66: Chapter 66 Chen Tianci's Changing Face

The office of the County Party Committee Secretary was on the south side of the County Party Committee building, with excellent natural light.

Outside the window, it faced the central square of the county, offering a wide view.

But at this moment, there was not a hint of sunshine on the face of Secretary Chen Tianci, who sat behind the large desk.

President Cheng Xin stood opposite the desk, his expression even worse than Secretary Chen Tianci's.

He had rushed straight to the County Party Committee after receiving the news that Director Li Zhongmin had been appointed as the Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau.

He had thought a lot on the way here; after all, that man surnamed Li had been hounding Sihai Mining ever since they were in Hukuang Township. Now that he had entered the Public Security Bureau, wouldn't he try to destroy them?

"Secretary Chen..."

President Cheng Xin suppressed his anger, trying to make his tone sound respectful.

"I don't understand."

"Back in Hukuang Township, Director Li Zhongmin was always fixated on Sihai Mining."

"How could you let such a person become the Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau? Isn't this self-destructive?"

Secretary Chen Tianci looked up at him and said in a flat tone, "President Cheng Xin, since when does the decision of the County Party Committee require your approval?"

President Cheng Xin froze; that tone was too cold, so cold it sent a chill down his spine.

"Secretary Chen, that's not what I meant..."

President Cheng Xin hurriedly explained, "I meant that given our friendship over these many years, I was just anxious and spoke without thinking. Please don't take it to heart..."

"Friendship?"

Secretary Chen Tianci interrupted him, a cryptic smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he said, "President Cheng Xin, what friendship do we have?"

The smile on President Cheng Xin's face stiffened. Secretary Chen Tianci leaned back into his chair, his gaze still so indifferent, so indifferent that it made one panic.

"President Cheng Xin, you do business in Changyuan County, and I serve as the Secretary in Changyuan County."

"You pay taxes, I provide services; this is a normal government-business relationship."

"As for anything else... you are overthinking."

Sweat broke out on President Cheng Xin's forehead. Only then did he realize that he had been impulsive today.

He, President Cheng Xin, was simply a businessman.

And Secretary Chen Tianci was the County Party Committee Secretary!

The gap between them was even greater than the distance from Hukuang Township to the county seat.

"Secretary Chen, I was wrong. I'm clumsy with words. I really was thinking of our... of the interests of Changyuan County."

"You know what Director Li Zhongmin is like—stubborn and unyielding. Once he enters the Public Security Bureau, in the future, we..."

Secretary Chen Tianci raised his hand to interrupt him and said, "President Cheng Xin, you just said you were thinking of our interests. I would like to ask you, who does this 'we' refer to?"

President Cheng Xin opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

Secretary Chen Tianci stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to him.

"President Cheng Xin, there is something I want to make clear to you today."

Secretary Chen Tianci looked at the square outside the window, his tone as calm as if he were chatting about daily life.

"If a leader's family members are involved in conflicts of interest, the leader will at most receive a disciplinary action for lack of strict supervision. But if someone thinks they can use this to blackmail the leader..."

Secretary Chen Tianci turned around, looked at President Cheng Xin, and his gaze suddenly turned cold and sinister. "I am afraid that within this vast Changyuan County, there will be no place for such a person to stay."

President Cheng Xin's face went completely pale.

"Secretary Chen, I didn't mean to blackmail you, I..."

"I know you didn't."

Secretary Chen Tianci walked back to the desk and sat down, his tone returning to normal.

"President Cheng Xin, remember this."

"After one person falls, someone new will immediately take their place."

"That applies to you, and it applies to others."

"The only difference is who falls first."

President Cheng Xin stood there, his legs feeling weak.

Only now did he realize that he had never had any real backing.

Only when the leader wants to use you are you a pillar enterprise, a major taxpayer...

And once the leader no longer needs you, you are nothing at all...

"Secretary Chen, I have remembered it."

"I was reckless today; please don't take it to heart."

Secretary Chen Tianci nodded, his tone softening a bit. "Alright, go back."

"Manage your enterprise well and stop thinking about useless things."

President Cheng Xin nodded and turned to walk out.

When he reached the door, he heard Secretary Chen Tianci say from behind him.

"President Cheng Xin, sometimes taking a step back is to be able to go further in the future."

"You are a smart person; you should understand this principle."

President Cheng Xin paused, did not turn back, and pushed the door open to leave.

After he left, the Director of the County Party Committee Office, He Quan, walked in and said softly, "Secretary Chen, has this President Cheng Xin become a bit too arrogant over the years? He even dares to question your words."

Secretary Chen Tianci leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, and said nothing.

He Quan waited for a while, seeing no reaction, and added, "Secretary Chen, do you want me to find someone to knock him down a peg?"

"He Quan, what do you think of President Cheng Xin?"

He Quan hesitated for a moment and said, deliberating, "He is capable, has methods, and has been operating in Changyuan County for many years; his roots are deep."

"But in the last two years, he has indeed become a bit full of himself."

Secretary Chen Tianci nodded, stood up, and walked to the window.

"Go and get County Head Lan; tell him I have something to discuss with him."

He Quan was stunned. "Now?"

"Now."

He Quan didn't dare to ask more and turned to leave.

"Wait."

"It is time to clean up the biggest criminal force in Changyuan County."

He Quan's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Secretary Chen Tianci's back and suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

The man who had been all-powerful in Changyuan County for many years probably didn't know at this moment that he had already become a card about to be discarded.

It was the same saying: when they need you, you are a pillar enterprise, a major taxpayer, and the pride of the county.

And once they don't need you, you are a criminal force, a tumor, and an object that must be eradicated.

He Quan shuddered and walked quickly out of the office.

Meanwhile, President Cheng Xin's heart felt heavy. He had served Secretary Chen Tianci like a beast of burden for so many years... funneling so many benefits to this old guy...

It could be said that apart from his wife and children, he had given everything he could to this guy!

And what did he get in return now?

This old thing practically said he was going to get rid of him today!

What was this?

If it weren't for his wife and children, he would have chosen to explode with Secretary Chen Tianci today...

For so many years, in order to keep this old guy from hitting on his wife, President Cheng Xin even chose to cheat himself... just to lower his wife's presence.

But he didn't expect to end up like this in the end...

Indeed, when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked!

Fortunately, he had made preparations beforehand; he had prepared money for his wife and children abroad, and they could run away at any time.

Since Secretary Chen Tianci was heartless, he couldn't blame him, President Cheng Xin, for being unrighteous...

Once his wife and children were settled, he would take the evidence of Secretary Chen Tianci's years of illegal activities and defect to Xu Weidong.

Even if he didn't end up well, that dog Secretary Chen Tianci shouldn't think about having it easy either!