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

Soaked in warm water, Zhao Xiaohui calmed down and resumed her role as the head housekeeper of the Zhao family.

She closed her eyes, trying to go through the events of the day from the beginning.

Going to the Beitai oil field was a spur-of-the-moment decision for her; it's unlikely that those people deliberately ambushed him...

But the other party was clearly trying to extort money; they were obviously prepared... and then Su Lie appeared...

The thought of Su Lie sent a shiver down Zhao Xiaohui's spine.

The image of that man from Northwest China appeared before her eyes again.

Recalling how Su Lie stormed into the crowd, her face flushed slightly.

She had met many men—officials, businessmen…some refined, some intelligent…

But Su Lie is different. This man is pure, and his purity can be summed up in one word: tough!

She opened her eyes, looked at the ceiling, and sighed softly.

Zhao Xiaohui has a fiancé, a Hong Kong businessman with British citizenship.

Although they had only met a few times, they both knew that marriage was inevitable.

The Zhao family needs this overseas channel, while this Hong Kong businessman needs the Zhao family's resources...

She knew very well that for a family like hers, freedom of marriage was basically a luxury.

Thinking of her fiancé, Zhao Xiaohui's restlessness subsided slightly, and she calmed down a bit.

But just as she suppressed the thought, an even stronger sense of resentment welled up in her heart again.

Why is it that men can indulge in debauchery and call it "socializing," but women can't...?

Thinking of this, the restlessness in her heart was reignited, like hot oil being poured on it, and it suddenly surged up.

Without further hesitation, Zhao Xiaohui grabbed the phone next to her and dialed a familiar number.

As soon as the call connected, she spoke softly without hesitation.

"In the Huoshaoliang Mining Area Public Security Bureau of Bianxi Province, there is a man named Su Lie."

"Check this person's background... be detailed."

After the person on the other end of the phone finished recording, she continued speaking.

"Also, the county party secretary of Fuyuan County is named Qi Tongwei. He was sent from Handong as part of the 'Support the Border Region' program..."

"You should also check this person's background... how did he get to Bianxi..."

Her voice wasn't loud, and her tone was calm, yet it left no room for doubt.

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Xiaohui lit a green cigarette, took a deep breath, and immediately exhaled.

She doesn't smoke, but she thinks women who smoke have a certain charm, like Audrey Hepburn.

She looked at her graceful figure in the mirror, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips, and muttered something softly.

"Su Lie... a man from the western border, quite interesting..."

Just as she was admiring herself in solitude, the phone next to her suddenly rang.

She picked up the phone and asked casually.

"You've got results so quickly?"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a deep, steady male voice.

"Is this General Manager Zhao? I'm Qi Tongwei from Fuyuan County..."

Zhao Xiaohui frowned slightly, but immediately smiled and said.

"It's Secretary Qi! I thought it was a call from home..."

"Secretary Qi, what made you decide to call me? Do you have any instructions?"

On the other end of the phone, Qi Tongwei chuckled and said in a deep voice.

"I've come to apologize to you... Su Lie just told me about what happened to you today..."

I'm so sorry, the people of Bianxi are known for their fierce and unruly nature, and I've made you suffer. It's my fault...

How are you? Are you alright? I heard from Su Lie that the car was wrecked... Is the damage serious...?

Zhao Xiaohui narrowed her eyes, her expression gradually turning cold, but she still smiled and said.

"Secretary Qi, you're so kind... It was just a minor accident, all the driver's fault for being careless..."

The person is fine, and the car isn't seriously damaged either... The driver has already taken it to be repaired...

Seeing Zhao Xiaohui's nonchalant reply, Qi Tongwei didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Mr. Zhao, I'm calling you for no other reason than..."

Firstly, I wanted to ask how you were doing. Secondly, you were frightened, and I wanted to help calm you down...

Regardless of the circumstances, it has caused you losses... On behalf of Fuyuan, I'd like to invite you to dinner..."

Upon hearing that Qi Tongwei wanted to invite her to dinner, Zhao Xiaohui immediately understood.

Qi Tongwei knew about her background; otherwise, why would the county party secretary invite businessmen to dinner?

She originally intended to give Qi Tongwei a hard time by refusing outright.

But as she was about to speak, a thought suddenly struck her, and she changed her mind.

"Oh dear, Secretary Qi, you've gone to so much trouble. You're so kind..."

However, I was genuinely terrified, and now I'm afraid to go out easily... My car is broken down too...

Secretary Qi, could Director Su please pick me up? I'm staying at the Kunlun Hotel...

After a brief silence on the other end of the phone, Qi Tongwei spoke with a smile.

"No need for that... We're both from Handong, so we're practically fellow townsmen..."

"You don't need to move, just rest for a bit. Su Lie and I will come to the Kunlun Hotel to find you in a little while..."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Xiaohui took a deep drag of her cigarette and slowly exhaled.

A smile involuntarily crept onto her lips as she let out a cold snort and muttered something under her breath.

"Qi Tongwei... is nothing special after all, bowing down so quickly..."

......

It was close to 8 p.m. when Zhao Xiaohui was watching TV when there was a sudden knock on the door.

She knew it was Qi Tongwei, so she got up and went to open the door.

When the door opened, Zhao Xiaohui was startled, and her breathing became a little tense.

"Director Su... what brings you here? Where is Secretary Qi?"

Su Lie grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and said with a smile.

"Secretary Qi is in a private room downstairs; he asked me to come up and invite you..."

Seeing Su Lie's smiling face, Zhao Xiaohui's heart skipped a beat, and she said softly.

"Well then, I'll trouble you... Let's go together..."

Upon entering the private room, Zhao Xiaohui was taken aback again; a young woman was sitting next to Qi Tongwei.

Upon seeing Zhao Xiaohui arrive, Qi Tongwei smiled, stood up, and shook hands with her.

"Mr. Zhao, let me introduce you... This is my wife, Zhong Xiaoai..."

Please don't mind, we're all from the same hometown in Handong... consider this meal a small gathering of fellow townsmen...

After listening to Qi Tongwei's introduction, Zhao Xiaohui glanced at Zhong Xiaoai and was startled.

Zhong Xiaoai was a name she was familiar with; her father had mentioned it to her more than once.

Zhao Xiaohui was momentarily stunned as to how Zhong Xiao had become Qi Tongwei's lover...

After exchanging greetings, Qi Tongwei quickly invited the two to sit down.

But after the four of them sat down, Zhao Xiaohui felt even more embarrassed, and her face turned a little red.

Qi Tongwei and Zhong Xiaoai are a couple, so it's natural for them to sit together. But what about her and Su Lie...?