The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Each family member was lost in their own thoughts, and no one spoke. The house fell silent, save for the bubbling sound of the hot pot on the stove.

Wang Guihua broke the silence: "Are you still going to eat? If not, take the pot down."

Chen Shi replied, "I won't eat."

No one else was in the mood to eat, so Wang Guihua took the pot off the table and cleared away the dishes.

Wang Xiufen then realized that she hadn't gotten the important work done yet.

He stood up, diligently brewed a cup of tea for Chen Shi, placed it in front of Chen Shi, and brought a stool to put on it.

With a broad smile, he said, "Xiao Shi, have some tea."

Seeing that she had no intention of making tea for her father, Chen Shi handed the teacup in front of him to his father.

"Dad, have some tea."

Chen Yanshi looked displeased: "I won't drink."

Chen Shi placed a teacup in front of Chen Yanshi: "Dad, there's too much salt in the hot pot, it's very salty. Have some tea to help it down."

Wang Xiufen quickly stood up: "Dad, let me make you a cup of tea."

She brewed a cup of tea and brought it over, placing it in front of Chen Yanshi, and then placed the previous teacup in front of Chen Shi.

Chen Xing stood up, made himself a cup of tea, and drank it.

Wang Xiufen gave Chen Xing a look, signaling him to speak up for her.

Chen Xing snorted coldly, "You think you're so capable? Say it yourself, you're your brother, not mine."

When Wang Xiufen saw that Chen Xing wasn't speaking up for her, she gave him a warning look, as if to say, "You just wait, don't even think about touching me again. I'll make sure you're a monk for life."

Sexual resources were her most effective way of controlling Chen Xing, but this time, they failed.

Wang Xiufen forced a smile and said, "Xiao Shi, I need your help with something."

Chen Shi became more vigilant. He thought, "You're not trying to turn me from a temporary worker into a permanent one. With your qualifications, even a miracle couldn't help you."

Wang Xiufen continued, "My younger brother graduated from junior college this year and found a job that matches his major. It's on the coast, too far from home, and my parents can't bear to let him go to work in such a far place."

I only have one younger brother, and I want him to stay in town so that it's close to home and he can take care of the family in the future.

If he goes to the coast, finds a girlfriend from another place, and settles down there, he won't be able to take care of things at home, and that pressure will fall on your brother and me.

My parents asked me to beg you to help him find a job. They don't have high requirements; he just wants to work at the power company, like his brother-in-law. It has to be a permanent position, not a temporary one.

Chen Shi sneered inwardly. This is the attitude of someone begging for a favor. You say temporary worker is no good? You should be grateful to even be able to get a temporary job at the power management office.

If you go to Qin Jiang, he will still give you face. However, for someone as greedy as Wang Xiufen, if you help her this time, there will be countless more times in the future. All her relatives will come over, and the power station will become her backyard.

If you don't help her this once, she won't remember the kindness you showed her before; she'll only resent you for not helping her this time.

If you want to hold a grudge, go ahead and hold one. Chen Shi doesn't care what kind of person you are.

No matter what you do, you must stick to your bottom line.

Seeing that Chen Shi didn't respond, Wang Xiufen looked at Chen Xing with pleading eyes, but Chen Xing ignored her and turned away.

He then looked pleadingly at Chen Yanshi, "Dad, you have to help me. You helped me get Chen Jianhua appointed as the acting village secretary. As long as you say the word, Chen Shi will definitely listen."

Chen Yanshi ignored him completely. Wasn't he so capable before? He wanted to be in charge and didn't treat himself like an elder at all. Now he wants to beg me? No way.

Is your brother a member of the Chen family? Why should he help you?

Wang Xiufen gritted her teeth, deciding that it was better to rely on herself than others, and said with a forced smile, "Xiao Shi, your sister-in-law knows you have a way. Don't worry, my parents will definitely reward you handsomely after it's done."

Her parents gave her two thousand yuan to buy things, asking Chen Shi for help. Wang Xiufen felt that since she was Chen Shi's sister-in-law, Chen Shi would definitely give her face if she asked.

He accepted the two thousand yuan, intending not to buy anything for Chen Shi, but to keep it for himself. He made it clear to his parents that he would keep his word, that he was the head of the Chen family, and that even Chen Shi had to listen to him.

Chen Shi took a sip of tea and said stiffly, "Sister-in-law, this can't be done. I helped you and my brother get into the power management office, and I owe Director Qin two favors that I haven't paid back yet."

The power management office is currently fully staffed, both temporary and permanent, and will not be hiring for the next few years. They need to find other solutions; there's nothing I can do.

Wang Xiufen's face darkened. She patted her chest, promising her parents what she would say when she got back.

Seeing that Chen Shi clearly refused, she got emotional and said, "Xiao Shi, your sister-in-law has treated you very well. When you were studying, your brother worked outside and sent you living expenses every month. If I don't say much, it must have been forty or fifty thousand over four years."

I've never mentioned this matter since I married into the family, but now that my sister-in-law is asking you for a favor, you're making excuses.

My brother isn't an outsider; he also graduated from university and can find a good job outside, it's just a bit far from home.

Chen Xing glared at Wang Xiufang: "Shut up, this is my money. I didn't even know you back then. I can give it to whomever I want, it's none of your business."

"Chen Xing, all you do is yell at me. If you were so capable, would I need to beg you like this?"

"If I were capable, why would I want a woman like you?"

"You regret it? It's not too late. Give me a million, and we'll get a divorce tomorrow."

Seeing that the two were about to fight, Chen Shi said sternly, "Shut up, both of you. If you want to argue, go outside, don't argue in the house."

The two were on the verge of exchanging blows, glaring at each other like fighting cocks.

Chen Shi said solemnly, "Sister-in-law, when I was in college, I did use a lot of my brother's money. He would send me living expenses every month."

The tuition was covered by student loans, which I paid off myself after I started working. I kept a record of every penny my brother sent me in a notebook, and I will never forget that brotherly bond.

Over four years, my brother gave me 34,565 yuan. With interest, I will return 50,000 yuan to my brother, and we will be even from now on. Please don't bring this up again in front of me.

The power management office doesn't belong to Qin, nor is it my private property. I can't just let whoever I want in.

"It's already a big deal that we were able to get you in; you should be grateful."

Chen Xing quickly said, "Xiao Shi, this money is mine. I said it was for your education, so it's mine. How can I ask you to pay it back?"

If she dares to bring this up again, I won't tolerate her. That's my bottom line. We'll get a divorce immediately, no questions asked.

"My current job was arranged by you. Without you, I wouldn't even be able to get through the gates of the power management office. I'd be earning way more than 30,000 to 50,000 yuan a year. Even if you're family, you should still be grateful."

Chen Xing's eyes were resolute. He wasn't trying to scare Wang Xiufang; this brainless woman was foolish and unaware of her own stupidity. What did she want to do? She would listen to everything he said.

If she continues to cause trouble, then my brotherhood with Chen Shi will come to an end.

Wang Xiufen was scared. Her life had just started to improve, and if she really divorced Chen Xing, where would she find a man with a stable job?

Chen Shi is now a leader, and Chen Xing is his brother. If others don't help him, they'll always help his brother. Maybe Chen Xing can become the director of the power management office.

She forced a smile: "Xiao Shi, your sister-in-law didn't mean it that way. It was just a casual remark without thinking. Don't take it to heart."

Chen Shi waved his hand: "No, I'll give you the 50,000 as soon as possible. Even brothers should keep clear accounts. Let's settle things evenly, and neither of us will owe the other anything."