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

The commendation meeting was held in the conference room. The meeting was chaired by Xu Linlin. Wang Jianming, as the top leader, spoke first, and his words were all vague and official jargon.

The crowd below was so engrossed in the conversation that they started to doze off. Couldn't we get to something more practical?

Next, Chen Shi spoke, emphasizing only one point: as people's police officers, they must serve the people wholeheartedly.

His speech was brief, followed by commendation of the five police officers and members of the public who had made meritorious contributions in capturing the fugitive.

Chen Shi said loudly, "At this commendation meeting, we would like to give special recognition to five police officers, including Zhang Hu, who were not afraid of danger and dared to outwit and outmaneuver the fugitives, successfully capturing them."

I received a notification from the Public Security Bureau that fugitive Zhang Dong has been transferred to the special task force of the Provincial Public Security Department and Yizhou Public Security Bureau. The commendation from the Provincial Public Security Department will be issued soon.

Since the establishment of the special task force in our police station, we have worked diligently and been on the front lines at all times. Our hard work has paid off, and we have successfully captured the fugitive Zhang Dong, fulfilling the mission entrusted to us by the Party and the people…”

Wang Jianming scoffed, "What nonsense! The Party and the people? You just got lucky, that's all. You just happened to run into them. Look at how capable you are."

Chen Shi continued speaking: "The police station has issued a reward notice, offering 100,000 yuan to anyone who discovers the whereabouts of the fugitive or assists the police station in capturing the fugitive."

"Niu Youfu, an elderly man from Longtougou Village, discovered traces of a fugitive in the mountains behind the village. Disregarding his own safety, he came to the police station to report the crime and assist us in apprehending the fugitive. A reward of 100,000 RMB will be given."

The old man sat in the first row at the front, stood up shakily, and sat next to his son, whose eyes were shining.

Zhang Youcai respectfully placed ten stacks of money in front of Chen Shi, along with five large red envelopes.

Chen Shi gestured for the old man to sit down, saying, "I haven't finished speaking yet, don't rush me."

"I led five police officers, including Zhang Hu, to the back mountain of Longtougou Village to arrest the fugitive."

The fugitive was cunning and had strong counter-surveillance capabilities. He outwitted us in the cave.

Special praise goes to Zhang Hu, who disregarded his own safety, took the lead, and assisted me in apprehending the fugitive. Let's give Zhang Hu a round of applause, and all officers should learn from him.

Applause erupted, and the old man and his son stared intently at the ten stacks of money in front of Chen Shi, as if afraid that someone else would take them away.

Xu Linlin announced loudly, "Next, please welcome Director Wang to present bonuses and certificates to the police officers and members of the public who made outstanding contributions in the capture of fugitive Zhang Dong."

Wang Jianming stood up and said, "I am the one in charge. I should be the one to issue the bonuses and certificates."

Chen Shi smiled broadly, realizing that this superficial work was utterly meaningless.

The old man and his son could no longer contain themselves and immediately stood up. Zhang Hu and five other police officers also stood up, and the seven of them sat in the first row. Applause rang out from below.

Xu Linlin, carrying a tray with money, followed behind Wang Jianming to the old man.

The old man's hands trembled. He had never seen so much money in his entire life. He took out a bag from his body, ready to put the money in it.

Many police officers couldn't help but laugh when they saw this.

Chen Shi was no ordinary man; he forced himself not to laugh. "Sir," he said, "you think it's a million dollars, carrying such a big bag of money?"

Wang Jianming spoke a few official words, shook hands with the old man, and placed the ten stacks of money on the tray into the old man's hand.

His son quickly snatched the money and put it into the bag he had brought.

The old man asked, "Is there 100,000 here?"

Wang Jianming smiled and said, "One hundred thousand, not a penny less, sir. If you don't believe me, you can count it here."

The old man was careful in everything he did, and he had to count the money. He asked his son to take out the money, and the father and son started counting it.

Wang Jianming distributed the bonus and certificates to Zhang Hu and four other police officers to commend their bravery.

The old man also received a banner, but he didn't care about the broken thing and tossed it on the chair. The father and son were busy counting the money.

The old man counted the money and put it into the pocket he had brought with him. This was his money for retirement; he couldn't give it all to his son.

After the commendation ceremony concluded, Wang Jianming adjourned the meeting.

Chen Shi walked up to the old man and asked, "Grandpa, have you finished counting? One hundred thousand."

"I have to count it again, it seems like I'm short five hundred." The old man counted the money with a nervous expression, his hands trembling slightly.

His son counted the money as he put it into his bag.

"Don't bother counting, I've already checked it. One hundred thousand, not a penny less."

The old man shouted, "Don't put the money in your bag, it's all mine, put it in my pocket."

"It's not safe for you to keep so much money at home. I'll take it and deposit it in the bank. When the next 200,000 arrives, I'll use it to build a house for you."

"I'll give you the remaining 200,000 to build your house, and I'll keep this 100,000 for my retirement. You never give me 100 when I ask you for money, so all this money is mine, put it in my pocket."

Chen Shi had no interest in dealing with the mess between the father and son. Xu Linlin handed over the receipt and asked the old man to sign it.

"What is this?" the old man asked, puzzled.

"This is the payment slip, confirming that you have received the bonus of 100,000 yuan," Xu Linlin explained.

His son quickly said, "My dad can't read, I'll sign it for him."

Xu Linlin looked at his son's signature, which looked like a dog's scribbling, clearly indicating that he hadn't graduated from elementary school.

Chen Shi walked out of the conference room, and Xu Linlin followed him.

"Director Chen, come to my house for dinner tonight with your cousin. My parents brought some ham that's been aged for two years. It's from our own free-range pig, which wasn't fed any feed. The meat is very fragrant."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Okay, tell Yan Hong."

Xu Linlin was afraid that Chen Shi would retaliate against her for spreading rumors that Chen Shi's life was in danger. So she tried her best to please Chen Shi, hoping that he would not pursue the matter for the sake of his cousin.

After scaring Wang Yanhong, she regretted it. Of all people to mess with, she had to provoke Chen Shi. This was just asking for trouble.

Chen Shi has just made a great contribution and will soon be transferred to the bureau. Wouldn't it be better to just stay put?

Wang Jianming later regretted it, but at the time he was too angry to worry about Chen Shi coming after him. After all, he was the head of the police station, and no matter how powerful Chen Shi was, he couldn't do anything to him.

As usual, Chen Shi and Wang Yanhong came to Xu Linlin's house for dinner.

Her husband is like a maid at home, doing everything. Xu Linlin was lying on the sofa playing on her phone while her husband washed, peeled, and cut the fruit into small pieces, placing them in front of her.

This treatment is no different from that of the Empress Dowager.

The couple has a daughter who is in elementary school and has been sent to be cared for by her husband's parents.

Her husband's position as head of education was removed, making him even more ashamed at home, and he had to listen to Xu Linlin in everything.

When Xu Linlin saw Chen Shi and Wang Yanhong arrive, she stood up and greeted them with a smile, inviting them to sit down and asking her husband to pour tea.

When her husband saw that she had arrived, he rushed to the kitchen to cook. The side dishes were already prepared, so he just stir-fried them and they were ready in no time.

The table was laden with delicious-smelling dishes, and Wang Yanhong couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother-in-law, you have excellent cooking skills!"

Xu Linlin snorted coldly: "What use is a man who doesn't make any progress in his career and only knows how to cook at home?"

She didn't give her husband any face at all. Her husband remained expressionless, pretended not to hear, and ate his meal as if nothing had happened.

Chen Shi and Wang Yanhong exchanged a glance, their expressions awkward, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Xu Linlin laughed and said, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and eat."

He picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for Chen Shi and Wang Yanhong: "I'll keep you company, have a couple more drinks. Don't worry about your brother-in-law, he's a taciturn guy."