Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 288 The Scheming Heart of a Handsome Man

Yin Xueyao possessed a resolute determination, like burning one's boats.

Ah Yu released his hand from Yin Xueyao's shoulder and said softly, "Big sister, don't be nervous. I'll go prepare the essential oil and towel."

Relax your body and don't think about anything. Oh, and you can take off your shirt while I'm out.

"Mmm." Yin Xueyao felt her ears getting hot.

Over the years, she has never betrayed her husband; it is her husband who has betrayed her time and time again.

When Ayu went to get the essential oil, he bumped into Bi Yuan.

"Why did you come out? Is that old woman invulnerable?" Bi Yuan asked disappointedly.

"Mr. Bi, I'm 90% confident I can win her over tonight," Ayu said confidently.

Bi Yuan's worry turned to joy, and he patted A Yu on the shoulder: "A Yu, as you know, I'm not short of money, and I keep my word."

"Once I get the video, I'll transfer 50,000 yuan to you immediately."

"Mr. Bi, I'm afraid that will be too much for you."

Ayu wasn't worried at all that Bi Yuan would go back on his word; in fact, he had a perfect solution in mind:

After winning over Yin Xueyao, I can earn both Bi Yuan's 50,000 yuan and Yin Xueyao's money.

He could tell that Yin Xueyao was severely lacking in love; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked her to work in Longcheng after only a few words and even offered her his vacant apartment for free.

This is clearly a move to make her his sugar daddy.

Not long after, Ayu came in carrying a bottle of lavender essential oil and several clean towels.

At this moment, Yin Xueyao had already taken off her top and was lying on the sofa.

Ah Yu placed the essential oil and towel on the coffee table and said softly, "Big sister, once you're ready, I'll begin."

Yin Xueyao's voice was barely a whisper: "Mmm."

Ayu poured some light purple liquid into his palm, rubbed his hands together until warm, and then gently covered Yin Xueyao's back.

He used moderate force in his hands to gently knead along both sides of the spine, from the shoulders and neck down.

"Ma'am, lavender essential oil helps improve sleep quality. If you feel comfortable, I'll give you massages often in the future."

"Okay, Yu." Yin Xueyao lay on the sofa, smelling the fragrance of lavender essential oil, and felt waves of comfort washing over her back. "Comfortable, even more comfortable than when I go to the beauty salon."

Yin Xueyao had been to a beauty salon for essential oil massages, but the people who served her were all women.

Ah Yu is a man, and a handsome man at that.

Even if the technique is poor, the feeling is still much better than a woman giving a massage.

Besides, Ah Yu's technique is not bad.

"I'm glad you don't mind, big sister." Ah Yu gently pressed his fingertips on the acupoint below her shoulder blade. "Is it a little sore here?"

"Yes. Sigh, Ah Yu, not only am I busy with work, but I also have a lot of worries at home."

"Sister, if you have any worries, tell me if you trust your brother."

Keeping it inside is even more painful. What's that saying?

When one person shares their happiness with another, the happiness is doubled.

Sharing one person's pain with another halves the pain.

Ah Yu changed his address from "elder sister" to "sister," which clearly indicates that their relationship has become closer.

"You understand me better than any of my so-called relatives."

Ah Yu, my marriage is a joke.

"Sister, please speak, I'm listening."

"My husband and I have been married for over 20 years. When we first got married, he was just an ordinary worker. Life was tough back then, but we felt at peace."

Later, he gained a higher status and more money. When a man has both money and power, he becomes bad and his heart becomes wild.

He's had one mistress after another, everyone knows it, but I'm just like a fool, stubbornly holding on to this marriage for the sake of the children.

"At first, I argued with him. He said if I argued, we would get a divorce."

I don't want a divorce, firstly for the sake of the children, and secondly because I'm middle-aged and won't remarry after a divorce, so I might as well make do and have a glimmer of hope that one day he'll get tired of playing around and come back..."

Yin Xueyao said a lot.

"Ayu, for so many years, I haven't told anyone about the bitterness in my heart. But tonight, I'm telling you."

We met by chance, but it felt like we'd known each other forever. I don't know why, maybe it's just that you seem so familiar, like my younger brother.

Actually, I am an only child; I have no siblings, and both my parents have passed away.

"Sister, this is what you call fate." Ah Yu wasn't highly educated, but he was eloquent. "Those who are destined to meet will meet even if they are a thousand miles apart; those who are not destined to meet will not meet even if they are face to face."

Yin Xueyao murmured, "Maybe so."

Ah Yu comforted her, "Sister, I'm sorry to have wronged you. This is not fair to you."

But from now on, I'll be here for you. If you're tired, I'll give you a massage; if you're upset, I'll keep you company.

You were scared at night, so I stayed with you in the living room. From now on, you'll never be alone again.

"Okay, okay, I'm relieved to hear that."

Ah Yu, don't worry, I won't treat you badly.

"Now that you're in Longcheng, I've arranged everything for you—your job, your accommodation—and I'll cover all your expenses from now on."

Yin Xueyao practically said: I'll take care of you from now on.

Ah Yu continued the massage: "Sister, why are you being so polite with me? I genuinely want to keep you company, not because I want your money."

He said that, but he had already started planning in his heart:

After getting his 50,000 yuan, and with Yin Xueyao as his "cash cow," Mr. Bi will never have to worry about food or drink again. He can also find a young and beautiful girl as his lover. It's simply perfect.

"By the way, sister, is your apartment in Longcheng close to your workplace?"

If it's nearby, I can give you a ride to and from get off work in the future.

"There's no need to send it; your thoughtfulness is enough," Yin Xueyao politely declined.

She really wanted Ayu to deliver it; it felt like she was in love all over again.

However, this kind of thing can't be done in the light of day, and she didn't want to make a big fuss about it.

"Sis, let me give you a leg massage," Ayu said cautiously.

Although Yin Xueyao had a premonition of what was going to happen tonight, she was still a little shy. After hesitating for a few seconds, she said softly, "Ayu, I'll do whatever you say tonight."

A barely perceptible smirk appeared on A Yu's face; the 50,000 yuan was already waving at him.

……

After Jiang Xiaoli accepted the golden Buddha, two more beautiful women came to the room.

Almost every other member of the investigation team received a shopping card worth 5,000 yuan and a brand-new iPhone.

Only one person didn't dare to accept it.

three days later.

The municipal investigation team held an internal meeting in the small conference room of the Qingshan County Party Committee to review the situation and discuss the next steps of the investigation and preliminary opinions.

Jiang Xiaoli sat in the main seat, cleared his throat, and said, "Comrades, after several days of intensive on-site investigation, data review, and preliminary questioning, you should have a basic understanding of the Wanshan Bridge collapse accident."

The main purpose of today's meeting is to reach a consensus, clarify the key points of the next stage of the investigation, and lay the foundation for the final investigation report.

He paused, his tone becoming heavy: "Four precious lives lost, enormous property damage, and a terrible social impact."

Our investigation team bears a responsibility heavier than Mount Tai.

We must give a satisfactory explanation to our superiors, the people, and history that can withstand scrutiny.

"Let me start by sharing my initial thoughts, just to get the ball rolling." Jiang Xiaoli opened the notebook in front of him. "Based on the information we have so far, there are a few points that deserve our attention."

First, extreme weather factors.

A few days before the accident, Qingshan County, especially the Wanshan Town area, experienced a rare and continuous heavy rainfall event, with rainfall reaching the level of a once-in-fifty-year event.

The Qinghe River's water level surged, and the rapid current caused prolonged and intense soaking and erosion of the riverbanks and bridge foundations. This is an objective factor that cannot be ignored.

"Second, geological conditions. According to the original geological survey report we reviewed and the preliminary survey opinions of the on-site expert group, there is a relatively thick layer of weak silty clay beneath the riverbed where the Wanshan Bridge site is located."

This type of soil is acceptable when dry, but it softens very easily when wet, and its bearing capacity drops sharply.

The sustained heavy rainfall in the preceding period likely caused the weak interlayer to become saturated and softened, eventually being eroded by the floodwaters. This was a significant geological factor contributing to the instability of the bridge piers and ultimately, their collapse.

"Third, the emergency rescue and initial handling situation. After the accident, the Qingshan County Party Committee and County Government responded quickly, and county leaders rushed to the scene immediately to organize forces for all-out rescue efforts, minimizing casualties."

In terms of handling the aftermath, comforting families, and maintaining order, Qingshan County has done a great deal of work, which has been generally effective, demonstrating the responsibility and actions of the county party committee and government in the face of emergencies.

Jiang Xiaoli suddenly changed the subject: "Of course, this does not mean that we can ignore other possible factors."

For example, some members of the public have reported problems with the quality of raw materials, and these all require us to conduct further in-depth investigations.

My initial assessment is that this accident was likely the result of a combination of factors.

Among these factors, uncontrollable natural factors played an important, even dominant, role.

Of course, the final conclusion still needs to be supported by our comprehensive, in-depth, and detailed investigation.

However, the direction of the investigation should be based on this fundamental judgment, focusing on verifying the mechanism and degree of influence of natural factors, while not relaxing the investigation of human factors.

Please feel free to express your opinions.

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Normally, the members of the investigation team should express their opinions first, and Jiang Xiaoli, as the team leader, should be the last to speak.

Once the initial impression is established and the tone is set, it becomes less likely for others to object.

Just then, Yin Xueyao spoke up: "Secretary-General Jiang, comrades, please share your views."

I agree with Secretary-General Jiang's opinion that a comprehensive, in-depth, and detailed investigation is necessary.

However, I personally disagree with the preliminary assessment that the cause of the accident was likely dominated by uncontrollable natural factors; in fact, I have serious reservations about it.