Title: Reborn in Handong, Starting with an Investment in Gao Yuliang

Inside a quaint little building in Jingzhou, the lights were on.

This is the home of Gao Yuliang, the head of the Department of Political Science and Law at Handong University.

Inside the study.

The air was filled with the fragrance of ink, yet the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

In front of a desk made of precious rosewood.

Gao Yuliang, dressed in a plain Tang suit, is holding a wolf-hair brush and writing on Xuan paper.

Qi Tongwei was dressed in a crisp police uniform, the cadet rank insignia on his shoulders reflecting a faint light under the lamp.

He stood tall and straight, like a javelin, respectfully standing aside, even his breathing was very soft.

He dared not disturb his teacher.

Gao Yuliang is writing.

It is Zheng Banqiao's widely circulated saying, "It's rare to be muddleheaded."

But today.

The teacher's pen seemed unusually heavy.

A sheet of Xuan paper is laid out, and the brush moves swiftly and smoothly, completing the work in one go.

Gao Yuliang examined it for a moment, then his brows furrowed slightly.

"no."

He shook his head, casually crumpled up the calligraphy—which outsiders would consider a masterpiece—and tossed it into the wastebasket at his feet.

There were already seven or eight crumpled pieces of paper piled up in the wastebasket.

Qi Tongwei's heart, along with each discarded crumpled piece of paper, rose higher and higher.

He knew that Gao Yuliang wasn't practicing calligraphy.

Gao Yuliang was thinking, weighing options, and even feeling agitated.

There was only one thing that could make Gao Yuliang so uneasy.

The upcoming province-wide police skills competition.

That storm, centered around Qi Tongwei, stirred up the entire political arena in Handong.

Another sheet of Xuan paper was wasted.

Gao Yuliang finally put down his pen.

He didn't take any more paper, but turned around and sat down in the large armchair.

He picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew away the foam, but didn't drink it.

"Tongwei, sit down."

Gao Yuliang's voice was calm, yet carried an air of authority.

"Yes, teacher."

Qi Tongwei pulled over a chair.

I sat upright across from the desk, my back ramrod straight.

Gao Yuliang put down the teacup.

Those eyes, which usually held a gentle smile, were now sharp as a hawk's, as if they could pierce through one's heart.

What are your thoughts on this grand competition?

finally come.

Qi Tongwei felt a chill run down his spine.

He knew this was a test from his teacher.

Set your mind.

Qi Tongwei replied in a deep voice, "Teacher, the students believe that this is a crisis, but also an opportunity."

"Oh? An opportunity?"

A strange smile appeared on Gao Yuliang's lips.

Qi Tongwei met the teacher's gaze without fear and continued:

"The Liang family has set the stage for me; they need me to win."

"If I can win, I can shatter all the rumors in one fell swoop and become the sharpest knife for the Liang family in the political and legal system. My starting point will be far ahead of my peers."

"Liang Cheng already talked to me a few days ago."

"He told me to focus on training and not worry about anything else. He said that with my abilities, winning first place wouldn't be a problem."

Qi Tongwei's tone was full of strong confidence.

That was the confidence that Liang Cheng instilled in him.

He trusted Liang Cheng's judgment, and even more so, he had faith in his own abilities.

Upon hearing the name "Liang Cheng".

Gao Yuliang's eyes flickered.

His expression became increasingly unpredictable.

"No problem?"

Gao Yuliang repeated these four words, his voice not loud, but they struck Qi Tongwei's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Tongwei, you're still too young."

He sighed and leaned forward slightly.

"Do you think this is just a simple martial arts competition? Like a school exam?"

"The Liang family has set the stage for you, but do you think the Zhao family will willingly watch you perform? They will definitely sabotage you!"

"I just received news that Wang Weiguo has given a death order from the Jingzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau."

Gao Yuliang's gaze turned serious.

"They selected the city bureau's top elites, all of whom were hardened veterans who had fought their way up from the front lines. Every single one of them had blood on their hands and bore scars."

"These people aren't here to compete for rankings; they're here to sabotage you."

"Tell me, how confident are you in using your academic theories when facing these real outlaws?"

Qi Tongwei's face instantly turned pale.

He really hadn't expected it.

The Zhao family would use such direct and ruthless methods.

Within the limits allowed by the rules, completely disable him!

Seeing the change in Qi Tongwei's expression.

Gao Yuliang's tone suddenly became more forceful, like a thunderclap.

"Tongwei, listen to me clearly!"

"This is a war with no turning back!"

"If you win, you'll be the rising star of the political and legal system, the rising sun in the Handong police force! As a teacher, I can also benefit from your success and have more confidence when speaking in front of Secretary Liang."

"But what if we lose!"

Gao Yuliang's voice was chilling.

"You'll become a joke, a nepotism figure exposed in public. The Liang family will abandon you without hesitation; you'll become a discarded pawn, swept into the dustbin of history, never to rise again!"

"At that time, no one could save you, not even me!"

His words were like daggers to the heart.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Qi Tongwei's forehead.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

Gao Yuliang stood up.

I walked over to him and gently patted his shoulder.

This time, his tone softened, and he spoke with a hint of earnestness.

"Remember, in officialdom, connections are the ticket to entry, but ability is the only true passport."

"The Liang family has given you this ticket, but ultimately you have to walk the path on your own two feet and fight with your own fists."

"Go for it!"

"Show that indomitable spirit of yours, and kick every single obstacle in your way to pieces!"

"Teacher...I hope to see you win."

Qi Tongwei suddenly raised his head.

His eyes were red-rimmed, and his pupils burned with a fierce flame.

"Yes, teacher!"

"Students will never let you down!"

He stood up and gave Gao Yuliang a solemn salute.

Gao Yuliang nodded with satisfaction: "Go ahead."

They watched as Qi Tongwei's resolute figure disappeared outside the door.

All expression vanished from Gao Yuliang's face instantly.

He walked back to his desk and spread out another sheet of Xuan paper.

This time.

Without the slightest hesitation, he wrote with flowing strokes, completing the work in one go.

"It's rare to be confused."

The four large characters, powerful and forceful, reveal their sharp edge.

Gao Yuliang let out a long breath and placed the brush on the brush holder.

His gaze was deep and unfathomable, as if piercing through the darkness of the night.

This was Gao Yuliang's last time observing.

That was also the last gamble he made.

If Qi Tongwei wins, the Zhao family's conspiracy will fail, and the Liang family will achieve a great victory.

Gao Yuliang would not hesitate to tie his political future completely to the Liang family.

But what if Zhao Lichun wins...?

A complex and enigmatic light flashed in Gao Yuliang's eyes.

Then he would take Qi Tongwei as his "pledge of allegiance" to Secretary Zhao to express his loyalty.

After all, Qi Tongwei was Gao Yuliang's student.

A failed student who caused a huge uproar was the perfect tool to quell Zhao Lichun's anger.

"Tongwei, don't blame the teacher for being heartless."

Gao Yuliang silently recited this in his heart.

"In this officialdom, everyone has to think of themselves first."