Chapter 28: No Comment!

Jiang Zhaoyang felt his entire spirit lift.

In his mind, memories of that person flashed by like lightning—vivid and clear.

Was it her? Wu Wenjuan! His university classmate. Although they had each other's numbers, they had not been in contact for years. Recently, he had heard that she had been selected from the Port Office to work at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

While she was only an ordinary official, the jurisdiction of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection covered the entire city, meaning their targets were the actual ranking leaders of the city's government agencies, enterprises, and public institutions, rather than those at the county level. Therefore, a case like his father’s—where someone was subjected to "shuanggui" (a disciplinary procedure of detention at a designated time and place) directly from the county level to the municipal level—was extremely rare, almost unheard of. It was a highly irregular situation even within the discipline inspection system.

News like this would surely spread internally, and Wu Wenjuan must have heard of it. She might even be one of the case investigators.

He hesitated repeatedly. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhaoyang touched the screen and dialed that long-forgotten number.

Jiang Zhaoyang’s phone rang abruptly. Seeing the number, Wu Wenjuan felt her heart leap as if a shooting star had suddenly streaked across the night sky. She clutched her chest in surprise, her fingers trembling, trying to calm the wild pounding of her heart.

It was more than just a phone call. It was a sudden, violent collision with the memories of her youth, dragging her from the monotony of reality back to those raw, brilliant university days.

"Is it you?" The voice was a whisper she had heard in countless dreams. Now, hearing it so vividly in her ear, her eyes grew moist.

"It’s me."

"Is there something you need? Otherwise, you wouldn't be calling me, would you?" she asked, a trace of resentment in her tone.

Looking back at their university days, the handsome and dashing Jiang Zhaoyang had been the prince charming in the hearts of countless girls. Wu Wenjuan was no exception, but her romantic advances had been a complete failure in front of him, leaving behind a regret she could never quite shake. Jiang Zhaoyang had seemed like a saint, unmoved by any temptation or subtle hint.

It is often said that a man pursuing a woman is separated by a thin layer of paper, while a woman pursuing a man is separated by a mountain. It had seemed within reach, yet it was actually light-years away.

Wu Wenjuan possessed a charm that made many boys swoon, leaving them sleepless and subservient, yet she could not stir a single emotion in Jiang Zhaoyang. Later, she learned that he was already spoken for; that "other girl" was his childhood sweetheart.

In that moment, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her. All her fantasies and expectations crumbled into dust. She realized she was merely an extra in a story destined to have no ending, so she chose to retreat quietly, burying that love deep within her heart.

However, life is unpredictable. Just when she thought she had finally let go and was ready to move on, Jiang Zhaoyang had reached out to her. This sudden development left her both surprised and bewildered. She could not understand why he would seek her out now. Could it be that a trace of unforgotten feeling remained in his heart? Her pulse quickened.

"You... is there something you need?" she asked, trying to suppress her excitement and keep her tone casual, though her trembling voice betrayed her inner turmoil.

On the other end of the line, Jiang Zhaoyang stood as if in a silent abyss. His throat felt constricted by an invisible hand, and every word felt forced. "I... I have something I want to ask you." His voice was thin and weak, almost drowned out by static.

It was a difficult thing to ask, as it involved her work. The work of the Commission for Discipline Inspection was like a strict defensive line protecting justice and integrity; any leak could cause a massive ripple. Secrecy was the lifeblood of their work, and unauthorized inquiries were strictly forbidden.

But could he ignore his own father’s situation? The thought of his father haunted him, and the bond of blood made it impossible for him to stand by. Besides, he believed his father was likely innocent.

"If you have something to say, don't stammer, okay?" Wu Wenjuan held her breath, her heart racing like a deer. Her voice held a note of anxiety and expectation, as if she had already guessed why he was hesitating. "As long as... I will certainly consider it," she added, her voice softening with a hint of flirtatious affection, as if telling him, "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Alright, I'll say it then," Jiang Zhaoyang finally decided, a sense of relief in his voice.

"Yes, tell me, I'm listening," Wu Wenjuan breathed, her face flushed.

Jiang Zhaoyang asked, "Did your Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection recently take a director of the Education Bureau from Chunfeng County for 'shuanggui'?"

Wu Wenjuan started, her heart sinking. "Why are you asking about this?" A wave of disappointment washed over her; the expectation she had harbored vanished instantly. It wasn't what she had hoped for.

"Because it concerns me!" Jiang Zhaoyang was forced to admit.

"This involves work discipline. I’m sorry, I cannot discuss it. I have nothing to say," Wu Wenjuan refused firmly. "We can talk about anything else, but not this."

A long silence followed on both ends of the line, with only the sound of their breathing echoing through the connection. Jiang Zhaoyang felt as if he were on a rollercoaster, his anxiety mounting. Finally, he summoned his courage. "I just want to find out about his situation."

"Why?"

"Because he is my father, and he..." His voice trembled, every word heavy with unspoken emotion.

Hearing this, Wu Wenjuan felt as if she had been struck by a bolt of lightning. Her heart skipped a beat and plummeted. Her gaze fixed, her lips trembling, she fought to maintain her composure. She knew the helplessness and struggle hidden behind his seemingly calm words.

She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound gentler. "Zhaoyang, I understand your predicament. But you know that the nature of my work is special; I cannot disclose any information. However, the commission will eventually reach a conclusion regarding your father’s case."

Silence descended upon the line once more.