Many people should be well aware that once a public lawsuit is filed, it enters the court trial phase.

Judging from the testimonies and evidence concerning Xu Yao's parents defaming the executive deputy county magistrate of Wucheng County, this defamation charge is undoubtedly confirmed, and at least a three-year prison sentence awaits.

"The relationship between County Magistrate Lin and Lu Xiaodan is very clear. This is the result of our police investigation and the organizational department's review. We also retrieved surveillance from the county government, showing that Lu Xiaodan is merely a liaison for County Magistrate Lin, with no hidden secrets whatsoever. Since they want to slander County Magistrate Lin, we will certainly hold them to account..." Zhang Boqing said coldly, his face ashen.

"Secretary Zhang, you are absolutely right. Those who slander and defame County Magistrate Lin must receive the punishment they deserve," Director Liu quickly echoed.

Zhang Boqing gave him a cold and deep look, then sneered, "Director Liu, is this really your thought?"

"Of course, I... I share that thought," Director Liu nodded emphatically, his heart sinking further.

"Director Liu, what about the thug who was following County Magistrate Lin? How is the interrogation going?" Zhang Boqing asked coldly.

"Secretary Zhang, I was about to report this matter. The thug confessed and said it was Master Jin San from the West Gate who instructed him to follow County Magistrate Lin," Director Liu replied swiftly.

Zhang Boqing naturally knew this Master Jin San, a tyrant of the West Gate, who ran a teahouse and a singing venue with a number of thugs under his command.

"Master Jin San? Why would he follow County Magistrate Lin?" Zhang Boqing asked in confusion.

"I don't know the reason either, but I've already sent people to arrest Master Jin San," Director Liu replied.

"How long have they been gone?" Zhang Boqing asked.

"About half an hour, they should be returning soon," Director Liu glanced at the door.

At that moment, his phone rang.

After answering, Director Liu urgently asked, "What's the situation? Did you catch him?"

"Director, we didn't capture Master Jin San. We don't know where he went," the police officer on the other end replied.

"What? Didn't catch him? What are you people doing?" Director Liu was infuriated and ready to scold.

Hearing this, Secretary Zhang interjected, "What? Didn't catch him?"

"Yes, they say Master Jin San ran away," Director Liu nodded bitterly.

Zhang Boqing's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Do you know why Master Jin San wants to have someone follow County Magistrate Lin?"

"I don't know," Director Liu shook his head bitterly.

"Then send someone to track Master Jin San, he must be captured!" Zhang Boqing ordered sternly.

"Understood," Director Liu replied.

In fact, Zhang Boqing already saw through Director Liu's facade of feigned compliance, but he didn't point it out; instead, he chose to watch how things would unfold.

After all, in Wucheng County, someone daring to have people follow the executive deputy county magistrate clearly wouldn't be an easy opponent, and Master Jin San was just a puppet.

As for Director Liu turning a blind eye, it was merely a means of self-preservation.

After Lin Hao hung up the phone, he looked at Lu Xiaodan, whose eyes were red, and smiled to comfort her, "Xiaolu, don't worry, I've already called Secretary Zhang, he'll sort things out."

"Now the entire county must think I'm a woman with a bad reputation, I..." Lu Xiaodan pouted, looking very aggrieved.

"That won't happen, the truth of these matters will come out, there's nothing between us, what are you afraid of?" Lin Hao reassured with a smile.

"Thank you, County Magistrate Lin," Lu Xiaodan expressed her gratitude.

"Alright, here, have some water to calm down, tell me, what's the story with this Xu Yao?" Lin Hao poured the lady a glass of water and intended to inquire about Xu Yao's background.

In the officialdom, knowing whom to flatter and when to act doesn't matter; what's important is understanding the enemy's background and details.

Especially in the city or provincial level, perhaps an inconspicuous person could possess deep connections; offending such a person could lead to one's downfall without even knowing it.

Since Zhang Boqing planned to escalate the situation with the Xu Family, he certainly needed to understand the Xu Family's circumstances.

Of course, Lin Hao wasn't picking the easiest target recklessly; it was simply that Xu Yao had gone too far.

"The Xu Family owns a restaurant outside the East Gate and has some money... One of his aunts knows my mom, and that's how we were introduced. My parents thought their family conditions were okay, so they encouraged me to meet him..."

"However, he's an arrogant and self-centered person with a young master's temperament and also petty. I didn't want to have anything to do with him for a long time, and yet, this whole mess happened, I'm really sorry!" Lu Xiaodan narrated her side.

Lin Hao occasionally asked a question or two, getting some understanding of the situation.

Lu Xiaodan went on a few dates with this guy, but then she became Lin Hao's liaison, got busier at work, and no longer had time for Xu Yao.

It was precisely because she had no time for him that he suspected Lu Xiaodan of two-timing. When he caught them eating hot pot together, he naturally saw Lin Hao as a rival.

Later, upon discovering that Lin Hao was Lu Xiaodan's superior, he insisted that the beauty was either coerced or bribed into a relationship.

After Lu Xiaodan had a falling out with him last time, she broke up with him. But a campus queen-level beauty like Lu Xiaodan, whom Xu Yao never even held hands with, naturally left Xu Yao frustrated!

"What? You didn't even hold hands? That's way too conservative, isn't it?" Lin Hao was indeed shocked.

"I... I never had much feeling for him. If not for my parents' urging, I wouldn't have bothered," Lu Xiaodan explained with a pained expression.

"Did you not date anyone in college?" Lin Hao teased jokingly.

"Many people pursued me, but I didn't like them, so..." Lu Xiaodan's face turned beet red out of embarrassment.

It was truly unexpected that such a beautiful girl hadn't been in a relationship before; did that mean she was still innocent?

Just thinking about the beauty still having a first time left Lin Hao feeling hot, and he could feel his emotions rising.

Honestly, what man wouldn't want to be with an untouched woman? Lin Hao was no exception.

However, since Lu Xiaodan was currently his liaison, if they got involved, it could certainly cause a lot of trouble later.

A naive girl like her was easy to trick into bed, but once that happened, she'd likely cling on and become hard to cast off.

Lu Xiaodan noticed Lin Hao's gaze containing a hint of desire, staring at her proud figure, which made her face blush with shyness.

Lin Hao quickly averted his gaze, and just then, his phone rang.

"Hello, Secretary Zhang..." Lin Hao picked up the phone and walked to the balcony to answer.

"County Magistrate Lin, I've come to see that Xu Yao's parents have already been detained by the police station. I just reviewed the records, and indeed, they've been spreading rumors and slandering you outside. We plan to prosecute them for defamation..."

Zhang Boqing roughly reported the situation. Official source is novelFirｅ.net