Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"I understand," Gu Mingyuan replied, then paused for a moment.

"Governor Zhao, there's one more thing."

Zhao Anbang's gaze fell on his face, waiting for him to continue.

Gu Mingyuan carefully considered his words: "Mayor Qian may have some ideas recently. He has heard the news that Secretary Wang's transfer has been postponed, and Secretary Yu has also spoken with him."

"Although Mayor Qian didn't say anything on the surface, I felt that he was still disappointed."

Zhao Anbang didn't reply immediately. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gazed out the window. After a few seconds of silence, he slowly spoke, "You went to talk to him?"

"We've talked about it," Gu Mingyuan said truthfully.

"I went to his office this morning and talked things out. He said he didn't have any particular thoughts about it, but I feel like he hasn't completely let it go."

Zhao Anbang nodded, his tone revealing a hint of understanding: "The fact that you took the initiative to talk to him shows that you know what's going on, but if you go alone, it's not enough. Even if he says he has no interest, he may not really be over it."

"That's why I came to find you," Gu Mingyuan said.

"Governor Zhao, you are Mayor Qian's former superior, so he will listen to what you say."

"If you could go and talk to him, and explain the matter thoroughly, it would be much more effective than me doing it alone."

Zhao Anbang leaned back on the sofa, tapping his fingers lightly on his knees twice, as if he was considering something.

The office was quiet for a while, with only the low hum of the radiators in the background.

"You're right," Zhao Anbang finally said.

"This matter does require my intervention. I know Qian Huiren well."

"If he has an idea in his mind, he won't say it out loud, but he will gradually show it through his actions."

"If we ignore it and wait until the problems accumulate to a certain extent before dealing with them, it will be too late."

He paused, his gaze falling on Gu Mingyuan's face: "Here's what you'll do: when you go back, don't mention to anyone that I spoke with Qian Huiren."

"I'll handle this. I'll invite him to the provincial capital to make things clear."

Gu Mingyuan felt relieved: "Thank you, Governor Zhao."

Zhao Anbang waved his hand: "No need to thank me. I did this not only for you, but also for the overall situation of Ningchuan's work."

"The integration of state-owned enterprises is at a critical stage, and the leadership team cannot afford any problems."

"Qian Huiren is the mayor. If he has any grudges, the efficiency of the entire team will be affected."

He then inquired about the situation in Wenshan. Gu Mingyuan reported on the recent developments of Wenshan Steel, the aluminum plant, and the mining bureau one by one. After listening, Zhao Anbang nodded and said, "Wenshan is on the right track now. Your focus should be on Ningchuan. Once the integration of state-owned enterprises is successful, you will have a solid track record when you go to Wenshan next year."

"I see."

The two chatted for nearly half an hour before Gu Mingyuan got up to say goodbye.

When I walked out of the provincial government building, it was already getting dark. Winter dusk comes early, and only a sliver of pale orange light remained on the horizon.

He stood on the steps, took a deep breath of the cold air, and felt as if his lungs had been washed with ice water, making him feel refreshed.

He got into the car, but instead of starting it, he leaned back in his seat and went over his conversation with Zhao Anbang in his mind again.

Zhao Anbang's agreement to intervene was his biggest gain from this trip. As long as Zhao Anbang spoke with Qian Huiren, the thorn in Qian Huiren's heart should be removed.

But Gu Mingyuan knew in his heart that Yu Huabei wouldn't give up just because this move failed. The net had only been torn open at one corner; it hadn't been completely broken yet.

Chen Fengbo is still in the leadership team, and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection may continue to probe in other directions. Yu Huabei himself is still sitting in the position of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. This power struggle is far from over.

He started the car and drove into the twilight streets of Pingzhou, heading towards Ningchuan.

As night deepened, the streetlights along the road lit up one after another, casting flickering shadows on the car windows.

Gu Mingyuan didn't turn on the radio or play any music; he just drove quietly, going over the arrangements for the next few days in his mind once again.

It was already past 7 p.m. when we got back to Ningchuan.

He parked his car, went upstairs, and opened the door to his home. Warm yellow lights and the aroma of food wafted towards him.

Zhong Xiaoai peeked out from the kitchen, and when she saw him return, she smiled and said, "You're back? Wash your hands and eat."

Gu Pengyu was drawing on the coffee table when he heard the noise. He looked up, held up his drawing paper, and ran over: "Dad, look at the big tree I drew!"

Gu Mingyuan squatted down and carefully examined the drawing paper.

A crooked tree with a crown painted in the shape of green clouds and several circles drawn on its trunk, resembling tree holes. Three little people are standing hand in hand under the tree.

"That's a really good drawing." Gu Mingyuan smiled and patted the child's head.

"Why doesn't this big tree have any leaves?"

"Winter is here, and all the leaves have fallen," Gu Pengyu said matter-of-factly.

"When spring comes, it will sprout new leaves!"

Gu Mingyuan paused for a moment, then smiled: "You're right, it will grow new leaves when spring comes."

He stood up, hung up his coat, and went into the bathroom to wash his hands.

When they came out, Zhong Xiaoai had already set out the food: a steaming pot of pork ribs stewed with radish, a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of tomato and egg soup, all steaming.

He sat down, took the rice bowl from Zhong Xiaoai, picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in his mouth. It was stewed until very tender, and the bone easily fell off with a gentle bite.

As he chewed, his nerves, which had been tense all day, finally began to relax.

"How was today?" Zhong Xiaoai sat down opposite him, serving Gu Pengyu food as she asked.

"It's alright," Gu Mingyuan said.

"I spoke with Mayor Qian in the morning, and then met with Governor Zhao in the afternoon. Governor Zhao agreed to speak with Mayor Qian on my behalf."

Zhong Xiaoai didn't press for details, but simply said, "That's good. You've seemed preoccupied these past two days, and I was a little worried about you."

Gu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I can handle it."

After dinner, Gu Pengyu watched cartoons in the living room, while Gu Mingyuan and Zhong Xiaoai sat at the small dining table in the kitchen drinking tea.

The night outside the window was as dark as ink, and the city lights in the distance twinkled like stars, appearing especially warm in the chill of the winter night.

"Mingyuan," Zhong Xiaoai said softly, holding her teacup.

"Have you ever thought that if you hadn't gone to Wenshan, would none of this have happened?"

Gu Mingyuan paused, holding his teacup, then shook his head: "There are no 'ifs.' Going to Wenshan was an arrangement made by the organization, and it was also something I was willing to do."

"The reforms in Wenshan were successful. Those workers have jobs and wages again. When I left, they came to the factory gate to see me off. These things were worthwhile."

Zhong Xiaoai looked at him quietly for a while, then said, "That's fine then."

Gu Mingyuan grasped her hand, which was resting on the table: "Don't worry, no matter what happens outside, I can manage as long as I have you and the children at home."

Zhong Xiaoai gently squeezed his hand back, without saying anything more.

The thin moonlight streamed in through the window, falling on their clasped hands like a light layer of frost.