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

Sun Liancheng walked slowly and leisurely, his posture relaxed, not competing or vying with anyone.

In everyone's eyes, Sun Liancheng was the most typical "lying down" type of cadre in Guangming District.

Senior, capable, honest, and doesn't bribe or give gifts.

My only hobby is looking at the stars after get off work.

Previously, Li Dakang publicly mocked him for lacking ambition and loving to look at the stars, which completely shattered his dream of climbing the social ladder.

Sun Liancheng had long seen through the coldness and warmth of the officialdom in Jingzhou, and was determined to accumulate seniority, wait for retirement, and settle down peacefully.

But seeing Du Cheng walking in the group today, Sun Liancheng's long-dormant thoughts quietly stirred.

Ding Yizhen had been a powerful figure in Guangming District for many years. He followed Li Dakang's example of one-man rule in the Standing Committee meetings, suppressing everyone.

His position as second-in-command has been largely nominal for years, existing in name only.

Now that Cheng Du has been parachuted in, he holds real power and is undoubtedly the third-in-command of Guangming District.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain, let alone three tigers.

A glint of light flashed in Sun Liancheng's eyes.

If he joins forces with the Standing Committee to check and balance Ding Yizhen and break the long-standing unilateral pattern, he, who has been the perennial runner-up, may be able to move up a notch and end his long-standing suppression.

In officialdom, there is never a fixed pattern, only fleeting opportunities.

Sun Liancheng turned his head to look at Cheng Du and took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Secretary Cheng, you've just arrived in Guangming District, are you settling in well?"

Cheng Du replied with a smile, "District Chief Sun, I'm fine."

"Does Secretary Cheng have time tonight?" Sun Liancheng asked.

"District Chief Sun, not sure. The public security and political-legal departments don't have holidays. I'll find out tonight." That's how things are at Chengdu.

Besides, he's different in this life; he's a retired soldier who transferred to the public security system.

"If you have time, I'd like to invite Secretary Cheng to my home for a quick bowl of noodles." Sun Liancheng had noticed that Qi Tongwei and Cheng Du had an unusual relationship.

"Okay, thank you, District Chief Sun. We'll have plenty of time to work together." Faced with the second-in-command's overtures, Cheng Du had no reason to refuse.

The two exchanged pleasantries in a remarkably harmonious atmosphere. To outsiders, it appeared to be nothing more than ordinary small talk, but only the two of them knew that it was a veiled gesture of goodwill and an attempt to forge an alliance.

Qin Ben and Chen Qingquan lagged behind, deliberately keeping their distance from the people in front of them to avoid being seen by them.

Qin Ben slowed his pace and lowered his voice, "Dean Chen, I heard that Shanshui Group recently received a new batch of foreign teachers?"

They're all beautiful, quite nice.

Especially wow!

Chen Qingquan put his hands behind his back and said, "Secretary-General Qin, don't you know me?"

I, Chen Qingquan, have served as an official my entire life. I am neither greedy for money nor abusive in my power. My only hobby is learning foreign languages.

Ha ha.

Learning a foreign language is great; you should learn a foreign language.

"We're comrades-in-arms, shall we go together?"

These words sounded grand and respectable, but they were actually a coded message between the two of them.

Chen Qingquan was heartbroken.

Chen Qingquan's wife, He Yuru, is the deputy director of the Guangming District Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

He is extremely capable in his work, but he is also rigid, inflexible, and rule-abiding, lacking any sense of romance.

The couple had been together for many years, but their lives were as bland and tasteless as plain water.

Especially in recent years, Chen Qingquan felt that he had no interest whatsoever.

When they got home that evening, they didn't talk much.

They slept in the same bed but dreamed different dreams, with no tenderness whatsoever.

Even with his wife holding him, he couldn't muster any interest.

Honestly, my wife isn't ugly.

When she was young, she was the most beautiful girl in the Chinese Department of Han University.

Once you get something, you stop appreciating it.

However, when I went to the Shanshui Manor, especially with the foreign teacher Ostrovsky from Russia, who was tall, had bright eyes and a lively and generous personality, I was impressed.

He speaks fluent Russian.

Compared to the rigid and serious He Yuru, they are completely opposite.

After a night of intimacy, I felt twenty years younger.

My interest was piqued.

Chen Qingquan even absurdly believed that Ostrovsky was the soulmate who understood him and resonated with him, a belated true love.

Qin Ben chuckled lightly, knowing full well what was going on but saying nothing, "Dean Chen, should we go this afternoon or tonight?"

Chen Qingquan's expression shifted slightly, but his tone remained calm. "Secretary-General Qin, I contacted Ms. Li Shiya, the chairperson of the Shanshui Group, early this morning to make arrangements."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and showed his phone screen.

The chat box clearly displayed the latest messages.

Chen Qingquan: Mr. Li, after get off work this afternoon, I'm going to learn a foreign language with Teacher Ao from Maoxiong.

Li Shiya: Dean Chen, you are welcome to come and learn at any time.

Qin Ben raised an eyebrow. "Dean Chen still has a lot of influence. I didn't really want to go this afternoon. It would have been much better to go tonight; I could have studied all night."

"Fine, since you said so, I'll go with you."

They spoke eloquently, but their hearts were already brimming with desire.

At home, the food is bland and simple; outside, a gentle spring breeze caresses the face.

Anyone would know how to choose.

We're all seasoned veterans of officialdom, and we know the unspoken agreement.

They claim to be learning foreign languages, but behind the scenes they're all involved in romantic escapades.

As the group of cadres walked slowly, each lost in their own thoughts, Li Dakang waved to them from the lakeside path ahead.

"Comrades, come over here and assemble here."

Ding Yizhen, your belly is the biggest of all; go run around and get some exercise.

Upon hearing this, Ding Yizhen dared not slacken in the slightest.

"Okay, Secretary Li."

In Jingzhou, Li Dakang's words were law, and not a single word could be disobeyed.

He trotted forward with his round belly sticking out, his posture exceptionally respectful.

Upon approaching, Ding Yizhen bowed and greeted him.

"Governor Qi, Secretary Li."

Qi Tongwei stood to the side, his expression indifferent, and simply nodded slightly.

Li Dakang turned to Ding Yizhen and said, "Mayor Ding, while Governor Qi is inspecting the site today, could you give a detailed report on the overall progress of the Guangming Peak project?"

"Okay." Ding Yizhen immediately straightened his posture, looking like he was giving a report at a meeting. "Governor Qi, Secretary Li. The Guangming Peak project has a total investment of 28 billion yuan and is the city's number one key urban construction project. It has received high attention from the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, as well as the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government."

The project has a well-developed overall plan and complete supporting facilities. Currently, construction in each section is progressing in an orderly manner, funding is stable, the construction team is fully staffed, and the overall progress is in line with expectations and steadily improving. It is expected to be completed on schedule and with high quality.

The long string of rhetoric was impeccable, full of platitudes and empty rhetoric, revealing not a single real issue.

His pronunciation was clear and precise, and his speech was standard and rigid, completely copied from an official report in a meeting room.

Everyone present listened expressionlessly. They were all seasoned veterans of officialdom, and they all knew that this kind of report was a typical case of reporting only good news and not bad.

Qi Tongwei listened quietly, his eyes expressionless, and only spoke slowly after Ding Yizhen finished speaking.

"Vice Mayor Ding."

The air lingered slightly after those four words were spoken.

In particular, the word "deputy" has been added.

Sun Liancheng immediately sensed something was wrong.

It's quite interesting that they deliberately called Ding Yizhen "Deputy Mayor Ding".

Mayor Ding is usually addressed as such in a polite manner.

Qi Tongwei was clearly trying to put pressure on the other party.

As long as Qi Tongwei has a problem with Ding Yizhen, it's a good thing for him.