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

Chen Yanshi's hands were cold, but he was still strong. "Little Jinzi, Handong must not be thrown into chaos."

Sha Ruijin nodded. "It won't be chaotic."

Chen Yanshi shook his head. "Don't let those people laugh at us."

Sha Ruijin strode away, saying, "Don't worry."

The door opened.

Chen Hai and Hou Liangping were both in the yard, looking at the flowers and plants.

Hou Liangping took half a step back and stopped looking into the house.

Chen Hai stepped forward. "Secretary Sha, my father..."

"Take good care of the elderly." Sha Ruijin patted Chen Hai on the shoulder. "Take a day off for the next couple of days and stay here with them."

Chen Hai nodded. "Yes."

Hou Liangping lowered his head. "Secretary Sha, I just..."

"Let's go back first," Sha Ruijin said without further ado.

Hou Liangping's throat moved, and he could only agree.

The car door closed, and Sha Ruijin leaned back in the back seat, raising his hand to rub his temples.

"Secretary Guofu, what do you think?"

Chen Hai was still standing outside the courtyard gate, while Hou Liangping had his head down.

Chen Yanshi's words, "Sever the father-son relationship," still echoed in Sha Ruijin's mind.

Tian Guofu sat down next to him, took out a cigarette, didn't light it, and twirled it in his hand. "Secretary Sha, I feel like I came here for nothing."

"How so?" Sha Ruijin glanced at Tian Guofu.

Tian Guofu felt the problem was getting a bit tricky. "Old Chen has already said he's severing ties with his son. How could Chen Shan not know that? As his son, he knows his father's temper best. Once this gets out, Chen Shan will be even less likely to contact his family."

Old Stone truly lived up to his reputation.

Sha Ruijin opened his eyes and looked at the receding roadside trees outside the window. "Indeed."

The car turned onto the main road.

"The position of the Public Security Bureau is extremely important," Sha Ruijin suddenly spoke up. "Can Xia Changfeng possibly listen to me?"

"I'll call him first and we can talk." Tian Guofu took out his phone and dialed.

Unable to connect.

Tian Guofu dialed the number again.

Still unable to connect.

"No one's answering?" Sha Ruijin frowned.

"They probably didn't hear it. They're probably handling a case or some kind of operation." Tian Guofu dialed again, but it was the same.

The two exchanged a glance.

wait!

Three times is enough; it's impossible to do it a fourth time.

When to return the call was Sha Ruijin's test for Xia Changfeng.

What Tian Guofu and Sha Ruijin didn't know was...

now.

There were three people sitting in Gao Yuliang's office.

Xia Changfeng was among them.

Gao Yuliang held a teacup.

Qi Tongwei rubbed his hands together.

Xia Changfeng busied himself refilling their teacups, saying, "Secretary Gao, Governor Qi, please have some tea."

Gao Yuliang specifically asked Secretary He to leave so that they could talk.

Xia Changfeng then took on the role of serving tea and water.

Gao Yuliang blew on the tea leaves. "Comrade Changfeng, you're familiar with the work of the Public Security Bureau, aren't you?"

That's a rhetorical question.

"Familiar, of course I'm familiar." Xia Changfeng put down the teapot. "I've worked in this place for over ten years. I could figure it out with my eyes closed."

Qi Tongwei smiled. "Would you like to take the position of director?"

Xia Changfeng's hand trembled, and he almost spilled the tea. "Governor Qi, that's a question you've asked me..."

A policeman who doesn't want to be a department head isn't a good policeman.

Of course I want to!

I dream about it.

"Do you want to?" Qi Tongwei picked up his teacup.

"Yes." Xia Changfeng swallowed. "Who doesn't want to take a step forward? I desperately want to improve."

With that scoundrel Chen Shan in trouble, my chance has come.

Such an opportunity is truly a once-in-a-decade occurrence.

If Chen Shan were still in Handong and hadn't gotten into trouble, he probably would never have become a department head in his lifetime.

Qi Tongwei put down his teacup. "Comrade Changfeng, you've been with the Public Security Bureau for a long time, you're experienced, you're skilled, and everyone in the bureau respects you."

We think you're suitable for this position.

Xia Changfeng's mind was in turmoil.

The fact that Gao Yuliang and Qi Tongwei invited me was an olive branch they were extending.

It can also be considered as forming factions.

"Secretary Gao, Governor Qi, you both think highly of me, so I'll speak from the bottom of my heart to you." Xia Changfeng sat up straight. "If I become the director of the department, I will definitely do a good job in the Public Security Department, and the province's public security work must be taken to a new level."

We must show our attitude.

If these two people in front of me object, I will have absolutely no chance of being promoted.

Gao Yuliang nodded. "Then, who is suitable for the position of Executive Deputy Director?"

Without even thinking, Xia Changfeng said, "Secretary Gao, the executive deputy director, we must let Zhang Qi come."

If I had to recommend someone, I would recommend Zhang Qi.

Look, this is what it means to be able to talk.

Qi Tongwei thought Xia Changfeng's recognition was acceptable.

Almost exactly the same as in his previous life, a very upright and trustworthy person. "Zhang Qi?"

"Yes." Xia Changfeng was very certain. "Old Zhang's professional skills are beyond question, but he's too straightforward and has offended people. Letting him be the executive deputy director will help me to streamline things in the department, and he's also capable of keeping things under control."

Gao Yuliang nodded. "Zhang Qi is indeed quite good."

"And one more thing," Xia Changfeng leaned forward, "Secretary Gao, Governor Qi, I think this arrangement is appropriate."

Qi Tongwei took a sip of tea. "Comrade Changfeng, what you said makes sense."

"Provincial Governor Qi, I'm an honest man." Xia Changfeng rubbed his hands together. "Since you two trust me, I will definitely not be ambiguous in the future and will handle things well."

Gao Yuliang suddenly asked, "What do you think of Zhao Donglai?"

Actually, the question was about Zhao Donglai's appointment as deputy director.

Xia Changfeng was stunned for a moment.

"Donglai," he said, carefully choosing his words. "It's said that Zhao Donglai is coming to the department as deputy director; it was arranged by Secretary Sha."

"It is said?" Qi Tongwei seized on this word.

It seems there are no secrets that stay hidden forever.

Personnel changes are the most talked-about topic.

"Yes, it's all over the Public Security Bureau." Xia Changfeng lowered his voice. "Actually, I think Zhao Donglai is too slippery."

"Slippery?" Gao Yuliang found it intriguing.

"Secretary Gao, think about it," Xia Changfeng continued, "At the crucial moment of arresting Chen Shan, he couldn't be contacted. He said he was dating someone."

Qi Tongwei also became interested. "Who?"

Xia Changfeng looked at Gao Yuliang. "Can you say?"

It turns out men love gossip too.

"Speak," Gao Yuliang said, picking up his teacup.

"Lu Yike from the Handong Provincial Procuratorate." Xia Changfeng finished speaking, then lowered his head, glancing at Gao Yuliang's expression out of the corner of his eye.

Gao Yuliang paused, his hand holding the teacup still. "Lu Yike?"

"Yes, she's also Secretary Gao's niece," Xia Changfeng added. "Now, I don't know why, the nickname 'Director Tangyuan' has spread."

Gao Yuliang was taken aback. "Director Tangyuan? What do you mean?"

Xia Changfeng suppressed a laugh, "It is said that Zhao Donglai flattered Judge Wu, saying that the glutinous rice balls he made tasted like his mother's."

The news was overheard by Lu's neighbors and quickly spread throughout the police station.

The word spread like wildfire, and eventually he became known as Director Tangyuan.

Qi Tongwei laughed out loud, "Zhao Donglai is truly a talent."

"Sigh. Now that you mention it," Gao Yuliang sighed, "I have a feeling that Zhao Donglai's motives for contacting Lu Yike are a bit impure."

Xia Changfeng quickly shook his head, "Secretary Gao, I don't know."

After all, they are close relatives, so there are some things that can't be said.

"Comrade Changfeng, what do you know?" Qi Tongwei asked with a smile.