When Xiao Liang returned to the township government compound, the atmosphere had clearly changed.

The looks people gave him were no longer filled with suspicion and avoidance like before. Instead, they carried hesitation, curiosity… and even a trace of caution.

News traveled fast in places like this.

Especially after Xiao Yujun had been formally taken away by the county authorities that morning, everyone in Yunshe Town understood one thing:

Xiao Liang hadn’t fallen.

On the contrary, he had survived—and Xiao Yujun had gone down instead.

The moment Xiao Liang stepped into the office building, conversations along the corridor abruptly stopped.

Several township staff members awkwardly greeted him.

“Officer Xiao…”

“Morning, Officer Xiao…”

Xiao Liang nodded calmly and walked upstairs without breaking stride.

Before he even reached the second floor, Liang Chaobin emerged from his office, as though he had been waiting specifically for him.

“Xiao Liang,” Liang Chaobin called out with a smile that looked far warmer than before, “Secretary Wang wants to see you.”

Xiao Liang wasn’t surprised.

“Now?”

“Yes, right now.”

Liang Chaobin lowered his voice slightly.

“The county’s investigation team is still in Secretary Wang’s office.”

Xiao Liang gave a small nod and headed toward the third floor.

The township secretary’s office door was half-open.

Inside, besides Wang Xingmin, there were two unfamiliar middle-aged men seated on the sofa, both dressed in white shirts and black trousers despite the summer heat. Their expressions were stern and official at a glance.

One of them was smoking while flipping through documents.

The moment Xiao Liang entered, all eyes turned toward him.

Wang Xingmin waved him in immediately.

“Come in and sit.”

His tone was noticeably gentler than before.

Xiao Liang greeted the room calmly and took a seat.

The older man with the cigarette studied him for a few seconds before asking directly:

“So you’re Xiao Liang?”

“Yes.”

“You handled the audit work at Nanting Juice Factory?”

“I assisted with part of it.”

The man nodded slowly.

“We’ve reviewed some preliminary materials. Your work was solid.”

Xiao Liang didn’t respond immediately.

Praise from investigation officials usually meant they were about to assign more responsibility.

Sure enough, after a brief pause, Wang Xingmin spoke.

“The county’s position is this: the Nanting Juice Factory situation is extremely serious. But the factory itself cannot be allowed to collapse.”

He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.

“Workers need wages. Fruit farmers need payment. Production must continue.”

The other investigator added coldly:

“Once panic spreads, the consequences won’t stay limited to one village-run factory.”

Yunshe Town’s economy revolved heavily around Nanting Juice Factory.

If the factory collapsed outright, it would drag down farmers, suppliers, transport teams, and even parts of the township’s finances.

Everyone in the room understood this.

Wang Xingmin looked directly at Xiao Liang.

“The county wants to make new personnel arrangements.”

Xiao Liang finally spoke.

“What kind of arrangements?”

“You’ll temporarily leave the Economic Management Office,” Wang Xingmin said slowly. “Starting today, you’ll be transferred to Nanting Juice Factory to assist with rectification and financial reorganization work.”

The room fell quiet.

Xiao Liang narrowed his eyes slightly.

This development had arrived even faster than he expected.

The investigator beside Wang Xingmin spoke up:

“The county leadership specifically mentioned your name. Since you uncovered the problems there, you’re also the person most familiar with the factory’s internal accounts.”

“Of course,” Wang Xingmin added, “this is only a temporary assignment for now.”

Temporary.

Everyone knew what that word meant.

If things went smoothly, temporary could easily become permanent.

If things went badly, he would become the first scapegoat thrown out.

Wang Xingmin watched Xiao Liang carefully.

“Do you have any thoughts?”

Xiao Liang was silent for several seconds.

In his previous life, after being falsely accused, he had never gotten anywhere near Nanting Juice Factory again.

This life had already diverged completely.

But after only a moment’s thought, he already understood Wang Xingmin’s intentions.

The township needed someone clean.

Someone capable.

And more importantly—someone the county investigation team trusted.

Right now, Xiao Liang was the perfect candidate.

At the same time, this was also a test.

If he could stabilize the factory, his future in Yunshe Town would completely change.

If he failed, all the pressure surrounding the case would eventually crush him.

Wang Xingmin suddenly smiled faintly.

“You’re young. Don’t be too burdened.”

“The township will support your work fully.”

Xiao Liang almost laughed inwardly.

Support?

What Wang Xingmin truly meant was that the township needed him to step forward and hold the situation together.

But Xiao Liang didn’t refuse.

This was exactly the opportunity he needed.

He looked up calmly.

“When do I report over?”

A flicker of surprise crossed even Wang Xingmin’s eyes.

He clearly hadn’t expected Xiao Liang to agree so decisively.

The investigator beside him nodded approvingly.

“Good attitude.”

Wang Xingmin leaned back slightly.

“This afternoon.”

“So urgent?”

“The county wants the situation stabilized as quickly as possible,” Wang Xingmin replied. “And honestly speaking…”

He paused briefly.

“There are many people watching this factory now.”

Xiao Liang understood immediately.

Once Xiao Yujun fell, countless eyes would turn toward the enormous mess he left behind.

Some wanted to clean things up.

Others wanted to bury evidence.

And some were already preparing to carve up the remains.

Whoever entered the factory first would seize the initiative.

Xiao Liang stood up.

“Understood.”

As he turned to leave, Wang Xingmin suddenly called after him again.

“Xiao Liang.”

He stopped.

Wang Xingmin looked at him meaningfully.

“Do your work well. Don’t think too much about unnecessary things.”

Xiao Liang smiled faintly.

“I only know how to do the work in front of me.”

Then he walked out of the office.

The summer sunlight poured through the corridor windows.

Downstairs, voices drifted faintly through the government compound.

Xiao Liang narrowed his eyes slightly.

His battlefield… had officially changed.