Lu Jiaxuan was stunned, not understanding why the people from the Disciplinary Committee were looking for him. The commendation ceremony had not yet started, and Shen Meng was still waiting at the door for Lu Zhenping. Those already seated were all influential figures, but he knew all too well that nothing good ever came from the Disciplinary Committee seeking someone out. Even worse, someone might be trying to make trouble for Shen Meng and using him as a scapegoat.

He definitely did not want to become a sacrifice in someone else's fight.

"Dad, you need to go find elder sister-in-law right away, have her think of something. The Disciplinary Committee might be here for me, wants to embarrass her, really talk to her. Even if just for the sake of face, she has to help me."

Liu Sanjin was panicking; she could see that some people from the Disciplinary Committee were already heading towards their table.

"Jiaxuan, have you done something bad? Why else would they come looking for you?"

"Mom, just go, and remember what I said. Don't ask about anything else, I haven't done anything."

Zhou Jiaojiao was not reassured. She suddenly grabbed Lu Jiaxuan's arm and asked harshly, "Lu Jiaxuan, you tell me clearly, have you really not done anything bad? Talk honestly to me now. If this affects our child, I won't let it go."

Lu Jiaxuan shook off her arm.

"I said I haven't, means I haven't. What are you asking for? If you don't trust me, then let's divorce. Stop being so suspicious all the time, it looks bad to others."

Zhou Jiaojiao was trembling all over from Qi's intensity. Watching Lu Jiaxuan walk away briskly, her heart was in immense pain. How could he treat her like this? Over the years, she had been managing everything inside and outside the home, his official rank climbed higher and higher, and his temper grew larger and larger. He worked hard, but was her life easy?

The children were both raised by her alone; he had changed, really changed. He was no longer the Lu Jiaxuan who cherished and protected her.

The more Zhou Jiaojiao thought about it, the sadder she became, and she started sobbing. Wu Xianglan suddenly reached out and pinched her hard.

"Ah!"

"Shut up, don't make those strange noises. What are you howling about here? Today is a day of joy for elder sister-in-law. If you dare to make a scene and embarrass her, don't blame me for not considering sisterly affection when I slap your face swollen."

"The second son's wife is right. Zhou Jiaojiao, calm down. My son just said he didn't do anything bad, so he didn't. Why are you crying and making a scene, making others look down on our Lu Family? It's shameful. If I had known you had no sense of propriety, I would never have let Jiaxuan marry you."

Lu Yaya, nestled in Zhou Jiaojiao's arms, also pouted and turned to look at her.

"Mom, don't cry. Dad will be back soon. Stop crying."

Just as Zhou Jiaojiao was touched by her daughter's compassion, having raised her on her own, the little girl in her arms continued, "Someone is looking at us, someone is looking at us, it's so embarrassing. Mom, don't cry, your snot is about to come out."

Zhou Jiaojiao felt as if she had been struck by lightning, looking at her daughter in her arms with horror, not understanding how the child she had painstakingly taught could treat her this way.

She turned her head to look at the son in Lu Changzhu's arms, only to see a fair little face showing nothing but indifference, his eyes filled with disdain.

She shuddered all over, wanting to flee this place.

The members of the Disciplinary Committee had a chat with Lu Jiaxuan and silently took him away from the State-Owned Restaurant.

Lu Zhenping soon arrived, with Chen Du and Meng Li accompanying him. Both of them seemed even happier to see Shen Meng than Lu Zhenping was.

"Sister-in-law, we haven't seen you in so long, we've missed you! Hehehe, when are you coming to the Provincial City? We'll treat you to a meal when you do!"

"Yeah, yeah, sister-in-law, you've stepped down from your position so well. In a couple of days, it will be Chen Du's wedding. Bring Mingyang, Mingliang, Ming Fang, and Ming Kai over then, and we'll all make sure to give the boy a grand celebration."

"Sure, I'll definitely bring the kids over then. You all hurry up and go sit down inside, or there won't be any seats left soon."

Chen Du and Meng Li exchanged cheerful glances, then turned to look at Lu Zhenping, who had a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and quickly went into the restaurant with laughter, leaving the couple to themselves.

"How do you feel? They say it's a joyful day, but I know you've done so well these two years; you must be reluctant to leave it behind."

"Yeah, it's okay, I don't really feel reluctant, just suddenly finding myself without much to do. I'm afraid I'll be bored in the days to come. Director Lu, from now on, you'll have to take care of me and the kids by yourself!"

Lu Zhenping reached out to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"I would be glad to."

Shen Meng laughed, and the follow-up plans had already been set. Starting this month until the end of the year, she would have free time to spare. They would see when Lu Zhenping had his vacation, as she wanted to take the children out and about for a good trip.

The couple walked hand in hand towards the State-Owned Restaurant, when Liu Sanjin suddenly rushed over.

"Xiao Meng, Xiao Meng, something terrible has happened; your brother has been taken... Now that Zhenping is back, I said that we couldn't handle it just with your wife, we need you. Your brother has been taken away by the Disciplinary Committee, what do we do? He said he didn't do anything, he didn't commit any crimes, so you must go talk to the Disciplinary Committee right away, there must be some misunderstanding here."

Her voice was somewhat shrill, making Lu Zhenping frown deeply.

If the comrades from the Disciplinary Committee had come, they likely already had evidence. Otherwise, they wouldn't have taken such a step so easily. But today was Shen Meng's important day, and he couldn't have Liu Sanjin causing a scene here.

"It's okay. If the comrades from the Disciplinary Committee came, it might just be to have Jiaxuan assist with the investigation. You said it yourself that he hasn't done anything wrong; there won't be any issues. Go and sit down for now, and if there's nothing in the afternoon, I'll go and check on it."

"No, you go now, Zhenping, I know that my old lady has done wrong in the past, but after all, I've raised you for so many years, if not for merit, then for hard work, right? For your father's sake, can't you go see your brother and find out what's happening? I can't be at peace; I'm really not at peace at all."

"Old woman, if you are so anxious, why don't you go see him yourself? It's not like you don't know what day it is today. If Zhenping or I go looking for the Disciplinary Committee, what would others think of us? Today is my commendation ceremony for stepping down, and you treat it like we're at a home banquet, thinking we can just leave whenever."

Liu Sanjin was so infuriated by Shen Meng that she lifted her hand, about to sit on the ground, but Shen Meng immediately moved closer to her.

"Quiet down, if Zhenping and I lose face today, I guarantee that no one will be able to save your son."

After saying this, Shen Meng pulled Lu Zhenping away, leaving Liu Sanjin standing at the door, shaking uncontrollably. She had four sons; the eldest, who was not her own flesh and blood, was the most capable, the second one idled his life away relying on the youngest's capabilities to get a job at a pig farm, the third resented the family because of issues his wife had when giving birth and seldom came home. The youngest, whom she could rely on, had grown to be the Village Chief but was taken away by the Disciplinary Committee just when he was about to climb higher today. If anything happened to the youngest, what hopes could she, an old woman, have left!