Chapter 2: The Man Behind

After saying these words, Zhang Nan took a step back, a smug expression spreading across his face, as if victory was already assured.

Lin Hao’s heart instantly sank to the bottom of a valley. Judging by Zhang Nan’s demeanor, there had to be some foul play in the project, but where exactly the problem lay, he couldn’t figure out no matter how hard he tried.

When he arrived at the Discipline Inspection Commission, Lin Hao was left alone in a room without anyone paying him any attention.

Gradually, impatience took hold of him. If they wanted to question him, then just do it—why leave him hanging like this?

After an indeterminate amount of time, Lin Hao was utterly exhausted, mentally and physically drained.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman in a fitted small suit stepped inside. She looked to be in her thirties, with a graceful figure and well-defined features. Wearing rimless glasses, she exuded an air of scholarly elegance and charm.

Lin Hao recognized her immediately: Zhou Ya, head of the twelfth investigative team of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

As the imperial envoy of this investigation, her photo had already circulated early on, so that those below would recognize her and avoid offending the “dragon king.”

“Director Zhou, I’ve been wronged. I truly don’t know anything,” Lin Hao said, aware that she probably wouldn’t believe him but still hoping for a chance.

To his shock, Zhou Ya responded calmly, “I know.”

“I really... huh? You know?” Lin Hao was utterly stunned. If you knew, why have you brought me in?

“Looks like you’re blaming me inside,” Zhou Ya observed his reaction, swirling the tea in her cup slowly.

Lin Hao bit back his anger, gritting his teeth, “How dare I?”

“You think I’m harming you, but actually, I’m saving you.”

Those words only deepened Lin Hao’s confusion. He had been publicly arrested by the Discipline Inspection Commission—how was that saving him?

His future seemed bleak. He might as well be guarding fish ponds in some rural township.

“Take a look. This is the complaint material we have received,” Zhou Ya said, opening her laptop and pulling up documents, pushing the screen toward Lin Hao.

Lin Hao moved the mouse to scroll through the files, and soon his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

“This... how is this possible? I didn’t do it. I really didn’t.”

On the computer screen, clear records showed a hefty sum of 200,000 yuan deposited into one of his bank cards after the project’s completion. Two projects combined accounted for 500,000 yuan, with withdrawal records as well.

Moreover, his home storeroom was filled with stacks of Maotai liquor and Huazi cigarettes.

There was also evidence that projects he signed off on had failed qualification checks during review. Every piece of evidence pointed to Lin Hao being a corrupt official.

“Do you believe me now? These pieces of evidence alone are enough to condemn you,” Zhou Ya said, closing the laptop as she looked at him with a composed expression.

Lin Hao fell silent for a long moment, then lifted his head to meet her gaze.

“Then why does Director Zhou believe me?” he asked. With such evidence, he knew the case against him was airtight, flawless in legality.

Such trust was like that from a parent. Lin Hao couldn’t believe Zhou Ya would go all out to support him without any personal connection.

“Don’t ask me,” Zhou Ya replied. “I’m just following orders. Someone vouched for you. After our investigation, we found you were innocent. As for who it was, I don’t know. Not many can speak to our Provincial Secretary. You’re really lucky.”

Hearing this, Zhou Ya herself looked envious.

Lin Hao was utterly baffled. In his experience of the officialdom, colleagues were quick to stab you in the back. Who would stake their reputation on him? Who could even speak to the provincial Discipline Inspection Secretary? When had he ever met such a big shot?

After much thought, he gave up on the question. Time would reveal the truth.

“Director Zhou, when can I leave?” At this moment, Lin Hao only wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. No one wished to linger at the Discipline Inspection Commission.

At the same time, he wanted to find out who had framed him.

“Don’t be anxious. Watch a little show first. After that, we’ll talk,” Zhou Ya said, glancing at the time and opening a video link on her laptop.

Soon, hurried panting sounds filled the room. As a married man with experience, Lin Hao immediately recognized the breathy moans of a woman.

His face flushed instantly. Watching such a video in a private room with a female superior was hard not to stir the imagination, especially when she was beautiful.

“Director Zhou, I’m married. I...” he began.

“Shut up. Watch the video,” Zhou Ya interrupted, clearly aware of his thoughts and shooting him a glare before focusing back on the screen.

Lin Hao’s gaze fixed on the video, and when he recognized the scene, he was dumbstruck—as if struck by lightning.

He never imagined the bedroom on screen was his own.

The woman lying on the bed was his wife, Xu Qian. The man with her was Xu Fei, deputy head of the Municipal Organization Department—his senior and benefactor who had promoted him.

At that moment, Xu Fei was holding her slender waist, sweat covering his brow. Xu Qian’s long, sexy legs were clad in black stockings, wrapped around Xu Fei.

“Is he really not coming back?” she asked.

“The evidence is ironclad. He’ll probably spend the rest of his life in prison,” Xu Fei answered.

Xu Qian smiled softly, resting against Xu Fei’s chest and humming lightly.

“You really have the skills. I always hated that idiot. He never got promoted, and he didn’t dare to embezzle a single cent. Back then, all our classmates drove BMWs and carried luxury bags. I was the class beauty, but I married such a loser—what a mistake.”

Her voice was dripping with disdain.

Xu Fei laughed heartily, his hands wandering playfully.

“Don’t worry, darling. Those hard days are over. We’ll launder the money, and then you can drive BMWs or Mercedes, buy ten luxury bags at once!”

“Fei, you’re so good to me. I love you. It’s a pity I even saved fifty thousand yuan in that loser’s bank account.”

“Heh, silly. You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing the lamb. Fifty thousand is nothing compared to the project’s embezzlement.”

“True. The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission won’t find out, right?” Xu Qian looked worried.

Xu Fei was confident: “The projects were signed by Lin Hao, the qualification checks done by him, the embezzled money was taken by him, and internal colleagues reported him. Everything connects. Unless the Provincial Secretary is his father and investigates meticulously, he’ll never see the light of day again.”

“That’s good. His parents are just farmers, lowly people. He has no influential relatives. Sacrificing for my happiness is his good fortune.”

“Baby, you’re so bad. Come here, kiss.”

“Stop it~”

Watching their flirtation, Lin Hao’s heart filled with rage. He slammed his fist on the table, venting his fury.

He never imagined the traitor framing him was his own wife.

No wonder Xu Qian’s attitude toward him changed abruptly a year ago, becoming gentle and caring, making him feel guilty for not appreciating such a good wife. What he didn’t know was that from then on, she had been consorting with Xu Fei, setting a trap for him.

What baffled him even more was why Xu Fei would do this.

After graduating, Lin Hao had endured two years on the sidelines at the township office before Xu Fei promoted him to the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. A year later, he became deputy section chief.

Lin Hao had once regarded Xu Fei as a role model, hardworking and dedicated, even attending to Xu Fei’s family matters and paying visits during festivals.

He truly considered Xu Fei a big brother, yet Xu Fei slept with his wife and destroyed his future.

Now it seemed the promotion was premeditated. They had targeted Lin Hao because he was clean, lacked backing, and was perfect as a scapegoat.

Despite his fury, Lin Hao knew this was not the time to lose control. He forced himself to calm down and think clearly.

If Xu Fei was masterminding this, then the involvement of the Executive Vice Mayor was probably about finding a scapegoat to embezzle money freely without being caught by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

Urban construction, rural transformation, and redevelopment projects often involved billions—huge profits.

The thought chilled Lin Hao. The power behind this must be immense.

Just as Lin Hao was reeling in shock, Zhou Ya suddenly spoke.

“Do you think Wu Bo was framed?”