Quagmire and Silence
The arrival of the joint investigation team initially led everyone in the project team to believe that this would unleash a storm of punishment, with Liu Feng and his son bound to be severely punished. Lan Tongtong also held a glimmer of hope, anticipating justice.
However, the investigation was surprisingly smooth and brief. The team interviewed relevant personnel, including Lan Tongtong. In keeping with her agreement with Mo Zhichi, Lan Tongtong simply stated her work-related conflict with Liu Feng, remaining silent on the source of the recording and the specific details of the operation. The team also seemed to have not delved deeper, seemingly going through the motions.
A few days later, the investigation conclusions were quickly released and announced in the form of an internal document.
The notice's wording was highly artistic: it acknowledged the authenticity of the recording but characterized it as "serious and irresponsible 'boasting' (the original text used this term) by Comrade Liu Feng, driven by personal emotion and intended to show off. His remarks were exaggerated and significantly inconsistent with the actual situation." The tampering of the review results was explained as "a technical error in the system data aggregation process, which has been ordered to be rectified." As for the suggestion of a cover-up of quality issues, it was defined as "unverified and vague statements lacking concrete factual basis."
The processing results are as follows:
Liu Feng: Due to improper work attitude and inappropriate remarks, which have caused adverse effects, he has been transferred from the on-site supervision position and will be assigned to the General Office of the Director's Office from now on, where he will be responsible for clerical work such as receiving and sending documents and file management.
Liu Tianyuan: He failed to educate his children strictly and neglected the management of his subordinates. He bears leadership responsibility and has been given an internal warning by the company.
The supervision company was required to strengthen employee education and management, and the construction unit was asked to take this as a warning, and so on.
This outcome was like a blow to the hearts of all those who yearned for justice. Raised high, then gently let down. Liu Feng was merely traded from a sinecure (site supervisor, a position he didn't do much work anyway) to an even more sinecure (document delivery), while Liu Tianyuan received only a mild warning.
Obviously, the "very powerful person" behind Liu Tianyuan played a role, cleverly resolving a crisis that could have caused an earthquake in the officialdom into an internal disciplinary incident of "young people talking nonsense without knowing the situation."
The news sent shockwaves through the project department, followed by an eerie silence. Everyone tacitly understood the difference between "background" and "reality." Zhang Biao pounded the table in anger, but there was nothing he could do. Liu Chao and Zhang Xiao could only shake their heads and sigh.
Lan Tongtong was the one who was devastated the most. All the risks she had taken, only to receive such a meager result. She felt a deep sense of powerlessness and anger, as if she had thrown a punch with all her might, only to hit a bottomless pit, unable to even create a ripple.
She found Mo Zhichi, hoping to get some explanation or instructions from him for the next step.
Mo Zhichi seemed unusually calm, even more silent than usual. He stared out the window for a long moment before slowly saying, "Tongtong, we've done our best. There are forces beyond our control right now. Removing him from this crucial position, preventing him from directly endangering the project, is already a milestone achievement."
His tone was filled with deep fatigue and compromise. "As for completely overthrowing him... let's give up for now. If we continue to dwell on this, I'm afraid it will backfire. It will be detrimental to you, me, and the project. This matter ends here."
Even Brother Mo had chosen to give up? Lan Tongtong's heart sank. She understood Brother Mo's concerns, but the suffocating feeling of frustrated ideals and injustice being denied nearly suffocated her.
Although Liu Feng had been "exiled" to the General Office, he was said to be still carefree, relying on his father's remaining authority, and no one dared to really control him. When he occasionally ran into Lan Tongtong, there was even a hint of provocation and mockery in his eyes, as if to say, "See, what can you do to me?"
What began with such vigour ended with such an anticlimactic ending. The construction site seemed to have returned to its former order, but something had changed. A sense of powerlessness permeated the hearts of those with integrity, and the shadow of a certain unspoken rule seemed to grow even heavier.
After the investigation concluded with a whimper, the atmosphere in the project department remained subdued for a while. Lan Tongtong continued working as usual, but a lingering sense of frustration lingered between her brows. She had taken courage and risk, but felt like she had punched cotton. This feeling of powerlessness made her doubt the so-called "justice." Mo Zhichi also became more silent than ever, rarely speaking except for essential work-related conversations, seemingly withdrawing into himself.
On the weekend, Mo Xiaochi suddenly asked Lan Tongtong and Mo Zhichi to have dinner with him. He said in a relaxed tone that he had found a great local restaurant and insisted that they go and try it together.
At the dinner table, Mo Xiaochi seemed completely unfazed by the project department's low-pressure atmosphere. She enthusiastically recounted interesting anecdotes from her job search, complained about some peculiar interviewers, and chatted about a recent exhibition. Her lively conversation was like a breeze, slightly dispelling the dullness of the table.
Seeing his father and Lan Tongtong still forcing smiles, Mo Xiaochi put down his chopsticks, suddenly suppressed his smile, and said in a rare serious tone: "Dad, Sister Tongtong, are you two still upset about that Liu Feng incident recently?"
Lan Tongtong and Mo Zhichi looked at each other and did not deny it.
Mo Xiaochi sighed and said in a condescending tone, "Ah, I'm telling you guys, you're just too stubborn. Just like my mom back then, you always think everything has to be determined to be right or wrong, and you can't tolerate any injustice."
She picked up a piece of food for each of them and continued, "Things in this world aren't so black and white. A lot of the time, it's just gray. Do you think failing to completely take down the bad guy is a failure? I think removing him from a key position, preventing him from doing harm, is already a win! It's like playing a game and you insist on beating the big boss in one go, only to discover he has way too much health and has unlimited health replenishment in the background. What do you do? Will you piss yourself off? It would be safer to clear out the smaller monsters around him first, leaving him isolated and helpless. Then we can deal with him when we're higher level and better equipped. Isn't that safer?"
She looked at Mo Zhichi and said, "Dad, you always taught me to weigh the pros and cons when doing things. Why do you get so hung up on it when it comes to you? If you fight him now, what will you gain except making yourself sick? Do you still want to take care of the project? Will the bridge be built?"
She looked at Lan Tongtong again: "Sister Tongtong, it's not worth it for you to affect your mood and future for a scumbag. You are so outstanding and have a long way to go in the future. Do you want to keep carrying this burden? If you ask me, this matter is over! You have done a great job. At least many people know his true face and he paid the price. Although it didn't meet expectations, it was definitely worth it!"
Mo Xiaochi's words, like a bucket of cool water, soothed the simmering resentment in the two men's hearts. From an outsider's perspective, with the clarity and utilitarian calculations of youth, she pointed out something they might have overlooked—that they hadn't gained nothing, and that their excessive focus on "complete victory" might have led them to lose sight of their original goals (protecting the project and upholding fundamental justice) and their own peace of mind.
Mo Zhichi was silent for a long time. Finally, a bitter smile of relief appeared on his tense face. He shook his head and said, "I have lived half my life, and I still have to let my daughter teach me the truth."
Lan Tongtong also felt the weight of her heart lift considerably. Yes, initially, she just wanted to work normally without being harassed. Now that Liu Feng could no longer directly harm her or the project, wasn't that a victory? Why was she so obsessed with completely sending him to hell? If she risked her own mentality and future over it, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
"Xiao Chi, thank you." Lan Tongtong said sincerely, "You are right, I was mistaken."
Mo Xiaochi smiled proudly: "That's right! Come on, come on, eat! The braised pork here is amazing, come and try it! Forget about those unhappy things, there are many days ahead, and who knows who will have the last laugh!"
The atmosphere became truly relaxed during the second half of the meal. As the three of them ate their delicious food and chatted about family matters, it felt as if all their disputes and unhappiness had temporarily faded away.
After dinner, Mo Zhichi walked Lan Tongtong back to the project office. On the way, he looked out the window at the night and whispered, "Tongtong, Xiaochi is right. We did our best, and we have a clear conscience. There's still a long way to go, so keep your eyes on the horizon."
"Okay, I understand, Brother Mo." Lan Tongtong nodded, her mind clear.
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