Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 97 Su Taohong's Long "Last Will and Testament"

Zhiyuan, I want to say to you: I'm sorry! A million times sorry!

I was bewitched and betrayed our love.

You are the best man in the world to me. Although we don't have much money, you truly love and care for me.

I was blinded by vanity and materialism, and seduced by the hypocritical sweet words and dirty money of the Sang family father and son, which led me down this path of no return.

My biggest regret now is leaving you. Unfortunately, there's no going back.

Let me tell you how I met Sang Jiaquan.

Sang Jiaquan was once hospitalized at my hospital because of a sprained ankle.

I was his assigned nurse at the time. He was staying in a VIP ward, a single room, which was very well-equipped.

At first, I didn't think there was anything special about it; I just followed the standard care instructions.

He was the vice mayor, a very important official in the eyes of us nurses, but he seemed very approachable and down-to-earth, always smiling.

He recovered quickly, but he kept saying that his ankle was still aching and he needed more massage and physical therapy.

During that time, he often asked me to give him hot compresses and massages.

At first, I thought it was because my supervisor trusted my skills, and I was quite happy.

But gradually, I felt something was wrong.

He would occasionally "accidentally" touch the back of my hand, his eyes lecherous.

He would often ask seemingly caring but actually probing questions, such as, "Nurse Su is so pretty, what does your boyfriend do?" or "Is your work hard? You can tell me if you have any difficulties."

The night before he was discharged, I was on night shift, and he was the only one in the ward.

He called me in and said his feet were bothering him again, asking me to massage them for him once more.

I had no choice but to do as they said.

As he was massaging me, he suddenly grabbed my hand and said, "Xiao Su, I've been observing you for a long time. You're good at your job and quick-witted, but being a nurse is too hard. Do you want to switch to an easier job?"

I can help you figure something out; as the deputy mayor, my word sometimes carries weight. But you need to be sensible in this matter.

My mind went blank at the time. On the one hand, I was scared because he was such a high-ranking official that I couldn't afford to offend him; on the other hand, nurses often work night shifts and deal with all kinds of patients, which is dirty and tiring.

I admit I wavered; vanity triumphed over reason.

That night, with my half-hearted resistance, he succeeded.

Not long after, I changed to an easier job and naturally became his mistress.

But my vanity was not satisfied.

Although Sang Jiaquan has power and money, he is very stingy and unwilling to spend money on me.

I know he could never truly love me; he just treats me like a plaything. Besides, he's a pervert.

Just then, Sang Chenglong appeared.

He was young, rich, generous, and knew how to please women.

He knew about my relationship with Sang Jiaquan, and instead of avoiding it, he found it exciting.

He launched a fierce offensive against me without Sang Jiaquan's knowledge.

High-end cosmetics, designer handbags, upscale restaurants, and cash...

I know it's shameful, but vanity led me astray.

Perhaps it's because I was poor since childhood and can't resist the temptation of material things. Zhiyuan, if you have a daughter in the future, you must raise her in a wealthy environment.

We were having an affair behind Sang Jiaquan's back. This dangerous relationship, ironically, brought us a kind of morbid stimulation.

In order to show off his and his son's abilities in front of me, Sang Chenglong often spoke inappropriately after drinking, revealing many inside stories about their abuse of power for personal gain and collusion between officials and businessmen.

This is how I learned about some of the Sang family's scandals.

Sang Jiaquan gradually became cold and distant towards me. I knew he had found a new prey.

He used passive-aggressive tactics to force me to leave, like throwing away an old piece of clothing.

But I'm not reconciled. Why should they play with me for half a year and then throw me away like chewed gum?

A crazy thought popped into my head: Since you've been so ruthless, don't blame me for being ruthless too! I'll take revenge! And I'll also leave myself a way out!

I decided to blackmail Sang Jiaquan and confront him directly.

I told them I had evidence of suspected corruption and that if they didn't want it to end up on the disciplinary committee's desk, they should give me two million yuan in one lump sum.

Sang Jiaquan's face turned ashen, and his eyes were so fierce they looked like he wanted to kill someone.

He sneered, "Su Taohong, I didn't expect you to be such a scheming bitch! You dare threaten me? Two million? Are you even worth that much?"

But he eventually got scared. A few days later, he gave me 200,000 yuan and humiliated me, saying, "This is hush money! I've only slept with you less than forty times in total."

Five thousand yuan each time? Even the best prostitutes don't charge that much! If you keep bothering me, I'll make you regret it!

I said, "Two hundred thousand? You think you can give me a beggar's money? How much money have you embezzled over the years? You own dozens of properties! Give me two million, and I'll pretend nothing happened!"

Sang Jiaquan's insult of calling me a "high-class prostitute" stabbed at my heart like a knife, and the cold killing intent in his eyes sent chills down my spine.

A few days later, I was walking home from get off work one evening in a quiet alley when a car nearly hit me.

At the time, I didn't think too much about it and assumed it was just an accident.

You might wonder why I didn't report it to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection?

To be honest, I only suspected the Sang family would kill me, but I had no evidence. I still held onto a sliver of hope that the Sang family would give me two million to settle things.

Zhiyuan, I'm not writing this to gain your sympathy.

I will not commit suicide. If I die, it will be because of the Sang family father and son.

The reason I hid these things with you is because if something happens to me, I believe you will stand up for me and you have the ability to do so, since you are Secretary Xu's secretary.

Zhiyuan, I know that saying "I'm sorry" now is meaningless, and the harm I have caused you is irreparable.

I'm writing this not to make you pity me, but to let you know before I may remain silent forever that the person I, Su Taohong, regret the most and feel most sorry for in my life is you!

I have betrayed your sincere heart; this is an emotional debt I can never repay.

You are the only man in this world who is truly good to me.

I suddenly miss the memories of when we were together. Perhaps, only after losing something can one truly understand the value of cherishing and having it.

Although you are not rich, you always find ways to buy me my favorite roasted chestnuts;

When I come home from my night shift, no matter how tired you are, you always leave the light on and wait for me, and you've prepared hot water for me to wash my feet.

When I was sick with a fever, you stayed by my bedside all night, wiping my forehead with a wet towel over and over again...

But what about me? How have I repaid you? I was blinded by the false aura of power of the Sang family and the material temptations of Sang Chenglong!

I thought that by climbing the social ladder, I could live a life of luxury and be envied by others.

I despise you for being unambitious, I despise us for being poor. I'm like a fool, mistaking pearls for fish eyes, treasures for worn-out shoes, and sincerity for worthless grass!

For those superficial things, I betrayed our relationship and my own conscience!

Looking back now, what was I in the eyes of the Sang family father and son? Not even as good as a prostitute!

Although they were malicious, in some ways they were right.

If I sell myself for material gain, what essential difference is there between me and a prostitute?

Zhiyuan, if I really die, please don't shed tears for me, because I don't deserve them.

I only hope that you can use this evidence to bring those two wolves in human skin to justice and make them pay for their crimes!

Zhiyuan, this is my last request. If there is an afterlife, I hope I can be more clear-headed and worthy of your kindness.