Once, I wanted to be a good person

Chapter 812: 201. I finally fooled everyone!

Fang Ze had indeed anticipated that the inquiry would be of high caliber, but he truly hadn’t expected all five major departments to be present.

This gathering of the five major departments was clearly instigated by He Weidao…

Thinking of this, Fang Ze’s mind began to race as he started to speculate He Weidao’s motives.

‘Does he want all the departments to be present to jointly testify against me and then just crush me on the spot?’

At that thought, a chill ran through Fang Ze’s heart, and he couldn’t help feeling grateful for Bai Zhi’s timely warning. Without her, he might really have been done for today.

As Fang Ze was mulling over these thoughts, the other few people in the room noticed him. Changqing nodded slightly to him, and Councilor Jia even took the initiative to stand up and greet him, “Councilman Fang Ze, long time no see.”

Caught off guard by his greeting, Fang Ze recovered and walked over with a smile, “It has indeed been a long time.”

Councilor Jia praised with a smile, “But the elegance of Councilman Fang Ze remains the same.”

Hearing Councilor Jia’s words, even though he was not in the Late-Night Investigation Room, Fang Ze could still distinctly feel the strong goodwill emanating from him.

Huh… what’s this old fox up to now?

With that thought, Fang Ze couldn’t help but give Councilor Jia a penetrating look, while Councilor Jia gave a sycophantic smile in return.

Conversations between smart people sometimes require only an expression.

So, seeing Councilor Jia’s smile, Fang Ze was immediately sure of his thoughts. He pondered for a moment, then bowed slightly to Councilor Jia and said, “I’ve recently moved to a new residence. If Councilor Jia has time, you’re welcome to come over for a chat and some tea.”

Sure enough, upon receiving Fang Ze’s invitation, Councilor Jia burst into laughter and replied, “I will certainly take you up on that. Tomorrow, perhaps?”

Fang Ze smiled and said, “Yes.”

As the two of them were conversing, the door of the meeting room was once again pushed open from the outside. A line of people walked in, the one in the lead being an Executive Councilor Fang Ze had seen before. His exact duties were unclear to Fang Ze, but it was evident he was from a crucial department.

Once inside the meeting room, the Executive Councilor glanced coldly around at the seated individuals, then fixed his gaze on Jiang Cheng, “Time’s up, Commissioner Jiang Cheng. Please step forward to answer the inquiry.”

Upon hearing the Executive Councilor’s words, Jiang Cheng stood up expressionlessly and took his place at the front, facing Fang Ze and the others.

The Executive Councilor also took his position in the center of the room, sitting directly opposite Jiang Cheng. He put on his glasses, opened the notebook he brought with him, glanced at the questions, and slowly began to inquire, “Commissioner Jiang Cheng, do you admit to maliciously sabotaging Councilor Jing Tai’s operation plan?”

Hearing the Executive Councilor’s query, Jiang Cheng responded without any expression, “I do not.”

The Executive Councilor hummed in acknowledgment, then continued, “Then could you tell us if you were aware of the real purpose behind last night’s joint operation between the Security Bureau and the Federal Defense Team? And from where did you come to know of it?”

Jiang Cheng clearly hesitated for a moment, then looked at Jing Tai, opened his mouth to explain, but realized he couldn’t. After a moment, he could only vaguely say, “I learned of it from Councilor Jing Tai.”

The eyes behind the Executive Councilor’s glasses narrowed slightly, shimmering with dangerous intent, “Then why does Councilor Jing Tai claim he never discussed the plan with you, only the timing of the action? Are you implying that he’s lying?”

Jiang Cheng was suddenly at a loss, stammering unsure of how to respond.

Meanwhile, Fang Ze, who had been observing the exchange from the audience, furrowed his brows…

‘Something’s off…’

‘Why does this inquiry feel so wrong?’

Fang Ze’s mind whirled, trying to pinpoint the oddity, but perhaps due to the limited time, he couldn’t find a clue.

All he felt was… as though something was missing.

Yet when he looked at the other onlookers, they did not share his confusion; they listened intently.

‘Am I overthinking it?’ Fang Ze hesitated for a moment.

Soon, the inquiry came to an end. Except for a defiant response to the first question, Jiang Cheng was rendered speechless by the Executive Councilor through most of it. The silence lasted longer than his answers.

After the questioning, the Executive Councilor made no judgment but stood up and said to Jiang Cheng, “Alright, Commissioner Jiang Cheng, the inquiry is now concluded. You may leave. The Council will notify you of the results.”

Even without an inquisition, Jiang Cheng knew the outcome of the inquiry was far from ideal, so he nodded and left the meeting room with a grim face.

Once he had left, the Executive Councilor stood up, turned around to face the five attending onlookers, and spoke slowly, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve all observed the recent questioning. What are your thoughts on Commissioner Jiang Cheng’s performance?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Ze looked at the others; they were all either bowing their heads or frowning in contemplation, clearly pondering the Executive Councilor’s question. The sense of wrongness inside Fang Ze grew stronger.

‘Could it really be all in my head? Why does it feel so strange?’

As he pondered, suddenly, Fang Ze thought of Bai Ling’s “Black Panther” ability. That ability could predict good and bad fortune! Since he couldn’t deduce whether he was overthinking, why not try using it?