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

Seeing Zhao Xiaohui's face flushed with embarrassment, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

"Didn't you specifically ask for Su Lie? I sent it to you, and now you're embarrassed..."

While secretly chuckling, Qi Tongwei became even more certain that Zhao Xiaohui had probably taken a liking to Su Lie.

Although this conclusion is somewhat absurd, Qi Tongwei, as someone who has been through it, can understand it very well.

Forbidden love, also known in psychology as forbidden attraction.

It's the same principle as rich girls falling for hooligans and good girls being infatuated with blond-haired guys...

Seeing that no one was speaking, Qi Tongwei smiled and began to warm up the atmosphere.

"Mr. Zhao, we're both from Handong, so I'll try to be friendly and call you Xiao Hui..."

When Qi Tongwei said that, Zhao Xiaohui naturally wouldn't refuse and replied with a smile.

"Call me Xiaohui, it's more intimate... Ever since we last met, I've felt we're destined for each other..."

We're both from Handong, and to run into each other in the far west, thousands of miles away, what a coincidence...

Seeing that he had started talking, Qi Tongwei gradually steered the conversation toward the main topic.

He glanced at Su Lie and said with a smile.

"Old Su, we have some ladies with us today, so let's not drink baijiu, let's drink red wine instead..."

"Are you an old hand, Iju, or Alice?"

Upon hearing this, Su Lie grinned and replied with a smile.

"Secretary Qi, you know me, I'm a rough guy, I'm the same no matter what I drink..."

If you want something sweet, drink white wine; if you don't want something sweet, drink Izuriz...

Qi Tongwei nodded and said with a smile.

"Then let's have white wine, it's easier for ladies to drink..."

After saying that, he pointed at Su Lie and continued speaking.

"Today is to calm Xiaohui down... I even brought my partner, it's a family gathering..."

"Keep it casual, just call me by my first name... Anyone who mentions titles or work will be penalized with a drink..."

His words were somewhat problematic, causing Zhao Xiaohui to blush slightly.

But she adjusted very well, quickly regained her composure, and took over the conversation with a smile.

"Secretary Qi, to be honest, I'm actually quite curious..."

Xiao Ai doesn't seem like Bianxi. How did you two meet?

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei smiled, nodded at Zhao Xiaohui, and said softly.

"Look at you, you just said to call me by my name, and then you addressed me by my position... I'm older than you, so I'll call you Brother Qi."

After saying that, he glanced at Zhong Xiaoai and said with great pride.

"We were classmates in college... I'm not bragging, but I was quite the celebrity in school..."

It's no exaggeration to say that I was the envy of countless girls back then... Xiao Ai was mine...

Before he could finish speaking, Zhong Xiaoai blushed, reached out and pinched him, complaining.

"Senior brother, you're not allowed to talk nonsense..."

After saying that, he looked at Zhao Xiaohui and continued with a smile.

"We're alumni, both studying at Hanjiang University... He's my senior, and we fell in love on our own."

Seeing Zhong Xiaoai's happy face, Zhao Xiaohui's heart tightened.

Free love? In a family like theirs, there's no such thing as free love.

With a quick thought, she smiled and spoke.

"Oh, I see, you've come to Bianxi to visit relatives..."

When are you going back? Once I'm done with things here, we can go together...

Zhong Xiaoai glanced at Zhao Xiaohui and replied with a smile.

"It wasn't a family visit... I applied to teach in the rural area during his second year in Bianxi..."

Just this month, I went to Bianxi with the lecturer team and was assigned to Fuyuan...

Upon hearing Zhong Xiaoai's answer, Zhao Xiaohui was taken aback.

The Zhong family couldn't possibly be unaware that Zhong Xiaoai was sent to a remote border region, since they didn't forcibly interfere...

This means that the Zhong family has likely tacitly accepted the existence of this prospective son-in-law.

She was about to speak again when the waiter who was serving the food interrupted her, and she didn't ask any further questions.

Seeing that the food and wine were all served, Qi Tongwei raised his glass of red wine and said with a smile.

"The first drink was a calming drink... Although the process was unpleasant, it was thankfully a close call..."

Let's raise a glass together and help Xiaohui calm down...

After finishing his drink, Qi Tongwei put down his glass and looked at Zhao Xiaohui with a smile.

"I've never encountered this situation in Handong before... I'm ashamed to say that this is my dereliction of duty."

However, please understand that this is just how things are in Bianxi; the local people are rather tough...

Ordinary people have their own logic and don't like being controlled...

Zhao Xiaohui gave Qi Tongwei a deep look and tentatively asked.

"Brother Qi, do you mean... this situation isn't an isolated case, but rather quite common?"

Before Qi Tongwei could answer, Su Lie took over the conversation, speaking with a wry smile.

"I've been working on the front lines for years, so I have a say in this matter..."

Let alone killing livestock, the Beitai oil field is also involved in blasting, well drilling, and land acquisition...

Coal theft and illegal mining at Fuyuan Mine... fights and vehicle blockades are considered minor incidents...

In the western border region, you need to have a strong enough fist before you have the right to reason with others...

As soon as Su Lie finished speaking, Qi Tongwei immediately chimed in.

"Hey, Xiaohui. You've seen too much highbrow culture and never seen anything like the common folk..."

But it's all good, at least I have a new understanding of Bianxi... I'll be more careful in the future...

Zhao Xiaohui frowned slightly, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and didn't continue the conversation.

After a few drinks, Zhao Xiaohui found an opportunity to continue probing Qi Tongwei's background.

She clinked glasses with Qi Tongwei and asked with a smile.

"Brother Qi, I'm really curious, you're a top student from Han University..."

How did you end up in the border region? And how did you end up all the way to Fuyuan...?

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei sighed, his words filled with deep emotion.

"Sigh, it's really a cruel twist of fate; it's all just luck..."

At first, I just wanted to come to Bianxi to train... but I never expected this..."

Qi Tongwei put down his wine glass and recounted his experiences growing up in Bianxi.

Finally, he sighed and said in a deep voice.

"The thought of returning to Handong in another year and a half makes me really reluctant to leave Bianxi..."

After listening to Qi Tongwei's story, Zhao Xiaohui frowned slightly and didn't continue the conversation.

She discovered that the information her family was giving her was outdated, creating a significant information gap.

Qi Tongwei is no longer an ordinary cadre sent to support border areas.

He had become the link between two great mountains, subtly connecting the Zhong family and Bianxi...

The group chatted happily for the rest of the time, and both host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

In the midst of repeated toasts, Qi Tongwei and Zhao Xiaohui also completed their second confrontation.

Zhao Xiaohui was very satisfied; she had obtained almost all the information she wanted...

But she didn't notice that the drinking session was going too smoothly, and Qi Tongwei's cooperation was too excellent...

After the banquet, Qi Tongwei and the other two rushed back to Fuyuan.

Zhao Xiaohui returned to her room and dialed her father's number.

Over the phone, she gave a brief explanation of Bian west's situation.

In the end, she emphasized Qi Tongwei.

"Dad, this Qi Tongwei is no simple man; he's intelligent and resourceful..."

I don't think Cheng Shizhong can really touch him... We need to change our plan..."

After a long silence on the other end of the phone, Zhao Lichun slowly spoke.

"The western border isn't our home turf... so we're definitely a bit constrained when it comes to getting things done..."

Just say what you're thinking, let's analyze it together...

Zhao Xiaohui hesitated for a moment, then said softly.

"Regarding the burning of the beams, I don't think it's necessary to force our way in... Even if we did, we might not be able to get in..."

I think Cheng Shizhong's abilities are limited; he might not be able to touch Qi Tongwei..."

She paused slightly before continuing.

"On the contrary, although Qi Tongwei's position was not high, he became the link between the Zhong family and Bianxi..."

I heard him say that he plans to return to Handong to develop his career... I think this guy deserves a helping hand...

After listening to her, Zhao Lichun sighed heavily and said in a deep voice.

"I've heard about what he did... Liang Qunfeng went too far..."

Trying to recruit Qi Tongwei now will likely cause a conflict with Liang Qunfeng... It won't be easy..."

After Zhao Lichun finished speaking, Zhao Xiaohui narrowed her eyes and whispered a reminder.

"Dad, I've calculated the time; Qi Tongwei's term as a sent-down youth is about a year and a half left..."

By then, Liang Qunfeng will be over 60, and it'll be about time he retires from his frontline position...

One is steadily rising, the other is declining... I don't think it's hard to choose..."

After listening to his daughter's words, Zhao Lichun pondered for a moment and said softly.

"A mountain tiger encounters a wolf coming down the mountain... This is a complicated matter, don't worry about it now..."

"The Fuyuan mine is tough... How's the Beitai oil field going? Is it progressing smoothly...?"

Seeing that her father didn't respond, Zhao Xiaohui didn't press him further and immediately followed up with a reply.

"The Beitai oil field isn't a big problem; Zhang Guozhong and I have already reached an agreement..."

He obtained the necessary permits for Huilong Trading, so they can supply oilfield equipment next spring...

I estimate that it will open four to five million shares a year...

After listening, Zhao Lichun nodded and said in a deep voice.

"You've made it to the oil field, so it wasn't a wasted trip... It's almost Chinese New Year, so hurry back."

"By next spring, your wedding should be on the agenda..."

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This chapter was too long, so I cut a part of it, and now it feels incomplete...