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

"That's fine too. What could possibly be wrong with me?"

Chen Hai continued in a deliberately relaxed tone, "It's just a temporary dismissal. Come to think of it, it's been almost twenty years since I graduated from university and started working at the procuratorate. In all these years, I've been so focused on work that I've neglected the people around me."

Now is a good time to rest.

As Chen Hai said this, his gaze towards Lu Yike was filled with deep affection.

Lu Yike, on the other hand, was completely unmoved!

It's not an exaggeration to describe it as having a heart as still as water.

Lu Yike suddenly felt that Chen Hai in front of her was being too deliberate. What was hidden in his eyes was not a longing for love, but an ambitious delusion.

Thinking about her family background, Lu Yike felt that all her past crushes had vanished.

"It's fine to take a break. Your little ball will be in sixth grade soon. You've been so busy with work these past few years that you've neglected him the most. He's a child, and now is the time to cultivate good habits. You can't be careless."

Lu Yike seemed not to understand Chen Hai's hint and directly pointed out that the person Chen Hai ignored was his son, Chen Dong.

Seeing his deep affection being forcibly diverted, Chen Hai, though not completely broken down, had even more wrinkles around his eyes.

"Oh well, it's too late for Little Ball now. This brat would rather have a heart-to-heart talk with you than play with his father any longer. He's still lacking maternal love!"

"That's easy. I remember your ex-wife lives in Jingzhou, right? Just have Little Ball visit her often, won't that solve the problem?"

Still refusing to engage, Lu Yike's idealized view of Chen Hai was rapidly shattering, leaving Chen Hai with no choice but to feign composure.

Just then, the waiter brought out the food, and taking this opportunity, Chen Hai pointed to the dishes on the table and said, "Let's not talk about that now, come on, let's eat!"

The two then began to eat slowly and deliberately, completely unaware that a middle-aged man had walked into the restaurant.

Zhao Donglai, dressed in casual clothes, originally intended to find a restaurant to grab a bite, but as soon as he entered, he saw Lu Yike sitting and eating not far away.

Overjoyed, Zhao Donglai straightened his clothes and was about to go up and say hello for a chance encounter when he saw a familiar figure sitting opposite Lu Yike.

The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat, and the smile on Zhao Donglai's face gradually stiffened.

"Chen Hai?"

He recognized the person having dinner with Lu Yike just by looking at his back; it was Chen Hai, who had been saying he would introduce Lu Yike to him.

Without disturbing them, Zhao Donglai quietly took his seat behind Lu Yike and Chen Hai.

Within minutes, Zhao Donglai's complexion worsened. He could overhear the gist of their conversation; after all, he was the director of the Jingzhou Public Security Bureau, and Zhao Donglai could easily discern the hidden agenda behind Chen Hai's words.

"Well, Chen Hai, I treated you like a brother and was waiting for you to introduce me to Director Lu. You agreed on the phone, but you secretly came to see Director Lu behind my back. If you liked her, you should have said so earlier! You wicked bastard!"

You deserve to be dismissed!

Although he was furious, Zhao Donglai knew that now was not the time to show himself.

After all, judging from Lu Yike's tone, she didn't seem very satisfied with Chen Hai's black sesame dumplings.

Zhao Donglai quickly got up and left the restaurant.

Once outside the restaurant, Zhao Donglai took out his phone and dialed Chen Hai's number.

Inside the restaurant, as they were eating and chatting, Chen Hai's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Zhao Donglai. Chen Hai was reluctant to answer, but how could Lu Yike let such an opportunity pass by?

"Answer Chen Hai, maybe something's come up?"

Since Lu Yike had already spoken, Chen Hai had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer the phone.

"Hey, Donglai?"

"Chen Hai, where are you now?"

Zhao Donglai's tone was the same as usual.

"Um... I'm at home!"

"Really? I just passed by a restaurant and saw a figure from behind that looked a lot like you. Maybe I was mistaken."

Hearing this, Chen Hai was clearly flustered, but he still went along with Zhao Donglai and said, "You must have seen wrong. I'm at home helping Xiao Piqiu with her homework right now."

"Oh, I see. By the way, Chen Hai, I heard that Director Lu has returned to Jingzhou. You see... could you help me make connections and let me meet with Director Lu?"

For a moment, Chen Hai was stunned.

"Well... I haven't heard the specifics yet, but I'll definitely tell you when I have the chance!"

That's all, I'm hanging up now.

After saying that, Chen Hai hung up the phone.

In the plaza outside the restaurant, Zhao Donglai smiled coldly, confirming that Chen Hai was just playing him for a fool!

"If you're ruthless, don't blame me for being unjust!"

After saying this softly, Zhao Donglai left.

Meanwhile, the meal was coming to an end in the restaurant.

"Sure, why don't you come over to my house tomorrow? Little Ball really misses you!"

After finishing their meal, the two stood up, and Chen Hai suddenly blurted out this sentence.

Lu Yike replied very quickly.

"No, I came to Jingzhou to report to Secretary Chen. Time is limited. My mother has arranged several blind dates for me tomorrow, so I have to meet them."

After all, I'm already in my thirties, I can't stay single forever. If the conditions are right, I won't be picky.

Chen Hai's expression became somewhat unnatural upon hearing this.

"Okay, then. Keep in touch when you have time!"

Lu Yike smiled and nodded, then noticeably sped up her pace to pay at the cashier.

After leaving the restaurant, they got into the car and left in one smooth motion.

Back home, Lu Yike was somewhat uninterested.

Sensing something was wrong, Judge Wu pulled Lu Yike to the sofa and sat down next to her.

"I can say whatever I want, but you're a celebrity in the Handong political and legal system now, why do you look so unhappy?"

"Yeah?"

"What else? You're my son, how could I not know you? Let me guess, you didn't go out in formal attire, most likely you were meeting a private friend. You only have a few friends, so if it was Lin Huahua, you wouldn't be upset. Among the men, there's only Chen Hai!"

You met with Chen Hai!

Lu Yike rolled her eyes upon hearing this.

"Mom, are you a devil?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, it really is Chen Hai?"

"Could it be that this guy is now chasing after you?"

Lu Yike: "…………"

"That's easy. Chen Hai has been dismissed, and who knows when he'll be reinstated? He's like a drowning man, desperately wanting to seize the opportunity to get back to shore."

And our family just happens to be able to provide him with that resource. You brat, you like him, your dad and I are already prepared for you to be tricked by Chen Hai."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yike sighed.

"Mom, Chen Hai has changed. He's not the same Chen Hai anymore. Now, all he cares about is ambition..."

"Silly girl, it was the same before. Don't be fooled by his self-proclaimed righteousness. If he were truly righteous, he wouldn't have kept accepting Chen Yanshi's arrangements and sped all the way up to the deputy director level."

He's really not the right person for you right now!