Name: The Holy Son of the Energy Department Enters Handong

"What experience have you accumulated over the years at your company? How much influence do you have within the company?"

In the Zhong family's courtyard.

It was rare for Zhong Zhengguo to sit down and talk to Zhong Xiaoai about something serious.

"Do I have any relationships with other people at work?" Chung Hsiao-ai was slightly taken aback when she heard this.

This question left her feeling deeply puzzled.

Her father usually didn't care about her work, so what was going on today? He unusually asked her to sit down and have a serious talk, and even brought up her work.

Does this mean I should arrange for myself to improve?

Thinking of this, Zhong Xiaoai's heart stirred slightly.

A look of surprise flashed across his face, then he quickly calmed down.

On second thought, I realized that such a possibility was unlikely.

She was well aware of the Zhong family's current predicament.

Her father hadn't told her anything about the situation in a long time, but she could sense it.

Some people around me have clearly changed their attitudes, but not for the better.

"Yes, so how are your relationships with your colleagues? Do you get along well?"

Zhong Zhengguo's words carried a hint of impatience that even he himself was unaware of.

"It's just a normal working relationship, a superior-subordinate relationship."

There's no such thing as getting along well or not; we're working, not dating.

Zhong Xiaoai answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo's heart stirred, and then he sighed regretfully.

He had expected this outcome long ago.

"What exactly happened to Father?" Zhong Xiaoai asked anxiously.

"You've grown up now, and there are some things I need to tell you!"

My work assignment has now been moved to the publicity department of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

They no longer have a say in whether or not to handle cases.

From now on, you'll have to walk your own path.

It's likely you'll be transferred to another position soon; that's an unchangeable fact unless some miracle happens!

Zhong Zhengguo explained his current situation.

The situation is already very bad; he's in a very awkward position now.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he probably won't stay in this position for the rest of his life and will retire with regret.

"What? Father, when did this happen?"

Why didn't you tell me something so important!

Zhong Xiaoai was instantly shocked and abruptly raised her head.

She looked at her father, Zhong Zhengguo, with disbelief in her eyes.

In my memory, that person was someone who could wield immense power in the disciplinary inspection department, deciding which cases could be handled and which couldn't.

Now, however, he has become a marginal figure.

This was truly unbelievable to her.

Anger, shock, and other complex emotions were etched on her face.

Seeing his daughter's expression, Zhong Zhengguo had already anticipated it. He didn't show any change in expression, but simply lowered his head to show the helplessness of an old father.

A silent atmosphere settled over the space.

The silence at this moment is speechless.

It was unclear how much time had passed before Zhong Xiaoai finally let out a hoarse sound.

"Father, where is the miracle you speak of?"

Zhong Xiaoai asked reluctantly.

Zhong Zhengguo smiled with rare relief as he watched Zhong Xiaoai calm down so quickly.

This also proves that his training over the years has not been wrong.

She raised a daughter who could remain calm in bad situations.

Even without their own protection, they might still shine in other places thanks to their own abilities.

Meeting Zhong Xiaoai's earnest gaze,

Zhong Zhengguo looked around and saw the map on the desk.

I took a world map.

His finger pointed precisely to Handong Province in the plains.

"The key to breaking this deadlock lies here: Handong Province!"

"Handong Province?"

Zhong Xiaoai frowned in confusion, looking at the spot on the map that her father was pointing to.

"That's right, it's Handong Province, the only game in which our Zhong family can get involved!"

"This game of chess has determined the future of the Chung family."

Chung Cheng-kuo straightened his chest, his eyes filled with unprecedented hope.

Just thinking about the people sent from Handong Province made Zhong Zhengguo's eyelids twitch slightly.

They knew that Handong Province was the Zhong family's last hope for a comeback.

He decided not to send that useless Hou Liangping over there.

"Handong Province, the place where Liangping is located, him?"

All hopes rested on his shoulders.

Zhong Xiaoai said in disbelief, her eyes changing as she looked at her father. It turned out that her father thought highly of Liangping and gave Hou Liangping the last chance for the family to turn things around.

What immense trust that is!

"Don't look at me like that. We can't let Hou Liangping go to Handong Province alone. Handong Province is now our Zhong family's only chance to turn things around!"

If conditions permit, I hope I can go there in person, and you can go there in person too.

I want everything that's beneficial to us to go, but that's just wishful thinking. Whether it's actually possible depends on the organization's attitude.

It depends on whether those people still recognize the Zhong family name.

Chung Cheng-kuo said in a dejected tone.

Reality may be even crueler than imagined.

It is possible that some people are using the Zhong family's name to help the Zhong family and Sha Ruijin.

It's highly likely that once they arrive in Handong, they'll immediately turn around and head for Zhao Xia.

"Father, perhaps you should trust Liangping more!" Zhong Xiaoai suddenly mustered her courage and said.

These words truly enraged Zhong Zhengguo, leaving him unable to calm down.

"I don't believe him. If the entire Zhong family believed him, our family would have been ruined by this brat long ago."

Sometimes I often wonder if he is an undercover agent. Did you offend him during college, which is why he has haunted you for life and ruined our Chung family!

If Hou Liangping had been quick enough, hadn't played cat and mouse, and hadn't been so arrogant, Zhao Dehan would have been caught long ago, which would have been a great achievement, and I wouldn't have had to be subservient to the Discipline Inspection Commission.

How can I trust him? If I trust him again, our Zhong family will truly be finished!

Zhong Zhengguo slammed his fist on the table, spitting as he roared at Zhong Xiaoai.

His face was full of regret and pity for his failure to improve.

And anger over the Chung family's current predicament.

Zhong Xiaoai lowered her head after being yelled at.

She only dared to steal glances at her father's stern, fiery eyes out of the corner of her eye.

Her head was kept tightly lowered; she dared not raise it, nor dared to say another kind word for Hou Liangping.

I shouldn't have been so blinded by greed, suddenly thinking of Hou Liangping's groveling service.

Zhong Xiaoai suddenly felt very wronged.

Now that his father has become a marginalized figure, will his job be subject to change?

Where will they go? To Qingshui Yamen? Or will they be belittled, suppressed, or made scapegoats?

Will the capital of Handong Province become their funeral, or their first step in turning the tide?