Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. If he were just an ordinary clerk, he would not care. At worst, he would be punished or investigated. People live for their pride, so what is there to be afraid of?
But he was different. Last time, when he knelt before the old Party Secretary, as the youngest section-level cadre in the town, everyone else called him Director Ma, and his relatives and friends praised him. If word got out that he had an affair, his future would be ruined, and he would feel like he was living a life worse than death.
So many years have passed, and now he is a deputy section-level cadre. He is no longer a young and promising cadre, but he is still a leading cadre. When he goes out, everyone calls him "Committee Member Ma". In this small town, he has a voice. In front of his family and friends, he is also a leader. When his family gathers, they always let him say a few words.
When classmates and friends get together, they always sit in the seat of honor.
If anyone has a problem and comes to him for help, he'll lend a hand if he can, and the person will be very grateful. If he can't help, he'll offer some advice, and the person will thank him with a smile.
You have to maintain this relationship with him, whether there's a reason or not, just in case you need it someday.
But if something goes wrong, you'll be completely disgraced, and everyone will point fingers at you behind your back, ruining your reputation for most of your life.
Moreover, sometimes, pulling up one radish brings up another muddy mess; the county discipline inspection commission's investigation might uncover other things, which would then be more than just a matter of reputation—it could mean going to jail.
But he hadn't knelt for so many years, and when he knelt down this time, he still felt that his knees couldn't bend. He hesitated in his heart, wondering if there was any other way to get Li Xiuyuan to let him go without having to kneel.
Just then, Li Xiuyuan finished his cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. He smiled and said, "It seems the rumors are all nonsense. I knew this didn't sound true. Committee Member Ma, it's getting late, you should go back now."
Li Xiuyuan's words were very artful, and the meaning was obvious, but it could also be explained: I was just inquiring about gossip from many years ago, not trying to force you to kneel down. What would that make me, Li Xiuyuan?
But just then, Ma Tao heard Li Xiuyuan say that he wanted to send him away.
He knelt down with a thud. His straight knees finally buckled. There was nothing he could do. It was easy to leave Li Xiuyuan today, but with the whistleblower letters appearing on the county discipline inspection secretary's desk every day, there was no turning back.
"Mayor Li, the rumors aren't false, they're true. I knelt down before the old Party Secretary. I made a mistake back then. Mayor Li, please, give me a chance, let me go," Ma Tao pleaded repeatedly, his eyes red.
Moreover, at this moment, Ma Tao felt somewhat fortunate. Luckily, he had come to Meilin Village tonight and knelt down without anyone knowing. If he had waited until tomorrow to talk to Xiuyuan in his office, with so many people coming and going, it wouldn't have been good if someone had seen him.
Li Xiuyuan jumped up from his chair and reached out to help Ma Tao.
"Old Ma, what are you doing? Why are you kneeling down? Get up! There's no such custom in our team. People who don't know better will think I forced you. Get up."
Li Xiuyuan immediately distanced himself from the matter, saying that he couldn't let people gossip about it. He hadn't forced Ma Tao to do it; it was Ma Tao's own choice. He had only inquired about some gossip from many years ago, and Ma Tao had knelt down.
"Mayor Li, it was my own choice. Please let me go this time and show mercy. I'll listen to you from now on." Since Ma Tao had already knelt down, he wasn't in a hurry to stand up. He had to get Li Xiuyuan to agree.
"Look at you, alright, stand up first, stand up and talk, what will people think if they see this? Listen to me." Li Xiuyuan helped Ma Tao up, his tone softening.
Ma Tao nodded repeatedly: "Mayor Li, I will listen to you."
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