In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong!

Some things are like a flood discharge; once you open a breach, you can never close it again.

Zhong Xiaoai's work experience has been exposed. From graduating from the Department of Political Science and Law of Handong University and working in the Handong Provincial Procuratorate, to being transferred to a ministry, from a staff member to the deputy director of the Third Supervision Office, and from a deputy director-general position to the current deputy secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhong Xiaoai only took less than 20 years.

With the online disclosure of Zhong Xiaoai's father's identity, public opinion shifted dramatically.

A mysterious force is manipulating public opinion. That same night, while netizens were discussing Zhong Xiaoai's powerful background, Zhao Ruilong's identity was also exposed.

The only son of the previous secretary of Handong!

This news, coupled with the video of Zhao Ruilong and Zhong Xiaoai doing *that*, is absolutely shocking.

At Zhong Xiaoai's home in Beijing, Zhong Zhengguo looked extremely grim. He had already fainted from anger at noon, and spent the entire afternoon taking care of his father at the hospital before finally returning home. As soon as he turned on his phone, he was bombarded with messages asking about his condition.

At the same time, Zhong Zhengguo also learned about the decision made by the Handong Provincial Party Committee, especially the fact that Chen Luo had taken the lead in proposing it and that Governor Liu and Sha Ruijin had both agreed to it. Zhong Zhengguo knew very well that this was Chen Luo's small revenge against their family.

But such a casual remark, such a suggestion, really put the Zhong family in a very difficult position.

Now it's not about whether or not to save their daughter; it's about the ever-increasing amount of information about their family being uncovered online, and a conspiracy theory is rapidly taking shape.

One nasty remark after another followed, claiming it was blood transmission and that their saliva was redder than ordinary blood, directly shaking the foundation of their family!

"This is outrageous! All I did was block you from entering the National Development and Reform Commission, is this the kind of retaliation you have to take against my family?"

I don't understand how someone with such a narrow mind can get help from others!

Besides, even if I didn't refuse you, would you be able to go to Handong? Would you be able to join the Standing Committee? Would you be able to concurrently serve as the current Party Secretary of Lüzhou City?

These young people have absolutely no sense of gratitude; it infuriates me!

Feeling extremely frustrated, Zhong Zhengguo slammed the teacup in his hand against the wall, shattering it on the floor.

"We can't let this public opinion spread any further!"

Chung Cheng-kuo steeled himself, realizing that only by providing even more sensational news could he attract attention to this discussion.

After much thought, Chung Cheng-kuo felt that Chen Luo's achievement at the age of thirty-eight was even more controversial.

Moreover, he also heard some important information about Chen Luo and his wife!

"You've been ruthless, so I'll be ruthless too, young man. Let me teach you a lesson!"

On Saturday morning, some newspapers and media outlets suddenly changed their tune, no longer focusing on the untold story behind Zhong Xiaoai and Zhao Ruilong, but instead turning their attention to Chen Luo.

[Chen Luocai, a 38-year-old member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee of Handong, Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and Secretary of the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee, has risen through the ranks so quickly.]

The article reveals Chen Luo's career path from graduation to the present. However, what is truly surprising is that Chen Luo and his wife have assets totaling hundreds of billions of yuan, and Chen Luo's wife is the legal representative of Dongsheng Investment Company.

The report used some suggestive terms to allow netizens to speculate endlessly.

Isn't this more worthy of attention than the Zhong Xiaoai and Zhao Ruilong affair?

Once a group is formed, others will follow. Does Chen Luo have any enemies? Of course he does. Not to mention, real estate developers hate Chen Luo to the core and are all joining in the attacks.

Chen Luo had just gotten up in the morning when he received several phone calls, all from friends, classmates, and colleagues from Handong. Among them were Yang Yanhua, Lu Zheng'an, Li Dakang, Tian Guofu, Wu Chunlin, Governor Liu, and Sha Ruijin!

I returned Governor Liu's call first.

"Hey, Governor Liu, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

"You still have the mood to joke around? Don't you see the overwhelming discussion about you online? You'd better take a look. Although we believe you, it's not a good idea for ordinary people to keep speculating like this."

Chen Luo was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand, Governor Liu. Thank you for reminding me."

Sure enough, when I checked my phone, the online reports about myself were almost overwhelming the public opinion about Zhong Xiaoai and Zhao Ruilong.

Chen Luo was neither surprised nor flustered by this.

Instead, he laughed.

"Who's stirring up trouble behind the scenes? You probably don't understand the critical situation in Dongsheng right now. If something happens to me, I'll be fine, but the one stirring up trouble will be in big trouble."

Just then, the phone rang again.

Upon closer inspection, I recognized my familiar old boss.

"Hey, Mr. Xu, were you reminding me too?"

"What a load of crap! All those reports you've done were done by some newspapers and media outlets controlled by the Chung family. Some people really have no shame. This matter is taken very seriously. It's better for Dong Sheng to keep a low profile for now. Once your overseas businesses return to China, let these people do whatever they want."

But that won't work now!

Several senior officials just called me and asked me to inform you to respond to public opinion, but to be careful with your approach and try to downplay the Dongsheng Investment Company.

We can appropriately direct attention towards you. The elders have said you are trustworthy, and the higher-ups will cooperate to downplay Dong Sheng's involvement.

"Mr. Xu, thank you for the organization's trust!"

"Go away, you probably already knew this would be the outcome. By the way, several Grand Secretaries expressed great dissatisfaction with the Zhong family dragging Dongsheng into this. One Grand Secretary even directly cursed Zhong Zhengguo for losing his mind."

"Oh? A pleasant surprise?"

"That's normal. Those who want to use a blade to hurt others must first protect themselves from the blade. They only suffer the consequences of their own actions."

"Understood, Elder Xu. I'll take care of it now."

"Okay, go ahead, I'll wait for your good news."

After hanging up, Chen Luo then called Sha Ruijin.

"Feeding Secretary Sha."

"Comrade Chen Luo, you've seen the news, haven't you?"

"Secretary Sha, I saw it. I just received a notice from above, instructing me to shift public opinion to myself and downplay Dongsheng Investment Company. They said they trust me a lot. Secretary Sha, I might need the Provincial Party Committee's help."

Sha Ruijin frowned upon hearing this.

This has alarmed the higher-ups? And what do you mean by "the higher-ups trust you a lot"? Don't they trust us?

Taking a deep breath, Sha Ruijin replied, "No problem, Comrade Chen Luo. The Provincial Party Committee trusts you just the same. Just tell me what you need the Provincial Party Committee's help with."

"We will hold a response meeting in the name of the Provincial Party Committee tonight, and invite people from all walks of life in Handong, as well as journalists and media, including Secretary Sha and all members of the leadership team to attend."

The content of the meeting was my personal response to public opinion.

"Comrade Chen Luo, have you thought this through? Generally speaking, I don't recommend that you appear in the public eye."

Chen Luo understood the meaning behind Sha Ruijin's words.

The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. However, since Chen Luo has already been exposed online, there is no point in continuing to hide. On the contrary, he will be interpreted as cowardice.

Even when there was no problem, it became a problem.

"Secretary Sha, I think it's fine!"

"Okay, I'll get it done for you right now!"