Chapter 68: Drawing the Line

Yang Pengyi ignored him and continued packing his things.

At that moment, Guo Zhennin let out a cold laugh and called out, “Security, come over and keep an eye on him. Other than his personal belongings, he’s not allowed to take anything else.”

As soon as Guo Zhennin finished speaking, two security guards arrived and watched Yang Pengyi as he packed up.

A short while later, Yang Pengyi finished packing and said to Guo Zhennin, “Editor-in-chief Guo, those who do evil will meet their own downfall. One day, someone will deal with you.”

“Worry about yourself first,” Guo Zhennin replied coldly.

Being confronted by Yang Pengyi, who was so stubborn, and in front of so many of his subordinates, Guo Zhennin was actually furious. However, he couldn’t openly quarrel with Yang Pengyi in such a setting—it would be beneath his dignity.

Thinking that this thorn in his side would soon be gone, Guo Zhennin managed to swallow his anger.

He had fabricated many stories about Yang Pengyi and already reported them to the Municipal Party Committee’s Publicity Department. Relying on his connections, Guo Zhennin was certain that Director Wang of the Publicity Department would do him this favor. After all, Yang Pengyi was just a small, powerless journalist without any backing; even if he were fired, it wouldn’t matter in the least.

Watching Yang Pengyi leave, Guo Zhennin swept his authoritative gaze around the office hall. People quickly lowered their heads and busied themselves with work under his gaze. Only then did Guo Zhennin, satisfied, return to his own office.

...

Municipal Party Committee Office.

Yang Pengyi sat alone in his private office, feeling as if everything that had happened was a dream—so unreal. Up to this point, he hadn’t told anyone about it, not even his wife. He was afraid that if he woke up, it would all turn out to be just a dream.

That evening, after work, he returned home. Seeing his wife looking so haggard, Yang Pengyi smiled but still said nothing.

Zhang Hongxia looked at her husband and said, “Pengyi, don’t dwell on it too much. Even if you lose your job, we’ll get by. Even if we have to go back to my hometown and raise pigs, we can still support our two children. You must hold on.”

Yang Pengyi nodded and replied, “I know. I’m very tired—let’s have dinner and rest early.”

The two of them ate in silence and then went to bed. Lying back-to-back, each stared wide-eyed into the darkness, lost in their own thoughts.

The next morning, when Yang Pengyi woke up, his wife hadn’t gone out early to the breakfast stall as usual. Instead, she had prepared a hearty breakfast and was waiting for him.

After getting up, washing, and finishing breakfast, Yang Pengyi said to his wife, “I’m going to work.”

His wife nodded, forcing a smile. Yang Pengyi smiled back and left.

Once more, sitting in his office and taking in the surroundings, a genuine smile finally appeared on Yang Pengyi’s face.

At the same time, in the chief editor’s office of the Xijing Daily...

Guo Zhennin was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. The air conditioner was on full blast, yet he was still sweating profusely.

Yang Pengyi had suddenly been transferred to the Municipal Party Committee and appointed deputy director of the office. The news, after a night of spreading, had finally reached Guo Zhennin.

Once he had confirmed it, Guo Zhennin knew he was finished. He had crossed Yang Pengyi far too many times, and after so many years as colleagues, Yang Pengyi undoubtedly knew a lot about him. Just the business with Yongxing Chemical Plant alone was enough to drag him to hell.

In the past, Guo Zhennin wouldn’t have worried. A journalist who’d been fired, powerless and without connections, couldn’t do anything to him, no matter how hard he tried, especially with Guo’s own network.

But now things were different. Yang Pengyi was deputy director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, and there were even rumors that as soon as the current director stepped down, he would be promoted. This was nothing short of a thunderbolt for Guo Zhennin.

The Municipal Party Committee Office was the very center of power, the critical hub between those above and those below. Now, a single word from Yang Pengyi would draw the serious attention of many people—even those above his own rank. If Yang wanted to deal with him, it would take no effort at all.

Guo Zhennin thought it over from all angles, then hurriedly left his office.

...

Linjiang Pavilion Hotel, in a private room.

Guo Zhennin pointed at a large box on the floor and said to Liu Qiming, “President Liu, here’s your three million. Count it, and from now on, there’s nothing more between us.”

Liu Qiming grinned and said, “Editor-in-chief Guo, what kind of show are you putting on now?”

“That’s none of your business. I don’t want your things, and from this moment on, we have nothing further to do with each other,” Guo Zhennin said grimly.

Hearing this, Liu Qiming’s expression changed as well. “Editor-in-chief Guo, could this be because Yang Pengyi’s been appointed deputy director at the Municipal Party Committee Office?”

“So you’ve heard?” Guo Zhennin asked in surprise.

Liu Qiming let out a cold laugh. “I’ve been watching him closely—of course I’d know.”

“Since you know, you should understand how serious this is. I won’t say more. Look after yourself,” Guo Zhennin replied, preparing to leave.

At that moment, Liu Qiming sneered, “Editor-in-chief Guo, at a time like this, you think you can just toss me aside and wash your hands clean? It won’t be that easy.”

“What do you mean?” Guo Zhennin spun around abruptly, his tone harsh.

Liu Qiming smiled coldly. “We’re grasshoppers tied to the same rope—we’re both stuck. I suggest you start thinking about how to help us both get through this. Otherwise, I’ll drag you down to hell with me.”

“Liu Qiming, listen well. I know nothing of your business, and I’ve already returned your things. From now on, we’re even,” Guo Zhennin retorted loudly.

“Even?” Liu Qiming laughed. “Why didn’t you refuse in the first place? Now that trouble’s brewing, you want to call it quits? Let me tell you, if you can’t fix this, we’ll be cellmates.”

With that, Liu Qiming picked up his phone, found a video, and tossed it to Guo Zhennin.

Guo Zhennin took it in confusion and saw himself on the screen, completely naked with two female managers, enjoying himself to the fullest.

In the video, attended by two beautiful women, he wore an expression of utter bliss.

“You—Liu Qiming, you shameless bastard. You actually filmed me secretly!” Guo Zhennin’s face turned deathly pale and he shouted furiously.

“Hmph. Shameless? Don’t be a pot calling the kettle black. You’d better think of something quickly—while he hasn’t yet secured his position, there might still be a sliver of hope for us,” Liu Qiming said coldly.

Now, Guo Zhennin was utterly stunned. He slumped into the chair, his face ashen.

He had thought that, before Liu Qiming found out, he could return the illicit gains, cut ties, and perhaps save himself. Who could have imagined that Liu Qiming not only already knew everything, but had also set him up and recorded a video.

Now, there was no getting off this sinking ship. The only hope was to figure out a way to deal with the coming reckoning from Yang Pengyi.

“Clever bastard,” Guo Zhennin growled, then picked up the case and left.

Since there was no leaving the ship now, he might as well keep the money—better to hurry home and figure out a plan.

At noon.

When Yang Pengyi returned home, his wife Zhang Hongxia wasn’t cooking; instead, she was packing up their clothes.

Seeing him come home, Zhang Hongxia smiled and said, “I’m just getting things ready, so it won’t be a scramble later.”

Hearing this, Yang Pengyi could no longer hold back his tears. He hugged his wife tightly and choked out, “I’m sorry—for all these years you and the children have suffered because of me.”

Zhang Hongxia stroked Yang Pengyi’s back, silently shedding tears. “I’m all right. I’m just a village girl, and to have married a city college graduate like you is more than I ever dreamed. You’ve always treated me and the children well. The kids look up to you as their role model. You’re a good man—you’ve done nothing wrong. The fault lies with this society.”

At her words, Yang Pengyi finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.

Zhang Hongxia kept gently patting his back, letting him vent his pain.

After a while, Yang Pengyi managed to compose himself, wiped away his tears, gripped his wife’s shoulders, and said, “We don’t have to go back to the countryside.”

Zhang Hongxia looked at him in confusion. After a moment, she asked, “Does this mean the newspaper isn’t firing you?”

Yang Pengyi let out a long breath and replied, “No. I’ve been transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Office—now I’m the deputy director there.”