The dust has settled

That anonymous letter of accusation, like a stone that sent a thousand ripples through the air, thrust Liu Tianyuan and his son into the spotlight. Unlike the previous, "high-handed, low-key" investigation within the project department, the joint investigation team dispatched by the city had a higher profile, greater authority, and a more assertive and serious approach.

Upon arrival, the investigation team acted swiftly. They first reviewed all original project files, inspection reports, construction logs, and supervision records mentioned in the complaint, quickly verifying the report's authenticity. They then conducted extensive, confidential interviews and visits.

This time, the investigation team bypassed those levels of government who might have been influenced by Liu Tianyuan's influence and went directly to the frontline workers involved in the construction, the technicians responsible for testing, and even the mid-level managers who had been forced to modify their reports or remain silent. Under the team's strict discipline and powerful psychological pressure, many previously suppressed truths began to surface.

One of the inspectors from that year mustered up the courage to produce the original data backup that he had secretly kept, proving that the pile foundation inspection report had indeed been tampered with;

A supervisor at the time provided detailed written records, proving that he had raised formal objections to the beam problem, but was forcibly suppressed by Liu Tianyuan;

Even some people who had worked with Liu Tianyuan and dared not speak out against his style of work provided clues that Liu Tianyuan had acted arbitrarily and disregarded procedures in other projects.

The chain of evidence was quickly completed and solidified, and the evidence is irrefutable!

At the same time, Liu Feng's suspected attempted genocide case was consolidated due to the exposure of Liu Tianyuan's alleged abuse of power and obstruction of judicial justice, leading to a more in-depth investigation. Under overwhelming evidence and psychological pressure, Liu Feng confessed to his crimes.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes it down. As the investigation deepened, Liu Tianyuan's years of internal feuds and other less than honorable deeds were exposed. His painstakingly cultivated network of relationships crumbled in the face of irrefutable evidence and immense public pressure, leaving no one daring to speak up for him.

The speed of the investigation and the clarity of its results exceeded many people's expectations. Just over a month later, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Municipal Supervisory Commission issued an official notice:

After investigation, it was found that Liu Tianyuan seriously violated political discipline, organizational discipline, discipline on integrity, and work discipline, used his position to seek benefits for others, and accepted huge bribes; he abused his power in project management, disregarded safety, and caused major quality hazards and losses of state-owned assets; he had a bad family style, failed to supervise and educate his children, condoned their violations of laws and regulations, and was suspected of interfering with judicial justice... It was decided to expel Liu Tianyuan from the party and remove him from public office, and to transfer his suspected criminal issues to the procuratorate for review and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Almost simultaneously, judicial authorities also issued a verdict in Liu Feng's case: Liu Feng was guilty of attempted terrorism, the facts were clear, the evidence was irrefutable, and he was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment. His father, Liu Tianyuan, was considered an aggravating circumstance for his actions of shielding and interfering with the case.

The news sent a wave of grief throughout the project team. The once powerful Liu Tianyuan and his son ultimately paid the price for their greed, arrogance, and lawlessness.

Lan Tongtong was having dinner at home with Mo Zhichi and Mo Xiaochi when she heard the news. Mo Xiaochi cheered excitedly, but Lan Tongtong remained silent for a long time, a mixture of emotions welling up within her. There was the relief of having her injustice redressed, the joy of seeing the wicked brought to justice, but more than anything, there was a sense of exhaustion and calm after having endured so much hardship.

She raised her head and looked at Mo Zhichi who was standing opposite her. Mo Zhichi's expression was very calm, and he simply said, "Let's eat." It was as if he had expected all this.

Lan Tongtong knew that without Mo Ge's persistence from the beginning, his clever maneuvering later, and the final earth-shattering blow, she would never be able to shake the big tree of Liu Tianyuan with her own strength, and might even have been crushed to pieces.

After dinner, Mo Zhichi called Lan Tongtong and Mo Xiaochi to the living room and calmly announced a decision: "Everything here is settled. I plan to go back to my hometown for a while, rest up, and spend time with your grandparents."

Mo Xiaochi was stunned for a moment, then immediately shouted, "Dad! You're going back home? What about me? I want to go too!"

Mo Zhichi glanced at his daughter, his tone gentle but unquestionable: "Just go to work and do your job well. You just started working not long ago, so don't ask for leave all the time. I'm going back to rest, not to stay away from home. Come back to see me on the weekend when you're free."

Mo Xiaochi curled her lips. Although she was reluctant, she knew that what her father said made sense, so she muttered and stopped objecting.

Then, Mo Zhichi took out a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Lan Tongtong.

"Tongtong, take this."

Lan Tongtong looked at the card, stunned, and quickly waved her hands: "Brother Mo, what...what is this? I can't take it!"

"There's five hundred thousand in here." Mo Zhichi's tone was calm, as if he was discussing a trivial matter. "Take it. Part of it is the compensation the Liu family owes you. Although money can't make up for everything, it's the price they have to pay. The other part," he paused, looking at Lan Tongtong deeply, "is a token of my appreciation for you. I know your family's situation. With this money, you can relax a lot. If you want to continue your studies or do something else in the future, it will be a foundation for you."

Five hundred thousand! This figure shocked Lan Tongtong again. She recalled how Liu Tianyuan had previously wanted to settle the matter privately for three hundred thousand, but Brother Mo had firmly disagreed, believing it was a betrayal of dignity. And now, Brother Mo was offering her even more money, calling it "compensation" and a token of his affection. The implications of this filled her with both overwhelming emotion and immense fear.

"No! Brother Mo! I really can't!" Lan Tongtong's eyes instantly turned red, and her voice choked with sobs, "You even lost your job because of me... How can I ask you for money again! This is absolutely not possible!"

Mo Zhichi put the card into Lan Tongtong's hand and held her hand tightly, not letting her push it back. His palm was warm and strong.

"Tongtong, listen to me." Mo Zhichi's eyes were sincere. "I resigned because of my own choice. It has nothing to do with you. I feel at ease if you take this money. You call me brother, so it's my duty to take care of you. Seeing that you are doing well and have better development, I can rest assured."

He glanced at Mo Xiaochi, who looked a little moved, and said to Lan Tongtong, "Besides, this isn't all for you. Xiaochi is here, and I'm back home, so I can't help but miss her. With you here, you two sisters can take care of each other, and I feel more at ease. Consider this money as my advance payment for 'taking care of your sister'."

He deliberately spoke in a relaxed tone, trying to relieve Lan Tongtong's pressure.

Lan Tongtong gripped the heavy bank card, feeling as if she were holding a mountain. She knew it wasn't just money; it was the weight of Mo's trust and care. She looked at Mo Zhichi's unyielding gaze, then at Mo Xiaochi, who nodded vigorously beside her. A thousand words choked her throat, eventually dissolving into scalding tears and a heavy nod.

"Brother Mo...thank you...consider this money as a loan from me..." She burst into tears.

"Silly girl, what are you talking about? Lend it to me or not." Mo Zhichi released his hand and smiled. "I'm leaving early the day after tomorrow. In the next two days, think of anything you want me to take to your relatives back home, or any local specialties you'd like to eat. I'll bring them back for you next time I come back."