Su Jie was taken aback by the question. Director Nan hadn’t mentioned bringing Tian An along, and besides, he had clearly distanced himself from the Revolutionary Committee these past few days. If Director Nan knew the truth, she definitely wouldn’t give Tian An this opportunity.

She replied timidly, "You weren’t here earlier, and Director Nan didn’t bring it up. Maybe you should go ask her?"

Please stop looking at her with such an intimidating gaze—it was terrifying!

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

Though the office door was open, Deng Jun and the others still knocked twice out of courtesy. After all, their status had changed now—they were part of the Discipline Inspection Committee. (Pride!)

"Su Jie, have you packed your things? The director asked us to help move your desk and chair."

"All done! Thank you, Comrade Deng, thank you, Comrade Chen. I really appreciate it."

Sniff… The director was so thoughtful!

Tian An seized the opportunity to step forward. "Brother Deng, Brother Chen, leave this trivial task to me. There’s no need for you to do such manual labor. Do I need to move my things too? Is the director short on staff right now?"

Chen Tian didn’t even spare him a glance, picking up the desk and walking off immediately. Deng Jun also found him annoying and pushed him aside before grabbing a chair with one hand and carrying a box of Su Jie’s personal belongings with the other.

That little brat—he’ll get what’s coming to him later.

Su Jie didn’t dare look at Tian An’s face—it had turned completely dark with anger.

Hugging a stack of documents, she hurried after them. She and Tian An had been on decent terms before, but how awkward would it be to see each other now?

Someone who was friendly with Tian An came over to console him. "Forget it, isn’t it fine staying here? Director Nan is so temperamental—serving her isn’t as good as staying put."

"Fine? How is this fine? It’s all your fault!"

Tian An was furious. If these people hadn’t kept whispering that the Revolutionary Committee was doomed and advised him to stay away, Director Nan would have surely transferred him to the Discipline Inspection Committee too.

It’s all their fault! All their fault!

Seeing Tian An’s outburst, the others could only distance themselves. They were all adults—once a choice was made, why throw a tantrum now?

Back in the office, Deng Jun remarked, "That Tian An really has no shame. He didn’t even come to ask about the director these past few days, and now he acts like nothing happened, expecting to join us."

He said this deliberately for Nan Sheng to hear. Someone like that wouldn’t pass his standards!

Nan Sheng shot him a glare. "This isn’t a marketplace—keep work-irrelevant chatter to a minimum. Hurry up and get ready; we have a meeting in ten minutes!"

Deng Jun wasn’t bothered by the scolding. He’d been kicked before—this was nothing. At least the director had surely taken his opinion to heart.

"The Municipal Discipline Inspection Director has assigned me a task: within a month, I must remove all Revolutionary Committee members from government positions across the county’s towns. If I succeed, I’ll be promoted immediately."

"That ‘deputy’ title usually takes others years—even decades—to shed. Since Director Nan has this chance to rise, Liu Song and the others would surely give their full support."

Deng Jun declared, "Director, just give the orders. I’ll work day and night—no sleep for a month if needed!"

Chen Tian added, "Count me in! I’ll do whatever it takes!"

Their passion was so infectious that Su Jie almost blurted out, "Me too!" But then she reconsidered—could a person even survive a month without sleep?

Better not make promises she couldn’t keep. She’d stick to what she could handle.

Liu Song had expected the Revolutionary Committee’s downfall but hadn’t anticipated how swiftly higher-ups would act. His expression turned uneasy.

"Director, the Revolutionary Committee members have complicated backgrounds and aren’t above underhanded tactics. A month is too rushed—I’m worried someone might retaliate against you."

"Which is why I need your help!"

Nan Sheng already had a detailed plan. "For now, Deng Jun and Su Jie will stay at the government office. Liu Song and Chen Tian, you’ll have a tough stretch ahead—investigate every Revolutionary Committee member thoroughly. I want a single, decisive strike!"

Liu Song hesitated. "If we don’t tackle them one by one, we might not have enough manpower."

The director’s plan sounded like a full sweep. Even if they roped in every distant relative for extra hands, it wouldn’t be enough.

"Don’t worry about manpower—I have my ways. But the preliminary investigation must be flawless. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Seeing Nan Sheng’s confidence, Liu Song suddenly realized something. Was the director planning to…? That would be a spectacle.

Chen Tian and Liu Song got to work immediately, mobilizing their connections to ensure a thorough investigation.

Deng Jun continued his rounds in the villages, ensuring no disturbances during this critical period. Su Jie wasn’t idle either—Nan Sheng tasked her with posting notices for an internal exam open to the entire county. Anyone interested in joining the Discipline Inspection Committee could apply.

Meanwhile, in Qingjiang County, Secretary Cao Guoxiang received a call from higher-ups. The leadership had officially appointed Nan Sheng as Deputy Director of the County Discipline Inspection Committee and instructed him to fully support her work—effectively shifting him from a leading to a supporting role.

After hanging up, Secretary Cao muttered, "I knew it. She must’ve been sent undercover into the Revolutionary Committee. Now that it’s collapsed, the higher-ups have reinstated her true identity!"

His assistant looked baffled. Wasn’t Director Nan a military spouse? How was she suddenly an undercover agent? The secretary’s theory made no sense to him.

He simply thought Nan Sheng had uncanny luck—she thrived as the Revolutionary Committee director when it held power, and now, with the Discipline Inspection Committee rising, she became its deputy director.

"Get me Sanwei Town on the line. I need to speak with Director Nan personally!"

As the assistant dialed, he silently prayed Nan Sheng wouldn’t hang up prematurely this time—otherwise, the secretary might lose his composure again.

"Hello, is this Director Nan? This is Cao Guoxiang!"

"Secretary Cao? What can I do for you?"

Nan Sheng was currently guiding Su Jie on drafting the notice and wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

Cao Guoxiang began with congratulations. "I just received word from above—Director Jin has officially appointed you as Deputy Director of Qingjiang County’s Discipline Inspection Committee. You’ve endured so much hardship undercover in the Revolutionary Committee."

Nan Sheng: ?

Hardship? She’d been living her best life—where was the hardship?