Chapter One: Trouble Befalls the Patron

Moonlight spilled into the bedroom through the window, and the air conditioner hummed softly. The silhouettes of a man and a woman intertwined were cast upon the wall, shifting through a variety of postures, filling the room with the sounds of passion and instruction.

For an entire hour, their fervor continued, and as Lu Hao let out a low growl, Fang Jing’s body collapsed limply. “Let’s go again in a while,” Lu Hao said, pinching Fang Jing’s cheek as he, refreshed, lit a cigarette.

Fang Jing was his fiancée, a teacher at a rural middle school, fair-skinned and beautiful. The two had become engaged just last week. “Honey, you must talk to your cousin and get me transferred to a teaching position in the county town. I don’t want to be stuck in the countryside,” Fang Jing pleaded, clinging to Lu Hao.

“I’ll go see my cousin tomorrow. It’s such a trivial thing—a single phone call from him will settle it,” Lu Hao replied, lounging against the headboard and blowing a leisurely smoke ring.

His cousin was none other than the Party Secretary of Anxing County, the undisputed leader—Lu Hao’s true pillar.

“Bang, bang, bang…”

Just as Lu Hao turned over, ready for another round, a sudden, harsh knock echoed from outside the door. He glanced at the time—it was nearly one in the morning. Who could be so ill-fated as to disturb him at this hour?

“Bang, bang, bang…”

Urged by Fang Jing, Lu Hao pulled on his pajamas and, disgruntled, opened the door.

Three strangers stood on the threshold, expressions stern. The leader was a woman, flanked by two men.

“Who are you? Knocking on my door in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?” Lu Hao demanded, his face dark.

“You are Lu Hao, right? You work at the county committee office?” the woman in front scrutinized him, her voice imbued with an indefinable air of authority.

She wore a black suit and mid-heeled shoes, her hair cut short to her ears, fair and strikingly beautiful, appearing not yet thirty, her demeanor cold and distant.

“Yes, I’m Lu Hao. And you are...?” A sense of unease crept over him.

In the next moment, the woman produced her credentials. “My name is Qin Yi. I’m from the First Division of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission. Lu Hao, you need to come with us.”

Lu Hao’s face tightened, anxiety flaring within him. He was merely a minor civil servant in the county—why had the city’s disciplinary commission come for him?

“May I ask, what have I done?” He swallowed nervously, probing for answers.

“You know very well what you’ve done. Now, get dressed and come with us immediately,” Qin Yi replied with a cold sneer, her tone brooking no refusal.

Seeing her resolve, Lu Hao knew it was pointless to argue. He hurried back inside to change.

Fang Jing, having overheard the exchange, was completely stunned. Even as Lu Hao finished dressing and was flanked by the two men from the municipal commission, led away, she remained frozen in shock.

…

In the black sedan of the municipal commission, Lu Hao was uncertain of his destination, his heart rife with unease and anxiety. He racked his brain—he couldn’t think of anything he’d done to warrant such attention from the city’s commission. Could he be implicated in someone else’s affairs?

Suddenly, his thoughts turned to his cousin, Liu Yuanda, the Party Secretary of Anxing County.

His suspicions were quickly confirmed. Lu Hao was brought to the county committee guesthouse, a standard single room furnished with a table, three chairs, and a glaring spotlight atop the table.

“Sit,” Qin Yi instructed, pointing to the chair opposite the table.

Feigning composure, Lu Hao remained silent—he knew that in such circumstances, a single misstep could lead to irreparable consequences.

“Director Qin, I’ll step outside,” one of the men said, placing two bottles of mineral water on the table. With a nod from Qin Yi, he respectfully closed the door behind him.

Qin Yi—Director Qin?

The name grew ever more familiar in Lu Hao’s mind. Suddenly, he recalled attending a municipal meeting with Liu Yuanda, where Qin Yi had delivered a report on behalf of the Discipline Inspection Commission. She was the Director of the First Division, renowned despite her youth.

Rumor had it that on her wedding night, her husband died in a car accident. Coupled with her uncompromising approach to investigations, her stern demeanor, and her habitual black attire, she was nicknamed the "Black Widow" by those in the circle.

In just two years since her appointment, she had investigated three directors, six deputy directors, and ten staff members in the education and transportation systems, sending shockwaves through the ranks and prompting many to raise their vigilance, fearful of being summoned for questioning.

Lu Hao never imagined he would fall into her hands.

“Lu Hao, have some water. Don’t be nervous,” Qin Yi’s tone softened considerably.

“Director Qin, why have you brought me here?” Lu Hao picked up the mineral water, attempting to shift from passive to active.

“We’re here today to follow commission procedures. We’ll ask you some questions. I hope you cooperate fully, don’t conceal anything, and don’t harbor any illusions. As long as you haven’t violated laws or regulations, I guarantee you’ll be fine,” Qin Yi said, even flashing a smile.

She smiled beautifully, radiating femininity, but Lu Hao was in no mood to appreciate it. The gentler she became, the more complicated the situation seemed.

“Director Qin, please ask your questions. I will cooperate,” Lu Hao replied, finishing his water and speaking in a steady voice.

“You are Liu Yuanda’s cousin, working closely with him. You surely know much about his affairs. Start by discussing his mistress, Liu Ruyan. And if you know of any other violations or disciplinary issues, speak up,” Qin Yi tapped the table, getting straight to the point.

Lu Hao’s mind buzzed.

His cousin was indeed in trouble!