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

When Wang Zhikai heard in his office that Dong Xuexi had brutally beaten Guan Ping and that Guan Ping had been taken away by an ambulance, he cursed Dong Xuexi in his heart for his lack of composure. He thought, "You should pretend to be the victim and demand justice from Chen Shi."

Chen Shi keeps saying he wants democracy and for everyone to speak freely. You've only said a few truths and you've already been retaliated against. What will the other people in the bureau think of Chen Shi?

You actually went and physically assaulted your superior. This is a major taboo within the system, and your political career is basically over.

No leader can tolerate their subordinates beating them up one day. If Dong Xuexi is severely punished, no one will stand by him. Chen Shi has a reasonable excuse to deal with Dong Xuexi.

He'd just go through the motions, going to the hospital to see Guan Ping. Dong Xuexi was a good-for-nothing, more trouble than he was worth, with absolutely no political sense.

All the vehicles from the Education Bureau had already left, so Wang Zhikai had to take a taxi to the hospital.

Seeing that Chen Shi and the others were there, he quickly greeted them, "Director Chen, you've all come."

Chen Shi and the others nodded to him. Wang Zhikai walked to Guan Ping's side and grasped Guan Ping's hand: "Section Chief Guan, are you seriously injured?"

Guan Ping's voice was weak: "Thank you, Director Wang, for visiting me. The doctor said I need to be hospitalized for observation for a few days. I have a concussion, and one of my teeth was knocked out."

Seeing Guan Ping's bruised and swollen face, Wang Zhikai said angrily, "How could Dong Xuexi lay a hand on a leader? He must be severely punished."

Guan Ping was satisfied with the attitude of the bureau leaders. His tooth was decayed and had been rotten for a long time. He had originally planned to have it pulled, but Dong Xuexi had done him a great favor.

Guan Ping's wife chimed in, "Leaders, you must uphold justice for my husband Guan and severely punish this Dong Xuexi."

Chen Shi gently comforted him, saying, "Section Chief Guan, the bureau will give you an explanation for this matter. Just focus on recovering."

Chen Shi gave a clear answer, and Guan Ping followed up: "Director Chen, I believe the bureau will uphold justice for me. The Personnel and Teacher Resources Department operates in accordance with the bureau's rules and regulations. Dong Xuexi's wife, Huang Feng'e, does not meet the transfer requirements. This transfer is mainly due to considerations of the impact. Dong Xuexi and Huang Feng'e live apart and often argue about this and threaten divorce. If they really divorce over this, it will have an impact on the bureau. That's why I tried to transfer Huang Feng'e to Zhongshan Elementary School."

Unexpectedly, Huang Feng'e had a history of corporal punishment of students. A parent reported this to Zhongshan Elementary School, which refused to accept her and issued a rejection letter. Our personnel and teacher recruitment department then cancelled Huang Feng'e's transfer. Dong Xuexi held a grudge, believing I had deliberately cancelled Huang Feng'e's transfer. He came to my office and verbally abused me. When I told him to leave, he attacked me, beating me to this state.

At this point, Guan Ping sighed.

Guan Ping's wife, with tears in her eyes and a sobbing voice, said, "Leaders, you all saw it. This Dong Xuexi beat my husband Guan Ping like this. He did it all for the sake of the bureau's work. If he doesn't give us a satisfactory answer, I'm going to the county government to demand an explanation."

Guan Ping snapped, "Shut up! The leaders will handle this. You have no right to speak here."

Guan Ping gave his wife a look, signaling her to stop. Chen Shi had already spoken and would give him an explanation. If she continued to nag, it would backfire and only anger Chen Shi.

His wife immediately shut up, lowering her head with a wronged expression.

Chen Shi said, "Section Chief Guan, take good care of your injury. We won't disturb your rest. We'll head back now."

Guan Ping was about to get up to see Chen Shi and the others off, but Chen Shi stopped him, saying, "Section Chief Guan, don't get up. Take good care of your injuries."

Guan Ping said with a grateful expression, "Thank you so much for coming to see me, leaders. Please take care."

He gave his wife a look, and she saw Chen Shi and the others off.

On the way back, Huang Ming and Chen Shi rode in Huang Ming's car. Chen Shi asked, "Director Huang, how should we handle this matter?"

Huang Ming said, "Director Chen, this matter has a very bad influence in the bureau and must be dealt with seriously. This Dong Xuexi first criticized the cadre activity center at the democratic life meeting. Xiao Guang stood up and said a few words to him, and he then made a personal attack on Xiao Guang. Now he has directly hit Guan Ping. This person cannot stay in the Education Bureau and should be transferred to a township central school."

Chen Shi had no intention of transferring Dong Xuexi beforehand. He believed that different voices should be heard during democratic life meetings, and he still had that much magnanimity.

What he could not tolerate was that people with ulterior motives took the opportunity to attack him by using Dong Xuexi, a frustrated clerk.

Chen Shi would not consider Dong Xuexi an opponent; he was unworthy. Any counterattacks would be directed at those behind Dong Xuexi.

Unexpectedly, Guan Ping acted on his own initiative, canceling the transfer of Dong Xuexi's wife, Huang Feng'e, which completely enraged Dong Xuexi, leading him to make an unwise move. Everyone is watching how the bureau's leaders will handle this.

If Dong Xuexi isn't dealt with, Guan Ping won't be able to stay in the Education Bureau any longer; his authority will be completely lost.

Today Dong Xuexi dared to hit Guan Ping. If anyone is dissatisfied with him, they can jump out and hit him next time. Whether it's a leader hitting a subordinate or a subordinate hitting a leader, as a leader, you lose face. If your subordinates don't respect you, you're no leader at all.

This resentment must be stopped. Dong Xuexi must be made to pay a heavy price so that others with similar ideas will not dare to challenge the authority of the leader.

"We will convene a director's office meeting tomorrow morning, with all members of the second-level leadership team in attendance, to discuss our handling of this matter."

"Okay," Huang Ming said, looking at Chen Shi. "Director Chen, come to my house for a couple of drinks."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "It would be too much trouble for you to come to your house. Let's have a couple of drinks outside."

"Xiaoman didn't go to work today. She's already prepared dinner at home. She'll be angry if I don't go home for dinner."

Chen Shi joked, "Okay, I'll come to your house for a couple of drinks. If you drink outside, I'm afraid you'll be kneeling on a washboard when you get home."

Huang Ming smiled, and Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to drive to Huang Ming's residential area.

After Huang Ming and Zhao Yiman got married, they bought a house outside and lived separately from their parents. Their relationship was actually quite harmonious.

Living with either parent for a long time will inevitably lead to conflicts, as lifestyle habits differ.

The young couple lived together comfortably, doing whatever they wanted without anyone saying a word.

Huang Ming rarely socializes outside; he always goes home to be with his wife after get off work.

The car stopped in the community parking lot, and Yang Bin got out and opened the car door for Chen Shi.

Just as I was about to open the car door for Huang Ming, Huang Ming pushed the door open and got out.

Huang Ming looked at Yang Bin: "Yang Bin, come up and have a couple of drinks with me."

Yang Bin quickly said, "My wife has cooked dinner at home. I'll go back and eat, and then I'll come over to pick up Director Chen."

Chen Shi said, "Yang Bin, go back and eat slowly. I'm going to have a couple of drinks with Director Huang. Come back in at least two hours later."

"Okay, Director Chen."

Chen Shi and Huang Ming arrived at his house. Zhao Yiman was busy in the kitchen and called out, "Hurry up and wash your hands, it's time to eat."

Huang Ming walked into the kitchen: "Make a few more dishes, I'll have a couple of drinks with Director Chen."

Zhao Yiman whispered, "Director Chen came to our house?"

"In the outer living room"

Zhao Yiman scolded, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Didn't I send you a message?

"My phone was charging in the bedroom and I didn't check it. When Director Chen comes, you need to call me so I can prepare the ingredients."

"It's okay, I'll take care of it."

"No, you should still go and keep Director Chen company. The fact that Director Chen came to our house shows that he considers you one of his own, so don't neglect him."