Chapter 52 Sights and Sounds of Returning Home

Working at the Discipline Inspection Commission is entirely different from being in the Comprehensive Division.

The Department of Economic Decision-Making was all about policy simulations and project coordination, always bustling with noise. Every day, people argued over proposals in the conference rooms, and you could frequently run into colleagues rushing down the corridors clutching documents. But here in the Discipline Inspection Commission, it was dead silent.

There were no high-profile grand plans. The files piled on the desks contained only rows of chilling numbers, the evasive and cautious details muttered by witnesses, and a mountain of lies fabricated by rule-breakers.

Not a single person who ended up in the investigation chair was simple. They had all spent a dozen or even decades at their posts, their minds as intricate as fine-meshed sieves, seasoned with vast experience and supreme cunning.

The networks of connections behind them were tangled like a ball of yarn; touch one thread, and you might accidentally drag down a whole string of people. Take a single wrong step, and at best, the investigative trail would go cold; at worst, you would startle the prey and leave yourself vulnerable to a counterattack.

Li Yifei was acutely aware that in this line of work, acting on sheer impulse or letting arrogance cloud your judgment were fatal flaws. Only by maintaining utter composure, keeping a sharp and agile mind, and being able to see through people's hidden ulterior motives could one manage to stand firm.

He reined in his distractions, acting like a thirsty sponge, desperately absorbing everything around him. The catalog of "basic case files" given by Director Ling Tianming was not only read through as requested, but he chewed over it page by page, line by line, thoroughly dissecting the mechanics hidden within.

Did the grounds for filing a case hold water? Was the chain of evidence watertight, without a single loophole? Among the interrogation transcripts, which statements were true, and which ones were evasive detours concealing the truth? Where should the peripheral investigation begin so as not to alert the other party?

Like someone solving a puzzle, he worked backward from closed case files: What had the investigators been thinking back then? Where had they stumbled? And how had they bypassed those obstacles?

He also quietly observed his colleagues. When Team Leader Zhang Mingyuan conducted interviews, he sounded as casual as if he were just making small talk, his tone relaxed and loose, yet every single sentence carried a hidden hook. Within two or three remarks, he could back a person into a corner with nowhere left to hide.

The veteran investigators examined bank statements with eyes like scanners; the exact moment a transfer looked wrong or an amount seemed bizarre could be instantly flagged.

The administrative staff organized evidence with folders stacked impeccably, ensuring even the edges of the paper were perfectly aligned without the slightest trace of sloppiness. All of this he observed and committed to memory, devouring the knowledge hungrily like a starving person at a feast.

Three months passed just like that. The rustling sound of turning pages in case files and the clicking sound of keyboards became the most familiar background noises in the office. Li Yifei operated like a silent machine—running fast and making no fuss.

He did not care for office gossip, rarely volunteered his own opinions, and simply buried his head in his assigned tasks—mostly sorting case files, archiving materials, and performing preliminary data filtering. Yet his remarkable composure and his rapid pace of learning did not escape Ling Tianming's notice.

That director, whom subordinates secretly nicknamed "The Dark-Faced Deity," would occasionally pass by Li Yifei's workstation and catch him frowning deeply over thick case files, or swiftly pulling out key pieces of evidence from a messy pile of documents. A fleeting, imperceptible glimmer of approval would cross his sharp eyes.

There were plenty of clever people around, but clever people who could quickly tuck away their sharpness in a place like this, calm their minds, chew through tough bones, and build a solid foundation were truly rare.

The National Day golden week was fast approaching, and the atmosphere within the government offices grew relaxed. Having arrived only three months ago, Li Yifei was still a newcomer and unqualified to participate in high-stakes cases. With the rare holiday finally here, his heart was already flying home. The last time he went back for the Spring Festival, the chubby little face of his younger sister, Li Mengmeng, and the way she milkily called out "Elder Brother" made him smile involuntarily whenever he thought of it.

He packed his luggage simply, bid farewell to the quadrangle courtyard in Shichahai where he lived, and hailed a cab to the airport.

After half a day of travel, he finally caught the familiar earthy scent of his hometown. Pushing open the front door, the aroma of home-cooked food mingled with the warm indoor lighting instantly enveloped him.

Both of his parents were home. His father, Old Li, sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, his mother bustled about in the kitchen, and his younger sister, Li Mengmeng, sat obediently at her small desk, practicing her handwriting stroke by stroke.

There was none of the heavy financial anxiety that plagued his family in his past life, nor the troublesome rebellious phase his sister later went through regarding her studies. This lifetime's home was warm, brimming with the genuine, earthy atmosphere of everyday life.

"Our son is back!" Jiang舒兰 (Jiang Shulan) peered out from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion, her apron still untied, a radiant smile stretching across her face. "Are you tired? Sit down and rest for a moment! Have you been busy with work?"

"Mom, I'm not tired." Li Yifei smiled as he set down his luggage and reached out to ruffle the hair of his little sister who had trotted over. "It's mostly just studying and handling some documents, nothing too bad."

He did not elaborate to his parents about his transfer to the First Supervision Division, vaguely claiming to be a minor staff member in a "policy research" department—a peripheral bureau with no real power.

Being honest, down-to-earth folk, his parents had little concept of government departments in the capital; they simply felt that for their son to secure an "iron rice bowl" in Beijing, live a stable life, and not lack for money, was the greatest blessing imaginable.

"Brother, look at my handwriting!" Mengmeng held up her exercise book, thrusting it forward like someone presenting a prized treasure.

"You write so well! Much better than your big brother did at your age!" Li Yifei praised her sincerely. Watching his sister's healthy and clever appearance, his heart softened completely.

The dinner table was filled with steaming home-cooked dishes. Jiang Shulan glanced at her son and shifted the topic. "Yifei, now that your work is stable, it's time to start thinking about personal matters. You're already twenty-three, which isn't young anymore around here. Is there a suitable girl? When are you going to bring her home for Mom to see? Don't drag it out; once you hit thirty, it'll only be harder to find someone."

The familiar matchmaking pressure had arrived, and Li Yifei's mouth twitched slightly. Memories of being hounded into a disastrous marriage in his past life instantly surged up. In this lifetime, he had resolved that rather than settling, he would only look for someone compatible, sensible, and capable of mutual support.

"Mom, you can't rush these things; it's all about fate." Li Yifei hurriedly picked up a mouthful of vegetables to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Old Li, who had remained quiet up to this point, put down his chopsticks. A hint of mysterious gravity and a sigh marked his voice as he lowered it. "Son, you're in the capital, so you're well-informed. Have you heard? Things haven't been very peaceful in our county lately."

Li Yifei's heart skipped a beat. "Oh? Dad, what's wrong?"

"Sigh, who else could it be but our Secretary Wei!" Old Li sighed, his tone laced with the helplessness and simmering anger of ordinary citizens. "This matter has spread all over the neighborhood and into the small supermarkets. Secretary Wei has been the county party secretary here for almost eight years! Look at the past few years—those main roads in the county town have been dug up, repaired, dug up again, and repaired again; they've never had a moment of peace! Money flows out like water! And all that landscaping—planting trees one day and ripping them up the next—tossing things back and forth, purely wasting human and material resources!"

He paused, lowering his voice even further with a trace of indignation. "That's not even the main point. The real issue is... abusing his power, he's done plenty of shady things! The ordinary people have immense grievances! I heard... his personal conduct is unruly, and he bullies common folks, too! The one who runs the clothing store on West Street... got screwed over by him, too! When people went to report the situation, not only did they get no answers, but they were given the cold shoulder and targeted behind the scenes! Tell me, what kind of nonsense is that... Look at that, some people were driven to such desperation that they actually ran all the way to Beijing to lodge complaints! And the result? Sigh, word is they were dragged back by county officials who went to 'work on them'..."

Old Li rambled on about these fragmented street rumors, yet they pieced together a rough picture—an overbearing, arrogant cadre who disregarded the common people and tossed the county into chaos.

Li Yifei listened quietly, but his gaze turned icy. The vague memories of his past life suddenly snapped into sharp focus—Secretary Wei, the top official of Duoshui County, had indeed run into trouble in 2013, facing disciplinary and legal actions that landed him over a decade in prison.

The moment he fell, it triggered a domino effect, implicating several senior officials at the municipal and even provincial levels, causing quite a massive uproar! And the timing was right next year!

The fragmented gossip his father spoke of now strung themselves into a straight line in his mind. This wasn't just a story; it was a deeply troubling reality unfolding right now! Moreover, it was happening in his very own hometown!

He recalled the oath he made when he was reborn: no longer to remain a passive bystander, but to use his own capabilities to rectify these vile phenomena!

No longer was he an ordinary person forced to wait on the sidelines just to hear news of punitive measures. He possessed the sharp discernment forged within the Discipline Inspection Commission and was currently working in a crucial position within the First Supervision Division!

A heavy sense of responsibility, coupled with an irrepressible impulse, surged within his chest.

Yet on the surface, he merely smiled faintly, not taking up his father's thread, acting as though he were simply listening to irrelevant gossip. He picked up the spoon and ladled a bowl of soup for his sister. "Mengmeng, drink a bit more soup," he gently guided the conversation past the topic.

Late into the night, the family was fast asleep. Li Yifei lay on his old childhood bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Outside the window lay the dark county town, occasionally broken by the distant barking of dogs. Secretary Wei's potentially hypocritical face, his father's exasperated and helpless tone, and the faces of ordinary citizens suffering injustice spun endlessly in his mind.

Intervene directly? The timing was all wrong. He had only been there for three months and possessed no solid foundation within the Discipline Inspection Commission. Trying to take down a senior local official with deep roots and a dense network of connections would be no different than hitting a stone with an egg, risking alerting the enemy prematurely.

But what about doing nothing? Watch him continue to oppress the common people until he was finally dealt with next year? What about the people suffering right now? The sense of justice burning in his chest was scorching hot.

He needed to figure out how much filth was hidden beneath the surface. His mind immediately went to one person—Mayor Sun Guodong.

He still remembered how Sun Guodong had been running around in frantic anxiety outside the National Development and Reform Commission entrance last time. This man had competence and genuinely wanted to accomplish things. Judging by his father's words, the municipal government seemingly wasn't unaware, but rather "found it difficult to handle"?

What role did Sun Guodong play in this mess? Was he also being obstructed, or did he... know something? More importantly, in his past life, Sun Guodong's name was absent from the list of officials implicated after Secretary Wei's downfall, suggesting he hadn't meddled too deeply or that his stance remained relatively upright.

Li Yifei picked up his phone. After a moment of hesitation, he dialed Sun Guodong's number. He did not mention that he had transferred to the Discipline Inspection Commission, nor did he mention that he was back in his hometown.

"Mayor Sun, are you resting? It's Li Yifei."

Sun Guodong's somewhat surprised voice came through the receiver, quickly turning warm and enthusiastic. "Ah, Yifei! I'm still awake, reviewing materials in the office. What made you think of calling me? Is everything well in the capital?"

"Everything's great, thank you for asking, Mayor Sun." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Yifei shifted the conversation, his tone carrying the casual curiosity of idle gossip. "Mayor Sun, my family mentioned some local affairs back in the county regarding Secretary Wei—the rumors are flying quite wildly. I was just curious and wanted to ask you, is... is this true?" He deliberately feigned a naive tone, as though he had merely "heard things."

Sun Guodong noticeably paused on the other end, and the background sound of rustling papers ceased completely.

When he spoke again, Sun Guodong's voice dropped significantly, carrying the characteristic caution and helplessness of an official in the workplace. "Yifei... about this matter..." He sounded as though he were weighing how to phrase his response. "Sigh, how should I put it? Those rumors circulating among the common people... some are exaggerated, and others... well, there's no smoke without fire."

He let out a heavy sigh. "The municipal government... it's not that we don't know, nor is it that we haven't received reports. But..." Sun Guodong's voice dropped even lower, nearly whispering, "It's simply too difficult to push forward!"

Sun Guodong's words corroborated some of Li Yifei's conjectures while revealing a deeper sense of helplessness and a subtle warning.

"Oh... I see." Li Yifei feigned a sudden realization, his tone carrying the sentiment of "now it all makes sense." "I figured as much; the common folks tend to exaggerate things. Still, this has nothing to do with us policy researchers anyway; I was just listening out of curiosity." He purposely pigeonholed himself into an "unrelated" policy research department.

Sun Guodong seemed to heave a sigh of relief, his tone warming up once more. "Exactly, exactly! Just take it as hearsay and don't take it to heart. Oh, by the way, Yifei, thanks to you for making that introduction last time! Section Chief Zhao was extremely cooperative, and the issues he pointed out were crystal clear! The supplementary materials for our municipal industrial upgrading project have already been resubmitted as requested! Section Chief Zhao said as long as the materials check out, the review process will be fast-tracked! This has been a massive help to Anyin City! Once the approval comes through, I must properly thank you! Whenever you come back to Anyin, make sure to let me know so we can get together!"

"You're being too polite, Mayor Sun; it was only right. Seeing the project advance smoothly benefits my hometown," Li Yifei replied with a smile. "Alright, I'll definitely contact you when I'm back."

Hanging up the phone, the room plunged back into silence. The light from his phone screen cast a shifting glow across Li Yifei's face, brightening and dimming.

Sun Guodong's words hung in his mind like a heavy stone. "Too difficult to push forward"... That phrase echoed continuously in his head.

This wasn't merely the affair of Secretary Wei alone; behind him lay an entrenched web spanning across Anyin City and even Jiang Province!

He walked over to the window and pushed it open. The late autumn night wind blew in, carrying a touch of chill.

In the distance, toward the direction of the County Party Committee compound, a few solitary streetlamps flickered, looking particularly glaring against the pitch-black night, carrying an inexpressible sense of oppression.

The silhouette of the small county town was speckled with thousands of household lights, looking tranquil on the surface; yet underneath churned the suppressed grievances his father spoke of, the helplessness Sun Guodong couldn't voice, and the problems secretly breeding in the dark.

Li Yifei's gaze grew exceptionally bright in the night, resembling a blade tempered in fire. He gently closed the window, shutting the howling wind outside.

Returning to his desk, he spread out a blank sheet of paper, picked up his pen, but kept it hovering for a long time without letting it touch the page.

The paper was completely empty, yet a silent storm was already brewing deep within his heart. Secretary Wei... Anyin City... Jiang Province... Where lay the core of this hidden trail of corruption? And how could he strike precisely at its vital point?