Reborn as a Noble's Son

For a long time, the two brothers have been subservient to their sister. In fact, they were somewhat apprehensive of her. Seeing her ferocious demeanor, they started to fear her. They knew her personality very well. Otherwise, their brother-in-law wouldn’t have had to resort to frequenting seedy places.

Huang Qiuliang stepped forward and whispered, “Third sister, you must think this through. Li Guohua is not someone we can afford to offend.”

By this point, Huang Qiue was utterly infuriated by Guo Yulong. She had just lost five hundred thousand instantly. She was used to a lavish lifestyle, and now with her husband’s death, she felt helpless. She smirked coldly and sneered, “What’s so great about Guohua? This time, that bastard Guo Yulong dared to play tricks on me. It must be his idea. I want to see what he—Li Guohua has to say. He isn’t up to any good either. If he gives me a hard time, I’ll make it tough for everyone, and we will all just part ways.”

…

“Guohua, you have to back me up. That jerk Guo Yulong promised me five hundred thousand but now he’s nowhere to be found. Not only that, but his security guards also gave me the boot. Guo Yulong is nothing but a dog to the Li family. You have to set things right for me.” In Li Guohua’s suite, Huang Qiue angrily stated her case.

Her words furrowed Li Guohua’s brow. His face darkened as he shouted angrily, “Huang Qiue, don’t bring your shrewish ways before me, I warn you. You are not even worthy of mentioning the Li family. Li Yaozu was just a distant relative on the outskirts of the Li family. What do you consider yourself to be, to threaten me like that?”

After a pause, Li Guohua spoke in a low tone, “I know nothing about your dealings with Guo Yulong. What does it have to do with me? Get lost!”

Yet, in his heart, Li Guohua was somewhat disgruntled with Guo Yulong. His way of conducting affairs was questionable. This issue involving Huang Qiue had unnecessarily reached him. However, if Huang Qiue had maintained a better attitude and lowered her stakes a bit, he might have given Guo Yulong a call. But now, Huang Qiue’s high-handed attitude was irksome to Li Guohua.

Even if he decided to discipline Guo Yulong later, he wouldn’t do that for starling Huang Qiue. If he gave in to this harridan, how would he show face?

“Damn it, Li Guohua, so he too has turned his back! Good! Very good, let’s see how I deal with them.” Huang Qiue left the Liangxi Grand Hotel cursing all the way.

Looking at her two brothers waiting by the door, she yelled angrily, “You two good-for-nothing fellows, I always told you to engage in some substantial work when Yaozu was still in power, but you never paid heed. Now, you see the result. Get out, both of you, get out!”

…

At the moment, at the City Public Security Bureau, Chen Le was engrossed in inspecting files. As the Eastern Development Forum was drawing near, various comprehensive security measures had to be implemented continuously without any laxity. Additionally, the security of the various provincial and city delegations attending the exhibition, the security of the Donggang Special Administrative Government delegation, and the security of Deputy Chairman Shen, were all within his responsibility. The burden was heavy, leaving Chen Le no room to slack off.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. As the door creaked open from the outside, Feng Kuang poked his head in and whispered, “Director, Huang Qiue is here, causing a scene in the lobby downstairs, demanding to see you.”

“Huang Qiue? What on earth does this woman want now? Is she here to stir up trouble? Kick her out. If she refuses to leave, have her arrested and detained for a few days. People like her need a taste of their own medicine or else they’ll think that they own Liangxi City.” Chen Le frowned and spoke sternly.

However, Feng Kuang didn’t leave. Instead, he came further into the room and whispered, “Director, Huang Qiue didn’t cause a scene this time. As soon as she arrived, she began to mutter about wanting to see you. Moreover, she came alone. It seems she’s pretty upset. She’s seething with rage. I suspect there might be some hidden story. Shouldn’t we…?”

On hearing these words, Chen Le’s brow furrowed. He spoke in a low voice, “Feng Kuang, you and Bureau Chief Xiong Fei need to address her. This woman behaves like a madwoman. Let’s see what she has to say.”

At this moment, Feng Kuang appeared a bit uneasy and continued,”Sir, I’ve tried, and Bureau Chief Xiong Fei also tried, but she isn’t listening to anyone except you. What do you think…?”

Chen Le was now mulling over Huang Qiue’s intentions. Was she planning to resort to hooliganism if her initial plan of bringing others to create a ruckus didn’t work? She had come alone. Eventually, Chen Le decided to meet Huang Qiue. Nodding his head he said, “Alright, bring her in. I would like to see what tricks this woman is up to.”

Under Feng Kuang’s guidance, it wasn’t long before Huang Qiue was led into Chen Le’s office. Seeing Feng Kuang beside him, her gesture clearly implied that she wanted him to leave.

However, Chen Le calmly said, “Huang Qiue, my secretary, Feng Kuang, can stay. Whatever matter you have, feel free to speak up.”

Chen Le had no intention of letting Feng Kuang leave at this time. If Huang Qiue were to later frame him, there would be no way for him to clear his name, even if he were to jump into the Yellow River.

Huang Qiue was struggling and hesitating at this moment. But after a while, she abruptly said, “Director Chen, I want to expose Li Guohua. This man is a beast in human skin, extremely perverted. To my knowledge, Li Guohua regularly patronizes a private room at the Liangxi Grand Hotel, inviting high-class prostitutes to serve him. Sometimes, he also hosts debauched parties with foreigners.”

Upon hearing Huang Qiue’s words, Chen Le sprang to his feet. This news was truly shocking, especially since it involved Li Guohua. If it were true, Li Guohua would lose all face in Liangxi City and would have no chance of advancement for several years.

Supressing his excitement, Chen Le said gravely, “Huang Qiue, you need to think this through. You are attempting to smear a leader. If things go wrong, you will be held accountable by law.”

Once having declared it, Huang Qiue seemed to be out of her hesitation and instead appeared forthright. Looking at Chen Le, she said, “Director Chen, I understand that. What’s true is true and what’s false can’t be made true. Those bastards Li Guohua and Guo Yulong tricked me, inciting me to make a scene at the police station and promising to give me 500,000 yuan, but they didn’t follow through. The incident has caused such a commotion. My family’s reputation, including Yaozu’s, is ruined. He’s already dead and now he’s labeled as a john who jumped off a building. I have nothing else in mind, so don’t blame me for being harsh. This was also what Li Yaozu told me. Li Guohua is quite influenced by the West’s nonsensical stuff and often organizes such parties. Li Yaozu wanted to go, but I strictly forbade him. I only heard about it by chance. As for whether it’s true or false, isn’t it a specialty of your Public Security Bureau to investigate these things? You will know once you check it.”

With a turn of his eyes, Chen Le said gravely, “Check it? You make it sound so easy. It’s against regulations to investigate a city and a government leader without cause. Your claim is just hearsay, not evidence. I know about the matter now, Huang Qiue. You may go.”

Seeing that Chen Le was unmoved, Huang Qiue burst into anger, cursing loudly, “Chen Le, I knew all along that you guys would stick together. Trusting you was my own blind faith. Li Guohua is a pervert through and through. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he be married by now?”

After gesturing for Feng Kuang to see Huang Qiue out, Chen Le sank into contemplation. Judging from Huang Qiue’s performance, this matter seemed unlikely to be false. But just as he had previously stated, investigating Li Guohua was no trivial matter. One wrong move could not only alert Li Guohua and scare him off, but Chen Le himself would also have to bear responsibility.

However, Chen Le had to admit Huang Qiue’s point made some sense. Some of Li Guohua’s actions were thought to be quite abnormal.

In the city of Liangxi, there was no gossip associated with Li Guohua. To outsiders, Deputy Mayor Li appeared as a dignified and decent representative.

And yet, given his family background, it was unusual that he was still unmarried in his thirties. These offspring of established families usually opt for political marriages. Even the city mayor married into the Yang family. Chen Le found it hard to believe that the Li Family made no arrangements for Li Guohua.

Having thought of this, Chen Le suddenly stood up, his eyes showing a hint of determination. He would investigate this matter, no question. Since Li Guohua got Huang Qiue to stir up trouble for him, Chen Le would return the favor, making things difficult for Li Guohua.

If this investigation were to uncover any wrongdoing, it might not necessarily land Li Guohua in prison, but it would for sure put an end to his political career.

Chen Le was by nature stubborn. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was decisive and ruthless. Back in his Lixian days, Chen Le, then just a deputy director of the county bureau, dared to depose the county party secretary along with Nie Zhenbang. That incident is a testament to Chen Le’s character.

“However, this case can’t be overtly investigated. If Li Guohua noticed anything suspicious, I’d be finished. Not only would I fail to uncover anything, I’d likely face disciplinary action. Feng Kuang and a few trusted subordinates can only act under the table. After all, with no support from senior leaders, the sole investigation of a standing vice mayor and member of the city committee will jeopardize my position.” Having thought to that point, Chen Le had already formulated a detailed plan.

Seeing Feng Kuang walk in, Chen Le said in a low voice, “Feng Kuang, keep a lid on this matter. Gather a few trusted subordinates and conduct covert surveillance on Li Guohua in the coming days. Keep me updated on the investigation. For now, I need to pay a visit to the city government.”

After giving those orders, Chen Le prepared to report this matter to Nie Zhenbang. After all, Nie Zhenbang was his superior. If he could get the backing of Nie Zhenbang, Chen Le’s own responsibility would be significantly lessened. (