Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Mingyuan, the villagers are truly happy for you," Zhong Xiaoai said softly, holding the child.

"I know." Gu Mingyuan gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the window.

"That's why I have to work even harder and not let them down."

It was already evening when we arrived in the capital.

Chung Cheng-kuo sent a driver to pick him up at the station.

As the car entered the quiet ministry-affiliated residential compound in the heart of Xicheng District, Gu Mingyuan still felt somewhat uneasy.

Although it wasn't his first time visiting, his status this time was different—he was not only the son-in-law of the Zhong family, but also a deputy director-level cadre and a man who had just become a father.

"Dad, Mom, we're back!" As soon as she entered the door, Zhong Xiaoai rushed towards her parents like a little bird returning to its nest.

"Slow down, slow down, the baby just finished her postpartum period!" Lin Jing quickly caught her daughter, but her eyes were fixed on her grandson in her arms.

"Let me see Pengpeng! Oh my, he's grown up and gotten chubby!"

Chung Cheng-kuo stood to the side, maintaining the composure of an elder, but the joy in his eyes was undeniable.

He took his grandson from his daughter's arms, his movements somewhat clumsy but extremely gentle.

"Pengpeng, call him Grandpa," Zhong Xiaoai teased the child.

"Ah...ya..." The little guy waved his little hands and grinned with his toothless mouth.

"Okay, okay!" Zhong Zhengguo smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits.

Gu Mingyuan put down the gifts he brought—specialties from Pingzhou and mountain products from Lincheng. Although they weren't worth much money, they were all a token of his goodwill.

"Mingyuan, sit down." Zhong Zhengguo handed the child to his wife and gestured for his son-in-law to sit down.

"Were the villagers very welcoming when you went back this time?"

"Yes, Dad. The villagers are so hospitable, I'm almost embarrassed," Gu Mingyuan said truthfully.

"Of course." Zhong Zhengguo nodded.

"Rural people are simple and honest; when someone in the village becomes successful, everyone is happy for them."

"But Mingyuan, you must remember that the more people praise you, the more you must stay clear-headed and not get carried away."

"I have remembered Dad's teachings."

Dinner was plentiful, but the atmosphere was much more formal than back home.

Zhong Zhengguo inquired about Gu Mingyuan's work in Pingzhou, especially the progress of the airport project.

Hearing Gu Mingyuan talk about the various difficulties and solutions encountered in the project's progress, Zhong Zhengguo nodded repeatedly: "Yes, handled it well."

"Large-scale projects are the ultimate test of a cadre's comprehensive abilities. The fact that you were able to take on such a complex project shows that you have indeed grown."

After the meal, Zhong Zhengguo called Gu Mingyuan to his study.

This was the first time the father-in-law and son-in-law had a deep conversation in the study.

The study is large, with bookshelves on three walls, filled with all kinds of books and documents.

On the large mahogany desk sat a table lamp, several documents, and a globe.

"Mingyuan, sit down." Zhong Zhengguo pointed to the chair opposite him.

"You've done an excellent job in Pingzhou this past year. Comrade Pei Yihong called me and spoke highly of you," Zhong Zhengguo said bluntly.

Gu Mingyuan was somewhat surprised: "Secretary Pei called you?"

"Yes, I called before the New Year. Comrade Yi Hong said that you are one of the most promising young cadres he has seen in recent years," Zhong Zhengguo said slowly.

"He said you not only have ability, but also self-control, and you can hold your ground in the face of temptation and pressure. That's very rare."

Gu Mingyuan was touched: "Secretary Pei, you flatter me."

"It's not an overstatement, it's the truth," Chung Cheng-kuo waved his hand.

"But Mingyuan, what I want to talk to you about today is not these words of praise."

His expression turned serious: "Do you know who Xiao Ai's grandfather, your great-father-in-law, is?"

Gu Mingyuan shook his head.

Zhong Xiaoai rarely mentioned her grandfather; all she knew was that he was an old revolutionary.

"The old man is a veteran who has been working on the disciplinary inspection front since the founding of the People's Republic of China," Zhong Zhengguo said casually.

Gu Mingyuan was startled.

Although he had guessed that the Zhong family was not simple, he did not expect them to be so prominent.

"The old man had three sons and two daughters. I am the eldest, and I have younger brothers and sisters. In Xiao Ai's generation, there are more than a dozen cousins, who are scattered in various industries."

Zhong Zhengguo looked at his son-in-law and said, "I'm telling you this not to show off our family background, but to make you understand one thing—the Zhong family, this big tree, can shelter our descendants from the wind and rain, but it can also become a constraint."

"The old man left a will: the descendants of the Zhong family can use the family's influence to get started, but they must never rely on the family's power to advance."

"You have to walk your own path. You have to earn your own credit."

"Xiao Ai's brother-in-law, the one you met, has been working in a ministry for ten years and is still a division chief."

"It's not that there's no chance, it's that the old man gave instructions before he passed away: the son-in-law of the Zhong family should be promoted a step slower than others, and he should be able to withstand the test."

Gu Mingyuan suddenly realized.

No wonder my brother-in-law has held a relatively low-ranking position in the ministry for so many years.

"You're different," Chung Cheng-kuo said, changing the subject.

"Your connection with Comrade Pei Yihong is something you earned yourself."

"Your promotion is the result of your solid performance."

"If the old man were still alive, he would agree with this."

"So Mingyuan, just go for it."

"The Chung family will not be an asset to you, but they will not be a liability either."

"Your relationship with Comrade Yihong is more valuable than any family background."

These heartfelt words stirred Gu Mingyuan's emotions.

He stood up and said solemnly, "Dad, don't worry. I, Gu Mingyuan, owe my success today to the organization's cultivation, the leaders' trust, and my own hard work. I will continue to walk this path in the future."

"Good, that's ambitious!" Chung Cheng-kuo smiled with satisfaction.

"There's a family gathering tomorrow. My younger siblings and some cousins ​​will be coming. Get ready to meet the rest of the Chung family."

The next afternoon, the Zhong family's old house was bustling with activity.

More than thirty people came to the three-courtyard siheyuan.

Gu Mingyuan then truly witnessed the scale of the Zhong family.

Second uncle, third uncle, aunt... the older generation are almost all cadres at the bureau level or above.

My cousins, who are of the same generation, are all elites: some work in the military, some in state-owned enterprises, and some in universities.

Zhong Xiaoai held Pengpeng in her arms, surrounded by a group of cousins, their laughter filling the air.

Gu Mingyuan was led by Zhong Zhengguo to greet each of the elders.

"This is Mingyuan, Xiao Ai's husband. He works in Pingzhou City, Hanjiang Province," Zhong Zhengguo introduced with pride.

"Oh, Pingzhou? I heard you're building an airport there?" asked my uncle, who works in the civil aviation system.

"Yes, the main construction of the airport has been completed, and it is expected to open to traffic in the second half of this year," Gu Mingyuan replied.

"Not bad! I've heard of that airport project, but I didn't expect you were involved."

"Mingyuan is now the deputy director of the Pingzhou Municipal Government Office, and he was one of the initiators of the airport project," Zhong Zhengguo added.

Upon hearing this, the elders present all changed their gaze towards Gu Mingyuan.

I originally thought he was just an ordinary grassroots cadre, but I never expected him to achieve such things.

"Young and promising!"

"The younger generation is truly formidable!"

"Xiao Ai has good taste!"

Praises and accolades were heard one after another.

But Gu Mingyuan remained humble, neither arrogant nor impatient, and handled the situation calmly.

The party lasted into the evening.

When they left, Chung Cheng-kuo saw them to the door.

"Mingyuan, you did a great job today." Zhong Zhengguo patted his son-in-law on the shoulder.

"Being neither arrogant nor humble, but polite and respectful—that's how a son-in-law of the Zhong family should be."

"Thank you, Dad."

"Go back and get some rest. Let's head back to Pingzhou on the eighth day of the lunar new year. Work is more important."

"Yes, the tickets for the eighth day of the lunar new year have already been bought."