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

Upon hearing the shouts, Qi Tongwei and Zhong Xiaoai immediately stopped playing around and looked in the direction of the sound.

Upon seeing who it was, both of them were taken aback, and Zhong Xiaoai blushed deeply with embarrassment.

Qi Tongwei acted naturally, smiling and waving to the newcomer.

"Mr. Zhao... what a coincidence, you're also here to offer incense at Jiming Temple..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed Zhao Ruilong standing next to Zhao Xiaohui, and his heart tightened.

Seeing the two of them so sweet together, Zhao Xiaohui felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

She forced a smile and spoke to the two of them.

"Qi Tongwei, Zhong Xiaoai...it really is you two! What a coincidence..."

Qi Tongwei glanced at Zhao Ruilong and asked with a smile.

"What a coincidence! You're here to offer incense too? And this gentleman... could he be Mr. Zhao's fiancé?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui patted Zhao Ruilong on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Don't make wild guesses... This is my younger brother, Zhao Ruilong... He came with me to offer incense..."

Zhao Ruilong is exactly the same as in his previous life, and is even more arrogant than before.

He looked Qi Tongwei up and down a few times, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said in a deep voice.

"You're Qi Tongwei? My sister raves about you. You don't seem that great to me..."

I don't see you have an extra eye or extra legs... You're really not as good as you've heard about..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei frowned slightly and made a sarcastic remark.

"You and your brother are both exceptional individuals; you've been in contact with extraordinary people..."

"I am but a common mortal, how could I possibly catch the eye of Young Master Zhao..."

Zhao Ruilong wanted to continue his attack, but Zhao Xiaohui pulled him back, so he didn't continue.

Zhao Xiaohui had heard about Zhong Xiaoai's background from her father and didn't want to strain the relationship too much.

She glanced at Zhong Xiaoai, whose brows were furrowed, and said with a smile.

"That's just Ruilong's personality... straightforward and outspoken... don't mind him..."

Her gaze fell on the bamboo skewer in Zhong Xiaoai's hand, and she continued speaking.

"You two came to Jiming Temple to draw lots, right...? Let me see... what kind of lots did you get..."

After saying that, before Zhong Xiaoai could react, she picked up the bamboo skewer and began to examine it.

After reading the fortune slip, Zhao Xiaohui suddenly felt a dryness in her mouth and said with a wry smile.

"Auspicious signs from the phoenix and the dragon... You two are truly a perfect match, and this fortune slip is also auspicious..."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Qi Tongwei picked up the bamboo skewer and said with a smile.

"It's Chinese New Year...everyone wants to have good luck..."

I reckon the fortune teller's bamboo tube didn't contain any unfavorable lots... it was full of favorable ones...

Upon hearing this, both women smiled knowingly, and the atmosphere finally eased considerably.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhao Xiaohui, Qi Tongwei tried to pull Zhong Xiaoai away.

Seeing this, Zhao Xiaohui immediately pulled Zhong Xiaoai aside and said with a smile.

"You've already treated us to meals in Bianxi... You should give me a chance when we get back to Handong..."

It's lunchtime, so let's grab a bite together...

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei glanced at Zhong Xiaoai, smiled, and waved his hand in refusal.

"Hey, we finally got to enjoy some time alone together... Mr. Zhao, please spare us..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui hesitated for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was more sincere.

"Secretary Qi, to be honest, I might be going to Hong Kong after the New Year..."

Huilong's business is going to be handed over to Ruilong... We might not see each other again...

Secretary Qi, please give me a chance... consider it my way of returning the favor...

If you refuse me again in front of my brother, I'll really lose face...

Having heard Zhao Xiaohui's words, Qi Tongwei could say nothing more and could only nod in agreement.

The group walked out of Jiming Temple and came to Zhao Xiaohui's car.

Qi Tongwei discovered that her Bluebird had been replaced with a Crown, which still had a black license plate.

He couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement; the Zhao family was indeed quite low-key. Those two cars alone must be worth over a million...

......

After the group got into the car, the Crown drove up to Beijige and finally stopped in front of a villa.

Looking at the quaint, British-style building, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.

"Mr. Zhao, you wouldn't be inviting us to dinner here, would you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruilong curled his lip, chuckled, and said sarcastically.

"Oh my... I even know this house used to be the residence of Soong Tse-ven..."

"You haven't been a county party secretary for nothing; you're not exactly ignorant..."

Zhong Xiaoai had endured it all the way, but now, hearing Zhao Ruilong's mockery, she could no longer hold back.

She glanced at Zhao Ruilong and replied indifferently.

"What is Song Ziwen anyway... just a corrupt and greedy official..."

She paused slightly, glanced at the Zhao siblings, and continued speaking.

"Let's make this clear beforehand: if they're serving Huaiyang cuisine, I won't eat here..."

"I've been eating Huaiyang cuisine every day for the past few days of the Lunar New Year... I'm almost sick of it..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei smiled and patted Zhong Xiaoai on the shoulder before continuing.

"I'm not surprised to have dinner at Soong Tse-ven's mansion..."

If I remember correctly, this is the Science and Technology Association's Xiaozhao, right?

Is it appropriate for a few of us to have a private dinner here?

Zhao Xiaohui understood the meaning behind Qi Tongwei's words and immediately smiled and spoke up.

"Secretary Qi, you're the landlord in Bianxi, but back in Handong, this is my home turf..."

There's nothing inappropriate about it. You're the guest, so just go with the flow. I'll arrange it for you..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei didn't say anything more and could only follow Zhao Xiaohui into the mansion.

When he first met Zhao Xiaohui, he only felt that this woman was somewhat capable, but he did not pay her any special attention.

But now that Zhao Ruilong is there as a comparison, Qi Tongwei can't help but sigh to himself.

It's true what they say: comparisons are odious.

Compared to Zhao Xiaohui, Zhao Ruilong is practically the epitome of a spoiled brat.

Zhao Ruilong had none of the cunning or scheming that one might expect.

In his mind and on his lips, only one sentence remained: My father, Zhao Lichun...

My dad said that Zhao Ruilong brought it up seven or eight times when we were only halfway through the meal.

He's a quintessential modern-day daddy's boy.

Seeing the vast difference between the two, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but secretly grumble to himself.

How could Zhao Lichun be so foolish as to let such an idiot replace Zhao Xiaohui?

Without Zhao Ruilong, the Zhao family might not have ended up in such a disastrous situation.

But then he thought about it and guessed the reason.

Having guessed the reason, he couldn't help but sigh again: Preferring sons to daughters can indeed kill...

Seeing that Zhao Ruilong's words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Zhao Xiaohui lightly kicked him and then took over the conversation with a smile.

"Secretary Qi, Ruilong is the youngest in his family and is spoiled. Please don't mind him..."

She paused slightly before speaking again.

"However, he did say one thing that was true..."

My father really values ​​the development of Fuyuan Mining... and hopes to cooperate with Fuyuan County in its development..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei frowned slightly, then smiled and asked.

"Mr. Zhao, let's not beat around the bush in front of celebrities. Actually, I've never understood..."

Fuyuan Mine only produces five or six hundred tons a day, why would you pay attention to such a small coal mine...?

Not to mention the whole country, just in Handong, there are many coal mines larger than Fuyuan Mine...

"It's a private get-together today, and there are no outsiders here. Can you give me a heads-up...?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui glanced at Qi Tongwei and said with a smile.

"Secretary Qi... if you ask that, then you still don't consider me a friend..."

She paused slightly, glanced at Zhao Ruilong, and continued speaking.

"Actually, Ruilong is straightforward; his words may not be pleasant, but they are always the truth..."

Times have changed. People should think more about themselves... Take you for example...

Although you work in Bianxi, your organizational ties are still in Handong, and you'll have to come back sooner or later...

Qi Tongwei knew he was implying something, glanced at her, and said with a smile.

"Mr. Zhao, we've discussed this before... I'd be very happy to have you invest in Fuyuan."

Kefuyuan Coal Mine is a county-owned coal mine; private individuals cannot invest in it...

This violates policy, and I dare not make the decision..."

Seeing that Qi Tongwei was showing signs of reluctance, Zhao Xiaohui's face lit up with joy, and she immediately asked with a smile.

"So, you mean as long as the policy allows it... I can invest in Fuyuan Mine?"

Qi Tongwei blinked, neither confirming nor denying, but instead asked a question softly.

"What's going on, Mr. Zhao? Could you tell me what you've heard...?"

Zhao Xiaohui was taken aback when she heard this, and immediately replied with an awkward smile.

"Oh, there's no such rumor... It's just the tide of reform; times will always progress..."