Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

Jingzhou Municipal Finance Bureau, Director's Office.

The voice on the other end of the phone was calm and even, without the slightest ripple.

But the finance bureau chief's hand holding the microphone was already covered in cold sweat.

"We're almost there, we're almost there!"

"Secretary Shen, please rest assured, the money will definitely arrive today, before the end of the workday!"

After hanging up the phone, he felt like he had just been pulled out of the water; the back of his shirt was soaked.

He dared not delay for a moment, grabbed the application for special fund allocation that he had prepared long ago, and headed to Li Dakang's office.

……

The atmosphere in Li Dakang's office was oppressive.

The finance bureau chief stood in front of his desk, his head bowed low.

Li Dakang gripped the Parker pen tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

On the application, the word "billion" was followed by a long string of zeros.

Each zero is like a mocking mouth.

His chest heaved violently, and he was in so much pain that he couldn't breathe.

This is the start-up capital he plans to invest in the third phase of the Guangmingfeng project!

It was the money he used to build his political image!

Now, however, they have to hand it over to their mortal enemy, to be used for some lousy public welfare project in Hexi District.

But he dared not refuse to sign.

He picked up his pen and wrote his name in a flourish on the signature line.

The force was so great that it almost tore through the paper.

"Get out!" he spat out through gritted teeth.

The finance bureau chief, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, grabbed the documents and ran out without looking back.

Half an hour later.

The Jingzhou Municipal Finance System issued a crisp notification sound.

A huge sum of money was transferred from the city's general account to the Hexi District's account.

One billion, not a penny less.

……

Hexi District Government, meeting room.

He Xia is chairing a budget meeting regarding the renovation of the underground pipeline network in the old city.

The head of the engineering department was pointing at a huge planning map, looking worried.

"Secretary, preliminary estimates indicate that at least 800 million yuan will be needed to completely renovate the pipeline network in the entire old city area."

"The money we can squeeze out right now is far from enough..."

The officials present all sighed and complained.

Everyone knows this is a great thing that benefits the country and its people, but the problem is, there's no money.

Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open.

Old Qian, the director of the Finance Bureau of Hexi District, held a bank receipt that had just been printed out of the printer high in his hand. He was so excited that he stammered as he spoke.

"The secretary...!"

"The money! The money's in my account!"

He Xia frowned slightly.

What money?

Could it be that several hundred thousand yuan in sanitation improvement funds that the city approved before?

Old Qian finally caught his breath and slammed the still-warm ink receipt onto the conference table.

"One billion!"

"The municipal finance department just transferred it! A full billion!"

"There's also an official document from the Municipal Party Committee Office instructing that this money be used exclusively for livelihood projects in Hexi District!"

The entire conference room erupted in chaos.

All the cadres, whether young or old, jumped up from their chairs.

They craned their necks, staring in disbelief at the thin receipt.

His eyes were wide open, like copper bells.

One billion?

The city, which has been complaining about being poor in the province and can't even bear to replace a single manhole cover, actually allocated 1 billion yuan to Hexi District.

Is this money being earmarked for improving people's livelihoods? Has the sun risen in the west?

Without warning, He Xia's eyes suddenly reddened.

No one else knows where this money came from.

She knew it was definitely her husband who had made his move again.

She looked up and surveyed the faces in the conference room, all contorted with excitement.

Her voice, tinged with a barely perceptible sob, was filled with an unprecedented firmness.

"Comrades, the meeting agenda is now being adjusted!"

"I hereby declare!"

"The comprehensive renovation project of the underground pipeline network system and the comprehensive improvement project of old residential areas in Hexi District are officially launched from this moment on!"

"Bang!"

Sun Liancheng, who was sitting in the first row, slammed his hand hard on the table.

The man, known as the "mad district chief," was now flushed with excitement, his eyes shining.

His large, chipped enamel mug was jolted by the impact.

"good!"

"Damn it, now we can finally roll up our sleeves and get to work!"

……

evening.

Shen Zhong returned home and took off the pine-green military uniform that symbolized power and iron-bloodedness.

She changed into a comfortable gray loungewear set.

He went into the kitchen and tied on the apron with the cartoon pattern.

Skillfully taking ingredients out of the refrigerator.

Chop the vegetables, heat the wok, and add oil.

The entire movement was fluid and graceful, displaying a precision and efficiency unique to soldiers.

When He Xia, exhausted, opened the door to her home.

A rich aroma of food wafted over.

Watching that tall figure busy in the kitchen, and listening to the sizzling sound coming from the pot.

The tension that had been building up all day from work instantly eased.

All the weariness seemed to melt away completely at this moment, thanks to the warmth and life of the people around me.

The two sat at the dining table.

There was no discussion of the cutthroat politics in officialdom, nor of the 1 billion yuan.

They just chatted like any ordinary couple, about trivial everyday things.

Warm and peaceful.

This tranquility stands in stark contrast to the turbulent undercurrents outside.

This makes it all the more precious.

After the meal.

Shen Zhong sat on the sofa, holding a fruit knife, and peeled an apple for He Xia.

Under his knife, the fruit peel was cut into a long, thin line without breaking.

"The provincial government is holding a standing committee meeting in a couple of days."

He mentioned it casually.

He Xia's heart immediately jumped.

She put down the TV remote and looked at him with some concern.

"Is... something wrong again?"

She was afraid that he would make too many enemies for her sake, putting her in danger.

"don’t worry."

Shen Zhong handed her the peeled apple and gently brushed the tip of her nose with his finger.

"This time, it's a good thing."

"I have another surprise for you, an even bigger surprise than that billion."

He gazed into her eyes, those eyes that were always cold and icy, but now they were filled with tenderness.

"Xia, you must remember this."

"Only when you stand taller and walk more steadily will we be safer."

He Xia nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Looking at her husband's sharply defined profile, she suddenly felt at peace.

at the same time.

The General Office of the Hantong Provincial Party Committee officially issued a meeting notice.

Two days later, at 9:00 a.m., a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee was held.

There was only one topic for this meeting.

The meeting discussed and decided on the successor to the Party Secretary of Lüzhou City.

Shen Zhong looked out at the deep night outside the window, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

He stood up and walked over to He Xia.

He lifted her up in his arms.

With a gasp from the woman, he strode toward the bedroom.