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

Zhao Ruilong held the certificate of honor in both hands, a smile on his face.

Qi Tongwei handed the trophy to Zhao Ruilong, saying, "Congratulations, Comrade Ruilong."

Zhao Ruilong accepted the trophy with both hands. "Thank you, Governor Qi."

The audience erupted in applause.

No one knew that the moment Zhao Ruilong's fingertips touched the trophy, he felt a different kind of emotion.

It turns out that walking the right path and being a good person is so reassuring.

A thin piece of paper, worth four hundred million in real money—this is the most expensive piece of paper he has ever owned.

However, it's incredibly good value.

It's priceless.

If the old man had been in Handong back then, he probably could have mass-produced it.

Immediately afterwards, Feng Liqun handed the custom-made Hero brand fountain pen to Zhao Ruilong.

After much thought, Feng Liqun said, "Mr. Zhao, this pen symbolizes your dedication to the real economy and your commitment to your original aspirations. I hope you will continue to operate legally and compliantly and give back to Handong in the future."

"Thank you for your guidance, Governor Feng. I, Zhao Ruilong, am a son of Handong, and I will always remember it."

Zhao Ruilong bowed again to express his gratitude, his manners impeccable and flawless.

According to the meeting agenda, representatives of the award-winning entrepreneurs took the stage to speak.

Zhou Jianbin had already decided that Zhao Ruilong would be the award recipient to share his business insights and understanding of social responsibility.

Laifu Nursing Home, Jingzhou

The small courtyard where Chen Yanshi lives.

living room.

Chen Yanshi, Hou Liangping, Zhou Zheng, and Wang Fuzhen sat on the sofa.

clap clap clap!

The applause was thunderous.

Chen Yanshi looked up; Handong TV was broadcasting the awards ceremony live.

Zhao Ruilong stood under the spotlight, holding the trophy, smiling broadly.

Chen Yanshi pointed at Zhao Ruilong, "Liangping, isn't this Zhao Lichun's stupid son?"

Hou Liangping smiled. "Old Chen, that's him. But things are different now; he's a legitimate entrepreneur now."

Chen Yanshi snorted, "What goes around comes around."

The truth can never be completely erased. If his father were still in Handong, would he be so obedient?

Wang Fuzhen picked up the conversation, "Old Chen, this time it's different."

Zhao Ruilong is genuinely committed to running a business, and he's also done a lot of charity work.

Chen Yanshi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. I'd like to see how long he can keep up this act."

I don't believe Zhao Ruilong can turn over a new leaf.

Zhou Zheng echoed, "Old Chen, you're right."

But people always change, and Zhao Ruilong has indeed done a lot of practical things now.

Chen Yanshi sneered, "Zhao Ruilong's tricks may fool others, but they can't fool me, Chen Yanshi."

Zhao Ruilong stood in front of the microphone, but he actually had a script, so he just needed to perform normally. "Respected leaders and entrepreneurs, good afternoon."

Today, I, Zhao Ruilong, am honored and deeply encouraged to be named one of the top ten private entrepreneurs in Handong Province.

This honor does not belong to any individual, but to all employees of Huilong Group, and it is inseparable from the correct leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government and the meticulous support of departments at all levels.

Our Huilong Group has been deeply rooted in the Handong market for many years.

I firmly believe that corporate development benefits the present and contributes to the long term.

The foundation of the private economy is always rooted in local development, grows in fertile policy environment, and benefits from new business practices.

In our past operations, we have had problems with insufficient understanding and lack of standardization, and there are shortcomings in policy implementation and compliant operation.

In response, we proactively addressed the issues, actively engaged in public welfare, and took the initiative to assume social responsibility.

As the ancients said, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue."

In the future, Huilong Group will always adhere to the bottom line of compliant operation, closely follow the steps of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, and take root in Handong, serve Handong, and give back to Handong.

We will continue to focus on the real economy, support people's livelihoods, and actively fulfill our corporate responsibilities, contributing all our strength to the high-quality development of Handong Province, and we will never let down the trust and support of leaders at all levels...

Upon hearing this, Chen Yanshi became furious, shouting, "Pah! Pah! Pah!"

Zhao Lichun's mentally challenged son can write so well.

Absolutely impossible!

"If this was done by Zhao Ruilong, I, Chen Yanshi, will eat dirt while standing on my head."

Hou Liangping quickly reassured him, "Old Chen, please calm down. This draft was most likely handled by the secretariat; Zhao Ruilong wouldn't have that kind of skill."

Zhou Zheng stared at the screen for two seconds, then shook his head. "Yeah, even if Old Chen didn't believe it, anyone would think it's fake."

Who in the entire Handong system doesn't know what Zhao Ruilong was like before?

They acted arrogantly and domineeringly, profiting from their power, and considered themselves the only ones who mattered in the world.

Now, he's suddenly transformed into a conscientious entrepreneur who admits his mistakes, corrects them, and gives back to Handong. The change is so rapid, it's like he's become a completely different person.

It's so fake, so obviously staged.

Wang Fuzhen sighed softly, looking at Zhao Ruilong's slicked-back hair and feeling awkward. "He may want to improve, but the acting is too obvious."

Spend four small goals to earn a glamorous appearance.

Why is that?

Chen Yanshi picked up the remote and turned off the TV. "Zhao Ruilong has been opportunistic from beginning to end. In his early years, he made a fortune in Handong by relying on his father, Zhao Lichun."

Now that their backer has left Handong and the winds have shifted, they immediately donated money to pave roads in an attempt to whitewash their image.

"No matter how you try to clear his name, you can't erase the truth about that foolish son of the Zhao family."

Hou Liangping leaned back on the sofa. "Old Chen was absolutely right."

Zhao Ruilong's actions are a classic example of going with the flow and saving himself from a desperate situation.

Chen Yanshi scoffed, "Keep pretending!"

Having lived most of my life, I've seen plenty of people like this who are opportunistic and fickle.

When things are going well, they bully others and act recklessly; when things are going badly, they tuck their tails between their legs and pretend to be kind.

Just you wait and see, his inherent flaws will inevitably surface again sooner or later.

"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature; old sayings never lie."

Hou Liangping chuckled lightly, "Actually, whether it's true or false doesn't matter at all."

What Handong needs now is a benchmark for rectification and a positive example.

Governor Qi and the provincial government put him in power because they needed his transformation to show all the entrepreneurs in the province who had violated regulations that if they knew their mistakes, corrected them, and cooperated, there would be a way out.

This is a model play performed for the entire province, and Zhao Ruilong just happens to be the most suitable actor.

Zhou Zheng suddenly realized, "Director Hou, if that's the case, then Zhao Ruilong has been pushed around from beginning to end."

While it may seem like a glamorous award ceremony with both fame and fortune, in reality, the entire process is under the control of the system, leaving no room for personal choice.

In the end, he was nothing more than a pawn.

Chen Yanshi slammed his hand on the table. "He deserved it!"

If Zhao Lichun is not clean, then Zhao Ruilong certainly isn't clean either.

The children of the Zhao family are all the same.

Hou Liangping became interested. "Old Chen, do you have some deep-seated grudge against the Zhao family?"

Chen Yanshi picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, slowly put the cup down, and then said, "It's not a matter of deep hatred."

But there are some things I will never forget.

Hou Liangping sat up straight. "Mr. Chen, what kind of things, for example?"

Chen Yanshi laughed heartily, "Over the years, I've been collecting evidence related to Zhao Lichun's case and actively reporting it to higher authorities."