20demayo Chapter 699 - 669: Too Fast a Change
Chapter 699 - 669: Too Fast a Change
Lu Yunqi was a bit uncertain: "You are..."Xu Chunliang said, "We just met, you really have a forgetful nature. Don’t forget about going to Yude District at nine after your ’bath’ two nights ago."
Lu Yunqi’s face instantly changed. ’Bath’ was his secret code, and going to Yude District two nights ago was a secret between him and someone else. How could Xu Chunliang know? He spoke with such specifics; it didn’t seem like he was blackmailing him.
Xu Chunliang said, "You were seven minutes late!"
Lu Yunqi’s legs went weak, and he hurriedly sat down. His throat was dry, his face was numb, and his mind was completely blank. It was like he was suddenly going against the current, struggling desperately internally.
Xu Chunliang had also considered this, giving him ample time to struggle.
After a good while, Lu Yunqi finally remembered something, got up and went to the window, looking out towards the gate. He saw Xu Chunliang, encircled by security guards, holding a phone and looking towards his office window.
Lu Yunqi bit his lip and quickly made up his mind: "Wait a moment, I’ll have them let you in."
"You come and get me!" Xu Chunliang’s tone was indisputable. He hung up after speaking, looked around at the security guards glaring at him, and said, "What are you doing? Is this how you treat guests? Believe it or not, I can have Director Lu fire you all."
A few security guards burst into laughter. It was Director Lu who specifically instructed not to let this guy in.
The head of security said, "If you know what’s good for you, leave quickly. Cause any more trouble, and we’ll call the police right away."
Just then, Lu Yunqi came rushing down from his office, panting heavily. Xu Chunliang calculated the time; this guy probably didn’t dare to stall for even a second.
To the disbelief of all the security guards, Lu Yunqi, wearing a big smile, eagerly stepped forward to shake hands with Xu Chunliang, saying, "Director Xu, you’re here!"
Xu Chunliang said, "Weren’t you the one who invited me over?"
Lu Yunqi nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
Xu Chunliang said, "Your command center’s security wouldn’t let me in and even threatened to hand me over to the police."
Lu Yunqi said, "That’s my fault for not training them well enough. I’ll criticize them later."
The security guards were left wondering if they had misheard, or if they were dreaming, or if Director Lu had lost his mind. How could the attitude suddenly reverse like this? How could he be so fawning towards Xu Chunliang? Such an expression and demeanor should be reserved for a superior, right?
Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t wait for later. This person was especially rude to me." He pointed at the security chief.
Lu Yunqi glared at the security chief, "What’s your problem? Is this how you treat visiting guests? Do you know that Director Xu is a special guest I invited?"
Xu Chunliang chuckled inwardly. Lu Yunqi was shameless enough; he could change his face faster than flipping a book. But it’s understandable; Lu Yunqi had probably realized that his future prospects were entirely in his hands. He could ruin him at any moment he wished. This wasn’t flattery; it was self-preservation. Lu Yunqi had to do everything he could to make amends.
The security chief blushed, wanting to defend himself but not daring to. In his heart, he cursed Lu Yunqi’s ancestors for three generations.
Xu Chunliang, however, demonstrated a certain level of magnanimity, saying with a smile, "Forget it. He probably didn’t know the situation. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again. If I’m stopped again in the future, Director Lu, please handle it seriously."
Lu Yunqi nodded, feeling utterly humiliated inside. Now all the security guards would look down on him.
Lu Yunqi invited Xu Chunliang to his office. Once they walked away, the security guards surrounded the chief, saying, "What the hell is going on? How could things change so quickly?"
The security chief, seething with anger, snorted, "Must have put pressure on the leadership." To them, only using pressure from superiors could make Lu Yunqi change his attitude so quickly and make him so subservient.
Xu Chunliang walked with large strides, head held high, while Lu Yunqi struggled to keep up, almost running, making the scene look somewhat odd.
As they passed by Liang Xin’s office, she happened to be coming out. Seeing the scene before her, she thought she was seeing things and rubbed her eyes. Xu Chunliang greeted her, "Hello, Director Liang."
"Hello..." Liang Xin instinctively replied, then immediately regretted it. Why was she being so polite to him? But why was he here again? And with Lu Yunqi tagging along.
Lu Yunqi discreetly exchanged a glance with Liang Xin. His look was complex, full of rich meanings, but Liang Xin couldn’t comprehend it all. The two didn’t have that level of understanding yet.
Lu Yunqi invited Xu Chunliang to his office, closed the door, hesitated for a moment, and then chose to lock it.
Xu Chunliang said, "Why are you locking the door? In broad daylight, others might think we’re up to something in here."
Lu Yunqi was about to speak when Xu Chunliang pointed outside, "You’d better take a look, see if anyone’s eavesdropping."
Lu Yunqi was actually worried about this too, so he opened the door again, and as soon as he yanked it open, Liang Xin, who was listening in at the door, almost fell into his arms. Liang Xin’s face flushed with embarrassment, and Lu Yunqi was so angry his face turned pale. He whispered harshly, "What are you doing?"
Liang Xin quickly explained, "Director Lu, I was just checking if you needed anything."
Sitting inside, Xu Chunliang laughed. If you didn’t know their relationship, her words would seem normal, but knowing it, they sounded downright funny. Liang Xin was doing a pretty good job of meeting Director Lu’s needs.
Lu Yunqi gave her a look, and Liang Xin pursed her lips, feeling aggrieved. She turned to leave, feeling a vague sense that something was off about how things were developing.
Lu Yunqi locked the door again and went to make some good tea, personally handing it to Xu Chunliang.
Sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, Xu Chunliang took the cup without even bothering to say thanks, "Comrade Yunqi, I checked your record, and you’ve had quite a smooth journey."
Lu Yunqi wasn’t used to his condescending tone, but whether he was used to it or not, he had to accept it. He coughed and said, "It’s not been easy to get to where I am today." The implication was, I’ve worked hard to get here, don’t ruin it for me.
Xu Chunliang said, "I owe you an apology."
Lu Yunqi couldn’t quite figure out his game, so he quickly said, "Don’t say that; what are you apologizing to me for?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Earlier, when I said whoever had Director Liang’s photo on their phone will meet a bad end, I didn’t consider your feelings."
Lu Yunqi’s face went white again. Was this a jab at himself? How did he know Lu Yunqi had Liang Xin’s photos stored?
Xu Chunliang said, "There’s no wall in the world that’s impermeable to the wind. While the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Your every move is being watched by others. If I hand over the materials I have, I’m afraid your career and your family would both be finished."
Lu Yunqi was still struggling. He thought Xu Chunliang might have heard some things but wasn’t sure how much he actually knew. If his understanding wasn’t comprehensive, Xu Chunliang might not be able to control him. With that thought, Lu Yunqi forced a smile, saying, "I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, Director Xu."
Xu Chunliang looked at the doomed yet defiant Lu Yunqi and scoffed. He added Lu Yunqi’s secondary WeChat account, and after Lu Yunqi accepted, Xu Chunliang sent him two screenshots.
After seeing these screenshots, Lu Yunqi felt utterly defeated. They were all private conversations between him and Liang Xin. How did these records fall into Xu Chunliang’s hands? He couldn’t have supplied them, and Liang Xin shouldn’t have, either. What would she gain from doing so?
Xu Chunliang said, "Romantic affairs are common among people, but they should remain within the bounds of moral standards. Once you cross the line, things go wrong, wouldn’t you say?"
Lu Yunqi could only nod, his back now hunched and his head drooping. After seeing the records, he had completely surrendered, weakly saying, "Director Xu, you’re right, please give me a chance to correct my mistakes. What do you think I should do?"
Admitting mistakes requires sincerity, and Lu Yunqi wasn’t stupid. He believed Xu Chunliang wasn’t coming after him just to expose him.
Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea and said, "Director Lu, after working for so many years, shouldn’t you already know what to do?"
Lu Yunqi came to his senses, quickly picked up the phone by his desk, and called the Taibaiwa Water Security Management Team, instructing them to release the people and boats they had detained. He explained that upon detailed investigation, it was all a misunderstanding, and he requested the leadership of the Water Security Management Team to formally apologize to Hu Shan Town.
After arranging everything, Lu Yunqi put down the phone, wanting to ask for Xu Chunliang’s opinion. But realizing sitting wasn’t appropriate, he stood up and walked over to Xu Chunliang, bowing slightly, "Director Xu, are you satisfied with the way it’s handled now?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Why didn’t you do it sooner. Solve the problem early on, avoid causing trouble for others, and I wouldn’t have had to investigate you."
Lu Yunqi repeatedly nodded, deeply regretting. This guy was too formidable, able to dig up his and Liang Xin’s chat records. What on earth should he do moving forward? What if he decides not to let him off?
Xu Chunliang said, "Today is our first meeting, we have no grudges, and our work has a lot of overlapping areas. We should be collaborators, but you went out of your way to create conflict, does that make you feel good?"
Lu Yunqi was now completely submissive, "No, it doesn’t. I’ll definitely correct my mistakes, and I’ll conduct a thorough self-examination regarding this issue, Director Xu, please give me a chance."
Xu Chunliang handed him the half-empty cup of tea he had finished, and Lu Yunqi quickly refilled it for Xu Chunliang. Every leader starts from the bottom, and serving tea is a basic skill that Lu Yunqi had never neglected.
Xu Chunliang took the refilled cup from Lu Yunqi, sighed, and said, "Comrade Yunqi, I am someone who can’t tolerate sand in my eyes, but I also consider that people have emotions and desires. Few can withstand the test of conscience. Yet, having Liang Xin means losing your conscience, a real dilemma!"