"Has the Discipline Inspection Commission not made any moves yet?"
Director Lu stood with his hands on his hips, his rotund belly particularly conspicuous. His face bore an expression of impatience—without putting Lu Wei in his place, he couldn’t even enjoy his meals.
"Don’t rush, Director. It hasn’t been long since the letter was taken back. It’ll take some time before there’s any news."
Director Lu took a sip of tea to suppress his agitation. If it weren’t for the fact that this was his brother-in-law, he would’ve already started cursing.
"How can I not be anxious? The first time Director Nan made a move, she summoned six town Party secretaries. Only one escaped unscathed—the rest were disciplined, and the worst had their hides stripped clean. That woman has the military district and the Discipline Inspection Commission backing her. She strikes hard."
Director Lu could easily imagine that if the town secretaries didn’t yield, she wouldn’t hesitate to clean house. Given the current situation, the rise of the Discipline Inspection Commission in Qingjiang County was unstoppable.
Other departments had even discreetly inquired whether they should send gifts to Director Nan to curry favor—some had even asked him directly.
But this was the Discipline Inspection Commission. Without knowing Director Nan’s temperament, who would dare send her gifts? They might as well hand themselves over to the authorities.
"I shouldn’t have pinned my hopes on Secretary Cao. He definitely doesn’t plan to clash head-on with Director Nan."
Director Lu’s brother-in-law added, "Secretary Cao is also a military man. Who knows, they might even have a good relationship behind the scenes. Otherwise, the Discipline Inspection Commission’s work wouldn’t be going so smoothly."
After over an hour, news finally arrived.
"Director, Lu Wei is here!"
Director Lu was surprised. "Has he come to surrender?"
This was truly unexpected. A smug expression crept onto Director Lu’s face. "Let him in. If he’s finally admitting his mistakes at this point, I’ll make sure to teach him a proper lesson."
This might even work out better. Having Lu Wei personally explain the recent incident with Aunt Zhuang’s protest to the Discipline Inspection Commission would carry more weight.
His subordinate awkwardly clarified, "Director, Lu Wei isn’t outside. He… he went to attend the Discipline Inspection Commission’s member screening!"
"What?!"
Director Lu was genuinely shocked this time. "He’s missing a hand, and they’re letting him into the Discipline Inspection Commission? What kind of joke is this?"
His brother-in-law, however, had a different take. "Maybe Director Nan is going easy on him because of his military background."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. If that stubborn fool made it into the Discipline Inspection Commission, would the Grain Bureau still have peaceful days ahead?
"No, I need to meet this Director Nan and see what she’s really planning."
Over at the Discipline Inspection Commission, Lu Wei, seated in a chair, still found the situation surreal. Him—Lu Wei, a rough-around-the-edges guy with barely any education—joining such a prestigious department?
"Hello, Comrade Lu Wei. Please give us a brief introduction of yourself."
Though retired from the military, Lu Wei had kept up with daily training, and his bearing still carried the discipline of a soldier. Even seated, his posture was ramrod straight.
"Greetings, leaders. My name is Lu Wei. I previously worked at the Grain Bureau. My education level is junior high school, and I’m twenty-three years old."
Damn, he had nothing else to say. If this went on, he’d end up introducing his parents, wife, and kids’ ages…
Luo Xiaoxuan and Su Jie exchanged glances. What on earth was the director thinking? This guy’s profile didn’t meet the Discipline Inspection Commission’s recruitment standards at all. Once his documents were submitted, they’d surely be rejected.
Lu Wei waited for further questions, but Su Jie simply said, "You’ve passed the first round of screening. Wait outside. The director will conduct the second round when she has time."
Lu Wei was baffled. Was the Discipline Inspection Commission so short-staffed they’d take someone with a junior high education?
But he had no choice but to comply. The Grain Bureau was a mess, and as the family’s main breadwinner, he couldn’t afford to be jobless.
As he stepped out, he ran straight into Director Lu, who stopped in his tracks and remarked with a loaded tone, "So you really are here? Guess you’ve climbed up in the world."
Lu Wei was sick of this fatso. All Director Lu did was eat, drink, and laze around, his belly so bloated it practically advertised where he worked.
If this were the barracks, he’d have pounded this guy into mincemeat long ago—always talking in that snide tone.
So he simply replied, "Yep."
Director Lu was fuming. Who was the boss here? Every time, this guy just responded with a "yep." Infuriated, he turned and knocked on the door.
To show respect for Nan Sheng, he didn’t barge in after knocking. But when there was no response after a while, he knocked again—a second time, then a third.
Finally, someone opened the door. As it swung open, an irritated voice snapped from inside, "Knock, knock, knock—do you not have hands to open the door yourself?"
Faced with Director Lu’s stunned expression, Liu Song displayed impeccable professionalism, as if those words had never been uttered. "Director Lu, please come in."
Nan Sheng’s desk was piled with documents. She glanced up, utterly unapologetic about being caught mid-rant.
"Director Nan, I’ve long admired your reputation!"
Nan Sheng briefly shook his hand before withdrawing, her impatience still evident.
"Director Lu, what brings you here?"
Not seeing any complaint letters on the desk, Director Lu hesitated to bring it up directly. Instead, he said, "I heard Lu Wei was fortunate enough to attend the screening today, so I came to check on the situation. He used to work under me."
Nan Sheng had Liu Song summon Lu Wei back in. Then, addressing both men, she asked, "Director Lu, what’s your assessment of Lu Wei? Is he diligent in his work? Would he be a good fit for the Discipline Inspection Commission?"
Director Lu’s mind raced. Since the complaint letter hadn’t been discovered yet, badmouthing Lu Wei now might provoke him into airing dirty laundry—a disaster.
But praising him? That was unbearable!
Gritting his teeth, Director Lu forced out, "Lu Wei is… quite responsible in his work."
Nan Sheng seemed to take his words at face value. "Well, with Director Lu’s endorsement, Lu Wei, you can skip the second round. You’re directly entering the probation period. Prepare yourself and report for duty tomorrow."
Director Lu wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him. Did his opinion carry so much weight with Director Nan?
"Director Nan, isn’t this too hasty? Shouldn’t we be more cautious with appointments?"
"No need. Director Lu has years of experience—I trust your judgment in people. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to." She gestured toward the door.
Once the two were ushered out, Director Lu’s mood was already foul. Then Lu Wei, never one to hold back, added salt to the wound: "Even if you spoke up for me, don’t expect my thanks."
Once he was in the Discipline Inspection Commission, the first thing he’d do was expose the rot in the Grain Bureau.
