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

Chen Shi released Gu Jia: "Let's go."

"Where to?"

"Didn't you want me to go to the movies with you?"

"Wait for me to change my clothes," Gu Jia said as she went into the bedroom. She didn't come out for more than twenty minutes. Chen Shi thought to himself, "Women are so troublesome."

Gu Jia went in, changed her clothes, and touched up her makeup before coming out.

Arriving at a nearby shopping mall, the two went to a movie theater, where Chen Shi asked, "What movie are we going to see?"

"Don't wait, it can start playing right away."

Chen Shi looked surprised: "I thought you had already chosen the film source?"

"What we watch isn't important, what's important is that I want to watch a movie with you."

The only shows that were going to be shown right away were anime. The two of them watched the anime together. Most of the people watching the movie were children.

After watching the movie, at 7:20, Gu Jia took Chen Shi to a farmhouse inn in the Minghu Scenic Area. From the outside, it didn't look as nicely decorated as Lao Huang's farmhouse inn.

Once inside, it's a completely different world, decorated in a magnificent and opulent style, even better than a five-star hotel.

Gu Jia, a VIP member, had booked a private room, ordered her food, and checked the time—it was almost eight o'clock. She then waited at the door with Chen Shi.

After waiting for more than twenty minutes, an Audi pulled up. As soon as the car stopped, Gu Jia greeted it with a smile and opened the door: "Governor Zhu."

Zhu Xiaoyong got out of the car, glanced at Chen Shi, and Chen Shi quickly greeted him, "Governor Zhu."

Zhu Xiaoyong nodded to Chen Shi, and the three of them walked towards the private room.

Upon entering the private room, Zhu Xiaoyong said, "I've been so busy lately, my neck is a little sore."

Zhu Xiaoyong sat down, and Gu Jia massaged his neck: "Governor Zhu, tens of millions of people in the province are counting on you. No matter how busy you are, you must take care to rest."

The waiter brought the food, and two waiters stood by to serve it.

Gu Jia said, "You all go out. I'll call you if anything happens."

As the two waiters left, Chen Shi glanced at their backs. With that look and figure, why be a waiter? She could be a flight attendant.

Zhu Xiaoyong said, "Xiao Gu, you massage better than the professionals."

Gu Jiajiao said with a smile, "Governor Zhu likes my massages, I'll give you a good massage later."

Chen Shi took the wine and poured it for Zhu Xiaoyong and Gu Jia.

Gu Jia said, "Governor Zhu, this is my friend, Chen Shi, the executive deputy county head of Chunyang County, Mingzhou City."

Chen Shi stood up and quickly said, "Governor Zhu, hello, I am Chen Shi."

Zhu Xiaoyong looked at Chen Shi: "He's very young. It's not easy for someone his age to become the executive deputy county head."

Chen Shi raised his glass: "Governor Zhu, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

"Young man, don't rush to drink. Eat first, then drink later." Zhu Xiaoyong patted Gu Jia's hand: "Okay, sit down and eat."

Gu Jia and Chen Shi sat down, and the three of them ate and chatted. Gu Jia mainly kept Zhu Xiaoyong company, making him laugh out loud, which greatly enhanced his emotional value.

Gu Jia gave Chen Shi a look, signaling that it was time to offer the toast. Chen Shi stood up, raised his glass, and said, "Governor Zhu, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Zhu Xiaoyong picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Chen Shi's. Chen Shi drank it all in one gulp, while Zhu Xiaoyong took a sip and put down his glass.

Seeing that Zhu Xiaoyong was in a good mood, Gu Jia said with a smile, "Governor Zhu, Chunyang County wants to build a highway. County Chief Chen came to report to you, but he doesn't know anyone in the provincial government, so he couldn't even get in the door."

Zhu Xiaoyong said, "All 109 counties in the province came to me to report on their work. I didn't need to do any other work."

Gu Jia said coquettishly, "Governor Zhu, County Chief Chen is different. He is my friend. If you have time, please listen to his work report."

Zhu Xiaoyong looked at Chen Shi: "You are Xiao Gu's friend, so I'll reluctantly ask you to make an appointment with my secretary tomorrow afternoon. I'll give you five minutes to report on your work."

Chen Shi stood up: "Thank you, Governor Zhu, for taking five minutes out of your busy schedule to give me a report."

"Sit down, don't stand up."

Gu Jia raised her glass: "Governor Zhu, let me toast you, thank you."

This time, Zhu Xiaoyong drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Shi sat down and thought to himself, "Gu Jia is really amazing. She managed to befriend Zhu Xiaoyong. I should never underestimate women. There are things that women can do that men may not be able to do."

The three of them drank a bottle of wine, and Gu Jia said, "Governor Zhu, let's go to the private room. I'll give you a full-body massage."

Zhu Xiaoyong stood up: "Let's go."

Gu Jia gave Chen Shi a look, signaling him to leave.

Chen Shi walked out of the farmhouse, and Yang Bin drove up and waited at the door.

Chen Shi got into the car. It was his first time dealing with a provincial leader, and the other party didn't take him seriously at all.

On second thought, I realized that meeting Zhu Xiaoyong was no different from meeting a section-level cadre; I wouldn't take him seriously, which made me feel much better.

When Chen Shi left, he wanted to ask Zhu Xiaoyong for his secretary's contact information, but then thought it inappropriate and decided to ask Gu Jia for it tomorrow, since she should already know.

Chen Shi returned to the hotel, had a good night's sleep, and called Gu Jia at 10 a.m.

"President Gu"

"Chen County, you've only been gone a short while, and you already miss me."

"How could I not want to be as beautiful as you? Let me ask you something: do you have the contact information for Governor Zhu's secretary?"

"I knew it. You'd be looking for me. If you weren't, you wouldn't even know who Governor Zhu's secretary is."

Governor Zhu's secretary is Liang Jihua, the director of the Third Comprehensive Division. I'll send you his contact information later; I've forgotten it and need to check my address book.

Thank you.

"No need for thanks. When spring arrives, treat me to a meal."

"no problem"

After hanging up the phone, Gu Jia sent Liang Jihua's mobile phone number a short while later.

Chen Shi called Liang Jihua, and the call was answered after about ten seconds.

With a smile, Chen Shi said, "Director Liang, hello. I am Chen Shi, the executive deputy county head of Chunyang County, Mingzhou City. I would like to report to Governor Zhu about my work."

Liang Jihua said coldly, "County Chief Chen, this is not in accordance with the rules. If you have something to say, go to the leaders of your Mingzhou City. If they feel it is necessary to report to Governor Zhu, then they will be the ones to report."

In short, you're not at the required level.

Chen Shi quickly said, "Director Liang, I was with Governor Zhu last night, and he said he would give me five minutes to give a report this afternoon and asked me to contact you today to make arrangements."

Liang Jihua said, "Then wait a moment, I'll report to Governor Zhu when he has time."

After hanging up the phone, Chen realized that within the system, getting things done by asking people from the bottom up is extremely difficult, while asking from the top down is a smooth process.

Liang planned to wait for an hour before arriving at the office while Zhu Xiaoyong was resting.

"Governor Zhu, there is a man named Chen Shi ahead of you. He is the executive deputy county head of Chunyang County, Mingzhou City. He would like to report to you on his work."

Zhu Xiaoyong took a sip of water and remembered, "Xiao Liang, have him come over this afternoon. You arrange the time."

Liang agreed repeatedly, left the office, and called Chen Shi back.

Chen Shi paced back and forth in his hotel room, anxiously awaiting Liang Jihua's call.

The phone rang, and he quickly picked it up to see that it was Liang Jihua calling.

With a broad smile, he said, "Director Liang."

"Chen County, Governor Zhu is available this afternoon. You can report on your work from 4:20 to 4:25."

"Thank you, Director Liang. I'll be there on time."

A towering building rises from the ground; the first step has been taken.