Chapter 128 The Steps

Seeing that his men hadn't subdued the man immediately, Factory Director Yang's face darkened. "Haven't you eaten?"

The security guards didn't dare delay and quickly got to work—gagging and tying the person up.

Director Zhao's face turned ashen with anger at Factory Director Yang's blatant disrespect. "Assistant! Let's see who dares to make a move!"

Nobody listens to him.

Director Zhao was furious and decided to take matters into his own hands and pull away the people who were tying up Yu Li.

Yu Li breathed a sigh of relief—this director was actually reliable. She quickly grabbed his leg. "Director Zhao, you saw it all, didn't you? They're so ruthless! You must do me justice! I beg you!"

She wept bitterly.

"Don't worry. With me here, I won't let anyone make a move."

Director Zhao's words gradually put Yu Li at ease.

Li Jianguo was displeased with this handling of the situation. This person was not thinking clearly. If he stayed here as the director, similar incidents would cause him a lot of trouble. He coldly looked at the woman standing next to Director Zhao, her face full of affection and her eyes gleaming, and made a decision.

He stepped forward directly. "Director Zhao, the information I have concerns state secrets and is a crucial asset of the steel rolling mill. Director Yang's handling of the matter was correct. Your actions, however, raise serious questions."

Seeing Li Jianguo step forward, Factory Director Yang immediately followed suit. "Director Zhao, our steel rolling mill has the authority to handle anything that threatens our factory. We'll let you know after we've investigated. As for how to organize the files and report it to the court, that's your job."

After saying that, Director Yang ignored Chief Zhao and directly ordered his men, "Search the Yu family's house. Bring them over if you find anything suspicious!"

"Yes, sir!" The security personnel listened to Director Yang's instructions and prepared to take action.

"You dare!" Director Zhao suddenly stepped forward, glaring angrily at Factory Director Yang. "The Yu family isn't affiliated with your steel mill! I'd like to see who dares to search them arbitrarily!"

"I dare!"

A dignified male voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Everyone looked over and saw Director Zhang, whom they hadn't seen for a while and who had been promoted to the Municipal Bureau.

"Director Zhang, no, we should call him Deputy Director now," someone realized.

"Deputy Director Zhang!" Director Yang smiled as soon as he saw him.

Deputy Director Zhang wouldn't normally have reached the level of deputy director in the municipal bureau. However, his previous contributions in catching spies were significant, and with some maneuvering by his in-laws, he secured his position as deputy director. This was all thanks to his good relationship with Li Jianguo. Director Zhang always kept this in mind.

Chief Zhao was the son of his father-in-law's comrade-in-arms. When he was transferred to civilian work, Chief Zhang recommended the police station where he had worked—thinking that with Li Jianguo there, he might be able to gain some merit and get promoted later. He just didn't expect that this kid would be so ungrateful and cause such a problem.

Director Zhang was still getting familiar with his work when he heard the news and rushed over. Fortunately, he arrived in time.

"Director Yang, I'm sorry. I heard about what happened here, so I came over as soon as possible." Director Zhang still had the same attitude towards Director Yang as before.

"It's nothing, nothing. We were just about to search the Yu family's house. This woman has nothing to do with Director Li. She suddenly claimed to be having an affair with Director Li today, and we suspect she sneaked into Director Li's house to steal information."

Director Yang and his entourage completely ignored Director Zhao, focusing their attention on Deputy Director Zhang. This was unacceptable to the usually arrogant Director Zhao—this was his jurisdiction, and these people were showing him no respect?

"That serious?" Deputy Director Zhang immediately became serious. "I brought men with me. You all go and search. Don't overlook any small details." He ordered his men, then looked at Li Jianguo with a hint of guilt in his eyes. "Director Li, I'm sorry. It was our team that had the problem. We will handle this matter properly as soon as possible and will ensure that you suffer no harm."

The deputy director said so. Li Jianguo smiled faintly, not taking it seriously. "As long as it can be handled, it's fine. It's not a big deal."

He still had to give Vice Minister Zhang face—he had helped a lot during this period.

"Wait!"

When Director Zhao shouted this, everyone in the courtyard was stunned.

He had been standing there the whole time, and the more he listened, the more uncomfortable he felt. His face was now as black as the bottom of a pot, and he took a step forward, blocking Deputy Director Zhang's path.

"This is my jurisdiction." He stared at Deputy Director Zhang, emphasizing each word, "I believe these are all slanders by Li Jianguo. I need to take him back for investigation."

After saying that, he turned his head and waved to the people behind him—meaning, "Go."

Nobody moved.

His policemen were completely oblivious, acting as if they hadn't seen anything.

The atmosphere was a bit tense.

Director Zhao waved his hand again, this time with a larger gesture. Still, no one moved.

An older policeman coughed lightly, took half a step forward, and lowered his voice: "Chief, about this matter... could you think about it again? You're new here, so you might not know Director Li's background. Besides, we don't know anything about that woman; we've only heard her side of the story..."

He phrased it tactfully, but the meaning was clear: Don't be foolish.

Director Zhao's face darkened even more.

Deputy Director Zhang watched from the sidelines, sighing inwardly. He had originally hoped that this newcomer could benefit from Li Jianguo's connections and gain some credit. Now, instead of getting any credit, he had offended the man first.

He spoke coldly, "Director Zhao, this isn't the military. When doing grassroots work, you have to come from the masses and go back to the masses. Think carefully about your approach today. Don't get involved in this matter for now."

In short, Director Zhao's authority was stripped away.

Director Zhao stood there, his chest heaving, as if he was holding his breath and couldn't exhale.

Yu Li became anxious.

She had initially thought Director Zhao was a strong tree she could hold onto. Now, seeing the tree about to fall, she quickly started crying again: "Director Zhao, you can't abandon me! I'm truly innocent! I just got together with Director Li, but he's a heartless man, he wants to dump me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Deputy Director Zhang's gaze swept over him.

Her eyes were like knives, and Yu Li's voice was stuck in her throat.

"Director Li has a fiancée." Deputy Director Zhang said, enunciating each word clearly, "You say you're dating Director Li, then let me ask you—when did you two start dating? What did he tell you? Where was your last meeting alone? How long did it last?"

A barrage of questions came crashing down on me.

Yu Li opened her mouth, then closed it. She opened her mouth again, then closed it again.

"That...it's...the two of us..."

Her mind was buzzing; she wanted to make something up, but she couldn't. No matter how convincingly she fabricated the story, it wouldn't matter if Li Jianguo didn't acknowledge it.

Seeing her stammering, Director Zhao finally realized what was going on.

"You're lying to me?"

Yu Li burst into tears.

"I'm a woman, I have my pride too!" she cried, her voice trembling with uncontrollable sobs. "I showed up at his house, and he didn't want me. What could I do? If I didn't make this scene and just slunk back home, what would the neighbors think of me? How was I supposed to live after this?"

She cried so hard that her face was covered in snot and tears.

Director Zhao, who had been furious, softened a bit seeing her like this. He sighed, turned to Li Jianguo, and his tone softened:

"Director Li, no matter what, she's a woman. You're a grown man, you should be more considerate. She's gone to such lengths, can't you at least offer her a way out?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jianguo slowly forced a smile onto his lips.

"Director Zhao, you feel so sorry for her?" he said, his voice unhurried. "You like helping the weak and needy so much? That's perfect—marry her. It will save face for her and fulfill your own wishes."

He glanced around at the onlookers, raising his voice slightly: "Listen up, everyone! No one is allowed to tell anyone about this woman stripping naked and crawling into my bed. Let's congratulate Director Zhao on his happy marriage!"

A burst of laughter erupted from those around them.