190: Chapter 190 Ventilation

Xu Weidong picked up the phone on the desk again and dialed another number.

"Secretary Wei Kuan, this is Xu Weidong. I have something to report to you regarding Director Qi Heng of the Public Security Bureau."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then a voice said: "Come to my office."

"Understood, I will be there immediately."

Xu Weidong stood up, straightened his collar, picked up the notebook and the list on the desk, and strode out of the office.

Although he had already spoken to the County Magistrate, Xu Weidong still held Secretary Wei Kuan, the top leader, in high regard.

After Xu Weidong left Secretary Wei Kuan's office, Secretary Wei Kuan sat in his chair for a while.

The documents on the desk were spread out, but he could not read a single word.

It was not that he did not understand Director Qi Heng; he was from the City Public Security Bureau, his professional competence was unquestionable, and in the two years since he arrived in Changyuan County, he had solved many major and difficult cases, earning multiple commendations from City Public Security Bureau leaders.

But if what Xu Weidong said just now was true, then it was no longer a question of whether Director Qi Heng's professional competence was strong or not; it was a matter of political character and the bottom line of integrity.

He picked up the phone on the desk, hesitated for a moment, and then dialed a number.

"Comrade Liu Qingfeng, come to my office for a moment."

In less than ten minutes, Secretary Liu Qingfeng arrived.

His relationship with Secretary Wei Kuan had not just started yesterday; both of them had come up along the same line under Secretary Lin Juncai.

Over the years in Changyuan County, they had also supported each other.

He entered the door without rushing to sit down, first looking at Secretary Wei Kuan, wanting to read something from the other man's face.

Secretary Wei Kuan pointed to the chair opposite, his expression remaining calm.

"Old Wei, what is so urgent? I just got back from a meeting in the city and received your call before I even entered my office."

Secretary Wei Kuan did not beat around the bush. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze falling on Secretary Liu Qingfeng's face, his tone unhurried: "Secretary Liu Qingfeng, I want to ask you something."

"Is this person, Director Qi Heng, your man?"

Secretary Liu Qingfeng was taken aback; he had not expected Secretary Wei Kuan to suddenly ask about Director Qi Heng, and in such a way.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words.

He picked up the water cup on the table and took a sip, his tone more solemn than before.

"Old Wei, Director Qi Heng, how should I put it... his father-in-law was my mentor in the past."

"When I was in the Criminal Investigation Detachment, the old man was my mentor, and he taught me a lot of things."

"Before he retired, the old man specifically sought me out, saying that his son-in-law had good professional competence but was a bit arrogant, asking me to take care of him more."

"That is the extent of the relationship; there is nothing deeper."

Secretary Wei Kuan nodded, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest twice.

There was no need for Secretary Liu Qingfeng to lie to him, nor was there any need to hide anything.

If Director Qi Heng were Secretary Liu Qingfeng's man, Secretary Liu Qingfeng would not be so hesitant.

If he were not, Secretary Liu Qingfeng would have no need to distance himself.

"Mentor's son-in-law"—this relationship was neither close nor distant, enough to warrant looking after, but not enough to be die-hard allies.

"Secretary Liu Qingfeng, let me tell you something. Just now, Comrade Weidong came to me and reported some situations regarding Director Qi Heng."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng's fingers tightened slightly, but there was no reaction on his face.

He had known Xu Weidong for a long time. This young man was not the type to stir up trouble for no reason; since he had specifically come to Secretary Wei Kuan's office to report the situation, it meant he must have evidence in his hands.

He did not interrupt, waiting for Secretary Wei Kuan to continue.

Secretary Wei Kuan recounted everything Xu Weidong had said, without adding embellishments or avoiding sensitive points.

From the list for the Crackdown on Organized Crime that Director Qi Heng proposed at the Public Security Bureau Party Committee meeting, to the places on the list that were actually legitimate businesses but were included in the crackdown scope, to the coincidence that the owner of that place hosted a banquet for Director Qi Heng after the meeting, and the name was crossed off the list the next day... and finally, the incident between Director Qi Heng and Su Bainian at the Luyuan Hotel, which of course also included the context before Executive Vice Magistrate Liu Qiang was transferred for dabbling in superstition.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng had been drinking water at the beginning, but put the cup down halfway through.

His face was normal at first, but it changed completely by the end.

After Secretary Wei Kuan finished speaking, he was silent for a long time, his gaze falling on the green plant on the desk.

"Old Wei, this person, Director Qi Heng... I remember he was not like this before, right?"

His voice was a bit hoarse, carrying a kind of complex emotion that was hard to describe, as if it were regret, or as if he were remembering something.

"When his father-in-law entrusted him to me, I specifically treated him to a meal in the city. At that time, he had not been married for long, he did not talk much, but every word was sincere."

"I have met his wife; she is the old man's only daughter, and she has had a condition since childhood, paralyzed from the waist down, sitting in a wheelchair year-round."

"When Director Qi Heng married her, he was still an ordinary criminal police officer, with no money, no house, and no car, but he was truly good to her."

"Changing diapers, wiping her body, feeding her, pushing her out to get some sun—he did all these things himself and never let a nanny intervene. For so many years, there has not been a single complaint."

He paused, picked up the water cup to drink, realized it was empty, and put it down again.

"I cannot figure out how he could have done those things outside."

"How could someone who is so meticulous with his paralyzed wife at home collect dirty money in the name of the Crackdown on Organized Crime and bully the families of others?"

"This does not seem like the same person."

Secretary Wei Kuan watched him, waiting for him to finish.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, a very faint smile, carrying a kind of clarity and helplessness after having seen through the ways of the world.

"Secretary Liu Qingfeng, you have worked in the public security system for so many years; you should understand better than me."

"Some people look one way at home and another way outside. Being good to one's wife does not mean being good to the common people."

"Director Qi Heng did not suddenly turn bad; he has been hiding it all along. Before, in the Criminal Investigation Detachment, his position was low, he had no power, and he had no opportunity to be bad even if he wanted to."

"Once he arrived in Changyuan County as Director, holding great power, at the forefront of the Crackdown on Organized Crime, at a juncture where a wave of his hand could decide the life or death of a business, only then did he reveal his true colors."

"I have seen plenty of people like this before."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng was silent for a long time, thinking of the wrinkled face of Director Qi Heng's father-in-law, and the last drink they had before the old man retired.

The other man held his hand and said: "Secretary Liu Qingfeng, I entrust my son-in-law to you."

He had patted his chest at the time and said: "Mentor, rest assured, as long as I am here, I will not let him be wronged."

Thinking about it now, he really did not let Director Qi Heng be wronged; he had taken care of him where he should have, and promoted him where he should have.

But when did Director Qi Heng start to change? Was it after he became Director in Changyuan County, or earlier? He found that he could not even say.

If a person could really act for so many years at home, how deep must this person's scheming be?

"Old Wei, how do you intend to handle this?"

Secretary Wei Kuan leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup and took another sip, his tone returning to his usual composure and unhurried manner.

"I will have the County Commission for Discipline Inspection follow up. If it is verified, it will be handled accordingly; no one can protect him."

He paused, looked at Secretary Liu Qingfeng and said: "After you go back, talk to Director Qi Heng. Let him know where he stands. In some matters, it is better to confess early than late."

"Leniency for confession, severity for resistance; the organization is not incapable of giving comrades below some opportunities."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng nodded, then sighed softly: "Old Wei, do you think I misjudged him?"

Secretary Wei Kuan watched his back, silent for a while, his voice not loud, but every word carried a kind of certainty and trust hardened by long-time friendship.

"Everyone has times when they misjudge people; what matters is how you fix it after you realize you have misjudged."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng nodded, opened the door, and walked out.