But I couldn't let them search; if they did, the charges against me would truly stick. Even though Ouyang Qian wouldn't believe them, outsiders certainly would.

I immediately blocked the two police officers: "Stop right there. Do you have any idea who she is? Be careful how you act so presumptuously, or you won't know how you died."

The two officers paused. "Who is she?" Secretary Liu interjected, "Zhao Qian, where did you dig up another woman? You have so many women on hand; I think you should quit your job and become a pimp."

Slap! I straight up slapped Secretary Liu. To be honest, I didn't want to hit him, as it would completely shatter our colleague relationship, but if I didn't strike him, I couldn't vent my frustration. Putting aside the frame-up, his words just now were a grave insult to these ladies, and I couldn't possibly tolerate that.

"You dare hit me? You've gone too far! Officers, you both witnessed him openly assaulting a civil servant just now. That charge will certainly stick!"

Ouyang Qian looked at me with disgust: "Zhao Qian, I absolutely detest this colleague of yours. Make him leave; I never want to see him again."

Secretary Liu became somewhat hysterical, "You're just a woman; what right do you have to say that!"

Ouyang Qian was momentarily speechless. Her husband was indeed very powerful, but she couldn't just kill the three of them upon arrival, could she? Her husband’s status was certainly noble, but if she exposed everything behind the scenes, her entire plan to gain political achievements in Liangshan would fail.

In that brief pause, a clack-clack-clack of leather shoes sounded up to the third floor, and soon men and women appeared at my dormitory door. I heard County Magistrate Zhao’s voice: "Little Zhao, someone is looking for you; come out quickly and greet them. It's President Zhang of Galaxy International and Assistant Su; they're here to invest too."

Before the words even settled, a pretty face peeked inside, then turned back, "Sister Xiaoya, is this really Junior Brother’s dorm? See? He’s stunned silly by our arrival at Xingfu [Happiness]."

I wasn't stunned silly by happiness; I was stunned by awkwardness. What act was this? Why had Ouyang Qian, Zhang Xiaoya, and Su Xue all arrived at once? And Ouyang Qian was stark naked, huddled in my quilt, while beneath the bed lay the evidence planted by Secretary Liu and the others, with two police officers glaring nearby, ready to apprehend someone.

The speaker was precisely Su Xue, who had been assisting Zhang Xiaoya. After the chubby, cute little one bounded in, Zhang Xiaoya carefully followed, seemingly afraid that arriving abruptly in Liangshan might earn my reprimand.

"You? What are you doing here?" Su Xue finally noticed the scene inside the room after they settled.

I shrugged, "It’s over. I've been caught in the act. You all hurry back and prepare the money for my ransom."

Upon seeing Su Xue, Ouyang Qian immediately shrank her head back into the blanket. However, even with poor eyesight, Su Xue noticed something irregular under the blanket. Annoyed, she started to step forward to yank the blanket off, but after glancing at the three outsiders behind her, she pulled back a corner to steal a peek.

"Ah! Qianqian! You? Well done! I asked you to come home with me last night, and you claimed to have work—turns out you snuck off to have fun. You’re being too inconsiderate!"

Ouyang Qian poked her head out, "What fun? Su Xue, you’re no better. Can't bear to see Zhao Qian for a few days, so you rushed over for a secret rendezvous? When I asked what you two would be doing today, you both said you had company business and an inspection trip. Turns out the inspection was of Zhao Qian."

Zhang Xiaoya looked at me and explained, "We really did have an inspection task. A geothermal hot spring was discovered here in Liangshan, and Galaxy International plans to invest in building a complete convalescent facility. There is absolutely no industrial base here; all grain and vegetables are green and pollution-free. The development prospects should be quite broad."

Ouyang Qian's eyes darted around, "I also have business here. All the staff for the beverage factory arrived today, and I was a bit uneasy, so I came to check."

Su Xue cut them both off, "Alright, alright, stop talking. Everyone knows everyone else's real purpose. These three irrelevant comrades, please leave. We have important cooperative business to discuss; don't interrupt the leaders' conversation."

Secretary Liu looked extremely troubled. He now realized that these two new, charismatic beauties were no pushovers. Never mind their titles; just looking at the bodyguards outside the door, they were identical to those surrounding President Xu of Peach Blossom Financial Investment Company. These guys carried credentials that suggested lethal capability, and if the two great beauties became displeased, it might not end well for him.

But at this critical juncture, all it took was one flick of the sheet draped over the bed edge to settle the matter. If he backed out now, framing me later would be much harder, and he couldn't just let that slap go unpaid. Secretary Liu gritted his teeth; he had made a military pledge before Secretary Ma: succeed or perish trying.

County Magistrate Zhao suddenly spoke up, "Little Liu, what are you doing? He is currently a man in Cao's camp whose heart belongs to Han. Of course, we must help him."

Secretary Liu thought to himself, Of course, you don't know what we're doing. This strategy was something Secretary Ma brainstormed late last night after the meeting—it will absolutely ruin this kid's reputation and force him out of Liangshan.

Though thinking this, Secretary Liu said aloud, "Executing a task, sir. Didn't County Magistrate Zhao know that Secretary Ma's office was broken into last night?"

County Magistrate Zhao replied, "I heard about it when I arrived this morning, but what does that have to do with Little Zhao?"

Secretary Liu pressed on, "The police have examined the scene and stated it was an inside job. They are searching the third-floor dormitories now, hoping to find clues to catch the thief early. My room has already been checked by these two comrades, and now it's Zhao Qian's turn."

County Magistrate Zhao stated, "What could possibly be hidden here? Besides, I trust Little Zhao; the thief definitely isn't him. You all need to leave quickly and not disturb President Zhang and Assistant Su's matters."

Secretary Liu insisted, "County Magistrate Zhao, all are equal before the law. Never mind that Zhao Qian is hiding an inexplicable woman in his bed; many comrades know he has a criminal record for stealing Little Ning's undergarments. If he has nothing to hide, he should lift the sheet so we can look under the bed."

Su Xue, Zhang Xiaoya, and Ouyang Qian were all sharp enough to know that if I remained silent, there must be something under that bed. Su Xue’s face darkened, "I'll only say this once: leave immediately, or I’ll have security escort you out."

Secretary Liu gritted his teeth. Now he was committed and had to see it through. As long as the sheet was lifted, he would ultimately win. "I firmly believe in the fairness of the law. President Zhang and Assistant Su surely understand that all are equal before the law. You are important figures; you should understand this better than a small secretary like myself."

"You!" Su Xue was so angry she nearly jumped.