The atmosphere had already become a bit tense.

Chen Fang, however, smiled and said, "Secretary Jiang, you called me here today not just to show off your power, did you?"

"Then what do you think I called you for?"

Jiang Chuo asked.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "The notebook left by Tan Yandong?"

Chen Fang's response.

Shocked Jiang Chuo a bit.

But he couldn't show his shock in front of him and pretentiously asked with an air of nonchalance, "Oh? What makes you think that?"

"You've always wanted to get your hands on that notebook. Previously, you ordered Zhang Cheng to find someone to steal it from me, didn't you?"

"Zhang Cheng that kid, indeed, is not good at keeping secrets."

Jiang Chuo said.

Though his words were mild,

Chen Fang could still feel the underlying rage.

He waved his hand and said, "It has nothing to do with Zhang Cheng. He didn't tell me anything. I guessed it. Actually, it's not hard, only after I understood the cause of Tan Yandong's death, the focus on this notebook naturally shifted to you."

"I always enjoy dealing with smart people. Since that is the case, let's be frank—give me the notebook, and I will help you get reinstated at the Party School and also give you that top student position I mentioned."

Jiang Chuo said.

Chen Fang suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Jiang Chuo was startled and asked, "What are you laughing about?"

"I'm laughing because Secretary Jiang, as smart as you are, sometimes still makes foolish mistakes. You value this notebook so much, which is exactly why I can't possibly hand it over to you. Who knows—maybe one day, I could also uncover some big secrets from it?"

"Chen Fang! You're courting death!"

Jiang Chuo said, somewhat furiously.

He finally lost his composure and began to warn Chen Fang.

Chen Fang's gaze was sharp.

He said, "Secretary Jiang, don't be like that, you wouldn't dare touch me. If you dared, you would have done it already. There must be something very important to you in this notebook. Just because I can't see it, doesn't mean others can't. Aren't you afraid this notebook might end up in the hands of your political rivals if you kill me?"

"Do you believe I could kill you right now?"

Jiang Chuo said through gritted teeth.

Chen Fang scoffed, opened the car door, and got out calmly.

After closing the car door, he poked his head through the window and said, "Secretary Jiang, this is a fire lane, no parking allowed. How can such an esteemed third-ranking official of the Permanent Committee of Yong'an Province fail to observe such simple rules?"

"You..."

For a moment,

he was rendered speechless.

Watching Chen Fang walk away with a carefree demeanor,

murderous intent slowly emerged in Jiang Chuo's eyes.

"Boss? Do you need me to arrange something?"

At that moment, Zhang Bangqi came over and asked.

The flames in Jiang Chuo's eyes instantly extinguished.

He sneered and said, "Not for now, the item is still with him. With his character, he won't let it go. Come, let's go to the provincial committee and prepare for the next step of our 'sweep away black and evil' campaign."

Just as the car was about to start,

Jiang Chuo pointing at the yellow lines of the fire lane said, "Call the school and have them reroute the fire lane."

"Yes, I understand. I'll arrange it in a bit,"

Zhang Bangqi replied.

...

Chen Fang and Yang Xi found a random restaurant

and enjoyed a hearty meal together.

Truth be told, from that weekend afternoon until Tuesday morning, the two really hadn't eaten much.

Yang Xi was just about to pay the bill.

Chen Fang stopped her and said, "I should treat this meal."

"Why? I was the one who invited you to eat,"

Chen Fang smiled and said, "Because I lost the bet last time."

Yang Xi was stunned, then understood the situation.

She put the money away.

She said, "Let's go."

"Where to?"

Chen Fang asked.

Yang Xi wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "What are you planning to do about this situation? You won't just let it go, will you? We need to do something; we have to find a place to stay, right?"

"Aren't you going back?"

Chen Fang asked.

Yang Xi laughed freely and said, "Going back is just waiting to be dealt with. What if you win? It's better to bet on it."

"So you really like gambling?"

Chen Fang asked.

Yang Xi said, "From birth, life is a big gamble. Exams are gambling, making friends is, getting married is, even choosing a job, getting along with colleagues, picking sides, and how you work—it's all gambling. If there were no bets, life would be so dull. It looks like the next few days are going to be interesting."

"Alright, let's gamble again."

Chen Fang was influenced by Yang Xi's emotions.

He too became excited.

...

Eight o'clock in the evening.

In a private room at the Tangchuan Hotpot City in Rongjiang City.

Jiang Chuo, looking scholarly with his glasses, sat in the main seat.

Joining him for the meal were a man and a woman.

The man appeared to be around forty and was the owner of a construction company in Yong'an Province, named Liu Hongfa.

The woman next to him, his kept mistress, looked to be in her early twenties and was very pretty.

They had reached out to Jiang Chuo this time, hoping to use his connections to settle a construction payment that had been overdue for over two years from another contractor.

The amount of the construction payment was substantial, amounting to over twelve million.

Liu Hongfa had tried various connections, but none had worked.

Now, Jiang Chuo was their last hope.

The meal was halfway through.

The door to the private room opened.

Zhang Bangqi walked in and said, "Leader, the person has arrived."

Jiang Chuo nodded his head.

Under the guidance of Zhang Bangqi, another man in his forties, with a build like that of a tiger-backed bear, entered.

The man was bald.

A thick gold chain hung around his neck.

As soon as he saw Liu Hongfa, his eyebrows furrowed.

However, it was only for a moment.

He hastily picked up an empty wine glass from the table, poured himself a drink, and approached Jiang Chuo, saying nervously, "Secretary Jiang, I'm really sorry. There was some traffic on the way, and I'm a bit late; I'll drink this as a penalty."

Having said that, he downed the drink in one gulp.

He had just taken his seat.

Jiang Chuo was about to speak.

Bald's phone rang.

He picked up the call right away.

After handling the matter, he tossed his phone onto the table and prepared to pour another drink.

Jiang Chuo reached out, took Bald's phone, toyed with it for a while, and asked, "Looking at your situation, Mr. Min, business must be good lately."

"Secretary Jiang, you may not be aware, but business has been difficult recently. There's a huge pile of debts that can't be collected. Every day is about chasing debts; I'm almost ready to jump off a building," he said.

The bald man was Min Chao.

He filled the wine glass and had just intended to offer it to Jiang Chuo.

Jiang Chuo's hand relaxed.

The phone clattered into the hot pot.

"Ah, Mr. Min, I'm really sorry, my hand slipped just now," said Jiang Chuo.

Min Chao could clearly tell it was deliberate.

But he had no choice.

With a smile on his face, he said, "It's no problem, it's just a phone. I can just buy a new one."

Jiang Chuo nodded slightly and said, "Didn't you just say you're so poor you might jump off a building? Sometimes, you need to save a bit. I see your phone is waterproof. It can still be used if you fish it out."

Min Chao was stunned.

He quickly grabbed the strainer and said, "Right, right, Secretary Jiang is right. Being frugal is a good habit. I'll fish it out, give it a wash, and it'll still work..."

He was just about to do so.

Jiang Chuo's expression suddenly darkened.

He said, "Use your hand to fish it out!"

At those words, the three people present were all stunned.

Especially Min Chao, who suddenly looked at Jiang Chuo, thinking he was joking. But seeing the harshness in his expression, it was clear he was not joking at all.

In that moment.

Min Chao's back was soaked with sweat.

Perspiration also broke out on his forehead.

Seeing Jiang Chuo unmoved,

Min Chao knew the situation was serious.

He slowly stood up.

Clenching his teeth, he reached directly into the scalding hot pot.

"Ah..."

A scream ensued.

Min Chao fished the phone out of the hot pot, and by then, that hand was horribly scalded.

"Can the money be repaid?"

Jiang Chuo asked.

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