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

"Hey monkey, what are you doing? Drinking such expensive wine, and all this... this is too decadent!"

Looking at Yingying and Yueyue, Zhao Zhongxin couldn't help but laugh! What kind of situation hadn't he seen? This was child's play!

"Oh, I know you look down on these vulgar things, senior. Someone! Get us a new batch!"

As he spoke, Hou Liangping clapped his hands, and a dozen or so girls walked out. Not long after, several more women walked in! Zhao Zhongxin glanced at them and realized they all looked familiar; they seemed to frequently act in movies and TV series!

"Haha, monkey, don't try that on me! I prefer peace and quiet!"

Zhao Zhongxin said that these so-called goddesses were nothing but skeletons in his eyes, and he looked down on them. Hou Liangping thought that Zhao Zhongxin was disgusted and quickly said!

"They all had their medical checkups today, but I..."

"Monkey, that's no fun. I'm leaving!"

Zhao Zhongxin got up to leave, but Hou Liangping's expression changed, and he quickly came over and said something!

"No, senior, I'll let them go down, please go down!"

"Hey monkey, we're classmates, why play these tricks! What are you trying to do, secretly take pictures of me? Are you trying to find something on me?"

Zhao Zhongxin was joking. He didn't think Hou Liangping had the guts. Hou Liangping's expression changed. Zhao Ruilong had arranged it this way, but he wouldn't allow it. Zhao Zhongxin was not someone they could threaten or control. You, Zhao Ruilong, are now the son of a second-level official, yet your political mind is still so simple!

"Senior, I swear to God, I was just thinking about taking care of you while your wife wasn't around. If I, Hou Liangping, had such a despicable thought, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

Hou Liangping quickly said, and Zhao Zhongxin laughed!

"I was just joking, why are you getting so worked up? What, can't upperclassmen and underclassmen take a joke?"

"Um, senior, your joke is a little scary! You know, I'm just a low-level department head. Sigh, speaking of which, I also feel bad. Senior, the department heads in other provinces are all on secondment as vice governors. And Tongwei, he's worked diligently all these years, he should have been a full department head by now, but we just can't get promoted!"

Hou Liangping initially explained with a smile, but the tone became somewhat tense. Zhao Zhongxin looked at Hou Liangping, unsure what to say. He understood Qi Tongwei's dissatisfaction; it was understandable, given that Qi Tongwei had served as the Director of the Public Security Bureau for many years and was over two years older than Hou Liangping. Naturally, he was impatient. Hou Liangping was only 43, and had only been Director of the Public Security Bureau for three years, yet he was already thinking of advancing further? However, he also had a valid point: at Qi Tongwei's age, and given his daring and aggressive nature, being at the deputy director-general level was somewhat too low!

"Monkey, I understand what you mean. I'll vote for you at the Standing Committee meeting! But I can't control everyone else, so you'd better figure it out yourself!"

As he spoke, Zhao Zhongxin walked out. He already knew about Hou Liangping's matter; Hou Liangping was even more ruthless than Qi Tongwei in the original story, practically the dark side of the political arena in Handong! Therefore, he made no promises!

Hou Liangping was also puzzled when he saw Zhao Zhongxin leave. The wine had already been opened, why wasn't he going to drink it? However, Zhao Zhongxin had already promised to vote for him in the provincial party committee, so that was fine. His teacher, Gao Yuliang, would definitely vote for him. As for Governor Liu, he was definitely a minority who obeyed the majority and didn't want to get involved or offend anyone. He had also cut off most of his relationships with other people, leaving only Li Dakang and the provincial party secretary, Sha Ruijin.

Hou Liangping felt his position as vice governor was secure, and then he laughed and started drinking!

After Zhao Zhongxin returned to the provincial party committee compound, his car had already been arranged. It was an Audi A6 with the license plate Han A00004!

On the third day, which happened to be the weekend, Zhao Zhongxin still bought a sumptuous gift and went to Gao Yuliang's house. Gao Yuliang also learned that Zhao Zhongxin was coming today, so he and Wu Huifen waited at the door of their house!

"Professor Gao, Professor Wu! Your student Zhao Zhongxin pays his respects!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang's eyes softened. Zhao Zhongxin's words, "Teaching Zhao Zhongxin," truly resonated with him. Moreover, the six rites of tuition were still required. As he had said before, no one could replace Zhao Zhongxin's position in his heart. Qi Tongwei, Hou Liangping, and Chen Hai were among his best disciples, but with Zhao Zhongxin, there was no such thing as "among others"—only "the best disciple"!

"Xiao Xin, come in. Your teacher, Ms. Wu, knew you were coming today, so she made your favorite dishes from your university days!"

Gao Yuliang said with a smile. Wu Huifen was also overjoyed to see Zhao Zhongxin and hugged him tightly. She was very bitter. Gao Yuliang had divorced her, and Gao Fangfang was away from home for many years. More than 20 years ago, she had treated Zhao Zhongxin like a child. Now that she saw her child, she wanted to cry and tell Zhao Zhongxin everything, but she couldn't say it because she also wanted the title of the third wife of the province!

"Teacher Wu, why are you crying? It's really my fault. I should have come to see you more often!"

Zhao Zhongxin patted Wu Huifen on the back, glanced at Gao Yuliang, and Gao Yuliang was instantly stunned. Zhao Zhongxin's look seemed to know everything about him!

"You guys chat, I'm going to cook!"

Wu Huifen wiped away her tears and went to the kitchen. Zhao Zhongxin sat down steadily, took out a special cigarette, handed it to Gao Yuliang, and lit it for him.

The master and apprentice were now speechless. It had always been like this between them. Gao Yuliang liked Zhao Zhongxin and would only point out his mistakes, hoping that he would do better. Then Wu Huifen would talk to him, and Gao Fangfang would interrupt him. Twenty years later, the two could only remain silent!

Because the medication was no longer available, Gao Fangfang already knew her parents were divorced, so she was unwilling to come back. She only invited the two of them to the wedding because she was getting married.

If Gao Yuliang hadn't entered politics, and Zhao Zhongxin had visited him today, Gao Yuliang might have completely disregarded Zhao Zhongxin's current official position, criticizing Zhao Zhongxin for his poor posture, and then Teacher Wu might have scolded Gao Yuliang, saying, "Zhongxin finally came to see you, and you're putting on airs." Gao Fangfang might have been putting pressure on Gao Yuliang!

Now, Gao Yuliang can't say anything bad about Zhao Zhongxin. The two of them are already third and fourth place, and Zhao Zhongxin will rise to second place in the future. Gao Yuliang can't say anything bad about Zhao Zhongxin either. In the end, power changes everything!

The political arena may offer more possibilities, but there are always trade-offs. Gao Yuliang gained power but lost his wife and daughters, Wu Huifen lost her husband but couldn't bear to give up her glory, and only Gao Fangfang was hurt! The once cheerful woman, like Chen Hai who lost his wife, became taciturn!

Gao Fangfang will never again be able to invite a group of people to her home for a karaoke party like she did in 92, nor will she ever laugh and joke around at home again!

This is all part of the game of power!