Just as Gan Qiu was pondering in secret, he was called over by the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Commission the next day.

“Secretary Kang.”

Upon arriving at Kang Kecheng’s office, Gan Qiu wore a sycophantic smile on his face.

However, he felt utterly chaotic inside.

In fact, he had been conflicted about coming over for quite a while, worried that he might be taken down upon arrival.

Originally, he intended to call Bao Kanglu to test the waters.

But recalling their tense relationship, he abandoned the idea.

Kang Kecheng asked coldly, “You’re about to retire, right?”

Gan Qiu nodded repeatedly, “Yes, I’m retiring in July.”

“Since you’re a veteran, you must stand firm on your last shift. You can’t let the organization down, can you?”

“Absolutely, but I don’t know why Secretary Kang called me over?”

“Recently, I’ve received quite a few reports about you, and the details are quite specific. If investigated, it might significantly impact you.”

Upon hearing this, Gan Qiu instantly broke into a cold sweat, his legs even trembling.

Though he tried to steady himself, his expression turned very unpleasant.

Kang Kecheng remained composed as he said, “I called you over today just to remind you: as a veteran, you’d better not tarnish your final years.”

Gan Qiu wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and nodded repeatedly.

“Thank you, Secretary Kang, for the reminder. I won’t let you down.”

“Good, I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t see you out.”

Leaving the office, Gan Qiu was filled with confusion.

He had almost no interactions with Kang Kecheng; why would the latter remind him out of nowhere?

Was this the idea of Cheng Liusha or Bao Kanglu?

As Gan Qiu pondered the pros and cons, the phone rang suddenly.

Upon answering, his son Gan Luo’s voice came through.

“Dad, someone broke my leg. I’m lying in Tianhai People’s Hospital now. Please come quickly!”

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s a long story; let’s talk when we meet.”

With no other choice, Gan Qiu drove to Tianhai Hospital.

As he entered the ward, he saw Gan Qiu with a bruised face and bandages wrapped around his leg.

Seeing his son so injured, he felt deeply distressed.

“Xiao Luo, who did this to you?”

Gan Luo, with a grief-stricken face, replied.

“I had just arrived at my company this morning when a few policemen took me to Tianhai for investigation. They brought me to a rundown building and started beating me without a word. It’s there that they broke my leg.”

Frowning deeply, Gan Qiu sensed something suspicious about this situation.

“Did you offend someone? Otherwise, why would they beat you for no reason?”

“No, they just told me after the beating to ensure you keep your mouth shut. If you dare speak recklessly, they’ll beat me again.”

Gan Luo seemed to have realized something, and flames of anger flashed in his eyes.

“Are you sure that’s what they said?”

“Absolutely! Dad, they’re clearly targeting you.”

At this moment, Gan Qiu had fully realized the truth.

Bao Kanglu feared he might actually go to the Imperial Capital to report him, so he had someone beat up Gan Luo as a threat.

“Bao, I’m not done with you!”

Gan Luo’s leg was shattered, even after surgery he had to stay in the hospital for months.

Gan Qiu couldn’t always be by his side, so he called his wife to Tianhai to take care of Gan Luo.

To this, Ning Xinxian felt quite happy.

But she didn’t stay at the hospital all the time and specifically hired a caregiver instead.

Whenever she had spare time, she would go meet Tao Qian.

That evening, with his wife and kid not at home, Gan Qiu could only drink in solitude.

The phone rang, and it was Huo Kun calling.

“Mayor Gan, are you home? I’d like to visit you.”

“Sure, come over, and accompany me for a drink.”

After entering the house, Huo Kun looked at Gan Qiu’s condition and showed great concern.

“Mayor Gan, what’s wrong?”

Gan Qiu smiled and waved, picking up the bottle to pour Huo Kun a drink.

“It’s nothing, just feeling a bit tired lately, a few drinks will do me good.”

“You’re getting older, you should take care of your health.”

“Okay, I got it. Why did you come over this time?”

After Huo Kun sat down, he replied, “I came to say goodbye. My uncle has reassigned me to Tianhai TV, and I’ll be heading over next week.”

“Oh, that’s great news. I hope your career in Tianhai skyrockets.”

The two clinked glasses and took a sip, then Huo Kun continued to ask.

“How is your early retirement going?”

“Ah, don’t even mention it, still not working out.”

“You’ve given my uncle so many benefits, I always thought you two were on good terms. Now it seems, he’s too busy running for Governor to focus on you.”

Hearing this, Gan Qiu’s heart tightened, “Is his being Governor decided?”

“It’s basically settled. Once Cheng Liusha leaves, Liao Jiangming will fill in, and the Governor’s position will be my uncle’s.”

Downing his drink, Huo Kun continued.

“My uncle not only has the qualifications and capability, but also solid backing, nobody can compare.”

With a cold laugh, Gan Qiu’s eyes flashed with a chilly glint.

“What you’re saying is, no one can touch him, right?”

“Exactly. Anyway, those who tried scheming against him in the past didn’t end well.”

“He just hasn’t encountered a formidable opponent, otherwise, forget Governor, even his Deputy Secretary seat wouldn’t be secure.”

In Gan Qiu’s view, Huo Kun coming over was surely instructed by Bao Kanglu.

The message is clear: don’t go to the Imperial Capital to file complaints.

Thinking this way, he felt Bao Kanglu had pushed him too far.

Given the situation, Bao Kanglu must pay the price!

His face flashed with a hint of chill, as Gan Qiu dialed a number.

After finishing the meal, just as Huo Kun reached the parking lot to find a driver, he got beaten up by several people.

His cries drew quite some attention quickly.

However, seeing those thugs, no one dared to approach.

Until the sound of an ambulance came from afar, only then did those beating Huo Kun get into a van and leave.

When Huo Kun was sent to the hospital and checked, that injured leg was shattered.

Upon finding out, Bao Kanglu immediately called to inquire.

“What’s going on? Did you offend someone lately?”

Huo Kun was so pained he almost cried, feeling very aggrieved.

“No, I’ve always avoided trouble. Uncle, you must find those who beat me and make them pay!”

“Alright, then tell me, who knows your whereabouts tonight?”

After thinking it over, Huo Kun answered.

“I’m about to leave Tianhe, so I went to bid farewell to Gan Qiu. Meeting him was a last-minute thought, no one else knows.”

Without further ado, Bao Kanglu hung up the phone.

Finding Gan Qiu’s number, he dialed it.

But it didn’t get through.

Until the fourth call, did Gan Qiu’s voice sound in the receiver.

“Who is it?”

This question infuriated Bao Kanglu, “What the hell are you pretending for?!”

“Oh, it’s Secretary Bao, how come you have time to contact me?”

“Someone beat up my nephew, was it your doing?”

“Secretary Bao, we must talk evidence, you shouldn’t falsely accuse me.”

“Gan, I advise you to behave. If you’re up to any tricks, no one can save you!”

Gan Qiu didn’t respond, just hung up the phone directly.

Having someone beat Huo Kun into the hospital was just the first step of his plan.

As for the second step, it was ensuring Bao Kanglu wouldn’t become Governor…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep