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

Chen Shi chatted with Song Ya and Li Nan, making Song Ya and Li Nan laugh so hard they couldn't breathe.

Wang Xiaoya and Wang Xincheng came downstairs, with Wang Mingzhang following behind. The living room instantly fell silent.

Wang Xiaoya's lips curled up in a smug smile, while Wang Xincheng's face darkened. Song Ya stood up, walked to Wang Xincheng's side, and whispered, "Don't keep that long face. Smile. Keep your unhappiness inside, don't show it on your face."

Wang Xincheng said in a low voice, "Still smiling? I promise I won't cry, okay? The company that Wang Xiaoya took away will all be hers from now on. She didn't get a single one back."

"It's alright, as long as she stops taking from us. If we can't afford to offend her, can't we at least avoid her? With my brother's connections, we can go to the county town to develop our business."

"If you keep a long face, our eldest brother will be unhappy and completely abandon us, which will be a dead end, understand?"

"They're born of the same mother, but I'm an outsider. I'll keep my distance from them in the future."

"You're an outsider anyway, so give me a smile." Wang Xincheng forced a smile, which looked worse than a grimace.

Song Ya greeted her with a smile: "Xiao Ya, where did you buy this coat? It's so beautiful. I'd like to buy one too, but unfortunately I don't have the money."

Wang Xiaoya said smugly, "This is a big international brand. One coat costs 80,000 yuan. You can't afford it."

Li Nan chimed in, "Why can't Song Ya afford it? It's only 80,000!"

"Sister-in-law, do you think everyone is like you, with money to burn?"

When Chen Shi saw Wang Mingzhang come down, he quickly greeted him, "Uncle."

Wang Mingzhang nodded to Chen Shi with a blank expression, and everyone fell silent when they saw Wang Mingzhang come down.

The nanny, Xiao Chen, called out, "Dinner's ready!"

Wang Mingzhang walked over and sat in the middle, and the others followed and sat around him on both sides.

Wang Mingzhang looked at the nanny, Xiao Chen: "Bring two bottles of wine."

Chen Shi, being the younger generation, wanted to stand up to get the wine, but not knowing where it was, he didn't move. When the nanny, Xiao Chen, brought the wine, Chen Shi stood up and said, "Sister Chen, give me the wine."

Chen Shi took the wine, poured some for Wang Mingzhang first, and then for Gao Zhiyuan.

Wang Xiaoya said, "Pour less. Your uncle's liver was ruined by drinking too much. He had to stay in the hospital for half a month."

Gao Zhiyuan said, "Chen Shi, fill it up, don't worry about it."

Wang Mingzhang looked at Gao Zhiyuan: "If your liver isn't healthy, drink less."

Gao Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Just pour half a cup."

Chen Shi poured wine for Wang Xincheng. Everyone present was a leading cadre, and only he and Song Ya were ordinary people. Chen Shi quickly said, "Xiao Shi, I can do it myself."

"Uncle, let me pour you some."

Wang Xincheng secretly vowed to make sure his son pursued a career in politics. Doing business was too frustrating; a single word from someone could bring you back to square one.

No one touched their chopsticks; they all looked at Wang Mingzhang, who asked, "Where's Lingze?"

Li Nan replied, "I went out with friends and won't be back for dinner."

Wang Mingzhang raised his glass: "Today is a day when our whole family is gathered together. We are usually busy with our own things, so it is difficult to get together. Don't feel restrained or inhibited just because I am here. Everyone can speak freely and do whatever they want."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank the wine.

Chen Shi and the others raised their glasses and clinked them with Wang Mingzhang.

Li Nan and other women drank beverages and clinked glasses with the others.

The group ate and chatted, but with Wang Mingzhang present, they still couldn't relax.

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass and toasted everyone, starting with Wang Mingzhang. He was about 70% drunk and felt a little dizzy.

Jiang Yiqiu picked up his drink, stood up, walked to Wang Mingzhang's side, and bowed to offer a toast.

"Uncle, let me toast you. I'm just having a soft drink; you don't need to drink alcohol."

Wang Mingzhang was not familiar with Jiang Yiqiu. Li Nan said, "She is Xiao Shi's wife, Jiang Yiqiu, the principal of Chunyang No. 1 Middle School."

Wang Mingzhang nodded to Jiang Yiqiu as a greeting.

Jiang Yiqiu offered drinks to everyone, hoping to become a familiar face to them.

Gao Zhiyuan raised his glass: "Chen Shi, this is your uncle toasting you. You haven't been to my house yet, you must come over tomorrow. I heard you've become the executive deputy county head, you're young and promising, you'll catch up with me in a few years."

Wang Xiaoya glanced at Wang Mingzhang: "Chen Shi has someone to take care of him and has risen through the ranks smoothly. Unlike us, we were transferred to the retirement department at a young age and left to fend for ourselves."

Li Nan disliked her sister-in-law and used serving chopsticks to put food on Chen Shi's plate: "Xiao Shi, eat more."

Chen Shi quickly said, "Thank you, Auntie."

He looked at Gao Zhiyuan and said, "Uncle, I am the junior, how dare you toast me? I will toast you instead."

"Don't be shy, we're all family, it doesn't matter who toasts us." Gao Zhiyuan clinked glasses with Chen Shi and drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Mingzhang looked at Chen Shi: "Chen Shi, you've had a bit too much to drink tonight. Don't get drunk."

"I'm a little tipsy, thank you for your concern, Uncle."

Li Nan asked the nanny, Xiao Chen, to make a hangover soup.

Wang Xiaoya said, "Chen Shi, I have a friend who works in the office supplies business. From now on, we can have him supply the various units of your Chunyang County government."

Chen Shi looked at Wang Xiaoya and asked, "Who are you? You come up here and ask to supply office supplies for the entire Chunyang County."

With a smile still on her face, she said, "Auntie, this isn't my responsibility. Each unit makes its own purchases. Chunyang County government is poor and rarely buys new equipment. I don't know the specifics either. I'll ask your friend to find out the details from the relevant person in charge."

Wang Xiaoya snorted coldly: "You've only just become the executive deputy county head, and you're already talking to me like that. If you were the county head, I'm afraid I'd have to report to higher levels just to see you."

Li Nan put down her chopsticks: "This is a family dinner, let's not talk about work."

Wang Mingzhang looked at Wang Xiaoya, telling her to tone it down. Wang Xiaoya was still afraid of Wang Mingzhang, so she lowered her head and ate her food.

Even within a family, there are always those who spoil the mood; a lively family dinner suddenly becomes quiet.

Song Ya tried to liven up the atmosphere by telling jokes, which made everyone burst into laughter, even Wang Mingzhang had a smile on his face.

Chen Shi hadn't expected Song Ya to have this ability.

I heard from my mother that Wang Xincheng had a very hard life before he got married, and only became successful after marriage.

Chen Shi found the reason: Wang Xincheng had a fiery temper and was not favored by Wang Mingzhang and his son. Song Ya was good at handling things and acted as a lubricant between them, bringing them closer.

Like Li Nan, Song Ya has a face that looks like she's bringing good fortune to her husband.

Everyone chatted and laughed. After finishing their meal, Wang Xincheng and Song Ya sat for a while. Song Ya said to Chen Shi, "Come over to my house for a visit. Yi Qiu hasn't been here before."

Chen Shi drank the hangover soup and felt better; his head wasn't as dizzy anymore.

"Aunt, Yiqiu and I will come over tomorrow morning."

Song Ya said to Li Nan, "Sister-in-law, we're going back now."

"It's still early, let's sit for a while longer."

"It's getting late, we'll come again when we have time." Song Ya looked at Wang Mingzhang: "Brother, we're going back now."

Wang Mingzhang nodded.

Chen Shi had been observing Wang Mingzhang closely, but Wang Mingzhang showed no expression, revealing neither joy nor sorrow. Chen Shi realized he still had a lot of practice to do.

Being a high-ranking leader isn't easy; you have to maintain a certain image even at home.

Li Nan saw Song Ya and Wang Xincheng off at the door, and only returned after they left.