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

Seeing Hou Liangping's gloomy face and silence, Gao Yuliang took a sip of wine and asked in a deep voice.

Tell me the truth.

"Was this idea for restructuring your idea, or Secretary Liang's?"

Hou Liangping glanced at Gao Yuliang, and when he spoke again, his voice was noticeably weaker.

"Well... it wasn't anyone's idea."

I was just thinking...if I could help Chief Prosecutor Chen fulfill his wish, I could also advance my career a bit more.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang glared at him and reprimanded him in a stern voice.

"Look, you're in such a hurry again. Didn't you just get promoted to section chief last year...?"

People should be down-to-earth and not always look at the grass on the other side...

Hou Liangping was somewhat unconvinced, pursed his lips, and replied in a low voice.

"As you just said... Qi Tongwei is now a county-level official."

They're both your students, so be honest, what's wrong with me compared to him...?

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang shook his head and said with a smile.

"Ryoping, I'm not trying to be mean, but you're still too immature..."

The environment in Bianxi is different from that in Handong. If you send a college graduate to Bianxi, they'll be a talent.

In Handong... there are plenty of capable and well-connected cadres.

Look how quickly Qi Tongwei was promoted; that's because the western border region is short of talent and cadres...

Upon hearing this, Hou Liangping wanted to say, "Then I'll go to Bianxi too."

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them back.

Seeing that Hou Liangping hesitated to speak, Gao Yuliang sighed and continued.

"Speaking of which...do you think Chen Yanshi will promote you?"

He's about to retire from his frontline position; his resources are meant for Chen Hai and Chen Yang...

Even if he were to promote you, giving you a half-level raise...

Have you considered Secretary Liang? What will people in the industry say about Secretary Liang...?

Hou Liangping remained indignant and silent.

Gao Yuliang frowned slightly and tentatively asked.

"Liangping, tell the teacher the truth..."

Did you have any financial dealings with Tsai Cheng-gong?

Hou Liangping was taken aback upon hearing this, then gave a wry smile and said with a grin.

"Teacher, what are you thinking? How could I dare..."

We're just childhood friends, we grew up together...

He happened to be in the clothing business, so I helped him connect with Chen Yanshi.

Gao Yuliang stared at him for a few moments, nodded, and said softly.

"That's good... You're a law enforcement official, so you should know what's going on without me having to tell you."

"Some things, once started and taken, can never be turned back..."

Seeing Hou Liangping nod, Gao Yuliang pondered for a moment before speaking again.

"By the way, it's rare for Qi Tongwei to come back..."

"Could you contact some alumni of Han University and organize a gathering... so everyone can reconnect..."

Upon hearing this, Hou Liangping glanced at Gao Yuliang and scoffed.

"Why bother with all that trouble...? Even organizing a party for him, is it worth it...?"

Seeing this, Gao Yuliang sighed and said softly.

"Liangping, don't judge things by appearances, and don't act impulsively..."

In officialdom, there are no permanent enemies, and there is no right or wrong...

You only saw Qi Tongwei's success, but you ignored what happened behind the scenes...

At under thirty years old, he was appointed as a county-level official; his ability and diligence were one aspect...

Do you really think that Qi Tongwei could have reached this position on his own merits without any special circumstances?

Seeing Hou Liangping's gloomy face and silence, Gao Yuliang added softly.

"These days everyone talks about the Four Iron Men... and my classmate was one of them..."

We're all alumni of Hanzhong University... chatting and catching up naturally builds a bond...

Although Qi Tongwei worked in the western border region, his organizational affiliation remained in Handong...

Who knows if he'll ever come back? It's still very important to maintain a semblance of kinship...

Upon hearing this, Hou Liangping nodded and replied reluctantly.

"I understand. Chen Hai must be home... Let me see if Chen Qingquan and the others are there..."

That night, Qi Tongwei slept at Sun Liancheng's house.

It wasn't because he was drunk; it was because the Gao sisters' gazes intimidated him.

Having lived two lives, he understood that kind of gaze all too well; it was the unique gaze of a young girl experiencing her first stirrings of love.

The look in her eyes held dependence, admiration, and a budding flutter of attraction, making him breathless.

Early the next morning, Qi Tongwei bid farewell to Sun Liancheng and returned to the Little Red Building.

As soon as he opened the door, the Gao sisters came to greet him.

Gao Xiaoqin frowned, her eyes were dark circles, clearly she hadn't slept well.

Seeing Qi Tongwei return, she asked in a trembling voice, her eyes red.

"Brother Qi, you're finally back... Why didn't you come home last night?"

"Did we do something wrong to make you angry?"

She paused slightly, bit her lip, and continued speaking.

"Brother Qi, don't worry, we've discussed it..."

From now on, we'll listen to whatever you say.

Please...please don't abandon us, okay?

Seeing Gao Xiaoqin so humble, Qi Tongwei felt a pang of sadness and didn't know how to respond.

He reached out and gently patted Gao Xiaoqin's head, softly comforting her.

"Don't overthink it. I'm the one who brought you to Handong, how could I abandon you..."

I drank too much at Principal Sun's house last night. He lived alone, so I stayed there...

After saying that, he paused slightly, forced a smile, and continued speaking.

"Don't worry, as long as you two are willing to study, I will continue to support you..."

We will sponsor your high school years, your university years... all the way until you become adults..."

Upon hearing this, the Gao sisters' faces lit up with joy, and they quickly nodded in unison.

Gao Xiaofeng glanced at Qi Tongwei, her face flushed, and asked softly.

"Brother Qi...have you had breakfast? I'll make you some noodles..."

Qi Tongwei smiled and waved his hand.

"No need, I came back to get some things, I'm heading to Qijia Village soon..."

I'm very pressed for time on this trip back, so please take good care of yourselves...

Seeing that he was about to leave again as soon as he returned, Gao Xiaoqin quickly grabbed him and said in a deep voice.

"When you go back to Qijia Village... can you take us with you? I... I can't bear to part with you."

Seeing that her eyes were slightly moist, Qi Tongwei quickly smiled and made a promise.

"I'll be back tonight... You guys wait for me at home, let's have dinner together tonight, okay...?"

......

As Qi Tongwei sat on the bus heading to Qijia Village, he gazed out the window at the scenery, lost in thought.

Recalling his connection with Gao Xiaoqin, scenes from his past life flashed before his eyes.

Even after being reborn, he still couldn't explain what his relationship with Gao Xiaoqin was.

Is it more love, or simply mutual comfort...?

After pondering for a long time, he shook his head with a wry smile and muttered something under his breath.

"If you can't figure it out, just don't think about it... It's okay to be an ostrich sometimes..."

The Gao sisters will be taking the college entrance exam this year, and it will take them at least four more years to finish university.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided to leave the answer to time.

After resolving his inner conflict, Qi Tongwei immediately felt much more relaxed.

He had just finished stretching when the bus stopped.

The ticket seller shouted at the top of his lungs.

"We've arrived at Qijia Village..."