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

After finishing their meal, Wang Guihua stood up to clear the dishes, and Jiang Yiqiu also stood up to clear the dishes.

"Yiqiu, sit down and rest. There aren't many bowls; I'll wash them in no time."

Wang Guihua was in a good mood. A major matter on her mind had been resolved: her youngest son was getting married. As for whether her son would have a wedding ceremony, she felt it was unimportant. She believed that a couple's life together had nothing to do with whether they had a wedding or not.

The more she looked at Jiang Yiqiu, the more she liked her. This girl was down-to-earth, suitable for a life together, not pretentious at all, and would do anything when she came home. She didn't even need to ask; she would offer to help.

She's a leader outside, but when she comes home, she doesn't act like one at all. She calls her mother "Mom" very affectionately.

"Mom, you're getting old, sit down and rest, I'll wash the dishes."

Jiang Yiqiu rolled up his sleeves and began clearing the dishes.

Chen Ai stood up: "Let's shower together, it'll be done in no time."

Chen Xing glanced at Wang Xiufen, who turned her head away. "Aren't these dishes enough for three people to wash? Why should I join in?"

Chen Xing stood up and poured water for Chen Shi and the others.

Chen Shi went to the room, took out three packs of good cigarettes, and tossed them to Chen Jianhua, Chen Jianyong, and Chen Xing.

"Take this and draw it."

Knowing that Chen Shi smoked a lot, Chen Jianyong chuckled and said, "Thank you, Xiao Shi."

Chen Jianhua awkwardly put the cigarette aside, intending to take it with him when he went back. He wanted to, but he couldn't show it.

Chen Xing took two or three cartons of cigarettes from his parents' house. When Chen Shi gave him one, he felt like a thief and asked Chen Shi for it. Could Chen Shi refuse? He should never do such sneaky things again. He should take cigarettes openly and honestly.

I put the cigarettes away in the bag to take with me when I get back.

After washing the dishes, Chen Ai went to the car, took out her bag, and handed a red envelope to Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, since you're not having a banquet, I'm giving you this red envelope in advance to wish you a long and happy marriage."

Chen Shi stood up and accepted the red envelope, saying, "Thank you for your blessings."

Chen Shi handed the red envelope to Jiang Yiqiu to put away.

Chen Jianyong took out a red envelope from his pocket: "Xiao Shi, you're usually so busy. I wanted to come and see you, but I was afraid it would interfere with your work. I wish you and your wife a happy marriage and many children."

"Thank you, Second Brother," Chen Shi said, accepting the red envelope. He hadn't wanted it in the first place. In the countryside, marriage is a big deal, and if you don't accept a red envelope from someone, they'll think you look down on them.

Chen Jianhua also took out a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, I wish you many sons to carry on the Chen family line."

"Thank you, brother." Chen Shi took the red envelope and handed it to Jiang Yiqiu to put away.

Chen Xing hadn't prepared any red envelopes, but seeing that everyone had given them, he gave Wang Xiufen a look, and the two went downstairs to their parents' room.

"Do you have any money in your pocket?" Chen Xing took out more than two thousand yuan from his pocket.

"I don't have any money in my pocket, it's all in my bag. I left my bag at home, I didn't bring it with me." Wang Xiufen asked, "What do you need money for?"

"Didn't you see? Big Sister and the others gave Xiao Shi a red envelope. Go back and get your bag, bring a red envelope over, and give it to Xiao Shi."

"Xiao Shi isn't hosting a banquet, so why should we give him a red envelope? The eldest sister gave Xiao Shi a red envelope because he helped them open the coal mine; how much money did he make?"

"We moved, and Xiao Shi gave us a big gift. He's getting married; aren't you going to return it?"

"We're moving and having a wedding banquet, but he's getting married without a banquet. What kind of gift should we give? He's going to buy a house later, so we can give him the gift when he moves."

Chen Xing was speechless for a moment: "You don't want to give away a single cent?"

Wang Xiufen shouted, "Are you stupid? Do you have too much money to spend? He's not even hosting a banquet, so why should we give him gifts? Besides, does such a high-ranking leader like him lack this little bit of money?"

Chen Xing glared at Wang Xiufen: "We don't lack this little bit of money."

"You may not need it, but I do. Is there ever a case of having too much money?" Wang Xiufen snatched the money from Chen Xing's hand. "Chen Xing, I'm warning you, you can't give a single penny. That's the rule. No banquet, no gifts. If you dare to give one, I'll never forgive you."

Wang Xiufen pushed open the door and came out, followed by Chen Xing, and then Chen Shi and the others came downstairs.

Chen Shi called out, "Brother, I'll take Mom and Dad to Yi Qiu's house for a visit. My older sister and brother-in-law will come too. You two will be in charge of feeding the two pigs that Mom and Dad raise tonight."

Wang Xiufen replied, "We don't need to feed them tonight; we'll kill them tomorrow morning."

Chen Xing looked at Chen Jianyong: "Second Brother, when you buy this one, should you take it back to kill it, or should you kill it together tomorrow morning and then take the meat back?"

Chen Jianyong said, "To avoid trouble, we'll kill them together tomorrow morning and take the meat back."

When Wang Guihua and Chen Yanshi came out after changing their clothes, Chen Ai said, "Mom and Dad, come and ride in our car."

Wang Guihua said, "The first time I go to Yiqiu's house, I bring a ham and some gifts."

Jiang Yiqiu said, "Mom, just go sit down, you don't need to bring anything."

"How can we go empty-handed on our first visit?" Wang Guihua said with a smile as she went to collect the gifts, while Chen Yanshi went to pick up the ham, which he had prepared in advance.

After putting the items in Jiang Yiqiu's car, Wang Guihua and Chen Yanshi got into Chen Ai's car, with Chen Shi driving in front and Zhang Gao following behind.

Upon arriving at Jiang Yiqiu's courtyard, Jiang Huazhou and Zhang Qingrong were waiting at the gate.

Chen Shi stopped the car and got out. Jiang Huazhou smiled and said, "Little Chen is here."

Chen Shi couldn't bring himself to call him "Dad," so he called him "Uncle" instead.

Jiang Yiqiu got out of the car, Zhang Gao parked the car, and Jiang Yiqiu went forward, opened the car door, and helped Wang Guihua and Chen Yanshi out of the car.

Jiang Huazhou walked over and said, "In-law, please come inside. It's cold; don't stand outside."

Chen Yanshi smiled and said, "Huazhou, I never expected to become in-laws with you. What a coincidence!"

"This is fate between the two children; they will be family from now on."

Zhang Qingrong greeted Chen Yanshi, Wang Guihua, Chen Ai, and Zhang Gao warmly.

Chen Yanshi called out, "Xiao Shi, bring the ham inside."

Jiang Yiqiu opened the trunk, Zhang Gao rushed to grab the ham, Chen Ai carried the gifts, and Wang Guihua also carried two boxes.

Zhang Qingrong smiled and said, "Come and sit down. What gift did you bring?"

She glanced at the gifts and still felt that they were too little. He was only giving so little to marry my daughter.

He still had a smile on his face, but didn't show it.

The group entered the house and sat down in the living room. Jiang Yiqiu made tea for Chen Yanshi, Zhang Gao, and Chen Shi.

Zhang Qingrong went to the kitchen to cook, Jiang Yiqiu went to help, and Chen Ai also went, but Zhang Qingrong pulled her to sit down in the living room.

"Sit down and rest, I'll be done soon."

Chen Ai said, "My aunt used to run a restaurant, and she cooked very delicious food."

"Eat more later," Zhang Qingrong said with a smile as he went to the kitchen to cook.

Jiang Yiqiu asked, "Where is Jiang Yishan?"

"Hiding in my room playing video games"

"He doesn't even come down to greet guests." Jiang Yiqiu went upstairs, pushed open Jiang Yishan's room door, and saw Jiang Yishan lying on the bed playing games with a scruffy beard. He was furious and grabbed Jiang Yishan's ear.

"All you do all day is play video games. Don't you have any serious business to attend to?"

Jiang Yishan shouted, "Let go! It hurts!"

Jiang Yiqiu let go: "Are you still going to play games?"

"What's the point of playing games on such a cold day?"

"We have guests today, didn't you know? They're such big people, why aren't you going to greet them?"

"The Chen family came to propose marriage, not me. Why should I receive them?"

Jiang Yiqiu grabbed Jiang Yishan's ear again: "Everyone who comes to our house is a guest, and we should treat them warmly. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

"Let go, I'll go, okay?"