Chen Yang hadn't lied. Around lunchtime, the district public security bureau received a call personally from the secretary of the municipal political and legal committee. The secretary, speaking sternly, inquired about the circumstances surrounding Chen Yang's arrest, clearly stating that Chen Yang was a victim of retaliation by Fan Changtian, declaring the previous arrest decision invalid, and ordering the public security bureau to release Chen Yang immediately.
Upon receiving the news, Captain Shi rushed to the reception room and hurriedly informed Chen Yang of the superior's decision. He also repeatedly expressed his apologies and warmly invited Chen Yang to lunch.
Chen Yang knew Captain Shi's intentions and politely declined with a smile. However, Captain Shi insisted on sending him by car, so Chen Yang didn't insist further.
...
Lakeside Hotel.
Song Xiaoyun walked out of the hotel lobby with a complex expression.
Having confessed everything she needed to, Song Xiaoyun felt a great sense of relief. Although Director Han from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had solemnly told her to return and await further action from the organization before letting her leave on her own. But Song Xiaoyun knew her political life was over. If she was lucky, she might escape prosecution; otherwise, she might face imprisonment.
Even so, Song Xiaoyun still felt she had done the right thing. The guilty conscience she had felt these past few days was unbearable. Taking ill-gotten gains would haunt her for life! Her father had always taught her to be honest and upright, yet this time she had reached out her evil hand to save his life. Thankfully, she had realized her mistake and turned back in time.
Thinking of this, Song Xiaoyun felt a surge of gratitude towards Chen Yang.
Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly, and before she knew it, she had arrived at West Lake Park next to the Lakeside Hotel.
She slowly walked to a weeping willow, leaning against the marble railing, gazing at the lake's surface rippling in the breeze, her mind a jumble of emotions.
Although the moral burden in her heart had been lifted, the pressures of life were still very real. With this incident, expulsion from the Party and public office is almost inevitable, cutting off a major source of income for the entire family.
Next, she faces the responsibility of returning 50,000 yuan in embezzled funds. Additionally, Chen Yang, though saying nothing, left her 100,000 yuan. However, Song Xiaoyun is a principled person; she certainly can't accept it without a clear explanation and will definitely find a way to return it in the future.
Thinking about these worries, Song Xiaoyun couldn't help but let out a long sigh. The pressure was immense; her young and delicate shoulders were already bearing the weight.
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
A gentle voice suddenly came from behind, making Song Xiaoyun tremble slightly. She slowly turned around and saw Chen Yang's young and handsome face. Song Xiaoyun suddenly became flustered. She stammered, "Mr...Mr. Fang!"
Chen Yang smiled and walked to Song Xiaoyun's side, casually pointing to the Lakeside Hotel not far away and asking, "You've already been inside?"
"Yes..." Song Xiaoyun lowered her head and spoke in a barely audible voice.
"Aren't you feeling much better now? It doesn't feel good to carry a guilty conscience, does it?" Chen Yang asked calmly, gazing at the lake.
"Yes...thank you! Mr. Fang. I'll repay your money as soon as possible..." Song Xiaoyun replied softly.
"There's no rush with the money. You can repay it whenever you have it, or if you don't, it doesn't matter..." Chen Yang waved his hand, then asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Chen Yang knew Song Xiaoyun's situation quite well; the information Acheng had collected was very detailed. Chen Yang knew that Song Xiaoyun wasn't inherently bad, and was a very filial girl. It was because he felt Song Xiaoyun was still worth saving that Chen Yang went to find her that very night, even leaving her 100,000 yuan as a gesture of goodwill. "I haven't had time to think about these things yet!" Song Xiaoyun sighed softly. "I'll wait for the organization's decision before making any decisions. Later… I'll try to find a better job and earn more money for my father's medical treatment…"
"The boiler factory's restructuring had serious problems. Fan Changtian accepted huge bribes from Hong Kong businessmen during the restructuring process, so what should have been a good thing turned into this mess, causing huge losses to many innocent workers like your father!" Chen Yang's tone was somewhat stern. In his previous life, Chen Yang had also deeply resented bureaucrats like Fan Changtian who only knew how to enrich themselves at the expense of the public and were unwilling to do anything practical for the people. Chen Yang paused, then continued,
"The higher-ups will soon correct this mistake. Your father's salary will be fully replenished, and his medical expenses will be reimbursed according to the prescribed ratio. Especially for a serious illness like your father's, you can apply for special subsidies, which should alleviate a lot of your burden!"
Song Xiaoyun finally showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this, but also some disbelief. The boiler factory had been languishing for years, and life had become even harder after the restructuring. She couldn't help but ask,
"Is this true?"
Chen Yang laughed and countered,
"Don't you believe me?"
Song Xiaoyun smiled sheepishly and quickly said,
"No… I just think that such an ideal situation shouldn't be easy to achieve."
However, Song Xiaoyun thought again. Chen Yang was so powerful, easily bringing down Fan Changtian, he definitely wouldn't be boasting about something like this. Having figured this out, a joyful smile finally appeared on Song Xiaoyun's face.
"I heard you studied media?" Chen Yang suddenly asked. "Yes, I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from a media university. I always aspired to be a great journalist when I was young, but after graduation, I followed the crowd and took the civil service exam." Song Xiaoyun's voice was soft and pleasant to listen to.
Thinking of her classmates who had entered major media outlets and were already making a name for themselves in their respective units, some even reaching middle-management positions, while she had been languishing in the civil service for several years, and now faced the prospect of being removed from the civil service and starting her life afresh, a hint of sadness appeared on Song Xiaoyun's face.
"A formally trained journalist! Not bad!" Chen Yang observed all this, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a satisfying drag, and said with a smile, "Interested in working for me?"
"You?" Song Xiaoyun's mind went blank for a moment. Chen Yang's question was a bit too abrupt. Wasn't he still in university? Chen Yang nodded and said,
"I'm about to start a cultural communication company. Initially, the main business will likely be operating a radio channel. You have extensive administrative experience and a formal journalism background—you're practically a perfect fit for me as a program director! If you're willing to help me, the compensation will be excellent!"
"I'm willing!" Song Xiaoyun agreed without hesitation, without even asking about the monthly salary.
She already owed Chen Yang a huge favor and had borrowed 100,000 yuan from him. She had to agree to his request no matter what. Besides, Song Xiaoyun could tell that Chen Yang was actually helping her indirectly, worried that she wouldn't be able to find work and that her family would suddenly lose their source of income. "Great!" Chen Yang said happily. "My company needs to cut costs in its early stages. How about this, I'll give you a base salary of four thousand, but there will be a year-end bonus. If you bring in advertising, you'll get a commission too. Is that okay?"
"You don't need to pay me a salary... consider it as me repaying your 100,000 yuan in installments. We'll talk about it when the money's paid off!" Song Xiaoyun said.
"How can that be? One thing at a time! Besides, your family urgently needs money! You can't just not send a single penny home!" Chen Yang said, feigning anger.
Seeing Song Xiaoyun's mouth move as if she wanted to argue, Chen Yang said domineeringly:
"Alright, I'm in charge here! Once you join my company, I'll be your boss. Don't you even listen to your boss?"
Seeing Chen Yang's still-childish face trying so hard to appear authoritative, Song Xiaoyun couldn't help but smile, then nodded slightly. Chen Yang's thoughtful consideration warmed Song Xiaoyun's heart.
"Alright, business's done! Let's go..." Chen Yang said with a smile.
"Go?" Song Xiaoyun asked instinctively, "Where to?"
"To eat, of course!" Chen Yang pointed to the sky with a smile, saying, "Look at the time, it's lunchtime!"
"Oh..." Song Xiaoyun playfully stuck out her tongue. Although Chen Yang was younger than her, she had a strange feeling of being cared for by an older brother.
Chen Yang then changed the subject, saying:
"But before we eat, we need to pick someone up..."
Song Xiaoyun was taken aback for a moment, then immediately realized the meaning behind Chen Yang's words. A troubled look appeared on her face, and she said hesitantly:
"I...I think I shouldn't go! Director Guo must hate me to death..."
As she spoke, her eyes began to redden again, tears welling up, threatening to fall.
"Don't worry! Director Guo Li isn't petty; he'll definitely understand!" Chen Yang gently patted Song Xiaoyun's shoulder and said softly.
Chen Yang had come specifically to find Song Xiaoyun to pick up Guo Li. He knew that if Song Xiaoyun didn't overcome this hurdle, a shadow would forever linger in her heart, and the longer it went on, the stronger that shadow would become.
After hearing Chen Yang's words, Song Xiaoyun's expression shifted, clearly undergoing a fierce internal struggle. After a long pause, she finally made up her mind, raised her head, and said firmly:
"Okay! I'll go with you. Director Guo can scold me or even hit me however he wants, I promise I won't resist!"
"Don't act like a martyr going to her death!" Chen Yang couldn't help but laugh at Song Xiaoyun's expression. "Don't worry! If Director Guo dares to do anything to my future program director, I'll be the first to get revenge!"
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Song Xiaoyun chuckled, her mood brightening considerably:
"Let's go!"