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

Meanwhile, in Sha Ruijin's office, Tian Guofu was sitting on the sofa, looking displeased.

"What Zhang Jiguo said at the meeting today was clearly a warning to us," Tian Guofu probed. "The problems with the Discipline Inspection Commission, Hou Liangping, Li Dakang... what does this mean?"

Sha Ruijin stood by the window, his back to him.

“His meaning is very clear,” Sha Ruijin said. “The inspection team has left, but the work cannot stop. We must investigate what needs to be investigated and handle what needs to be handled.”

"But……"

“No buts.” Sha Ruijin turned around and looked at Tian Guofu. “Comrade Guofu, I have a question for you.”

Tian Guofu looked at him.

"Why do you think Team Leader Zhang specifically mentioned Zhao Lichun by name at the meeting today?"

Tian Guofu was taken aback for a moment, then slowly said, "You mean... the higher-ups want to take action against him?"

Sha Ruijin did not answer, but instead said something that seemed unrelated.

“I know Zhang Jiguo. He never acts without a purpose. Every word he says at the meeting is meaningful.”

Tian Guofu remained silent.

Sha Ruijin walked to his desk, picked up a document, and handed it to Tian Guofu.

"This is the list of issues handed over by the inspection team. Take it back and take a good look at it. Investigate what needs to be investigated and deal with what needs to be dealt with. In three months, the higher-ups will come to 'look back'. If things are still the same then, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Tian Guofu took the document, opened the first page, read a few lines, and his expression changed.

"This……"

“Very specific, isn’t it?” Sha Ruijin said. “The inspection team isn’t just sitting around doing nothing. They didn’t stay in Handong for three months for nothing.”

Tian Guofu closed the document and nodded.

"I understand."

“There’s one more thing,” Sha Ruijin said. “You need to keep a close eye on Gao Yuliang.”

Tian Guofu raised his head and looked at Sha Ruijin.

"What was Gao Yuliang's reaction when Team Leader Zhang mentioned Zhao Lichun today?"

Tian Guofu thought for a moment and said, "It's very calm."

“It’s too calm,” Sha Ruijin said. “What does it mean that someone who has worked in Handong for more than 20 years can remain so calm when he hears his old leader being named?”

Tian Guofu seemed to be deep in thought.

"This means he already knew. Or rather, he had anticipated it."

Sha Ruijin nodded.

"Therefore, you need to pay close attention to him. Not to monitor him, but to observe him. See what his attitude and actions are during the subsequent rectification."

Tian Guofu stood up: "I understand."

He walked to the door, then looked back once more. Sha Ruijin had already turned around and was facing the window again.

-

Hantong International Airport.

Because of strict adherence to the spirit of the Central Committee's Eight-Point Regulation and avoidance of any extravagance or formalities, the Hantong Provincial Committee did not send anyone to the airport.

The inspection team members had all boarded the plane, and Qi Tongwei had also arrived at the airport.

He came alone, not with the inspection team, partly to comply with regulations and partly to avoid suspicion of privately complaining.

He was waiting in the departure hall when Liao Qingyuan whispered a reminder: "Boss, look over there."

Qi Tongwei looked up and saw Hou Liangping with a gloomy expression.

Hou Liangping also saw Qi Tongwei. Since they had already hit it off, he naturally had to come over and say hello.

Hou Liangping walked over and called out, "Governor Qi."

Qi Tongwei smiled and nodded: "Liangping, shall we go to the airport to see Xiao Ai off?"

Hou Liangping forced a smile: "Yes, the inspection team is returning to Shuntian, and I'm seeing them off."

Judging from his expression, the communication didn't seem to go well. But Qi Tongwei wasn't interested in delving into it further.

Hou Liangping noticed that Huang Qiaosong, who wasn't usually with Qi Tongwei, took the initiative to greet him, also changing the subject: "And who is this?"

Liao Qingyuan extended his hand: "Director Hou, hello. I am Liao Qingyuan. I was Governor Qi's liaison officer when he worked at the road crossing. Now I am the deputy director of the Second Comprehensive Division of the General Office of the Provincial Government."

Hou Liangping extended his hand to shake his: "Hello, hello."

Just as he was about to say a few polite words, Liao Qingyuan noticed something and turned to Qi Tongwei, saying, "Boss, your wife and the others have arrived."

Sure enough, He Xian, with her two children, had already arrived at the waiting hall.

Qi Tongwei rushed over and spoke to his wife and children. His wife was gentle, his son was handsome, and his daughter was lovely. The harmonious family scene was like a ray of light, deeply piercing Hou Liangping's heart.

He turned his head, without saying goodbye to Qi Tongwei's family, and left the airport dejectedly.

Chapter 174 May Day Holiday (Part 1)

If Qi Tongwei were to choose his three proudest achievements since his rebirth, the third one would be changing the fate of his mentor, Gao Yuliang.

Especially now, seeing that Teacher Gao is more composed in the current turmoil in Handong than in his previous life, he is even more proud.

But in his heart, Teacher Gao's matter could only rank third.

Those who ranked second used the opportunity of rebirth and their forward-thinking vision to make some contributions to the country and the people.

The reforms he promoted at the railway crossing, the projects he championed at the ministry and local levels, and the choices he made at key junctures—these things make him proud and worthy of his reputation.

But the number one thing is having a warm and loving family.

Qi Tongwei sometimes felt that fate had been incredibly kind to him. In his previous life, he had nothing—no lover, no children, no close friends. He thought he didn't need these things; he thought what he wanted was power, status, and to prove himself to everyone. Only in the end did he realize that all those things were empty.

In this life, he has He Xian, Xiao Putao, and Tie Dan.

He has a daughter and a son. Although He Xian always says he favors girls over boys, he knows that both are his flesh and blood. He raised Xiao Putao with his own hands, and he carried Tiedan on his shoulders.

These are the things he is most proud of in his life.

The day the inspection team left was also the day before the May Day holiday. He Xian brought his two children to Jingzhou to celebrate the holiday.

He Xian walked ahead, wearing a light blue shirt, her hair neatly tied in a ponytail, making her look several years younger than her actual age. She carried a small bag on her shoulder, but nothing in her hands, and her steps were light.

Following behind her was Little Grape—no, she should be called Qi Huaiyin now. The sixteen-year-old girl had already grown to 1.62 meters tall, slender and tall, with her eyebrows and eyes fully developed, her features delicate, resembling He Xian in his youth, but with a touch of heroism in her eyes, which led to more female students than male students liking her at school.

She was wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt and light-colored jeans, with a canvas bag slung across her shoulder and wireless earphones on her head. She was tilting her head and talking to her younger brother behind her.

Qi Huaiyuan was walking at the very back.

He was also sixteen, the twin brother born a few minutes after his sister. He was about 1.78 meters tall, slender but muscular, wearing a dark gray hoodie with the hood pulled back. He carried a bulging backpack on his shoulder and dragged a large suitcase in each hand. His steps were steady, his expression calm, showing neither strain nor complaint.

Qi Tongwei couldn't help but laugh as he watched this scene.

Tie Dan has always had this personality—quiet, reserved, and not talkative, but he handles everything perfectly. Unlike Xiao Putao, who is energetic and impulsive, like a little whirlwind. The two children are the same age, but their personalities are worlds apart.

Upon seeing him, all three of them quickened their pace unconsciously.

Qi Huaiyin took off her headphones from afar, waving her hands and shouting, "Dad! We're here!"

The sound was clear and loud, attracting the attention of several passengers nearby. Qi Tongwei smiled and went to greet her. Qi Huaiyin had already run up to him and grabbed his arm, but unlike when she was a child, she didn't pounce on him—a sixteen-year-old girl was still a bit reserved.

"Dad, the food on the plane was awful! My brother gave me his portion too, and I ate two portions but I'm still hungry!"

“Mom said you’d be on duty during the May Day holiday. We originally planned to come back a day early, but a school competition training session delayed it by two days…”

"And also, Grandma brought us so many things. My little brother's suitcase is full of food, and mine is full of clothes for Mom..."

Qi Tongwei listened with a smile, patting his daughter's hand to comfort her. Qi Huaiyin was already a high school student, almost up to his shoulder, but the way she linked arms with him was still as affectionate as when they were little.

"Alright, alright, speak slowly." He Xian walked over, smiled at her daughter, and then looked at Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei reached out and gently shook her hand: "You've worked hard."

“It wasn’t tiring at all. The two kids planned and arranged the whole trip.” He Xian shook his head, a hint of pride in his voice: “Huaiyin booked the tickets, and Huaiyuan arranged the luggage. From leaving home to boarding the plane, I didn’t have to worry about a thing.”

Qi Tongwei looked at his daughter, Qi Huaiyin, who raised her chin with a smug look on her face: "That's right, I'm the pillar of the family."

Qi Tongwei smiled and shook his head, then looked at Tie Dan. The boy stood quietly to the side, neither interrupting nor showing any impatience. Sixteen-year-old Qi Huaiyuan was a little taller than when they last met, with more youthful vigor in his eyes, but his calm demeanor remained unchanged.

He walked over and patted his son on the shoulder: "Huaiyuan, you've worked hard."

Qi Huaiyuan nodded slightly, his lips twitching as if in a smile. He called out "Dad," his voice soft but clear.

Qi Tongwei would only call him "Tiedan" at home when he was alone with his family, or in a very private setting.

In public, he never called his son by his nickname.

Then, Qi Huaiyuan greeted Liao Qingyuan, who was behind Qi Tongwei, saying, "Uncle Liao."

Liao Qingyuan was taken aback, not expecting the child to still remember him: "Huaiyuan, it's been years since we last met, you've grown so tall. You still remember me?"

Qi Huaiyuan looked up, looked at him seriously, and then nodded: "I remember. Uncle Liao comes to bring delicious food every year during the Spring Festival. Only in the last three years, my sister and I have been either in tutoring classes or visiting our grandparents, so we haven't run into him."

Qi Huaiyin also realized what was happening and greeted him sweetly, "Hello, Uncle Liao!"

Liao Qingyuan quickly agreed, then looked at He Xuan and said, "Hello, sister-in-law."

He Xian smiled and nodded: "Xiao Liao, thank you for your hard work. It's kind of you to make this special trip."

"Of course," Liao Qingyuan said, reaching out to take the suitcase from Qi Huaiyuan's hand.

Qi Tongwei took another box, and the group walked out.

Stepping out of the terminal, the May sun was just right, neither too hot nor too cold. Qi Tongwei put his luggage in the trunk, Liao Qingyuan drove, and Qi Tongwei was originally going to sit in the passenger seat, but Xiao Putao insisted on sitting with her father, so Qi Huaiyuan quietly moved to the front.

The car drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway.

Qi Huaiyin talked non-stop the whole way, from what she saw on the plane to the funny things at school, from her grandmother's new neighbors to her younger brother winning first prize in the physics competition at school. Qi Huaiyuan sat in front, listening quietly, occasionally trying to interject, but his sister would always beat him to it, which didn't bother him.

He Xian glanced at the two children, then looked at Qi Tongwei: "Are you on duty tomorrow?"

"Yes, I discussed it with Governor Liu and he scheduled my shift for the first day. The following days are all free, so I can show you around Handong."

He Xian nodded and said nothing more.

The car entered the provincial party committee compound and stopped in front of Qi Tongwei's villa.