In name only: The land of Handong, I shall rule its fate.

"So you mean I was wrong?"

Mr. Wang paced back and forth, hands on his hips, wanting to say something but unsure how to begin.

I should never have let Lin Zhiyuan speak. I should have just kept cursing him until I was done and then kicked him out.

"I didn't say that."

Lin Zhiyuan frankly stated, "Handong has a unique geographical advantage and a rich history, so it has always been at the forefront of development. However, it has also left many problems because it has been exploring new paths. Under the overall planning and leadership of Secretary Lichun and Secretary Zhiping, it has achieved temporary stability, but it has also reached its limit."

"Like a powder keg about to explode."

"If we don't take direct measures to ignite it in advance, and just let it drift along with the tide, coupled with the gradual slowdown in the economic growth of Handong, there will definitely be a long period of backlash, and it is even very likely that it will never recover."

"By then..."

"There's nothing I can do."

"If you think my actions are too radical and detrimental to stability, perhaps you should move me to another place."

"Comrade Qingshan is quite good."

"He used to be your secretary. He has eight parts of your charm and talent. I believe that Comrade Qingshan can definitely turn the tide and save the collapsing building, leading Handong out of a new path of second development."

"Lin Zhiyuan, are you threatening me?"

Mr. Wang was so angry that he laughed.

"I feel ashamed. I have failed the trust that the organization and General Manager Wang placed in me, and I have not been able to lead Handong to better development."

Lin Zhiyuan lowered his head.

"Alright."

Mr. Wang plopped down, irritably unbuttoning his cuffs. "I was just saying a few words to you, and you're putting on this pitiful, girlish act for whoever you're trying to impress."

"come over!"

"I have something to tell you."

Lin Zhiyuan glanced at him in surprise, then got up and walked closer.

"Can't you be a little more moderate in your methods? Time and time again, you provoke this person today and stab that person tomorrow. Do you know how many people have come to me for help?"

Mr. Wang reprimanded in a low voice.

"Mr. Wang, I've been too lenient. I've loosened the reins where necessary and let things slide where appropriate, but it hasn't stopped the locals from being stubborn. And some people from other places, even knowing I've gone to Handong, still refuse to back down."

Lin Zhiyuan felt even more aggrieved, "It wasn't me who provoked them; they were the ones who wanted to cut off my path."

"Don't say things in anger!"

Mr. Wang rebuked again, "We're all colleagues in the organization, just with different ideologies and ways of doing things."

"I see."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded.

"Yeah, don't think about anything else."

General Manager Wang instructed, "After the New Year, go back to Handong and work hard. The inspection team that Comrade Changhe is in will be extended from the original three months to six months. If you need anything else, just contact me."

"That's true."

Lin Zhiyuan smiled.

"Um?"

Mr. Wang spoke with a heavy nasal tone, as if he were scolding an ignorant young man for not understanding that this was just polite talk.

"Comrade Ruijin seems to have encountered some difficulties recently, but since he is the squad leader, I can't force him to ask questions."

"If Comrade Ruijin cannot resolve this, could you please ask General Manager Wang to step in and mediate?"

Lin Zhiyuan recounted the story in detail.

"You little brat!"

Mr. Wang finally showed his first smile since the meeting, "The team members really should help each other, which can be considered progress."

"I've got it."

"Get out!"

Enjoy your last vacation.

Mr. Wang waved his hand impatiently and chased the person out of the office.

The car arrived at a courtyard house.

"dad!"

Lin Zhiyuan had just gotten out of the car and hadn't even stood up properly when he saw a fleshy bomb hurtling straight toward him.

"Lin Lingmo, you've gained weight again?"

Lin Zhiyuan picked up his eight-year-old child with one arm, weighed him in his hand, then looked at the delicate little girl in the princess dress behind him and picked her up with his other arm—it was much lighter. "Did you steal your sister's food again?"

"Dad, I didn't."

The chubby boy was very dissatisfied.

"I couldn't finish it, so I shared it with my brother."

Little Nian'an quickly explained, and then cupped his face in her little hands and gave him a kiss.

"You're back?"

Standing at the door was a refined old man with silver hair but vigorous spirit. His gaze was always on the two children, and his attention to Lin Zhiyuan was only incidental.

"Dad! Where's Mom?"

My father, Lin Chongshan, and mother, Hong Shuhua, were both junior high school teachers and are now retired.

The old man rolled his eyes upon hearing this. Was it really necessary to call him "Dad"?

"Your mother, your in-laws, and Yan Bao are all busy in the kitchen."

Lin Chongshan took his two grandchildren from him. "Let's go to the study. Old Yan has something to discuss with you."

Got it!

I just got scolded at the office, and now I have to get another meal when I get home. It's so annoying.

This holiday doesn't seem to be as enjoyable as it used to be.

"Dad, you've been exiled to Lingnan?"

Lin Zhiyuan looked up at the broken pieces of food in the cup and asked.

"Where my tea and cigarettes went is none of your business."

Old Yan was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. When the bandit returned home, he found the house bare. "This year's quota hasn't come down yet. Drink or don't drink, it's up to you."

Drink, drink, drink!

If you don't drink high-quality tea today, you won't have tomorrow's delicacies.

"Have you made up your mind?"

Old Master Yan asked a question quietly.

"Um!"

Lin Zhiyuan nodded.

The study fell silent.

"Dad, aren't you going to scold me?"

Lin Zhiyuan asked curiously.

"Why would I scold you? You didn't do anything bad, nor were you acting mindlessly."

Old Yan glanced at him and said, "Before you went to Handong, I told you I would cover for you."

"Thank you, Dad."

Lin Zhiyuan had a lot to say, but when he actually opened his mouth, he only managed to utter three words: He hadn't done anything wrong, but the risk was too great.

Given the stature of Elder Yan and the Yan family, they wouldn't normally need to take this risk, but Elder Yan resolutely chose to support him.

"The rights and wrongs, merits and demerits, will be judged by future generations."

Old Master Yan smiled and said, "Thanks to my parents, I have been from a well-off family since childhood, so I don't have much desire for material possessions. But fame... I am quite greedy for it."

"I probably have no hope of being remembered for generations."

"But I'd like to borrow yours."

"It could also leave a lasting stain on one's reputation."

Lin Zhiyuan smiled too.

"Go and meet with Mu Sihua in the next couple of days. Since you've chosen to do this, Tianshan Capital is very important, and we can't afford any problems."

Old Yan stopped joking and reminded him, "The old leader and General Manager Wang must have had this in mind when they called you back early."

"I know."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded. "I've already made an appointment with Sihua to meet up tonight."

Office of the Secretary of the Hantong Provincial Party Committee.

"What?!"

Upon belatedly receiving the news, Sha Ruijin jumped to his feet, looking at his secretary, Xiao Bai, incredulously, "Lin Zhiyuan went back early?"

"right!"

Xiao Bai nodded. "Executive Director Lin left this morning, but the provincial government just sent over the itinerary report. They're clearly trying to outsmart us."

"No!"

Sha Ruijin paced back and forth anxiously. Lin Zhiyuan must have received permission from his superiors to leave five days early. Who knows if he received any other support?

He couldn't wait any longer.

"I'll make a call and prepare the next available flight back."