Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

"We should listen to these poems more often."

Sha Ruijin murmured, then raised his head, staring intently at Shen Huixin, and asked, "Do you know anything about Yi Xuexi's matter?"

"Oh, what's wrong? Feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Huixin's anger flared up immediately, and she said sarcastically,

"Ms. Mao came to discuss work. If my visit has caused you trouble, then I'll just take a plane back with Xiaobao tonight and won't disturb your work."

Hearing this, Sha Ruijin rolled his eyes, his face full of helplessness. His wife was spoiled by her father. She was a grown woman, but she acted like a child, getting jealous over the smallest things.

"I've already explained this to you clearly. She came because of the incident where Yi Xuexi was beaten. There's nothing else related. When have I ever done anything else all these years? Don't try to twist my words!"

"Yes, yes, I was being unreasonable. I shouldn't have interfered in my husband's affairs. I should have just focused on teaching and lecturing."

Shen Huixin pouted, but meeting Sha Ruijin's gaze, she stopped throwing a tantrum and nodded, saying, "It was indeed me who told Xiao Ai."

"Is it really you?"

Sha Ruijin's eyes widened, his face full of resentment. "You know perfectly well that the situation in Handong is unfavorable to me. I promoted Yi Xuexi. At this critical juncture, you're just adding fuel to the fire by exposing him!"

"This wasn't my idea. I just had someone inquire about it and mentioned it to Dad. He told me to do it this way."

Shen Huixin explained,

"I know the situation in Handong, but Dad said that some things should be decided decisively. It's better to tie a big knot in the rope and move on than to keep bringing up small knots."

Then he got up, poured Sha Ruijin a glass of water, and placed it on the table.

"Alright, stop looking sour, have some water."

Upon hearing that it was his father-in-law's idea, Sha Ruijin narrowed his eyes, picked up his water glass, and asked, "Are you sure these are all facts, and not just baseless rumors?"

"It's confirmed. My older brother sent people to investigate. Do you think the National Security Bureau could find false evidence?"

Only after receiving a definite answer did Sha Ruijin feel relieved enough to take a sip.

If that's the case, then we really need to make a decision immediately.

He used to get angry because he was worried that his wife would throw a tantrum, so he specifically studied the I Ching.

Since it's true, then there's no problem.

As my father-in-law said, it's not the itch from having too many lice that's scary, it's the itch that comes every now and then.

Only by discovering it once and removing it once can we ensure stability in the future.

"I'm sorry, Huixin..."

Shen Huixin rolled her eyes at him, got up and sat down next to him, and said softly, "Do you know what I value most about you?"

"Bold and decisive."

"Back then, through an introduction, I secretly observed you. When you were sent to the countryside, you helped the villagers with their work in the fields, shirtless and sweating profusely, without complaining about the hardship or fatigue."

"My father said that my eldest brother is indecisive and my second brother is too concerned with etiquette. After seeing some of your work, he said that you are bold and decisive, but also prone to taking unconventional approaches. After much consideration, he still allowed us to get in touch. Having been your scabbard for thirty years, don't I know you well?"

"Although I am not involved in politics, I have taught political science for so many years and come from a family like this. I have had a lot of contact with such people. I came here this time because I was worried that you would take a risky path again. Your father is also worried about you."

Sha Ruijin listened silently, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

“Before, in the local areas, in Hanxi, it was all small-scale, but Handong is different,” Shen Huixin said seriously. “Chu Shijun, who works with you, is no ordinary person either.”

"You are indeed the top leader, but you should also know what the foundation of the top leader's authority is. To a certain extent, it is the trust of subordinates. Where does trust and obedience come from? It comes back to authority."

"Is Dad worried that I'll be the same as before?"

"Sha Ruijin asked."

"Otherwise what?"

"Take your actions in Tianzhou for example. You threatened the top leader with an official position. Dad scolded you, but he wasn't actually as angry as he said. On the contrary, he was quite satisfied because what you did was right. The person who took it did have problems, but the most important thing was that the people behind Long Fuhai at that time were incompetent. Who in the entire Hanxi didn't know that you were the son-in-law of the Shen family?"

"Power can be exercised in a grand manner, but sometimes it is limited to a small space, which is under the premise that a single word can determine the fate of the nation."

"It was possible before, but not in Handong. This place is special, and you just happened to run into Chu Shijun. Do you know that he was originally going to be transferred directly to Baiyun? They intervened beforehand and wanted him to go to Haixi, but they didn't expect him to come to Handong."

Sha Ruijin's pupils contracted as he stared at her in astonishment.

"My dad told me this before I came. He said he wouldn't have brought it up if you hadn't made that call today."

Sha Ruijin remained silent.

His father-in-law's meaning was clear, and he understood it.

If he hadn't made that call today, he must have made a different decision.

But making this decision also meant that he would have to walk this path alone.

Thinking of this, he breathed a sigh of relief, then asked seriously, "If I hadn't called, would you have come?"

"I bought the plane tickets yesterday."

"No matter what, we are one."

Shen Huixin said softly, leaning on Sha Ruijin's shoulder.

"Hehehe, so you mean that Chu Shijun and I have never been enemies, but rather allies?"

He felt ridiculous.

No wonder, no wonder Chu Shijun didn't pay much attention to him before.

"It's not too late to realize this now."

"In politics, since ancient times, it has always been a matter of life and death, rise and fall, and it all comes down to power and profit. But when there is a disagreement between the two, we have to consider whether power or profit is more important."

"Some people say that power is important, because without power, where does the benefit come from? But conversely, if it's not for the benefit, why fight for power? So, the two are complementary."

"Ruijin, how high a rank is considered 'great' in officialdom?"

Before he could answer, Shen Huixin continued:

"Previously, Pei Qianqian and I both taught at Huaqing University. We were very close in private and called each other sisters. Neither you nor Chu Shijun knew this. We discussed this issue when we were taking a walk."

She said, "People should do as much as they are capable of. This path is like running a marathon, where everyone is competing for a place, but there is also a lot of cooperation involved. Some people break through the wind and pave the way, and others follow behind. This is cooperation to some extent."

"Those waving flags and shouting on both sides of the road are always just spectators. They don't step onto the track or the field. It doesn't matter who they are cheering for."

"Today's enemies are tomorrow's friends; struggle and cooperation are everywhere."

Sha Ruijin nodded slowly, sighed deeply, took out a cigarette, got up and went outside to light one.

With one hand in his pocket, he gazed at the gradually darkening sky and let out a long sigh.

At that moment, he understood everything completely.