Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 1070 Start investigation

These words, once uttered, exploded like a thunderclap in the crowd. Deputy Factory Director Li and his cronies, who had pre-arranged this, turned deathly pale, as if their faces had been plastered with ash. Especially when they saw the members of the city investigation team following behind their leader pull out notebooks and gripping pens, ready to take notes, Deputy Factory Director Li's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat; his shirt clung to his body, feeling as cold as if it were made of ice—it was over. This old bastard really knew how to rub salt in the wound; he was just asking for trouble!

Deputy Factory Director Li quickly forced a surprised expression, stepped forward, and grabbed Yi Zhonghai's arm tightly. His tone was urgent and fake, and his voice was hoarse: "Master Yi! What nonsense are you talking about! Deputy Factory Director Gu's assessment was personally supervised by the expert group from the Municipal Bureau. It was open and transparent from beginning to end. How could there be any shady dealings? Don't talk nonsense. Go back to work and don't delay the leaders' inspection here!" As he spoke, he pulled Yi Zhonghai aside with such force that he almost crushed the other's bones, and his knuckles turned white.

Yi Zhonghai, however, became even more agitated. He abruptly shook off Deputy Factory Director Li's hand, assuming it was a ploy to create an opportunity for himself. He turned to the city leaders, his neck stiff, pounding his chest so loudly that the paper package in his arms trembled: "Leaders, everything I said is true! Gu Nan became deputy factory director in his early twenties. How did he get that position? He must have pulled strings! Several of my old buddies can testify that he always seeks special treatment. All the good jobs in the workshop go to his acquaintances, while we old workers have to take a backseat!"

Deputy Factory Director Li was about to speak up to stop them when the city leader behind him raised his hand to interrupt him. His gaze calmly swept over Deputy Factory Director Li's somewhat flustered face, then glanced at Yi Zhonghai, who was spitting as he spoke, and slowly said, "Alright, since someone wants to report the situation, let's hand it over to our investigation team. Deputy Factory Director Li, why don't you take us to the workshop to see the production situation? I heard that your newly modified rolling mill is quite efficient."

The leader's tone was completely flat, devoid of any emotion, as if he were discussing the weather. Yet, the scrutiny in his deep eyes was like a searchlight, sweeping every inch of Deputy Factory Director Li's face, from his stiff lips to his tense neck. It sent chills down Li's spine; cold sweat trickled down his neck, soaking his shirt, and even his legs trembled, almost causing him to lose his balance. He gritted his teeth inwardly—that old bastard Yi Zhonghai, of all times, had to jump out at this crucial moment of the high-ranking leader's inspection. Now, things were really messed up; it seemed unlikely he could get away with it. The old man's dream of making a name for himself was about to turn into a heavy stone, crashing down on him and his own feet, causing excruciating pain!

Deputy Factory Director Li wanted to say something more to smooth things over, such as "they're just some old workers who can't sit still and gossip," but the leaders from the city didn't give him a chance to speak. They turned their gaze to Yi Zhonghai, who was standing to the side with a face full of "grief and indignation," and suddenly spoke, their tone revealing no particular bias: "Perfect."

Then he turned back to Deputy Factory Director Li, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority: "Find me a private office, a quiet place. I want to hear the voices of the people and understand the situation properly—whether the technical assessment went wrong or someone is pulling strings behind the scenes."

Deputy Factory Director Li was burning with anxiety, his insides practically churning. He wanted to argue, saying these were all trivial matters, not worth the trouble of the leadership. But the leader just stared at him silently, his eyes carrying a subtle, imposing pressure, like a silent mountain pressing down on him. The words he was about to say were swallowed back, and he could only nod stiffly, his voice trembling slightly: "Okay, okay, I'll arrange it right away, it'll be done soon, I promise it'll be quiet!"

After Deputy Factory Director Li busied himself tidying up an unused archive room, wiping tables and chairs, and even polishing the windows until they shone, he was just leading the leaders towards it when Gu Nan emerged from the workshop with a beaming smile. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, and he carried several blueprints covered in densely packed mechanical structures. He glanced at the leaders in their Zhongshan suits, then turned to the stiff-faced Deputy Factory Director Li, feigning surprise, and asked, "Deputy Factory Director Li, are these all leaders from higher up? Why aren't they sitting in the meeting room? What are they doing standing here? Should I have someone make some tea?"

Looking at Gu Nan's nonchalant demeanor, Deputy Factory Director Li immediately understood—this kid had probably anticipated this whole thing, and might even have been orchestrating it all behind the scenes! He suppressed his anger, his nails digging into his flesh, and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, you really are something else, you've kept it well hidden. I never expected you to have such a trick up your sleeve; even I was kept in the dark."

Gu Nan seemed oblivious to the barb in his words, still smiling calmly, even with a hint of innocence: "Deputy Factory Director Li, I don't know what you mean by that. There's a lot going on at the factory. I just finished overseeing the equipment debugging in the workshop, and I'm still completely confused." After saying that, he politely nodded to the leaders, "Leaders, you're busy. I'll go back to work now. I still have a few drawings to review, and I need to meet with the technical team this afternoon." He then turned and went back to the workshop with light steps, leaving Deputy Factory Director Li standing there, seething with anger, wishing he could rush up and punch him.

Standing at the office door, Deputy Factory Director Li looked at the somber faces of the leaders, forced a fawning smile, and said in a trembling voice, "Leaders, this matter... I really didn't expect it to escalate like this. It was just a small misunderstanding. We're all old workers, so it's understandable that we're a bit emotional. Please don't take it to heart..."

The city leaders' faces darkened further, their displeasure evident as they looked at Deputy Factory Director Li. They had come for a routine safety inspection, but unexpectedly stumbled upon this matter involving alleged unfair technical assessments and even cadre conduct issues. Clearly, someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, creating chaos in the factory. One of the leaders, wearing glasses, frowned, his tone reprimanding: "Tell me yourself, what exactly happened? Is it a deliberate fabrication, or is there something fishy going on? If you can't explain it clearly, we can't help you—you've corrupted the factory's atmosphere!"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Li panicked even more. He quickly stepped forward, his voice low and pleading, "Leader, I really didn't know the higher-ups would suddenly send someone here! This is all that old bastard Yi Zhonghai's nonsense; he's just jealous of Gu Nan's youth and talent! Look at the situation, only you can save me now. Please put in a good word for me with the higher-ups, and I'll..."