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

Chen Shi put down his wine glass, and Wang Jianming quickly poured more wine.

There was a pack of cigarettes on the table. Chen Shi took one out and just put it to his lips when Wang Jianming came over and lit it with a lighter.

Chen Shi was very satisfied with Wang Jianming's performance and took a puff.

"Commander Wang, I have a task for you."

Wang Jianming said with a forced smile, "Director Chen, please give me your orders. Just call me Old Wang from now on."

"You are my leader, at least for now. How can I call you Lao Wang? I will address you by your title, just like before."

Just like before, keep doing the same thing. Lei Heng didn't ask you to spy on me; now you're keeping an eye on Lei Heng.

As if nothing had happened, you are still Lei Heng's man. Don't reveal yourself. Report to me immediately if Lei Heng asks you to do anything or if you discover anything.

Wang Jianming knew that he could only rely on Chen Shi and couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

Lei Heng had no leverage over him, but Chen Shi held his lifeline in his hands, leaving him with no other choice.

"Yes, Chief Chen, I will keep a close eye on Lei Heng, and I will relay every word he says to me to you."

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass, and Wang Jianming quickly picked up his own, holding it respectfully with both hands, lowering it very low, and gently clinking it against Chen Shi's glass.

Chen Shi took a small sip and put down his wine glass.

That's all for tonight.

Chen Shi stood up, preparing to leave. Wang Jianming quickly ran forward, opened the door, and escorted Chen Shi downstairs.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Wang Suo, don't be so polite. I still prefer your unruly attitude."

Remember, don't deliberately show it, lest Lei Heng realize you're still one of his people.

Wang Jianming's smile vanished, and his face darkened.

Chen Shi patted him on the shoulder: "That's right."

Meanwhile, at Chunlai Restaurant, Xu Linlin and Wang Yanhong were in a private room, the door of which was locked from the inside.

Xu Linlin removed her mask and hat, revealing a long fingernail mark on her cheek, which couldn't be concealed even with thick foundation.

"Yan Hong, sit down quickly."

Xu Linlin pulled Wang Yanhong to sit in the main seat.

Wang Yanhong sat down: "Cousin, you really divorced your husband?"

"We're divorced. I don't want anything. The child is his." Xu Linlin took out the divorce certificate from her bag and placed it in front of Wang Yanhong.

Wang Yanhong picked up the divorce certificate and glanced at it: "Cousin, the child is so big, how can you bear to get a divorce?"

"I can still have children. If I want more, I'll have another one. What kind of future can a child born to a good-for-nothing have? If the genes are bad, no matter how hard you try, it will all be in vain."

Wang Yanhong returned the divorce certificate to Xu Linlin, sighed deeply, and didn't know what to say.

Xu Linlin poured wine for Wang Yanhong: "Have a couple of drinks with me, sister."

Wang Yanhong picked up her wine glass, and the two drank it all in one gulp.

"Cousin, you've divorced your husband, where will you live now?"

"I'm renting a place. Come with me to move your things tomorrow."

"I have a lot of classes tomorrow, how about the day after tomorrow?"

"Can't you take a day off? You're my only family member in town. If I can't rely on you, who else can I rely on?"

Wang Yanhong looked hesitant, but nodded nonetheless: "Okay, Mengmeng will cover my classes for me tomorrow."

"That's right," Xu Linlin picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for Wang Yanhong: "Have another one."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

"Cousin, where are you staying tonight?"

"You don't need to worry about staying in a hotel." Xu Linlin looked at Wang Yanhong: "Yanhong, I'm in trouble right now, only you can help me."

Wang Yanhong wanted to ask, "How can I help you?" with a puzzled look on her face.

Xu Linlin continued, "Yan Hong, it's clear that Chen Shi treats you well; he'll definitely listen to you."

My affair with Wang Jianming was most likely arranged by Chen Shi. I don't blame him; it's just that I didn't understand the situation beforehand and told you his life was in danger, making you worry.

We're even now, neither of us owes the other anything.

However, it seems he took photos of the scene last night. You know, we are public officials. If the photos are leaked, or if he has someone report us to the police, I might lose my job.

Your aunt worked so hard to support my education, and it took me three years to pass the police station exam.

"It's really tough on my sister, you have to help her."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, which softened Wang Yanhong's heart, and her nose tingled with emotion: "Cousin, how can I help you?"

Xu Linlin had been waiting for these words, so she quickly said, "Yan Hong, go back and tell Chen Shi to delete the photos he took of us at the scene. Don't report me to the bureau. I'll bow down to him and never dare to mess with him again. I'll be there whenever he needs me."

Wang Yanhong couldn't make the decision for Chen Shi, so she didn't dare to agree. She only said she would try her best to talk to Chen Shi.

Xu Linlin said with displeasure, "Yan Hong, if he doesn't agree, you have to show your feminine tenderness, cry in front of him, and act pitiful. He will definitely agree."

"I have no other choice but to rely on you."

Wang Yanhong was in a dilemma. After all, Chen Shi was her cousin, and she couldn't let him ruin her job.

There was no deep-seated hatred between the two. She had hated Xu Linlin before for talking nonsense without understanding the situation and for making her call Chen Shi's parents, scaring the old couple half to death. How was she going to explain that to Chen Shi?

Seeing Xu Linlin like this now, so pitiful, divorced and left with nothing, the price she paid was heavy.

He forced a smile and said, "Fine, I'll persuade Chen Shi to let you off the hook."

Xu Linlin beamed with joy when she saw Wang Yanhong agree.

"That's right. As long as you plead for me, Chen Shi can't possibly refuse. Losing my job won't benefit him either."

After chatting for a while, Wang Yanhong accompanied Xu Linlin for drinks. Xu Linlin drank until she was completely unconscious, and it was Wang Yanhong who carried her to the hotel.

Wang Yanhong locked the hotel door and returned home, where she found Chen Shi already there.

Seeing that Wang Yanhong's cheeks were flushed, Chen Shi asked, "Have you been drinking?"

Wang Yanhong nodded: "I had a few drinks with my cousin."

Seeing that she seemed distracted and preoccupied, Chen Shi opened his mouth several times, only to swallow his words back.

Chen Shi guessed what it was about and smiled, saying, "Yan Hong, just say what's on your mind. Don't keep it to yourself."

Wang Yanhong nodded: "Chen Shi, I'm pleading with you on behalf of my sister. She was wrong before, but please forgive her this time."

She also paid a heavy price, leaving with nothing; the marriage was over, and she didn't want anything.

She cried so hard tonight. You also come from the countryside, and it's not easy for you to get a government job. This job is very important to her.

She said she wouldn't dare mess with you anymore, and she'd do anything you asked.

As Wang Yanhong spoke, two tears welled up in her eyes. It wasn't an act; she hadn't expected things to escalate to this point.

Chen Shi handed Wang Yanhong a tissue to wipe away her tears, and said with a smile, "It's not a big deal. Tell her I won't report her, and I won't let her lose her job. We're even now. Let her think about what's best for her."

Wang Yanhong was surprised that Chen Shi agreed so readily, and quickly said, "Thank you, Chen Shi, my cousin's job is safe."

She kissed Chen Shi on the cheek: "I love you so much, you're such a good person."

Chen Shi laughed. "Am I a good person?"

Wang Yanhong ran to her room and brought out her toiletries.

"My cousin is at the hotel, she's drunk, and I'm worried about her, so I'm going to keep her company."

"Go," Chen Shi said, watching Wang Yanhong leave.