Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

Cui Ying's expression changed, and she quickly stepped forward to grab Chen Ping's arm. "Chen Ping, don't gamble with him! It's not worth it!"

She was well aware of Ding Peng's arrogance and knew the strict hierarchy of officialdom, so she was afraid that Chen Ping would be tricked and embarrassed.

Moreover, the director of the development zone management committee may not sound like a high-ranking official, but he wields considerable power.

All the large and small enterprises and factories in Tianhai City are located in the development zone and are under the jurisdiction of Guo Changlin.

A single word from someone else may not be enough to revive your business.

However, a single sentence from him could cause a thriving company to collapse immediately.

That is power.

Mr. and Mrs. Cui quickly advised, "Xiao Chen, let it go, there's no need to be angry, it was just a joke."

Although Cui Ying's parents also hoped that Chen Ping would leave Cui Ying, they did not want to see Chen Ping embarrassed on the spot.

After all, he had saved Cui Ying's father's life twice and was a benefactor to the Cui family.

Ding Peng, however, remained confident and assured of victory, staring intently at Chen Ping, waiting to see him humiliated and humiliated in public.

The atmosphere inside the private room instantly became extremely tense.

"What? You're scared now?"

Ding Peng raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "Weren't you chatting quite intimately on the phone just now? If you're so capable, then call for backup. If not, then obediently admit defeat and stop deceiving yourself by occupying the position next to Cui Ying."

Chen Ping raised his eyes, his expression calm and composed, without the slightest hint of panic.

He gently pulled his hand away from Cui Ying's and said calmly, "Gambling is fine, but you don't need to call me Dad. I don't want a son like you."

"Just make sure you recognize who the truly capable person is, and then stop using despicable means to coerce the Cui family and manipulate others."

"You..." Ding Peng's face turned red with anger, but he couldn't lose his temper in front of Cui Ying's parents, lest he ruin his image as a refined gentleman.

"Don't waste your breath with words, just fight if you dare."

Ding Peng stared coldly at Chen Ping, wishing he could devour him alive.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Ping dialed Guo Changlin's number directly, speaking on speakerphone throughout, clear and bright.

Guo Changlin saw that it was Chen Ping calling and answered immediately. His respectful voice came through: "Dr. Chen, is there anything else you need?"

"Director Guo, I'm at a private restaurant in the east of the city. If it's convenient for you, could you come over?"

Chen Ping spoke in a calm and casual tone, as if instructing an acquaintance.

"Convenient! So convenient! I'll be there in ten minutes!"

On the other end of the phone, Guo Changlin's tone was incredibly enthusiastic, without a trace of official airs. He hung up immediately after speaking and set off at lightning speed.

The private room fell into a deathly silence.

Mr. and Mrs. Cui's pupils shrank suddenly, their hearts skipped a beat, and their faces were filled with disbelief.

Ding Peng, however, showed no fear after hearing the conversation. Instead, he sneered and looked at Chen Ping with disdain, not believing that Chen Ping had actually dialed Guo Changlin's number.

He stood to the side with his arms crossed, shaking his head sarcastically, his tone extremely sarcastic: "Chen Ping, your acting skills are getting better and better."

"You think you can fool us by just finding a friend with a similar voice to impersonate Director Guo?"

"Who is Guo Changlin? He's a powerful division-level cadre in Tianhai, extremely busy. How could he possibly answer a call from a rural doctor like you, and even rush over in ten minutes? It's an absolute joke."

Upon hearing this, the slight doubt that had just arisen in Mr. and Mrs. Cui's minds instantly vanished.

Guo Changlin is a powerful figure; even if he knew Chen Ping, he wouldn't be so polite to him.

Judging from the tone of his voice on the phone just now, Guo Changlin was quite subservient.

Why should a director of a development zone management committee have to be subservient to a township doctor?

Cui Ying's parents couldn't believe it no matter how hard they tried.

Faced with Ding Peng's constant mockery, Chen Ping remained calm and composed throughout, too lazy to offer any further explanation.

He simply turned to look at Cui Ying's parents, whose expressions were complicated, and said calmly, "Uncle and Aunt, I won't explain anything. Guo Changlin will be here within ten minutes. Just wait and see."

After those words were spoken, the private room fell into an eerie atmosphere.

Ding Peng wore a smug, confident smile throughout, quietly waiting to see Chen Ping publicly humiliate himself and kneel down to admit defeat.

Cui Ying was filled with trepidation, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly. She unconditionally trusted Chen Ping, but couldn't help feeling nervous.

Ten minutes felt like an eternity.

Just as Ding Peng was about to launch another sarcastic remark, the sound of a car parking abruptly came from downstairs at the restaurant, followed by steady, powerful footsteps heading straight for the private room.

The next second, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Guo Changlin, dressed in a formal suit and exuding an aura of authority, strode in. The oppressive feeling of officialdom emanating from him was overwhelming; it was undoubtedly him.

The entire room erupted in uproar. Everyone stood up abruptly, their pupils shrinking, their faces filled with disbelief and shock.

Cui Ying's parents froze on the spot, their hearts clenched, and their expressions changed drastically.

Before Chen Ping could speak, Ding Peng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he quickly stepped forward.

Then, with a polite and refined smile on his face, he took the initiative to extend his hand to greet people warmly, his posture both familiar and humble.

"Uncle Guo, it's been a long time! I'm Ding Peng, Ding Zhonghua's son. I just called you to ask you to come over. I'm really sorry to have troubled you."

Ding Peng's mind raced, and he instantly concluded that Guo Changlin had come because of his phone call, without giving Chen Ping any thought.

As Guo Changlin entered, his gaze swept around and he saw Ding Peng and Chen Ping in the same private room. He subconsciously assumed that the two were friends.

"So you're Old Ding's son. Your father and I have known each other for many years and have a close relationship. I also heard that you went abroad to study," Guo Changlin said.

This polite greeting between old acquaintances completely made Ding Peng feel like he was on cloud nine.

He straightened his back instantly, his smugness almost impossible to hide. He turned his head and deliberately glanced at Chen Ping, his eyes full of boasting, contempt and sarcasm, his sense of superiority at its peak.

"Yes, I just got back from abroad not long ago!"

Ding Peng became increasingly composed, and with feigned magnanimity, he raised his hand in a gesture of courtesy, saying, "Uncle Guo, you must be tired from your journey. Please take a seat. I must offer you a couple of drinks today."

Guo Changlin nodded slightly and casually said, "I just got here. I'm covered in dust from the journey. I'll go to the restroom to wash up quickly and be right back."

After saying that, Guo Changlin nodded slightly to Chen Ping, then turned and walked out of the private room to the restroom.

As soon as Guo Changlin left, Ding Peng was beaming with pride, practically wanting to stand right on the table.

He began to relentlessly mock and attack Chen Ping, his tone arrogant and smug: "Chen Ping, did you see that? Who is Director Guo here for? He's here to give face to the Ding family!"

"You dared to pretend to make a phone call just now? You really think you have connections? I think you've humiliated yourself."

"Director Guo must have been busy just now, and now that he's finished, he feels bad for offending me earlier, so he came over on his own."