Chapter 32: Ling Zhenting’s Self-Awareness

Ji Hongyu, fuming with anger and feeling aggrieved, stormed into the city disciplinary committee building, making his way to the office of his uncle, Ling Zhenting.

There were few who dared to barge into the office of the Secretary General of the City Disciplinary Committee without so much as knocking. Aside from the three deputy secretaries, only his nephew had such audacity.

Ling Zhenting was busy drafting a document when the door was abruptly pushed open with a loud bang. He didn't even need to look to know it was his nephew, which left him helpless. He had only one sister, and her son, Ji Hongyu, was someone he, as an uncle, could only indulge.

Unfortunately, this nephew was mostly useless—a hopeless case. Relying on his uncle's influence, he'd offended many in the city disciplinary committee. Now, he was at loggerheads with someone named Yang Dong, and Ling Zhenting simply couldn't understand why he'd insist on making trouble.

"Uncle, you lied to me!" Ji Hongyu stood before the desk, his eyes reddened as he stared at Ling Zhenting.

"Insolence! Address me by my title during working hours!" Ling Zhenting's face instantly darkened, and he barked at Ji Hongyu.

Ji Hongyu shrank back; he was still afraid of his uncle. He lowered his head obediently and said, "Good day, Secretary Ling."

"Speak. How did I lie to you?" Ling Zhenting fixed his gaze on Ji Hongyu and asked in a deep voice.

Ji Hongyu, frustrated, recounted the whole affair, then shouted angrily, "Why? Why is he allowed to be the leader of the Tenth Task Force again?"

Ling Zhenting felt his temper flare. He had just promoted his nephew to the leader of the Tenth Special Task Force that afternoon, and not even a few hours later, the higher-ups issued a direct order to bring Yang Dong back. This time, Tian Guanghan gave unconditional approval, his tone laced with suppressed frustration, yet he dared not protest.

He knew Tian Guanghan must have been under immense pressure from above. Who could wield such power and influence to suffocate the likes of them? Naturally, it was the Standing Committee member of the City Disciplinary Committee, Secretary Guan Mushan.

That afternoon, Guan Mushan had visited him in person, right in his office. The encounter startled him, and he hurried to his feet to greet his superior.

Guan Mushan entered, sat directly in Ling Zhenting's chair, assuming the dominant position—or rather, making it clear who truly ran the City Disciplinary Committee.

"Old Ling, how many years have you been in the City Disciplinary Committee? How long have you served as Secretary General?" Guan Mushan asked in a gentle tone.

Ling Zhenting dared not be careless; he bent slightly at the waist and replied with a smile, "Secretary Guan, I've been with the City Disciplinary Committee for over ten years. I started in the Comprehensive Section, worked my way up to Secretary General and Office Director. As for the Secretary General position, it's been about three years now."

"Oh, three years. It's time to move you." Guan Mushan said this with a slight smile.

Ling Zhenting's heart skipped a beat—not with joy, but with anxiety. He noted that Guan Mushan hadn't said anything about adding responsibilities or promotion, only about moving him... Moving where? Clearly, he was being transferred out.

The Secretary General of the City Disciplinary Committee must align with the Secretary, or else it's dangerous. Ling Zhenting owed his promotion to the previous Secretary, Lu Zheng, so he was not Guan Mushan's close ally. Now, with a casual remark, Guan Mushan sent chills down his spine.

"Secretary Guan, have I done something wrong? Please criticize me!" Ling Zhenting wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, bowing even lower.

"Haha, Old Ling, why are you so nervous? I've just arrived; how could I be dissatisfied with you? I'm just talking about the matter of seconded staff. I heard some were sent back?"

"The City Disciplinary Committee's investigation work is heavy. We must be even more cautious about the comings and goings of seconded staff internally."

"Alright, I just saw your office and dropped by for a visit. Nothing else. I'll be off now. Come to my office for tea when you have time."

Guan Mushan smiled, stood, patted Ling Zhenting's shoulder, and seemed to recall something. He added, "Old Ling, the previous Secretary treated you well, right? I heard you personally accompanied Comrade Lu Zheng during his chemotherapy?"

"Heh, don't overthink it, just asking casually."

With a smile, Guan Mushan left, but Ling Zhenting felt his world spin and dizziness overtook him, leaving him collapsed on the sofa, unable to get up for a long time.

This had happened just an hour ago. The memory still left his heart racing.

If he couldn't grasp the meaning behind Secretary Guan's words, he had no business holding his position. So, the first thing he did was call Tian Guanghan and order him to send Yang Dong back.

It made the whole affair a joke, like a child's game. Worse, Yang Dong's secondment had become a twisted saga, involving both Deputy Secretary Wei Chonghu and Secretary Guan Mushan.

Why were these two big shots so fond of Yang Dong?

The lesson was clear: he must never offend Yang Dong again. In fact, he had to find a way to repair their relationship.

Anyone who reached this level and position was no fool; unless it was a mortal feud, never make an enemy too deeply.

"Old Tian, second Yang Dong to us again," he said directly when he called Tian Guanghan.

To his surprise, Tian Guanghan's attitude was even more proactive.

"Secretary Ling, even if you hadn't said so, I was about to bring it up. How can your City Disciplinary Committee second someone from our Municipal Government and then drop him midway? It makes our government lose face."

"I'll send Yang Dong back, don't worry."

Ling Zhenting couldn't understand at first how Tian Guanghan's attitude shifted so quickly. But after a moment's thought, it became clear: if Guan Mushan could pressure him, he could certainly pressure the other side as well.

Though the City Disciplinary Committee Secretary couldn't control the Municipal Government, Guan Mushan was still a member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee, ranked fourth. That forced Tian Guanghan to reconsider.

What Ling Zhenting didn't know was that Tian Guanghan had already been frightened out of his wits before answering his call.

Because Tian Guanghan had received a call from Secretary Guan Mushan himself.

"My goodness, scared me to death," Tian Guanghan muttered in his office, the cold sweat streaming down.

After receiving Guan Mushan's call, he was completely stunned. This explained his eagerness to agree to Ling Zhenting.

"Uncle? Why aren't you saying anything?" Ji Hongyu's anxious voice snapped Ling Zhenting back to reality.

"This is settled. Don't ever provoke Yang Dong again!" Ling Zhenting glared at Ji Hongyu, his tone harsh and threatening.

He truly feared his nephew's political naivety might drive him to foolishly pick a fight with Yang Dong again. That would drag Ling Zhenting, the Secretary General of the City Disciplinary Committee, into opposition with the powerful figures behind Yang Dong.

Who were those figures? Of course, Guan Mushan and Wei Chonghu...

If he couldn't see the situation clearly now, his twenty years in officialdom would have been wasted.

He didn't fear Yang Dong, but the powerful men behind him.

"Oh, I understand." Ji Hongyu wilted instantly. Seeing his uncle's resolute attitude, he turned and walked out.

But as he stepped outside, he clenched his teeth, his face twisted in hatred, fists tightly balled.

"Yang, this isn't over between us!"