Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

Staring at the trembling piece of fat on the tip of the knife, Qi Tongwei swallowed hard, his face contorted in pain.

Inside the yurt, everyone's eyes were fixed on his face, and there was complete silence.

The fatty meat was less than 10 centimeters from his mouth, and he could smell its strong, fishy odor.

He gritted his teeth, quickly grabbed the fatty meat, and tilted his head back sharply.

The moment the fatty meat entered his mouth, his tongue could even feel the chill of the knife tip.

As soon as the fatty meat entered their mouths, the people in the yurt cheered.

"Bata!"

Qi Tongwei looked surprised, forcing himself to suppress the greasiness in his mouth, and looked at Zhao Maoli beside him.

Zhao Maoli smiled and patted him on the shoulder, explaining to him.

"This is called a meat offering. The elders of the master's family cut off the fattest camel hump and feed it to you with the tip of their knife."

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his smile turning strange, with a hint of schadenfreude.

"Feels greasy? Don't chew, just swallow it!"

Qi Tongwei tilted his head back and swallowed the piece of fat whole.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his stomach churned violently.

He spoke with a wry smile.

"Is that a camel hump?"

Zhao Maoli nodded.

"This is the highest level of hospitality among Kazakhs."

"Once you've eaten the meat on the knife's edge, we'll be true friends from now on."

Qi Tongwei was stunned for a moment, then smiled, a very bright smile.

What kind of show of force?

A narrow-minded soul cannot be born from the vast grasslands.

It turns out that it was all just my own suspicion.

The welcome banquet was lively, and Qi Tongwei skillfully navigated social situations, managing to win favor with everyone.

Halfway through the drinking session, Zhao Maoli and Liang Sansi couldn't help but look at Qi Tongwei with new respect.

The reason is simple: Qi Tongwei has a high alcohol tolerance.

He drank a whole pound of 52-proof mare's milk wine and still wasn't drunk.

As the wine flowed freely, Uncle Nurman began to play the dombra.

The group sang and danced, performing "Black Horse".

Qi Tongwei couldn't sing, but he grinned and clapped his hands to keep time for everyone.

He was actually quite drunk; his eyes were a little glazed over, but his mind was still relatively clear.

Watching everyone dance joyfully, he suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

Of the 56 ethnic groups in China, 55 of them sing and dance after drinking, while only the Han people do nothing but boast after drinking.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he laughed at himself, since he was also Han Chinese.

The meal was very enjoyable, and both the host and guests had a pleasant time.

Zhao Maoli kept advising Qi Tongwei to eat less of that plate of red meat, telling him that it was horse meat.

Qi Tongwei didn't understand.

Ask Zhao Maoli, "What's wrong with the horse meat?"

He felt that, apart from being a bit tough, horse meat tasted really good and was very chewy.

Seeing that he wouldn't listen to advice, Zhao Maoli ignored him and went to toast Liang Sansi with his wine bowl.

The welcome banquet ended at 10 p.m., just as it was getting dark.

Back at the guesthouse, Qi Tongwei felt a little dizzy; he had drunk a bit too much.

There was no way around it; a person's character is revealed when they drink. He dared not and could not hold back on his skills for the first drinking session.

As soon as he entered the room, he collapsed onto the bed without even washing his face, ready to go to sleep.

But less than half an hour later...

He now understood why Zhao Maoli wouldn't let him eat more horse meat.

At this time, Qi Tongwei had just turned twenty-four, a time when he was full of vigor and vitality.

His face was flushed, from his forehead all the way to his chest, and he felt unbearably hot.

The heat didn't come from my stomach; it started burning in my lower abdomen.

He was burning up with fever, his mouth was dry and his whole body was hot.

He got up, ran to the bathroom, and took a cold shower, which relieved his discomfort slightly.

But as soon as I got back to bed, that heat surged up again.

With no other option, Qi Tongwei had to open the window and endure the cold wind, lying there all night.

Qi Tongwei secretly vowed in his heart that he would never eat horse meat again!

......

The next morning, Qi Tongwei was awakened by a knock on the door while he was still half asleep.

He got up, still feeling the effects of the hangover, his head still throbbing.

I opened the door, and there was the same waiter as yesterday.

The waiter was stunned, and his face instantly turned red.

She didn't dare look at Qi Tongwei, staring at her toes, and said softly.

"The receptionist... has a phone call."

After saying that, she ignored Qi Tongwei's reaction and turned to run away.

Qi Tongwei stared at the waiter's retreating figure, completely bewildered.

Only after closing the door did he realize that he was still half asleep and dressed too simply...

Qi Tongwei shook his head awkwardly, put on his clothes, and went to the front desk to answer the phone.

The call was made by Zhao Maoli again, and his words were simple and direct.

"Xiao Qi, come to the department. The assignment has been officially announced."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback and asked in a low voice.

"Director Zhao, why don't I just go and report for duty directly?"

On the other end of the phone, Zhao Maoli laughed, lowering his voice slightly.

"Minister Shen said that the road is too far, so he won't take you there. He will have Leishan County pick you up instead."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Tongwei's lips unconsciously curled into a playful smile.

Zhao Maoli's statement just now contained profound wisdom.

Sending cadres to their new workplaces to report for duty reflects the level of importance their original units attach to them, depending on their rank.

Who delivers the gift indicates which faction or line of work they belong to.

But the "connection" is different.

The fact that subordinate units were sent up to receive them indicates that the ministry attaches great importance to this matter.

This also makes it difficult for the receiving unit to understand the person's specific background.

In his past life, Qi Tongwei had been involved in many such schemes and knew them very well.

After hanging up the phone, he thanked the waiter.

But he found that her face was still flushed, her eyes were darting away, and she dared not look at him.

Qi Tongwei gave a helpless, bitter smile, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

You're still young. You're the one who's been exposed, so you're the one who's embarrassed.

Why is she blushing?

......

Upon arriving at the Organization Department's Cadre Division, Zhao Maoli smiled and poured him a glass of water.

"How was your sleep last night?"

Qi Tongwei took the water glass, his expression somewhat strange.

He lowered his voice and complained to Zhao Maoli.

"Director Zhao, you didn't tell me horse meat was that dangerous..."

Zhao Maoli pursed his lips, almost bursting out laughing, and replied in a low voice.

"We've all been there... When I first arrived, I stood at attention for half the night."

He blinked and asked a very gossipy question.

"And you?"

Qi Tongwei grinned bitterly and held up one finger.

"All night long..."

Zhao Maoli spat out a mouthful of water, choking and coughing.

When he saw everyone looking at him, he quickly waved to them.

"It's okay, it's okay, I just choked..."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before the bus from Leishan County finally arrived.

Leishan County is more than 300 kilometers away from Bianxi City.

The car arrived so quickly, it must have been notified in advance.

As the office director, Zhao Maoli had no airs whatsoever.

He personally escorted Qi Tongwei downstairs.

The two shook hands at the door and wished each other well.

"Xiao Qi, conditions in Leishan County are tough, take care of yourself."

"Call me if you need anything, and I'll definitely help if I can..."

Last night's drinking session wasn't in vain; Qi Tongwei made Bianxi's first friend.

As for how close this friend is, we'll have to wait and see.

Qi Tongwei shook his hand vigorously and nodded with a smile.

"Understood, Director Zhao. I'll come see you as soon as I have time!"

After a brief farewell, Qi Tongwei put his bag on the back seat and climbed into the passenger seat.

He had just gotten into the car when a clerk jogged out and shouted.

"Don't leave yet! Vice Mayor Wang wants to speak with Qi Tongwei!"

Qi Tongwei and Zhao Maosheng were both taken aback. Vice Mayor Wang?