Chapter 545 No turning back

Chapter 545 No turning back

But now, under the temptation of power and interests, he has lost himself and become a tool of others. He doesn't know where to go, whether to continue to sink in this dark quagmire, or to bravely resist, even at the cost of his life.

When Gao Yuliang heard the news that Qi Tongwei had joined Zhao Lichun's camp, he was shocked beyond words. He could not believe that the student who had gone astray but still had a bottom line would now completely throw himself into the turbid power vortex of the Zhao family. He was extremely anxious and immediately contacted Qi Tongwei and asked him to meet at the restaurant where they used to meet often.

Qi Tongwei was in a state of confusion and embarrassment when he received Gao Yuliang's invitation. He knew that his teacher had arranged this meeting to dissuade him, but he also felt that he was in a difficult situation. With a heavy heart, he slowly walked towards the familiar restaurant.

The lights in the restaurant were still dim and soft, but the atmosphere was no longer as relaxed as before. Gao Yuliang had already sat in the corner, his expression serious and solemn. Qi Tongwei walked over and sat down, his eyes dodging, not daring to look the teacher in the eye.

"Qi Tongwei, what are you thinking about? How can you join the Zhao family? Don't you know what kind of people they are? They just treat you as a pawn and a stepping stone. Once they have used you, they will abandon you without hesitation." Gao Yuliang suppressed his inner anger and disappointment and asked in a low voice.

Qi Tongwei was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Teacher, I know you are doing this for my own good. But do I have any other choice now? They saved me and they are doing me a favor. When I was in there, I thought that if I had a chance to regain my freedom, I would definitely repay them. Moreover, I need their help now. Only in this way can I regain my foothold in this officialdom and have the opportunity to do what I want to do."

Gao Yuliang's eyes widened, and he said in disbelief: "What do you want to do? Do you think you can do anything good following the Zhao family? You will only sink deeper and deeper into endless sin and corruption. Your so-called repayment of favors is nothing but self-deception. What they gave you was not a favor, but a rope leading to the abyss."

Qi Tongwei showed a trace of bitterness on his face: "Teacher, I understand what you mean. But now I am like a person groping in the dark, and I can't find any other way out. The Zhao family's power in Handong is intertwined. If I can maneuver among them, I may be able to gain some space for myself, and I can also influence their decision-making to a certain extent, so that they will not go too far."

Gao Yuliang sneered: "You are too naive, Qi Tongwei. Do you think you can control the Zhao family? In their eyes, you are just a tool that can be manipulated at will. Look at yourself now, you have lost yourself, your ideals and beliefs. If you do this, you will not only destroy yourself, but also implicate more people."

Qi Tongwei lowered his head and clasped his hands tightly together, his conscience struggling. He knew that what the teacher said was true, but he couldn't make up his mind to break with the Zhao family immediately. "Teacher, I will be careful. I won't let myself get too deeply involved. I just want to borrow their power temporarily, and when the time is right, I will find a way to get out of it."

Gao Yuliang sighed helplessly: "Qi Tongwei, you don't have time anymore. Once you step into this quagmire, it will be difficult to get out of it. It's not too late for you to turn back now, don't make the same mistake again."

Qi Tongwei raised his head, his eyes revealing a trace of confusion and helplessness: "Teacher, what should I do? There is no turning back. If I betray the Zhao family now, they will not let me go. I don't want to die, I still want to live, even if my life is not so upright."

Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei, his heart filled with sorrow. The student he once had high hopes for was now going further and further down the wrong path, and he was powerless to pull him back. "Qi Tongwei, you must know that justice may be late, but it will never be absent. If you continue to go along with the Zhao family, the final outcome will only be eternal damnation. You should stand up bravely and expose the Zhao family's crimes, even if it costs you your life, it is better than living like this."

Gao Yuliang frowned, his eyes revealing deep doubts about Zhao Lichun's political stance. "Qi Tongwei, Zhao Lichun's political methods are too tyrannical and authoritarian. His so-called development plan is just to expand his own power, without considering the interests of the people and the long-term future of Handong. He is arbitrary in many major decisions, suppresses dissidents, and appoints private individuals. In the long run, Handong's political ecology will only become more corrupt, and social contradictions will become increasingly acute."

Qi Tongwei shrugged helplessly, "Teacher, I know what you said. But now I am deeply trapped in it, like a lone boat caught in a whirlpool, and I am powerless to resist. You have gradually moved away from the core of power, and it is difficult for you to understand my current difficult situation. Now I can only be inferior to you for the time being and wait for a turnaround."

Gao Yuliang said bitterly, "You are just trying to quench your thirst with poison, Qi Tongwei. Do you think such a compromise can bring you peace? You are wrong. The Zhao family's appetite will only grow bigger and bigger. They will continue to exploit you and use you to do more evil things until you completely lose your usefulness and are ruthlessly abandoned."

Qi Tongwei smiled bitterly, "Teacher, I feel like I'm walking on the edge of a cliff. If I take a wrong step, I'll be crushed to pieces. I've thought about resisting, but I don't have enough strength. Zhao Lichun has a deep foundation in Handong and many followers. If I act rashly, I will inevitably suffer a catastrophe. I also have a family, and I can't ignore their safety."

Gao Yuliang took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "Qi Tongwei, family is important, but you can't give up your principles and bottom line because of this. If you continue to help the evildoers, you will not only harm yourself, but also bring greater disaster to your family. You should look for opportunities to unite with the forces of justice and fight against the Zhao family together."

Qi Tongwei's eyes flashed with hesitation. "Teacher, it's easy for you to say, but it's too difficult to do it in practice. I'm now being monitored by the Zhao family, and my every move is under their control. I don't know who to trust, and I don't know where to start."

Gao Yuliang pondered for a moment and said slowly: "The first thing you need to do is to collect evidence of the Zhao family's crimes. The evidence must be conclusive and powerful enough to kill them. Then, you can find a reliable person, such as Hou Liangping, and give him the evidence. Although you were opponents before, you have a common goal in dealing with the Zhao family."