Intelligence updates daily; I achieve sainthood in the martial arts of the public service.

The hotel staff are constantly serving dishes.

At this point, Zhang Tao walked onto the stage and said a few simple words.

They then proceeded directly to the banquet.

This is because Li He married Zhang Tao as a concubine.

A simple ceremony is sufficient; a formal marriage is not necessary.

There's no need to go to pick up the bride in the morning.

If everything is done according to the same procedure as marrying a legal wife, can she still be considered a concubine?!

A simple banquet like this, a few words exchanged, and that's about it.

However, even if she were to marry Zhang Tao as a concubine, it would still be considered a marriage of convenience for an ordinary person.

Tu Yuan looked at the table at the front, where Li He's parents and close relatives were seated.

It seems that Li He's parents have no dissatisfaction with her marriage to Zhang Tao; on the contrary, they are overjoyed.

That makes sense, given that Li He comes from an ordinary family and is not particularly outstanding in appearance.

Being able to marry a second-tier martial artist as a concubine is considered a step up by outsiders, and even by Li He's own parents.

Moreover, Zhang Tao is a public official.

In the future, Li He's parents' social status will rise as their daughter marries Zhang Tao, and their words will likely carry more weight in their interactions with neighbors.

Tu Yuan then turned his gaze to another table.

Zhang Tao's lawfully wedded wife was sitting at that table.

Zhang Tao's wife is actually much prettier than Li He, and her light red straight dress accentuates her curvaceous figure.

Because of proper maintenance, he looks like he's only 26 or 27 years old, even though he's 35 or 36.

Tu Yuan could tell that Director Zhang's wife was not happy.

Even when she's smiling, it gives the impression that she's forcing a smile.

That's true. Even the most generous woman will still have to share her husband with others.

Deep down, it's hard for them to feel happy.

However, it's also clear that Director Zhang's wife isn't very cunning; her emotions are almost entirely written on her face.

Tu Yuan withdrew his gaze and silently ate his food.

During the meal, I casually chimed in on a colleague's conversation.

By this time, Tu Yuan had already become familiar with the people present.

This was also his main purpose for attending the banquet today. Apart from Zheng Hai and Xu Zhanqing, there were only two other people present.

The other officers were all key members of the station. Although none of them held specific leadership positions, their words carried considerable weight among the ordinary officers.

On the one hand, it stems from their strength and experience, and on the other hand, it is due to their close relationship with the director.

Thinking of this, Tu Yuan felt quite helpless.

He only gradually gained access to this circle because of the information provided by the Heavenly Secret Coin.

If it were an ordinary person, even if they had the ability, it would be difficult to stand out without the right opportunity.

If you can't get into the leadership's circle, it's very difficult to get a promotion.

People will always have different levels of closeness or distance.

Why would someone promote someone they're close to, rather than someone they don't know well?

If he wants to be promoted to a permanent position ahead of schedule, even if he makes a meritorious contribution, he still needs the approval of his superiors.

After all, the regulations state that police officers who perform meritorious service may be rewarded and promoted after comprehensive evaluation and discussion.

These phrases include "comprehensive evaluation and discussion" and "at discretion."

In reality, this gives the leader room to maneuver. If the leader is unwilling, even if he has earned a second-class merit, other reasons can be used to deny him the possibility of being promoted to a permanent position early.

Therefore, sometimes it is very important to follow the right leader.

Following the right person can make the difference of three years in one year.

If you're not on the right track, then you can only honestly do your job well.

At this moment, Zhang Tao and Li He went from table to table toasting.

The first table to be toasted was the one where Liao Qian and Chen Lei were sitting.

Zhang Tao wore a black dress, while Li He wore a deep red cheongsam.

While Gong Yuanyuan stood up to drink, she glanced in the direction of Tu Yuan out of the corner of her eye.

She was wondering if she should find an opportunity to greet Tu Yuan later.

But thinking back to when she sent Tu Yuan a love letter, he rejected her without even opening the cover.

There wasn't even a polite refusal.

She couldn't bring herself to go to Tu Yuan.

She always thought that her feelings for Tu Yuan were just the innocent, budding romance of her youth on campus.

It wasn't that I was truly moved.

But when she encountered Tu Yuan again that day, even just seeing his back, she found her heart beating slightly faster.

"That's really strange! Am I the kind of person who likes someone more the more they look down on me?!"

"Isn't this just being a jerk?!"

Gong Yuanyuan cursed herself inwardly for being useless and spineless.

Among those who pursued her, there were all sorts of people: those with outstanding looks, those with outstanding family backgrounds, and those with good manners and demeanor.

Why do I have this strange feeling about Tu Yuan's face?!

She cursed herself inwardly, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the direction where Tu Yuan was.

Gong Yuanyuan only looked away after Zhang Tao and the other man finished toasting and everyone sat down.

Before long, Zhang Tao and his companion arrived at the table where Tu Yuan was.

Zhang Tao usually has a rather serious and solemn expression, but today he had a smile on his face.

Upon seeing the two approaching, everyone quickly stood up.

Tu Yuan held the wine cup in his hand.

When the two arrived, Zheng Hai laughed loudly and said:

"Come on! Everyone, wishing Director Zhang a happy marriage, a blessed life together!"

"Thank you everyone for coming! Make sure you eat and drink well!"

"Let's have a drink together!"

……

As everyone offered their blessings, they drank their cups dry.

After toasting, Li He smiled and said:

"We're all colleagues of Brother Tao, so please give him your support at work in the future!"

"You're too kind, sister-in-law! We're all Zhang's men; we'll go wherever he tells us to!"

One of the police officers replied with this comment.

Li He then walked over to Tu Yuan's side, patted him on the shoulder, and smiled at everyone:

"Tu Yuan is my younger brother. If he has any shortcomings in his work at the institute, please take care of him."

"Your sister-in-law's brother is our brother too! Taking care of him is only right and proper!"

Tu Yuan didn't expect Li He to specifically support him at this time.

All I could do was thank you repeatedly.

Only when Zheng Hai and the others looked at Tu Yuan did they understand why Tu Yuan had appeared here.

It turns out he was the director's concubine's younger brother.

Of course, they would not underestimate Tu Yuan because of this; on the contrary, they would take him even more seriously.

After all, Li He will be Zhang's family member from now on, and Tu Yuan, as Li He's younger brother, is Zhang's brother-in-law in terms of address!

Because of this relationship, Tu Yuan's relationship with the director was even closer than theirs.

After the director and Li He left the table.

Many of the police officers at the table began to strike up a conversation with Tu Yuan.

Their attitude is much better than before.

Tu Yuan understood that all of this was because of what Li He had just said.

Moreover, when Li He said those words, Tu Yuan specifically glanced at Zhang Tao.

Zhang Tao also noticed his gaze.

She gave him a look in response.

It seems that Li He had consulted with Zhang Tao before saying these words.

Zhang Tao also agreed.

The banquet ended quickly; by around 12:30, many of the tables were already empty.

In the afternoon, Tu Yuan was invited to play cards, and he did not refuse.

Both card tables and dining tables are suitable occasions for building closer relationships.

After having his second meal at the riverside restaurant that evening, Tu Yuan made a point of saying goodbye to Zhang Tao and Li He before leaving.

After leaving, Tu Yuan did not go home, but went straight to Taoyuan Club.