138: Chapter 138 Anonymous Emails

Xiao Bei was just about to ask for details when he suddenly saw Liu Fuzhi and his group turning back.

He quickly lowered his body: "Mayor Qin, I will call you back later."

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei saw Liu Fuzhi chatting with a young man in a suit at the hotel entrance.

The man handed over a thick envelope, which Liu Fuzhi skillfully tucked into his inner pocket before patting the man on the shoulder.

This scene was quickly captured by Xiao Bei on his phone.

Although the light was dim, it was enough to identify the people involved.

"Sure enough, there is a problem..."

Xiao Bei muttered to himself.

He decided to hold his ground for now and wait until he had collected more evidence before reporting to Qin Ruoxi.

Just as he was about to leave, a County Government official car drove into the hotel parking lot.

Deputy Director Qian Weidong of the Finance Bureau stepped out.

This official, who was usually known for his integrity, walked into the hotel in a hurry, crossing paths with Liu Fuzhi, as if the two had an appointment.

Xiao Bei felt a chill.

If even Deputy Director Qian Weidong had been dragged into this, the hole in the poverty alleviation funds might be even larger than he had imagined.

And the secret meeting between County Magistrate Lin Ruohan and Mingyuan Trading added even more variables to this game.

He slowly started the car and drove away from this place of trouble.

In the night, the three neon characters "Jinhe Spring" gradually shrank in the rearview mirror, yet they looked like a burning flame, reflecting red in Xiao Bei's eyes.

Back home, Xiao Bei immediately organized what he saw tonight into an encrypted document, especially the photo of Liu Fuzhi accepting the envelope.

He hesitated for a long time but still did not send it to Qin Ruoxi immediately—he needed to figure out County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's true stance first.

The phone rang again, this time it was Su Yun: "Xiao Bei, I just received an anonymous email. It contains a few photos of Liu Fuzhi and some businessmen. The background seems to be... the construction site of the poverty alleviation project in Qingshan Township?"

Xiao Bei's heart jumped: "Send it to me and let me see."

A few minutes later, the photos appeared in Xiao Bei's inbox.

Although the shooting angle was hidden, it clearly showed Liu Fuzhi and several businessmen posing in front of the project sign.

The time indicated was half a year ago—exactly the period when that poverty alleviation fund was misappropriated.

"What else did this email say?" Xiao Bei asked.

"It only said one sentence: 'Where did the poverty alleviation funds go?'"

Su Yun's voice sounded uneasy, "The sender is called 'Insider'. I don't think this is simple..."

After hanging up, Xiao Bei stood in front of the window, looking at the lights of thousands of homes in Jinhe County.

Under the calm surface of the county, undercurrents were surging.

The poverty alleviation livestream plan had become more than just a livelihood project; it had become a breakthrough to uncover the lid of corruption.

What made him even more uneasy was, which side was County Magistrate Lin Ruohan really on?

Was she genuinely trying to clear up the poverty alleviation fund issue, or did she have other motives?

And why was Qin Ruoxi so concerned about Mingyuan Trading?

Xiao Bei knew he was being drawn into a dangerous game, and a slight carelessness would lead to destruction.

But the expectant eyes of the people in Qingshan Township, the angry accusations of Zhang Laosan, and those golden ears of rice all made it impossible for him to turn back.

He opened his computer and added another point to the poverty alleviation livestream plan: "Establish a public disclosure system for the use of poverty alleviation funds, making every expenditure public in real-time to accept public supervision."

This might not eradicate corruption, but at least it was a sharp sword that could pierce through those shady dealings.

Xiao Bei closed his computer and decided to go to Qingshan Township early the next morning, to give the villagers some peace of mind before Liu Fuzhi's "standardization meeting."

The next morning, as soon as Xiao Bei stepped into the office, Team Leader Zhang Yining hurried in with a document in her hand.

"Leader, news just arrived,"

She lowered her voice and placed the file in front of Xiao Bei,

"Mingyuan Trading was formally renamed 'Jinsheng Group' last night. Industrial and commercial change records show that the one who took over is Bai Yunmo from the Bai family enterprise in Canglan City."

"Bai Yunmo?" Xiao Bei frowned. He was not familiar with this name.

Team Leader Zhang Yining quickly added:

"Yes, the Bai family enterprise is the largest private enterprise group in Canglan City, involved in real estate, finance, and trade. Bai Yunmo is the founder, and it is said that her background is very deep."

She paused, "There is also a strange point: Secretary Zheng Ming is only the nominal general manager, and the actual control has already been handed over."

Xiao Bei nodded thoughtfully, his fingers tapping on the desk:

"Can you find out the relationship between Bai Yunmo and County Magistrate Lin Ruohan?"

"Nothing found for now. Mainly because detailed information about Bai Yunmo is very scarce. Except that she is the founder of the Bai family enterprise, nothing else can be found."

Team Leader Zhang Yining shook her head, "But the Bai family enterprise has suddenly entered Jinhe County in the last two years and won several government projects, all after County Magistrate Lin Ruohan took office."

Xiao Bei's eyes narrowed. This was by no means a coincidence.

He remembered the secret meeting between County Magistrate Lin Ruohan and Secretary Zheng Ming last night, and everything seemed to be connected.

"The harder it is to find, the more problematic it is. Continue to monitor it, but be careful."

Xiao Bei stood up, "I'm going to Qingshan Township today. Notify me immediately if there is any movement in the county."

Team Leader Zhang Yining hesitated: "What about Deputy County Magistrate Liu..."

"I know,"

Xiao Bei sneered, "Let him jump around for a few more days."

The morning in Qingshan Village was shrouded in mist.

As soon as Xiao Bei's car stopped, Secretary Wang Dehai brought several villagers to greet him.

"County Magistrate Xiao! You finally came!"

Secretary Wang Dehai was full of joy, "The orders from yesterday's livestream trial have already been picked up by logistics companies this morning!"

Xiao Bei glanced at the workers loading the trucks, his brow relaxing:

"Moving quite fast."

"It's the green logistics line arranged by the county,"

A crisp voice interjected. Teacher Li pushed up her glasses, her face unable to hide her excitement,

"We packed overnight, absolutely guaranteeing quality."

Xiao Bei nodded and turned to the villagers gathering around: "Fellow villagers, from today on, we must earnestly listen to the arrangements of Party Secretary Wang, actively participate in training, and carefully prepare the goods. As long as the goods we prepare are fresh enough, there will definitely be a place for us in Qingshan Township in livestream sales."

Afterwards, Xiao Bei inspected the training site.

Even though some villagers still did not believe that this could make more money than moving bricks, they were actively preparing with the mentality of giving it a try.

Everything was just waiting to start formally after the launch ceremony.

On the way back to the county, Xiao Bei received an urgent call from Team Leader Zhang Yining.

"Leader, County Magistrate Lin Ruohan is waiting for you in your office,"

Xiao Bei's eyes darkened: "Got it."

The corridor of the County Government building was exceptionally quiet.

Xiao Bei pushed open the door and saw County Magistrate Lin Ruohan standing in front of the window, her silhouette tall and straight against the light.

Hearing the movement, she turned around slowly, a faint smile on her lips.

"Deputy County Magistrate Xiao is really a busy man,"

Her voice was soft but carried an irresistible force,

"I've waited for you for two hours."

Xiao Bei put down his briefcase, his expression normal: "County Magistrate Lin Ruohan, you could have called if you had something to say."

"Some things are better said in person."