In name only: In the name of Zhao Mengsheng's son!

On the second day after Zhao Zhongxin returned to work, before he even mentioned holding a democratic life meeting, a group of people came to ask him about it!

"Governor, it's time to hold a democratic life meeting!"

"Yes, Governor!"

"Yes, you're back! The monthly democratic life meeting should be held now!"

These individuals were all eager to take action, ready to criticize Li Dakang for his bureaucratic style and lawlessness within the provincial government!

Li Dakang was quite frank. He had had a great time this past month, and now it was time to pay the price. He could afford to play the game, and he could also let it go!

Zhao Zhongxin was completely dumbfounded when he heard this. Usually, when it was time to hold a democratic life meeting, these people would all look like they had lost their parents. What was wrong with them today? Their eyes were filled with hatred!

"Okay, sure! Let's start with a democratic life meeting!"

Zhao Zhongxin didn't care; the business was going to start anyway!

Well, that's it! The provincial vice governor was the first to stand up and speak! He started by criticizing himself, and then went on to say all the bad things he had done in the past.

Zhao Zhongxin didn't say anything. These were all clichés he had heard countless times. Just as Zhao Zhongxin was about to ask him to sit down and move on to the next person, the provincial vice governor abruptly changed the subject!

"Governor, I also want to criticize Executive Vice Governor Li Dakang. Executive Vice Governor Li is displaying a lot of bureaucratic behavior, he..."

Then came the next group. These twenty-odd people from the provincial government all started saying bad things about Li Dakang. The thing is, it seemed like they had all agreed beforehand, because everyone said something different. Zhao Zhongxin couldn't help but glance at Li Dakang. "Dude, I've been here for a month, and out of these twenty-odd people, every single one of them has something to say about you. Dude, are you causing trouble every single day? That's outrageous!"

Apart from Zhao Donglai, everyone else gave Li Dakang a thorough dressing down!

When Li Dakang saw Zhao Zhongxin looking at him, he stood up as well!

"Governor, I'm here to offer my self-criticism! I am Li Dakang..."

Li Dakang didn't mince words. "I'll pay back everything I owe you today!" he declared, emphasizing his willingness to take responsibility for his actions. "I don't owe you anything anymore!"

Zhao Zhongxin shook his head helplessly. This Li Dakang is taking revenge on society! Does he not want to live anymore?! He's doing this!

"Ahem, Comrade Dakang, I don't understand why you did this. Well, you've already done self-criticism at the Standing Committee meeting, so you can't do this again!"

Zhao Zhongxin shook his head helplessly. These things weren't a big deal, and Li Dakang was ultimately sensible.

Li Dakang nodded and made a few promises. He remembered everyone here. Although he could repay them, it didn't mean he didn't hold grudges. There were times when Zhao Zhongxin wasn't around!

After the meeting, Zhao Donglai found Zhao Zhongxin, and Zhao Zhongxin was once again completely dumbfounded!

"What did you say? Li Dakang and Liang Lu! No way, oh my god!"

Zhao Zhongxin gasped. This world is crazy! How did Li Dakang and Liang Lu get together?!

"Governor, do you think I'm lying? I was completely stunned when I heard this news! You mean the Executive Vice President! Sigh!"

Zhao Donglai thought Zhao Zhongxin didn't believe him, so he quickly said something!

"Oh well, whatever. I'm not his parent, I can't control him. He's free to date!"

Zhao Zhongxin waved his hand and went straight to his office! Zhao Donglai also shook his head and left!

Sure enough, a few days later, Li Dakang sent Zhao Zhongxin an invitation. Zhao Zhongxin was a little amused and exasperated. To be honest, Li Dakang and Liang Lu were quite a good match. Liang Lu was domineering, but Li Dakang was even more domineering. He could keep Liang Lu in check, and Liang Lu had her father's political resources, which could help Li Dakang to some extent. This marriage was a perfect match of two strong individuals!

Sha Ruijin didn't say much. It was Li Dakang's freedom to marry whomever he wanted. He felt that Li Dakang just wanted to use his status as a "naked official" to ensure that he wouldn't be relegated to the second tier.

As for whether the two are in love, sorry, don't tease me, Dakang-ge, Lu-jie laughed! Love, love you, Mahua-qing!

Li Dakang wanted to get rid of his status as a "naked official" and also wanted political resources, while Liang Lu wanted to find a backer. The two of them had their own ulterior motives!

Li Dakang's wedding day was much more lively than Zhao Donglai's. On Zhao Donglai's wedding day, only Zhao Zhongxin and Gao Yuliang from the provincial party committee came. On Li Dakang's wedding day, basically all the provincial party committee leaders came. After all, Li Dakang is now the number 00004 in Handong. Who wouldn't give him face?

The main reason is that Sha Ruijin and Zhao Zhongxin are here; how could the other provincial party committees not come? What? Do you have a bigger air about you than the provincial party secretary and governor?

This is just right. There are twenty people sitting at the middle table, including all the provincial leaders, the newlyweds, Liang Lu's two brothers, and Li Dakang's sister. It's just right!

Zhao Zhongxin and Sha Ruijin chatted casually, while Liang Lu looked at Zhao Zhongxin, the man she both loved and hated.

Although Zhao Zhongxin is a bit old and has lost the vigor of his youth, he is now in the prime of his life, and the temperament nurtured by power is even better than it was back then!

Liang Lu couldn't help but think that if Zhao Zhongxin had liked her back then, she wouldn't have been so displaced, and she wouldn't have ended up with that good-for-nothing Hou Liangping!

Unfortunately, the world didn't go as she imagined. Zhao Zhongxin was someone she couldn't control. She didn't think much of Zhao Zhongxin or Yuquan Mountain before. But after learning about Yuquan Mountain and Zhao Zhongxin's identity, she felt a chill run down her spine. If Zhao Zhongxin's grandmother had wanted to harm her father back then, it would have been a simple matter of a word!

It was fortunate that Zhao Zhongxin didn't retaliate against her family. Back then, Zhao Zhongxin's grandmother, a wealthy woman (she had many titles!), wanted to take revenge on the Liang family, but it was a crucial time for Zhao Mengsheng, so she held back. Later, because Zhao Zhongxin didn't mention it, she didn't remember it either. Otherwise, how could Liang Qunfeng have served as the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee until retirement? Her mother would have been in the CPPCC long ago!

The main problem is that Zhao Mengsheng didn't know. Zhao Mengsheng is truly hot-tempered. A man who, in a fit of rage, would grab a grenade and blow up the treacherous wolf's bunker—is he the type to joke around with you? You could say that the Zhao Mengsheng of the past was cowardly and afraid of death, but after the war, he was the kind of person who lived each day to the fullest! If he knew that Liang Qunfeng's daughter wanted to marry his son, he probably wouldn't have made a phone call; he would have flown to Handong that very day!

Zhao Zhongxin noticed someone looking at him and saw it was Liang Lu! He picked up his glass, raised it slightly, and smiled. Liang Lu also raised her glass, and the two clinked glasses across the distance!

(First chapter today!)