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

Zhong Xiaoai left, taking with her a trunk full of local specialties from Bianxi.

Although Zhong's father sent a car over, Qi Tongwei still bought a sleeper berth for Zhong Xiaoai.

In this day and age, highways are not widespread and accommodation is scarce, so road trips are not a pleasure, but torture.

As the black Audi 100 drove out of the guesthouse compound, Qi Tongwei frowned slightly.

In his previous life, Hou Liangping was just a division-level cadre when he was parachuted into Handong.

Even if he were to become the director of the anti-corruption bureau, he would still only be a deputy director-general level official.

Qi Tongwei is not Hou Liangping; he never intended to rise to power through Zhong Xiaoai.

He chose Zhong Xiaoai partly out of love, and partly to sever Hou Liangping's ties.

He was eager to see how far this classmate, who disregarded organizational procedures and was full of empty talk about morality, could go without the protection of the Zhong family.

Having been given a second chance at life, Qi Tongwei is scheming and taking every step very carefully.

It can be said that they were walking on thin ice, proceeding cautiously at every step.

But he never expected that his rebirth would alter the landscape of Handong, the Zhong family, and even the western border...

They have all changed quite a bit from their previous lives.

On December 31, the third day after Zhong Xiaoai left, Zhao Dehan also left Bianxi.

The new liaison officer of the Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau has officially taken up his post at the Bianxi City Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau.

Upon receiving the news, Qi Tongwei made a special phone call to Li Guangran.

His purpose in making this call was very clear: to ask Li Guangran about his impression of this person.

There was no need for Li Guangran to hold back when facing Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei asked directly, and Li Guangran's evaluation was even more direct.

Just eight simple words: versatile and clever, yet completely clueless.

After hearing Li Guangran's evaluation, Qi Tongwei immediately understood.

The new liaison officer was a typical bureaucrat who knew nothing about the job.

He even felt that having such a person in charge of burning down the beams might not be such a bad thing.

On the same day, Qi Tongwei also received a phone call from Wang Quanyou.

To Qi Tongwei's surprise, Wang Quanyou didn't talk about work at all; his main point was just one thing.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Day, come over for lunch..."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Tongwei stared at it in silence for a long time.

He knew perfectly well that Wang Quanyou would never invite him to his home for dinner for no reason.

......

On New Year's Day, Qi Tongwei brought two bottles of wine and knocked on Wang Quanyou's door right on time.

The same young aunt opened the door again, and still didn't say anything, leading Qi Tongwei to the living room.

When Qi Tongwei entered the living room, Wang Quanyou was holding a book and studying music scores.

Upon hearing that Qi Tongwei had arrived, he didn't even raise his head, waved his hand, and said softly.

"Please sit for a while, I'm almost done arranging the dishes..."

Qi Tongwei put down the wine, leaned over to take a look, and said with a smile.

"Are you reviewing the game the Chess Saint played in July..."

It's a pity, they controlled the whole game, but couldn't hold onto the endgame...

Wang Quanyou paused, looked up at Qi Tongwei, and asked in a deep voice.

"Oh? I've never heard you mention that...you play Go?"

Qi Tongwei grinned, nodded with a smile, and answered softly.

"When the Go master achieved his eleven-game winning streak, I was still in school..."

"If male students at Han University don't know a few tricks up their sleeves, they'll be laughed at..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Quanyou immediately became interested.

He waved to Qi Tongwei and said with a smile.

"Come on, let's have a go... I'll test the mettle of this top student from Han University..."

Qi Tongwei didn't hesitate, reached out and took the black piece, and said with a smile.

"You can't bully the weak... The black one is mine, I'll go first..."

Wang Quanyou glanced at him, smiled, nodded at him, and said in a deep voice.

"Alright, the black pieces are yours... You go first, so even if you lose, it doesn't mean I played badly..."

The two exchanged blows, and before long they had reached the middle of the game.

Wang Quanyou stared expectantly, holding a white piece in his hand, hesitant to make a move.

After pondering for a long time, he frowned, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and asked in a deep voice.

"You're playing aggressively... Your reckless style is quite interesting... like Kato's..."

"By doing this, you're killing a thousand enemies but losing eight hundred of your own... Is it worth it?"

Qi Tongwei's lips curled up, a hint of smugness in his smile.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the chessboard and spoke with a smile.

"Secretary Wang... even if we kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of our own, don't we still win two hundred?"

In the end, I still make a profit...

Wang Quanyou gave him a deep look, and when he spoke, his voice carried a deeper meaning.

"Aren't you afraid of miscalculating the numbers... and ending up killing 800 enemies while losing 1000 of your own?"

Qi Tongwei knew he was implying something, and with a sudden thought, he immediately continued.

Until the endgame, who can accurately predict the winner...?

Besides, if you're afraid of losing, the best way is not to participate.

Wang Quanyou glanced at Qi Tongwei, frowned, and didn't continue the conversation.

He took out two white pieces, threw them on the chessboard, shook his head, and said softly.

"I'm getting old... my energy isn't what it used to be... this old man concedes defeat..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then spoke with a wry smile.

"Secretary Wang, that's not very polite of you..."

"We've just reached the middle of the game, and the game's really getting going... Are you kidding me?"

Wang Quanyou picked up his thermos, took a sip of tea, and said with a smile.

"That's called killing someone by breaking their spirit... The old man can't beat you in a fight, so he won't fight you back..."

I'll make sure you don't make it to the end, I'll drive you crazy with impatience...

Seeing Qi Tongwei's distressed expression, he changed the subject and continued.

"With such a strong desire to kill...aren't you afraid of being criticized, afraid of mutual destruction...a lose-lose situation?"

Qi Tongwei was taken aback upon hearing this, and the smile on his face vanished.

He put down the chess piece in his hand, slowly closed the chess box, and said softly.

"I've thought about this for a long time and considered it very carefully..."

Since you've brought it up, I'll just tell you the truth...

He paused, looked at Wang Quanyou, and his tone became very serious.

"Actually, I'm scared... and terribly scared."

However, as you know, my term as a sent-down youth in the border region will be over in another year and a half...

"I'm suited to be this knife, and I'm willing to be the bad guy, to remove this cancer from Bianxi..."

Wang Quanyou frowned slightly, looked deeply at Qi Tongwei, and asked in a deep voice.

"After the term of service in the border regions ends, it can be renewed... and the organizational affiliation can also be transferred..."

If you work for me for ten years, governing a region won't be a problem...

What's so great about Handong...? Do you really want to go back to Handong that badly?

Qi Tongwei sighed, his words sincere, but with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"Secretary Wang, it's no exaggeration to say that you are my mentor..."

I can't express my gratitude to you enough, not because I can't, but because I can't express it all.

From my perspective, I want to follow you forever.

But you know about my relationship with Xiao Ai, do you think... I can stay in Bianxi...?

After a long silence, Wang Quanyou sighed heavily, his voice becoming much heavier.

"That's good. Now that you're back in Handong, I'll have more opportunities to contact my old squad leader..."

Since you've made up your mind, then do as you wish.

He paused, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and said in a deep voice.

"Don't blame me for not warning you, if you're going to fight, you have to kill him... don't let him retaliate..."

Having said that, he waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Happy New Year's Day! A new year has begun... Come on, let's eat..."

Seeing Wang Quanyou get up, Qi Tongwei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Taking advantage of Wang Quanyou's inattention, he gently placed the black chess piece, which was covered in sweat, into the chess box.

A game of chess, a simple conversation.

Silently and without warning, the fates of two people have been decided...