16: Chapter 16 He Reaps What He Sows

He was stunned for a moment, remembering that he hadn't brought any plastic bag into the office.

Out of curiosity, he walked over and opened it, instantly gasping—inside the bag were twenty neatly stacked bundles of hundred-yuan bills, a full two hundred thousand!

Xiao Bei's heart sank, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind:

"Who put this money here? When was it put here? Why put so much money on his desk?"

He subconsciously looked around. The office was empty, with only the sunset glow from outside the window spilling onto the floor, making it appear exceptionally quiet.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

As the mayor's secretary, he knew the rules of the officialdom well, and he also knew that behind this kind of "unexpected windfall" often hid ulterior motives.

He quickly tied the plastic bag back up, placed it back on the desk, and then dialed the internal line to Qin Ruoxi's office.

"Mayor Qin, are you free right now? I have an urgent matter that I need to report to you."

Qin Ruoxi's voice came from the other end of the line: "What is so urgent? Come over."

Xiao Bei hung up the phone, picked up the black plastic bag, and walked quickly towards Qin Ruoxi's office...

Meanwhile, Director Yan Jinghui was in his office, making a phone call: "The money has been put down, right? Hmm... very good. I'd like to see whether Xiao Bei accepts this money or not!"

As it turned out, this money had been placed there by someone arranged by Director Yan Jinghui. His goal was, of course, to frame Xiao Bei. If Xiao Bei quietly accepted the money, he would immediately report him to the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Even if Xiao Bei didn't accept it, since so many people had gone to his side today, it would be impossible to question them one by one. In this way, he would be caught in a dilemma.

"Heh heh, Xiao Bei, oh Xiao Bei, you're still too green to fight with me!"

On the other side, Xiao Bei arrived at the door of the mayor's office, knocked gently, and after receiving permission from Qin Ruoxi, pushed the door open and entered.

Qin Ruoxi was sitting behind her desk, head lowered as she reviewed a document. Seeing Xiao Bei enter, she looked up, her gaze falling on the plastic bag in his hand, and her brows furrowed slightly: "Little Xiao, what is this?"

Xiao Bei placed the plastic bag on Qin Ruoxi's desk and said in a serious tone: "Mayor Qin, just as I was preparing to get off work, I discovered this bag on my desk. When I opened it, I saw it contained two hundred thousand in cash. I don't know who put it there, nor do I know what the purpose is, so I am reporting it to you immediately."

Qin Ruoxi's expression turned solemn instantly. She stood up, walked to the window, and stood with her back to Xiao Bei for a moment of silence before turning around and asking in a cold tone: "Little Xiao, what is your take on this matter?"

Xiao Bei took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Mayor Qin, I don't think this matter is simple. This money was clearly placed on my desk by someone intentionally. They might be trying to test me, or they might be trying to drag me into the mud. Regardless of the situation, I cannot accept this money."

Qin Ruoxi nodded, a hint of approval appearing in her eyes: "You are right. This money must not be accepted, nor should you make a fuss about it. Such things are not uncommon in officialdom, but they must be handled with caution."

Qin Ruoxi pondered for a moment, picked up the phone on the desk, and dialed the number of the Municipal Government Office Director, Director Yan Jinghui, directly.

Soon, Director Yan Jinghui's slightly fawning voice came from the other end: "Mayor Qin, were you looking for me?"

Qin Ruoxi said indifferently: "Director Yan, there is a matter that needs you to handle."

Director Yan Jinghui's heart tightened, and he quickly said: "Mayor Qin, please give your instructions; I will definitely handle it well."

Qin Ruoxi said calmly: "Secretary Xiao's desk suddenly has a sum of money on it. The origin of this money is unknown. Come over here, collect the money, and donate it to the Red Cross or the Discipline Inspection Commission—either is fine. Remember, you must write a receipt for Secretary Xiao, and the paperwork must be complete."

Director Yan Jinghui's face instantly turned ugly, as if he had swallowed a fly.

He had originally thought his plan was flawless; he hadn't expected Qin Ruoxi to have him handle the money directly.

He suppressed the unease in his heart and gave a dry laugh: "Mayor Qin, this... how could this money appear on Secretary Xiao's desk? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Qin Ruoxi's tone turned a bit colder: "Director Yan, it is not important who put the money there; what is important is how it is handled. As the director of the Municipal Government Office, you should be very clear about the discipline and rules. This matter is left to you—be sure to handle it properly."

Cold sweat seeped from Director Yan Jinghui's forehead, and he quickly said: "Yes, yes, yes. Mayor Qin, please rest assured, I will come over to handle it right now."

After hanging up the phone, Director Yan Jinghui's expression was so dark it could drip water. He gritted his teeth and cursed in a low voice: "Damn it, this woman Qin Ruoxi is really fucking devious. She's making me furious!"

However, he dared not delay and immediately got up to rush to the mayor's office.

A few minutes later, Director Yan Jinghui knocked on the door of the mayor's office.

"Come in." Qin Ruoxi's voice came from inside.

Director Yan Jinghui pushed the door open and entered, his face full of smiles: "Mayor Qin, I'm here."

Qin Ruoxi pointed to the black plastic bag on the desk: "The money is here. Count it, and then write a receipt for Secretary Xiao."

Director Yan Jinghui suppressed his displeasure, opened the plastic bag, and made a show of counting the cash. Then, he took a receipt slip from his briefcase and filled it out quickly.

"Secretary Xiao, here is the receipt. Keep it safe." Director Yan Jinghui handed the receipt to Secretary Xiao, squeezing a stiff smile onto his face.

Xiao Bei took the receipt and said politely: "Thank you, Director Yan."

Director Yan Jinghui waved his hand and said with feigned ease: "Oh, Secretary Xiao is too polite. In the future, you must report such matters in a timely manner. You cannot be careless."

Xiao Bei smiled slightly and did not respond.

Qin Ruoxi glanced at Director Yan Jinghui and said indifferently: "Director Yan, how do you plan to handle this money?"

Director Yan Jinghui quickly said: "Mayor Qin, I will donate the money to the Red Cross right now, ensuring the paperwork is complete, open, and transparent."

Qin Ruoxi nodded: "Very good. Remember to make a copy of the donation certificate and give it to Xiao Bei for his records."

Director Yan Jinghui felt a wave of frustration in his heart, but he could only nod and bow, saying: "Yes, yes, yes. Mayor Qin, please rest assured, I will definitely handle it well."