Chapter 48: It Can Devour Yet Also Soothe!

Page 1/3

When Mei Fen Cai saw Ye Tang appear, her charming face lit up with a smile. “Director Tang, please have a seat.”

Tang Ye noticed there were only two sets of utensils on the table and asked in surprise, “Is it just the two of us in such a large private room?”

Mei Fen Cai’s lips curled upward. “What, afraid I might eat you up?”

Tang Ye smiled faintly. “Ms. Cai, your words are a bit intimidating—talking about eating people as soon as you open your mouth.”

Mei Fen Cai laughed coquettishly, “I didn’t expect Director Tang to be so timid. Don’t worry, I don’t just eat people—I also care for them.”

Tang Ye replied casually, “Then Ms. Cai, since you care about me, hurry up and bring the dishes. I skipped lunch and have been waiting for this meal.”

Mei Fen Cai’s laughter rang like silver bells again. “I’ll inform the waiter to bring the dishes right away. Can’t let Director Tang starve. But don’t end up eating me later.”

Tang Ye smiled but cursed silently in his heart, “Cunning vixen.”

The waiter soon began serving, and in no time the table was filled with dishes: Pingqiao tofu soup, baby cabbage in supreme broth, steamed mandarin fish, and more.

Though Tang Ye said he was hungry, he didn’t reach for his chopsticks.

Mei Fen Cai stood to pour wine for Tang Ye personally.

Tang Ye blocked her hand and suggested, “How about tea instead?”

Mei Fen Cai laughed aloud. “Director Tang, I’ve heard you have a strong tolerance for alcohol. What, afraid I, a weak woman, might overwhelm you?”

Tang Ye smiled. “Meeting you today is mainly to discuss business. If I drink too much, can we really get things settled?”

Mei Fen Cai was not convinced. “Let’s just have a small pot. Nothing will happen. Even if it does, you’ll be the one taking advantage.”

As she poured the wine, she deliberately leaned toward Tang Ye. Her neckline was low, and with a slight bow, a large expanse of her fair skin was visible.

Seeing he couldn’t dissuade her, Tang Ye let Mei Fen Cai fill the pot.

Back at her seat, Mei Fen Cai raised her glass. “I toast you.”

With that, she lifted her slender neck and drained the cup in one gulp.

Tang Ye did not take his glass, quietly watching her.

Mei Fen Cai flashed the empty cup bottom and urged, “Director Tang, I’ve finished mine. You won’t embarrass me, will you?”

Tang Ye smiled gently. “Honestly, I dare not drink this cup.”

Mei Fen Cai was surprised. “Why not? Do you think I might have drugged it?”

“Let’s talk business. Ms. Cai, you must have called me here about the sand and gravel factory.”

Mei Fen Cai’s coquettishness faded, a flash of displeasure crossing her eyes. “We’re all just trying to make a living. Why must it be a fight to the death?”

Tang Ye shook his head with a wry smile. “Calling you Ms. Cai is just formal. In truth, the profits don’t belong to you. When trouble comes, you’re the one who will bear the burden. Your situation is truly difficult.”

Mei Fen Cai took a deep breath. “Could you please show mercy? Don’t shut down the sand and gravel factory.”

Page 2/3

Tang Ye spoke earnestly, “The factory will be closed, no question. But there’s no need to see me as your enemy. On the contrary, you could treat me as an ally.”

Mei Fen Cai’s expression grew serious. “What do you mean?”

Tang Ye smiled. “The one who really wants to wipe you out isn’t me—it’s the person behind you. Those massive debts must be suffocating you. You know all his secrets. Once you lose your value, what do you think he’ll do with you?”

A chill spread through Mei Fen Cai’s heart.

Bidanian had done enough dirty work to throw people away when no longer useful.

She had sensed this and reached out to Tang Ye, hoping to find a chance to save herself.

Seeing Mei Fen Cai’s tense expression, Tang Ye continued, “If you cooperate with me now and bring down Bidanian, you might have a glimmer of hope.”

A mocking smile appeared on Mei Fen Cai’s face. “I admit you’re clever, but you’re still too naive. Bidanian is cunning and calculated. Even a hundred of you combined wouldn’t be his match.”

Tang Ye was unfazed, replying calmly, “I alone can’t do it.

You should have caught wind of the city’s recent anti-crime campaign.

Sometimes it only takes one straw to break the camel’s back.

If you’re unwilling to be that straw, there’s no need to continue this conversation.”

Seeing Tang Ye stand to leave, Mei Fen Cai grew anxious. “I agree to cooperate, but on one condition: the sand and gravel factory must not be shut down.”

Tang Ye felt relieved she had softened. “The factory will close, but it will transform into a soil and stone transport company. I have the authority to let you hold shares in the new company.”

Mei Fen Cai’s face was expressionless. “Secondly, my safety must be guaranteed.”

Tang Ye smiled, took out his phone, and made a call. “She can come in now.”

Moments later, Director Wan Ming entered with a cheerful smile.

Mei Fen Cai looked at Tang Ye in surprise and said disappointedly, “I didn’t expect you had a hidden card. You officials really have too many tricks.”

“If we cooperate, Director Wan will guarantee your safety,” Tang Ye said, then paused. “Next, you need to come clean. What evidence do you have?”

Mei Fen Cai was about to speak when Wan Ming gestured to stop.

“Hand me your bag.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Mei Fen Cai handed over her bag.

Minutes later, Wan Ming found a listening device hidden in a compartment.

He tossed the bug into the toilet and flushed it.

Tang Ye thought quietly that Wan Ming was sharp—had the device been discovered, critical evidence might have leaked.

With the enemy now prepared, the evidence would be harder to use.

Seeing this, Mei Fen Cai’s face instantly drained of color, turning pale.

Page 3/3

Mei Fen Cai realized Bidanian had already begun to suspect her, secretly planting the bug in her bag. Her last mental defense shattered, she gritted her teeth, deciding to place all her hope in Tang Ye.

“You can speak now!”

“I often accompanied Bidanian to business engagements, meeting many officials. Besides dining with them, I would slip them red envelopes or shopping cards.”

“Words aren’t proof. Do you have evidence?”

“Bidanian audits accounts regularly, so I remember every transaction clearly. He doesn’t know that aside from the copies I gave him, I kept backups. I recall exactly when and where gifts were delivered, and which restaurants were used for entertaining.”

Tang Ye remained cautious, thinking it would be wise to stay vigilant in the future and avoid such messy dealings—one day someone bribed might expose everything.

He shook his head. “This alone isn’t enough.”

Mei Fen Cai bit her lip and revealed the most lethal piece of evidence. “I have a video, about two minutes long, recording him committing murder.”

Tang Ye and Wan Ming exchanged glances.

They saw a glimmer of hope in each other’s eyes.

Afterward, Mei Fen Cai disclosed many of Bidanian’s engineering projects, which involved numerous illicit dealings.

Tang Ye was startled.

He hadn’t expected Bidanian to be entangled with so many, weaving such a vast web…

Tang Ye and Wan Ming immediately set out to retrieve evidence from Mei Fen Cai’s home safe.

Tang Ye then called Chengfeng Du and arranged a meeting at the county party committee office.

Du studied the materials carefully, frowning. “Why would Mei Fen Cai betray Bidanian?”

Tang Ye explained, “She’s currently at a dead end, burdened with huge debts. Bidanian refused to help, leaving her to fend for herself. That’s why she chose to betray him. She knows Bidanian is paranoid and ruthless. Only by seeking our protection can she survive.”

Du asked, “What promises have you made to her?”

Tang Ye replied, “To protect her safety and allow her to hold shares in the new company.”

Satisfied that the evidence was credible, Du’s eyes showed determination. “I’ll report this immediately to Secretary Zhou at the municipal party committee.”

Leaving the county committee, Tang Ye sent a message to Hu Mingsheng:

“The storm is coming!”