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

Chen Shi returned to the private room and said with a smile, "Ping An, don't wait for me, eat first."

Xu Pingan said, "Director Chen, I'm not hungry."

Chen Shi sat down and picked up his chopsticks: "Eat quickly, it's cold, it'll get cold soon."

Xu Pingan chimed in, "We should order a hot pot."

"I've been eating too much hot pot lately, and I'm getting a sore throat and blisters on my lips."

The two chatted as they ate, and when they were almost finished, Xu Pingan put down his chopsticks and said, "Director Chen, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Xu Ping'an's, and drank it all in one gulp.

Xu Pingan picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for Chen Shi.

"Director Chen, when are you planning to hold the wedding?"

"We're canceling the wedding. After the Spring Festival, we'll just invite some relatives and friends to get together."

Chen Shi looked at Xu Ping'an: "Ping'an, actually I wasn't planning to get married. This is a last-minute marriage for the upcoming election in July. I want to run for executive deputy county head."

Xu Ping'an suddenly realized that Chen Shi had never mentioned marriage before, but suddenly they got their marriage certificate.

Chen Shi then said, "Ping An, you have to help me. Put in a good word for me with your father-in-law. He's the executive vice minister, and he has a lot of influence when it comes to recommending cadres."

Xu Pingan thought to himself that Chen Shi was a political novice. Why would he abandon Huang Xin, such a good backer, to marry Jiang Yiqiu? What was he thinking?

Everyone's asleep. If it were me, I'd break up with Jiang Yiqiu immediately and start dating Huang Xin. Huang Xin's uncle is Huang Ao, the chief steward and confidant of Xiao Chong, the municipal party secretary. Recommending a candidate for executive deputy county head would be a piece of cake. Why go through all this trouble?

He didn't show it on his face; things were already as they were, and there was no point in saying anything more.

"Director Chen, my father-in-law is an old-fashioned man. If you say something nice about someone in front of him, he will think that person is an opportunist. He will not only not say anything nice, but he will also oppose the promotion."

"When are you free? I'd like to take you to his house so you can chat with him directly and leave a good impression. That's more effective than saying nice things to him in person."

Chen Shi thought for a moment and realized that Xu Ping'an's words made sense. He planned to have dinner with Hu Santai and Ye Shanshan the night before: "Ping'an, are you free the day after tomorrow? Let's go up to Mingzhou and visit your father-in-law's family."

"The bureau isn't busy lately. We're going to Mingzhou the day after tomorrow morning to have lunch at my father-in-law's house."

Chen Shi raised his glass: "Ping An, thank you."

"Director Chen, don't be so polite with me. We're brothers in arms." Xu Ping'an raised his glass, clinked it with Chen Shi's, and drank the wine.

The two chatted and drank until nine o'clock before parting ways.

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to take her to the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment. She was getting her marriage certificate today and was going to accompany Jiang Yiqiu.

Upon arriving at the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment, Chen Shi got out of the car and said to Yang Bin, "Go back and rest. Don't come to pick me up. Come back at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

Yang Bin drove away. He really liked this job. Driving for the boss meant he was respected wherever he went. The main thing was that there was a lot of extra money to be made. He earned more from repairing cars and gas stations than from his salary.

Now he's a permanent employee with a formal position. If Chen Shi is in a good mood that day, he might be able to become a leader.

Yang Bin's status at home rose dramatically. Chen Shi helped him solve the problem of his government job, and Yang Bin was truly grateful to Chen Shi.

Just as Chen Shi was about to go upstairs, he met Shen Xiaorong at the top of the stairs; she was coming down from her room.

Chen Shi asked, "Where are you going so late?"

"It's not late, it's only a little past nine. I'm going to the supermarket to buy some things."

Shen Xiaorong looked at Chen Shi: "You and Principal Jiang got your marriage certificate?"

Chen Shi nodded: "I received it this morning."

"Why didn't you tell me about such a big thing as getting married beforehand? I'm your sister, and you're my only family in this world."

As Shen Xiaorong spoke, two tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn't know why she felt so sad. Chen Shi was thirty years old and would get married sooner or later. Why was she sad? Shouldn't she send him her blessings?

Chen Shi reached out and wiped away the tears on Shen Xiaorong's cheeks: "I've been very busy lately and it was my fault for not telling you in advance. I'll tell you if anything happens in the future. Don't cry."

Shen Xiaorong forced a smile: "Brother, I'm sorry. I was rude earlier. I've been under a lot of academic pressure lately, which makes me inexplicably angry. Plus, I got my period today, so I'm in a bad mood."

Go find Principal Jiang quickly, I'll go buy sanitary napkins.

Chen Shi called out, "Wait, there's no rush. I'll go to the supermarket with you, buy some ginger, and make you some ginger soup."

Shen Xiaorong looked at Chen Shi: "Brother, do you often make ginger soup for Principal Jiang?"

"Haven't I cooked for her yet?"

Have you ever stayed up for others?

Chen Shi thought about it carefully. Qin Min had told him that women should drink ginger soup when they have their periods, but he had never made it for her.

Wang Yanhong's periods are normal; I've never heard of her having any stomach discomfort.

Jiang Yiqiu had no idea when his period would start.

"No"

Shen Xiaorong suddenly felt much better. She went to the supermarket with Chen Shi and bought ginger and brown sugar. When they returned to Shen Xiaorong's place, Chen Shi made ginger soup for the first time.

The kitchen was kept very clean and spotless; Chen Shi liked women who loved cleanliness.

He didn't know how to make ginger soup, so he looked it up online and started making it.

Shen Xiaorong had been doing housework since she was a child and could do everything. She stood aside and quietly watched Chen Shi make ginger soup. Even if the steps were wrong, she didn't remind him and enjoyed the tranquility of the moment.

This was the first time a man had ever made ginger soup for me, and I felt very happy.

Chen Shi brewed some ginger soup, poured a bowl, and waited for it to cool before handing it to Shen Xiaorong: "Xiaorong, look at the ginger soup I made, is it drinkable?"

Shen Xiaorong took it, took a sip, and found it spicy; it was the worst ginger soup she had ever tasted.

Chen Shi asked, "Is it good?"

"Delicious!" Shen Xiaorong smiled and drank the ginger soup in the bowl in one gulp.

Chen Shi said, "You get some rest, I'm leaving now."

Shen Xiaorong watched Chen Shi's departing figure. He got married. What should I do?

She had planned to wait until after the college entrance exam, when she was eighteen and an adult, to tell Chen Shi what was on her mind and ask him to wait for her. Now it's all too late.

Let's talk about the future later; the current task is to prepare for the college entrance examination.

Shen Xiaorong poured out the remaining ginger soup, brewed some new ginger soup, and drank it.

Chen Shi knocked on Jiang Yiqiu's door. Jiang Yiqiu was sitting in the living room waiting for Chen Shi. It was already past ten o'clock, and he thought that Chen Shi would not come. When he heard the knocking, he hurriedly went to open the door.

Seeing Chen Shi standing at the door, she threw herself into his arms and said coquettishly, "I thought you weren't coming."

Chen Shi picked up Jiang Yiqiu, carried her into the room, locked the door, and whispered, "Today is the day we get our marriage certificate. No matter how busy I am, I will come back to be with you."

"It's so good to have a husband," Jiang Yiqiu said with a happy expression.

Chen Shi carried Jiang Yiqiu into the room and placed him on the bed. Jiang Yiqiu said shyly, "In ancient times, tonight would have been our wedding night."

Chen Shi grinned mischievously: "We've already consummated our marriage."

Jiang Yiqiu punched Chen Shi in the chest: "You're so mean."