Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Located in a ministry-affiliated residential compound in Xicheng District, Zhong Zhengguo returned home after finishing a meeting, took off his slightly stiff Zhongshan suit, and changed into comfortable home clothes.

His wife, Lin Jing, brought out a slice of watermelon. Noticing a hint of barely perceptible joy in his eyes, she asked, "What's making you happy today?"

Zhong Zhengguo picked up a slice of watermelon, took a bite, and the sweet juice melted in his mouth.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I just received a call from Lao Liu. He happened to be in Hanjiang Province for research and heard about Mingyuan's situation."

"What's wrong with Mingyuan?" Lin Jing asked with concern, leaning closer.

"He's been promoted exceptionally, to deputy director level, deputy director of the Pingzhou Municipal Government Office." Zhong Zhengguo put down the watermelon, wiped his hands, and spoke calmly, but his eyes gleamed with undisguised brilliance.

He's only twenty-five.

Lin Jing was stunned for two seconds, then her face lit up with joy: "Really? So fast? You were only transferred to Pingzhou at the end of last year, right? It's only been eight months!"

"To be precise, I've only been working for a year." Zhong Zhengguo picked up his teacup and blew on the foam.

"From a staff member in the Jinshan County Party Committee Office to the deputy director and deputy division-level official in the Pingzhou Municipal Government Office, he jumped three levels in one year."

"Such a rapid promotion is rare even nationwide."

Lin Jing sat down next to her husband, feeling both happy and emotional: "Back then, Xiao Ai insisted on going with him to that poor mountain village in Jinshan, and I was worried that she would suffer."

"Now we see that our son-in-law is really capable. He didn't rely on his family; he made it all on his own."

"Yes." Zhong Zhengguo nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the lush sycamore trees outside the window.

"Old Liu said on the phone that Mingyuan did some impressive things in Pingzhou."

"Especially that airport project, which was originally his idea, and he made great contributions to the project's acquisition and advancement."

Pei Yihong valued him highly.

"Pei Yihong?" Lin Jing vaguely recognized the name.

"Is it from Old Master Pei's family...?"

Zhong Zhengguo nodded: "He is indeed Old Master Pei's son. Comrade Yihong is in his prime, with both courage and ability, and is a well-known reformer in Hanjiang Province. The fact that he appreciates Mingyuan so much shows that our son-in-law is indeed exceptional."

Lin Jing suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Mingyuan was promoted so quickly, won't people gossip? Will they say he got promoted because of our family connections?"

Zhong Zhengguo smiled, a smile tinged with understanding: "If it were based on our connections, he should have come directly to the ministry or the provincial government of Handong Province. Why would he have gone all the way to Hanjiang Province?"

"Besides, I know Pei Yihong's personality; he hates the whole 'connections' and 'knocks on the cuff' thing."

"There is only one reason why he was able to give Mingyuan such important responsibilities—Mingyuan has indeed achieved results and is the kind of talent he needs."

He paused, his tone turning serious: "In our Zhong family this generation, there are no male heirs."

"You know our eldest son-in-law; he's good at maintaining the status quo but lacks ambition. He's just going through the motions in the ministries. He'll be lucky if he ever reaches the department-level position in his lifetime."

"It seems that the continuation and development of the family now rests on Mingyuan's shoulders."

Lin Jing understood the deeper meaning in her husband's words and said softly, "You mean..."

"I don't want to think about anything," Chung Cheng-kuo waved his hand, interrupting his wife.

"He has to walk his own path. All we can do is offer him some advice from those who have been through it when he needs it, but we must never interfere with his specific work. Trying to force him to grow too quickly will only harm him."

He took a sip of tea and continued, "The path Mingyuan has taken is very solid."

"Starting from the most basic level as a staff member in the county party committee office, I participated in practical work such as flood prevention, land acquisition, and road repair, and now I am involved in a large project like the airport."

"Every step we take is grounded in reality, and every achievement we make can withstand scrutiny."

"Such cadres have a solid foundation and strong potential."

Lin Jing nodded in agreement, then asked, "Should we call Xiao Ai? She's over seven months pregnant."

"Let's play one," Zhong Zhengguo thought for a moment.

"But don't mention Mingyuan's promotion. Just ask her how she is and if she needs anything."

"Mingyuan has just started his new job, he must be extremely busy. Let's take good care of Xiao Ai."

That evening, Zhong Xiaoai received a phone call from her mother.

Over the phone, Lin Jing asked a lot of questions about the details of the pregnancy, reminding her to pay attention to nutrition and have regular prenatal checkups, and also asking if her in-laws were adjusting well here.

Zhong Xiaoai answered each question in a light tone: "Mom, don't worry, I'm fine."

"Mingyuan's parents are very good to me. They cook me different delicious meals every day. Although Mingyuan is busy with work, he comes home to be with me whenever he has free time."

Lin Jing laughed on the other end of the phone: "That's good. Your dad asked me to ask if they need anything? Should we send some nutritional supplements from Beijing?"

"No need, no need, Pingzhou has everything," Zhong Xiaoai quickly replied.

"Don't worry about me, Dad. Just take good care of yourselves."

After hanging up the phone, Zhong Xiaoai sat on the sofa, gently stroking her slightly protruding belly, a happy smile on her face.

Gu Mingyuan pushed the door open and came in. Seeing her smiling face, he asked, "Did Mom call?"

"Okay, ask how I'm feeling." Zhong Xiaoai got up and took his briefcase from him.

"Why are you so late today? It's almost nine o'clock."

"I just finished the weekly meeting for the airport project." Gu Mingyuan changed into slippers, walked to his wife's side, and gently put his arms around her.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting so late again."

"It's okay, work is more important." Zhong Xiaoai leaned on his shoulder.

"By the way, Mom asked me if I needed anything, and I said I didn't need anything."

Gu Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat. His parents-in-law's call was probably not just about their concern for Xiao Ai's health.

The news of his promotion must have already reached the capital.

But he didn't say anything, he just said softly, "When I'm free this weekend, I'll go out for a walk with you. The doctor said pregnant women should exercise appropriately."

"Okay." Zhong Xiaoai looked up, her eyes sparkling.

"By the way, I'm going out tomorrow and might be back late."

"I'll have a driver pick you up," Gu Mingyuan said without room for argument.

"No need, Mom and Dad are with us..."

"No way." Gu Mingyuan's attitude was firm.

"You are now under special protection, and you must listen to me."

Looking at his serious expression, Zhong Xiaoai felt a sweet warmth in her heart and could only nod, "Okay, I'll listen to Director Gu."

Gu Mingyuan chuckled and gently tapped her nose: "Naughty."

In August, the morning light of Pingzhou shone through the glass windows onto the rather empty desk in the deputy director's office of the municipal government.

Gu Mingyuan sat in the brand-new office chair, looking around the office, which was much more spacious than the secretariat of the municipal party committee office—a dark wooden desk, a bookcase against the wall, two sofas for guests, and a potted green ivy that the organization had specially placed there, its emerald green leaves stretching out in the sunlight.

A 25-year-old deputy division-level official.

This thought weighed heavily on his mind, a mixture of honor and responsibility.

He pushed aside the newly delivered "Division of Responsibilities for Deputy Directors of the Municipal Government Office," which clearly stated: Assist the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of urban construction, transportation, and key project coordination; liaise with the Development and Reform Commission, Transportation Bureau, Housing and Construction Bureau, and other departments; and concurrently serve as Deputy Director of the Airport Project Leading Group Office.

The division of labor is very clear, the power is considerable, and the burden is even heavier.

"Director Gu, Secretary Pei wants you to come to his office at 10 a.m.," said Xiao Liu from the secretariat, knocking on the door and speaking with a respectful tone tinged with curiosity.

This young deputy director is now a legend in Pingzhou's political arena.

"Okay, I understand." Gu Mingyuan nodded, his expression unchanged.

He stood up and straightened the collar of his white shirt—a shirt that Zhong Xiaoai had bought for him last year in Jinshan County, and it was clean and neat.

At 9:50, Gu Mingyuan appeared precisely outside Secretary Pei Yihong's office.