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

Chen Shi and Xu Ping'an returned to the county town, stayed at the Heaven on Earth Hotel, took a sauna, and went to sleep.

After getting up and having breakfast, Chen Shi took out his phone at 10:00 AM and called Zhang Xiangdong.

The call was answered almost instantly, followed by Zhang Xiangdong's smiling voice.

"I was just about to call you when you called. You guys go back now, don't make a fuss, go back to the police station, do what you're supposed to do, do your job well, and don't get involved in anything outside of work. I only have one request for you: keep a low profile, keep a very low profile, and wait for your appointment as the head of the public security management team after the New Year."

"Yes, Director Zhang, we'll go back now."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi called Zhang Hu and the others to return to Fushan Town.

Back in Fushan Town, around 12:00, Chen Shi took them out for lunch. After lunch, Chen Shi, who had a habit of taking a nap, went home and slept, feeling refreshed.

After returning to work in the afternoon, Zhang Hu held back all the way, not daring to ask a question. He felt much more relaxed when he got back to the office and went to Chen Shi's office.

Zhang Hu said with a forced smile, "Chief Chen, I..."

"Don't be so hesitant. Just say what you want to ask."

"Something felt off about this commendation ceremony. Is there still any hope for me to get into the criminal investigation team?"

"What's the rush? I haven't been transferred to the bureau yet. Once I'm transferred, I'll arrange for you to join the criminal investigation team."

Zhang Hu finally breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Chen Shi looked relaxed, so there shouldn't be any problems.

After Zhang Hu left, Chen Shi's expression became serious. Sometimes he thought that living his whole life in this remote town wouldn't be so bad.

Dismiss this idea immediately. A man's ambition lies in all directions; how can he not strive for progress?

In a career in government, it's a matter of either moving forward or falling behind; one must maintain a positive attitude and forge ahead.

Back at the police station, Chen Shi kept a low profile, didn't go out to eat with others, and went home after get off work to sleep with Wang Yanhong in his arms.

As 2010 drew to a close, many people came to give him gifts, but he refused all the expensive ones and kept the gifts in a separate room.

I can't refuse, or people will think I have a problem with them because I won't accept gifts.

Chen Shi did not give gifts to anyone; he only accepted gifts and did not give any.

As we enter 2011, I hope that good fortune will shine upon me this year, and that my career will advance even further.

Before the Spring Festival, there's not much to do; everyone's mind is on preparing for the New Year.

Chen Shi brought two truckloads of New Year's goods back home, all of which were gifts from others, so he didn't have to buy any money for them.

Seeing so many New Year's goods, Wang Xiufen immediately took advantage of the deal and sent a bunch to her parents. She was very happy, knowing that she wouldn't have to spend a penny on New Year's celebrations from now on.

Chen Yanshi was very thoughtful, and it was evident on his face, but his father-in-law couldn't say anything about it.

What kind of nonsense is it for you to take the things Chen Shi brought back to your parents' home?

Chen Xing was speechless. He had talked to Wang Xiufen several times, but she always shut him down. Every time he talked to her, she would tell him to bring money to buy it. She said that there was one at home, so who would pay for it?

Chen Shi also did not forget Wang Yanhong's parents, and sent them a carload of gifts.

We just finished packing the gifts for the family.

Wang Yanhong's mother, standing tall in the village, would tell everyone she met, "My son-in-law sent me a truckload of New Year's goods," mainly to show off.

Let those who say I didn't have a son see how many sons you have, and whether any of them buy you anything.

I only have one daughter, but my son-in-law bought me a whole truckload of New Year's goods, and we can't even fit them all at home.

Chen Shi had been staying at the institute and didn't want to accept gifts. He tried to keep a low profile, but the sheer number of gifts he received was overwhelming.

These are all things exchanged as gifts, and they don't involve any fundamental errors. Everyone else accepts them, so if you don't, you're considered an oddball.

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, Wang Yanhong spent her winter vacation several days with Chen Shi at the police station.

She was going home today, so she packed her clothes and left the room.

"Chen Shi, if you don't want to go home for the New Year, come back with me and spend the New Year at our house."

Chen Shi shook his head: "Forget it, we're not married yet, what would it look like if we spent the New Year at your house?"

I'd rather go home for the Chinese New Year. If I don't go, I'm afraid my parents will have something to say.

"Okay, my mom keeps calling me to come back, so I can't stay with you any longer. I'll be leaving soon."

I'll drive you home.

"No need. The paths in our village are all muddy and slippery these days due to the bad weather. If you go down, you won't be able to get back up. In that case, you'll have to spend the New Year at my house whether you want to or not."

"Then slow down and be careful."

Wang Yanhong came over, sat on Chen Shi's lap, and gave him a cheerful kiss on the cheek.

"I'm going back now, don't miss me too much."

"There's nothing I can do, my brain just won't listen to me. I think about you in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night, especially at night. My longing for you is uncontrollable."

"You're a bad person, all you think about is that kind of thing, there's something wrong with your thinking."

On a whim, Chen Shi picked up Wang Yanhong and carried her to the room.

Wang Yanhong shouted, "You bad guy, what are you doing?"

"Men and women, what do you want to do?"

"Please, let me go, I need to change my clothes."

"Now that you're done, I'll help you change your clothes."

Wang Yanhong's panting grew heavier and heavier: "I hate you so much. Even if you were made of iron, you couldn't withstand my torment."

Despite his complaints, his body language betrayed him, offering no resistance and cooperating with Chen Shi's attacks.

The battle ended half an hour later.

Wang Yanhong was covered in sweat. She punched Chen Shi's muscular chest a few times, then ran off to take a shower, grumbling all the while.

He changed his clothes again, grabbed the briefcase, and ran.

Chen called out from behind, "I'll take you to the car, why are you running? Wait for me."

"I don't want you to deliver it, you big bad guy. I want to stay away from you, or you'll do something bad again."

As Chen Shi watched Wang Yanhong flee without looking back, a smirk appeared on his lips. Am I that scary?

The phone rang, and Chen Shi took it out to see that it was his father, Chen Yanshi, calling.

He answered the phone: "Dad."

"Aren't you guys on holiday yet?"

"They'll be released tomorrow."

"Release them and come back. Today is the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and tomorrow is the New Year."

"Isn't there thirty?"

"This year, we won't celebrate Chinese New Year on the 30th; it will be on the 29th."

I'll be back tomorrow morning.

"Okay, come back early. The roads are icy, so drive carefully."

After hanging up the phone, it was the last day of work before the Lunar New Year, and everyone's thoughts were on celebrating the holiday.

Chen Shi was lost in thought in his office when Zhang Youcai came in.

"Director Chen, the duty roster for the Spring Festival has been released. I've arranged for you to be on duty on the last day after the holiday."

The Public Security Bureau issued a document requiring that a leader be on duty every day during the Spring Festival.

"Okay, once it's arranged, distribute it. We can't let our guard down during the Spring Festival. We still need to keep a close eye on public security. Make sure Ma Guoliang doesn't rest during the Spring Festival; he should stay at the police station and keep a close watch to prevent any trouble."

Zhang Youcai looked troubled and said, "I'm afraid he won't agree."

"Just say it was my arrangement, and if he disagrees, tell him to come find me."

"Yes, Chief Chen, I'll go and make the arrangements."

A short while later, Ma Guoliang walked into Chen Shi's office, smiling obsequiously, and said, "Director Chen, could I ask for a day off tomorrow to go home and spend the New Year with my parents? I'll be back on duty on the first day of the Lunar New Year."

"Old Ma, do you still want to improve? The Spring Festival is your chance to shine."

It's only natural for you to go home and spend the New Year with your parents. But if something happens, the problem could be much bigger.

Especially you, at this critical juncture, you can't afford to have any problems.

Ma Guoliang immediately understood Chen Shi's meaning: "Chief Chen, I won't go home for the Spring Festival. I'll go back to spend the Spring Festival with my parents next year. During the Spring Festival, I'll stand guard until the very end."

Whatever the New Year, career advancement is the most important thing.

Chen Shi nodded in satisfaction and watched Ma Guoliang leave.