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

Qi Tongwei, on the other hand, remained calm and continued to handle his daily work as usual.

He had just signed his opinion on a document when his secretary, Huang Qiaosong, knocked on the door and came in, looking somewhat nervous: "Governor, Director Zhong Xiaoai of the inspection team wants to see you."

Qi Tongwei stopped writing and his expression darkened.

Looks like she found out something from Zhong Zhengguo? Why is she coming here to play the role of interrogating me and fiercely protecting her husband?

How can you come to see me at this time?

Don't you know the rules!

He put down his pen, looked up, and said coldly, "I won't see you."

Huang Qiaosong paused for a moment, somewhat hesitant, still a little intimidated by the Z Discipline Inspection Commission's sign: "Then should I tell her that you're in a meeting and can't spare the time?"

“No.” Qi Tongwei’s tone was calm but firm. “Just tell her directly—a patrol officer of her rank is not qualified to meet with me alone.”

Chapter 138 Not Ruthless Enough

Huang Qiaosong walked through the corridor and pushed open the door to the reception room.

Zhong Xiaoai sat upright on the sofa, her hands folded on her knees, her briefcase beside her. She wore a simple dark suit, and her low ponytail was neat and tidy.

His eyes and brows carried an air of superiority, a quality honed from years of upbringing in a high-ranking family and training in the disciplined forces—not arrogance, but an indescribable sense of entitlement.

Judging from her appearance alone, it's hard to imagine that she is already a deputy director-level cadre; she looks more like a key professional who has just taken on an important position.

Upon seeing Huang Qiaosong enter, she prepared to get up, appearing ready to follow him to see Qi Tongwei.

The moment she stood up, Huang Qiaosong slightly raised one hand to stop her.

His tone was calm and polite, but every word was clear: "Director Zhong, please wait a moment. Governor Qi asked me to tell you—an inspector of your rank is not qualified to meet with him alone."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Zhong Xiaoai stopped moving.

She looked at Huang Qiaosong's young and calm face, confirming his words one by one, making sure he wasn't joking or beating around the bush.

Then she nodded slightly.

"I see."

His voice remained calm, revealing no emotion.

She picked up her briefcase, stood up, walked out of the meeting room, walked down the long corridor, and headed for the elevator.

Huang Qiaosong did not see her off.

The sunlight was a bit dazzling as I stepped out of the provincial government building.

Zhong Xiaoai paused on the steps and squinted her eyes.

She was out on personal business this time and didn't have the arranged driver; she drove herself.

Once she reached the underground parking lot, got into the car, and closed the door, the sunlight and noise outside were shut out, giving her a quiet space to think.

The temperature inside the car was lower than outside, but she still felt her face was a little hot.

She knew that Qi Tongwei's current status was extraordinary, and at that level, her family background did not give her the right to be arrogant in front of him.

But what she didn't expect was that, despite her status as an imperial envoy of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, her friendship as fellow alumni of Handong University, and her father's influence, she couldn't even get a chance to meet him.

The key point is that Qi Tongwei wasn't even willing to put on a perfunctory show; he directly had his secretary relay her words to her face, ruthlessly slapping her in the face.

I haven't been treated like this in so many years.

Given the platform of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the father's status, under normal circumstances, many provincial and ministerial-level officials would greet him with smiles and politely offer him tea and water.

But she suddenly realized that even though Qi Tongwei was so blatantly disrespectful to her, she was still helpless against him and could not have any real impact on him.

She couldn't complain to her father, nor did she dare to use this inspection opportunity to ulterior motives.

At that moment, she truly realized that her sudden visit was abrupt, presumptuous, and inappropriate.

Ultimately, it was her father, Zhong Zhengguo, who gave her confidence. Otherwise, how could a deputy director-level official like her dare to directly approach a promising future provincial-level official for personal matters? And why would she subconsciously assume he would give her face and see her?

That's so unruly.

She forcibly suppressed the surging emotions within her and began to carefully examine every mistake made during this presumptuous visit.

Suddenly, her body trembled.

If Qi Tongwei hadn't refused her so decisively, she wouldn't even have realized she'd done something wrong.

What about Ryohei?

Did he unknowingly do wrong because of his arrogance and overconfidence?

Thinking about her husband's usual words and actions, an answer came to her mind, and that answer sent a chill down her spine.

Yes, probably. And the trouble they've caused is likely quite serious.

In an instant, a chill ran down her spine, and she wished she could find Hou Liangping immediately and have him recount to her in detail everything he had done during this period.

But she can't.

It's not time to leave work yet. She's only leaving the team on her way back from a field assignment.

Liangping also has to go to work.

Let's talk about it after get off work.

Just as I was thinking this, my phone vibrated.

It's news from Hou Liangping.

"Xiao Ai, you've come to Jingzhou? Why didn't you tell me? The inspection team came to take over Ouyang Jing just now, and I was wondering why you weren't here."

"I made an excuse to come out on a field assignment, can you find an excuse to come out too? It's been so long, I miss you, my wife."

Zhong Xiaoai stared at the screen, at those few lines of text, and at that relaxed and cheerful tone, a feeling that she couldn't quite describe—whether it was heartache or annoyance—surged in her chest.

She opened the voice message, took a deep breath, and tried to make her voice sound less out of control: "The inspection team hasn't even been formed yet, how could I possibly tell you in advance? Don't you know about the confidentiality regulations? Don't I need to avoid suspicion when handing over Ouyang Jing? What are you thinking about all day long? Also, go back to work and behave yourself. I'll come find you after get off work."

After sending the message, she placed her phone face down on the passenger seat and started the car.

Just as she was about to shift gears, the phone rang again.

She thought it was Hou Liangping calling, and felt annoyed. But when she picked it up and looked at it, she was stunned.

The caller's name was not Hou Liangping.

She quickly composed herself and answered the phone respectfully: "Team Leader Zhang, hello."

The voice on the other end of the phone was serious and forceful, without any preamble: "Comrade Zhong Xiaoai, who gave you the authority to go see Vice Governor Qi Tongwei alone during working hours? What do you want to do?"

"Who authorized you?"

"You now represent the Central Inspection Team. Every action you take reflects the will of higher authorities and will be interpreted by the local authorities. Your behavior has violated work regulations. You must return immediately and report to the inspection team in person to explain."

Without giving Zhong Xiaoai any chance to explain, the phone call ended.

Zhong Xiaoai held her phone, her fingers turning slightly white.

The news reached Team Leader Zhang's ears so quickly, and he personally questioned him—there's only one possibility.

It was Qi Tongwei who personally contacted the inspection team.

At that moment, instead of feeling resentful, she felt a sinking feeling in her heart, and an unprecedented sense of solemnity welled up inside her.

She thought she was there to gather information and, incidentally, to plead for her husband's sake; but she didn't expect that the other party didn't take her seriously at all and easily dragged her away with a casual gesture.

This time, Handong was far more complicated than she had imagined.

Qi Tongwei had gone so far as to personally call and complain to distance himself from her.

However, she also knew that she would likely be severely criticized when she returned, but there would probably be no punishment.

Instead of returning to her post immediately, Zhong Xiaoai dialed her father Zhong Zhengguo's number.

She recounted the entire story in detail, without omitting any words or details.

Zhong Zhengguo was silent for a moment, then spoke, his tone noticeably stern: "Xiao Ai, before I went down there, didn't I tell you that when you went to Handong, you were only to investigate Ouyang Jing and Li Dakang's cases, and not to worry about anything else?"

"I said that."

"Then why did you act on your own initiative and create unnecessary trouble?"

"But Ryohei..."

A sigh came from the other side. It was deep and long, like a stone falling into deep water.

"Xiao Ai, you've always been smart and decisive. All things considered, you're more outstanding than your two older brothers." Zhong Zhengguo's voice deepened. "But I haven't given you enough resources. Do you resent me?"

Zhong Xiaoai paused for a moment, then lowered her voice: "No. I'm a married daughter, and Haoran also has the surname Hou, so I understand. You're like a father to me, and you've already helped me a lot."

"You're mistaken," Zhong Zhengguo interrupted her. "Your father isn't that superficial; that's not the real reason."

Zhong Xiaoai paused, her heart skipping a beat: "Then... what's the real reason?"

"You haven't overcome the common weakness of most female cadres: you're not ruthless enough."

Zhong Zhengguo's voice was calm, but those four words fell like a knife, precise and steady.

"Take the current Hantong Provincial Party Committee as an example," Zhong Zhengguo continued, his tone like that of someone making a calm analysis. "Li Dakang knew his wife was having problems, sensed the impending trouble, and immediately divorced her. When his ex-wife went to jail, he made no attempt to help her, neither openly nor secretly."

"Qi Tongwei, upon arriving in Handong, immediately targeted his mentor's faction, splitting the Handong University gang in two and taking half for himself, without the slightest hesitation or guilt."

"Gao Yuliang, your teacher, although he has been suppressed by Qi Tongwei recently and hasn't made many moves, we can still get a glimpse of the bigger picture from Chen Hai's case. He's a beloved student he's nurtured for many years, but once he finds him disobedient, he immediately abandons him without hesitation."

"And then there's Sha Ruijin, who used to be the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission in a neighboring province. When he was fighting corruption, he also wielded the sword ruthlessly, showing no mercy even to his own family."

Every name, every sentence, is like a nail, quietly hammered in.

"Even that Governor Liu, who is now practically invisible, was no ordinary person a few years ago; he was ruthless and decisive."

Zhong Zhengguo paused, his voice softening slightly, but still tinged with a sense of helplessness: "Of your generation, Liangping isn't talented enough, and your two older brothers are also mediocre. Actually, considering everything, you have the best potential, and I originally intended to cultivate you. But after observing you for several years, I've noticed your personality is too gentle, especially after giving birth to Haoran."

"In the end, I gave up on that idea."

"Life doesn't have only one path; being a dutiful wife and mother is certainly a good choice."

"Dad." Zhong Xiaoai's voice lowered.

"I didn't want to tell you this," Zhong Zhengguo sighed, a rare hint of self-reflection in his voice. "Often, knowing you had other options only adds unnecessary worries."