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

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Yiqiu drove back early in the morning and went to the temple to burn incense with Zhang Qingrong.

Chen Shi went home to sit with his parents. He only came back once a year, and his parents had more and more gray hair.

Throughout the day, many people came to visit, making it very lively. Chen Shi's wish to sit quietly with his parents became a luxury. He plans to take his parents to the county town for the Spring Festival next year, so that he can sit quietly with them for two days and chat about everyday things.

Jiang Yiqiu didn't return until after 5 p.m. Chen Xing came over to invite his parents and Chen Shi and his wife to his home for dinner.

Chen Shi didn't want to go, but Chen Xing called him three times. Wang Guihua said, "Your brother has made three trips already. Let's go eat instead of him running away."

Wang Guihua felt sorry for her son, and Chen Shi nodded in agreement when his mother spoke.

Chen Shi and Jiang Yiqiu came to Chen Xing's house for dinner with their parents. Chen Xing was busy in the kitchen. When he saw Chen Shi coming, he was very happy and quickly ran out to greet him.

"Dad, Mom, Xiaoshi, Yiqiu, come and sit down at home."

Wang Xiufen brought out stools: "Xiao Shi, Yi Qiu, sit down quickly, the food will be ready soon."

Chen Yanshi's face darkened. "I only eat at your house once a year, and you don't even call me."

Chen Xing prepared a table full of dishes, took out wine, and poured it for Chen Shi and Chen Yanshi.

Wang Guihua said, "Drink less alcohol. Your dad got drunk last night."

Chen Shi looked at Chen Yanshi: "Dad, just have one drink tonight. You have high blood pressure, remember to take your medicine on time."

"Xiao Shi, you came back for the New Year, unlike other cadres who, once they become leaders, become estranged from their families and never come home for the New Year."

Dad was happy and had a couple more drinks last night. Tonight, he'll have a drink with you two brothers.

You're going up tomorrow, and when you come back, another year will have passed. Your mother and I are getting old, and the days we can spend with you are becoming increasingly rare.

Wang Guihua chimed in, "We're not even sixty yet, we're still young, let's not say anything unlucky."

Chen Shi said, "Dad, Mom is right. You are still young. When you have time, I will take you to the county town and let you stay with us for a while."

Jiang Yiqiu replied, "When summer vacation comes, if I have time, I'll come down and pick up my parents to go on a trip and have some fun."

Chen Yanshi was in a good mood, smiling broadly: "Your mother and I are very happy that you have this intention. We never thought I would have this day."

We're old bones, let's not bother with all that. We're not used to going out; we'd rather stay home.

Wang Guihua looked at Jiang Yiqiu: "Yiqiu, your father and I have lived in Qinghe Village all our lives. We are not used to going outside. Last time I went to Yizhou with you, I felt that tourism was meaningless and more tiring than working at home."

When children show filial piety, they should respect their parents' thoughts. If what you do is a form of torture for your parents, you should stop immediately and not impose your own ideas on them.

When Chen Shi took Wang Guihua to Yizhou last time, Wang Guihua looked exhausted and didn't enjoy the trip. After that, she never thought about taking her parents on a trip again.

Wang Xiufen thought to herself, "I'm not destined to enjoy life. I won't even go on a trip." But then she thought, "If Chen Yanshi and Wang Guihua go on a trip, who will take care of the child? It's actually better for me not to go on the trip."

The family ate and chatted. After the meal, Jiang Yiqiu stood up to clear the dishes, but Chen Xing quickly said, "Yiqiu, your sister-in-law can clean up. Just sit and play."

Chen Xing glanced at Wang Xiufen, who quickly stood up: "Yi Qiu, I'll clean up. I called you all to eat, and you're washing the dishes? You won't come next time."

Jiang Yiqiu said, "We're family, it doesn't matter where we eat. Sister-in-law, let me help you with the washing."

Jiang Yiqiu and Wang Xiufen cleared away the dishes and went to wash them.

Wang Xiufen called out, "Chen Xing, the fireworks haven't been set off yet. Quickly take the children and go outside to set them off."

Chen Xing carried the fireworks outside to set them off. After Jiang Yiqiu finished washing the dishes, Chen Shi said to Chen Xing, "Brother, we're going back. We're heading back to the county town tomorrow morning."

"I'll cook breakfast a little earlier tomorrow morning, you can come over and eat before going upstairs."

Jiang Yiqiu replied, "We'll go to my parents' house for dinner tomorrow morning, sit down with them, and then we'll head back to the county town."

When he got home, more villagers came to visit. Chen Shi stayed with them until eleven o'clock before going to bed.

When the villagers saw that Chen Shi had gone to sleep, they all left, and the house became quiet.

Jiang Yiqiu got up early, put on makeup, and woke Chen Shi. Chen Shi was still reluctant to get out of bed and asked, "What time is it?"

"It's almost nine o'clock. Mom called me twice, telling us to hurry over because she's cooked dinner."

Chen Shi struggled for a moment before getting up, washing up, and going downstairs.

Wang Guihua asked, "Shall I cook noodles for you?"

Jiang Yiqiu said, "Mom, don't cook noodles. My mom has already prepared a meal and is waiting for you."

Chen Yanshi brought out the hams, and Chen Shi said, "Dad, you keep them for yourselves. We still have two more at home, we can't possibly finish them all."

"Your mother and I have bad teeth and don't like eating cured meat. You can take it and eat it slowly."

Chen Yanshi put the ham into the trunk.

Chen Shi thought for a moment. If he insisted on not taking it, his parents would be unhappy. Giving it to his superiors would be more meaningful than giving it as a gift.

Chen Xing also rushed over: "Xiao Shi, it's foggy, drive slowly on the road."

Chen Shi nodded and got into the car: "Dad, Mom, Brother, we're going back to the county town."

Wang Guihua watched her son drive away into the thick fog, feeling a little sad. Her husband was right; her son was successful, only coming home once or twice a year. The days when the family sat together were counted on one day at a time.

Chen Shi drove into the yard, where Jiang Huazhou and Zhang Qingrong greeted him at the gate. As soon as the car stopped, Jiang Huazhou quickly stepped forward and opened the driver's side door.

Chen County

As Chen Shi got out of the car, Jiang Huazhou greeted him with a broad smile, giving Chen Shi the illusion that he was there to inspect work.

"dad"

Jiang Huazhou said, "Please come in quickly."

Chen Shi entered the room, and Jiang Huazhou pulled out a chair for Chen Shi to sit on.

Jiang Yishan was annoyed that Jiang Huazhou had woken him up early to wait for Chen Shi. Seeing how respectful Jiang Huazhou was to Chen Shi, he looked at Chen Shi with a hint of hostility.

Jiang Yishan was slapped on the back of the head. He stood up reflexively. He was about to get angry, but when he saw that it was Jiang Yiqiu, he could only keep his temper in check.

"What are you doing sitting here? Go to the kitchen and bring out the dishes."

Jiang Yishan reluctantly followed Jiang Yiqiu to the kitchen to serve the dishes.

Zhang Qingrong prepared the dishes and waited, a whole table full of food. Jiang Huazhou brought out wine to pour for Chen Shi.

Chen Shi said, "Dad, I'm driving later, so I won't drink alcohol. I'll just have a soft drink."

"I'll have a drink too," Jiang Huazhou put down the wine bottle and poured a full drink for Chen Shi.

Jiang Huazhou picked up his drink: "County Chief Chen, let me toast you."

Chen Shi picked up his drink: "Dad, this is a toast to you."

Chen Shi lowered his cup, and Jiang Huazhou lowered it even lower.

Zhang Qingrong couldn't stand it anymore. "No matter how high-ranking you are outside, Chen Shi, if you marry my daughter, you're still a junior. We are the elders. How can elders be so servile to juniors?"

"Old Jiang, Chen Shi is our son-in-law. Don't act like we're at work, using his title. It's too formal. Just call him by his name; it'll sound more intimate, like we're family."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Dad, I'm not used to you calling me by my name and by my title."

Jiang Yiqiu chimed in, "No father-in-law calls his son-in-law by his title. Dad, it's more affectionate to call him by his name."

"Okay," Jiang Huazhou said with a big smile.

Jiang Yiqiu thought to himself that he didn't receive this kind of treatment in the Chen family. As the principal, he was not taken seriously by the Chen family at all.