Male Lead's Canon Fodder Wife-Chapter 1348: High Demand

At the same time, the Mayor was having a private meeting with people from the capital. The two of them were sitting across from each other in his study at home instead of the Mayor's office.

At this moment, the Mayor's back was covered in cold sweat, and his eyes darted as he tried to find excuses for his family's lavish meals.

Sitting across from him, Pan Chiyan and Xie Xuanzi were sipping their tea. No one was talking, and the tense atmosphere was suffocating.

Although Pan Chiyan was only the head of the secretariat office, he was an officer from the capital. While his rank was below the city mayor, his influence and political power were above the Mayor's.

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As for Xie Xuanzi, he had come under the General's orders to investigate the black market's middlemen and the causes of the high prices of grain and supplies.

Pan Chiyan placed his teacup down and said with a smile, "Comrade Sun, I believe you have already heard the rumors about your family circulating in the office. Someone has reported this matter to the capital."

"We have come here to investigate the truth behind the rumors. Comrade Sun, it would be best if you told us the truth," he added meaningfully.

Mayor Sun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and thought about his wife's warning.

No matter what method he used, he couldn't reveal anything about Houzi. Otherwise, what awaited them was worse than the reform punishment—they might even lose their lives.

After reorganizing his thoughts, Mayor Sun decided to mix truth with falsehood. Clenching his fists, he said, "Comrade Pan, Comrade Xie, the rumors about my family having meat at every meal are true, but I didn't hoard any grain at all."

Raising his eyebrows, Pan Chiyan asked, "Oh? Then where did you get the meat and grain?"

"Since the matter has reached this point, there is no need for me to hide it anymore," Mayor Sun said with a sigh.

He looked at them and said, "I believe the capital also received a report about a villager named Li Chenmo donating his family's grain to the orphans and elderly during the last distribution day."

Hearing the familiar name, they smiled but said nothing, waiting for the Mayor to continue.

Seeing their calm demeanor, the Mayor swallowed and continued, "Well, my wife learned that some people were willing to exchange their meat and white rice for coarse grain. So, she exchanged our family's coarse grain for some meat and white rice."

"Although it might seem like a lot, we actually only have a little bit of meat once every few days. As for the rice, only I eat it. My wife and children eat coarse grain buns."

Pan Chiyan chuckled at his flimsy excuse and said, "Comrade Sun, we all know that you love your wife and children dearly. How could you bear to enjoy meat and white rice while your family eats coarse grain buns?"

Mayor Sun wiped his sweat and replied, "My wife said that as the Mayor, I should at least keep up appearances."

Nodding at his words, Pan Chiyan took out a folder from his bag and placed it on the table. He pushed it toward the Mayor and said, "Comrade Sun, you might want to rethink your answer after reading these documents."

Mayor Sun's hands trembled as he took the folder. When he read its contents, his face instantly turned pale.

He looked at Pan Chiyan and pleaded, "Comrade Pan, everything was done by me alone. It has nothing to do with my family. I'm willing to accept the punishment, but please spare my wife and children."

Finally hearing the words he wanted, Pan Chiyan smiled and said, "Comrade Sun, it's not impossible to let you and your family go."

Sensing that there was still room for negotiation, Mayor Sun said, "Comrade Pan, please tell me what I need to do to save my family. As long as it's within my power, I will agree to your request."

"Comrade Sun, what the central government wants is simple. We can turn a blind eye to this matter as long as you hand over 10,000 kilograms of grain to the government," Pan Chiyan replied.

The moment Mayor Sun heard the demand, he was stunned. In their current situation, not to mention 10,000 kilograms—it was hard to get even 100 kilograms.

Asking him to hand over such a large amount—wasn't that the same as asking for his life?!

Noticing his reaction, Pan Chiyan let out a sigh and said, "If this request is too much for you, Comrade Sun, you can just hand over the black market middleman's information and the money. We will take care of the rest."

"This—"

Mayor Sun hesitated not out of loyalty to Houzi but because of his wife's warning.

No one knew who was behind Houzi, but judging by the amount of food and rare items he could obtain, that person had to be someone influential and powerful. Offending Houzi and his backer was not a wise decision at all.

Xie Xuanzi turned the ring on his pinky finger and said slowly, "Since Comrade Sun is unwilling to cooperate, we can only report this matter to the capital as it is."

Raising his gaze, he looked at Mayor Sun coldly and added, "I'm sure you know the consequences of embezzling grain and money."

As soon as he heard this, Mayor Sun quickly said, "Comrade Xie, please don't report it to the capital."

"So, are you going to hand over the grain, or are you going to hand over the middleman's information and the money?" Xie Xuanzi asked.

It was impossible for him to acquire 10,000 kilograms of grain. His only option was to sell out Houzi. He couldn't afford to think too much about future consequences.

After weighing the pros and cons, he took out his pen and wrote down a name and an address on the paper.