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

Dong Xuexi arrived at the Education Bureau at 1:30 pm. He first went to Yang Xiaobo's office, sat there for a while, and then went to Xu Mengmeng's office.

"Director Xu"

Upon seeing Dong Xuexi, Xu Mengmeng stood up and said, "Principal Dong, please sit down."

"Director Xu, I'm here to report to Director Chen. Is anyone in his office?"

"No one's here. Have you called Director Chen?"

"I called Director Chen this morning."

"I've already called; we can just go there directly."

"Thank you, Director Xu," Dong Xuexi said as he entered Chen Shi's office.

Director Chen

"Principal Dong, please have a seat."

Chen Shi stood up, and the two sat down in the reception room. Chen Shi poured Dong Xuexi a glass of water.

Dong Xuexi said, "Director Chen, the main structures of several primary schools in Laoyan Town, which are part of the basic education pilot program, have been completed. They are now being renovated and are expected to officially open in March next year."

Chen Shi looked at Dong Xuexi: "Principal Dong, you did a great job completing the task assigned by the bureau in a short time."

"Thank you, Director Chen, for recognizing my work. I will strive to complete the tasks you have assigned me."

Dong Xuexi reported on other aspects of his work. The more Chen Shi looked at Dong Xuexi, the more pleasing he became. How could such a talented person have wasted so many years in the Party and Government Office?

After Dong finished his work report, he went home to rest. At 7:30 p.m., he first went to Yang Xiaobo's house to deliver a gift. After sitting for a while, he went to Xu Mengmeng's house to deliver another gift.

Xu Mengmeng was alone at home, so it wasn't convenient for her to stay long. After chatting for a few minutes, she left.

Dong Xuexi has gained the approval of the bureau leaders, and his work is progressing smoothly. The pilot project for basic education has been completed very well.

…………

Wang Yanhong and her husband Zhao Yongquan brought Wang Yanhong's father to Yizhou Huahai Hospital for treatment.

Wang Yanhong's father had cirrhosis and looked very unwell. Wang Yanhong helped her father wait at the door for his appointment.

Zhao Yongquan accompanied him. They had already undergone examinations at the First People's Hospital of Mingzhou and were diagnosed with cirrhosis. Upon arriving at Huahai Hospital, the doctor ordered further examinations to confirm the diagnosis.

When it was Wang Yanhong's father's turn to see a doctor, Wang Yanhong helped him inside and helped him sit down.

Zhao Yongquan handed the test results to the doctor, who glanced at them and said, "You have cirrhosis and need to be hospitalized for surgery to remove part of your liver."

The doctor looked at Wang Yanhong's father: "Do you have a habit of drinking alcohol?"

Wang Yanhong added, "He drinks frequently; sometimes he drinks two ounces of alcohol as soon as he gets up in the morning."

"You can't drink anymore. Here's some medicine for you to take home. There's a shortage of hospital beds right now, so you can't be admitted immediately. You'll have to wait in line until it's your turn."

Wang Yanhong had no choice but to get the medicine and go home to wait.

This wait lasted for more than a month. When I called the hospital to inquire, all I heard was that I still hadn't been assigned a bed.

Wang Yanhong's father's health is deteriorating, and if he is not hospitalized for treatment soon, he may not make it to the end of the year.

Wang Yanhong lies in bed all day, cared for by her mother.

When Wang Yanhong and Zhao Yongquan returned home and saw their father in this state, they were heartbroken and helpless. Surgery at other hospitals was too risky. Doctors at Mingzhou First People's Hospital suggested that the surgery be performed at Huahai Hospital, but they were not confident that they could complete the operation.

Wang Yanhong's mother said with tears in her eyes, "Yanhong, this can't go on. Your father used to be able to eat a whole bowl of noodles, but now he can't even eat half a bowl. We can't wait any longer. If we wait another month, your father's body probably won't be able to hold on."

Wang Yanhong looked at Zhao Yongquan, who had his head down. He was at a loss. He could get a hospital bed for 10,000 yuan from a scalper, but the treatment costs would not be reimbursed and would not be covered by medical insurance. It was as if the doctor was colluding with the scalper to take on private jobs and make extra money by using the hospital's equipment. After the surgery, he would have to be transferred to a third-party private hospital for rehabilitation, which would cost several times more than that of a public hospital.

Seeing that Zhao Yongquan remained silent, Wang Yanhong asked, "What did the scalper you contacted say?"

"The scalper is asking for a referral fee of 10,000 yuan for a hospital bed. The surgery is not covered by insurance, and the patient will be transferred to a private hospital for rehabilitation. They want us to pay 300,000 yuan upfront, with any overpayment refunded and any underpayment collected later."

Wang Yanhong simply couldn't come up with 300,000 yuan. The couple had spent all their savings on a house in town and were still owing the bank 100,000 yuan.

Even if I go to the bank for a loan, I can't get 300,000 yuan.

Zhao Yongquan pulled Wang Yanhong aside and whispered, "At Dad's age, he can't take any more stress. Surgery will drain his energy, and even if he has the surgery, the recovery process will be a huge problem."

Wang Yanhong said coldly, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Yongquan said in a low voice, "I think if conservative treatment is possible and surgery can be avoided, then it's best to avoid it. Otherwise, you could end up losing both your health and your money, and accumulating hundreds of thousands of yuan in debt."

Wang Yanhong stared at Zhao Yongquan: "If this were your own father, would you still say such a thing?"

"My own father is fine, I made the decision directly to opt for conservative treatment, he's too old to take any more risks."

Wang Yanhong snorted coldly: "Isn't it just that you're afraid of spending money? The surgery will cost more than 100,000 yuan, and the recovery afterward is also a big problem."

"Zhao Yongquan, I don't need you to pay. I can earn the money myself. If I don't get my dad the surgery, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life."

Zhao Yongquan quickly explained, "That's not what I meant."

"After we got married, you didn't give me a single penny of your salary. You took it all back to build houses for your parents and support your brother's education. I didn't say a word. Now that my dad is like this, you can say such things. It breaks my heart."

Zhao Yongquan scratched his head in frustration: "Yan Hong, it's heartbreaking to hear you say that. I did give some money to support my parents in building a house. The money for my younger brother's schooling was borrowed from him, and he's supposed to pay me back after he graduates from university."

You said I didn't give you a single penny, but I contributed 100,000 yuan to buy the house.

Wang Yanhong said coldly, "This 100,000 yuan was a loan you took out."

Zhao Yongquan looked at Wang Yanhong, surprised that she knew everything but just didn't say anything.

"Dad, I'll do whatever you say about treatment. It's just 300,000 yuan; I'll take out a loan."

"How much more can you borrow? You've already borrowed 100,000. Can the bank lend you more?"

"Don't worry about my dad's medical expenses; I'll figure it out myself."

Zhao Yongquan thought of Xu Mengmeng: "Yan Hong, you have a good relationship with Xu Mengmeng. You can borrow some money from her. Her husband is the captain of the criminal investigation team. He knows more people than we do. Maybe you can find some connections to help arrange a bed."

Wang Yanhong had no choice but to ask Xu Mengmeng for help. She went outside, took out her phone, and called Xu Mengmeng.

"Bright Red"

"Mengmeng, is it convenient for you to talk?"

"It's convenient, you tell me."

"My dad was diagnosed with cirrhosis, which is very serious. He went to Huahai Hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said he needed surgery. However, there was a shortage of beds, and we waited for more than a month without being able to get one."

My dad's condition is worsening, and I'm worried he won't be able to hold on..."

At this point, Wang Yanhong broke down in tears.

Xu Mengmeng knew that Chen Shi had feelings for Wang Yanhong, so she quickly comforted him: "Yanhong, it's okay. Why didn't you say so earlier? Director Chen often goes to Yizhou. He's studying for his master's degree at the Provincial Party School, so he must know people there. As long as you ask, he won't refuse."

Wang Yanhong didn't want to ask Chen Shi for help, but since it concerned her father's life, she had no choice but to ask Chen Shi for assistance.