Chapter 22 Conspiracy

  Xia Chuchu casually suggested going out to dinner with Ye Ming, not only was Ye surprised, but Qiu Shunming and Lin Nan were also stunned - according to the case handling principles of the disciplinary inspection and supervision organs, during the period when an erring cadre is under double regulation, they are not allowed to meet any outsiders, let alone leave the designated location to go out. This is a basic common sense.

  But Xiaojie, however, seemed to not understand the rules and principles of handling cases at all. Not only did she want to visit Ye Ming, but also wanted to take him out for a meal. If this got out, it would definitely become a joke in the disciplinary inspection and supervision system...

  Qiu Shunming coughed twice, furrowed his brow and said: "Chu Chu, this isn't right! Ye Ming hasn't been released from double regulation yet, and his problems haven't been clarified. If he goes out to eat now, it's against the rules of handling cases. Don't make things difficult for Director Peng and the others."

  Xia Chuchu waved the sunglasses in her hand and said indifferently, "What's so difficult about this? Ye Ming won't run away or collude with anyone. It's just a matter of accompanying us for a meal. You're such a big bureau chief, don't you have any sense of responsibility or face? Alright, if you're still worried, I'll vouch for Ye Ming: If he runs away during the meal, you can detain me instead and lock me up in this room for a few days, how about that?"

  Qiu Shunming, Lin Nan and others heard her words that were similar to those of a rogue, and they couldn't help but look at each other in dismay, feeling a little helpless: What's the use of this guarantee? If Ye Ming really runs away, who dares to detain you, Miss? We treat you like an ancestor, and we're still afraid that you won't be satisfied...

  Ye Ming guessed that Xia Chuchu came to K City this time, definitely wanting to come and urge himself to go to the provincial city to record a program with them. After all, it was for the 1 million yuan sponsorship promised by Chen Mengqi's father. He smiled wryly and said: "Miss Xia, don't waste your energy. Looking at the situation now, I won't be able to participate in your show. The 1 million yuan sponsorship you expected is probably gone. You should go back and find another boy who meets the conditions of that female guest as soon as possible, and try to get the 1 million yuan sponsorship! Alas, I'm so unlucky! Originally, I was hoping to divide 20-30% from the 1 million yuan sponsorship and make a small fortune, but now I've been hit by double whammy, losing both people and money!"

  Xia Chuchu saw that he was still making this kind of joke at this time, and she came to visit him with a heart full of tender feelings. He thought she had come for the one hundred thousand yuan sponsorship, so she felt both angry and annoyed. She wanted to scold him a few times, but she was afraid of provoking him, so she vented her anger on Qiu Shunming and others, saying: "Director Qiu, Director Lin, I, Xia Chuchu, have never begged anyone in my life. You handle this matter today: if you don't agree to Ye Ming accompanying me for dinner, then I won't say another word, and I'll leave immediately!"

  As he spoke, he swung his sunglasses and turned around to walk towards the door.

  Lin Nan hastily intercepted her and smiled: "Chu Chu, don't be in a hurry! What Director Qiu just said is just the usual discipline for handling cases, it's not absolute! In my opinion, as long as the person being double-regulated doesn't leave custody and has someone watching them at all times, occasionally going out to eat or relax shouldn't be a big problem. Moreover, I think this is also a humanized way of handling cases, which is more conducive to the handling of the case and can alleviate the psychological pressure on comrades who have made mistakes... Director Qiu, what do you think?"

  Qiu Shunming saw Xia Chuchu throw a tantrum, and he was afraid that if she got really angry, she would storm off in a huff. That would make all his efforts today counterproductive. So after Lin Nan finished speaking, Qiu Shunming also smiled and said: "Director Lin is indeed thoughtful, I'm an old-fashioned person who lacks flexibility and adaptability, Chuchu don't mind me. How about this, let's have everyone present, including Ye Ming and Xiao Chen, go out for a meal together."

  As he spoke, he asked Wang Qi, the director of the Baozhu County Local Taxation Bureau who was standing at the door: "Director Wang, where are we going to have lunch? Can everyone sit down?"

  Director Wang hastily said: "At Water Crystal Palace Food City, I booked the largest private room, it should be able to seat everyone."

  Chen Yi urged Ye Ming to shave and change clothes while telling Lin Nan, "Director Lin, I don't want to eat now. I'd like to wash Ye Ming's clothes first and wait for your return."

  Lin Nan hadn't even responded when Xia Chuchu grabbed Chen Yi's hand and said with a smile: "Sister Chen, you're Ye Ming's older sister, right? I think some older sisters aren't as good to their younger brothers as you are! Today is our first meeting, so you have to accompany me for this meal. I also have things I want to ask you!"

  Chen Yi's face turned red, and when she said she had something to ask him, he knew she must be asking about the reason why Ye Ming hit someone, so he could only agree to go with her.

  When Ye Ming changed clothes in the washroom, Peng Hui pulled Qiu Shunming and Lin Nan out into the corridor outside, saying discontentedly: "Director Qiu, Old Lin, what are you thinking? Ye Ming and us, now we're like cats and mice. If he goes with us to the hotel to drink and eat, isn't that like a cat and mouse in the same cage? I really can't bear this humiliation. And if this gets out, it will definitely become a laughingstock!"

  Lin Nan smiled and said, "Old Peng, in today's society, aren't there many cases of cats and mice living together? I've even seen mice riding on the heads of cats! Last time, I heard about a case where the head of a detention center in a certain city accepted 1 million yuan from a black society boss who was being held. As a result, not only did the head buy good food, good dishes, and good cigarettes for the prisoner every day, but he also personally went to the cell to pay his respects and ask about the well-being of that big shot, treating him with more filial piety than his own parents. Isn't this a case of mice riding on the heads of cats? Moreover, our situation is special: Xia Chuchu is the only beloved daughter of Provincial Bureau Chief Xia, and I've heard in the provincial bureau that Chief Xia dotes on this beautiful and talented girl to an extreme degree, almost listening to her every word. If we offend her, she just needs to whisper a few bad words about us into her father's ear, and we'll leave a deep negative impression in Chief Xia's mind. Tell me, which is more serious: letting Ye Ming go out for a meal or this?"

  Qiu Shunming was also very annoyed in his heart: because he had promised Li Li that this time he must let Ye Ming confess some corruption problems that could expel him, and it would be best to transfer him to the judicial authorities. But now, out of nowhere, Xia Chuchu appeared, disrupting his deployment and plan, but he was also helpless against Xia Chuchu.

  After listening to Lin Nan's words, he said with a stern face: "Director Peng, we still don't understand the relationship between Chu and Ye Ming. But no matter what, you must hurry up and get a confession from Ye Ming. I don't believe that after managing taxpayers at the branch office for over a year, he doesn't have any corruption issues! If he continues to stubbornly refuse to speak, and our superiors are pressing us to release him, then you also need to make preparations and leave a way out for us: you must get Ye Ming to write a letter of repentance, stating that the reasons we took disciplinary action against him were justified. If he refuses to write this letter, then resolutely do not release him! Do you understand my meaning?"

  Peng Hui nodded and said, "Understood. Don't worry, I'm arranging for people to further investigate the taxpayers in Ye Ming's original jurisdiction. Li Li has also arranged for some people to cooperate with our investigation. I believe we will soon have evidence of his illegal activities."