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

At the new round of the Standing Committee meeting of Handong, it can be said that everyone was promoted. Li Dakang became the executive vice governor and became Zhao Zhongxin's deputy. Governor Liu's son was also transferred over and became the secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee. The former secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee became the secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee!

Then Ji Changming retired, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lin became Chief Prosecutor, and Li Kangjian was promoted. Li Kangjian didn't care. Zhao Zhongxin had promised him and would definitely not go back on his word. He understood the intricacies of officialdom. In two years, Zhao Zhongxin would carry Chief Prosecutor Lin to other places in a sedan chair, and he could become Chief Prosecutor in a natural way!

Zhao Donglai, on the other hand, didn't receive any official hat; he directly took the position of Director of the Public Security Bureau. Zhao Zhongxin didn't arrange for him to become Vice Governor for the time being. After all, none of his trusted confidants had reached the vice-provincial level. Zhao Donglai was just a trusted friend of his. Zhao Zhongxin was afraid that Li Kangjian would have some thoughts about directly promoting Zhao Donglai, so he decided that the two of them should rise and fall together!

Zhao Donglai had no objections. He wasn't Hou Liangping, so he wasn't in a hurry. Moreover, he understood that the reason he hadn't been promoted to the vice-provincial level was because of Li Kangjian, so he wasn't angry. They were going through thick and thin together!

Zhao Donglai is currently enjoying success in both love and career; he's already won over 80% of Lu Yike! Lu Yike is also quite interested in Zhao Donglai! The two are truly in love!

Chen Hai showed no signs of recovery. In the novel, Chen Hai never woke up; the TV series simply wanted a perfect ending. Zhao Zhongxin also learned from Professor Jin that Chen Hai was unlikely to recover. Even if he did, he would be crippled. Being able to speak would be the best outcome; hemiplegia or high-level paraplegia were common. So, it was better for him not to wake up. Zhao Zhongxin even thought it would be better to let Chen Hai go. Chen Hai was a proud person; he definitely couldn't accept becoming someone who couldn't speak and whose only function was to move his hands.

Of course, the chance of waking up is one in ten thousand, one in a million! It's practically nonexistent! However, Zhao Zhongxin isn't Chen Hai's family, so he has no right to make decisions for Chen Hai!

Furthermore, Chen Hai doesn't like Lu Yike at all. The love of his life has passed away, and he has been raising his child alone for many years. With Chen Hai's conditions, he could easily find someone else. Not to mention, Lu Yike would be eager to marry Chen Hai! But Chen Hai is unwilling!

Therefore, marrying Lu Yike was the best choice for Zhao Donglai!

Sure enough, as the year drew to a close, Zhao Donglai sent out an invitation—he was getting engaged to Lu Yike! Zhao Zhongxin went to see him, and to his surprise, it was an entire group of people from Han University! Zhao Zhongxin couldn't help but smile. This Zhao Donglai was a smart man! He knew he couldn't hedge his bets! If he had actually brought in people like Tian Guofu, Sha Ruijin, and Li Dakang, then Zhao Zhongxin would have considered whether he should give Zhao Donglai a helping hand!

As I said before, those who hedge their bets never end well! If you can't make a choice, you're a political idiot! Both sides will hate you. Zhao Donglai is clearly smarter than Hou Liangping.

"Governor, you've arrived! Hello, Director Liu!"

Zhao Donglai walked out with a big smile, first greeting Zhao Zhongxin, and then nodding to Liu Kun!

Congratulations, Donglai!

As Zhao Zhongxin spoke, Liu Kun took out a gift box and handed it over. Liu Kun also prepared a gift box and handed it over as well!

"Governor, Director Liu, you're too kind. It's my great honor that you could come, and you even brought gifts! Oh, distinguished guests! Please take a seat!"

When Liu Kun heard Zhao Donglai speak like that, he almost burst out laughing. How could the director of the Public Security Bureau talk like a doorman at the Red Romantic Club?

Zhao Zhongxin wanted to laugh too, but he held it in!

"Teacher Gao! Teacher Wu!"

Zhao Zhongxin walked to the center of the table, saw Gao Yuliang and Wu Huifen, and called out to them! Gao Yuliang and Wu Huifen stood up. After all, although they were teacher and student, Zhao Zhongxin was now the acting governor, the number one figure in the provincial government!

"Hey, Shin-chan's here!"

Gao Yuliang and his group stood up, and so did his relatives. Gao Yuliang was the highest-ranking official in their area, and if he didn't stand up, they would be considered disrespectful. They all knew who Zhao Zhongxin was! Most of Gao Yuliang's relatives were in officialdom and knew who Zhao Zhongxin was! Zhao Zhongxin was the provincial governor, albeit acting, but still the second-in-command!

"Oh, please sit down, please sit down. I'm here in a private capacity today, so please don't stand on ceremony!"

Zhao Zhongxin smiled and waved to everyone. Only then did everyone sit down.

"Senior!"

As soon as Zhao Zhongxin sat down, Li Kangjian smiled and handed him a special cigarette! Zhao Zhongxin raised an eyebrow, and as soon as he took it, Li Kangjian lit it with his lighter. Zhao Zhongxin chuckled and let him light the cigarette as well. Then, Li Kangjian did the same thing to Gao Yuliang!

"Ahem, Kang, your teacher Gao isn't in good health, don't let him smoke, just this one!"

Wu Huifen's words were actually a reminder to Zhao Zhongxin and Gao Yuliang that, after all, they were the second and third leaders of the provincial party committee, and smoking in public would have a bad influence on government officials!

Wu Huifen is a truly virtuous wife, and Zhao Zhongxin nodded in agreement!

"Yes, just this one!"

Everyone was shrewd; they all put down their phones, focusing on one thing: they didn't know how to take pictures!

"Oh, let me introduce you, Zhongxin. This is my older sister, Wu Xinyi! Yike's mother!"

Wu Huifen introduced her older sister to Zhao Zhongxin with a smile!

"Hello, Judge Wu!"

Zhao Zhongxin nodded, smiling as he nodded.

"Hello, Governor Zhao! You look just like your father! Thank you for coming to my daughter's engagement banquet!"

Judge Wu treated Zhao Zhongxin very well, and the reason was simple: Zhao Zhongxin had a very good reputation as an official, and his father also had a very good reputation! In addition, as the saying goes, one should avoid speaking ill of those in power!

"Oh, Judge Wu has met my father before! They're old acquaintances!"

Zhao Zhongxin smiled and shook hands with her! Judge Wu then looked at Liu Kun!

"Are you Secretary Liu Jiang's son? You look very much like him!"

"Hello Judge Wu, Liu Jiang is my uncle, and my name is Liu Kun!"

Seeing that he still had things to do, Liu Kun smiled, stood up, and reached out his hand.

Judge Wu stood up and shook hands with him!

"Ah, this is wonderful. It turns out you are all children of old friends. Seeing you reminds me of your fathers back in Handong. I wish your fathers had stayed in Handong back then!"

Judge Wu also looked down on Zhao Lichun's group. If Zhao Mengsheng had stayed in Handong as the provincial party secretary back then, Handong would definitely be a better place!

(This is the first chapter today. I'm writing the second chapter now. Please urge me to update, it's really important to me!)