Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

"Hou Liangping, are you missing a screw in your head?"

Without any greetings or preamble, they immediately launched into a tirade of reprimands.

Hou Liangping was in a terrible state at this moment, his clothes were wrinkled and he looked rather embarrassed.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain.

"Wife, I..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Zhong Xiaoai interrupted coldly. "Monkey, I warned you long ago that the waters of the Energy Department are a million times deeper than those of other departments. You insisted on showing off and forcing your way in, and now you've stumbled and fallen. Do you know how difficult it is?"

Hou Liangping's throat bobbed, but he couldn't utter a single word.

I can't reason with them, and I have no way to express my grievances.

The case was given to me by Zhong Xiaoai, but now I'm the one being scolded.

Where can we go to reason with them?

This time, it was a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot.

"Dad and Director Qin are on their way."

Hou Liangping, whether you can get away with this gracefully is uncertain. You better behave yourself and don't say anything that'll get you killed.

Zhong Xiaoai spoke in a cold, hard tone, each word sharp and deliberate.

After saying that, he hung up the phone decisively.

Hou Liangping was filled with resentment and had no way to vent it.

Without him.

He reaps what he sows.

Less than twenty minutes.

Chung Cheng-kuo, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, strode into the living room with a stern expression.

Qin Siyuan followed half a step behind him, looking uneasy.

The fewer people who know about this level of competition, the more respectable it is.

Song Yunhui and Lu Xiaola sat upright on the sofa.

Fang Ping and all staff members from the Department of Energy voluntarily left the venue.

The huge villa was suddenly left with only five people.

Zhong Zhengguo, Qin Siyuan, Lu Xiaola, Song Yunhui, Hou Liangping.

The moment Hou Liangping saw his father-in-law, Zhong Zhengguo, his tense psychological defenses completely collapsed.

Director Hou, who was arrogant and domineering outside and didn't respect anyone, was now like a child who had caused trouble.

She hurried forward, her voice frantic and pleading.

"Dad! Dad! Please save me!"

The voice was urgent and filled with helplessness.

Zhong Zhengguo didn't even lift his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over him indifferently.

His tone was devoid of any warmth, chillingly cold.

"Monkey, adults are talking, children, stand outside."

With just one simple sentence, Hou Liangping was kicked out.

Hou Liangping stiffened, his lips moved, but he ultimately dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.

He turned around awkwardly with his head down, silently walked out of the living room, and closed the door behind him.

The corridor outside the door.

Zhao Dehan leaned against the wall alone, his hands hanging naturally at his sides.

They were not detained or handcuffed.

How infuriating!

It's infuriating!

But his face carried the mockery of a victor.

Their eyes met, and sparks flew.

Hou Liangping stared fiercely at the other person.

Zhao Dehan showed no weakness and slightly raised his chin.

The two stood two meters apart, silently vying for dominance.

Hou Liangping lowered his eyes and quietly clenched his fist.

Zhao Dehan's lips twitched, and he silently pursed his lips.

No one was willing to give in, and everyone was holding their breath.

The two of them will probably never get along.

living room.

An extraordinary game has officially begun.

Lu Xiaola looked up at Zhong Zhengguo as he entered, and said in a flat tone, "Oh, Secretary Zhong, please sit down."

A sofa was reserved for Zhong Zhengguo.

There are only three seats.

This means that Qin Siyuan has no position.

Qin Siyuan could only stand silently next to Zhong Zhengguo.

Even a bureau chief at the vice-ministerial level wouldn't have the right to sit down at this moment.

The difference in status is obvious.

Zhong Zhengguo remained calm and sat down without changing his expression.

He looked at the two energy industry bigwigs in front of him with a very humble attitude.

"Minister Lu, Minister Song. My son-in-law, Hou Liangping, is young and impetuous, and doesn't know the rules. He has offended your ministry today. I, Zhong Zhengguo, apologize to you both on behalf of Hou Liangping."

He nodded slightly as he finished speaking.

They were sincere and courteous.

The ability to bend and stretch is the mark of a leader's shrewdness.

Lu Xiaola tapped the sofa armrest lightly with her fingertip, her tone unhurried, "Secretary Zhong, you don't need to apologize in a hurry."

If apologies were enough, what would be the point of laws?

Then, Lu Xiaola raised his hand and pointed at Qin Siyuan, "Qin Siyuan, is Monkey your subordinate?"

This puts direct pressure on Qin Siyuan.

Qin Siyuan stiffened slightly, and subconsciously began to defend himself: "Minister Lu, our paperwork is complete, and the search procedure was compliant. I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Song Yunhui coldly interrupted him.

Song Yunhui adjusted his glasses, his gaze cold and direct, striking straight to the point: "Director Qin, according to your logic, is our Chemical and Energy Department at fault?"

The moment the question was posed, the sense of oppression was instantly amplified.

Qin Siyuan hurriedly waved his hands, looking flustered. "No, no, Minister Song, I absolutely did not mean that. Someone filed a formal complaint, and it is our Anti-Corruption Bureau's duty to investigate."

Song Yunhui's lips curled up. "It's my duty?"

If I were to file a formal complaint against Chung Cheng-kuo now, would you investigate?

With just one simple sentence, he instantly struck at Qin Siyuan's Achilles' heel.

Qin Siyuan choked up and fell silent.

He couldn't utter a single word.

You can't fight city hall; a subordinate can't investigate a superior.

Zhong Zhengguo spoke calmly, "Minister Song, Director Qin is not qualified to investigate me. The system is structured and hierarchical."

Let's be frank and not beat around the bush.

"Just tell me straight, how do you want to settle this matter today?"

Clean and efficient, without any unnecessary delays.

Lu Xiaola glanced at Qin Siyuan, her tone not harsh, but every word was threatening.

"When subordinates make mistakes, superiors are also implicated."

"Director Qin, what do you think we should do about this?"

The ball was kicked back to Qin Siyuan's feet.

Qin Siyuan's forehead was damp with sweat, and he was inwardly groaning.

I had to bite the bullet and try.

"Minister Lu, I bear responsibility for my negligence and lax supervision. Could we please drop the public written apology that Hou Liangping previously agreed upon?"

If I publicly apologize, how will I manage my subordinates? How will I face people?

Lu Xiaola nodded calmly, "No problem."

Qin Siyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Minister Lu! You are indeed a magnanimous and broad-minded person."

Song Yunhui chuckled lightly, then added coldly, "Director Qin, look how impatient you are."

Our energy department's little corner of the world is not a marketplace.

"You can't just come and go as you please, or investigate as you please."

Qin Siyuan's smile froze, sensing that things were not so simple.

As expected, Song Yunhui calmly and methodically presented his conditions.

"Director Qin, the self-criticism is waived. However, I need you to promise me three things."

"From now on, there are no restrictions on time, location, or content."

If either I or Minister Lu gives the order, you, Qin Siyuan, must comply.

Three things, get them done.

These are incredibly domineering terms, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

Qin Siyuan's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart sank instantly.

This isn't a condition; it's clearly being chained.

It's like a dog being chained by its owner.

Three conditions with no time limit, that's way too passive.

But right now, we are at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board.

He had no right to refuse.

Qin Siyuan gritted his teeth and nodded with difficulty.

"I agree."

A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle; forced by circumstances, he had no choice but to compromise.

Lu Xiaola waved her hand.

"Alright, Director Qin, you can leave now."

Go back and manage your subordinates.

If you ever want to set foot in the energy department's territory to investigate people, let me know first.

If you don't know the rules, learn to follow them.

These days, you have to consider the owner before you beat a dog.

The criticism was direct and uncompromising.