Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 63 Su Taohong's Mysterious Disappearance

To be honest, Su Taohong's mother was really good to Wu Zhiyuan.

She lived in the suburbs. Her husband died early, and she raised her daughter alone, which was not easy.

Every time Wu Zhiyuan visited her home, she was extremely polite, never mentioning the bride price, never urging him to buy a house, and never making any excessive demands.

The way she looked at Wu Zhiyuan was exactly like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law—the more she looked, the more she liked him.

Therefore, although Wu Zhiyuan was betrayed and humiliated by Su Taohong, he still respected her mother very much.

"Auntie, Su Taohong and I broke up a while ago. She was the one who initiated the breakup, did you know that?"

"I know, this girl is so arrogant and ignorant!"

I've tried to persuade her many times, but she just won't listen. She's like someone who won't turn back until she hits a brick wall.

Zhiyuan, your aunt shouldn't be bothering you anymore.

But I was so anxious. I couldn't contact her for two days, something she had never done before.

Auntie was really desperate, so she thought of asking you. Do you know where she might have gone? Or have you heard her mention anything?

Wu Zhiyuan had mixed feelings.

He and Su Taohong were no longer boyfriend and girlfriend, but he couldn't bear to ignore the plea for help from the old woman who had always been kind to him.

More importantly, he keenly sensed that Su Taohong's sudden disappearance might not be so simple.

Last time, he and Sun Runcai had analyzed that Su Taohong's dealings with the Sang family were like playing with fire.

Zhao Liping, Duan Yihe... how many people have killed their lovers over the years?

Wu Zhiyuan comforted her, "Auntie, don't worry. I haven't been in touch with Su Taohong for a long time, so I don't know much about her current situation."

Don't worry, I'll find out for you. Has she mentioned what she's been busy with lately?

Su Taohong's mother said in a tearful voice, "No, she doesn't tell me anything. If I ask too much, she gets annoyed with me."

"Zhiyuan, if anything happens to Taohong, I don't want to live anymore!"

"Auntie, please don't say that. I will do my best. I will let you know as soon as I have any news. Please take care of yourself."

Wu Zhiyuan offered a few words of comfort, hung up the phone, and then sent a message to Sun Runcai: "Runcai, Su Taohong has been out of contact for two days, and her phone is switched off. Her mother is very worried. Please help me check her phone location, or her travel and accommodation records. Keep this confidential for now."

He sent Lin Keke the same message again.

In the afternoon, Sun Runcai and Lin Keke responded almost simultaneously.

Sun Runcai replied: Zhiyuan, I found it. The last known location of Su Taohong's cell phone signal was near Longshan Town in Haihe County, around a guesthouse called Tinghu Mountain Residence.

Three days ago, Su Taohong's cell phone signal disappeared after 8 p.m.

Accommodation records show that Su Taohong checked into Tinghu Mountain Residence at 5 p.m. that day.

Immediately afterward, Lin Keke's message arrived: Zhiyuan, Su Taohong checked into Tinghushan Homestay in Longshan Town, Haihe County at 5 pm three days ago using her own ID card, booked one night, and paid the room fee.

Surveillance footage shows that she left the guesthouse alone around 7 p.m. that day, walking along the path leading to Longshan outside the guesthouse, holding a mobile phone in her hand, as if she was making a call or sending a message.

After that, there was no record of him returning to the guesthouse or appearing on other public surveillance cameras.

The guesthouse owner reported that Su Taohong did not return that night, and her luggage was still with him.

The two pieces of information corroborated each other, pointing to the same location—Tinghushanju Homestay in Longshan Town, Haihe County. Su Taohong checked in there and mysteriously disappeared after going out that night.

Wu Zhiyuan was puzzled: Why was Su Taohong staying at such a far-away guesthouse? Who was she going to meet?

He texted Sun Runcai, asking if he was free to go with him to check out the area near Tinghu Mountain Residence after get off work. Sun Runcai said no problem.

Wu Zhiyuan's loss of love for Su Taohong does not mean he wants something to happen to her.

Even if a cat or dog that you've raised for a year or two gets lost, you'll still feel a sense of loss, let alone a woman who is flesh and blood and with whom you've shared so many sexual encounters.

During the lunch break, Wu Zhiyuan went into Lang Wenping's office.

"Lang Ke, the city is going to promote a number of division-level leaders, are you aware of that?"

As Wu Zhiyuan spoke, he closed the office door.

Lang Wenping gave a wry smile: "What if I know, or what if I don't? I'm already labeled He Jiaping. I'm lucky I haven't been relegated to a lowly government office. You think you can promote me?"

Wu Zhiyuan sat down in the chair opposite Lang Wenping and smiled slightly, saying, "Lang Ke, you're mistaken. He Jiaping is He Jiaping, and you are you."

You have worked in the secretarial department for many years, and your abilities and character are evident to all.

When Secretary Xu first arrived in Longcheng, it was a time when personnel were in high demand. He emphasized bringing people from all over the country and appointing people based on merit, without resorting to labeling or a one-size-fits-all approach.

Lang Wenping sighed softly: "Zhiyuan, thank you for your comfort. However, the reality is that with He Jiaping's downfall, those of us who once worked under him will inevitably be affected to some extent."

The situation in the city right now...sigh, it's a long story!

Wu Zhiyuan lowered his voice and said, "Lang Ke, I'm here today to tell you the truth. This morning I highly recommended you to Secretary Xu."

Lang Wenping was both surprised and delighted: "Zhiyuan, is it true? What did Secretary Xu say?"

Wu Zhiyuan said calmly, "Secretary Xu has written it down in his notebook. Of course, this is only a preliminary intention, and it will ultimately require rigorous review by the organization department and discussion by the Standing Committee."

Lang Wenping said excitedly, "Zhiyuan, whether it succeeds or not, I will be very grateful to you..."

Lang Wenping expressed his gratitude.

The reason Wu Zhiyuan spoke to Lang Wenping about these things in private was to let Lang Wenping know that if he were promoted this time, Wu Zhiyuan would have played a part in it.

If we don't say it beforehand and only tell everyone after the promotion is finalized, who will believe us?

Wu Zhiyuan smiled calmly and said, "Lang Ke, don't be so polite. I recommended you out of impartiality, because you do indeed have the ability and qualities."

Secretary Xu is new to the position and needs truly capable and reliable comrades.

If you truly have this opportunity, I hope you will dedicate yourself fully to your new position and live up to Secretary Xu's trust.

"Definitely! Definitely!" Lang Wenping patted his chest, his tone resolute. "Zhiyuan, please rest assured, you and Secretary Xu!"

I, Lang Wenping, dare not say anything else, but my loyalty to the organization and my sense of responsibility for my work can absolutely withstand the test!

"If the organization gives me this opportunity, I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly and never let them down!"

As they chatted, Wu Zhiyuan brought up the issue of the car driver: "Lang Ke, Secretary Xu's driver, Master Huang, needs to be replaced for some reasons."

The requirements are a clean background and loyalty. You've worked in the municipal party committee office for many years and have a wide network of contacts; do you know of any suitable candidates you could recommend?

Lang Wenping perked up: "Zhiyuan, you've come to the right person! This year, a non-commissioned officer named Hu Dahai was transferred from the military to the municipal party committee's motorcade. He's from Qingyan County, a former driver, has excellent driving skills, is a party member, has received commendations in the military, is honest and upright, has a clean background, and most importantly, is quiet and follows the rules. I think he fits Secretary Xu's requirements quite well."

After getting off work in the afternoon, Wu Zhiyuan and Sun Runcai set off for Longshan Town, Haihe County.

In the car, Sun Runcai said, "Zhiyuan, after further investigation, I found that there is limited public surveillance around the guesthouse, and the path where she disappeared leads to the depths of Longshan Mountain, where there is almost no surveillance."

After receiving a report from the guesthouse owner, the local police station conducted a brief investigation but found no clues.

Since the disappearance was brief and there was no evidence to suggest that Su Taohong might be in danger, the police did not file a case, which is in accordance with regulations.

But how could a living person just vanish into thin air?

I checked Su Taohong's call records. Before she disappeared, she received several local calls. Her last call was to this number, after which the phone was switched off.

Wu Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat: "Now that mobile phone numbers are registered under real names, who owns this number?"