In the meeting room, if there was someone whose relationship with Qiu Tu was the most tense, it would definitely have to be Yan Chen.
After all, Qiu Tu was a mid-level official whom Yan Chen had personally promoted.
Moreover, Yan Chen clearly had high hopes for Qiu Tu, genuinely nurturing him as a confidant and laying out a majestic path for him.
Yet, under such circumstances, Qiu Tu still betrayed Yan Chen and went into the embrace of Tang Feifei.
Everyone somewhat understood Yan Chen. With his character of holding grudges, there was 100% no chance he would let Qiu Tu off the hook! Not to mention helping Qiu Tu get promoted! So, Tang Feifei's proposal was definitely going to hit a snag.
Indeed, as soon as Tang Feifei started to speak, Yan Chen, who had been silent since the meeting began, also spoke up.
He lifted his drooping eyelids, and his old, murky eyes slowly shifted toward Tang Feifei.
Seeing this, Tang Feifei also looked back at him squarely.
The two stared at each other for two seconds before Yan Chen finally spoke with a somber expression, "Qiu Tu is not suitable, let's just decide on the three candidates mentioned earlier."
"Report them to the Municipal Committee, and let the committee decide which one they prefer.
Upon hearing Yan Chen's words, the senior members of the meeting room were taken aback, then exchanged glances.
The selection of the Head of the Political Department was too important, and it was somewhat normal to report it to the Sanctuary if there was an ongoing dispute among everyone.
But... a Deputy Director? That could've been internally decided after discussion before just going through a formality at the Municipal Committee. Why now let the Municipal Committee choose as well?
Wasn't this a surrender of power?
At this time, Yan Chen didn't care about what others were thinking. After he made his statement, he snorted coldly, then stood up, and left the room with a flick of his sleeve.
Seeing his attitude, the high-ranking officials, who had been somewhat puzzled just moments before, suddenly had a look of realization as they "guessed" Yan Chen's thoughts: Yan Chen probably felt disgusted just hearing Qiu Tu's name and couldn't be bothered to continue the meeting, nor did he want to keep arguing with Tang Feifei, which is why he directly exercised his Bureau Chief's decision-making power to settle the matter.
Thinking this, they could not help but glance at Tang Feifei.
At that moment, Tang Feifei's brow was indeed deeply furrowed, and her face was as cold as frost.
Seeing this, the senior officials looked at each other and smiled, also rising from their seats and leaving the meeting room...
Although they hadn't achieved the outcomes they wanted, at least there was still hope. But for Tang Feifei, there was no hope left.
People are such strange creatures; it doesn't matter much if their own lives are mediocre, but if they see someone else faring worse than themselves, it often brings much joy...
Soon, the aftermath of this meeting began to spread rapidly within the Investigation Bureau.
So, not long after, agents, chiefs, and directors from different departments got wind of the juicy details from this meeting.
"Hey, have you heard? Deputy Director Tang and the Disciplinary Department proposed Chief Qiu for a promotion to Deputy Director, but it was vetoed by the Bureau Chief."
"I've heard, I've heard. I also heard that Deputy Director Tang's face was quite a sight at that time."
"But to be fair... although Chief Qiu has less seniority, and he has just been promoted, the endorsement from the Disciplinary Department gave him qualifications to be promoted to Deputy Director. Without the Bureau Chief's opposition, he would have had the greatest advantage."
"Yeah, but who told him to offend the Bureau Chief? With the Bureau Chief's veto, he lost all hope. Besides... now that the list has been reported to the Municipal Committee, there's no turning back."
"Isn't that the truth?"
In the office of the Public Security Department Director.
As he was anxious about his bet with Qiu Tu, Zheng Tao visited his superior Guan Weihua almost immediately after the meeting to find out the news.
Being officials of the same faction, Guan Weihua didn't keep anything from Zheng Tao.
So, Zheng Tao quickly learned two pieces of news.
The first news was: Qiu Tu was indeed nominated, and moreover, he was jointly nominated by Deputy Director Tang and the Disciplinary Department, making him a surprisingly strong competitor.
The second news was: But... Director Yan was extremely dissatisfied with Qiu Tu, directly vetoing this nomination, and reported the other three candidates to the Municipal Committee, just waiting for them to make the final decision.
The first news nearly caused Zheng Tao to break out in a cold sweat, while the second brought him close to bursting with laughter!
At that moment, how could he not realize Qiu Tu's "conspiracy":
Qiu Tu clearly knew he would be jointly recommended by the Disciplinary Department and Tang Feifei, thinking he had a high probability of being elected, which is why he had the audacity to bet with him!
He aimed to win over his wife and driver!
Luckily, Director Yan exercised his veto power right then, or else he might have actually succeeded!
With these thoughts, Zheng Tao breathed a sigh of relief and also felt a tinge of schadenfreude.
He felt that Qiu Tu, despite all his calculations, had still missed a crucial point.
It seemed that the ultimate winner of this bet would be him!
Thinking this, Zheng Tao suddenly paused: Wait a minute, in the bet between himself and Qiu Tu, why was it that only he had placed a stake, and Qiu Tu hadn't pitched in anything?
'No, no! I must confront him about this!'
Thinking this, Zheng Tao said farewell to Guan Weihua and then headed towards the 9th floor...
At the same time, Qiu Tu was on the phone with Tang Feifei.
Tang Feifei at this moment, although not as cold in expression as she was when the meeting dispersed, was not much better off.
She frowned with a chilly tone, "Qiu Tu... didn't you handle Yan Chen properly?"