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

The promotional video for "Top Scholar's Notes" was filmed from 8:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night. Shen Xiaorong had never been so tired before. These unscrupulous merchants treated people like cattle and horses, Shen Xiaorong cursed inwardly.

Jia Dali walked up to Shen Xiaorong. He was attracted by her beauty. If she were an ordinary high school graduate, he would be willing to pay 100,000 yuan to seduce her into becoming his mistress.

After a day of interaction, Shen Xiaorong was much more mature than the average high school graduate, and he was not someone he could seduce.

A pair of rat-like eyes slept furtively over Shen Xiaorong: "Scholar Shen, that's all for today's filming. Thank you for your cooperation. Feel free to call me if you need anything."

Jia Dali handed Shen Xiaorong a business card, but Shen Xiaorong didn't reach out to take it. She coldly said, "Boss Jia, we will have no further contact."

He turned around and went back to the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment.

Chen Shi's car was parked in front of the teachers' apartment building. Seeing Shen Xiaorong walking over, Chen Shi got out of the car and said, "Xiaorong, you've worked hard."

Shen Xiaorong saw Chen Shi and gave him a sweet smile: "Mission accomplished."

I'll treat you to barbecue.

"I'll go upstairs to change my clothes and then come back down."

Shen Xiaorong went upstairs and came downstairs a little while later. Chen Shi opened the car door, and the two got into the car.

Chen Shi asked, "What kind of barbecue do you want to eat?"

Shen Xiaorong thought for a moment and said, "There's a newly opened all-you-can-eat seafood barbecue restaurant on the food street. Let's go try it."

Yang Bin drove to the food street, but Chen Shi told him to go back and not to come pick him up later; he would take a taxi home.

Yang Bin was very moved. A leader who cares about his subordinates is a leader who is worth following.

"Director Chen, I don't have anything planned for tonight. I'll come pick you up later."

"It's too late. By the time we finish our barbecue, it might be one or two in the morning. There's no need to pick us up. Go back and get some rest."

Yang Bin seemed about to say something but hesitated. Chen Shi said, "Yang Bin, you've been with me for two or three years, and I already consider you a friend. Just say what you have to say."

Yang Bin mustered his courage and said, "Director Chen, I want to be your driver forever. Wherever you go, could you take me with you?"

Chen Shi looked at Yang Bin with sincere eyes and nodded. Yang Bin was very steady and could keep secrets. When they arrived at the county government and got a different driver, Chen Shi would need some time to adjust.

As Yang Bin drove away, Shen Xiaorong said, "I can see a sense of righteousness in him."

"He's a veteran, and he exudes integrity."

Chen Shi and Shen Xiaorong arrived at a newly opened all-you-can-eat seafood barbecue restaurant. It cost 200 yuan per person, and they could eat as much as they wanted.

Shen Xiaorong liked seafood, so she brought over a full plate of seafood.

Chen Shi also went to get a plate and a few bottles of beer. Beer and seafood, so refreshing!

The night market is bustling in the summer, and this all-you-can-eat seafood barbecue restaurant is packed with people.

Shen Xiaorong attracted the attention of many men. Chen Shi felt that these people were like flies swarming around meat, all wanting to fly up and smell her.

"Xiao Rong, you must take good care of yourself when you go to university in Kyoto."

"I'm dressed up so nicely today because you're here to protect me. When I'm alone, I don't wear such eye-catching clothes. I hide myself in the dark so no one can see me."

Chen Shi knew that Shen Xiaorong could protect herself; it wasn't a good thing for a girl to be too beautiful.

If someone protects you, that's fine; if no one protects you, you're like a wildflower by the roadside—everyone wants to pluck one and hold it in their hand.

Having grown up without anyone to protect her, Shen Xiaorong learned to protect herself by hiding herself and avoiding attention.

The two ate and chatted. Chen Shi ate three plates of seafood, while Shen Xiaorong only ate one.

Chen Shi asked, "Are you full?"

"I'm full. Do you want more?"

"I'm not eating anymore. I'll eat too much tonight and won't be able to sleep."

Chen Shi picked up the beer bottle, poured the remaining beer into a glass, and raised the glass: "Let's have a drink, brother, I wish you a bright future."

Shen Xiaorong picked up her cup and clinked it against Chen Shi's: "I wish you a successful official career."

I'll add in my heart, "Always keep me in your heart."

After drinking the beer, the two stood up and left. With Chen Shi protecting her, these lewd men only dared to look and not make any moves. If Shen Xiaorong were alone, they would have harassed her.

Chen Shi took a taxi and first sent Shen Xiaorong back to the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment before returning to his home in Jingtai Garden.

I got home at 1 a.m.

Jiang Yiqiu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Chen Shi went to watch Shen Xiaorong film the promotional video for "Top Scholar's Notes," and she felt uneasy.

Hearing the door open, Jiang Yiqiu sat up and walked out of the room.

Chen Shi was surprised that Jiang Yiqiu was still awake so late.

"You're still awake?"

"I can't sleep," Jiang Yiqiu said, smelling the alcohol on Chen Shi. "Have you been drinking?"

"Shen Xiaorong didn't finish filming the promotional video until 10 p.m., so I treated her to barbecue and some beer."

Jiang Yiqiu said, "Shen Xiaorong is still very respectful to you, and she cooperated in filming the promotional video until 10 p.m.

I scheduled a video shoot with her tomorrow to film for recruitment promotions, but she only gave us two hours.

Chen Shi said, "This year, the admission score for your No. 1 Middle School will definitely skyrocket, and it may eventually surpass No. 6 Middle School."

"With Mingzhou No. 1 Middle School backing us up, what can we compare with them? We were just lucky this year, having a genius like Shen Xiaorong. There won't be another like him in the future."

"A genius like Shen Xiaorong is a once-in-a-century talent; Chunyang County will probably never see another like him."

Chen Shi went into the bathroom to take a shower. Jiang Yiqiu was uneasy. What was he worried about? Shen Xiaorong was going to study in Kyoto in two months, and she and Chen Shi would have no chance to cross paths again.

Back in my room, after going to sleep, I realized how ridiculous I had been, treating Shen Xiaorong as a rival in love. Was I just being paranoid?

After taking a shower, Chen Shi lay down next to Jiang Yiqiu. Jiang Yiqiu hugged Chen Shi tightly, feeling at ease and falling asleep peacefully.

Shen Xiaorong received her admission letter from the medical school of Tsinghua and Peking Universities on July 3rd, and she called Chen Shi.

Chen Shi was preparing for the election when he saw Shen Xiaorong's call and answered it.

Xiao Rong

"Brother, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Chen Shi had plans for the evening, but still said, "Okay, I'll pick you up after get off work."

Shen Xiaorong looked at the admission notice and laughed out loud from the bottom of her heart.

After Chen Shi got off work, he asked Yang Bin to drive to pick up Shen Xiaorong. Shen Xiaorong was standing by the window when she saw Chen Shi's car coming downstairs from her house.

Chen Shi got out of the car and saw Shen Xiaorong come out. He opened the car door.

Shen Xiaorong sat down, and Chen Shi asked, "What are you treating me to tonight?"

"Fried chicken and fries"

Chen Shi laughed, and Shen Xiaorong asked, "You don't want to eat?"

"I want to eat it. I like fried chicken and fries."

Shen Xiaorong took out her admission notice from her backpack and handed it to Chen Shi: "Brother, my admission notice has arrived."

Chen Shi received the admission notice and thought about his college entrance examination. He had been determined to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, but he failed and was left with regrets.

"Xiao Rong, congratulations on becoming an undergraduate student at Tsinghua or Peking University."

Chen Shi glanced at the admission notice and returned it to Shen Xiaorong.

Jiang Yiqiu came out of the office and saw Chen Shi's car picking up Shen Xiaorong. She wondered why Shen Xiaorong hadn't gone to university yet and hoped that Shen Xiaorong would leave soon.