Xiao Yao knew that he was being held hostage, but after getting into the car, his emotions gradually calmed down.
After the car stopped, Fang Zhicheng and Zhong Yang switched seats and sat next to Xiaoyao. He handed over a bottle of mineral water and said softly, "Drink some water."
Xiaoyao hesitated for a few seconds, opened the bottle cap, took a sip, and whispered, "What do you want to know?"
Fang Zhicheng took out a few photos from the oil-covered envelope and handed them to Xiaoyao. Xiaoyao took a look and his expression changed visibly. He said nervously, "I don't know them..."
Fang Zhicheng shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly: "You just met them this afternoon, and you said you didn't know them?"
Xiaoyao frowned and said in a deep voice: "I really don't know him. You have the wrong person."
Fang Zhicheng sighed and said earnestly: "Hong Ran, I implore you to tell the truth, because what you know is likely to affect the lives of countless people."
Xiaoyao still insisted and shook his head: "I really don't know, I don't know anything."
Fang Zhicheng saw that Xiaoyao was tight-lipped and knew that if he didn't speak frankly with her and open up her heart, it would be difficult to gain her trust. "Hong Ran, let me be frank with you. I'm Fang Zhicheng, the secretary of the municipal party committee secretary Song Wendi. Secretary Song is in a very difficult situation right now. Without your help, he would most likely be defeated by the enemy. We have already investigated your situation. If you can tell us the facts you know, I believe it will be of great help to us."
Xiaoyao bit her lip, lowered her head, and said nothing. She knew who Song Wendi was and who Song Wendi's enemies were. Xiaoyao knew more than Fang Zhicheng imagined, but she had been through rigorous training and would not easily reveal those secrets.
Fang Zhicheng felt that if he continued to push her like this, it might backfire, so he whispered, "Zhong Yang, send her back."
Zhong Yang was slightly startled. He originally thought that Fang Zhicheng wanted to lock Xiaoyao up in a secluded place and interrogate her privately, but he didn't expect Fang Zhicheng to send Xiaoyao back. He knew that Fang Zhicheng must have some hidden agenda, so he started the car and drove to Jiaxin Community.
Half an hour later, they returned to the original place. Xiao Yao did not get off the car directly. She was struggling with her conscience and desire.
Fang Zhicheng knew that Xiaoyao was wavering, so he gently advised: "We all know that you are actually a victim. If you are willing to come forward and testify against the mastermind behind the scenes, not only will you benefit, but you can also organize those people to continue to do evil."
Xiaoyao bit her red lips and said weakly, "Are you really the secretary of the municipal party secretary?"
Fang Zhicheng nodded solemnly and said softly, "It's genuine."
Zhong Yang secretly admired her. He didn't expect that Xiaoyao, who was very tight-lipped at the beginning, would change her attitude so quickly. This was because Fang Zhicheng understood Xiaoyao's heart very well. From Xiaoyao's behavior and language, as well as the information provided by Zhong Yang, he analyzed that this was not a person who committed himself to Luo Meishan's shadow out of his own will.
Xiaoyao is just a pawn and a victim. For some reason, she has to be manipulated by Luo Meishan and others. Fang Zhicheng first tells Xiaoyao that he is Song Wendi's spokesperson, implying that he has the ability to help Xiaoyao escape from the devil's cave. Then he gives her all kinds of good-intentioned hints, slowly dispelling the grudge in Xiaoyao's heart.
Moreover, according to Fang Zhicheng's speculation, Xiaoyao should have had a relationship with Xia Xiang. Knowing that Xia Xiang's failure was due to Song Wendi's iron-fisted approach, this also increased Xiaoyao's confidence.
Xiaoyao was reluctant to tell those secrets, mainly because she was afraid. When Fang Zhicheng could provide her with enough sense of security, Xiaoyao would change her attitude and become an important witness.
Xiao Yao spoke intermittently for a while, and Fang Zhicheng actually learned about a shocking interest group from the not-so-smooth logic, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"I've told you everything I know. Now I only ask you to protect me. Because once they find out that I leaked the secret, not only me but also my family will be implicated." Xiao Yao covered his face and said painfully.
Zhong Yang also found it unbelievable. He took out a Yan cigarette and took a deep breath, because he could not guarantee that Xiaoyao and his family would be safe.
Fang Zhicheng thought for a moment, and then told Zhong Yang, "Old Zhong, drive the car to Yunhai now."
"Go to Yunhai?" Zhong Yang didn't know what Fang Zhicheng was up to.
Fang Zhicheng nodded, thinking to himself that only a towering tree like the Ning family could have the subversive power in this matter.
Around 7:30 in the morning, in a breakfast shop on the Bund, Fang Zhicheng saw Ning Xiangcao, who was dressed in white. It had been several months since they last met, and Ning Xiangcao seemed to have gradually come out of the grief of losing her husband. Her delicate and small face was bare of makeup, giving people a sense of elegance and restrained solemnity.
Ning Xiangcao stared at Xiao Yao from head to toe, and Xiao Yao suddenly felt ashamed of herself, because the temperament revealed by Ning Xiangcao was magnanimous, honest and elegant, while Xiao Yao felt that she was living in a haze and was a person living in completely different worlds from her.
"Is this the person you want me to protect?" Ning Xiangcao shifted her gaze to Fang Zhicheng's face and asked softly.
Fang Zhicheng nodded and said softly: "I still hope you can help me once."
Ning Xiangcao was a little surprised. She had been paying attention to Fang Zhicheng, or rather, waiting for Fang Zhicheng to seek her help, so that she could repay the favor of saving her.
Ning Xiangcao did not agree directly, because from Fang Zhicheng's expression, she could tell that this was not an easy thing to do. "Tell me..."
Fang Zhicheng said calmly: "Please ask Mr. Ning to come forward and put Huainan Province back on the right track."
Fang Zhicheng did not say how to get Huainan back on track, but he asked for the words "Ning Lao", which was not a simple request. Ning Lao's status was so high that although he had retired to the second line, the current leadership would seek the opinions of him and several other respected old revolutionaries on major issues that affected the country.
Ning Xiangcao lowered her eyelids, pondered for a moment, and whispered: "I will help you convey this message. As for whether the old man will come forward, it depends on his thoughts..."
Being able to convey a message to Ning Lao on behalf of Fang Zhicheng was already a great favor. Fang Zhicheng smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Sister Vanilla. What do you like to eat? I'll treat you for breakfast."
Chapter 0157: Once you enter the officialdom, it's like entering a deep sea
Fang Zhicheng was just joking, but he didn't expect Ning Xiangcao to have breakfast with them. Ning Xiangcao ordered a bowl of soy milk and a basket of crystal steamed dumplings. After breakfast, Colonel Xie came over with two guards and whispered something in Ning Xiangcao's ear. Ning Xiangcao stood up with the help of her long skirt, glanced at Xiaoyao, and said to Fang Zhicheng: "Hong Ran's family has been protected. These few days are a special period, and Hong Ran needs to stay in the barracks for a while."
Xiaoyao looked at Fang Zhicheng with panic in her eyes. Fang Zhicheng gently pressed her shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, this is to better protect you. The other party's power is stronger than you think. Only in the army can you guarantee your absolute safety. But don't worry, it won't take too long. Within a month, you will be able to live like a normal person."
Xiaoyao looked relieved, she looked at Fang Zhicheng deeply, for some reason, she saw long-lost trust in this man she just met for one night. Xiaoyao had met many men, but Fang Zhicheng was a very special one. Whenever a man saw Xiaoyao, he would look at her with lustful eyes, but Fang Zhicheng's eyes were clear, without any impurities, she could clearly feel the care and compassion coming from Fang Zhicheng.
Fang Zhicheng's personal charm comes from this. He is good at communicating with others and can gain the recognition and trust of others in a very short time. This is an invaluable talent. On the road to official career, he has formed a unique core competitiveness that others do not possess.
Whether human nature is good or evil has always been a controversial multiple-choice question. Some people chose the evil theory and embarked on the path of being a tyrant, while Fang Zhicheng chose the good theory and sought the source of inspiration for kindness in the treacherous officialdom, thus embarking on a unique career path.
Ning Xiangcao entered the car and called the old man. After explaining her purpose, Old Man Ning pondered for a while and sighed in a low voice: "This little guy is quite interesting. I am becoming more and more curious about him."
Old Master Ning was the pillar of the Ning family. Ning Xiangcao maintained absolute respect when talking to him, "Grandpa, are you willing to help him once?"
Old Master Ning smiled and sighed, "Although I am not in the same camp with Li Siyuan, I still admire his performance in Huainan over the years. However, it is not that simple now. The northern faction is preparing to move south, and the first stop is to take Huainan. If Li Siyuan stands in Huainan, it will have a great impact on the strategic layout of the northern faction."