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

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was July. Yang Xiaobo came to Chen Shi's office: "Director Chen, the education special fund support project for Chunyang County has been approved by the Department of Education. Nine counties have passed the review. The Department of Education has issued a notice that it will organize an expert review panel to conduct an assessment. The one with the highest score will be selected, and the Department of Education will invest 1 billion yuan of education special funds in the project in one go."

Chen Shi asked, "When will the expert review panel arrive in Chunyang County?"

"The expert review panel, from July 15th to August 15th, spent a month in two groups assessing the nine counties that had passed the review. They did not give any preparation time or give any prior notice; the decision was made by drawing lots."

Chen Shi then asked, "Don't they notify the Education Bureau either?"

"They conduct assessments in each county for five to seven days. Only after the assessments are completed will they notify the local education bureau to hold a symposium."

Chen Shi attached great importance to the education special fund support project and dared not slack off in the slightest: "Today is July 5th, and there are still ten days to prepare. Notify the principals of all central schools and members of the secondary leadership team that a director's office meeting will be held at 3 pm tomorrow. The three deputy directors should also attend."

Yang Xiaobo took out his notebook, wrote it down, and went down to distribute the notice.

Chen Shi picked up his phone, intending to call Zhao Ji's assistant, Ding Yi, but after thinking for a moment, he called Zhou Hua instead.

The phone rang for more than ten seconds before Zhou Hua answered: "Director Chen, what are your instructions?"

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Zhou Hua, you're not part of the system, so don't call me by my title. Just call me by my name from now on."

Zhou Hua smiled broadly: "I wouldn't dare."

"Calling someone by their name sounds more intimate."

"Okay, from now on I'll call you by your name. You're the leader, so follow my orders."

Are you busy?

"No rush, I left my phone in the office. I'm going to drop off a client."

"Is Section Chief Ding's house finished?"

"It won't be that fast. It will take another two months to finish all the renovations. The plumbing and electrical work will be completed, the ceiling will be installed, and the tiles will be laid. Now we're going to apply the latex paint. After that, we'll install the wooden flooring in the bedroom and make the custom wardrobe doors, etc. It will take at least two months."

Chen Shi emphasized: "Quality must be guaranteed."

"Don't worry, I personally oversee the process, and we use only the most environmentally friendly materials."

"Be sure to tell me how much it cost, and I'll transfer the money to you."

I'll issue you an invoice later.

After chatting for a few minutes, Chen Shi hung up the phone and dialed Ding Yi's number.

The call was answered quickly: "Director Chen."

"Section Chief Ding, it's been a long time since I called you. Please let me know when you're moving."

"The renovation isn't finished yet; it'll probably be done by October. We'll need to ventilate for three or four months, so we won't be able to move in until next year."

"Section Chief Ding, I'll wait for your notification."

Ding Yi knew the purpose of Chen Shi's call: "Director Chen, nine counties have passed the review for the special education fund support project. The Department of Education has organized an expert review panel to conduct assessments in the nine counties, and the one with the highest score will be selected."

The assessment will be conducted in nine counties over a period of one month, from July 15th to August 15th. There will be no prior notice; the results will be determined by drawing lots. Please be prepared.

Recently, many county leaders have come to the Education Department to see Director Zhao, but Director Zhao has refused to see any of them.

Chen Shi understood Ding Yi's meaning: at this time, he should avoid suspicion and not go to see Director Zhao, because even if he did, Director Zhao would not see him.

"Section Chief Ding, please let me know in advance if there are any new developments."

"Director Chen, don't worry. I'm keeping a close eye on the expert review panel. I'll let you know in advance if anything comes up."

Thank you.

Chen Shi hung up the phone and began to think about how to come up with a complete plan to meet the evaluation criteria of the expert review panel.

The ringing of his phone interrupted Chen Shi's thoughts. He picked it up and saw that it was Shen Xiaorong calling.

"Shen Xiaorong"

"Brother, the high school entrance exam results are out. Guess how many points I got?"

Chen Shi casually replied, "800 points."

"Here's a hint: it's two points higher than expected."

Chen Shi remembered that Shen Xiaorong had made a bet with Jiang Yiqiu last time. If Shen Xiaorong scored 789 points, she would have absolute freedom at No. 1 High School.

"791 points?"

"I had calculated that I would get 789 points, but I scored two points higher in Chinese, which was hard to control."

"You're amazing! You scored two points higher than expected. What is a top student? You are a true top student."

Shen Xiaorong sighed and said, "I didn't want to be famous, but I accidentally became the top scorer in the Chunyang County Junior High School Entrance Examination and the third-ranked scorer in the Mingzhou City Junior High School Entrance Examination. Fortunately, the top two scorers get bonus points, otherwise I would have become even more famous and directly become the top scorer in the Mingzhou City Junior High School Entrance Examination."

This was the first time Chen Shi had met her. Even those who achieved high scores have their troubles; the higher you climb, the colder it gets. Shen Xiaorong wanted to keep a low profile, but with so much attention on her, she couldn't.

No. 1 Middle School really struck gold this time.

Where are you now?

"I work part-time in Minnesota, where nobody knows me, so I feel comfortable. In Chunyang County, I often run into classmates who pull me aside for photos, as if it's an honor to take pictures with me."

Chen Shi instructed, "Mingzhou is not like Chunyang County. Be careful and call me if you encounter any difficulties."

"Okay, I understand. I've encountered a problem that I need your help to solve."

"What difficulties?"

"Last time, I made a bet with Director Jiang that if I got 789 points, he would give me absolute freedom. I made it clear that I would get two more points. This is a lesson for me. I can't make absolute statements in the future."

"Brother, please put in a good word for me with Director Jiang. Give me absolute freedom. You're the director of the Education Bureau; she'll listen to you."

Chen Shi thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be nothing. As long as the score exceeded 789 points, the previous bet would still stand.

"Okay, I'll talk to her about it."

"Brother, you're so kind."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi thought about calling Jiang Yiqiu, but then decided against it and would talk to her in person another day.

He checked Shen Xiaorong's middle school entrance exam scores: Mathematics 120, Physics 100, Chemistry 100, Chinese 112, English 118, History, Geography and Biology combined 117, Politics 94, and Physical Education 30.

Upon learning of Shen Xiaorong's middle school entrance exam results, Jiang Yiqiu arrived at Yang Xiong's office with a joyful expression.

"Principal, good news!"

Yang Xiong asked, "Director Jiang, where did this good news come from?"

"The results of the high school entrance exam are out. Shen Xiaorong scored 791 points, making her the top scorer in Chunyang County and the third-highest scorer in Mingzhou City."

Yang Xiong was overjoyed; he had struck gold this time. "Quickly contact Shen Xiaorong and protect her as a promotional tool for No. 1 Middle School."

"I'll call her later. During this time, we'll arrange for her to stay at No. 1 Middle School and give her a separate suite in the teachers' apartment. With her grades, she'll have no problem getting into Tsinghua or Peking University."

She scored 791 points, which was a bet with me. She said if she scored 789 points, she would have absolute freedom. A true academic genius can control their own score.

Yang Xiong said incredulously, "Director Jiang, if Shen Xiaorong gives it her all, wouldn't she have a chance to become the top scorer in the Mingzhou City high school entrance examination?"

Jiang Yiqiu nodded: "She has the ability."

Yang Xiong said with a look of delight, "No matter what conditions Shen Xiaorong proposes, we must meet them. Our school needs a top student like her to uphold its reputation."

Jiang Yiqiu readily agreed and left the office to contact Shen Xiaorong.