Chapter 97: Awakening

Several days passed, and the harsh plans fell through. The tough expert Zeng Yi held firm, but the disciplinary committee members couldn't take it anymore.

The investigation of Zeng Yi was a torment, a nightmare for the disciplinary committee members. Everyone was drenched in sweat in the room, while Zeng Yi slept soundly. Even the high-pitched singing of Pavarotti couldn't wake him up.

Previously, those under investigation were the ones trembling with fear, but now it was the opposite. As soon as they entered the room, the disciplinary committee members became anxious. They had to endure the intense heat while keeping their ears open for any sounds. As soon as Zeng Yi's snoring stopped, they had to rush over to check if he was still breathing.

What was infuriating was that Zeng Yi would automatically wake up at mealtime, chew a piece of dry bread happily, and then go back to sleep, making everyone's teeth grind in frustration, yet they had no choice.

After a few days, the nine members of the disciplinary committee were worn out, their eyes dull. They finally understood the pain of those under investigation. They wished they could confess for Zeng Yi to avoid this torment.

"Zeng Yi, stubborn resistance will do you no good! You'd better wake up and stop dreaming unrealistic dreams!"

Yan Jun's eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. The brilliant plan he had devised was almost draining him, but he was unwilling to give up. Even with nine people taking turns, they were struggling. Yan Jun believed that Zeng Yi must also be at his limit. This was a test of willpower. If he gave up, all his efforts would be in vain. Time was not on his side!

"Let's see who can last longer!"

Yan Jun took out a bottle of chilled mineral water, unscrewed it, and took a big gulp. "This cold water is so refreshing! Everyone must be thirsty, right? Have a drink to quench your thirst!"

Two disciplinary committee members raised their bottles of mineral water, drinking while pretending to enjoy it.

"Zeng Yi, why are you doing this to yourself? If you just confess, you can drink this refreshing mineral water, go home, and have a good sleep in an air-conditioned room. Isn't that what you want?" Yan Jun waved the mineral water bottle in front of Zeng Yi, trying to persuade him.

Zeng Yi chewed on his dry bread. "Confess what? Haven't I already confessed everything I should?"

The room was so hot that an egg could cook. After several days, the disciplinary committee members were exhausted, and Zeng Yi was also struggling. Although he had ways to deal with the heat, he wasn't a god. After a long time, his body would also give out. He was now thinking about how to replenish his body's fluids.

Yan Jun had lost his patience. He said bluntly, "Just sign here, admit to taking the money, and you can leave immediately!"

"Taking what money? I haven't even received my salary from the department yet!" Zeng Yi saw through Yan Jun's intentions. He was determined to force a confession. Fine, let's see who can last longer. Once I replenish my fluids, we'll see who has the upper hand!

Zeng Yi could have left long ago, but he couldn't do that. If he left, even if he was innocent, it would make him look guilty.

Yan Jun put away the mineral water bottle and stood up. "I see you're determined to resist the organization. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance!" He slammed the door and left. Even with the chilled mineral water, he couldn't stay in the room for a moment.

"Zeng Yi, why do this to yourself? There are always opportunities to rise again!"

"Exactly, your problem isn't that serious. Just confess, and it will be fine!"

The remaining two disciplinary committee members were more like pleading than persuading. Drinking the chilled mineral water, they felt their lungs were almost scorched. A 20-minute shift was so unbearable.

Yan Jun sat in the small courtyard, drinking water and catching his breath. He thought Zeng Yi would give in at any moment, but it had been six days. Was Zeng Yi a desert spirit, never feeling thirsty? He needed to come up with a new plan.

He called the receptionist, "Go, bring two small heaters from the reception area!"

The receptionist was stunned. The room was already so hot, and they wanted more? "Leader Yan, this..."

"What do you mean, 'this'? Go and get them. Someone here has a cold, and we need to sweat it out!"

The receptionist left, thinking, "You'll get what you deserve, Yan!"

As soon as the heaters were brought in, the people in the room rushed out. "Leader Yan, come quick, Zeng Yi is in trouble!"

Yan Jun's heart skipped a beat. He quickly pushed the door open. The large light bulbs were all turned off, and Zeng Yi was lying on the ground, unconscious, pale, and breathing weakly. His pupils were dilated.

This is it, he's going to resist to the end!

Yan Jun was panicked. He shouted, "What are you waiting for? Call an ambulance!"

The disciplinary committee was not allowed to contact the outside world, but they couldn't care less at this moment. One of them ran to the reception desk, picked up the phone, and dialed 120.

Just as he hung up, several cars rushed into the reception area, parked in a row, and about ten people got out. A man in his early thirties, with a serious expression, pointed to the independent small courtyard and said, "This is the place!"

Led by the man, the group walked into the courtyard.

The disciplinary committee members rushed to block them. "Who are you? Do you know what this place is? You can't just walk in!"

Several people immediately surrounded the man, showing their work IDs. "We are from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) Supervision Room 5. Please cooperate with our investigation."

Oh my God!

The disciplinary committee members were stunned. They knew what the CCDI meant. It handled major cases, and its involvement meant that a provincial or ministerial-level official was under investigation. They couldn't understand why a mere section chief would require the CCDI's attention.

"Where is Zeng Yi?"

The man in his early thirties was Tang Haoran, Secretary to Fang Nanguo.

The disciplinary committee members finally came to their senses and pointed to a small building behind a large tree. "In the leftmost room on the first floor!"

"Are you just standing there? Take us there!" Tang Haoran's eyebrows furrowed, his voice stern.

The disciplinary committee members quickly led the way. They entered the courtyard, walked around the tree, and saw a grayish-white two-story building, looking old and worn.

Tang Haoran quickly reached the leftmost room and asked, "Is this the room?"

"Yes, this is it!" The disciplinary committee members nodded hurriedly.

Tang Haoran pushed the door open, and a wave of heat hit him. He was taken aback, wondering how it could be so hot. Even the air he breathed felt scorching.

The people in the room were frantically lifting Zeng Yi from the ground. Tang Haoran saw this and his temples started throbbing. He shouted, "What are you doing? Stop it all!"

Yan Jun was in a panic. Hearing the voice, he turned around and saw Tang Haoran and the disciplinary committee member who had called for help. He shouted, "Damn it, who let these irrelevant people in? Get them out!"

The disciplinary committee member hadn't even had a chance to speak when the CCDI members walked in, showing their work IDs. "We are from the CCDI Supervision Room 5. Please cooperate with our investigation. You know the rules, right?"

Yan Jun's heart raced. Why were the CCDI members here?

The CCDI members saw the situation and were shocked. The room was like a furnace with powerful light bulbs, small heaters, and scorching radiators. Just standing there made them sweat profusely. Zeng Yi had endured this for six days without speaking, a truly tragic and heroic feat!

The CCDI usually handled major cases, and the people under investigation were of higher rank, so they rarely used such abusive methods. They had never seen anyone so resilient!

Tang Haoran stepped forward, grabbed Zeng Yi's shoulder, and shook him. "Zeng Yi, Zeng Yi, Secretary Fang sent me to get you. Open your eyes and look at me!"

When Yan Jun heard "Secretary Fang," his throat tightened, and he couldn't speak. He knew some of the inside story. The CCDI's involvement meant that the situation had escalated to the highest level. This time, he wouldn't be the only one to suffer. In all political struggles, the ones who suffered the most were the accomplices and pawns like him.

Thinking of the people he had driven to madness, Yan Jun's legs trembled.

Shaking Zeng Yi, he got no response. Tang Haoran bent down, picked Zeng Yi up, and as he left, he glared at Yan Jun. "You will be held accountable! I will report the abuse of the person under investigation to the provincial committee and pursue it to the end!"

"Leader, please listen to me..." Yan Jun instinctively took a few steps forward, trying to explain.

The CCDI members blocked him, expressionless. "Now, please tell us how many people are here and where the others are."

The other disciplinary committee members realized something was wrong. The CCDI wasn't there to investigate Zeng Yi but to rescue him. This meant they were on the opposite side of the CCDI. Oh my God, the CCDI was a powerful department, and they would be in serious trouble!

The disciplinary committee member who had brought the CCDI members reacted the fastest. He lunged forward, grabbing the CCDI member's arm. "Leaders, we are innocent! We didn't know anything. Everything was forced on us by Yan Jun!"

"It was Yan Jun who ordered the reception area to turn on the radiators. We all opposed it!"

The others, realizing the situation, also lunged forward, accusing Yan Jun of his actions.

Yan Jun, like a frost-bitten eggplant, stood there, feeling cold despite the heat. His heart sank, and his mind was filled with one thought: It's over! No case handled by the CCDI had ever failed.

"Whether you are innocent or not will be determined after the investigation!"

The CCDI member shook off the group and walked out. The others tried to follow, but the door was locked. They were plunged into despair, realizing that the methods they had used on Zeng Yi were now being used on them.

Tang Haoran ran to the car, carrying Zeng Yi. He shouted, "Drive! To the hospital!"

The driver, scared by Tang Haoran's fierce expression, stepped on the gas, made a 180-degree turn, and sped out of the reception area.

Tang Haoran laid Zeng Yi down in the car, found several bottles of mineral water, and poured them over Zeng Yi. He then opened another bottle and made Zeng Yi drink it, and used a newspaper to fan him.

His heart was in his throat. Zeng Yi must not be harmed. He still had the original documents, which were crucial for bringing down Yuan Gongping. Moreover, Secretary Fang's old injury depended on Zeng Yi. This time, Secretary Fang went to the capital without Zeng Yi to keep a low profile, but after consulting several renowned experts, he found that none of them were as good as Zeng Yi. A checkup showed significant improvement in his old injury, and now Secretary Fang trusted only Zeng Yi's medical skills.

If Zeng Yi had been harmed because of his delayed rescue, how could he explain it to Secretary Fang?

After drinking the water, Zeng Yi woke up. He thought, if I knew it would be like this, why did I pretend to be dead? It wasn't easy. He wanted to scare Yan Jun and his group. When the ambulance arrived and the IV was set up, he would be fine and could continue to resist. He wanted to see who could last longer.

But Tang Haoran came to rescue him. Zeng Yi didn't want to wake up so quickly. If he woke up easily