Six years ago, Wu Xingde had truly suffered a heavy blow at the hands of Qi Fang.
Not only did he lose the project, but he also forfeited the trust of his superiors, nearly being pushed to the margins entirely.
If he hadn’t sensed the danger and quickly devised an alternative plan, who knows where he’d be today? How could he not resent Qi Fang for it?
So when the higher-ups emphasized tightening control over regional communications and dispatched inspection teams, Wu Xingde immediately volunteered to lead one.
Yet before he could even confront Qi Fang, he first encountered Qi Fang’s wife, Yan Xue—rumored to be from a rural background.
The woman had cropped her hair short. Though petite, she carried herself with sharp efficiency, her every gesture warm and polished, a far cry from the impression he’d had of her before.
Moreover, how could someone so young rise to head an entire department? She either had powerful connections or formidable talent. There was no way she’d be flustered by a few intimidating words from him.
Wu Xingde realized almost instantly that he’d likely been played back then. Yan Xue must have known about his feud with Qi Fang all along.
Her earlier demeanor had been nothing but a ruse to mislead him. Even the notes he’d obtained from Qi Fang were probably fake—wasted effort, all that time he’d spent studying them.
A shadow of cold fury flickered in Wu Xingde’s eyes. But when Yan Xue spotted him, she seemed momentarily stunned before feigning surprise. "Senior Brother?"
The address caught him off guard, especially as everyone around them turned to look. "You two know each other?"
Denying it now would be pointless. He forced an apologetic smile. "This is work time. Let’s focus on the task at hand—we can catch up later."
Yan Xue wasn’t insisting on reminiscing. She just wanted others to recognize their connection, so if Wu Xingde tried anything underhanded, it wouldn’t appear purely professional.
At his deflection, she promptly mirrored his tone. "My apologies—I was just surprised." She greeted the others with effortless grace.
Yet that single "Senior Brother" softened the inspection team’s approach. Their scrutiny of the center’s daily operations and ideological studies became noticeably lenient.
Wu Xingde watched, frustration simmering, but he couldn’t outright say, "This woman is my enemy—be harsher."
Unable to bear it, he took charge himself, peppering his questions with traps—a classic tactic, luring targets into careless remarks that had doomed many before.
The team immediately sensed the shift and fell silent. Even Qu Mingli frowned at the tension.
But Yan Xue answered flawlessly. Wu Xingde listened for faults, yet not a single misstep surfaced—response after response was impeccable.
His resentment burned hotter. Just as he prepared another volley, Qu Mingli checked his watch and gently interjected, "Shouldn’t we move to the next unit?"
The cultivation center had few staff and wasn’t a primary focus of their trip; they’d allocated little time for it.
With no choice, Wu Xingde had to withdraw. Outside, a colleague asked, "Why the sudden strictness today?"
Their mission prioritized coordination, not provocation, and he’d been notably amiable thus far.
Wu Xingde chuckled dryly. "You all went easy. Someone had to enforce the rules."
"That just shows how professional you are." Everyone knew he had connections, so they praised him a few times after hearing his words.
But what Wu Xingde was really thinking was: If Yan Xue proved difficult to handle, it didn’t matter—there was still Qi Fang, who lost his composure at the mere mention of his teacher.
That brat must be both shocked and furious to see him not only unharmed but climbing even higher.
He couldn’t wait to see the look on Qi Fang’s face, or better yet, watch him struggle to rise only to lose everything overnight.
If he hadn’t done some digging before coming, he wouldn’t have known the kid had actually made something of himself—now a Level 7 engineer, even attending provincial-level conferences.
He just hadn’t thought to check on Qi Fang’s wife. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been caught off guard when they met earlier.
Wu Xingde didn’t bother hiding his intentions anymore. He outright suggested visiting the machinery factory next. "You all know my background is in this field. It feels more familiar to me."
Since they moved in the same circles, everyone was aware of how he’d risen to power. No one objected when he brought it up.
But when they arrived at the machinery factory, Qi Fang’s reaction was unexpectedly calm, as if he’d never known Wu Xingde at all.
This left Wu Xingde, who’d been anticipating a confrontation, swinging at empty air. When he deliberately brought up their teacher, Qi Fang merely glanced at him and said, "We’re handling official business now. Isn’t this inappropriate?"
Throwing back the same words Wu Xingde had used on Yan Xue earlier, his gaze was so piercing that Wu Xingde almost felt exposed.
This was nothing like what Wu Xingde had imagined. He stared at Qi Fang. "It’s only been ten years. Have you forgotten everything?"
Qi Fang’s eyes sharpened for a moment before quickly softening again. "Of course I remember my senior brother’s face. But this is official business, isn’t it?"
So what if it had been ten years?
He’d waited this long—a little longer wouldn’t hurt. Besides, he wasn’t alone anymore…
Thinking of Yan Xue, of her reassurance that "everything will be alright," he even gave Wu Xingde another look. "I’ve kept all my study notes from over the years. Would you like to review them?"
His tone was cooperative, but the underlying message was clear: he wasn’t afraid of their scrutiny.
Someone took the notes from Qi Fang and flipped through them before handing them back. "You’ve studied diligently."
With that, Wu Xingde had nothing left to say. He asked a few more perfunctory questions, and when the answers revealed no weaknesses, the group moved on to the next workshop.
The machinery factory wasn’t short on staff—they couldn’t linger on Qi Fang forever.
Even as they left the factory, Wu Xingde’s expression remained dark. He couldn’t understand Qi Fang’s reaction—it was almost as if he’d been prepared.
Qi Fang watched the inspection team leave before lowering his gaze to the study notes in his hands.
He hadn’t expected it to be Wu Xingde. Six years later, the man had reappeared in a different guise, yet his eyes still held the same venomous intent.
And now that he was here, he wouldn’t leave without causing trouble. Even if he retreated today, there was no telling what he might do next.
Qi Fang just wondered if Yan Xue had already encountered him—and whether her caution back then had been because she’d sensed something coming.
Qi Fang found himself calmer than he had expected. He methodically packed his things, went to work as usual, and after his shift, he picked up Yan Xue as planned, intending to discuss the matter with her.
Before he could bring it up, however, they ran into Qu Mingli on the way. Qu Mingli pulled them aside for a word.
"That senior from the inspection team today—was his attitude a bit off?" Qu Mingli’s opening question made it clear to Qi Fang that Yan Xue had already encountered the man.
He glanced at Yan Xue, who was looking back at him, and nodded without hesitation. "There’s some history."
When they had first decided to align themselves with Qu Mingli, the couple had agreed that certain matters needed to be addressed openly when the time came. After all, their alliance with Qu Mingli was meant to provide an extra layer of security in critical moments. Being upfront would help Qu Mingli understand the situation.
"But we had no idea he’d be part of the inspection team," Yan Xue added after a brief explanation. "We haven’t heard from him in years."
Qu Mingli’s impression of the inspection team had already been complicated, and now, learning about this personal entanglement, he frowned throughout the conversation.
After a moment of thought, he said to them, "Be careful, then. I’ll look into how he ended up there."
He didn’t dwell on Qi Fang’s past with the man, nor could he, but his demeanor suggested he didn’t see the couple as a liability. This was precisely why they had felt confident working under him—he was principled, unafraid of trouble, and not the type to cut ties at the first sign of difficulty.
They thanked him with a nod and returned home calmly, sharing a meal before retreating to their room.
"You saw him?"
They spoke almost in unison, exchanging a glance. Qi Fang rested his hand on Yan Xue’s head. "Good thing we listened to you and prepared in advance."
The inspection team’s presence alone wasn’t the issue—it was Wu Xingde’s involvement that changed everything. He might single them out deliberately.
Qi Fang studied Yan Xue but didn’t press further. Still, she offered the truth. "I really didn’t expect it to be him."
Yan Xue was simply in the habit of planning ahead. Had it been anyone else, she would have been just as vigilant until the inspection was over.
But her foresight had paid off, leaving them standing here now, composed and ready to strategize their next move.
Qi Fang leaned against the writing desk. "Secretary Qu mentioned the inspection team will only be in Changshan County for three days before moving on."
Yan Xue understood immediately. "So if he’s going to make a move, it’ll be within those three days."
"He still has other units to visit—no time to focus solely on us," Qi Fang continued analyzing.
Before he could finish, Yan Xue calmly interjected, "There’s only one quick method that wouldn’t require him to waste time finding flaws in us."
The couple locked eyes, their voices dropping to a whisper as they spoke in unison: "An anonymous letter."
No evidence was needed. The mere existence of such a letter would force the inspection team to halt and investigate them. And when the investigation was tailored to a single target, uncovering "issues" became far easier.
Especially for someone like Wu Xingde, who was already a seasoned hand at this. The method didn’t need to be original or fresh—as long as it worked, he’d use it again and again.
Yan Xue turned to glance at the calendar by the door. "Looks like we’ll have to go wash up. If he plans to make a move, he probably won’t give us time to prepare."
Moreover, if they didn’t act soon, circumstances might shift, and the inspection team might no longer prioritize dealing with them.
Compared to the last crisis, this one was pressing right at their doorstep, yet she remained composed and steady, even ready to face it alongside him.
Qi Fang couldn’t help but grasp her hand. "I’m sorry you have to go through this with me again."
"Well, I should’ve picked better back then," Yan Xue teased, her eyes curving into a smile, making him tighten his grip and pull her closer.
No matter how much time passed or what changes life brought, this was something he’d never get over.
He’d always remember that their love was a twist of fate—a treasure he’d stumbled upon, a life unlike any he’d imagined.
Qi Fang gently brushed a strand of hair from Yan Xue’s temple. "We should let Grandma know too. At least give her a heads-up in case someone comes searching."
The elderly woman was sharp and had weathered many storms. As long as she wasn’t caught off guard, she could handle it.
They’d done all they could. Now, all that remained was to wait for the storm to hit. And it did—sooner than expected. By the second day, Wu Xingde made his move.
Yan Xue had just wrapped up a routine meeting when a group barged in, claiming they’d received a tip-off suspecting her and Qi Fang of being enemy spies. They were there to search the premises.
Clearly, Wu Xingde hadn’t forgotten how Yan Xue had outmaneuvered him before. His grudge wasn’t reserved for Qi Fang alone.
Likely impatient with bureaucratic delays, Wu Xingde had bypassed the usual channels, ensuring the inspection team received the "anonymous" letter directly.
The center had been performing well this year. By May, both Wugang and Liuhu had placed additional orders, and the funds for the new vehicles had nearly been recouped. The mood had been optimistic—until these intruders shattered it.
Ignoring the stunned silence, they headed straight for Yan Xue’s manager’s office, overturning cups, chairs, and documents in their frenzy. Yan Xue was swiftly restrained.
Wu Xingde waved the so-called tip-off letter with faux regret. "Sorry, little sister. Duty calls. Can’t be helped."
Meeting his insincere apology, Yan Xue replied coolly, "No worries. I trust nothing will be found, and you’ll clear our names, senior."
For someone who should’ve been panicking, she played the part of calm impeccably. Wu Xingde studied her closely. "Naturally."
By then, her desk had been ransacked—drawers yanked out and dumped on the floor. The rest of the staff, still reeling, began to snap out of their shock.
The young woman Yan Xue had recently taken under her wing—barely out of her teens a decade ago—was the first to speak up. "There must be a mistake! How could Manager Yan and Engineer Qi be spies? If anything, they’d be stealing tech from the enemy for us!"
Since when did "enemies" go out of their way to send people who couldn’t access classified intel, yet spent their days solving technical problems, advancing research, and boosting local industry?
Others shared her disbelief, especially those who’d worked with Yan Xue since Chengshui. Some, quicker on the uptake, even recalled Wu Xingde’s probing questions the day before.
Lang Yue'e pressed her lips together, Guo Chang'an's gaze darkened, and Zhou Wenhui clenched her fists so tightly her entire body trembled faintly.
As the items confiscated from Yan Xue's office were stacked and carried away, and Yan Xue herself was about to be taken into custody, Zhou Wenhui couldn't help but step forward. "Where are you taking her?"
Lang Yue'e also struggled to maintain her composure. "You're just the inspection team—you don’t have the authority for this, do you?"
One after another, they all tried to intervene, all speaking up for Yan Xue. This took Wu Xingde by surprise. Were these people not afraid of getting themselves into trouble?
Yan Xue hadn’t expected such a passionate reaction either. There were too many unknowns, and she hadn’t given anyone a heads-up beforehand.
Yet, with the heavy label of "enemy spy" being slapped on her, not a single person chose self-preservation. A warmth spread through her heart, and she turned back to reassure them, "I’ll be fine."
She added firmly, "The inspection team can’t wrong the innocent. If they find no evidence, they’ll clear Qi Fang and me."
Finally, she glanced at Guo Chang'an. "While I’m gone, I’ll leave the center in your hands."
Guo Chang'an said nothing, but the moment she was taken away, he immediately entered Yan Xue’s office and called Qu Mingli.
Reasoning with these people was pointless. Guo Chang'an had also noticed Yan Xue’s brief pause, her eyes lingering on the office phone.
As he dialed and concisely explained the situation, the others finally caught on. "We should inform Secretary Qu."
Yan Xue and Qi Fang were key contributors to the bureau—how could they just be arrested and slandered like this?
One quick-thinking individual had been trailing the inspection team to observe. "They’re heading toward the guesthouse, not the committee office."
Wu Xingde would never take them to the committee office. A strong dragon couldn’t suppress a local serpent—there, control of the situation might slip from his grasp.
As inspectors sent from above, they requisitioned the forestry bureau’s guesthouse without resistance.
Soon, Yan Xue was led into a room. The door shut, and guards stood posted outside the windows, an invisible pressure weighing down on her.
Her wristwatch had been confiscated, leaving her unaware of time’s passage. She only faintly heard another flurry of footsteps outside, entering a separate room—likely where Qi Fang was being held.
Then the interrogation began. The man who entered even rolled up his sleeves. "You’d better confess everything you’ve done."
The threat was clear: if her answers didn’t satisfy them, they wouldn’t hesitate to resort to force.
As for Qi Fang, Wu Xingde didn’t even plan to question him. He grabbed a chair the moment he entered, ready to beat him first and talk later.
But just as he raised it, heavy footsteps echoed outside—Qu Mingli had arrived.
Qu Mingli wasn’t alone. He’d brought the bureau’s security team, each armed with rifles, lining the hallway.
Wu Xingde’s face immediately darkened, while Qu Mingli remained stern. "Uncovering enemy spies is a serious matter. I worried the inspection team might be short-handed, so I brought reinforcements."
With that, he ordered two security officers inside to stand guard on either side of Qi Fang. "Keep watch. Make sure no harm comes to our comrades from the inspection team."
It seemed like they were guarding against Qi Fang suddenly turning violent, but anyone with half a brain could tell they were actually preventing the inspection team from resorting to forced confessions.
Wu Xingde couldn’t help but adjust his glasses. "That won’t be necessary. Our inspection team was carefully selected by higher authorities. We have experience handling these matters."
What he really meant was a reminder to Qu Mingli that they were sent by higher-ups, implying Qu Mingli shouldn’t interfere.
But Qu Mingli acted as if he didn’t understand. "Since I’m here, I might as well hear what’s going on. How is it that our bureau suddenly has two enemy spies?"
His words were polite but firm, clearly displeased with the inspection team’s sudden move.
He didn’t just intervene on Qi Fang’s side—he also showed up during Yan Xue’s interrogation, making the inspection team frown. Was the Changshan County Forestry Bureau really this bold?
Before they could say anything, another group arrived—this time, representatives from the Changshan County Committee. "We heard there’s a report about enemy spies. How could such a major issue not be brought to our attention?"
Compared to the inspection team, the Committee was the proper authority for such matters. The inspection team bypassing them was practically a snub.
The fact that they arrived so quickly suggested they’d been tipped off immediately—whether by Qu Mingli or Qi Fang was unclear.
Yan Xue glanced at Qu Mingli and noticed genuine surprise in his eyes. If it wasn’t an act, then Qi Fang must have been the one who alerted them. After all, Qu Mingli would’ve needed time to mobilize the security team and might not have had the chance.
Now, with one side turning into three, Wu Xingde had little room for underhanded tactics. He had no choice but to proceed with a formal interrogation, examining the items seized from the two suspects’ workplaces and homes.
He specifically instructed the inspectors to look for any inappropriate remarks or valuable possessions in their households.
The former, if found, could be exaggerated into something serious. The latter could also be twisted into accusations.
But there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Aside from two watches, Yan Xue and Qi Fang’s homes only had a radio and a bicycle—and the radio was homemade.
This was surprising, considering Qi Fang was a seventh-grade engineer with a substantial salary, and Yan Xue was the manager of the cultivation center, holding considerable authority.
Power often bred corruption, so Wu Xingde ordered an investigation into whether Yan Xue had abused her position for personal gain. Again, nothing.
Not only had she never misused her authority, but she also had an excellent reputation. As the questioning went on, people even spoke up in her defense, urging the inspectors to get to the truth.
After days of digging, Wu Xingde came up empty-handed. It was as if the two had known he was coming and scrubbed everything clean in advance.
But how? The inspection team’s roster hadn’t been made public, and the day he arrived wouldn’t have given them enough time to prepare so thoroughly.
With no progress, the pressure gradually shifted from Qi Fang and Yan Xue to Wu Xingde himself.
Qu Mingli was diplomatic—never saying anything outright, ensuring all accommodations were impeccable. The Committee, however, was less restrained.
"Weren’t we told there were enemy spies? After all these days of investigation, what have you found? Or are you just using this as an excuse to overstay your welcome?"
"Maybe they’re after money. Everyone knows the Changshan Forestry Bureau grows mushrooms—they’re loaded."
The more they talked, the more plausible it sounded. After all, why target Yan Xue and her husband if not for their wealth?
Moreover, the couple had been living in Changshan County for so many years—why had no one reported them before, only for accusations to surface the moment the inspection team arrived?
No wonder they bypassed the committee. They were probably afraid that once the committee got involved, there’d be nothing left to gain.
Resentment simmered beneath the surface, and impatience began to show. After yet another fruitless investigation, the committee urged them to release the individuals immediately.
"Most likely a false accusation—there’s no evidence at all. Comrades, let’s not waste any more time on this," someone remarked.
Within the inspection team, dissenting voices emerged. "Aren’t we here to liaise with local authorities? How many days have we spent on this? Shouldn’t we move on to the other areas?"
Others phrased it more diplomatically: "Why not leave this to the local committee and proceed to the next location? Our main tasks are waiting."
Even if unspoken, everyone could guess the truth behind that anonymous letter.
The female comrade had addressed Wu Xingde as "senior brother" upon meeting, and Wu Xingde had immediately set a trap for her.
But Wu Xingde had connections, and since his schemes didn’t target them, they turned a blind eye, pretending ignorance.
Yet if he wanted to exploit the situation to target someone, he should at least produce some concrete results. Dragging out the investigation over personal grudges and delaying their schedule—what was the point?
Wu Xingde himself was frustrated. If not for Qu Mingli’s interference and the committee’s meddling, he would’ve fabricated something by now, even if there was nothing to find.
Now, stuck in this limbo—unable to make progress yet unwilling to let go—he felt nothing but irritation.
Ultimately, it was the Changshan County Forestry Bureau’s secretary who was to blame—too bold, too meddlesome. Wu Xingde had dropped hints about his background, but the man acted oblivious.
Left with no choice, Wu Xingde made a call back home, hoping to find out if Secretary Qu had any influential backing—someone who could apply pressure from above.
But the call went unanswered.
He tried again after a while—still no answer.
By the sixth attempt, he realized something was wrong. His brother-in-law was unreachable…
