139: Chapter 139 Forming Cliques

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan stepped closer, a faint trace of perfume drifting from her.

Today, she wore a sharply tailored burgundy professional suit that made her skin appear as white as snow, a stark contrast to her usual cold and detached style.

Xiao Bei gestured for her to sit, while he maintained a safe distance:

"Please, speak."

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan did not rush to speak, instead pulling a document from her handbag and pushing it across.

Xiao Bei looked down, his pupils constricting—this was detailed evidence regarding Liu Fuzhi's misappropriation of poverty alleviation funds, including bank statements and project contracts.

"You…"

"Surprised?"

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan chuckled, "Did you think only Mayor Qin Ruoxi was investigating this matter?"

Xiao Bei quickly flipped through the documents, his heart rate accelerating.

This evidence was enough to put Liu Fuzhi away for ten years, being even more detailed and explosive than what was in Su Yun's email, but the source…

"What are the conditions?"

He asked directly.

A flash of appreciation crossed County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's eyes: "Smart. I like dealing with people who understand."

She leaned forward slightly, "Leave Mayor Qin Ruoxi's camp and work with me."

Xiao Bei sneered: "Is County Magistrate Lin trying to form a clique?"

"Don't act so high and mighty,"

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan said, her expression suddenly changing as her voice grew cold,

"I have investigated exactly who you are, Xiao Bei. Without Mayor Qin Ruoxi, do you really think you could have reached your current position with your qualifications and background? You charged to the front lines in the education system case, but what was the result? You didn't even get a commendation! Can you really stomach the big promises Mayor Qin Ruoxi has fed you?"

These words pierced into Xiao Bei's heart like a knife.

He clenched his fists, though he revealed nothing on his face.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's tone softened again: "Follow me, and the poverty alleviation livestream is just the starting point. With your ability, being promoted to a division-level official within two years won't be a problem."

Xiao Bei's heart trembled—the seeds of desire were quietly planted.

"I need to consider it,"

He replied cautiously.

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan stood up and looked down at him: "Give me an answer by noon tomorrow. Remember, you only get one chance."

She walked to the door and turned back, "By the way, the photos you took at 'Jinhechun' last night were good, but not explosive enough."

The moment the door closed, Xiao Bei's back was soaked with sweat.

How did she know? Was he being watched?

He immediately called Team Leader Zhang Yining: "Check my office and car for listening devices! Also, try your best to investigate Bai Yunmo's background; the more detailed, the better!"

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei stood by the window, watching County Magistrate Lin Ruohan walk elegantly toward her official car.

She was radiant in the sunlight, yet she made Xiao Bei feel a chill.

The complexity of this game far exceeded his imagination.

Mayor Qin Ruoxi, County Magistrate Lin Ruohan, Bai Yunmo… everyone wore a mask, and every sentence hid a sharp edge.

And the poverty alleviation funds and the livestreaming plan seemed to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Xiao Bei thought of the evidence materials and fell into deep thought.

If he accepted County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's olive branch, his career path certainly sounded smooth, but what was the cost?

If he refused, how would he deal with her next moves?

Outside the window, a gust of wind blew by, and the tree shadows swayed.

The storm was coming.

After County Magistrate Lin Ruohan left, Xiao Bei's office fell into a deathly silence.

He stared at the evidence regarding Liu Fuzhi's corruption, his fingers tapping the desk unconsciously.

The sunlight outside filtered through the blinds, casting mottled shadows on the floor like an invisible net, trapping him within.

"Promoted to a division-level official within two years…"

This sentence echoed in his mind like a tempting, poisonous apple, emitting a sweet fragrance.

Xiao Bei stood up abruptly and walked to the window to take a deep breath.

The street scene of Jinhe County was in full view; in the distance, the green mountains were like dark eyebrows, and nearby, the traffic flowed like water… He had once stood in this position and secretly vowed to do real things for the people.

Yet, right in front of him, he now had to pay the price of political alignment.

"Ding—"

The phone notification interrupted his thoughts.

It was a message from Team Leader Zhang Yining: [The office has been checked, and no listening devices were found. Even after pulling strings through multiple layers of connections, Bai Yunmo's information still cannot be found.]

Xiao Bei's temples throbbed.

He called Team Leader Zhang Yining: "Then check County Magistrate Lin's travel records for the last three months, especially those related to the Bai Enterprise."

Hanging up the phone, he stared at the computer screen, his fingers hovering above the keyboard, but he hesitated to click on Mayor Qin Ruoxi's contact information.

If he told Mayor Qin Ruoxi about County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's proposal, how would she react?

Would she understand his hesitation, or would she think it was a sign of betrayal?

"Damn it!"

Xiao Bei slammed his fist onto the desk, splashing water out of his teacup.

He had never been so conflicted; even when handling the corruption case in the education system, he had pressed forward without hesitation.

But now, for the first time, he felt the temptation of power.

…Unknowingly, Xiao Bei sat in his office for the entire night, until a knock sounded at the door and Team Leader Zhang Yining pushed it open:

"Leader, the representative from the packaging company has arrived at Qingshan Township, and Party Secretary Wang is asking when you can go over."

Xiao Bei finally woke from his stupor, not knowing when it had become daylight.

He checked his watch—he should have arrived at Qingshan Township by nine.

It was already past seven, and with a two-hour drive, he wouldn't make it in time. This kind of work error had almost never happened to him before.

"We're leaving immediately."

He quickly tidied up his documents, but hesitated for a moment when picking up his car keys,

"By the way, does Mayor Qin Ruoxi have any plans today?"

Team Leader Zhang Yining keenly sensed Xiao Bei's abnormality: "I need to verify that with her secretary. Do you need me to help you schedule a time?"

"No need."

Xiao Bei shook his head, picked up his briefcase, and strode toward the door, but suddenly stopped,

"If anyone asks about my whereabouts…"

"You went to Qingshan Township to inspect the preparation work for the livestream."

Team Leader Zhang Yining nodded knowingly.

The car drove out of the County Government compound, but Xiao Bei's thoughts were more congested than the traffic in Jinhe County.

County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's conditions, Mayor Qin Ruoxi's warnings, the evidence of Liu Fuzhi's corruption, Bai Yunmo's mystery… these fragments swirled in his mind, unable to form a complete picture.

"Just finish the work at hand first."

He told himself, then turned on the car radio.

The sound of the poverty alleviation promotional video recorded by Su Yun flowed out:

"Qingshan Township, a beautiful village surrounded by mountains…"

The sound stopped abruptly as a phone ringtone interrupted the broadcast.

The caller ID displayed: Mayor Qin Ruoxi.

Xiao Bei's finger hovered over the answer button for a full three seconds before he pressed it:

"Mayor Qin."

"Xiao Bei, I heard you were late today?"

Mayor Qin Ruoxi's voice was calm but carried a hint of concern, "This doesn't sound like you."

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Xiao Bei's back: "I was delayed by some personal matters, and I'm on my way to Qingshan Township now."

"Personal matters?"

There was a silence of a few seconds on the other end of the line,

"Does it have to do with County Magistrate Lin Ruohan?"

Xiao Bei's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and the car slightly veered out of its lane. He quickly corrected the direction:

"She… she did come to see me."