38: Chapter 38 Schadenfreude

The air in the office froze instantly; the surrounding colleagues stopped their work one after another, their gazes fixed on this spot.

Xiao Bei, however, remained composed. He stood up slowly, adjusted his suit collar, and smiled slightly:

"Very well, I will cooperate with the investigation."

The middle-aged man nodded and stepped aside to clear a path:

"Please come with us."

Xiao Bei walked calmly away from his desk, as if he had already anticipated this moment.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned back to look at his colleagues in the office, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Everyone, continue with your work. There's no need to worry."

Jiang Wenxin couldn't help but ask:

"Section Chief Xiao, w-what is going on?"

Xiao Bei smiled slightly and said:

"It's nothing, just cooperating with an investigation. I'll be back soon."

After saying this, he turned and followed the people from the Discipline Inspection Commission out of the office.

Xiao Bei walked in the middle, looking relaxed, as if he were merely heading to a routine meeting.

When they reached the elevator, the middle-aged man suddenly spoke:

"Comrade Xiao Bei, do you have anything to say regarding this investigation?"

Xiao Bei turned his head to look at him, a faint smile still playing on his lips:

"The innocent are self-evident; I trust that the organization will grant me justice."

The middle-aged man frowned slightly, seemingly surprised by Xiao Bei's composure, but he didn't say anything more and just nodded:

"I hope so."

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. As the elevator descended, Xiao Bei suddenly spoke:

"By the way, is the person who reported me surnamed Jia?"

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then resumed his serious expression:

"I apologize, we cannot disclose the whistleblower's information."

Xiao Bei chuckled, his gaze becoming profound:

"No worries, I was just asking."

The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors slowly opened.

Xiao Bei stepped out of the elevator and was met by Director Yan Jinghui, the head of the Municipal Government Office, standing in the lobby holding a document, seemingly waiting for someone.

Seeing Xiao Bei come out with the people from the Discipline Inspection Commission, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile flashed across Director Yan Jinghui's face.

"Secretary Xiao, where are you heading?"

Director Yan Jinghui asked, feigning concern.

Xiao Bei stopped and looked directly at Director Yan Jinghui:

"Director Yan, the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission need to clarify some matters with me. I am going to cooperate with them."

Director Yan Jinghui nodded, his face wearing a mask of feigned regret:

"Oh my, Secretary Xiao is a backbone of our Municipal Government Office. How could someone report you? It really is baffling."

Xiao Bei smiled slightly, his tone carrying a deeper meaning:

"Indeed, I am also quite baffled. However, the truth will always come to light, don't you think?"

Director Yan Jinghui's smile stiffened slightly, and he let out a hollow laugh:

"That is certainly true, that is certainly true."

Xiao Bei didn't pay him any more attention, turned around, and followed the Discipline Inspection Commission members out of the Municipal Government Office building.

He looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, as if enjoying this brief moment of freedom.

The middle-aged man walked to his side and said in a low voice:

"Comrade Xiao Bei, please get in the car."

Xiao Bei nodded and sat inside the black sedan parked by the roadside. The car slowly started and drove away from the Municipal Government Office building.

After Xiao Bei was taken away, the office of the First Secretary Division fell into a momentary silence.

Everyone stopped their work and looked at each other, as if trying to confirm whether what had just happened was real.

A few seconds later, the office erupted into chaos.

"W-what exactly is going on?"

Jiang Wenxin was the first to break the silence. Her voice trembled, obviously still reeling from the shock.

"What else could it be? The Discipline Inspection Commission came; someone must have reported Section Chief Xiao!"

Ruan Lu frowned, her tone filled with indignation. "Issues with personal conduct? Impossible. Section Chief Xiao is not that kind of person. This is definitely a frame-up!"

Zhang Jiaming pushed up his glasses, his expression grave:

"Things aren't that simple. The Discipline Inspection Commission wouldn't show up for no reason. Since they came, it means the reported material has a certain degree of credibility.

However, Section Chief Xiao has always been upright and honorable. I feel there must be something fishy going on."

Zhang Jiaming leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and sneered:

"Don't forget, Section Chief Xiao has offended quite a few people recently, especially that old fox, Director Yan. Last time, Section Chief Xiao directly challenged him in a meeting; how could he swallow that insult?"

"Director Yan?"

Jiang Wenxin's eyes widened. "You mean to say this report was Director Yan's doing?"

"Who else could it be?"

Zhang Jiaming snorted coldly. "That old guy is always ruthless and stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Section Chief Xiao blocked his path, so of course, he'd find a way to get rid of him."

Ruan Lu slammed the table and said indignantly:

"This is too despicable! Section Chief Xiao has been working wholeheartedly for the city, and yet he's being framed by someone like this! We cannot just sit by and watch!"

"Right! We cannot let Section Chief Xiao suffer such an unjust accusation!"

Jiang Wenxin also stood up. "We have to find a way to help him!"

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu shook his head, his tone carrying a touch of helplessness:

"Calm down, everyone. We cannot interfere with an investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission. Acting rashly will only make things more complicated. Besides, we don't even know the specific details of the report right now. How can we help?"

"Are we just supposed to sit here and wait?"

Ruan Lu asked, unwilling to accept this.

Zhang Jiaming pondered for a moment and suddenly said:

"Actually, we aren't completely helpless. Since Station President Jia Chengzhi is the mastermind behind the scenes, we need to find a way to expose his flaws. As long as we can prove the report is a false accusation, Section Chief Xiao will have a chance to get out of this."

"But with an old fox like Director Yan Jinghui, how could he easily let us find any dirt on him?"

Jiang Wenxin said, feeling discouraged.

Creak～

Just as they were at a loss for what to do, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Director Yan Jinghui himself walked in, wearing a fake, hypocritical smile:

"Oh, you're all here? What's the matter? Your Section Chief Xiao has been taken away for investigation—are you all very worried?"

The office fell silent instantly, everyone watching Director Yan Jinghui with vigilance.

"Director Yan, what brings you here?"

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu stood up and asked in a calm tone.

"Oh, I just came by to take a look."

Director Yan Jinghui said, feigning concern. "It's heartbreaking that this has happened to Secretary Xiao, but rest assured, the organization will definitely uncover the truth."

"That's good then."

Zhang Jiaming said indifferently. "We believe Section Chief Xiao is innocent."

Director Yan Jinghui smiled, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:

"That goes without saying. However, you should also prepare yourselves mentally. In the event that Section Chief Xiao truly has issues, you must adjust your mindsets promptly and not let it affect your work."