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

Chen Shi stood up, smiling, and said, "Director Li, please sit down, don't get agitated."

Li Zhe, indignant on behalf of Chen Shi, plopped down on the sofa and solemnly said, "Director Chen, it's really difficult to get anything done within the system. You came to the Education Bureau and accomplished in just a few months what Li Changming couldn't do in four or five years. Instead of gratitude, the people below are resentful. Because some people didn't get any benefits, they took the opportunity to form cliques and attack you. I'll be the first to stand up against their despicable behavior and fight them to the end."

Chen Shi looked at Li Zhe and said slowly, "On my first day in the Education Bureau, I said that the Education Bureau is a place that emphasizes democracy, especially in democratic life meetings, where everyone speaks freely."

Dong Xuexi stepped forward and expressed his views, which, as everyone knows, were directed at me. I was the one who approved the renovation of the cadre activity center.

Dong Xuexi had just stepped forward and said a few unpleasant things when I immediately transferred him away. What will the other cadres think of me?

They talk a big game, saying one thing and doing another. Will there be any cadres like this in the future who believe what I say?

Director Li, you're right. Dong Xuexi is being directed by someone, but it's not Guan Ping; it's someone else. I know what's going on. You don't need to get involved in this matter; just continue as usual.

Li Zhe originally intended to use this opportunity to remove Guan Pingzheng so that Ding Xiaochi could take over as the head of the Personnel and Faculty Department.

He didn't have any personal grudges against Guan Ping. The position of head of the Personnel and Faculty Affairs Department was very important, and he just wanted to put his own person in charge.

Chen Shi told him not to interfere, so Li Zhe had no choice but to keep quiet. Saying anything more would have the opposite effect; he was just showing his loyalty to Chen Shi.

Guan Ping acted swiftly; Huang Feng'e received a notification that afternoon that her transfer order had been revoked. She suddenly felt as if she had been struck by lightning, losing her balance and nearly falling.

The reason is simple: after investigation, it was found that she had physically punished students, and some parents reported this to Zhongshan Primary School, which then refused to accept Huang Feng'e.

Huang Feng'e didn't know how she got out of the principal's office. The most painful thing is to be given hope and then despair.

She returned to her residence in a daze and took out her phone to call Dong Xuexi.

When Dong Xuexi received Huang Feng'e's call, his heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling. He answered the phone and heard Huang Feng'e shouting hoarsely, "Dong Xuexi, what have you done? You should punish me!"

Dong Xuexi quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

"You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask? Zhongshan Elementary School received a report from a parent saying that I had physically punished students, and they refused to accept me. The Education Bureau rescinded the transfer order, and I became a laughing stock among my colleagues."

Dong Xuexi didn't expect it to come so quickly; his transfer order was about to be issued as well.

Dong Xuexi gave a bitter smile: "I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this. At yesterday's democratic life meeting, I offended Chen Shi. Chen Shi kept talking about democracy and letting everyone speak freely, but it was all a bunch of lies..."

Before Dong Xuexi could finish speaking, Huang Feng'e roared, "Dong Xuexi, are you out of your mind? The leader told you to speak, so just speak! Why don't others speak? Why are you different? You're just a big idiot."

Dong Xuexi said calmly, "Huang Feng'e, let's get a divorce."

Huang Feng'e was stunned. She had no intention of getting a divorce. She was already old and had a child to support. Dong Xuexi was at least a cadre. Even if he couldn't be a leader, his job was stable and he could retire. It was still better than marrying a teacher.

As a teacher herself, she knows how difficult it is for teachers. They have to greet anyone from the education bureau with a smile.

The two were silent for a few seconds. Huang Feng'e controlled her emotions. She didn't want to lose her husband after just losing her job transfer.

He said calmly, "Dong Xuexi, listen carefully. I don't agree to a divorce. If you insist on it, you'll have to compensate me for the loss of my youth—one million. Do you have that much?"

Dong Xuexi said in a low voice, "I've offended my superiors and will be transferred soon, possibly to a remote township. Don't you agree to a divorce?"

"I disagree. I won't get a divorce no matter where you're transferred to. This is my fate, and I accept it."

Dong Xuexi took a deep breath: "If they won't let me have an easy time, I won't let them have an easy time either."

Huang Feng'e cried out, "Dong Xuexi, you can't do something foolish! The child is still young, she needs you, do you hear me?"

Dong Xuexi hung up the phone. He had been a coward for more than ten years, not wanting to offend anyone. As a result, he offended everyone. When he was in trouble, no one came forward to speak up for him.

He wanted to find Guan Ping and ask him why he canceled Huang Feng'e's transfer. Did he think that having power meant he could do whatever he wanted and treat ordinary cadres like dirt? He had offended Chen Shi, but not him, so why was Huang Feng'e's transfer canceled?

The more he thought about the grievances he had suffered over the years, the angrier he became. When it came to promotions and benefits, he was never given any; the dirty, tiring, and low-yield jobs were all his.

After years of working hard without complaint, it's time for him to explode. Since he's going to be transferred anyway, he dares to openly rebuke even Chen Shi, let alone Guan Ping.

He stormed into Guan Ping's office, only to find the door closed. He kicked it open with a loud bang, startling Guan Ping who was drinking tea. Guan Ping's hand trembled, and the teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

Dong Xuexi walked into the office, his face full of anger. Guan Ping was furious. Who dared to act so arrogantly here? He said coldly, "Dong Xuexi, what's wrong with you? Get out of here!"

Dong Xuexi roared, "Guan Ping, what have I done to offend you? Why did you cancel my wife's transfer?"

Guan Ping stood up and looked directly into Dong Xuexi's angry eyes: "What are you shouting about? I didn't cancel your wife Huang Feng'e's transfer. It was Zhongshan Primary School that refused to accept her and issued a rejection letter. If you're angry, go to Zhongshan Primary School and vent your anger. Don't come to my office and act like a country bumpkin, throwing a tantrum."

The office was surrounded by people, but no one dared to come and watch. They pretended to be passing by and eavesdropped on the argument inside.

Zheng Yaoguang, deputy head of the Personnel and Faculty Affairs Section, heard the commotion and stood in his office to listen to the noise.

Zheng Yaoguang was previously the deputy head of the finance department. He had only recently been transferred to the personnel and teacher training department, where he didn't yet have much say.

He became a bystander, listening to the noise outside.

Dong Xuexi said coldly, "Guan Ping, are you also planning to transfer me? Did I say anything wrong at the democratic life meeting? We have more than 500,000 yuan to renovate KTV rooms, but we don't have money to give teachers bonuses. You keep talking about democracy, but when I stand up and say a few words of truth, you bunch of lackeys come to attack me."

"I'm barefoot and fearless, I'm not afraid of anyone. I'll just ask you one question: can my wife's transfer be reinstated?"

Guan Ping shouted, "Dong Xuexi, you mad dog, you bite anyone you see, get out of here!"

Dong Xuexi pointed at Guan Ping: "Who's the mad dog? Say it again and I'll beat you up."

Guan Ping's anger flared: "Dong Xuexi, you're a mad dog, get out of my office!"

"Who the hell are you calling a mad dog?" Dong Xuexi's veins bulged as he raised his fist, the size of a sandbag, and punched Guan Ping.