The lights in the director’s office of the Inspection Department were always on, as Su Hai’s leave of absence had left a pile of backlogged work that needed to be addressed. Currently, the most thorny issue was the reputation problem of the General Union Dance Troupe. Due to the incident, it had become common knowledge among the high-level officials across the Five Districts.
Previously, the reputation they had built up with Blood Rose plummeted in an instant. Moreover, the entire Song and Dance Troupe had to pause all their goodwill performances in order to rehearse for Hope Field, leading many of the performers to grow discontent. They used to rely on watching the performances to relieve the pressure from their rigorous training.
This couldn’t go on.
The performances had to continue, and Hope Field couldn’t stop either. The key issue was the reputation; he wouldn’t allow the hard-earned fame to fall into the abyss again.
Previously, because of his sister’s influence, he hadn’t taken the General Union Dance Troupe to heart. But after this incident, his sister was set for a downfall.
Otherwise, she would never recognize her true self.
"Report!" Sun Gan came in holding a thermally insulated food container with a late-night snack from home. "Director, please have something to eat! It’s from your family."
"Mm! Just put it on the table!" Su Hai was busy with documents and didn’t even lift his head.
Sun Gan stood by the table with the food container, hesitant as if he had something to say.
"What is it?" Su Hai looked up at him, surprised.
"Director, there’s something I’m not sure if I should mention."
"Then speak!" Su Hai slammed his pen on the table, leaned back in his chair with his arms propped against the desk, and relaxed slightly.
"Tonight, Comrade Sheng Ning asked for leave on short notice."
"Where did she go?" Su Hai furrowed his brows.
"She said she was going to the hospital to see Liu Yilan, but Teacher Qiu Bai came back from the hospital and said he didn’t see Sheng Ning at all. Now, Yang is organizing a search!"
"How could this be?" Su Hai stood up hastily, grabbing his jacket from the coat rack to head out, but Sun Gan swiftly pulled him back.
"Director!" Sun Gan whispered, "Our people saw Comrade Sheng Ning entering a disco hall."
Su Hai’s face became extremely grave, "How could that girl go to such a place? What if something happens to her?"
"Uh..." Sun Gan looked down, conflicted.
"Go! Immediately organize personnel for a surprise inspection of all night venues tonight!" Su Hai quickly dressed and went to find Yang Wenying, and after meeting her, he gave her an excuse to no longer search and brushed it off.
It wasn’t until he stepped outside the General Union gate and sat in the jeep that he began to calm down.
No, that was wrong! The girl clearly knew that Qiu Bai had been to the hospital during the day and would definitely return in the evening. Yet, her excuse for taking leave was to visit Liu Yilan at the hospital, which was clearly intended to make Yang Wenying notice something and follow the timing and clues to find her.
Was she plotting something? And risking even herself in the plan!
The thought alone made Su Hai break out in a cold sweat despite the winter chill.
She was using herself as bait! What if Yang Wenying didn’t realize? What if Qiu Bai hadn’t returned? What if they couldn’t find her?
Where did she get the confidence to do this? It was utterly reckless!
These links in the chain seemed tight, but in reality, they were too basic and hasty, with far too much risk. In his eyes, it was no different from child’s play.
Although they had the cleverness of the Su Family, she hadn’t learned a bit of caution. Once he saw her, he would have to give her a serious talking to.
Without discipline, it would be complete lawlessness.
"Quick! Drive faster."
********
In the storage room, she could clearly hear the embarrassingly intense noise coming from the next box.
Chen Huaying’s cheeks burned red as she quickly covered her ears.