RNP Chapter 1091 Taking the Blame
Chapter 1091 Taking the Blame
Zhang Li was also busy that day, running around most of the city, pulling strings and looking for connections everywhere. He gave away a lot of cigarettes and said a lot of nice things. After all, Li Jianjun was his son-in-law and knew too many of his shady secrets—those private deals and secretly transferred assets. If he didn't get him out quickly, who knew what that kid would say when he was pushed to the limit? He was afraid he would also be implicated, and all his years of hard work would go down the drain.
In the steel rolling mill, everyone privately assumed that Gu Nan would soon become the factory director. After all, no one in the factory could compete with him for the position. Whether in terms of seniority, ability, or prestige, he clearly surpassed everyone else, and his promotion seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Even the old workers who were usually fond of gossiping had to respectfully call him "Deputy Factory Director Gu" when they saw him, their eyes full of awe.
Yi Zhonghai was as docile as a quail in the factory. He was now just a level four fitter, doing the hardest work in the workshop, earning a meager wage. In front of Gu Nan, this big shot who was about to rise to the top, he wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes. Who would respect him anymore? Those who used to fawn over him now wouldn't even bother to greet him when they met. He could only keep his tail between his legs, work with his head down, and try to minimize his presence.
Meanwhile, in the detention center, Li Jianjun remained tight-lipped, refusing to utter a single word no matter how the interrogators questioned him. He was confident that Zhang Li wouldn't abandon him. His superiors were also at a loss; although they possessed some evidence of his embezzlement, it wasn't enough to warrant a serious charge—at most, a fine or probation.
Just as the steel mill workers were busy with their tasks, the deafening roar of the machines filling the air, several police cars pulled up through the factory gates. The police went straight to the department Li Jianjun had previously overseen and took away several of his trusted confidants. These men, who already knew a great deal about the situation, showed little panic when taken away; instead, they seemed prepared. In the interrogation room, they obediently confessed to their involvement in falsifying accounts and inflating expenses, even handing over copies of the ledgers.
It turned out that for the past few nights, someone had been secretly sending them messages, threatening that if they didn't obediently confess and take all the blame, their families back in the countryside would be in danger. These people all had families to support, and they couldn't withstand such intimidation. Terrified, for the safety of their families, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and take all the blame upon themselves, just hoping to ensure their families' safety.
Li Jianjun watched all this through the window of the interrogation room next door, secretly pleased with himself, his smile almost reaching his ears. As long as these people took all the blame, he could be completely absolved and rest easy. He knew in his heart that this must be the work of his father-in-law, Zhang Li—he was the one who had ordered them to do those things. If Zhang Li hadn't been manipulating and pressuring them behind the scenes, how could these people have confessed so readily?
Li Jianjun gazed at the free sky outside the window, a cold, sinister smile curling at the corner of his lips. It wouldn't be long before he regained his freedom. Then, the first person he'd deal with was Gu Nan—if it weren't for that kid constantly opposing him and harping on those petty squabbles, he wouldn't be in this predicament. He'd remember this debt!
Gu Nan stood by the window, his fingertips lightly tapping the window frame, watching the figures hurrying past in the factory area outside—workers pushing material carts back and forth, cadres carrying documents hurrying along, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion. He knew perfectly well—the few people taken away by the police that morning were all Li Jianjun's trusted confidants, inseparable from him. At first, he was puzzled, not understanding why these people were suddenly arrested, especially since the main culprit, Li Jianjun, was still under interrogation. But then it dawned on him: someone was clearly manipulating things behind the scenes, deliberately throwing these "small fry" out to shield Li Jianjun, so that the main culprit could escape.
However, Gu Nan didn't take it to heart. He simply looked away and continued reviewing the documents on his desk. After all, this was trouble Li Jianjun had brought upon himself. Embezzlement and collusion with suppliers were all solid evidence, and Gu Nan had nothing to do with it. He just wanted to live his life peacefully, focus on increasing production at the steel mill, ensure the workers received their wages on time, and avoid getting involved in other disputes to avoid getting himself into trouble.
The most anxious person right now was none other than Qin Huairu. The date for Bang Geng's assignment to the countryside was posted on the wall, the red circled date drawing ever closer, yet she still hadn't found a single solution. She spent her days frowning, sitting on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) sighing, sometimes staring blankly at Bang Geng's old clothes, sometimes running to the courtyard gate to look around, restless and uneasy, not knowing who to turn to or what to do. She couldn't count on Yi Zhonghai, He Yuzhu was unresponsive, and Gu Nan was completely unresponsive; it felt like she'd reached a dead end.
Life seemed to gradually return to its usual tranquility; the factory machines continued to run, and smoke still rose from the chimneys in the yard. In the evening, Zhang Xue brought a basket of fruit to her father Zhang Li's house. Seeing her father sitting on the sofa smoking, she couldn't help but ask, "Dad, how's Jianjun's matter? Is there any progress? The child asked me today when I'm coming back."
Zhang Li stubbed out his cigarette, looked at his daughter's anxious expression, and softened his tone to reassure her, "Alright, don't worry about it. I've already taken care of things. I've given the necessary gifts and used all the connections I could. Right now, many people are taking the blame for Li Jianjun, taking all the responsibility upon themselves. Although he might not be released immediately, at most he'll just be fined and given a suspended sentence. It won't be a big deal, so don't worry."
Zhang Xue breathed a sigh of relief, a long-lost look of joy appearing on her face, her eyes shining. She quickly said, "Dad, thank you so much for this. I'll head back now; the baby needs to be fed at home."
Zhang Li waved his hand: "Go back, drive carefully. Just take good care of the child when you get back, and don't let him suffer any injustice. You don't need to worry about Li Jianjun's matter, I will handle it properly."
Zhang Xue nodded, then added a couple more words of advice, "Dad, you should get some rest too," before turning and leaving with the empty basket.
Zhang Li, however, didn't sit idle. After his daughter left, he immediately got up, changed into a dark Zhongshan suit, put on a hat, and went straight out. He knew that Li Jianjun knew too much. If this matter wasn't handled well, not only would Li Jianjun not be able to be rescued, but his own private transactions and the shady dealings hidden in the ledgers might also be exposed. At that time, he might get burned, which was no joke. Years of hard work might be destroyed in an instant.