Su Minghua finally regained consciousness three days later.
He finally understood he had been tricked again.
The difference was that last time it was by his superiors, and this time it was by the young master of the Chen family.
Two consecutive promotions with demotions meant he had been removed from the core of the Public Security Bureau, and he could probably look forward to an early retirement.
After realizing this, a knot of resentment tightened in his chest. He clenched his fists, the veins on his forehead subtly bulging.
What made him even more furious and helpless was that his path forward was completely blocked.
A new person had already been assigned to his former position, and all his superiors seemed to have agreed to avoid him, leaving him no opportunity to question or argue.
Whether he wanted to or not, he had to work in the archives.
He felt stifled for a long time before finally exhaling a long breath and loosening his fists.
His hope was gone.
This meant he had nothing left to hold back.
...
On the day he moved into his new office, almost no one came to visit or congratulate him. Su Minghua had anticipated this and was packing his belongings with a gloomy expression.
However, he did not expect to receive a visitor in the afternoon.
He looked up and saw the young master of the influential Chen family.
"Director Su, I heard you were promoted, so I specifically came to deliver a congratulatory gift," Chen Ziming said with a faint smile, walking over with a paper box in his hand.
Su Minghua felt a surge of anger rush to his head, but he managed to suppress it.
"It's good that you're so thoughtful. Ever since they told me I was being transferred here, no one else has interacted with me." He sat calmly at his desk, smiling politely, but his voice carried a cold edge.
Chen Ziming chuckled lightly and did not reply. Instead, he casually placed the paper box in front of Su Minghua.
Then, he comfortably sat in the chair opposite him, his posture relaxed, and gestured towards the gift box with his chin.
"Who cares if you're Yueyue's father? Open it and take a look, Director Su."
As he spoke, he dropped the smile, lowered his head slightly, and looked up, his eyes carrying a hint of danger.
Su Minghua's body stiffened for a moment. He slowly reached out and opened the small paper box.
The instant he saw what was inside, his face registered clear panic.
It was a bottle of pepper spray.
He knew exactly what it meant.
He would never forget that night when, emboldened by alcohol, he had entered Su Yue's room and held her for the first and only time.
Immediately after, she had produced pepper spray from somewhere and sprayed it in his face.
So, Chen Ziming already knew.
So, these two had been playing a game for him all along...
Watching Su Minghua's face grow increasingly grim, Chen Ziming let out a snort and spoke unhurriedly:
"Now that things have come to this, let's speak plainly. Director Su has offended many people over the years. To be able to sit in this position so calmly is considered a peaceful end. I hope you'll conduct yourself with propriety, live your life earnestly, and avoid any further trouble."
Su Minghua's facial muscles twitched a few times at his words. He casually tossed the box into the trash can and took a deep breath to calm himself.
Only then did he respond, "If I understand correctly, Young Master Chen, I owe my current position to you."
Chen Ziming frowned slightly, clasping his hands together. "Not exactly. Ultimately, it's what the people wanted."
He wasn't lying.
If Su Minghua had truly won the hearts of the people and conducted his work with integrity, even he wouldn't have been able to move him so smoothly.
Su Minghua's anger had built up to his throat, almost beyond his control, a fierceness coloring his eyes:
"So, what exactly are you here for today? To laugh at me and show off your power?"
The air fell silent for a moment.
Soon, the young police officer in front of him smiled, a smile that was both open and disdainful.
"Director Su, you think too highly of yourself. I care about Yueyue. I came here only to threaten you..."
As he spoke, he lowered his gaze, as if contemplating something, and the next second, his voice dropped low:
"I know you are adept at sinister tactics, and you will definitely find a way to retaliate. So, I'm here to advise you to abandon such thoughts."
"I have leverage over you."
He spoke the last sentence very softly.
Yet, it was like a thunderclap, causing Su Minghua's heart to tremble.