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

In the elevator, Judge Wu held Chen Zhengshu's hand in one hand and Chen Zhengxi's hand in the other; she really didn't want to let go.

"Oh, Secretary Chen, your children are so adorable! They're only two or three years older than my Yike, who's still single, while yours is almost in sixth grade. It's really frustrating to compare yourself to others!"

Being verbally attacked like this by her own mother made Lu Yike feel a little uncomfortable, but looking at Chen Zhengshu and Chen Zhengxi's well-behaved and cute appearance, she really wanted to have one.

"Mrs. Lu is joking. Life goes on at different times, it's just a matter of sooner or later."

"By the way, Commander Lu hasn't left work yet?"

Chen Luo chose to change the subject, and Judge Wu did not dwell on it.

"My husband, Lao Lu, isn't at work; he's at home cooking!"

As they were talking, the group had already exited the elevator. Judge Wu opened the door first and gestured for them to enter.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lu!"

As for how to address someone, Chen Luo didn't choose the overly formal approach. Judge Wu was retired and in her sixties, so Chen Luo could simply call her Judge Wu, Ms. Wu, or even Aunt Wu without any problem, given her own status.

Being called Mrs. Lu is essentially an affirmation of her status.

As for Aunt Wu... Chen Luo hadn't considered it at all. Firstly, there was his own status; he and Lu Zheng'an were like brothers, and it would be easy to ruin the seniority. Secondly, he wasn't Zhao Donglai, so he didn't need to rush to build a closer relationship.

Judge Wu didn't dwell on these trivial details.

After entering the house, Chen Luo heard bubbling sounds coming from the kitchen.

"Quickly, Secretary Chen and Ms. Zhang, please have a seat. Or, pour tea for Secretary Chen and General Manager Zhang."

After a flurry of activity, Lu Zheng'an came out of the kitchen carrying a copper pot.

"Come, come, Secretary Chen, this is the authentic Hunan-style dry-pot beef recipe. My family's ancestral home is Hunan Province. My grandfather loved this dish the most, and over time I got used to it, and my cooking skills have improved more and more."

After placing the copper pot on the table, Lu Zheng'an took off his apron and sat down to Chen Luo's right, while Zhang Nian and the two little ones sat to his left.

"Commander Lu's cooking is really good! The aroma is amazing as soon as it's served!"

It seems our family is in for a treat!

"Hahaha, Secretary Chen, you're too kind. Actually, it's just some home-cooked dishes."

Anyone can do it if they put their heart into it.

For example, the beef used here is from small yellow cattle in Guizhou Province, and the chili peppers are also from Guizhou. Although it's called Hunan cuisine, it's actually prepared by people from all over Hunan and Guizhou.

Chen Luo nodded, and everyone began to eat.

During this time, Chen Luo and Lu Zheng'an opened a bottle of wine and toasted each other, which created a lively atmosphere.

"Brother Chen, it's possible that my family member might also become the director of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission's Inspection Office. Thank you, brother!"

Lu Zheng'an put his arm around Chen Luo's shoulder, his tone slightly drunk. Chen Luo wasn't sure if it was true or not, but he shook his head with his arm around Lu Zheng'an's shoulder in return.

"Brother Lu, it's nothing. Comrade Lu Yike is very capable. I just... I just went with the flow."

Chen Luo's tone also sounded drunk, but he was faking it.

"Sigh! This is no small matter. I've been in Handong for over ten years, and this time, I almost failed in my attempt to smooth things over for my family's Yike. How embarrassing!"

As they chatted, the two gradually relaxed more.

Until Judge Wu interjected.

"Secretary Chen, you graduated from Peking University, so you probably know quite a few classmates and friends. Could you introduce some talented young people to my family?"

This girl doesn't seem to care much about her marriage prospects, and we parents are worried!

Chen Luo nodded and said, "Madam Lu, your family's conditions are quite good. To be honest, I do know some people, but those who go into politics usually get married early."

Other classmates and juniors who work in finance, law firms, and other similar fields are also unmarried; it's just that I don't know if Mrs. Lu can accept these industries.

Before Judge Wu could speak, Lu Yike shook her head. She knew all too well what not getting married meant in these industries nowadays.

Seeing this, Judge Wu continued to inquire, "Secretary Chen, are there no unmarried people working within the system?"

"Yes! My secretary, Liu Mingyu, graduated from Peking University. He's two years younger than your Yike. One is a division chief, and the other is a deputy director-general. There's a certain gap between them."

"A gap? Isn't it quite excellent?"

Judge Wu's eyes gleamed as he turned to look at his daughter. He saw that Lu Yike, who had been somewhat reluctant just moments before, blushed slightly upon hearing Liu Mingyu's name.

"Secretary Chen, thank you so much!"

Judge Wu had already begun to express her gratitude; from her daughter's reaction, she saw a possibility of success!

Chen Luo was a little confused. He had only just started introducing himself, and he was already being thanked?

"This Liu Mingyu is quite good. Secretary Chen, I'd like to ask you to act as a go-between and ask Liu Mingyu about his attitude towards my Yike."

Chen Luo immediately understood, glanced at Lu Yike, and seeing her expression, agreed.

"No problem, Mrs. Lu, then I, as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, will act as matchmaker!"

After another round of conversation, only Chen Luo and Lu Zheng'an remained at the table, still clinking glasses. Judge Wu and Zhang Nian tacitly left the two of them alone, taking the two little ones for an after-dinner walk in the neighborhood.

At 8:40 p.m., Zhang Nian helped Chen Luo out of the Lu family home. As soon as they entered the elevator, Chen Luo, who had been drunk, instantly perked up.

"Honey, you don't need to help me anymore."

Zhang Nian rolled her eyes at Chen Luo.

"I knew you were faking it..."

"Hahaha, Dad does that all the time!"

Chen Zhengxi struck up a conversation, after all, this wasn't the first time Chen Luo had pretended to be drunk.

Meanwhile, at the Lu family's residence.

Lu Zheng'an, who had been sleeping soundly and snoring on the sofa, sat up straight immediately after Chen Luo's family left.

Lu Yike and Judge Wu were used to this scene.

Both of them are pretending to be sweet...

"This Chen Luo is quite interesting. He's definitely no ordinary person to have risen to the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission at such a young age!"

Lu Zheng'an slowly exhaled a breath of alcohol.

"Even if it weren't simple, you still managed to get me drunk, didn't you?"

After sitting down and making his comments, Judge Wu continued, "Sigh, I'm really afraid that Secretary Chen will forget to help Yike get together after he wakes up at home."

Lu Zheng'an smiled and shook his head.

You can rest assured!

Secretary Chen isn't drunk!

"Huh? Really?" ×2

Lu Yike and Judge Wu were both stunned.

"What else? Don't be fooled by Secretary Chen's convincing act; when his wife helped him up at the end, it was obvious he wasn't struggling much. Don't you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Judge Wu and Lu Yike exchanged a glance, and all they could think of was: Indeed, the higher the official rank, the better the acting skills.

Chen Luo had no idea about any of this. After getting off the elevator, Chen Luo sat in the passenger seat. After all, he had been drinking, and even if he wasn't drunk, he still had to let his wife drive.

Don't drink and drive, Chen Luo strictly adheres to this ironclad rule! (And all you readers, please follow suit!)