After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

Weekend in Yunzhou city.

As night fell and the streetlights came on, Chen Ping took off his usual shirt, changed into a T-shirt, and stood at the intersection of a bustling food street. The air was filled with the aromas of cumin, chili, and cooking oil, a truly relaxing smell.

A red Mini Cooper pulled up right next to him, the window rolled down, revealing Xiao Yuhan's beautiful face. Xiao Yuhan wasn't wearing her uniform today; she was wearing a white dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, and she looked much gentler than usual.

"County Chief Chen, you actually come to eat at a roadside stall?" Xiao Yuhan joked, her eyes filled with laughter.

"I promised you. We can't bring the grilled cold noodles from our county, but I heard this teppanyaki place in Yunzhou has been open for twenty years." Chen Ping opened the car door and got in.

The stall was located in a narrow alley, with a few low tables and plastic stools. The owner, a bald, burly man, was wielding two iron shovels, which sizzled on the hot plate.

The two found a corner to sit down and ordered some grilled skewers and a plate of their signature grilled squid.

The food arrived quickly. Chen Ping picked up a skewer of grilled pork belly, took a bite, and mumbled, "This tastes the best."

Xiao Yuhan wiped her chopsticks with a tissue, took small bites of squid, and watched Chen Pingfang wolf down his food, a smile unconsciously curving her lips. She liked seeing Chen Pingfang like this; back in Qingyuan County, he was always so tense.

"The news about your year-end bonus has even reached the city level." Xiao Yuhan put down her chopsticks, her expression becoming more serious. "I heard from my colleagues at the station who cover the municipal party committee that several bureau chiefs are praising you, saying your move was brilliant."

"They're afraid their wallets will be empty," Chen Pingfang chuckled, taking a sip of beer. "Ma Changsheng wants to trap me with procedures, so I'll tie everyone's interests together. If I fail, nobody will get their money."

"The matter was accomplished, but someone is trying to trip you up behind your back." Xiao Yuhan lowered her voice, looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them.

"Zhou Wenyuan went to the provincial capital."

Chen Ping slowed down his chewing.

"To tattle?"

"It's not just a complaint." Xiao Yuhan shook her head, her expression grave. "Zhou Wenyuan didn't mention the sand quarry; he only said that the Qingyuan County leadership was not united, that some leaders were running their own dictatorships, and that they weren't following procedures, which affected local stability. That's a very serious accusation."

Chen Ping's gaze turned colder.

Chen Ping thought to himself with relief that Zhou Wenyuan was a real old fox. When he couldn't handle things himself, he would go to his superiors to complain, and he even deliberately chose to pin such serious accusations on him.

"So, the provincial government has responded?"

"Okay." Xiao Yuhan nodded. "The Provincial Development and Reform Commission, together with the Water Resources Department and the Land and Resources Department, will establish a joint research team to investigate the development of sand and gravel resources and environmental protection along the Yangtze River. The first stop will be your Qingyuan."

coming.

Chen Ping was not surprised at all; this counterattack was inevitable.

This investigation team, ostensibly conducting research, was actually there to investigate Chen Pingfang. They wanted to check whether his procedures for consolidating the sand quarries were compliant with regulations, whether there were any issues with his personnel appointments, and whether he had abused his power for personal gain.

If no problems are found, that's fine, but if even a small flaw is discovered, it will be magnified. At best, the reform will be overturned; at worst, he will be punished and forced to leave Qingyuan.

"When will you arrive?" Chen Ping asked calmly.

"Next week." Xiao Yuhan looked at Chen Pingfang with some worry. "Zhou Wenyuan has extensive connections in the province, and I heard the team leader this time has a good relationship with him. They're definitely here to find fault with you..."

"It's alright." Chen Ping interrupted Xiao Yuhan and picked up another skewer of chicken wings. "Let them come if they want. Everything I've done can withstand scrutiny. Besides, I was thinking of asking an authoritative department to help me calculate how much money Hengtong Sand Quarry has stolen from the country over the years. If they don't come, this account won't be clear."

Chen Pingfang felt that this was actually an opportunity.

Seeing that he was not flustered at all, Xiao Yuhan felt less worried, but still reminded him, "Don't be careless, be careful that someone might be up to something behind your back."

Just then, a slightly surprised voice came from the side.

"Oh my, isn't this Chen Pingfang?"

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man in a polo shirt with a beer belly walking towards them with a big smile, holding a wine glass. Several people were following behind him, who looked like they had just come from a restaurant next door.

Chen Ping was taken aback for a moment before he remembered: "Zhao Peng? You're... the one who slept in the bunk above me in college?"

"That's me!" Zhao Peng slapped his thigh and sat down enthusiastically next to Chen Pingfang, a strong smell of alcohol wafting over him. "Wow, Pingfang, you're even the county magistrate now! I didn't believe it when I saw the news a few days ago, but it really is you. Our old classmate has made something of himself; it makes us proud too."

Zhao Peng's gaze shifted to Xiao Yuhan, his eyes lighting up: "This must be... your sister-in-law, right? She's so beautiful, a perfect match for our county magistrate."

Xiao Yuhan blushed slightly but remained silent.

Chen Ping smiled but didn't explain, "You've had too much to drink. Did you call a designated driver?"

"I had a little to drink, I'm fine." Zhao Peng waved his hand, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, "Ping Fang, I heard you took over Wang Heng's sand quarry and are going to set up some kind of state-owned sand and gravel company?"

"That's true." Chen Ping nodded.

Zhao Peng's smile widened. He rubbed his hands together, a little embarrassed, and said, "You see, old classmate, I've been doing some small construction projects these past few years, but business hasn't been great. Your company must need staff, right? How about I... could I help out? I'm not picky, managing a fleet or logistics is fine. I promise I'll get it done for you."

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Chen Ping looked at Zhao Peng, his smile unchanged, but his eyes dimmed.

"Zhao Peng, we're classmates, let me tell you the truth." Chen Ping picked up the bottle and filled Zhao Peng's glass. "This sand and gravel company belongs to all the people of Qingyuan. The money the company earns has to go towards paying off debts and then paying year-end bonuses to all the county's officials. Tell me, do you think I'd dare put my classmate in there?"

Zhao Peng's smile froze.

Chen Ping raised his glass, clinked it against Zhao Peng's, and said sincerely, "This position is too stressful. I can't let my classmate down. This glass is for you, and I wish you all the best in your future projects. But don't leave the company, and don't let anyone you know leave either. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain to the hundreds of thousands of Qingyuan employees."

These words were spoken politely, but they blocked all avenues of communication. They both saved face for the classmate and maintained their own bottom line.

Zhao Peng's face flushed red and then paled, and he stood up awkwardly, holding his wine glass. Finally, he chuckled dryly, downed his drink in one gulp, and stood up: "Alright, alright, I understand. Um... County Chief, you're busy, we'll be going now."

After saying that, he hurriedly left with his men, his back looking somewhat disheveled.

Watching them walk away, Xiao Yuhan said softly, "You're making it easy to offend people by acting like this."

"If I agree to his request, I'll offend everyone in Qingyuan County," Chen Pingfang said calmly, glancing at the foam in his beer glass. "I know which is more important."

Towards the end of the meal, neither of them said much.

It was late at night, and Chen Ping escorted Xiao Yuhan to the car.

The evening breeze ruffled Xiao Yuhan's long hair. She opened the car door and turned to look at Chen Pingfang. The streetlights shone brightly into her eyes.

"Be careful with the research team's affairs." Xiao Yuhan paused, her voice very soft.

"Don't fight head-on. If things really come to a head, Yunzhou still has me."