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

When Wang Xiufen saw that Jiang Yiqiu gave red envelopes to Chen Ai's two children but not to her own two children, she angrily went to find Chen Xing.

"Chen Xing, go ask Xiao Shi what they mean. Jiang Yiqiu gave red envelopes to the two children in the eldest sister's family, but not to the two children in our family. The two children in the eldest sister's family are his nephews and nieces, while the two children in our family are his own nieces and nephews. We can't show favoritism."

Chen Xing looked at the toys in her son's hands: "They bought toys for Xiaomi Le and Xiao Huihui, but they didn't buy toys for the two children in the eldest sister's family. Besides, the two children in the eldest sister's family are older, so it's normal to give them red envelopes. Why are you arguing about this?"

"Toys are only worth a few dollars. I saw that the red envelopes Jiang Yiqiu gave to the two children in my older sister's family were bulging, at least a thousand dollars."

"Are you bored? How much they give is their business, it's none of your concern. Second sister-in-law is busy cooking, go and help her."

Wang Xiufen, holding her child, said, "I need to take care of the child."

"Little Huihui is so big now, he can play by himself, he doesn't need you to take care of him. Go and help with the cooking."

"With so many people around, what if Huihui falls? Don't worry so much about other people's business. Taking good care of the child is the most important thing, don't you understand?"

Chen Xing was speechless for a moment, then went to marinate the meat with Chen Jianhua.

Xu Hui was busy and sweating profusely. There were too many people coming to slaughter pigs today, forty or fifty people in total. There weren't many people to cook, except for Chen Jianhua's wife, Wang Guihua, who was old. She arranged to prepare the bowls and chopsticks. Chen Ai was a married woman who was a guest when she came back, and she would occasionally come over to help. Xu Hui told Chen Ai to rest.

Wang Xiufen was originally the main player, and she was the leader. She was holding a child and wandering around like an outsider.

She called Chen Jianyong over to wash the vegetables, Chen Jianhua's wife chopped the vegetables, and she was in charge of cooking.

Seeing that Xu Hui was too busy, Jiang Yiqiu changed his clothes, put on an apron, and joined in cooking.

It was cold, so all the tables were placed inside the house, five tables in total, like a banquet, and it was very lively.

Village committee cadres, including Tian Guangming, accompanied Chen Shi and sat at the main table.

Chen Shi is the highest-ranking leader to emerge from Fushan Town. It's not easy for a poor and remote place like Fushan Town to produce a leader at the level of section chief.

In the surrounding villages, everyone knows the name Chen Shi. Chen Shiyan is now respected not only in the village, but also by many strangers who come to the town to greet him.

When the town leaders saw him, they all greeted him warmly.

After everyone finished eating, they said goodbye to Chen Shi and dispersed.

Xu Hui, Jiang Yiqiu, Chen Jianhua's wife, and Wang Guihua, the four of them, didn't eat until after 2 p.m., and were starving.

Wang Xiufen helped clean up and wash the dishes, complaining to Wang Guihua, "Mom, so many people came just to slaughter a pig. Half of the pig was eaten. I think we should just sell it next year, and you can eat some and buy some, so there won't be any waste."

Wang Guihua said, "Your father and I have no worries about food or clothing. We slaughter a pig for the New Year just for the fun of it. People from the village come because they're giving us face. We won't eat much, will we?"

Wang Xiufen said discontentedly, "Look at this pig, how much is left?"

"Whatever's left is fine; it's meat for your New Year, so you won't be shortchanged."

When Wang Xiufen saw Chen Ai approaching, she stopped talking.

Wang Guihua said to Chen Ai, "When you go back, I'll give you a ham to take home and eat."

Chen Ai said, "We'll also slaughter pigs, but we don't want yours. We'll keep them to eat slowly."

So many people came to slaughter pigs today, there aren't many left of this pig. I'll bring you a ham after the New Year.

"Your father and I don't like to eat cured meat. We're getting old and our teeth aren't good, so we can't chew it. We'd rather buy some fresh meat than your ham."

"You slaughtered the pig early, take some lean meat home to eat."

When Wang Xiufen saw that Wang Guihua was going to give pork to Chen Ai, she quickly went to call Chen Xing, cut off the largest ham, and got more than ten kilograms of lean meat. She packed it into a basket and said to Wang Guihua, "Mom, we want a ham and some lean meat to take back for the New Year. You can slaughter the pig so we don't have to buy it."

Wang Guihua said, "Take whichever piece you like. You don't need to tell me. This pig is for you after it's been slaughtered."

Wang Xiufen was delighted and told Chen Xing to carry the ham back.

Seeing that there was very little pork left in the house, Chen Yanshi was very dissatisfied with Wang Xiufang. When she was slaughtering the pig, she didn't help with the cooking, but when it came to taking the pork, she was quick to take the biggest ham, which she had originally intended to leave for Chen Shi.

His name was Chen Jianhua. He cut off a ham, cured it, and gave it to Chen Shi to take to the county town to eat.

Seeing that Xu Hui was busy, Chen Shi joined her in washing the dishes and tidying up the table after they finished eating.

He walked up to Xu Hui and said, "Second sister-in-law, you've worked hard."

Xu Hui smiled broadly: "It's not hard work. People in the village like to ask me to cook for them when they need something done. I'm busy for two or three days at a time."

I'm used to it.

"I heard from my second brother that you won't be farming next year. You should go to the county town and do some small business."

"Farming doesn't earn much money, and it's exhausting. I want to go to the county town and open a small restaurant."

Your second brother works at the tobacco bureau, and I'm all alone at home. Without growing tobacco, I can't earn any money at all.

Chen Shi asked, "Second Sister-in-law, what is your educational background?"

I graduated from junior high school.

"You are still the most educated among them."

Xu Hui smiled broadly: "Yi Qiu is the most educated, a college student. My sister-in-law has never been to school, and Xiu Fen seems to have only completed fifth grade, a year short of elementary school."

Of Chen's daughters-in-law, Chen Shi had a very good impression of Xu Hui. She always had a smiling face, was diligent and hardworking, and had an optimistic personality.

"Second sister-in-law, running a snack shop is also hard work. If business is good, you can make money, but it's hard-earned money. If business is bad, you will lose money."

Would you like to work as a temporary worker at the power company?

Xu Hui really wanted to go; she dreamed about it. Chen Jianyong had mentioned it a few times, asking Chen Shi to arrange a temporary job for her.

Xu Hui felt that Chen Shi also had his difficulties. Since she had already made arrangements for Chen Jianyong, she shouldn't make things difficult for Chen Shi. She could work a little harder herself and open a small restaurant. Her cooking skills were quite good, so at least she wouldn't lose money.

She was surprised and delighted that Chen Shi had offered to do so: "Xiao Shi, are you comfortable making the arrangements?"

"Assigning a temporary worker shouldn't be a problem, but a permanent position is probably not an option, given your low educational level."

Xu Hui said with gratitude, "A temporary job is fine. With my education level, it's all thanks to your efforts that I have a job."

"I'll take care of it for you after I get to work."

Xu Hui was extremely grateful to Chen Shi. She never dared to dream that one day she would be able to have a government job.

Seeing that most of the people had left and that Chen Shi was no longer surrounded by anyone, Fu Gui walked over.

He took out a cigarette and handed it to Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, have a smoke."

Chen Shi took the cigarette, and Fu Gui quickly took out a lighter and lit it for Chen Shi.

Chen Shi took a puff of his cigarette and noticed that Fu Gui was a bit darker than before. He asked, "Are you getting used to working at the power bureau?"

Fu Gui grinned sheepishly, "It's a habit. Thank you, Xiao Shi, for helping me find a job."

"Do you frequently need to go out to repair electrical circuits?"

"I'm in the emergency response team. Most of the time, I have to go out to inspect and repair circuits, especially in winter when ice and snow severely damage the power lines, and I have to go out to repair them at any time."

Chen Shi patted Fugui on the shoulder: "Be careful when you go out to repair the circuit."

"It's very safe; the safety measures are very thorough."