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

Back at the hotel, Chen Shi took a bath and lay on the big bed. What did Ding Yi mean by not mentioning the education special fund support project at all? Did he think the gift wasn't valuable enough?

A knock came at the door: "Director Chen, are you asleep?"

Upon hearing Yang Bin's voice, Chen Shi got up and opened the door: "You're still awake?"

Chen Shi opened the door, and Yang Bin greeted him with a smile: "Director Chen, I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

"Come in, what can I do for you?"

Yang Bin came in and stood to one side, his back ramrod straight.

"sit"

Yang Bin then sat down opposite Chen Shi.

"Director Chen, I've gathered some information at Xinfulou, but I don't know if it'll be of any use."

"What news?"

"Xinfulou is owned by Section Chief Ding's sister-in-law."

Chen Shi liked subordinates who took initiative, so this news was of little use; Chen Shi still gave Yang Bin his approval.

"Yang Bin, you did a great job. Be more careful when you go out in the future."

Chen Shi stood up, took a pack of good cigarettes from the table, and tossed it to Yang Bin: "Here, have some."

"Thank you, Director Chen. It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll head back now."

Yang Bin left Chen Shi's room feeling quite pleased, having received Chen Shi's approval.

The next day, Chen Shi got up and waited until 10:30 before calling Ding Yi.

"Section Chief Ding, this is Chen Shi. Is Director Zhao free today? I'd like to come to the department to report on my work."

Ding Yi sneered inwardly. Who do you think you are? A mere county education bureau chief. You have no right to report to the provincial department head.

"Director Chen, Director Zhao is very busy and hasn't had any time lately."

Chen Shi, all smiles, said, "Section Chief Ding, are you free tonight? Let's have a couple of drinks."

"I have to accompany Director Zhao to a meeting at the provincial government today, so I don't have time. Let's do it another day."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Chen Shi was very depressed. What did that mean? He thought about his meeting with Ding Yi last night several times. He hadn't offended Ding Yi in any way. They had a very pleasant chat, and Ding Yi was in a good mood. Why was he acting like a different person now?

A man paced back and forth in his room. In Yizhou, he was nobody, and he had no acquaintances in the government.

Feeling bored, I thought of my old high school classmate Zhou Hua. After graduating from high school, Zhou Hua didn't get into university and went to Yizhou to work in the renovation business with his relatives.

When Chen Shi was interning at the Public Security Bureau, he left and started his own decoration company. Business was booming during the real estate market, and while he was in Yizhou, he treated Chen Shi to several meals.

The two were good friends in high school and often hung out together.

Chen Shi took out his phone and called Zhou Hua.

The call was answered quickly.

Zhou Hua

"Chen Shi, I heard you became the director of the Education Bureau. Have you forgotten about your old classmate?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? If I'd forgotten you, how could I still have your number and even call you on my own initiative?"

Zhou Hua laughed heartily: "Just kidding, where are you?"

"In Yizhou"

"If you don't come to find me in Yizhou, are we still brothers?"

"That's why I called you. Is your company still in the same place? I'll come find you."

"I've moved locations. I'll send you the new address. Come over quickly, let's grab a couple of drinks tonight."

"OK"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi received the address from Zhou Hua and asked Yang Bin to drive to Zhou Hua's location.

Upon arriving at Zhou Hua's company, the receptionist asked Chen Shi, "Sir, who are you looking for? Do you have a designer scheduled?"

Is Zhou Hua there?

"Sir, what is your surname?"

My name is Chen Shi.

"Please wait a moment."

After going inside the reception desk, Zhou Hua came out a short while later, all smiles. He ran over and gave Chen Shi a hug.

"Once you become an official, things change; you immediately exude the air of a cadre."

"You've changed too. You look like a boss now, a domineering CEO." Chen Shi punched Zhou Hua a few times.

Yang Bin stood to the side, and Zhou Hua asked, "Is this guy your secretary?"

"At my level, I'm not worthy of a secretary. He's my driver, Yang Bin."

"Here, we're all brothers. We don't have the same rules as you guys in the system. Come to my office for tea."

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to go to Zhou Hua's office for tea.

Zhou Hua poured tea for Chen Shi and Yang Bin. Chen Shi smiled and said, "Zhou Hua, your company is quite large. How many people are in your company now?"

"There are eight designers, five supervisors, and more than a dozen business staff, totaling thirty to forty employees."

"Well done, with so many people under you."

"I'm just doing this small-scale business to make a living. It's nothing compared to what you leaders do, where you have a guaranteed income regardless of circumstances and don't have to take any risks."

"No leader has the same freedom as you, doing whatever you want."

"In business, you have to be mindful of your customers' moods; you can't just do whatever you want. People have no freedom; they're locked up by life."

The two chatted about some fun things from their high school days. Yang Bin sat to the side, not saying a word the whole time, but with a smile on his face.

When it was time to leave work, Zhou Hua checked the time and said, "Let's go eat at a street food stall. Even though you're in a high position, you should still connect with the common people and experience their daily lives."

"I'm just a low-level leader, experiencing the everyday life of ordinary people every day."

"Before I'm even thirty, I'll be the director of the education bureau. By fifty, I'll be at least a provincial or ministerial-level official. I'll be clinging to your coattails."

The two got up and walked outside to the parking lot. Yang Bin quickly stepped forward and opened the car door.

Zhou Hua joked, "Look, this is the difference between you and me. There are so many people in my company, and no one has ever been so perceptive as to open a car door for me. Sometimes, I even have to open it for them."

Nowadays, employees can't stand being treated badly. If you dare to make them feel bad, they'll turn around and leave, completely ignoring you.

"Think back to when I first graduated high school and became an apprentice. My master would point his finger at me and yell at me, but I didn't dare utter a sound."

"You can also hire a full-time driver, and he'll open the car door for you every day."

"Forget it, I like driving myself. It's better to spend the money I save on myself."

"Everyone has their darkest moments. If you can get through them and get back on track, the road ahead will be bright. If you can't get through them, you'll be stuck in the shadows for the rest of your life, unable to escape."

"As expected of a leader, he speaks with such eloquence."

Chen Shi followed Zhou Hua to a bustling food stall, which was packed with people.

Many working-class people took off their shirts inside and drank heartily.

The three sat down, and Zhou Hua said, "I like this atmosphere. I don't like going to fancy restaurants where people talk like mosquitoes; I can't stand it."

He called the boss, "Bring two bottles of baijiu," and ordered some dishes.

A short while later, the proprietress brought up the liquor, and Yang Bin picked it up and poured it for the two of them.

Zhou Hua glanced at Yang Bin. Was this guy mute? He hadn't said a word the whole time. He had good eyesight; someone who worked in the system, even a driver, could see what was going on.

Yang Bin poured wine for Chen Shi and Zhou Hua, filling two glasses, but didn't pour one for himself.

Zhou Hua asked, "Don't you drink?"

Yang Bin smiled and said, "I'm driving later, so I won't be drinking."

"It's okay, you can stay at my place later, no need to drive."

Chen Shi said, "We booked a hotel near the Education Department. We need to go to the Education Department tomorrow for some business. We'll head back later."

"Why stay at a hotel when you come to Yizhou? Cancel your reservation and stay at my place."

"I'm here on official business. Next time I come to Yizhou for leisure, I'll stay at your place."