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

The news of Chen Shi's relationship with Jiang Yiqiu spread like wildfire throughout the Party and government organs.

The main problem is that there aren't many young deputy section-level leaders, and Chen Shi is the only unmarried one. He's the focus of attention, and everyone wants to introduce eligible young women to him.

Jiang Yiqiu only had one class in the afternoon. After class, she received a call from Principal Yang Xiong, asking her to go to his office.

Jiang Yiqiu arrived at the principal's office. The office door was open, and he knocked gently.

Yang Xiong looked up and saw that it was Jiang Yiqiu. He greeted him with a smile: "Little Jiang, please come in."

Jiang Yiqiu walked in, smiled, and said, "Principal, you wanted to see me?"

"Sit down," the principal poured Jiang Yiqiu a cup of tea.

"How was your trip to the seminar?"

"I gained a lot and had a new understanding of teaching. I think I can share the content of the seminar with the teachers who couldn't attend, so that everyone can also learn about it."

"That's a good suggestion. Let's schedule a time for you to train everyone at the meeting on Monday."

"Okay, I'll go down and make preparations."

Yang Xiong looked at Jiang Yiqiu with a smile. Actually, he also had some feelings for Jiang Yiqiu. Jiang Yiqiu was the most beautiful young female teacher at No. 1 Middle School. But now, after hearing that Jiang Yiqiu was dating Chen Shi, he had no feelings for her at all.

He was too old and powerless to do anything about it. Chen was now a prominent figure in the county, someone he couldn't afford to offend.

If Jiang Yiqiu latches onto this powerful figure, given time, perhaps even the principal's position will fall into Jiang Yiqiu's hands.

"Xiao Jiang, the recommendation I made to you last time to take over as the Dean of Students was unanimously approved at the school's Party Committee meeting. The official appointment will be issued on Monday."

You are still young, work hard, your future career is limitless.

Jiang Yiqiu quickly replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Principal. I will work hard, fulfill my duties, and do my job well."

Yang Xiong nodded in satisfaction: "You are the most outstanding young teacher. I have high hopes for you. If you encounter any difficulties at work, just tell me. I will fully support you."

"Thank you for your trust and guidance, Principal. This appointment is both an encouragement and a responsibility for me. I will adapt to my new role as soon as possible, do my best, and live up to your expectations."

Yang Xiong smiled broadly, a promising candidate for a political career with high awareness: "When you take office, some teachers may be dissatisfied. You must ensure that they cannot find fault with your work."

Jiang Yiqiu nodded, understanding Yang Xiong's meaning: the position is yours, whether you can hold onto it or not depends on yourself.

Yang Xiong took a sip of tea: "Xiao Jiang, do you have a boyfriend?"

Jiang Yiqiu knew that this was a test to see if the rumors he and Chen Shi had spread were true.

"I've got it! My boyfriend, the principal, knows him. He's Chen Shi, the captain of the public security management brigade."

"Oh," Yang Xiong said with a surprised expression. So the rumor was true.

Chen Shi came out of her room and was seen by many teachers. This was deliberately arranged by Jiang Yiqiu, who was afraid that Chen Shi would deny it after he came out, so she forced him to admit that they had a relationship.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shi took the initiative to ask her to be his girlfriend. Jiang Yiqiu was very happy. Chen Shi still loved her, and it wasn't just wishful thinking on her part.

Seeing Yang Xiong's strange expression, Jiang Yiqiu smiled and said, "Principal, is there anything else? If not, I'll head back now. He's coming over for dinner tonight, so I'll go home and cook."

Yang Xiong repeatedly said, "Okay, you can go back now."

Jiang Yiqiu walked out of the office, feeling very happy. It felt so good to be in love; even the wind blowing on his face was sweet.

Standing in the corridor of the teaching building, Tian Guangliang watched Jiang Yiqiu's departing figure. That petite figure was so damn attractive. If she really got together with Chen Shi, she would be a woman he could never have in his entire life.

He was furious. His dean of students had been dismissed. At the school party committee meeting, Yang Xiong recommended Jiang Yiqiu, and it was unanimously approved. Anyone could take over as dean of students, but Jiang Yiqiu was not an option.

He walked quickly to the office building, went to the principal's office, and gently knocked on the door. Yang Xiong looked up and saw that it was Tian Guangliang.

He said curtly, "Come in."

Tian Guangliang walked in, smiling obsequiously, and said, "Principal, I heard that Jiang Yiqiu is taking over as my new Dean of Students?"

"When did the head of student affairs become yours?"

Faced with Yang Xiong's cold gaze, Tian Guangliang forced a smile: "I misspoke, Principal, please don't be angry."

"Who takes over is a decision made by the school's Party Committee; it's not your place to interrogate them."

"Principal, you're too kind. I was just asking casually; I didn't mean anything by it."

Tian Guangliang slapped himself twice: "My foul mouth has said something again that made you angry."

He raised his hand again, as if to slap himself, but Yang Xiong shouted, "Enough, stop acting in front of me. I know what you're thinking. Before, when you had feelings for Jiang Yiqiu, I turned a blind eye."

Now I advise you to put away those thoughts and not have any improper ideas. Jiang Yiqiu has found Chen Shi as her boyfriend, and I wouldn't dare to mess with her powerful backer. If you want to stay at No. 1 High School, you'd better behave yourself.

Tian Guangliang had a smile on his face, but it looked more like a grimace. Jiang Yiqiu really did find Chen Shi as her boyfriend; she was truly cunning. No wonder she looked down on him.

Tian Guangliang was caught having illicit affairs by his wife, who then forced him to leave the marriage with nothing.

He really wanted to marry Jiang Yiqiu, even though he was forty years old. They say a forty-year-old man is in his prime, the time when he is most successful in his career.

Previously, as the dean of students, she thought she had Jiang Yiqiu under her thumb, but unexpectedly, she ran into a snag.

Now he was in utter despair. What did he have to compare with Chen Shi? Chen Shi was younger than him, not even thirty years old, and was already a deputy section chief. He had also made great contributions. It was very likely that he would be promoted to section chief before he turned thirty.

I'll never reach the level of deputy section chief in my entire life; at most, I'll be a section-level cadre—that's my ceiling.

Seeing that Tian Guangliang looked wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, Yang Xiong gently tapped on the desk.

"Don't think about anything else. Focus on teaching well, produce good results, and we'll consider promoting you when the opportunity arises."

Tian Guangliang snapped out of his daze, beaming, and said, "Thank you, Principal. I will focus on improving teaching and strive to get my child into Tsinghua or Peking University to bring you honor."

Yang Xiong waved his hand: "Go ahead and get busy."

Tian Guangliang walked out of the office looking dejected and left in a huff.

Jiang Yiqiu returned home and called Chen Shi.

The call was answered quickly: "Chen Shi, come over to my place for dinner after work. I only have one class this afternoon. I'm going to buy groceries now, and they'll be ready by the time you get off work. What would you like to eat? I'll cook it for you."

"Let's see if I have any social engagements later."

"Wait another hour, everyone will be off work. Except for your boss's social engagements, you have to cancel all other social engagements and come eat with me."

"If you don't want to refuse, take me with you. With such a beautiful girlfriend, how could you be embarrassed to show her off?"

Chen Shi was speechless. Why was she so clingy?

"I'll come over when I see. I don't have any social engagements."

"I'll go buy groceries. What do you want to eat?"

"You decide what to do; I have a strong palate."

"They'll cook for you and wait for you; come over as soon as you get off work."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yiqiu was overjoyed. He changed into a pair of sneakers and went to buy groceries. He wanted to cook some of his best dishes. If you want to keep a man, you have to win his stomach first.