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

Qi Tongwei stepped onto the turned-up floor. "Ruilong, I'm home."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

Immediately afterwards, a respectful and humble voice rang out.

"Governor Qi, hello, I am Liu Xinjian."

Ruilong and I are almost at the provincial party committee compound's residential area. We would like to pay you a visit. Would that be convenient?

Zhao Ruilong handed the phone to Liu Xinjian.

Qi Tongwei did not refuse and readily said, "Come on over, I'm at home and I happen to be free in a bit."

Liu Xinjian's tone became increasingly respectful, "Yes, Governor Qi, we'll be there shortly and won't bother you for too long."

The call ended abruptly. Qi Tongwei put down his phone. "Xiaotong, Zhao Ruilong and Liu Xinjian will be here in a bit."

Pei Xiaotong knew her husband's style of doing things all too well; he had never liked to associate closely with playboys.

"Tongwei, you've always kept your distance from Zhao Ruilong, so why did you agree so readily to let him come to our house today?"

Qi Tongwei put down the hoe in his hand. "Xiaotong, in officialdom, one must consider both advantages and disadvantages; in human relationships, one must consider both connections and origins."

When I joined the army, I was one of the new recruits led by Liu Xinjian.

Although I dislike Zhao Ruilong, I can't change that; he's my comrade-in-arms.

It can't be erased or avoided.

Once comrades-in-arms, always bound by a bond.

Within the system, the most reliable relationships, aside from mentors and apprentices, are comrades-in-arms.

Pei Xiaotong suddenly realized, "Tongwei, so that's how it is, I understand."

Since we have this old friendship, we should indeed treat them well.

I'll go wash some fruit and brew a pot of good tea.

All visitors are guests, and proper etiquette must be observed.

It is elegant and sophisticated, appropriate and thoughtful, showing the demeanor of a great person.

No wonder she's Pei Yihong's daughter.

Qi Tongwei nodded slightly, "Okay, Xiaotong."

I'll use this time to finish turning over the rest of the land.

One should finish what one starts.

In Qi Tongwei's dictionary, farming and governing are based on the same principle.

Turning the soil is good; it can temper one's character.

No wonder teacher Gao Yuliang liked to till the soil so much.

Qi Tongwei continued to pick up the hoe and turn over the soil.

Not long after, two footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

Liu Xinjian and Zhao Ruilong arrived.

"Governor Qi! We're here!"

Zhao Ruilong was wearing a red suit and had his hair slicked back.

Liu Xinjian was wearing a black suit.

Both of them were carrying a fruit basket.

Zhao Ruilong and Liu Xinjian had also done their homework beforehand, finding out Qi Tongwei's preferences.

If you give him something else, Qi Tongwei will definitely not accept it. Moreover, it seems that Qi Tongwei has set a rule that no matter what kind of social interaction it is, you can only bring one gift.

Therefore, the two of them prepared a fruit basket.

When Liu Xinjian saw Qi Tongwei turning over the soil in the vegetable garden, he felt that he resembled Gao Yuliang.

It is truly rare to find an executive vice governor who is so down-to-earth.

I'm really afraid that Qi Tongwei will refuse to see me.

Zhao Ruilong chuckled, "Governor Qi, you're personally doing these manual labor tasks; that's so down-to-earth."

Qi Tongwei straightened up, smiled faintly, and said, "Ruilong, Xinjian, I, Qi Tongwei, am the son of a farmer."

No matter what position you hold, farming is fundamental and should not be forgotten.

It can also cultivate one's character; since one is idle anyway, it's just a way to stretch one's muscles.

Upon seeing this, Liu Xinjian greeted Pei Xiaotong and handed her the fruit basket.

He rolled up his sleeves, went straight forward and snatched the hoe from Qi Tongwei's hand, "Governor Qi, turning the soil is good."

"This kind of work is too much for you to do yourself; I can do it."

He served in the army in his early years and did manual labor all year round. Turning over the soil and loosening the soil were his specialties.

However, the most significant change now is that he has gained a lot of weight.

Grasp the hoe, strike it, turn the soil—the movements are all done in one smooth motion.

He looks like a seasoned veteran with years of hard work and solid skills.

Seeing this, Zhao Ruilong didn't want to just stand there and watch the show, so he gritted his teeth and stepped forward to lend a hand.

But he has lived a life of luxury and ease for the past few years and has never done any farm work.

His military service was also the shortest.

He had to change careers due to an injury.

The grip on the hoe was awkward, and the depth of each strike was inconsistent.

After working hard for half a day, not only did they not help, but they also made the ground uneven and full of potholes.

A typical spoiled young master, ignorant of basic necessities and lazy in all physical labor.

Qi Tongwei watched this scene without making any jokes, but simply stood quietly to the side and watched silently.

If Sha Ruijin saw this, would he say, "If we're electing a model worker, I'd vote for Zhao Ruilong"?

The three of them chatted as they worked.

It was a reunion between comrades-in-arms.

In less than ten minutes, the entire vegetable garden was tilled.

After washing their hands, the three went into the living room.

Pei Xiaotong had already washed the fruit and brewed the tea.

She is considerate and courteous in her dealings with guests, gentle and generous, making people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze.

Zhao Ruilong was a little envious; Qi Tongwei was really lucky.

Other people's wives are too beautiful.

After taking his seat, Zhao Ruilong held a toothpick and ate a slice of apple. "Governor Qi, I, Zhao Ruilong, have come here today specifically to thank you."

Thank you for your leniency.

I, Zhao Ruilong, will forever remember this kindness.

Qi Tongwei wields real power, and if he takes this opportunity to dig into the Zhao family's past, the Zhao family will definitely be doomed.

This act of leniency was an immense favor to him.

Knowing how to assess the situation and act accordingly is also a sign of being pragmatic.

Liu Xinjian, who was standing nearby, chimed in at the right moment, "Governor Qi, our Handong Oil and Gas Group has recently completed internal rectification and work style reform, and all our work is back on track."

I look forward to your continued guidance and support.

We welcome you to take some time to visit and conduct research at our Handong Oil & Gas Group.

They took the initiative to show goodwill and get closer to Qi Tongwei, just to cling to this powerful figure and secure their original interests.

"Ruilong, no need to thank me. I'm just following the rules." Qi Tongwei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Xinjian, no problem. I'm a bit busy right now. I need to find some time to do some research down below. I'll go when I need to. What you need to do is operate in compliance with regulations, work diligently, and manage Handong Oil & Gas Group well."

He doesn't accept favors or personal debts, only follows the rules, and always strikes the perfect balance.

Zhao Ruilong leaned back on the sofa. "Governor Qi is just different. He's handsome, incorruptible, and has that other kind of charm."

Clearly, I'm at a loss for words.

Qi Tongwei stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point, "Ruilong, there's something I need to tell you in advance, out of consideration for our comradeship and your third-class merit award from back then. I'm just giving you a private reminder."

Zhao Ruilong straightened up instantly, his expression turning serious. "Governor Qi, please speak. I, Zhao Ruilong, am all ears."

Qi Tongwei put down his teacup. "Recently, Gu Mingyuan, the director of the Land and Resources Department of Handong Province, reported a lead for special investigation."

Zhao Ruilong sensed something was wrong; he guessed Qi Tongwei was about to make a move against him.

Hey!

It seems there's no way to avoid this blow.

"Governor Qi, please explain."

"The land plot where Shanshui Group is located, as well as the supporting commercial land, has been illegally changed in terms of land use. The procedures are incomplete and the registration is missing. According to current laws, the land transfer fee must be paid." Qi Tongwei had to play the villain.

Not only Zhao Ruilong, but all other similar companies must also pay the outstanding taxes.

Zhao Ruilong's head was spinning; he was just asking to be fleeced!