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

Huang Xin played three accompaniments and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. Chen Shi went to the bathroom and came out. He saw Huang Xin washing her hands, walked over, and gently patted Huang Xin's buttocks. Huang Xin turned around angrily and slapped Chen Shi. Chen Shi was quick and grabbed Huang Xin's hand.

He said with a grin, "Minister Huang, that's too violent. You beat people up whenever you see them."

Huang Xin, provoked by Chen Shi, became enraged and shouted, "Let go! If you don't let go, I'll call the police and accuse you of sexual harassment!"

Chen Shi had long seen through Huang Xin's pretense; he wanted it in his heart, but his face remained aloof, keeping everyone at arm's length.

Chen Shi didn't let go; he grabbed Huang Xin and pulled her into his arms.

Huang Xin's heart was pounding; she hadn't expected Chen Shi to be so bold.

"Chen Shi, what are you doing? Let go!"

Chen Shi pushed open the bathroom door, locked it, pinned Huang Xin against the wall, and forcefully kissed her.

Huang Xin struggled desperately, but Chen Shi held her tightly, and she couldn't push him away at all.

Huang Xin and her ex-boyfriend had only kissed a few times and had not made any more intimate moves. She did not expect Chen Shi to be so domineering and to forcefully kiss her.

The kiss lasted for a minute before Chen Shi released Huang Xin, opened the bathroom door with a mischievous grin, and walked out.

It took Huang Xin a while to come to her senses. She realized that Chen Shi had forcibly kissed her. She wanted to call the police, took out her phone, and then put it back in her pocket. Her feelings were complicated. Why did she still feel a little reluctant to accept Chen Shi's kiss?

Men usually smell bad, but Chen Shi's scent made her linger, and she hoped the kiss could last a little longer.

Huang Xin blushed and looked at herself in the mirror for a while, wondering if she had fallen for Chen Shi. He had a girlfriend, but then she thought, they weren't married. Married people can get divorced, so why couldn't she try to win him over?

Huang Xin has always been proud since childhood. How could she possibly lower herself to pursue Chen Shi? Impossible, absolutely impossible.

She pretended nothing had happened and returned to the private room. If any other man had dared to provoke her like that, she would have called the police and had him arrested long ago.

Chen Shi acted as if nothing had happened, ignoring Huang Xin completely, and chatted with Zhang Xiangdong.

The singing lasted until after 1 a.m. before it ended. Qin Xiaoming arranged for his own car to take Huang Xin home. He had called Huang Xin out to protect her safety.

When Huang Xin got on the bus, she glanced at Chen Shi. Her feelings for Chen Shi were complicated. Sometimes she disliked him, and other times she really wanted to see him.

In particular, he was not disgusted by his own misconduct; on the contrary, he seemed to be looking forward to it and hoped that the other man would be even more unrestrained.

After seeing the leaders off, Chen Shi went back to rest.

The next day at work, Chen Shi called Yang Xiaobo to his office.

Yang Xiaobo walked into the office: "Director Chen, you wanted to see me?"

"Old Yang, have a seat."

Chen Shi poured Yang Xiaobo a cup of tea. Yang Xiaobo was flattered and quickly said, "Director Chen, let me do it."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo: "Old Yang, you've been the director of the Party and Government Office for many years now. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

He had already had the idea. Who doesn't want to improve? He didn't know what Chen Shi meant. Suddenly, he realized that Wang Zhikai was in jail and the bureau was short of a deputy director. Was Chen Shi trying to promote him?

He felt a surge of joy inside, but he didn't show it on his face, remaining very calm: "Director Chen, I don't have any particular thoughts, I just want to assist you in your work and do it well."

Yang Xiaobo understood his superiors' minds well. The more you showed that you wanted it, the less likely they were to promote you. But Chen Shi was no ordinary leader. He smiled and looked at Yang Xiaobo: "Old Yang, Wang Zhikai got in. The bureau is short of a deputy director. Do you have any ideas?"

Even now, Yang Xiaobo still doesn't understand what Chen Shi means. He's just a fool. Chen Shi wants him to bring it up, so he does, which means he owes Chen Shi a huge favor and is forever tied to Chen Shi's cause.

Yang Xiaobo had no powerful backers, so clinging to Chen Shi was his only option.

With a sincere expression, he said, "Director Chen, I'm almost forty. If I'm not promoted to deputy section chief now, I'll never have another chance in my life."

Meeting a mentor like Director Chen is the greatest honor of my life. From now on, I will be your subordinate and follow you to the death.

Chen Shi nodded in satisfaction: "Old Yang, Minister Qin from the Organization Department talked to me and asked if I had any suitable candidates. I think you are conscientious and responsible in your work, have an excellent work style, and are qualified enough. You are the best candidate for deputy director."

"Promotion is not up to me or any one person; it's a decision made by the organization. During this period, you need to perform well and avoid mistakes. You still have a chance at deputy director."

Yang Xiaobo had his eye on the deputy director position for a long time. His main purpose in helping Chen Shi bring down Wang Zhikai was to secure this deputy director position.

He couldn't bring it up directly to Chen Shi. If he did, Chen Shi would see through everything he had done. Leaders hate subordinates who play tricks behind their backs.

He had carefully considered that Chen Shi didn't have many trusted confidants in the Education Bureau. Yang Bin was one of them, but he posed no threat to Yang Xiaobo. Yang Bin was a contract worker and didn't even have a formal position. At most, Chen Shi could give him a permanent position.

In the Education Bureau, there are many qualified and respected candidates to be promoted to deputy director. Chen Shi is Liu Youguang's confidant, and his opinions are very important, even directly adopted.

Yang Xiaobo was confident that among the many candidates, he was Chen Shi's most trusted confidant and would definitely recommend him for the position of deputy director.

"Director Chen, as the head of the Education Bureau, the organization will certainly give your opinion serious consideration."

Do you have plans for tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner.

Chen Shi thought for a moment, and since he didn't have any important plans for the evening, he said, "Okay, you decide on the location, just let me know when the time comes."

"How about a courtyard for the whole family?"

"You can arrange things like meals."

Yang Xiaobo repeatedly agreed and left.

On the other side, Ma Guanghui went to the Discipline Inspection Commission to find his uncle, Ma Chunlan. He entered Ma Chunlan's office with a big smile on his face: "Uncle, you are so busy. I have been waiting for an hour to see you."

"What's the matter? Can't you wait until you get home to talk about it? You're not a member of the Discipline Inspection Commission, why are you reporting to me?"

Ma Chunlan didn't think highly of her cousin.

Ma Guanghui said with a forced smile, "This matter is very important, as it relates to my nephew's career. Wang Zhikai, the deputy director of the Education Bureau, is under investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission for embezzlement and bribery, and his position as deputy director has become vacant. My opportunity has arrived."

Uncle, you're getting old now. In our Ma family, only I can take over your job. In the system, once you leave, the relationship fades away. After you retire, no one will be there to support you, and it will be very lonely.

If you promote your nephew, the Ma family will have someone to rely on after you retire.

When I went to Shangying Town, I strictly restrained myself and didn't get drunk again. If I did drink, it was only one or two drinks. This is my only chance, nephew. Please help me.

Ma Chunlan said irritably, "The Education Bureau is Chen Shi's territory. He is Secretary Liu's confidant and the candidate for deputy director. Whoever he says, Secretary Liu will definitely support."

Forget about becoming a deputy director. Go back to your job and work hard. When the opportunity arises, I'll transfer you to another department and try to get you promoted to deputy section chief.

Upon hearing this, Ma Guanghui became anxious. He was already over thirty years old, and if he didn't get promoted to deputy section chief soon, when would he ever have another chance?