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

Forty-eight hours after Zhao Bo was taken away, a major upheaval occurred in the officialdom of Nanzhou.

Municipal Party Committee Building, Conference Room No. 1.

It was the same conference table, but several people had changed around it, and the empty seats were quite noticeable. Everyone was sitting more upright than usual, even their breathing was deliberately slowed down, and there was a sense of oppressive seriousness in the air.

The municipal party secretary sat in the main seat, his face calm, but his eyes were deep. He didn't say anything, but simply gestured to his secretary to distribute documents.

The few pages of paper landed in front of each person, yet they felt incredibly heavy.

Those present were all seasoned officials; as their eyes swept over the document's title, their hearts tightened.

Decision on Adjusting and Optimizing the Management System of Nanzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Draft for Discussion)

"The province's intention is very clear." The municipal party secretary's voice was not loud, but every word carried weight. "The Corefire project has been included in the province's strong supply chain plan and is a strategic fulcrum. Therefore, the existing management model must be reformed."

He paused for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping across the entire room.

"After deliberation by the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and with the approval of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, it has been decided to abolish the original Special Working Group for the Reform of State-owned Enterprises in the Xinhuo Industrial Park and establish the Management Committee of the Nanzhou Xinhuo High-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone, with an administrative level of... full-fledged department level."

As soon as he finished speaking, a very slight commotion arose in the conference room.

Is the rank unchanged? Still a division chief?

Many people had just begun to entertain other thoughts when the Party Secretary's next words shattered all their hopes.

"The Management Committee implements a director responsibility system. After deliberation, it has been decided that Comrade Chen Pingfang will serve as the director of the Demonstration Zone Management Committee and preside over all work."

Oversee...all aspects of the work!

These six words sent a jolt through everyone.

Those within the system understand the weight of those six words. It signifies complete control over both the Party and the government; Chen Pingfang is the sole core figure in this newly established demonstration zone. He will have the final say on everything.

This is not over yet.

"At the same time, in accordance with the instructions of the Provincial Party Committee, and in order to strengthen overall coordination, Comrade Chen Pingfang will attend the executive meeting of the Municipal Government."

No one was able to react when these words were spoken.

Attend the executive meeting of the municipal government!

What kind of place is that? It's the decision-making center that determines the development of millions of people in the entire Southern Prefecture! A mere director of a management committee at the level of a division chief actually obtained a ticket to enter this circle.

This isn't just a promotion that breaks the rules; it's like being propelled upwards in a spaceship!

No one spoke in the entire conference room.

Everyone's gaze, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted toward the young man sitting at the end.

Throughout the entire process, Chen Pingfang never looked up, simply staring quietly at the documents in front of him, as if none of this concerned him. But everyone knew that from this day forward, Chen Pingfang was in charge of the Nanzhou High-tech Zone.

The era of Chen Pingfang has officially begun in Nanzhou.

……

After the meeting ended, Chen Ping didn't leave immediately; he received a call from Lin Yaodong.

"Come to my office."

In Lin Yaodong's office, several cardboard boxes had already been packed up, and the bookshelves were half empty, making it look rather desolate.

"Are you going to cancel?" Chen Ping asked.

"It's refunded, all the formalities are done." Lin Yaodong pointed to the sofa opposite him, made Chen Ping a cup of tea, and said calmly, "If it hadn't been refunded, this old body of mine would have been worn out by you young man."

His words were somewhat joking, but his eyes revealed admiration.

"You dug very deep and risky a line through Zhao Bo and Liu Guangping. But you cleaned it up perfectly, and the province is very satisfied." Lin Yaodong took a sip of tea and continued, "That's why you got this appointment today. You deserve it."

Chen Pingfang didn't speak, but listened quietly.

"However, don't be too happy yet." Lin Yaodong's tone changed, and his expression became serious. "The situation in Nanzhou is very complicated. What you've stirred up is only the surface. The real depths are in the city, and even more so in the province."

He took out a worn-looking leather briefcase from the bottom drawer of his desk, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it in front of Chen Pingfang.

"This is something I've accumulated over the past twenty years."

Chen Ping opened his briefcase.

There was no money or gold bars inside.

There are only two things.

A thick notebook with a black hardcover. The pages are yellowed, covered with a huge and complex diagram of relationships drawn in various colors of ink. From local section-level cadres in Nanzhou to provincial-level leaders, each name is accompanied by detailed notes: faction, resume, personality weaknesses, social connections...

This is an account book of the officialdom in the southern state.

Below the notebook was a sealed kraft paper file folder, with no writing on it, but the seal was stamped with Lin Yaodong's personal seal.

"This notebook is my ledger of favors and relationships. It can help you distinguish who is a friend and who is an enemy," Lin Yaodong said, pointing to the notebook.

Then, his finger landed on the file folder again, and his voice lowered a few decibels.

"What's in here is my trump card, and also some people's leverage. It's dirty, so never open it unless absolutely necessary. But if one day someone wants you dead, use it to take everyone down with you."

Chen Pingfang's pupils contracted slightly.

He could sense the heaviness and danger emanating from that file folder. It was a life-saving charm prepared by a veteran official who had spent half his life on it.

Now, Lin Yaodong has entrusted it to himself.

This is not just entrustment; it's putting his life and fortune on the line.

"Secretary Lin..."

"I'll be out of the Party Secretary soon." Lin Yaodong waved his hand, stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the gray sky outside. "I've guarded Nanzhou for half my life, but I couldn't bring it dawn. Now, it's up to you."

"Lie it flat. Remember, the greater the power, the more eyes are watching you. The Corefire pie is too big."

Chen Ping was silent for a moment, then stood up and carefully put away his briefcase.

He didn't say many words of thanks, but simply bowed deeply to Lin Yaodong.

……

In the evening, Chen Ping returned to the High-tech Zone Management Committee building.

The sign at the entrance has been changed; the brand-new "Nanzhou Chipfire High-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone Management Committee" shines in the setting sun.

His office was moved from a temporary office to the top-floor director's office. Looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see a panoramic view of the entire high-tech zone. In the distance, the factories of the Chipfire Industrial Park were brightly lit, showing signs of recovery.

The red telephone on the table suddenly rang.

Chen Ping picked up the microphone, and a steady voice came from the other end.

"Are you Comrade Pingfang? I'm from the Provincial Department of Finance."

"Hello, boss."

"I have good news for you. With special approval from the provincial governor's office meeting, the strategic scientific research fund for your Chip and Spark Demonstration Zone has been approved."

Chen Ping's heart skipped a beat.

"The first payment is 3 billion. The documents will arrive tomorrow, and the funds will be in your account within three days."

Three billion!

Even Chen Pingfang paused for a moment when he heard this number.

"Keep up the good work, the province is watching you."

The phone hangs up.

Chen Ping slowly put down the microphone and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

The sky had completely darkened, and the city lights spread out beneath his feet.

Just then, several beams of headlights pierced the night as they drove in from the direction of the park gate.

That's not a license plate from Nanzhou.

All of them start with "Jiang A", indicating they come from the provincial capital.

The convoy was led by a Maybach, followed by several Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars, and quietly stopped in front of the management committee building.

The car doors opened, and one by one, figures in suits and ties stepped out, looking quite impressive. They looked up at the building, their eyes filled with undisguised greed.

Chen Ping stood by the window, quietly watching the luxury cars parked one after another below, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He knew these people were there to share the spoils.

The battle in Nanzhou is over, but the real game has just begun.