Chapter 447: Chapter 440: The Disciplinary Committee Arrives
Sisi took off the thin coat she had been wearing and changed into a red woolen overcoat, also donning a beret of the same color. The wind and sand in Huangyuan County were too harsh, so she had to wear a hat every time she went out, or else she’d have to wash her hair daily.
The young woman looked colder as she watched Sisi change into another outfit in less than fifteen minutes. Hmph, could a woman like that be raised without corruption?
Word had it that He Sisi never wore the same outfit twice; how much money would it take to afford that? Vice Secretary Tian must be corrupting in order to let his wife dress so lavishly, right?
Thinking of that graceful and good-looking man, the woman couldn’t help but feel it was a pity for such a promising Vice Secretary to have been ruined by such a vain woman!
While sighing over Tian Xinhua’s situation, the woman’s disdain for Sisi grew stronger, and her expression turned colder.
Sisi intended to drive her own car, but the man didn’t agree, suggesting that the office was not far, just a ten-minute walk away.
"Why make such a fuss? It’s just walking a few steps, don’t give me that spoiled lady act," the woman couldn’t help but snap again.
Initially resigned to walking after hearing the man’s words, Sisi’s face grew cold as she simply opened the car door and said, "I have the freedom and the right to drive. If you don’t want to ride, just follow behind on foot. Moreover, I warn this comrade here, my patience is limited. If I hear another unpleasant word, don’t blame me for being impolite."
After speaking, Sisi got into her car, slammed the door shut, and drove toward the Disciplinary Committee’s office, leaving the man and woman behind, choked by the exhaust fumes.
"Xiao Yun, it’s wrong to let personal emotions affect your work," the man said with a furrowed brow.
Referred to as Xiao Yun, the young woman retorted defiantly, "What’s the point of being polite to such bourgeois spoiled ladies who lust after luxury? The hard-earned money of the common people is all corrupted away by the likes of He Sisi."
"Now everything is still under investigation, you can’t jump to conclusions like this," the man continued to persuade.
"What’s there to investigate? Could they afford a canary like He Sisi without corruption? Women like He Sisi are disasters that only bring harm!"
Xiao Yun inadvertently raised her voice, the man furrowed his brows even deeper, "Xiao Yun, if you continue to harbor such strong subjective emotions, then it’s better you don’t participate in the upcoming inquiry."
The man was Xiao Yun’s supervisor, and he now took on a leadership tone. Xiao Yun dared not say more, begrudgingly agreeing to approach the case objectively.
The man sighed, not saying anything further. Xiao Yun was the sister of one of his comrades, which was why he attended to her more in work. Previously she seemed like a good girl, ambitious, assertive, with bold thoughts and actions. He had intended to cultivate her as a key person.
But it seemed, after all, she was too young. He had to observe for a while longer.
When they reached the front of the Disciplinary Committee’s office building, Sisi was leaning against her car, waiting for them. Seeing them approach, she raised her eyebrow signaling them to lead the way.
Seeing Sisi’s casual, guest-like demeanor, Xiao Yun felt choked, really wanting to shout some sense into this woman. But remembering the earlier warning from her leader, Xiao Yun managed to suppress her anger and coldly walked in front, planning in her heart to make He Sisi pay once the investigation confirmed everything.
The man and Xiao Yun led Sisi to a room that resembled a reception area, closed the door behind them, and the man signaled Xiao Yun to pour a cup of tea. Sisi pulled out her own cup and handed it to Xiao Yun, who was once again stifled by Sisi’s airs, but still filled the cup with tea.
Once seated, the man introduced himself as Zhao Gang, Deputy Director of the Supervision Department, while the woman was Wu Yun, a clerk in the Supervision Department.
"Out with it, what do you want to know?" Sisi asked directly, uninterested in their official positions.
Zhao Gang’s demeanor was very mild as if having a casual conversation. However, Sisi knew that these kinds of people were the most difficult to deal with—they use their mild demeanor to break down your defenses and trap you with linguistic pitfalls until you realize you’ve fallen into the pit and can’t climb out anymore.
On the other hand, the woman named Wu Yun was easier to handle—impulsive and easily angered, just like a firecracker that could explode with just a few provocative words.
Having made up her mind, Sisi still wore an untouchable young lady’s demeanor on her face, a deliberate show to make Zhao Gang think she was a brainless spoiled girl, undermining herself in his eyes.
"Comrade He, someone reported that Vice Secretary Tian is corrupt. Adhering to the principle of being serious and responsible with every comrade, we have invited you here to investigate the situation," Zhao Gang stated calmly.
Sisi let out a cold laugh, "Corruption? Does our family need to corrupt? To put it unpleasantly, if not for my husband Tian Xinhua’s pure heart for the people and his desire to lead the populace to a better life, why would we bother to come here and suffer? Wouldn’t we live comfortably in the Capital City or Shanghai?"
"He Sisi, what do you mean by that? Are you saying living in Huangyuan County is suffering? Do you look down on Huangyuan County?" Wu Yun accused sharply, as if catching a flaw in Sisi’s words.
Sisi glanced at her sideways and snapped her fingers, "Do you have a problem with your ears? Did I say anything bad about Huangyuan County? I’m just saying it’s somewhat hard to live here. As someone from the south, coming here where I’m not accustomed to the water and soil, with different living habits, customs, and language barriers in the north, if that’s not suffering, what is?"
She smiled and looked at Zhao Gang, "Deputy Director Zhao, surely not every clerk in the Disciplinary Committee is like this comrade, right? If so, I really have to doubt the competency of your office."
After speaking, Sisi even shook her head with a pitying look, enraging Wu Yun to a flushed face and thick neck, who stood up ready to retort but was sternly glared at by Zhao Gang. She had to sit back down, reluctantly.
Zhao Gang was also very dissatisfied with He Sisi; her attitude was too haughty, but he was always good at hiding his emotions—his face still seemed impassive.
"Don’t be agitated, Comrade He....."
Zhao Gang hadn’t finished speaking when Sisi laughed and pointed at Wu Yun, "I’m not agitated, I think this comrade here is."
Wu Yun glared at her resentfully, this time not provoked. Sisi raised her eyebrows, seems like she learned quickly.
"Comrade He, your combined monthly salary with Comrade Tian Xinhua is only 138 yuan, yet your monthly expenses reach over 200 yuan. For instance, last month when you treated the whole staff and students of the Teachers College to a banquet of stuffed buns, it cost nearly eight hundred yuan, so we have reason to suspect the source of income for you two spouses," Zhao Gang recounted evenly.
"Did Director Zhao investigate me and my husband’s family background?" Sisi suddenly asked.
Zhao Gang looked at her, puzzled by her question.