Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

Upon hearing that Cheng Shizhong would be hosting someone at noon, Baimaiti intended to take his leave and return home.

But as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered Qi Tongwei's words and changed his mind.

"Anyway, if you don't solve my supply problem, I'll just stick with you."

Wherever you go, I'll go... If you go to entertain, I'll go too...

The reception was not held at the city hall, but at a secluded private kitchen.

The Santana drove around the city aimlessly before finally stopping in front of a small courtyard.

Baimaiti frowned slightly as he looked at the exquisitely decorated courtyard.

He had a vague feeling that this reception was not simple.

He followed Cheng Shizhong into the private room, and everyone in the room immediately stood up.

A smartly dressed woman greeted them with a smile.

"Secretary Cheng...it's nice to see you again. Congratulations on your promotion...My father also asked me to give you my regards..."

Cheng Shizhong shook hands with the woman and asked with a smile.

"How is your father's health? We haven't seen each other for quite some time..."

The last time we met was when we were studying at the ZY Party School...

While the two were exchanging greetings, Baimaiti looked around at everyone in the room and was taken aback.

There were three people in the room: a woman and two men, both of whom he knew.

One was Li Guangran, who had left Fuyuan, and the other was Zhao Dehan, who came down from above.

Li Guangran nodded to Baimaiti, then smiled and shook hands with Cheng Shizhong.

After some polite refusals, the group sat down, and Cheng Shizhong began to introduce Bai Maiti.

"These two don't need introductions, you know them...they're old acquaintances..."

Let me introduce you to this beautiful lady, Ms. Zhao, the general manager of Huilong Trading...

Mr. Zhao is a very capable person; we still need to ask him for help with Fuyuan's supplies problem.

"Have a couple more drinks later."

After listening to Cheng Shizhong's introduction, Baimaiti couldn't help but glance at General Manager Zhao a few more times.

The woman was well-dressed, spoke and acted very appropriately, and appeared very capable.

But beneath her capable demeanor lay a subtle, almost imperceptible allure, which made Baimaiti wary.

He subconsciously labeled this General Manager Zhao as a "femme fatale."

Seeing that Baimaiti remained silent, General Manager Zhao smiled and spoke.

"I know Fuyuan County. I even had dinner with Minister Wu from your county a few days ago."

"County Chief Baimaiti, please take good care of me..."

After saying that, she extended a fair hand, wanting to shake hands with Baimaiti.

Baimaiti was taken aback, and immediately tugged at Zhao's finger.

"Mr. Zhao, you're too kind. Fuyuan County needs your continued support and guidance for its development..."

Seeing that Baimaiti was a little reserved, Cheng Shizhong smiled and made a joke.

"Bai Maiti, you're usually quite talkative, what's wrong with you today?"

He falls silent as soon as he sees a beautiful woman...

Everyone knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but they all laughed along.

As the laughter subsided, the banquet officially began.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Although Baimaiti frequently raised his glass in sync with the rhythm, he was secretly observing the situation.

He discovered that this General Manager Zhao was no ordinary person; he seemed quite adept at social maneuvering.

He also discovered that this Mr. Zhao seemed very concerned about the burning of Liang.

While drinking with Zhao Dehan and Li Guangran, he kept asking about the situation at Huoshaoliang...

Finally, the usual procedures were completed, and the drinking party entered a chaotic phase, with everyone toasting each other.

Mr. Zhao, holding a wine glass, walked over to Baimaiti and clinked glasses with him.

"County Chief Bai...I've heard that two key projects in Fuyuan County are lacking supplies..."

I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to serve you...

Her voice was soft, yet hooked, each word plucked at Baimaiti's heart.

Baimaiti glanced at her, gave a wry smile, and replied in a deep voice.

"Hey, Mr. Zhao, please stop joking with me..."

Fuyuan County is poor, and the prices of unplanned goods are high; we simply can't afford them..."

Seeing Baimaiti pleading poverty, Boss Zhao winked at him and said softly.

"Brother Bai... calling me 'General Manager Zhao' is too formal. Just call me Xiao Hui..."

She paused slightly, parted her red lips, and continued speaking.

"I love making friends, especially talented young people like you. Money isn't important to me..."

If Brother Bai gives me the opportunity to serve you, I swear on my life...

My price is 10% lower than the planned price...

After saying that, she deliberately puffed out her chest, almost bumping into Baimaiti's arm.

Baimaiti was taken aback, frowned, and looked deeply at Zhao Xiaohui before tentatively asking.

"Zhao...Ms. Hui, are you serious? It's really lower than the planned price?"

Zhao Xiaohui clinked glasses with him again and said with a smile.

"Of course it's fake. I already said, money isn't important. It's not only lower than the planned price..."

I'd be willing to invest in any of Fuyuan's small thermal power plants, small coal mines, and water diversion projects...

We are willing to provide you with in-depth services...

Her voice was soft, and her words were rather ambiguous, yet they sent a chill down Baimaiti's spine.

He clinked glasses with Zhao Xiaohui and said with a wry smile.

"Sigh, I really want you to serve me... but there's a tough nut to crack up to, and my word doesn't count."

After saying that, without waiting for Zhao Xiaohui to react, he tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass.

......

Baimaiti was drinking with trepidation, and Qi Tongwei wasn't much better off.

From the moment Qi Tongwei entered Wang Quanyou's house, he noticed something was amiss.

He became the deaf man's ears, purely for show.

As soon as the two entered the living room, Wang Quanyou started showering Zhong Xiaoai with concern, completely ignoring him.

Wang Quanyou looked Zhong Xiaoai up and down, then smiled and spoke.

"So alike, so very alike. No wonder you looked familiar the moment I saw you..."

He reached out and patted Zhong Xiaoai's hand, asking softly.

"How is your father's health?"

The last time we met was at a meeting in the capital. It's been three years since we last saw each other...

Zhong Xiaoai behaved very well, answering every question flawlessly.

It wasn't until lunchtime was approaching that Wang Quanyou remembered Qi Tongwei.

Wang Quanyou glanced at Qi Tongwei and reprimanded him in a deep voice.

"They didn't even bother to get the dishes...they have absolutely no tact..."

At the family dinner, Wang Quanyou's favoritism became even more pronounced.

He frequently served food to Zhong Xiaoai, but completely ignored Qi Tongwei.

After the meal, Qi Tongwei learned his lesson and took the initiative to help the nanny clear the table.

Zhong Xiaoai then came to his side with a thermos and said softly.

"We've finished eating, it's time to get down to business... Sister Mei and I will clean up, you can go ahead."

After saying that, she put the thermos into Qi Tongwei's hand and began to clear the table.

Qi Tongwei glanced at the thermos, then at Zhong Xiaoai, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

They're both children of officials, how can there be such a huge difference between them?

He walked into the living room, handed the thermos to Wang Quanyou, and said softly.

"Secretary Wang, I just finished eating. Have some tea to cleanse your palate..."

Seeing Wang Quanyou take the cup, he hesitated about how to speak, but Wang Quanyou spoke first.

"Zhang Wei's case is very complicated. Didn't I tell you not to get involved..."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of displeasure.

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei quickly offered an explanation.

"Secretary Wang, this isn't about Zhang Wei..."

The county's planned supplies have been cut, so I've come to beg for alms...

He paused slightly, stole a glance at Wang Quanyou, and decided to make his point clear.

"Not only that, the State Planning Commission had just cut the quotas when this General Manager Zhao popped up..."

They even said they could solve the supply problem... I think all of this is too much of a coincidence..."

After hearing Qi Tongwei's words, Wang Quanyou showed no surprise whatsoever.

He took a sip of tea, snorted coldly, and asked in a deep voice.

"When the building is about to collapse, all sorts of snakes, insects, and rodents come out..."

"You met with that General Manager Zhao?"

Qi Tongwei immediately answered, speaking very honestly.

"No. Wu Shanheng from the county did have a meal with her."

It is said that this person has good relations with the Beitai Oilfield and has a very powerful background.

Upon hearing this, Wang Quanyou glanced at Qi Tongwei and said in a deep voice.

"If you act uprightly and sit honestly, you have nothing to fear, no matter how powerful your background is."

I'm at ease knowing that you and Baimaiti are working together—one focusing on development, the other on reining in the business.

It's understandable that you two occasionally push the boundaries...

However, it's important to note that matters of principle must not be touched.

Qi Tongwei nodded and tentatively asked.

"But how do we solve the problem of supplies? Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice..."

Are we really going to have to buy supplies that aren't part of the planned supply?

Wang Quanyou glanced at him, put down his thermos, and asked a question instead of answering.

How did Fu Yuan, who is only the size of a palm, attract such a golden phoenix?

"You're quite smart, but you don't know how to think things through more."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback by his words and subconsciously uttered a single word, "Mining?"

Wang Quanyou glanced at Qi Tongwei, sighed, and said sarcastically.

"Stop acting like a country bumpkin, always talking about minerals. That's called energy."