Chapter 17: The New Discipline Inspection Secretary (Part Two)

Zhang Maolin understood. At first glance, Shi Yan's remark seemed like a clever maneuver to curry favor, but in reality, it signaled the beginning of an offensive. Zhang Maolin's original intention was not to let the newly arrived Secretary Shi get involved in the Wen Lu incident too early, even though he could not find a reason that could be brought out into the open.

As for Shi Yan himself, Zhang Maolin felt neither particularly unfamiliar nor entirely familiar with him. According to the internal management mechanisms of Xingshang Bank, daily business coordination between provincial and municipal branches strictly followed a hierarchical rank-matching system. As the head of the discipline inspection line at the Songyang branch of Xingshang Bank, Zhang Maolin only maintained routine contact with the head of the Supervision Office at the provincial branch. As for other specific operational matters, they were handled by the respective departmental business supervisors. Therefore, Zhang Maolin was indeed unfamiliar with the staff members in the provincial branch's Supervision Office.

Although Zhang Maolin detested that kind of lofty, "hands-off" work style, he had to abide by the established procedural rules. Coupled with the frequent reminders from Branch President Wang Weixin—that the duty of the discipline inspection secretary was to determine who was to be investigated, while the specifics of how and what to investigate were the job of the head of the Supervision Office—he kept his place.

Zhang Maolin had known nothing in advance about Shi Yan's downward transfer for temporary fieldwork, just as he had been unaware of his own promotion. To this day, whenever he thought back on this link in the chain, a nameless feeling would well up inside him. Was it comical, absurd, or simply poignant!

Facing Shi Yan's gaze, Zhang Maolin smiled faintly:

"Ha-ha, I don't mean whether it complies with discipline or not; rather, I feel that since you have just arrived, you are plunging headfirst into such a complex matter. If you don't handle it thoroughly, it might affect your state of mind! Even worse, it could impact your working attitude for the next steps."

"You know, the provincial branch should have given a clear statement on the Wen Lu affair long ago, but it has dragged on until now without any result. As the newly appointed discipline inspection secretary, I am very gratified that you can proactively ask to get involved in this matter. This eager attitude of seeking the truth is a precious quality necessary for a discipline inspection cadre. I personally guarantee my support for your work, especially regarding this affair..."

Zhang Maolin's conversation with Shi Yan was interrupted by an urgent telephone ring. He opened his phone:

"Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Look, this is old Tao's call—Wen Lu's late father-in-law!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Maolin's brows knitted into wrinkles resembling the Chinese character for river. He said to Shi Yan:

"Xiao Shi, how about this? Let me consider it and give you a reply in a few days. When dealing with the Wen Lu affair, we must be fully prepared. No matter what arrangements or deployments we make, everyone must be extremely prudent and careful! To ensure we achieve good results, what do you think?"

"Very well, I'll listen to you! I'll await your specific arrangements."

Shi Yan replied softly, turned around, and walked out.

...

Tao Ye's residence was in the "Baye" high-rise apartment complex located on the south bank of the Songhe River. This was a model affluent residential compound developed in the mid-1990s in the Songyang area. Not only were all kinds of outdoor recreational facilities complete, but the property management and security services were also top-notch. What made people even more eager to flock there was that primary schools, middle schools, and large supermarkets were located right near the complex.

—On the huge plaque of the street-facing commercial building, dozens of colorful promotional banners for commodities fluttered noisily in the wind, and a constant stream of customers and pedestrians passed by day and night.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Zhang Maolin's car could barely move an inch. Having no other choice, Zhang Maolin had to ask the driver to pull over temporarily, and he squeezed his way through the gaps in the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd to barely make it into the compound's gate.

By the time Zhang Maolin arrived, Tao Shouli and his daughter Tao Ye were already waiting at the entrance of the building's unit door.

Seeing Tao Shouli standing in the cold wind, Zhang Maolin hurried over in two steps. Throwing their arms around each other's shoulders and exchanging pleasantries all the way, the two men walked upstairs together.

"Uncle, I brought something for you!"

Tao Ye said softly, handing Zhang Maolin a folio-sized notebook with a faux-leather cover. Although the cover was intact, through the darkened and yellowed color, it was not hard to tell that this was no longer a new item.

Just as Zhang Maolin reached out to take it, Tao Ye withdrew the notebook. With a solemn expression, she said:

"Uncle, the reason I didn't come to Xingshang Bank to find you is to show that I am not approaching this from a work perspective, but purely out of mutual trust between two generations of our families! Even so, if it weren't for my father's wishes, I would never have handed it over to you. Therefore, you must promise me: you must not copy the contents inside the notebook in any way, let alone bring it up on any occasion related to work to make a point. Moreover, you must return it to me in a week! Absolutely!!!

Dad, I need both of you elders to give me your guarantees at the same time!"

Tao Ye looked at Tao Shouli, who stood silently beside her, and emphasized deliberately.

"Xiao Ye, you are not allowed to speak to Uncle Zhang like this! Apart from him, is there anyone else in Xingshang Bank worthy of your trust?!"

Tao Shouli said in a low voice.

"Shouli, Xiao Ye, what are you... I, I..."

Zhang Maolin was somewhat incoherent; he truly had no idea what hidden meaning lay within the conversation between the father and daughter of the Tao family.

"Rest assured! Your uncle will not do anything to let you down."

Tao Shouli snatched the notebook from his daughter's hand and placed it directly into Zhang Maolin's outstretched palm.

Tao Shouli said earnestly:

"Maolin, this little notebook records many things about Wen Lu's work as well as his inner thoughts and activities. I feel it is necessary for you to read it carefully. I think this will give you a comprehensive re-recognition and re-evaluation of Wen Lu. Although this recognition itself is no longer important, it will certainly help your municipal branch leadership team in how to face and handle Wen Lu's affair next.

Just now Xiao Ye expressed her attitude, which is actually the attitude of our entire family. None of us hope that you will make the contents inside public; you can treat it as a newly discovered clue for reference, helping you form new directions in work decision-making to deal with this matter.

Now, you must promise us, father and daughter: once you finish reading the diary, return it to us promptly, alright?!"

The latter sentences of Tao Shouli's speech carried a noticeably trembling tone.

"Where did you get this notebook? Why didn't you bring it out earlier? Of course, I know you did this out of special considerations."

Zhang Maolin sighed deeply! Up to this point, he could almost completely imagine that this slightly worn diary must conceal a great deal of unknown content! He was suddenly moved by the Tao family's gesture of placing such profound trust in him.

No one answered Zhang Maolin's question.

Silence, it was still silence! Tao Ye turned around, slowly walked toward the balcony, and her thin shoulders began to heave violently up and down!

Tao Shouli leaned close to Zhang Maolin and whispered:

"Don't ask anymore! I only found out about it yesterday myself. Go back and read the contents above carefully, and you will understand. Anyway, I was extremely shocked after reading it! Maolin, you need to mentally prepare yourself. If what Wen Lu recorded is true, then our Songyang Xingshang Bank—or rather, the entire provincial Xingshang Bank system—is truly going to face a catastrophic, earth-shattering disaster! Never mind limiting you to a few days; just make sure you read the contents inside fully and thoroughly!"

Zhang Maolin's arm suddenly felt somewhat sore and heavy!

The uncharacteristic behavior of the Tao family's father and daughter instantly made Zhang Maolin's subconscious unusually sensitive. At that moment, he even felt as though his hands were not holding a mere notebook, but were desperately clasping a massive boulder stained with mottled colors, which was mercilessly and forcefully crushing his chest!