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

When Chen Shi asked the final question, Yang Xiaobo breathed a sigh of relief. He had done his research on what the relatives of the city's main leaders did.

"Director Chen, Secretary Liu's sister-in-law is named Ye Shanshan. She runs a construction company called Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Co., Ltd., which has undertaken many government projects."

Yang Xiaobo glanced at Chen Shi at this point, knowing that Chen Shi's mention of Liu Daming's sister-in-law, Ye Shanshan, must be related to the Education Bureau's reconstruction of three key high schools. Seeing that Chen Shi did not interrupt him, he continued.

"I heard that Ye Shanshan's construction company is just a shell company. After taking on projects, they keep their own profits and subcontract them to third parties, so it's hard to guarantee the quality of the work."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo: "Old Yang, go down with her and investigate this company under Ye Shanshan's name. How many government projects has it done? Has it had any quality problems? Report back to me truthfully."

Yang Xiaobo accepted the order and left.

Two hours later, Yang Xiaobo walked into the office with a document in his hand.

"Director Chen, the investigation is complete. Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Co., Ltd. was registered three years ago. In these three years, it has taken on five large government projects worth over 100 million yuan and seven medium-sized projects ranging from several million to tens of millions of yuan. Of these projects, eight have been completed and accepted, and four are still under construction. So far, no projects that have been completed and accepted have been reported to have quality problems."

Yang Xiaobo placed the documents on his desk: "The detailed information on the projects won by Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Co., Ltd. is all here. Their business scope is mainly concentrated in Mingzhou and the various districts and counties under Mingzhou's jurisdiction. They have a wide range of involvement, and they are involved in almost all government projects."

Chen Shi was quite satisfied with Yang Xiaobo's efficiency: "Old Yang, you've worked hard. Go and get back to work."

Yang Xiaobo walked out of the office, feeling delighted. He had gained Chen Shi's approval, and his position as director of the Party and Government Office was now secure.

Chen Shi picked up the documents on the table and looked them over carefully. These projects were all won by Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Co., Ltd., and then transferred to third-party companies for construction. Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Co., Ltd. could be said to be an empty shell.

The reconstruction of three key high schools is crucial to my career, and I absolutely cannot entrust it to such an empty shell company.

Liu Daming is a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, so he has no jurisdiction over Liu Daming for the time being.

If, in order not to offend Liu Daming, such an important project is handed over to Ye Shanshan's company, then if something goes wrong, no one can protect themselves.

Chen Shi stood up, lit a cigarette, and took deep drags, filling the office with smoke.

After much thought, I realized that doing things inevitably offends people, and without wanting to offend anyone, one cannot accomplish anything.

Work isn't like a dinner party where everyone's happy; you have to know how to make choices, and that means you're bound to offend some people.

Now all we can do is cling to Liu Youguang's coattails and follow Wang Mingzhang down this dark path.

I glanced at my watch. It was time to leave work, so I had to go early; I still had to give Ye Shanshan face.

Stepping out of the office building, Yang Bin pulled up in front of him, quickly got out, opened the car door, and asked with a smile, "Director Chen, where are you going tonight?"

Chen Shi got into the car: "To the courtyard house."

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Hu Santai and a beautiful, fair-skinned woman came out to greet them.

Chen Shi got out of the car and guessed that the beautiful woman was probably Ye Shanshan, who was quite attractive.

Hu Santai, beaming, stretched out his hand from afar: "Director Chen, it's been so long! I've missed you so much!"

Chen Shi reached out and firmly grasped Hu Santai's hand: "Boss Hu, I'm a frequent patron of your business."

"I went abroad to study before the Lunar New Year and only came back a few days ago. I heard that you have taken over as the director of the Education Bureau. Congratulations, Director Chen, you have been promoted again. You are the youngest director in the history of Chunyang County Education Bureau."

Hu Santai glanced at the beautiful woman beside him. She smiled, blinked her bright eyes, and looked at Chen Shi with a touch of allure. She often interacted with officials, and this was the youngest and most handsome official she had ever seen.

Hu Santai smiled and said, "Director Chen, let me introduce you to a friend. This is Ms. Ye Shanshan, the chairwoman of Mingzhou Xiongqi Construction Company."

Ye Shanshan took out a business card from her bag and handed it to Chen Shi with both hands: "Director Chen, this is my business card. You are the youngest director I have ever met, and also the most handsome director."

Chen Shi accepted the business card with both hands: "Thank you for your kind words, Chairman Ye. Chairman Ye is also the youngest and most beautiful chairman I have ever met."

Chen Shi glanced at Ye Shanshan. Her makeup was heavy, and she looked to be around thirty years old. She had a faint scent of perfume about her.

Hu Santai laughed and said, "You are all handsome men and beautiful women, and I am the only middle-aged uncle who has gained weight. Please come in."

Hu Santai arranged for a waiter to set up a table for Yang Bin in the lobby, telling him to order whatever he wanted.

The three entered the private room, where the food was already laid out and two waiters were standing there.

Hu Santai asked Chen Shi to sit in the main seat, but Chen Shi declined. Hu Santai insisted that Chen Shi sit in the main seat.

Chen Shi sat down, and the waiter opened the wine bottle, took a decanter, and poured wine for the three of them.

Hu Santai shouted, "You all go out. I will personally serve Director Chen from now on."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare let Boss Hu serve me. I'll serve you myself."

Ye Shanshan chimed in, "You two shouldn't be so modest. Director Chen is a guest, and Third Brother is my senior. He's run such a big business, and I'm here to learn from him. I'll be serving you."

Ye Shanshan raised her glass: "I'd like to toast Director Chen."

Chen Shi couldn't refuse, so he picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Ye Shanshan's, and the two drank it down in one gulp.

After downing a glass of wine, Ye Shanshan remained expressionless. Chen Shi knew that this woman was no ordinary person.

Hu Santai and Ye Shanshan exchanged a glance, raised their glasses, and said with a big smile, "Director Chen, congratulations on your promotion. I'd like to toast you."

Chen Shi knew they wanted to use a strategy of taking turns getting him drunk, so he picked up his glass, clinked it with Hu Santai's, and drank it all in one gulp.

He put down his glass and said, "Boss Hu, Chairman Ye, don't just toast me. Let's toast each other. Chairman Ye just said that he came here to learn from Boss Hu, so we should have a good drink together."

Ye Shanshan smiled radiantly and raised her glass: "Third Brother, Director Chen has spoken, so I must toast you."

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

Chen Shi picked up his chopsticks and started eating, ignoring the two of them.

Ye Shanshan glanced at Hu Santai, who picked up his wine glass: "Director Chen, it's been so long since we last met. Don't just eat the food, have a couple more drinks. There's a saying in Chunyang County: 'Deep feelings, bottoms up.'"

Chen Shi put down his chopsticks: "Boss Hu, it's not good to drink on an empty stomach. I didn't eat much at noon. Let me eat my fill before we drink together. Our friendship isn't about such formalities."

Hu Santai laughed heartily, put down his wine glass, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.

Chen Shi glanced at Ye Shanshan: "Chairwoman Ye, don't just watch us eat. Start eating; you'll have the energy to drink when you're full."

Ye Shanshan smiled sweetly: "I don't eat at night; I'm on a diet recently."

Chen Shi joked, "Chairman Ye's figure is even more perfect than a model's. If he loses weight, how will other women survive?"

Ye Shanshan smiled shyly: "Director Chen, you're joking. I'm not as good as you say."