the door open.

Chen Fang rushed up.

Grabbing Yu Zhengchuan, he asked, "A-Chuan, how is she?"

"The bullet was removed, and there was no critical damage, but due to significant blood loss, she will remain unconscious for a while. My blood type is the same as hers, so I donated some. When she'll wake up is hard to say."

Yu Zhengchuan was already quite fatigued.

Guan Qingyao immediately arranged for Shen Zhi to take him to rest.

Next.

It was another long wait.

This waiting.

Lasted until shortly past 4 a.m.

Su Lu'an, who was watching over her, finally opened the door and excitedly said, "She's awake."

Chen Fang practically jumped off the sofa.

And dashed into the bedroom.

Indeed.

Hou Jingjing had opened her eyes.

Though she still appeared very weak, she was no longer barely hanging on.

Upon seeing Chen Fang enter.

She immediately got excited and attempted to prop herself up on the bed.

But her injury was too severe, so she gave up in the end.

"It's alright, you just need to lie down. The bullet has been removed, don't worry, no vital organs were harmed. Rest for a while, and you'll be fine."

Chen Fang comforted her.

Whether due to pain or something else.

Hou Jingjing's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Chen Fang picked up a tissue, helped her wipe them, and said, "Whatever you have to say, tell me later. Rest and heal your body first."

"No... there's no time..."

Hou Jingjing grit her teeth and forced out a few words.

Chen Fang was taken aback.

"No time for what?"

"My... my dad... my dad intends... intends to rebel..."

"Rebel?"

Upon hearing those two words.

Chen Fang's mind buzzed.

Guan Qingyao, Zhong Xiqian, and Su Lu'an were all equally stunned, looking at each other, completely unsure of what the word "rebel" truly meant.

"Next... next week, Shangguan Shoudong is supposed to... supposed to come to Xiaxiang City for an investigation, and my dad... my dad is planning..."

Hou Jingjing had to pause for a long time after speaking each word.

The more Chen Fang listened, the tighter his heart clenched.

Unable to resist asking, "What does Hou Jidao intend to do?"

"He... he... he plans a coup!"

Once the word coup was uttered.

Chen Fang was immediately stupefied.

At that moment, he almost forgot how to breathe.

The others were the same.

The word "rebel" might be outdated and hard to understand, but the word "coup"? Who among those present wouldn't comprehend?

In the following half hour.

Hou Jingjing haltingly explained the whole story.

What Chen Fang heard was shocking.

For the first time in his life, even his hands couldn't help but tremble.

Who is Shangguan Shoudong?

He is the current member of the highest political bureau.

One of the strong candidates for the next Head of State, and a standard reformist, a pragmatic figure.

In a few months, the current Head of State will retire. If no unexpected events occur, Shangguan Shoudong should take over as Head of State in a few months. His appointment would be a nightmare for the Family forces.

While still serving as City Secretary in Yuanjing City, Shangguan Shoudong launched a large-scale anti-corruption and faction-clearing campaign in politics.

This so-called anti-corruption aimed to tackle corruption and restore integrity to the political scene.

Clearing factions refers to vigorously targeting cliques and conservative forces.

The conservative Family forces, led by the Hou Family, naturally became the primary target.

Initially, Shangguan Shoudong didn't overly infringe on the interests of the three major Families in Yuanjing but adopted a gradual approach, eliminating their network within Yuanjing.

Without touching the core interests, the Families, although severely impacted, opted for a policy of retreat.

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Shoudong's tactics became even more resolute.

On one hand, he significantly weakened the Families' presence in Yuanjing's officialdom.

On the other hand, he broke existent monopolies, reforming the national economic system, causing massive losses for the monopolistic interests controlled by the Families.

Like a frog in warm water.

One can imagine, once he assumes office as Head of State in a few months.

Shangguan Shoudong will completely eradicate the presence of conservative forces.

Not just in Yuanjing, but on a national scale...

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