Special Forces Medic-Chapter 688 - 652: Betrayal
"You can leave now." Yao Juanjuan dismissed the secretary and sat back in her chair. "What is the purpose of Secretary Luo's visit? If it's about my husband, I think there's nothing to discuss between us."
The opening was straightforward, and she overwhelmed him with her aura. "It's not entirely about Director Han. After all, Hengfei is a company heavily promoted by the city committee. Can't I come to inspect it?"
"Hengfei has always had smooth cooperation with the government. If Secretary Luo is here for that reason, then I will arrange a negotiator to accompany you on a tour." Yan Juanjuan was about to pick up the phone to dial the internal line.
"Hehe!" Secretary Luo let out a couple of dry laughs. He was not in a hurry to stop Yan Juanjuan's actions, just calmly spoke a sentence, making the other party pause. "If President Yan maintains this attitude, then there's nothing left for us to discuss. If we handle this strictly according to official procedures, who do you think has a higher chance of winning, you as a private enterprise, or the government? Fighting with bare hands won't lead to mutual destruction; can Hengfei ever be bigger than the state?"
Yan Juanjuan, wearing glasses, scrutinized Secretary Luo through the lenses that had been polished to a bright shine. She was looking for a breakthrough point. The secretary's visit today was clearly not friendly. The dazed look in Secretary Luo's eyes was undoubtedly caused by his previous statement, causing him to burst into laughter.
"President Yan, I hope our conversation today will be harmonious and cooperative." At this point, he flashed an innocent smile for having used the word cooperative.
"Naturally!" Yan Juanjuan conveyed through the intercom for the secretary to bring two cups of coffee. "Secretary Luo, shall we chat on the sofa?"
The biggest difference between freshly brewed coffee and instant coffee lies in the taste. Although Yan Juanjuan was not an outstanding woman, she was certainly a woman who knew how to enjoy life. Presumably, she had a good barista employed in this building.
"Does Secretary Luo like black coffee?"
"Not really, but this cup is just right in time and temperature, with bitterness that leaves a lingering taste. If you add sugar or milk, you can't enjoy the pure flavor." Secretary Luo spoke matter-of-factly.
"It seems Secretary Luo also loves coffee. But for people like us, who don't know when a sudden incident may occur while still having to figure out how to support our families, a good cup of coffee is indeed indispensable for the brain." Yan Juanjuan's suddenly softened tone made Secretary Luo smile as he raised his coffee cup.
"President Yan, as a strong woman, you surely have it tough. Although I have one question which is unclear, given your position as the head of Hengfei, why don't you personally negotiate with the government? Isn't it too rash to entrust such an important matter to your subordinates?"
"I don't want people to misunderstand it as being due to Han Fei's connections. After all, having a husband who is a police chief, relying on such connections is not pleasant to hear, and it would also lead to misunderstandings that Han Fei is pulling strings behind the scenes." As soon as Yan Juanjuan mentioned Han Fei, her eyes immediately reddened.
"Take heart in the changes, this is not the time for sadness." Secretary Luo did not shy away from the topic of Han Fei; he put down his cup. A good cup of coffee is not about slowly savoring it, but drinking it all before it cools down.
"Doesn't Secretary Luo still allow people to be sentimental?" Pretending to be fragile is merely pretense; even this moment of softness is just a feigned weakness.
"Earlier at the North Palace, because District Chief Yao was there, I could not say much, but today I ask President Yao for an honest explanation—what are your true thoughts concerning Han Fei?"
"I still want a complete explanation." Yao Juanjuan's answer made Secretary Luo shake his head in disappointment. "What? Does Secretary Luo think I should just keep my mouth shut about it?"
"It seems President Yan really doesn't know. Didn't District Chief Yao tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"There are signs of embezzlement and bribery during Han Fei's term. There's an underground pharmaceutical factory in the North District. Do you know about this?"
"I don't!" The reply was straightforward, and in his mind, Secretary Luo noted it down against Yan Juanjuan.
"As a police chief of the North District, failing to report multiple murder cases occurring under his jurisdiction to the city bureau is a dereliction of duty! Moreover, these murder cases are all related to the underground pharmaceutical factory."
"How could this be?" Yan Juanjuan opened her mouth wide in disbelief, shaking her head. "It's impossible; it must have been the people below. Han Fei has always been a just and law-abiding person. He couldn't possibly have done such things."
"The city committee hopes that's not the case either, but according to the existing evidence, most of it points to Han Fei. I have handed over the relevant content to District Chief Yao, who was also shocked by this and wants to investigate the matter thoroughly."
"He never mentioned it to me, not at all." Gritting her teeth, Yan Juanjuan forced out these words.
"I think he might not want to tell you the truth when you are in such a state of emotion. If President Yan has any clues, I hope you proactively report them to the city committee."
"Alas!" Yan Juanjuan sighed, looking as if she wanted to say something but stopped.
"President Yan may speak frankly; if this is discovered after the fact, it might directly impact your reputation."
"Actually, the relationship between Han Fei and me has long been just in name. In others' eyes, we still appear so loving, but in reality, it is merely for show."
"Oh? What happened? Outside, you two are seen as model partners."
"Han Fei has a woman outside and rarely comes home, and what's more, he has an illegitimate child." Yan Juanjuan stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "For the sake of face and our son, we never divorced. He goes his way, I go mine, so I don't know much about his affairs."
"Well..." This outcome was unexpected; surprising yet irrefutable, because relationships between spouses are personal matters. Questioning her honesty seems pointless—what woman would malign herself in this way? If she's trying to distance herself, it's possible; with the evidence dead and buried, where could the truth be found?
Seeing Secretary Luo deep in thought, Yan Juanjuan spoke unreservedly. "Secretary Luo, I hope you don't disclose this matter. No matter what, Han Fei is my husband and the father of my child. The public censure is too much to bear for him, though I can handle it, it would be hard on the child."
"Does District Chief Yao know about this secret?"
"He only knows that we often quarrel."
"President Yan has a good relationship with District Chief Yao, huh!"
"What does Secretary Luo mean by this?"
"Nothing! President Yan, you're overthinking it." With no further discussion, the conversation remained stagnant. Secretary Luo got up from the sofa. "For today, I'll take my leave. Please think back on any peculiarities regarding Han Fei or his associations."
"Leaving already?" Yan Juanjuan stared unusually at Secretary Luo.
"Personally, I'm quite particular about feng shui. I wonder if President Yan has studied it?"
"What do you mean?"
"The location of Hengfei Building could be considered ominous. If I were you, I would handle this site as soon as possible to avoid adverse impacts." Secretary Luo deliberately moved closer to Yan Juanjuan. "Are you familiar with the term 'Heaven's Slash'? Some say it's a natural phenomenon set by Heaven to punish wrongdoers, and you just happen to be in the midst of it."
"Secretary Luo, are you promoting superstitious beliefs?" Yan Juanjuan feigned composure as she adjusted her glasses. "We in business, although we care about feng shui, I naturally fear no evil and can suppress even the restless spirits."
"Haha, of course, President Yan can choose not to heed my words. However, you might want to think carefully if there have been any unknown occurrences at Hengfei in recent years?"
"Our work at Hengfei is always aboveboard, never engaging in underhanded dealings. Secretary Luo is welcome to investigate." Yan Juanjuan lowered her voice, her face reflecting indomitable resolve. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
"Oh yes, last time at the North Palace, District Chief Yao mentioned something about a dead person under the bridge. Are you aware of this?"
"He was trying to scare you, and..." Noticing the malicious smile on Secretary Luo's face, Yan Juanjuan realized she had misspoken. But having already spoken, it's like spilled water, impossible to retrieve.
As Secretary Luo fell into contemplation, Yan Juanjuan did not hesitate. "Secretary Luo, I hope you won't discuss this matter. After all, Han Fei is my husband, the father of my child. We can't bear the brunt of public opinion. I'm not worried, but it would be hard on the child."
"Does District Chief Yao know about your situation?"
"He just knows that we often quarrel."
"President Yan seems to have a good relationship with District Chief Yao!"
"What does Secretary Luo mean by this?"
"It means nothing! President Yan, you may be overthinking." There was no further content, the talk continuously circled around the same point. Secretary Luo stood up from the sofa. "I'll take my leave for now. Regarding any unusual behaviors or associations of Han Fei, if President Yan recalls any, I hope you will actively report to the city committee."
"Leaving so soon?" Yan Juanjuan looked oddly at Secretary Luo.
"As someone who believes in feng shui, I would quickly deal with this place if I were you, lest it brings disaster." Secretary Luo added. "President Yan, has there been any unrecognized incidents at Hengfei?"
"We at Hengfei always conduct our business above board, and there has never been anything unrecognized or questionable. However, should anything come to light regarding changes or unhandled matters, I assure you the city committee will be informed." Secretary Luo gave a gracious nod, acknowledging that the meeting was about to conclude.
"Oh yes, at the North Palace, District Chief Yao mentioned something about that underground pharmaceutical factory. Are you aware of this?"
"No, I am not," responded Yan Juanjuan crisply, not bothering to hide her disdain. Secretary Luo made a mental note of this response from Yan Juanjuan.
"For a police chief in the North District, it's dereliction of duty for multiple murders within the jurisdiction to go unreported to the city bureau. Furthermore, these incidents are all connected to the underground pharmaceutical factory."
"How can this be?" Yan Juanjuan doubted, her mouth wide with shock as she shook her head. "That's impossible, it must be something done by his subordinates; Han Fei has always been a law-abiding person, he couldn't possibly have done such things."
"The city committee also hopes that is not the case, but most of the existing evidence points to Han Fei. I have already handed over the relevant information to District Chief Yao. He was taken aback and is intent on thoroughly investigating the matter."
"He never mentioned it to me, not even a little bit." Yan Juanjuan was practically gritting her teeth as she spoke these words.
"I think he might have not wanted to tell you the truth because of your emotions. If President Yan has any clues, I hope you will report them to the city committee voluntarily."
"Sigh!" Yan Juanjuan sighed, looking as if she was on the verge of saying something but couldn't quite manage to get it out.
"President Yan, feel free to speak freely. If anything is discovered later, it might directly affect your reputation."
"Actually, the relationship between Han Fei and me has long been merely in name only. To others, our marriage seemed loving, but it was just for show."
"Oh? What is the reason? People outside look up to your marriage."
"Han Fei has someone else outside and seldom comes home. And, what's more, he has an illegitimate child." Yan Juanjuan got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "For the sake of face and our child, we never divorced, but he lives his life and I live mine, so I don't know much about his affairs."
"I didn't expect such an outcome, utterly surprising. But how can one dispute her answer—what woman would speak of herself this way unless she wanted to dissociate herself from the facts? However, now there is no evidence of death; where would you question her?"
Once Secretary Luo was deep in thought, Yan Juanjuan also did not hold back. "Secretary Luo, I hope you don't spread this matter. After all, Han Fei is still my husband and the father of my child. We can't bear the brunt of social opinions. I have nothing to lose, but it would be really tough on the child."
"Does District Chief Yao know about your hidden troubles?"
"He only knows we often quarrel."
"President Yan seems to have a good relationship with District Chief Yao!"
"What does Secretary Luo mean by this?"
"It's nothing, President Yan, you're overanalyzing it." Without anything further to add, the conversation remained stagnant. Secretary Luo stood up from the sofa. "I will take my leave for today. Please think carefully about any suspicious activities or associations Han Fei might have had. If President Yan recalls anything, I hope you will report it to the city committee proactively."
"Leaving already?" Yan Juanjuan stared at Secretary Luo in surprise.
"Indeed, I'm leaving for now. Regarding Han Fei's daily activities or any unusual associates, should anything come to mind, I hope you will inform the city committee." Secretary Luo stood up from the large office chair. Hua Muyun thought finding a point of agreement between the two of them might allow him to feel that Yao Zheng is more suitable. This woman still had some reservations.
After Secretary Luo left, Yan Juanjuan could no longer maintain her composure. She dialed Yao Zheng's number, but it showed he was out of service area, and each subsequent call yielded the same result. Yan Juanjuan tossed her phone down in frustration and sat staring out of the window.
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