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

"Really?!" Ruan Lingling suppressed her excitement and asked, "Zhou Lin... hasn't made any further moves?"

"The matter was discussed, and his uncle, the director of the State Planning Commission, personally called to plead for him. But it is said that after comprehensive consideration, the higher-ups still decided on Wu Zhong, probably because they felt that Wu Zhong was more stable and reliable, and suitable for the confidential and critical mission."

"The leader is wise!" Ruan Lingling hung up the phone and clenched her fist excitedly.

Wu Zhong's abilities are average, and this "battle" is the perfect stage for her to showcase her skills and widen the gap! Meanwhile, her two biggest competitors—Qi Tongwei and Zhou Lin—are unexpectedly "absent" and "unselected"...

God help me too!

Chapter 44 Zhong Family Wedding Banquet

The rhythm within the system has its unique characteristics.

Unless it's a special period or a superior is pushing hard, even the most urgent matters are usually handled at a leisurely pace by combining established procedures with human considerations.

Although this closed-door campaign was designated as a major task, Qi Tongwei submitted his proposal on Thursday, and the general personnel list was finalized on Thursday evening.

Where should the battle site be chosen? How should logistical support be arranged? Which databases and historical files need to be accessed? The division of labor among the personnel to be transferred, the drafting of confidentiality agreements, the allocation of temporary office equipment... all these things require plans and await approval.

If they're really determined to push, it might be barely ready by Friday night.

But isn't tomorrow the weekend?

This closed-door campaign is expected to last for more than half a month, and most of the selected core personnel have families to support, including elderly parents and young children.

Shouldn't we "humanely" give them some time to arrange their family affairs and reassure their families? After all, this is the State Economic Commission, not the State Discipline Inspection Commission.

Therefore, the higher-ups at the Economic Commission very "humanely" set the time for the closed assembly to be next Monday.

On Friday morning, Qi Tongwei walked into the Economic Commission building and keenly sensed that the atmosphere was completely different from the previous day, even reversed.

The pervasive anxiety and tense wariness of yesterday have completely dissipated.

Instead, there was a slightly excessive, almost compensatory "enthusiasm." When his colleagues saw him come in, their smiles were exceptionally warm, their greetings were exceptionally loud, and their words revealed a cautious concern, as if the group had done something wrong to him and was eager to make amends.

Qi Tongwei thought for a moment, then burst into laughter.

They're just ordinary people living in reality. When they're vying for power, everyone feels justified and their methods are legitimate; but once the dust settles, those hidden feelings that might hurt their colleagues quietly surface, prompting them to make friendly gestures to ease their conscience.

He simply accepted it calmly, and his face revealed a just-right, slightly lonely "hurt" expression, which made the sense of guilt in the hearts of his colleagues ferment.

Hmm, the cookies Sister Ruan Lingling gave me tasted pretty good.

Friday passed smoothly.

On Saturday, Qi Tongwei sorted out the initial framework of the industrial structure catalog on his own and packed his luggage. On Sunday morning, he arrived at the hotel where Hou Liangping and Zhong Xiaoai were holding their wedding banquet as scheduled.

I heard that there were two weddings, one in Handong and one in the capital; this is the second one in the capital, and it is obviously more restrained in scale.

Qi Tongwei considered that his relationship with the newlyweds was only so-so, so he naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to meddle in their home.

A strange sense of regret swept through his heart: What a pity, I didn't have the chance to see the mansion of such a high-ranking official. I wonder if it was like Teacher Gao's family, paying attention to feng shui and lacking a "Taishan Stone Guardian".

He arrived a little early on purpose.

This is a high-ranking leader's daughter's wedding, not an ordinary gathering of relatives and friends where one can casually walk in as a guest.

Qi Tongwei stopped a short distance from the hotel entrance, took out his cigarette case, skillfully flicked out a cigarette, lit it, and slowly inhaled, his gaze calmly sweeping over the arriving vehicles and guests.

His demeanor was composed, as if he were just a guest who had arrived early to get some fresh air, without appearing out of place at all.

Often, a cigarette is the best way to defuse awkward situations and blend into the environment.

After waiting a moment, Gao Yuliang appeared. Qi Tongwei immediately stubbed out his cigarette and went to greet him.

"Teacher Gao."

"Tongwei, we've arrived? Let's go in together," Gao Yuliang said with a smile.

"I'll wait for Director Han Shen. He asked me to meet him here. Please go ahead," Qi Tongwei explained.

Gao Yuliang nodded knowingly and entered the hotel first.

Before long, Han Shen arrived, and Qi Tongwei quickly went to greet him.

"Good morning, senior brother." In this situation, "senior brother" sounds more intimate than "director."

Han Shen patted his shoulder warmly, his smile gentle: "Come on, let's see what delicious dishes Director Zhong has prepared for us today."

The couple entered the hotel and went to the banquet hall on the second floor. The hall was not large, with only four round tables. It was decorated in a simple and elegant manner, without any bright red or purple decorations. There was only a banner congratulating the newlyweds and an enlarged wedding photo with sweet smiles.

The newlyweds had not yet arrived, but the host, Zhong Zhengguo, was already greeting the guests who had arrived earlier in the hall.

As soon as Han Shen arrived, Zhong Zhengguo greeted him with a broad smile.

"Director Han, welcome, welcome! Your presence is a great honor for my daughter's wedding." Zhong Zhengguo warmly shook hands with Han Shen, then his gaze fell on Qi Tongwei. His smile remained unchanged, and his tone carried just the right amount of praise, "This must be Comrade Qi Tongwei, right? Young and promising, a truly formidable young talent! Director Han has praised you to me quite a bit, saying you are a rare young talent in the Economic Commission, with a bright future ahead of you!"

Qi Tongwei quickly bowed and said, "Director Zhong, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the leaders' guidance and Director Han's support."

Han Shen was seated at the main table, so Qi Tongwei naturally had no right to sit there.

The other three tables were for Zhong's close relatives, Hou's relatives and friends, and his bureau-level colleagues from within the Economic Commission who were close to Zhong Zhengguo.

Qi Tongwei was not familiar with his colleagues from the Economic Commission at that table. After exchanging a few pleasantries, seeing that it was still early before the banquet ended, he strolled over to the table of Hou's relatives and friends to talk to Gao Yuliang.

A short while later, a small commotion arose at the entrance of the banquet hall. The newlyweds had arrived.

Hou Liangping and Zhong Xiaoai walked in side by side, with Chen Hai following beside them, but Chen Yang did not appear.

The two were dressed appropriately without being ostentatious. Hou Liangping wore a well-fitting dark suit that accentuated his tall and straight figure, and his face was beaming with obvious smugness. Zhong Xiaoai wore a well-tailored red Chinese wedding dress, her face beautiful and her smile radiant.

Everyone stood up as the newlyweds walked along, and guests kept coming up to offer their congratulations and blessings. The couple smiled and nodded in response, saying "thank you."

When Hou Liangping reached Gao Yuliang's table, his gaze met Qi Tongwei's. The smile on his face froze almost imperceptibly for a moment, then his expression darkened slightly.

Gao Yuliang spoke first, his smile warm: "Liangping, Xiao Ai, congratulations. A perfect match, may you grow old together."

The words were simple, yet full of the teachers' sincere blessings.

Qi Tongwei smiled and said calmly, "Liangping, Xiao Ai, I wish you a happy marriage and a lifetime of love."

Her posture was impeccable.

Zhong Xiaoai remained calm, smiled, and nodded in thanks: "Thank you, Senior Qi."

Hou Liangping merely forced a stiff smile and squeezed out two words from his throat: "Thank you."

Although the wedding was simple, the necessary ceremonies were not omitted.

After all, if it turned into just an ordinary dinner party, it would only attract more gossip. The newlyweds were quickly led backstage to make final preparations for the ceremony.

The guests took their seats again, and the conversation naturally revolved around the newlyweds, with nothing more than celebratory remarks like "a perfect match" and "a match made in heaven."

The ceremony is about to begin.

Suddenly, a commotion arose at the main table. Led by Zhong Zhengguo, Han Shen and several others stood up and quickly walked towards the banquet hall entrance. A hushed discussion could be heard nearby: "The Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Commission is here!"

Seeing this, Qi Tongwei prepared to get up and return to his colleagues' table at the Economic Commission.

Just then, Hou Liangping walked over from the backstage area, heading straight for his table with a clear purpose.

Hou Liangping first greeted his relatives and friends at the table and Gao Yuliang with a forced smile, then turned to Qi Tongwei. Although he still had a smile on his face, his eyes were cold, and his voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone at the table to hear him clearly:

"Senior Qi, I'm really sorry." His tone carried a deliberate apology. "My father-in-law requires everything to be kept simple and the scale to be strictly controlled."

"I only have one table for my family and friends, and there are very few seats available. The seat you are sitting in... is reserved for Chen Hai. I will definitely host a separate banquet for you later to apologize."

Chapter 45 The Zhong Family Wedding Banquet (Continued)

So that's why.

Qi Tongwei suddenly realized why his junior had looked unwell since they first met.

He was about to explain that he had come with Han Shen when he saw Hou Liangping slightly raise his chin. The deliberate apology he had maintained quickly vanished, replaced by a mixture of mockery and condescension. His voice lowered, but became even sharper:

"Anyway... you've been sitting here for quite a while now, and you've probably met the leaders you needed to. You should have achieved your goal, right?"

Qi Tongwei's face suddenly darkened.

This person sees him as a shameless opportunist who came specifically to "get familiar" with the high-ranking leader and "make his presence known."

Recalling the last time at Dafeng Factory, Hou Liangping had taken it for granted that he would try to exchange money for inside information, claiming that "everyone gets what they need."

Now that he has climbed to a higher position, this inherent arrogance and utilitarian understanding of "rules" have not only not diminished, but have instead been nurtured and inflated by the power of the Zhong family.

Although Hou Liangping's voice was not loud, as the protagonist of the day, his every move attracted the attention of the entire audience.

At this moment, many people stopped talking and turned their attention to this corner.

The thought of turning away and leaving flashed through Qi Tongwei's mind.

But leaving at this moment is not a slap in the face to Hou Liangping, but to the host Zhong Zhengguo and Han Shen who brought him here.

However, backing down step by step was not in his nature. Since his rebirth, he believed that his temper had been tempered a lot, but if he did not react to Hou Liangping's repeated contempt and insults, would Hou really think he was made of clay?

At Handong University, Hou Liangping was a kind-hearted junior. Although he had a slight sense of superiority due to his affluent family background, he was not disliked.

However, the overwhelming power of the Zhong family acted like a magnifying glass, infinitely amplifying the hidden arrogance in his personality caused by the difference in their backgrounds. Furthermore, in this marriage, which was "better than a son-in-law's marriage than a son-in-law's marriage," it fostered a distorted aggressiveness that was eager to establish his own status and value.

Understanding their mindset is not difficult, but understanding does not mean giving in to them indefinitely.

Gao Yuliang frowned slightly, about to explain, when Qi Tongwei spoke calmly, his voice clear and steady:

“Liangping, you’ve misunderstood.” He looked at Hou Liangping with a frank gaze. “I came here with my superiors. The people at that table over there are all bureau-level leaders, whom I’m not very familiar with, so I came over to say a few words to Teacher Gao.”

Everything he said was true, but he deliberately avoided mentioning "Senior Brother Han Shen." It was reasonable not to mention it at this time, since no one would talk about their relationship every day.

He came with Han Shen, saying he was "accompanying his unit leader," which was perfectly reasonable.

However, in Hou Liangping's preconceived notions, Qi Tongwei's explanation was nothing more than a desperate attempt to save face.

A scheming individual, exposed on the spot, still tries to use the "work unit" as a cover? If you really came with the unit leader, how could you be "unfamiliar" with the Economic Commission colleagues at the same table? You must have gotten information from Teacher Gao and forced your way in. Now that I've exposed you, you still want to use the unit's name as an excuse!

Hou Liangping was naturally pleased with himself for getting close to Zhong Xiaoai.

Love is all romance and sweet dreams, but marriage is a clash of realities. The vast difference in their social standing had long since become an invisible burden, making it hard for him to breathe.

At the wedding in Handong, his father-in-law did not attend and the scale was strictly controlled; at the wedding in Beijing, his family was only given one table.

He and his parents racked their brains trying to come up with the guest list for this dinner. Gao Yuliang was a must-invite; he was one of the highest-ranking leaders he could reach, and with the added prestige of being a teacher or professor, it wouldn't seem like a personal favor.

Chen Hai is a mutual friend and indispensable.

With the addition of his closest parents, there were very few spots left; many relatives and friends who wanted to use this opportunity to curry favor or witness his success were rejected by his father with a hard heart, and he complained a lot behind his back.