Chapter 23: A Thunderclap (Part 2)

  Gao Zhikai sat on one side, expressionless as he sipped his tea, but in reality, he looked down on Liu Baojun and Ma Yuewu with disdain.

  He has always been very proud of himself, and in private, Zhang Qingming also made it clear to him. Although Zhang Qingming's transfer is unavoidable, his rank will be retained, he will just be transferred to the municipal bureau or provincial department for a while, and when the opportunity arises, he will naturally be arranged to work again.

  Moreover, Zhang Qingming said that the municipal bureau has a main leader who is preparing to recommend Gao Zhikai as the head of Guangning County Bureau. This promise is more reliable than Liu Baojun's Chu and Ma Yuewu's Qiu, after all, what are Chu and Secretary Qiu thinking?

  So, Gao Zhikai has been keeping a low profile during this period of time. He always knows when to keep a low profile.

  However, when Liu Baojun suggested that Du Xiaohu take over as head of the fire department, Ma Yuewu hesitated for a moment before suggesting that Du Xiaohu act as interim head. Gao Zhikai's eyes narrowed, he couldn't bear to hear Lu Zheng's name at this time.

  He, who is in charge of criminal investigation, now feels that every time he enters or exits the county bureau's courtyard, someone behind him is pointing and poking at his spine, although he himself also understands that this may all be an illusion, and suspicion gives rise to hidden demons.

  But he knew that as long as Lu Zhong was around, this inexplicable sense of loss would continue to exist, a feeling that made him restless and unable to eat or sleep.

  So, whenever he heard about He and Lu Zhong's dealings, he felt uncomfortable in his heart and couldn't maintain a calm mind. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly interrupted Ma Yuewu's words and said: "Comrade Yuewu, may I say something?"

  Ma Yuewu smiled and nodded, what he feared most was that Gao Zhikai would not fight with Lu Zheng, the more fiercely they fought each other, the more beneficial it would be to himself.

  Gao Zhikai coughed and said, "First of all, I'd like to ask my comrades, why do we need to set up a fire prevention department? Doesn't this conflict with our original fire brigade?" He didn't wait for others to respond and continued talking: "When it comes to this issue, we can't help but mention the development of Guangning's industry and commerce, as well as its cultural and entertainment sectors. Now, there are more and more public places in our county. I remember that in 1978, there were over 40 public places such as cinemas in Guangning. But now, excluding Ming Stone Mountain and Huangjin Coast tourist areas, there are already over 100 public places including cinemas, outdoor dance halls, outdoor table tennis courts, bus stations, markets, and docks within the county. In addition, individual businesses have always been lacking in fire prevention awareness. I think setting up a fire prevention department at the county level is of great significance."

  "When supervising fire prevention measures in all public places, units and enterprises, it is the fire prevention science; when undertaking rescue and firefighting tasks, it is the firefighting team. Only in this way can we achieve the combination of prevention and firefighting with prevention as the main focus."

  Gao Zhikai picked up the teacup and took a sip of water, then continued: "The fire brigade has been incorporated into the armed police sequence, implementing direct management by the municipal fire brigade. However, the municipal fire brigade has proposed to second a cadre from our county bureau to serve as the head of the fire prevention department. This is a vote of confidence in us and an expression of the hope that we will implement the principle of prioritizing prevention and supervision. In my opinion, we should select a veteran comrade with rich work experience for this position, rather than neglecting the potential risks brought by weak experience in order to promote young cadres. Our young cadres will have many opportunities in the future, but the task of fire fighting is arduous and long-term. I worry that if a young cadre lacks experience and something goes wrong, won't we be trying to mend the fold after the sheep has escaped?"

  Everyone was silent, although many people understood what Gao Zhikai had in mind, but what he said made some sense.

  Deputy Director and Head of the Discipline Inspection Team, Wei Qingxian sat beside Lu Zhong. He glanced at Lu Zhong, but saw that he was scribbling something on his notebook.

  For a long time, no one made a sound. Now, except for Gao Zhikai, really no one is willing to offend Lu Zheng openly.

  "Whatever." Lu Zhong suddenly said indifferently.

  For some reason, everyone suddenly let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was because, from an unknown time, Lu Zhong became stingy with his words, no longer like before, frequently firing cannons in party committee meetings and team meetings, leaving Zhang Ju speechless. And this sudden silence made Lu Zhong a difficult person to figure out.

  Gao Zhikai glanced at Lu Zheng obliquely, and for some reason, he didn't feel the slightest sense of victory in his heart.

  Ma Yuewu sighed and said, "Then let's all consider it again. Is there anyone else suitable for the position?" In fact, this result was the best for him. The head of the fire department had already had someone in mind, but he didn't want to bring it up at first.

  Just as Ma Yuewu was about to speak again, the meeting room door was gently knocked on, and outside stood Wei Xiangxiu, a 23- or 24-year-old female police officer from the bureau's office. Her sensual and delicate figure, like that of a young woman who had just become a wife, was clad in an olive green policewoman's uniform, exuding an alluring aura that was as refreshing as her scent and as lovely to behold as she herself was.

  Wei Xiangxiu came looking for Liu Baojun, "Secretary Liu, you have a phone call, Secretary Qiu is calling you." She was a southern beauty, and her voice was soft and pleasant to listen to.

  Liu Baojun hastily left the meeting room.

  Ma Yuewu looked at Liu Baojun's back and his eyes flickered. He picked up the teacup: "Let's take a break, wait for Secretary Liu."

  Wei Xiangxiu walked to the window, pushed open a wooden lattice window, and fresh air rushed in. The storm outside had stopped at some point.

  Inside the conference room, many people's eyes were focused on Wei Xiangxiu, and some of those gazes were extremely hot. Yingxiu's olive green police uniform, with its tight belt around her soft waist, accentuated her plump chest, which seemed to be bursting out. The pressure was palpable, making one wonder what it would be like to caress that chest. Under the hem of her police skirt, a pair of black, delicate low-heeled leather shoes complemented her beautiful, round legs, which were wrapped in extremely thin flesh-colored stockings, exuding an irresistible allure. Her entire being was like a ripe peach, emitting a seductive aura. This fiery temptress, combined with her dignified police uniform, made her the ultimate version of a beauty in uniform, a true femme fatale.

  In the past, although some people had a crush on this office beauty, no one dared to flirt with her because it was rumored that Wei Xiangxiu and Director Zhang Qingming had a relationship beyond comradely friendship. Now, with the fall of Director Zhang's empire, without the protection of this big tree, who knows how many hungry wolves are eager to pounce on her beauty.

  Wei Xiangxiu came to the corner of the wall, picked up the thermos, she didn't bend down, but lightly squatted and held the thermos. Perhaps because she also knew that there were malicious eyes watching her, bending down was easy to expose. But this light squatting action was even more provocative, in a man's eyes, the gentle and obedient movements of the uniformed policewoman not only made her fiery curves fully displayed, but also gave people a kind of stimulation to commit evil.

  Gao Zhikai didn't look at her from head to toe, but every move she made was within his sight.

  This police flower, whose every move and gesture was captivating, had caused Gao Zhikai to have countless fantasies at night. Compared to his wife, Wei Xiangxiu was simply common and unbearable. However, he knew that his career was more important, especially since this alluring police flower had been personally appointed by Director Zhang a year ago to work in the office, and there were even rumors that someone had seen them being intimate in Director Zhang's room alone, so Gao Zhikai often just thought about it without taking any action.

  Now, Zhang Ju is determined to leave Guangning. When Gao Zhikai appreciates the beauty of this Zhang Ju again, he feels a burning flame in his heart, and perhaps, there will be some thoughts about it later.

  At this time, Wei Xiangxiu was already carrying a thermos towards the conference table, and when she passed by Gao Zhikai's side, she brought up a fragrant breeze.

  No one expected that she stopped beside Lu Zhong, and lowered her head to whisper something in Lu Zhong's ear. Her red lips were close to Lu Zhong's ear, almost touching, with only a few millimeters between them.

  Gao Zhikai's eyebrows furrowed suddenly, what's wrong with Wei Xiangxiu, has she gone mad?

  Wei Qing, sitting next to Lu Zhong, heard clearly and asked softly: "Director Lu, do you want some more water?"

  Lu Zhong shook his head, and Wei Xiangxiu then got up from beside Lu Zhong to refill the water for each of the bureau leaders.

  Watching this scene, Wei Qing's eyes flashed a hint of deep thought.

  Just as Wei Xiangxiu was pouring water and walking to the office director Wang Yuguo's side, Liu Baojun returned to the meeting room. His face had a strange expression that couldn't be described as happy or angry, but soon turned into a smile. He walked to the center of the conference room, waved his hand and said: "Today's meeting will end here, I just received a call from Secretary Qiu, proposed by the Provincial Department, the Municipal Bureau has nominated Comrade Lu Zheng as the candidate for the County Public Security Bureau Chief of Guangning County, and requested approval from the County People's Congress Standing Committee.

  The scene was thrown into chaos, and everyone started discussing it in hushed tones. This is simply beyond anyone's expectation!

  All three hot candidates were eliminated? The final winner is Lu Zhong? What's going on here?

  Lu Zhong this dark horse, how did it suddenly rush out? This is really a sign of no omen at all!

  Wei Qingxian smiled and nodded, it seemed that Wei Xiangxiu had heard some rumors from the phone earlier, no wonder she was so friendly to Lu Zhong just now.

  Wei Qing immediately reached out his hand to Lu Zhong beside him and said with a smile: "Director Lu, congratulations."

  Lu Zhong smiled and shook hands with him, without saying much.

  Some cadres immediately came to their senses, rushed up to congratulate Lu Zhong, including Ma Yuewu, who was stunned for a while before walking over to shake hands with Lu Zhong and say congratulations.

  Only Gao Zhikai remained calm and still, his face expressionless. Perhaps only he himself knew what was going on in his mind.

  He sat there stiffly, as if he had turned into a stone statue.

  Even so, it has drawn attention from people who have a little sympathy in their hearts.

  Lao Gao, it's still manageable now, but it's really not easy.

  "Director Lu, Secretary Qiu said he wants to see you." Liu Baojun smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll accompany you there."

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly and stood up. The surrounding officials hastily made way for him, without a doubt, the higher the official position, the more intimidating it is to ordinary people. No matter how familiar they were on usual days, when he became their superior, unknowingly, they would have an extra bit of reverence for him.

  Gao Zhikai retired early for the first time in many years. In fact, he even forgot to look at his watch and left the venue in a daze, then drove home.

  In the living room, her lover Zhao Hongxia also left early for work. She worked at a TV station and was one of those people who got paid for doing nothing.

  While digging earwax, Zhao Hongxia exclaimed: "Hey, do you know that Tong Susu has come to our station as a broadcaster? She's been here for several days. I heard her family had an accident, her dad was the former vice mayor, now he's down on his luck, no choice but to run to a small station like ours in Guangning."

  Gao Zhikai listlessly sat down on the sofa and didn't hear clearly what Zhao Hongxia was muttering.

  "Hey, did you hear what I said? I see, this time Zhiqiang has a chance. No wonder Tong Susu was so arrogant before, turns out she's the mayor's daughter. But now that her dad is in trouble, she can't be arrogant anymore, right? Our Zhiqiang won't disappoint her. But say, if Zhiqiang and she get together, will he be implicated by her dad? We need to think this through carefully. If you ask me, it's bad luck, better not get involved if possible. Zhiqiang is really hopeless, still pining for her after all these years."

  Zhao Hongxia chattered on and on, she was used to it anyway, and didn't care that Gao Zhikai wasn't responding, just like she was talking to herself.

  She suddenly remembered something important, and sat up straight: "Right, have you got any news about your promotion? Let me tell you, once you become the director, you must deal with that Lu Zhong properly. I don't know why, but every time I see him, I feel uncomfortable!"

  "Director" Lu Zhong, Gao Zhi Kai suddenly woke up with a start, was he just dreaming? The new director is Lu Zhong?!

  "Last time I heard Xiaoshen say, how about it? He's quite good at solving cases? I didn't believe it, isn't he just a silly soldier..."

  "That's enough!" Gao Zhikai suddenly shouted hysterically, and Zhao Hongxia's impression of Lu Zheng was originally instilled in her by him bit by bit. Now it sounded so jarring to her ears.

  "What's wrong?" Zhao Hongxia was startled and almost stuffed her earpick into her eardrum.

  Gao Zhikai walked into the bedroom with a gloomy face and slammed the door shut.