Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

Yi Xuexi carried tea into the study, turned on the desk lamp, and sat down at the desk.

The study was small, containing only a table, a bookcase, and a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall that read "Serve the People." He had written it many years ago, and it had accompanied him from Daokou to Lüzhou, from Lüzhou to other places, and then back to Lüzhou. The calligraphy was old, and the edges of the paper were yellowed, but he had never been willing to throw it away.

Of course, there is also a new planning map of Lüzhou City.

He took a sip of tea; it was strong and bitter, almost astringent. But he was used to it.

Tomorrow's conversation won't be easy. Dong Dingfang is the municipal party secretary, and he's just been promoted to vice governor. He's been cultivating his power base in Lüzhou for ten years, and he has deep roots there. Yi Xuexi, on the other hand, was promoted exceptionally and is a lone wolf. Although he holds the title of mayor, he has no subordinates and his words carry little weight.

It's good enough that Dong Dingfang doesn't object.

But he also knew that this was his chance.

For over twenty years, he had been waiting for an opportunity, a chance to do something real. Now that the opportunity had arrived, he couldn't let it slip away.

He recalled what Maoya had just said: "If it weren't difficult, how could it be your turn?"

Yes, if it weren't difficult, how could it be his turn?

He picked up his teacup and took another sip. The tea was still bitter, but he had gotten used to it.

Outside the window, the night in Luzhou was deep. Several office buildings in the distance were still lit, and I wondered who was still working overtime. Further away, in the direction of Crescent Lake, I could vaguely see a few lights—the neon lights of the food court.

He looked at it for a while, then lowered his head and continued to organize his thoughts in his notebook.

Tomorrow, he will try to persuade Dong Dingfang.

To be precise, he needed to persuade the person behind Dong Dingfang—Qi Tongwei.

Dong Dingfang was recommended by Qi Tongwei as the vice governor. His stance will inevitably shift along with Qi Tongwei's.

If Yi Xuexi wants to win his support, he has to make Dong Dingfang feel that supporting him is beneficial to Qi Tongwei.

This is not easy.

But he had to try.

He closed his notebook, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

The scene of tomorrow began to appear in my mind—probing, confrontation, concessions, compromises.

He considered many possibilities and many possible solutions.

But in the end, he realized that some things are beyond his control no matter how much he thought about them. He could only deal with them as they came.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall—it was almost eleven o'clock.

He stood up, walked out of the study, and gently pushed open the bedroom door. Mao Ya was already asleep, breathing evenly, lying on her side, the blanket pulled up tightly around her.

He looked at it for a while, then closed the door and went back to his study.

He'll definitely have a restless night, and his wife is a light sleeper, so we won't bother her.

He lay on the bed in the study, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Perhaps it was because of his sudden promotion and the setbacks at work that he became more sensitive and easily reminded of the words that had inspired him ten years ago.

Mencius said: “A loyal minister or an illegitimate son is in a precarious position and has deep concerns about potential troubles.”

A lone minister is someone without a powerful foundation. Without a foundation, one can only rely on oneself. Every step must be taken with caution and careful calculation, because no one will back you up or provide support.

There are two more words at the end of this sentence:

"Therefore, it is understood."

But as time went by, and he still couldn't "achieve" his goal, he forgot about that sentence.

I've achieved success now, but how long can I maintain it?

……

The next day, Yi Xuexi arrived at the municipal party committee with dark circles under his eyes, which startled Dong Dingfang, the newly appointed vice governor.

Seeing that he looked somewhat listless, Dong Dingfang also advised him to take care of his health.

When Qin Wenrui arrived, Yi Xuexi got straight to the point, saying that he was prepared to take strong action against the cadres who were obstructing the demolition of the food court.

Dong Dingfang readily agreed: "Okay!"

Yi Xuexi had a whole speech ready to persuade Dong Dingfang, but it all got stuck in his throat. He stood there, stunned.

Qin Wenrui, who was standing to the side, also spoke up with a smile: "Governor Qi also instructed me to give my full support to Lao Yi's work on demolishing the food court."

Chapter 162 Family Harmony

Zhang Weidong was quickly detained by the Discipline Inspection Commission. The Discipline Inspection Commission is not the procuratorate, so it does not need solid evidence, and Zhang Weidong himself was not clean either.

Even Zhang Weidong's father-in-law was not spared.

However, Yi Xuexi was not happy; on the contrary, he was very worried. He had completely underestimated the importance that the Handong Provincial Party Committee attached to the demolition of the food court.

Not only did the provincial government issue an order, but the future provincial level II also expressed its support.

But if the matter wasn't extremely important or dangerous, why would Qi Tongwei give prior notice?

It's normal to wait for him to come begging to us.

But he knew he had no choice but to go down a dead-end road.

Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire in front of him.

Retreating will only lead to a faster death.

After Zhang Weidong was detained by the Discipline Inspection Commission, the preliminary preparations for the demolition of the food court, including environmental data and legal support, were accelerated.

There are no longer any obstacles from any party.

But he knew this was just the calm before the storm.

When the demolition officially begins, all the conflicts will erupt at once.

Easy Learning is preparing.

-

Meanwhile, Qi Tongwei visited Gao Yuliang's home again, but this time it wasn't for any other reason. After Li Jiajia's incident, Gao Yuliang was worried about Gao Fangfang being alone abroad and strongly urged her to return to China.

Now that Gao Fangfang is back, this is a welcome-back banquet.

In this life, Gao Yuliang and Wu Huifen did not divorce, and Gao Fangfang was not as disillusioned with humanity as she was in her previous life, so her resistance to returning to China was not as strong as it had been in her previous life.

Dinner started at 6:30.

Gao Yuliang specially asked Wu Huifen to prepare several dishes, including steamed sea bass, braised pork, garlic greens, and sweet and sour pork, which Gao Fangfang loved as a child. The dining table was set up in the living room, a round table with five chairs, and the only outsiders were Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai.

Gao Fangfang sat to Gao Yuliang's right, wearing a light gray sweater, her hair casually tied back. Her face showed signs of fatigue from the long flight, but her eyes were still bright. She was thirty-eight or thirty-nine years old, but looked much younger than her actual age—perhaps because she had spent many years on campus, and possessed a straightforwardness and vibrancy untouched by society.

Qi Tongwei sat opposite Gao Yuliang, with Chen Hai next to him. Wu Huifen was busy serving dishes and was the last to sit down.

"Come on, everyone, start eating." Gao Yuliang raised his glass. "Fangfang's return is a joyous occasion. It's rare for all of us to get together like this."

The group clinked glasses, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Gao Fangfang picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and squinted her eyes: "It still tastes the same."

Wu Huifen smiled and said, "Eat more if you like it."

Gao Fangfang: "No, it's too sweet. I'll just eat one piece to reminisce about the taste from back then. I can't stand eating too much. Look, my dad doesn't eat any."

Wu Huifen scolded, "You child, you come back and immediately bring up my shortcomings. Your father is giving up sugar."

Gao Yuliang, who had been picking up vegetables, nodded upon hearing this.

Gao Fangfang then looked at Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai, and the two quickly picked up a piece of braised pork.

I simply didn't have the guts to try sweet and sour pork.

Gao Fangfang said dejectedly, "It's boring."

After taking a couple more bites, Gao Fangfang suddenly remembered something and looked at Gao Yuliang: "Dad, you asked me before dinner how my life in America was. Was something wrong? You asked so cautiously."

Gao Yuliang paused for a moment, then smiled: "It's nothing, just asking casually."

Gao Fangfang put down her chopsticks and looked at him: "Something's not right. You must have something on your mind. Just say it, don't make me guess."

Wu Huifen tried to smooth things over, saying, "What could it be? I'm just worried about you."

Gao Fangfang ignored her and stared at Gao Yuliang.

Gao Yuliang was silent for a few seconds, then sighed and recounted the story of Li Dakang's daughter, Li Jiajia—Wang Dalu's scheme involving millions of dollars, fake luxury goods, and those transfer records. He spoke slowly and deliberately, as if telling a story unrelated to himself.

As Gao Fangfang listened, her eyes widened even more.

"That Li Jiajia?" she asked. "The one who studied business?"

Gao Yuliang nodded.

Gao Fangfang laughed, a laugh tinged with helplessness: "Dad, do you know what I studied? Biology, PhD. I spend over ten hours a day in the lab, doing experiments, writing papers, revising papers. I don't even have time to date. Who in our circle has time for all this nonsense?"

She paused, then said, "Li Jiajia's major is different. She naturally has a lot of social interactions. But you can't compare her to us researchers. My classmates, let alone organizing luxury goods parties, are too lazy to even post on social media."

"Moreover, compared to these issues, her private life may be even more problematic."

Gao Yuliang listened, nodded, and hesitated before speaking.

Gao Fangfang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Dad, do you want me to come back to work again?"

Gao Yuliang remained silent.

Gao Fangfang sighed, "In the last two years, it's become increasingly difficult for Chinese people to get along there. In my lab, three Chinese people left last year, all because they were ostracized. I'm still holding on, but I don't know how long I can hold on. Many of my Chinese colleagues there say that it would be better to go back to China to develop their careers."

Gao Yuliang's eyes lit up.

Wu Huifen, standing beside her, already had tears in her eyes: "Really? You're willing to come back?"

Gao Fangfang nodded: "Really. I've figured it out these past few years. I'm doing research no matter where I am, and coming back to China will allow me to be closer to you. But it's settled then, I'm fine with coming back, but please don't pressure me to find a boyfriend."

Wu Huifen was about to say something when Gao Yuliang stopped her with a look.

“Okay, no rush,” Gao Yuliang said. “It’s good that you’re back. The School of Life Sciences at Handong University is one of the best in the country. I’ll talk to their dean later, and you can go anytime you want.”

Gao Fangfang nodded, picked up her bowl, and continued eating.

Chen Hai, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up: "Teacher Gao, do you think I could go and teach?"

Several people looked at him.