CHAPTER 498: CHAPTER 498: SO YOU REALLY WANT TO SCREW ME OVER TO DEATH

When they arrived at Tianhai Hotel, Chen Bin immediately arranged a table of food for Liao Ruoli.

The latter showed no restraint. After feasting like a whirlwind, she leaned back in her chair and let out a satisfied burp.

"By the way, why did you hang up on me today?"

Chen Bin immediately replied, "It might’ve been a bad signal at the time. I called you back later, but unfortunately, I couldn’t get through. You didn’t come all this way today just for this, did you?"

"Of course not. I came to ask you one thing: between me and my sister, who are you choosing?!"

"I’ve been really busy lately. How about I deal with the gala first, and then I’ll give it serious thought afterward?"

Rolling her eyes, Liao Ruoli replied impatiently.

"Don’t think I don’t know. You’re just saying this to buy time."

Chen Bin let out an awkward cough, lowering his head without responding.

Placing her hand on Chen Bin’s shoulder, a trace of determination flickered in Liao Ruoli’s gaze.

"I’ll give you one more month to think it over, but let me be clear—even I have my limits. If you’re still delaying when September ends, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

If someone else had said such a thing, Chen Bin wouldn’t have taken it seriously.

But when it came to this girl, Liao Ruoli, he genuinely felt anxious, worried about what kind of extreme actions she might take.

"What do you plan to do?"

"You’ll know when the time comes!"

With that, Liao Ruoli directly told Chen Bin to settle the bill and book a room.

The two of them shared a romantic bath and then engaged in an intimate exchange.

However, just as usual, Liao Ruoli held her ground and didn’t let Chen Bin cross the final line.

After Liao Ruoli fell asleep, Chen Bin frowned deeply.

"Both are dear to me. How in the world am I supposed to choose?"

Early the next morning, Liao Ruoli casually ate a little and then asked Chen Bin to drive her to the airport.

In truth, she had been extremely busy lately. If not for her worry about Liao Ruoji taking advantage of her absence, she wouldn’t have had time to come to Tianhai at all.

Chen Bin initially wanted to persuade her to stay a couple of days longer, but seeing how occupied she was, he decided against it.

Upon returning to the provincial TV station, Chen Bin headed straight to the Provincial Committee office with the article he had written.

After reading it, Zeng Pengchao couldn’t help but nod repeatedly.

"Not bad, not bad. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a sharp, to-the-point article. Concise and powerful—I like it!"

Chen Bin smiled and responded, "Thank you for the compliment, Secretary Zeng."

"I asked you to write this for publication in the provincial newspaper so the whole province can see it. Any objections?"

"None at all!"

Seeing Chen Bin’s firm stance, Zeng Pengchao was somewhat surprised.

"Publishing this article will undoubtedly cause a massive upheaval. Have you considered the consequences?"

"I’m not afraid!" Chen Bin’s resolve remained unwavering.

"Yanxi Province’s TV station has been riddled with rot for too long. To heal it, we need some drastic measures. If my article can bring the station back to life, I’ll accept any criticism or disdain that comes my way."

Such selfless words left Zeng Pengchao stunned.

Unable to hold back, he asked, "Surely you have some personal motives?"

Chen Bin didn’t hold back, replying truthfully.

"Of course I do! For someone in public service, proving their value means striving to move up. Writing this article serves to grab the attention of higher leadership, but it’s also about better serving the people as I ascend."

Nodding appreciatively, Zeng Pengchao looked at Chen Bin with admiration.

It seemed that this was indeed someone worth entrusting.

"If that’s the case, I’ll have the provincial newspaper publish it."

"No problem!"

Chen Bin’s determination did not waver.

On August 30th, Chen Bin’s article became the headline for the front page of Yanxi Daily.

When the public saw it, their reaction was surprisingly muted.

However, the entire broadcast system of Yanxi Province experienced a seismic shock.

Some praised Chen Bin for his bravery, while others criticized him for portraying the provincial TV station so negatively.

Of course, most leaned toward the latter view.

Even Fan Sheng and Shen Xue, after reading the article, felt that he had been overly impulsive.

Opinions sharply diverged—many hailed Chen Bin as a hero unafraid to tear off the masks of corruption, while others dismissed him as attention-seeking.

The person who hated him most, naturally, was Lan Hui.

Since Shen Chengbao’s arrest, Lan Hui’s situation had already been dire.

This sudden article only added insult to injury.

What terrified her even more was how such an article could be published at all, and on the front page no less.

The implications were too alarming to ignore.

Summoning Chen Bin to her office, Lan Hui stood up and yelled hysterically.

"Why... Why would you do this? Are you determined to destroy me?"

Chen Bin remained as composed as ever.

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Lan Hui grabbed a copy of Yanxi Daily and flung it at his face.

"Who told you to write this? I’m the station director! Why wasn’t your article reviewed by me before publication? Is this how you behaved at your previous workplace—completely disregarding organizational rules?"

Smirking, Chen Bin replied coolly, "What’s the matter? Did my article hit a nerve?"

"What did you just say?"

"As the saying goes, ’If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it in the first place.’ If you’ve done so many dirty deeds, no wonder a single article scares you."

"Me? What have I done? Anyone else in my position would’ve faced the same backlash!"

With a cold chuckle, Chen Bin’s gaze turned sharp.

"Let me be clear, Lan Hui. The reason our station is in such shambles today is because of you. You are the biggest parasite eating away at it!"

Lan Hui’s eyes reddened as she glared at Chen Bin intensely.

"You... You’re really trying to ruin me."

Placing his hands on her desk, Chen Bin leaned in slightly.

He whispered by her ear, "I don’t mess with those who leave me alone. But if you keep provoking me, prepare for the consequences."

With that, Chen Bin turned and walked out the door.

"Bastard! Damn you!"

As the office door slammed shut, Lan Hui could no longer contain her fury. She cursed under her breath as she vented.

After flinging the items on her desk onto the floor, she collapsed into her chair, utterly drained.

Even when the workday ended, Lan Hui remained in a dazed state.

When she finally returned home and sat on the sofa, the doorbell suddenly rang.

By now, Lan Hui was as jittery as a frightened bird. The sound startled her so much that she instinctively trembled.

Grabbing a fruit knife from the coffee table, she cautiously approached the door.

Looking through the peephole, she saw a man wearing sunglasses standing outside.

Someone wearing sunglasses at this hour could only mean trouble.

As Lan Hui debated whether to call the police, the man spoke up.

"Lan Hui, I know you’re inside. Open the door—I’m here on behalf of the boss!"