Chapter 2: Escaping Disaster

Lu Hao was Liu Yuanda's cousin, and with that connection, Liu Yuanda trusted him deeply.

He was not only responsible for driving Liu Yuanda around, but also handled many other trivial office matters. Lu Hao was privy to quite a few of Liu Yuanda’s affairs. Just yesterday, Liu Yuanda had called to say that Lu Hao would be promoted to deputy section chief this year, and a full section chief position was merely a matter of time.

Lu Hao was genuinely moved by Liu Yuanda’s care.

He knew Liu Yuanda had recently been busy networking, aiming to make a push for the position of deputy mayor.

But he hadn’t expected trouble to strike so suddenly, without warning. At this very moment, Liu Yuanda was likely in one of the rooms here, being questioned by the disciplinary committee.

As for Liu Ruyan, the woman Qin Yi mentioned, Lu Hao did indeed know her.

Liu Ruyan was a talented and beautiful businesswoman—her face lovely, her figure stunning, managing several companies with operations spanning counties, districts, and even towns. Her projects were everywhere.

She was a fixture at the tables of many high-ranking officials, an absolute socialite of the political scene, overflowing with charm.

His cousin Liu Yuanda had dined with Liu Ruyan, and she had visited his office many times, doors locked, discussing who knows what. Lu Hao had also driven Liu Yuanda to hotels owned by Liu Ruyan.

Whether Liu Ruyan was Liu Yuanda’s mistress, Lu Hao couldn’t say for certain.

However, he did know about Liu Yuanda accepting shopping cards and small gifts—those petty matters, Lu Hao was aware of quite a few.

Now, with Qin Yi’s probing, it was clear she had uncovered some of Liu Yuanda’s violations, possibly with evidence in hand. Yet what exactly, how many incidents, Lu Hao didn’t know, nor dared to speculate.

Feigning utmost cooperation, he spoke of the times Liu Yuanda and Liu Ruyan had dined together, emphasizing his uncertainty about any affair.

He also mentioned occasions when he accompanied Liu Yuanda to meals and drinks, trips funded by public money, and the receipt of small gifts.

Lu Hao knew well that what he disclosed wouldn’t affect the bigger picture. These days, any cadre above deputy section chief would have some issues with dining and entertainment.

Though these violated the Eight-Point Regulation, they weren’t enough for Liu Yuanda to be placed under double investigation; at most, a minor disciplinary action.

Lu Hao watched as Qin Yi’s expression grew colder, her gaze fixed on him, sending chills down his spine.

But, determined not to show weakness, Lu Hao kept his eyes locked on hers, pretending to be utterly calm.

“Lu Hao, you’re evading the serious issues and being dishonest,” Qin Yi finally spoke after a long silence.

Lu Hao blinked and smiled, “Director Qin, this is really all I know. I truly don’t know anything else.”

“Is that so? Aside from Liu Ruyan, has Liu Yuanda ever accepted money or valuables from anyone else? For instance, gold bars—think carefully.” Qin Yi’s lips curled with a hint of coldness.

At her words, Lu Hao’s expression shifted. Suddenly, he remembered something.

A few months ago, he had driven Liu Yuanda to a dinner with Liu Ruyan. During the meal, Liu Ruyan had someone place a cosmetics box in the car’s trunk, saying it was a gift for Liu Yuanda.

Coincidentally, Fang Jing was shopping nearby and called him. When she went to put the clothes she’d bought in the trunk, curiosity led her to open the cosmetics box. Inside, it was filled with gold bars—ten in all, worth at least half a million.

Lu Hao had hurriedly closed the box and warned Fang Jing never to mention it.

That evening, back at the county committee, Liu Yuanda had Lu Hao deliver the box to his office. What happened after that, Lu Hao didn’t know. Could this be what Qin Yi was referring to?

Lu Hao weighed it over and over. Regardless of what evidence Qin Yi might have, he could not confess to this.

Liu Yuanda had treated him well; he could not betray him.

Besides, if Liu Yuanda fell, his own good days would be over.

“Director Qin, I'm sorry, I truly don’t know,” Lu Hao replied earnestly, shaking his head.

Qin Yi sneered, “Lu Hao, since you say so, I’ll give you time to think. But let me warn you, resisting organizational investigation carries serious consequences.”

“You’re still young, I hear you graduated from a top university, kept your student status to serve in the military during college, strong abilities—a promising future. Are you really willing to give up your prospects just to cover for Liu Yuanda?”

Her words were full of warning, clearly indicating that if Lu Hao persisted in lying, he would face disciplinary action.

“Director Qin, I’m not protecting Liu Yuanda. You can’t expect me to fabricate charges out of thin air for him,” Lu Hao feigned innocence, spreading his hands.

He had made up his mind: he would not betray Liu Yuanda and would not change his stance.

“So you’re so principled? Then we’ll wait you out!”

Qin Yi snorted, called in two colleagues, and said with a stern face, “Watch him. Don’t let him sleep. He doesn’t leave until he confesses.”

With that, Qin Yi shot Lu Hao a glare and left.

The two men sat across from Lu Hao in silence, staring him down.

Time ticked by. Soon, daylight crept in outside.

Under intense pressure, Lu Hao felt his body growing weary, though he could still hold on. The two men opposite him were having trouble staying awake.

Then Qin Yi returned. One of the men, exhausted, stepped forward and shook his head at her.

“Lu Hao, you’re truly stubborn. To be honest, we already have solid evidence. We’re just looking for you to complete the chain. If you keep being obstinate, you’ll ruin your own future,” Qin Yi said sternly as she approached the table.

Lu Hao remained silent. Hearing these words, he was even more convinced she was bluffing.

No matter what Qin Yi said, he would not speak. He wanted to see what else she had up her sleeve.

“You two go rest. Bring in two new people to watch him. Absolutely don’t let him sleep. Let’s see how long he can last,” Qin Yi barked, finally losing her temper.

She had interrogated many people in the system, but since Lu Hao wouldn’t cooperate, she decided to use harsher methods.

Soon, two new men came in. The thick curtains were drawn, plunging the room into darkness.

Suddenly, the desk lamp snapped on, a bright beam shining directly on Lu Hao’s face, so intense he couldn’t open his eyes, unable to see anything.

“Lu Hao, even if your mouth is made of iron, I’ll pry it open,” Qin Yi said harshly.

Lu Hao was already enraged, but he kept his mouth shut, gritting his teeth, enduring the glare.

Time crawled by. He soon heard the sound of high heels leaving—Qin Yi had exited the room.

He didn’t know how long had passed. Gradually, his eyelids drooped, drowsiness overtaking him.

“No sleeping!”

In the darkness, a loud shout rang out, accompanied by a heavy slap on the table.

Lu Hao jolted upright, forcing himself to sit straight.

In the subsequent confrontation, every time Lu Hao closed his eyes to sleep, someone would shout at him. The lamp’s glare grew even more blinding.

This cycle repeated countless times. Lu Hao’s brain was exhausted to the extreme.

He finally understood why so many people succumbed in the disciplinary committee—enduring this was simply too difficult.

Just when he didn’t know how much longer he could hold on, the harsh light vanished; the lamp was turned off.

Lu Hao shuddered violently, his whole body trembling. He shook his head and forced his eyes open.

He saw a cold, beautiful face—Qin Yi, watching him with a half-smile.

The next moment, the curtains were drawn open. Outside, night had already fallen, the city lights twinkling.

In his daze, Lu Hao realized the day had passed; he’d endured here for a full twenty-four hours.

“Lu Hao, you can go,” Qin Yi said suddenly.

“What did you say?” Lu Hao staggered to his feet, unable to believe his ears.

“I said you can go. Liu Yuanda didn’t hold out—he’s confessed everything. Whether you speak or not doesn’t matter anymore. You aren’t involved in anything major, but you resisted the investigation. I’ll report this to your county committee,” Qin Yi said coldly.

Though Lu Hao’s lack of cooperation had angered her, after years of cases, she had to admit that Lu Hao was the first to endure so long without uttering a word.

Lu Hao ignored Qin Yi, knowing he had escaped this ordeal. He forced himself upright, his mind muddled as he walked out of the room.

He was curious about what Liu Yuanda had confessed to, but even if he asked Qin Yi, she wouldn’t tell him. Better to hurry home for some sleep and sort things out tomorrow.

After Lu Hao left, Qin Yi dialed a mysterious number in the corridor, her face taking on a teasing smile.

“Hey, girl, I had to follow disciplinary committee procedures in front of my colleagues. He’s been released now, though it took quite a while. You’re still keeping tabs on him—so devoted.”

“Qin Yi, whether it’s Liu Yuanda or Liu Ruyan, the people and matters behind them are tangled and complicated. If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t help you anymore,” came a pleasant female voice over the phone.

“All right, all right, I’m scared of you. But honestly, I think if you stood in front of Lu Hao now, he probably wouldn’t remember who you are.”

The woman on the other end was silent for a few seconds, then spoke: “It’s normal for him to forget me. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to him.”