After the military district personnel left, Cao Guoxiang was so furious that he tore off his cap.
Brimming with resentment, he openly confronted Ou Yaosheng in front of everyone, tearing their relationship apart.
"Ou Yaosheng, has your brain gone on vacation? How dare you send people to tail a military battalion commander? If they had shot you, you’d have deserved it! Don’t drag me down with you—handle this mess yourself. If higher-ups ask, I’ll tell them the truth!"
Ou Yaosheng had never felt so humiliated since becoming the Revolutionary Committee director. Today, he’d been chewed out like dirt.
He glanced at the two half-dead idiots lying on the ground, feeling utterly helpless. He’d told them to monitor Nan Sheng, not her husband. How was he supposed to clean up this disaster?
Before he could think of a solution, a staff member rushed in anxiously.
"Secretary Cao, both the provincial and municipal Party secretaries have called, demanding you call them back immediately!"
"Director Ou, the provincial and municipal Revolutionary Committees have also called, ordering you to respond at once!"
Cao Guoxiang shot Ou Yaosheng a glare before striding back to his office. His assistant watched as the man’s once-upright posture gradually slumped.
The phone call lasted thirty minutes—twenty-nine of which were spent being berated. In the final minute, he was finally allowed to explain. When the higher-ups learned he wasn’t involved, they snapped,
"Then why didn’t you say so earlier?!"
And hung up.
Cao Guoxiang: …
Damn it, I would’ve if you’d given me a chance!
Did you even let me speak?!
Ou Yaosheng was similarly torn to shreds. The military district saw this as a direct provocation.
They warned that if the Revolutionary Committee failed to provide a satisfactory resolution within a day, the military would storm the county government and arrest everyone involved under suspicion of espionage.
"Ou Yaosheng, do you realize how severely this will impact our work? Resolve this within 24 hours, or you can forget about keeping your position as county director!"
Ou Yaosheng took a deep breath, forced to comply.
"Rest assured, leadership. I will handle this matter."
After hanging up, he rubbed his temples in frustration. Though he didn’t believe in superstitions, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Nan Sheng was cursed—anyone who crossed her ended up doomed.
"Transfer the call to the town government’s Revolutionary Committee office immediately!"
His only option now was to humble himself before Nan Sheng to appease the military’s wrath.
At the town committee office, Nan Sheng was alone, having sent everyone else out to work while she enjoyed a blissful nap.
The ringing phone startled her awake. Still groggy, she slapped her own cheek to jolt herself upright before answering.
"Hello! This is the Sanwei Town Revolutionary Committee office!"
"Director Nan, this is Ou Yaosheng!"
Still half-asleep?
"Hello, Director Nan. I’m Ou Yaosheng, calling to sincerely apologize for my reckless actions. I hope you can forgive me."
Nan Sheng hung up immediately, wondering if this was some bizarre dream-within-a-dream. Just as she was about to slump back onto the desk, the phone rang again.
She shook her foggy head and picked up once more.
"Director Nan, I offer my deepest apologies for having you followed. Please grant me a chance to correct this mistake."
After a lengthy spiel, Nan Sheng finally grasped the situation: Ou Yaosheng had sent people to tail her, hoping to dig up dirt, only for Lin Han to catch them and drag them to the military district for punishment.
Now, under pressure from the military, Ou Yaosheng was begging for mercy. Aware the call was likely monitored, Nan Sheng played along.
"Director Ou, I’ve only just learned of this. Let me look into it tonight. However, since the military leadership is already involved, I can’t guarantee a resolution."
Ou Yaosheng thanked her profusely. "I’m grateful for your magnanimity, Director Nan. I’ll await your update!"
The moment she hung up, Secretary Cai barged in, beaming. "Director Nan, have you heard? Ou Yaosheng’s in deep trouble!"
Nan Sheng pointed at the phone. "He just called, begging for help."
Secretary Cai studied her with newfound awe. He was thoroughly impressed—Ou Yaosheng had clashed with her days ago, and now he was already crumbling. Such swift retaliation!
"Director Nan, I’m in awe. Under your leadership, Sanwei Town will surely become a nationally recognized model!"
Time to pledge loyalty—no hesitation!
Nan Sheng sighed at his implication. "This really wasn’t me. He brought it on himself by spying."
She’d just taken a nap, and suddenly Ou Yaosheng was collapsing. Even she felt it was surreal.
Secretary Cai mimed zipping his lips, grinning obsequiously. "I understand! Of course!"
At day’s end, Lin Han was already waiting outside. Secretary Cai made a point of walking out with Nan Sheng and greeting him.
"Ah, Battalion Commander Lin! Here to pick up Director Nan again? The two of you are so devoted!"
The thought of Ou Yaosheng’s impending doom filled him with glee. This wasn’t just a battalion commander—this was a savior!
Lin Han exchanged pleasantries before driving his wife home.
Nan Sheng pinched her husband’s arm teasingly. "Quite the silent operator, Battalion Commander Lin. Ou Yaosheng’s already groveling."
Whether from the praise or the pinch, Lin Han’s ears turned red. Worried she might relent, he urged,
"Don’t let Ou Yaosheng off. His methods are too underhanded."
Nan Sheng agreed. "I know. The call was monitored, so I played neutral. You handle the rest—make sure to solve this ‘big problem’ for your wife properly."
"Absolutely."
No question about it.
The next morning, Ou Yaosheng was already at the town government, intercepting them at the entrance. Ignoring onlookers, he bowed deeply in apology.
"Director Nan, Battalion Commander Lin, I was wrong. Truly. Please forgive me—it was all for the sake of work. I swear it won’t happen again."
Nan Sheng played her part, feigning helplessness. "I’d prefer to settle this quietly, but the military leadership insists on handling it. My hands are tied, Director Ou. My apologies."
For two hours, Ou Yaosheng pleaded pathetically, Nan Sheng acted conflicted, and Lin Han remained stone-hearted.
No matter how much he begged, the couple didn’t budge. Nan Sheng even had tea served to him, as if to say, "Save your breath—it’s pointless."
When Ou Yaosheng finally left, he shot Nan Sheng a venomous glare, as if wishing he could devour her alive.
Lin Han instantly drew his pistol, pressing it against Ou Yaosheng’s forehead. The government staff froze in terror.
"Try laying a finger on her," Lin Han said icily.
The weapon was no joke—it could blow a man’s skull apart. Ou Yaosheng paled, his legs wobbling as he retreated.
