novelraw Chapter 147 Truth Revealed!
Chapter 147 Truth Revealed!
Leng Junsheng watched Zhou Yang and Liu Jilong with an expressionless face, and no one could guess what he was thinking. Since the incident had unfolded exactly according to the script, what should he do next? If he simply waited for the situation to become clear, Feng Luping would certainly have other excuses to object. How could he make sure that Feng had no chance to retaliate while also silencing others? Perhaps...
"Secretary, what do you think?" Leng Junsheng took the initiative to ask the Secretary. If things went as expected, the Secretary would side with Liu Jilong and would surely protect him to the end, definitely not allowing Zhou Yang to turn the tables. This was precisely why he gave the Secretary a chance to speak, but he was curious as to what Feng Luping would say.
"I think this incident has had a very negative impact, creating a very bad impression among the public. Therefore, one of those two must take responsibility for this matter. On one hand, it will serve as a warning to others, and on the other hand, the level of public accountability will be sufficient. It will surely alleviate the impact created outside," Secretary Feng Luping offered his opinion. Liu Jilong never did anything without absolute certainty, and his confrontation with Zhou Yang today only underscored his confidence. In that case, there could only be one outcome for Zhou Yang: to resign and leave.
Besides, it seemed Leng Junsheng genuinely favored Zhou Yang, and perhaps he could take advantage of this opportunity to gain some benefits.
"I share the Secretary’s view on this matter. Once we review the surveillance video to determine who was in the wrong, the one at fault should voluntarily resign and make a public apology to all the citizens of Tianhai City, to negate the negative impact," Leng Junsheng said, but inside he was delighted. He had finally trapped Feng Luping; once the outcome was revealed, he wondered how Feng would manage to object. First, he had cut off his own escape route, and he was curious how Feng would react upon learning the truth.
"I agree with the Mayor’s suggestion. What do you all think?" Secretary Feng Luping now very much agreed with Leng Junsheng’s words, smirking internally. Before he even had the chance to address the issue, Leng Junsheng had brought it up, setting everything in place. He was eager to see how Leng Junsheng would explain himself later. Leng Junsheng had no real power yet he dared to move against Liu Nan, and even dared to support Zhou Yang, who had no backing. Now, he’d gotten himself involved as well.
"I agree!"
"I also agree!"
"I agree!"
...
The remaining Standing Committee members, hearing both the Secretary and the Mayor agree on this solution, quickly expressed their agreement, foregoing any personal opinion and eager to show where they stood.
"Alright, Liu Jilong, where is the surveillance video you mentioned? Hurry up and bring it over, so that we can make a judgment here!" Xu Mingtao, seeing that everyone had made their stance clear, immediately asked Liu Jilong for the critical surveillance video, eager to unravel the mystery.
"I will send someone with it immediately; the video is in the Evidence Section at the city bureau!"
Liu Jilong made the call shortly after, instructing someone to bring over the hard drive with great care, warning them to handle it delicately to avoid any damage. Meanwhile, he glared at Zhou Yang, mocking him internally, thinking that once the video arrived, everything would be laid bare. He was curious how Zhou Yang would handle the situation then. Although Zhou Yang was a deputy head with no strong backing, he had been allowed to hold his position for so long because of his competence. But today, he had dared to challenge Liu Jilong, and this was the price of such defiance!
Zhou Yang saw Liu Jilong’s arrogant demeanor and sneered inside at his ignorance. Wondering what Liu Jilong’s reaction would be after watching the video, he thought there was no need for his current bravado; soon Liu Jilong would look as deflated as an autumn eggplant.
Wasn’t Zhou Yang courting death? To still be so resistant at this point, he was no match for Liu Jilong!
Logically, today’s situation did seem a bit off; Liu Jilong should not be the one having problems.
How could Zhou Yang, a man with no strong backing, possibly be a match for Liu Jilong?
Exactly, we all know what the Liu Family represents.
...
The Standing Committee members were also carefully considering the day’s events. They basically didn’t believe Zhou Yang could continue to stay at the police department. Zhou Yang was just a deputy head with no solid foundation, while Liu Jilong was different—he belonged to the prominent Liu Family. And judging by Liu Jilong’s confidence, they knew Zhou Yang was bound to be in trouble. Would Liu Jilong be so confrontational towards Zhou Yang if he wasn’t absolutely confident, unless he had suddenly become insane?
Before long, a man carrying a briefcase walked in from outside.
"Greetings, leaders!" Xiao Li from the Evidence Section, seeing a room full of Standing Committee members he usually only saw on TV, was somewhat baffled. What was really going on? Surely, it didn’t require such pomp and circumstance just for a surveillance video. Fortunately, he had processed the hard drive immediately upon receiving it from Young Master Liu, avoiding any serious trouble.
"Enough talking; hurry up and connect it, and play the video for the leaders to see," Liu Jilong commanded. Seeing that the surveillance video had finally arrived, he eagerly told Xiao Li to set up the equipment to show everyone the video. Anticipating the moment when the footage of his son being beaten would strip Zhou Yang of his police uniform, he felt exceedingly pleased. This would be perfect revenge.
Zhou Yang seemed not to even notice Xiao Li, his head bowed as he fiddled with his phone, updating Lin Feng on the developments inside. His indifferent attitude puzzled the others, making them wonder if Zhou Yang had really been affected by the situation and had lost his mind.
Such a good police officer, what a pity.
Picking a fight with anyone but Liu Jilong was a better idea.
Liu Jilong must have been confident, or else how could this argument have lasted until now?
...
By this time, the other Standing Committee members were not optimistic about Zhou Yang.
Finally, the time to know the outcome arrived. Feng Luping’s emotions were fluctuating too, hoping to snatch Zhou Yang’s position, insert one of his own people, and let Leng Junsheng suffer a mute’s loss today.
Leng Junsheng, expressionless, stared at the wall but was pondering how to seize the moment to speak later and not give Feng Luping the chance to turn the tables!
"Leaders, shall we start?" Xiao Li, after connecting the equipment, cautiously sought the consent of the leaders.
"Yes, start it," Feng Luping said first, instructing Xiao Li to play it, but his eyes swept over Leng Junsheng, thinking to himself, let’s see what you do later!
The room instantly became quiet and still, with everyone’s gaze fixed intently on the projection on the wall, eager to see what the outcome would look like and even more curious to see Zhou Yang’s expression later...
Xiao Li didn’t say a word and just played the surveillance footage.
In the beginning, he fast-forwarded through irrelevant sections. But when the footage reached Liu Nan and Lin Dongchen, everyone’s eyes widened except for Leng Junsheng and Zhou Yang. What was shown was unlike anything they had expected...
"Ah!"
"What?"
"How come?"
"..."
...
The few Standing Committee members immediately realized the true situation upon seeing the footage. It was completely Liu Nan beating someone up, commanding others to assault, with no evidence of him being attacked. Even worse, there was Liu Nan’s arrogant dialogue, which was even more damning! This was not at all what Liu Jilong had claimed!
"Ah! How is this possible?" Xiao Li nearly fainted when he saw what played back. He had altered the footage in front of Young Master Liu, who had clearly seen the changes. How could it have suddenly become the exact opposite? Now, everything he had hidden was revealed while the footage of Young Master Liu getting hit had vanished. Had they encountered a ghost?!
"What... what is going on here? The footage shouldn’t be like this..." Liu Jilong nearly passed out upon seeing the content of the footage. His son had assured him that he had witnessed the modifications himself before it was stored in the police department’s evidence room, which was as secure as a vault, inaccessible to anyone except two clerks. How could anyone tamper with the footage? How on earth could things have turned out this way – this is pushing me toward death!
This incident, having just been debated with Zhou Yang in front of all the Standing Committee members, now played out in this recording. How am I supposed to handle this! Who can tell me what I should do now?!!!
"What’s going on here?" Feng Luping could no longer sit still. How could this be happening? He, who normally proceeded with a great deal of caution, had made such a massive blunder today. His own son was the supposed victim, and yet, from the footage, anyone could tell Liu Nan was the aggressor. Moreover, Liu Nan’s words were too incriminating. Even if I wanted to help you, how could you expect me to do so!
Moreover, I’ve just concurred on a course of action with the other Standing Committee members, and we all but confirmed the situation, myself included. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t just renounce my previous stance and help you. How could you, usually so shrewd, manage such a foolish act that not only dug your own grave but dragged down those who could have helped you!
What should be done now? It’s not possible to remain silent, or else Liu Jilong’s position as Director will genuinely be lost. The words spoken in front of all the Standing Committee members can’t simply be undone by one person’s wish.
"Secretary, you must uphold justice. Now that the truth is out, it’s proven that Liu Nan was the one beating someone up!" Zhou Yang caught Leng Junsheng’s glance, and of course, he understood what it meant. Now was the time for him to lead the charge. It was all up to him to prevent others from backpedaling. He had finally caught this opportunity, and no matter what, he had to hold on to it, especially since the situation had been so favorable. Seizing upon someone’s weakness was something anyone would do!