Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 118 Zhong Xiaoai! I, Cai Chenggong, have no money, but I have my life!

Zhong Xiaoai was filled with worry.

As soon as the call connected, I told my father about my worries.

Zhong Zhengguo closed his eyes in pain.

"Xiao Ai, this is not something I can decide."

"Fan Jianren was arrested in Jingzhou. The Handong Anti-Corruption Bureau wants to investigate him. What can I do?"

"Moreover, Lu Shuji just spoke to me and said that the First Inspection Office should fully cooperate, and also asked me to lead a team to Linjiang to supervise education."

"what?"

Zhong Xiaoai exclaimed, "Isn't everything alright in Linjiang? Why are you being asked to supervise education? You can't possibly drag Sha Shuji out and punish him, can you?"

"Don't worry, of course I will protect him no matter what, besides, he's not seriously injured."

Zhong Zhengguo rubbed the bridge of his nose and said with some concern:

“I’m going to Linjiang to supervise education this time. If I don’t handle one or two major cases and clean up a large number of people, I won’t be able to come back and give an account. So this trip is destined to offend a lot of people.”

"Once I leave, I won't be able to take care of things in Yanjing for the time being. You and Liangping must be careful and cautious. If anything happens, be sure to call me. Don't act on your own again, understand?"

Zhong Xiaoai knew that.

I offended Chen Hai.

Although his father didn't give him a severe scolding, he still blamed him for acting on his own initiative.

Fan Jian has now been arrested in Jingzhou, and the Handong Anti-Corruption Bureau has intervened in the case.

With Chen Hai's upright, unyielding, and volatile temper, he was in a position to defy authority.

One hundred percent, they will thoroughly investigate everyone Fan Jian implicated, no matter who they are.

There is even a strong possibility that we could follow the clues and conduct a more in-depth investigation.

After he messed things up like that...

Old Ge's faction will inevitably suffer heavy losses and be thrown into chaos.

Just like the mining accident in Lincheng, Handong before.

Zhao Lichun seized the opportunity to launch an anti-corruption campaign.

He almost completely wiped out the network of connections his father had cultivated in Handong over the years.

So much so that when Fan Jian led his team to investigate Huilong Group, not a single person was willing to help.

Now that this incompetent fool has been arrested, he has implicated many others.

The storm that Zhao Lichun has stirred up will only get bigger.

Especially at this critical juncture...

Lu Shengye, who was in charge of the entire Discipline Inspection and Supervision Bureau, even sent his father to Linjiang to supervise education.

Isn't this clearly a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain?

Even though my father and Elder Ge were not implicated.

But the people below suffered heavy casualties, and the foundation was shaken.

How can we fight against Zhao Lichun and his gang in the future?

It's like a tall building.

Many of the foundation and load-bearing columns below were dug up and broken.

Even if a tall building doesn't collapse immediately, it will inevitably be on the verge of collapse.

In an instant.

Zhong Xiaoai's mood also sank to the bottom, feeling extremely cold.

For the first time in my life, I personally experienced the cruelty of struggle.

I finally understand why some people would rather be mediocre than make a mistake.

It turns out that once you make a mistake, you'll really be held accountable and punished severely.

After all, power and resources are limited.

If you want more of your own people to rise to the top, you have to kick some of the other side out.

"okay, I get it."

"Should I go back now and pack your luggage for you?"

Zhong Zhengguo quickly said, "No need, I'll go back and pack up myself after the mobilization meeting. You just focus on your work and don't overthink things!"

"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile!"

Zhong Xiaoai forced a cheerful smile.

But after hanging up the phone, he looked melancholy.

Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly.

Yet she still felt a bone-chilling cold.

……

Three days later, in Linjiang Province.

The side door of Jiangcheng No. 1 Detention Center slowly opened.

Cai Chenggong slowly walked out, carrying the bag.

Xu Meili, who was waiting outside the cordon, shouted.

"success!"

Seeing his wife's tears streaming down her face, Cai Chenggong felt a sharp, agonizing pain in his heart.

"Wife!!"

Cai Chenggong rushed over and hugged his wife tightly.

Although he was only detained for a few days.

But these few days of losing my freedom truly felt like an eternity.

Unable to eat or sleep well every day, Cai Chenggong lost weight in just a few days.

After embracing for a while, Cai Chenggong gently patted his wife's back.

"Okay, stop crying! Stop crying!"

"You might as well let me cry myself to death!"

Xu Meili sobbed as she said, "You're detained here, but you're quite free."

"Do you know how crazy those debt collectors are driving me?"

Cai Chenggong had tears in his eyes.

"It's okay, don't be afraid, I'm out, everything will be alright!"

How can I get better?

Xu Meili said with a long face, "Dafeng Factory is insolvent. Whether it goes bankrupt and is liquidated or sold off directly, we won't have a penny left, and we'll owe our relatives and friends millions."

Cai Chenggong smiled calmly.

"It's alright. Although Dafeng Factory is bound to lose money, don't forget, we still have a trump card!"

Xu Meili wiped away her tears and asked through sobs:

Are you sure that the couple will agree to cooperate?

"Do you think they have any other choice? Either help me turn my life around, or they'll be buried with me!"

Cai Chenggong's tone was resolute.

During his time in detention, he grew increasingly resentful of Hou Liangping and his family.

They could have gotten rid of the burden of Dafeng Factory and become a relocated household.

As a result, they believed their lies and accepted their help, but ended up losing even more money.

After making a huge fool of themselves, Dafeng Factory was completely ruined, and they lost all face.

and so……

After leaving the detention center, Cai Chenggong and his wife Xu Meili went straight to the airport.

But instead of returning to Dongjingzhou in Hanzhong, he bought a ticket and flew to Yanjing.

Upon arriving in the city, Cai Chenggong first found a place to settle his wife down.

Then, carrying his mobile phone and cassette recorder, he went straight to Hou Liangping's house to wait.

He hid in the stairwell and waited until dusk.

I saw Hou Liangping carrying a satchel and holding fruits and vegetables, and using his key to open the door.

He then quietly went downstairs to approach.

"monkey!!"

Hou Liangping was startled.

He turned around and saw Cai Chenggong, and was immediately astonished.

"Cai Chenggong!"

"Weren't you detained in Linjiang?"

Cai Chenggong laughed and said, "I'm out of detention today!"

"Why don't you hurry back to Jingzhou and deal with that mess at Dafeng Factory? What are you doing at my house?"

Hou Liangping was somewhat puzzled.

"I've come to discuss repaying the money with you."

Cai Chenggong had a smile on his face, which revealed his honest and simple nature.

But little did Hou Liangping know that the cunning Cai Chenggong was a first-rate actor.

Moreover, the family's savings had all been lent to Cai Chenggong to buy clothing fabrics.

Upon hearing that the money could be repaid, Hou Liangping naturally lowered his guard.

"You'd better hurry up and pay back the money; it's our family's entire savings!"

As Hou Liangping spoke, he went inside to change his shoes.

Cai Chenggong naturally followed quickly, and after changing his shoes, he eagerly followed Hou Liangping to the kitchen.

Since Zhong Xiaoai hadn't returned home yet, Cai Chenggong naturally pretended to be polite first.

He didn't show a trace of resentment or dissatisfaction, and even took the initiative to chat with Hou Liangping about life in the detention center.

The two chatted and laughed as they busied themselves for a while.

One dish after another was served quickly.

Zhong Xiaoai, who leaves work on time every day, also happens to be home right away.

"I am back!"

"Xiao Ai's back! Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner!"

Upon hearing this voice, Zhong Xiaoai was immediately jolted.

Before he could even put on his second slipper, he hurriedly turned around.

"You...why are you here?"

"My detention period is over, and I've come to discuss repaying the money."

Upon hearing Cai Chenggong's words, Zhong Xiaoai immediately frowned slightly.

At this moment.

Wearing an apron and looking every bit the stay-at-home dad, Hou Liangping came out with a smile, carrying three bowls of rice.

"Liangping, do you have any wine at home?"

After Cai Chenggong sat down, he asked with a smile.

"Yes, would you like a drink?"

"Have a drink! I've been locked up in there for days, I'm about to suffocate!"

"Okay, I happen to have half a bottle of Moutai left, you can have it for free!"

"Grab another glass, let's have a drink together!"

"it is good!"

Soon, Hou Liangping brought over half a bottle of Moutai and poured it into two glasses.

"Mmm, this smells just like authentic Moutai, it's so fragrant!"

Cai Chenggong picked up his wine glass and took a delicious sip.

"Wow, that feels so good!"

"Look at you, you coward! You were only detained for a few days? Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd been locked up for years!"

Hou Liangping put down the wine bottle, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating.

"Life inside was really tough!"

"They eat like pigs swill every day, without a single piece of good meat."

"Almost every day it's pork stew with cabbage, boiled white radish and potatoes."

"We finally saw some meat, but it was a huge chunk of fat, like a lump of lard, and we couldn't swallow it at all!"

While complaining, Cai Chenggong quickly picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

Hou Liangping's culinary skills, comparable to those of an imperial chef, naturally made him quite satisfied with his meal.

Paired with Moutai liquor, this meal was incredibly satisfying.

only……

Cai Chenggong claimed he came to discuss repaying the money, but he only cared about eating and drinking.

After her father went to Linjiang, Zhong Xiaoai, who had been feeling uneasy for days, quickly lost her appetite.

"You guys eat, I'm full!"

Just as Zhong Xiaoai put down her chopsticks and was about to get up, Cai Chenggong hurriedly said:

"Sister-in-law, wait a minute, we haven't discussed the important matters yet!"

Zhong Xiaoai smiled with a hint of disdain:

"Is there even a need to discuss this?"

"Paying back debts is a matter of course! Just return every penny of the money we lent you to buy fabric!"

Cai Chenggong frowned slightly.

"What do you mean by buying fabric? Isn't that your investment money?"

"what???"

Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping exclaimed in unison.

Zhong Xiaoai, who has a bad temper, immediately slammed her hand on the table and changed her expression.

"Cai Chenggong, what do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean by investment money? You said that if we buy clothing fabrics earlier and rush production, we can deliver the goods and get paid sooner. We lent you all our savings to help you, and now you..."

What's wrong with me right now?

Cai Chenggong held his wine glass, looking at the arrogant Zhong Xiaoai with a sly smile.

"Isn't my current state all your fault?"

"When I wanted to sell Dafeng Factory, who stopped me?"

"Your family insisted that I tough it out, and look what happened?"

Zhong Xiaoai suddenly stood up.

He pointed angrily at Cai Chenggong.

"What do you mean? Are you trying to renege on your promise?"

Cai Chenggong calmly finished his drink.

"It's not that I'm trying to renege on my debt; I'm here to discuss how to repay it."

"Then pay it back!"

Zhong Xiaoai raised her voice, like a lion's roar.

"Dafeng Factory is insolvent and has been shut down. I still owe my relatives and friends millions. How am I supposed to pay you back? With my life?"

"If you think my life, Cai Chenggong's life, is still worth something, then take it! Anyway, I have no money now, but I can take your life!"

After saying that, Cai Chenggong closed his eyes and raised his neck.

It was as if they were cutting off his throat or beheading him, leaving it entirely to Hou Liangping and his wife to do as they pleased.

"you!!"

"You cheat!"

"We meant well in helping you, but you end up blaming us!"

Zhong Xiaoai picked up a wine bottle and was about to smash it on someone.

Hou Liangping quickly got up to stop him.

"Wife, don't hit him! Even if you beat him to death now, he still won't have any money!"

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Zhong Xiaoai burst into tears.

Hou Liangping glared angrily at Cai Chenggong.

"Didn't you say you came to discuss repaying the money? Is this how you're going to discuss it?"

Cai Chenggong opened his eyes and gave an awkward smile.

He slammed the tape recorder onto the table.

"I may not have money, but you still have power, don't you?"

"If we cooperate, making money will be a piece of cake, won't it?"