Chapter 58
"Secretary Chen’s done plenty of good for the village, no denying that. But he’s got some... issues," Wei Wenwu shook his head, sighing.
He Jingwen’s delicate brows furrowed, annoyed. Why stop halfway? Was he trying to tease her?
"Village Chief Wei, what’s up? Spit it out."
Xiao Li, gripping the steering wheel, chimed in, playing along with Wei Wenwu.
"Ugh!" Wei Wenwu let out a heavy sigh, his voice grave. "Secretary Chen’s got a corrupt streak."
"What?" Jingwen’s eyes widened. The village secretary, a Party member, corrupt? That’s a big deal! She snorted coldly, "What’s going on? Talk!"
Seeing He Jingwen riled up, Wei Wenwu hid his glee. This was perfect—once Chen Tianming was out, the top spot was his. ’Heh heh’, he snickered inwardly, then continued.
"Here’s the deal. Little Long’s cousin-in-law, Shen Lijuan, runs a small store at the village entrance. It’s no big business. Her husband died years ago, so she scrapes by on that store. You know the saying, ’Trouble follows a widow’s door,’ but Lijuan’s got a good rep in the village!" Wei Wenwu gave a thumbs-up, then darkened his face.
"But a few days ago, Lijuan was caught disheveled, terrified. If it weren’t for Little Long, Chen Tianming would’ve had his way with her. I wasn’t the only one who saw it—honest Li Sanshui and plenty of villagers did too. But folks are too scared to speak up, and there’s no hard proof. Plus..." Wei Wenwu trailed off again, sighing for effect, eyeing He Jingwen’s reaction.
"Come on, Village Chief Wei, why so slow? Finish the damn story! What else is there? Lay it all out!" He Jingwen snapped, losing patience.
Her womanly sympathy kicked in hard—Long Gen was an idiot, and his cousin-in-law, just trying to run a small store, was getting bullied? She instantly despised Chen Tianming.
"Ugh, Secretary Chen’s changed. All that ’serve the people’ stuff? Forgotten. He’s only looking out for his own family now. The Chen clan gets the best land, the best fields, every perk goes straight to his pocket. That’s why this corruption’s been swept under the rug!" Wei Wenwu said, pausing for effect. "And..."