In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

Based on the investigation report from Minister Wang, it is highly likely that certain high-ranking officials in China are involved. However, there is no direct evidence, and speculation cannot be taken as proof.

I will inform Minister Wang to send a trusted comrade to Tazhai Village. You don't need to worry about anything else; your task is to successfully develop Lüzhou into a leading industrial city!

"I understand, Elder Xu!"

"I understand. By the way, I heard that Zhong Zhengguo's daughter, Zhong Xiaoai, has been transferred to your Handong?"

Even though he was the deputy secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission, some people act recklessly and arbitrarily, achieving nothing but advancing one step at a time in just a few years.

But they go to great lengths to obstruct cadres who have made solid contributions in local areas. I think the National Development and Reform Commission should just be headed by Zhong.

Chen Luo found it difficult to respond to this.

"Oh, right, let me tell you something else. Your senior won't have the chance to directly take the top position in the Organization Department of the Central Committee when the leadership is reshuffled next year. He's 59 years old and can't afford to waste a few more years. If Zhong Zhengguo is transferred, your senior might be able to take over the heavy responsibility of the National Development and Reform Commission."

This news is a little tricky.

"By the way, I heard they've been targeting Zhao Lichun lately? Two tigers can't share one mountain. Zhao Lichun is just a deputy assistant minister. I really don't know what they're after. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Aren't they afraid of a lose-lose situation by pushing someone to their death?"

"Ahem, Elder Xu, what if the two tigers really end up fighting each other to the death?"

"Hahaha, that's great! If you win, you'll be badly injured and slink away. If you kill him, even better, we'll start the feast right away. You think you don't understand what a gluttonous banquet is?"

"I understand, okay, I'll give it a try?"

"Don't mess around. Your task is to build up Luzhou. Of course, it's okay to stir things up a bit while protecting yourself. Oh dear, I heard that Zhao Lichun treats his son Zhao Ruilong like a treasure, giving him whatever he wants. And Director Zhong only has one daughter, Zhong Xiaoai..."

Some things need to be left unsaid, and Chen Luo understood that, as did Old Xu.

"That's all for now, I'm hanging up. You should make the most of your opportunity."

Only after Old Xu hung up the phone did Chen Luo exhale a deep breath, his eyes flickering with light. On the chessboard of Handong, it was time for him to make his move.

Back in his office at the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Chen Luo processed and signed the important documents from the past week.

Meanwhile, in Dongshan, a group of state security personnel arrived directly at the Lin Clan Ancestral Hall without revealing any prior information, and eventually took some items away from under the ancestral tablets.

It was 6:30 PM when Chen Luo finally got off work and went home. There were a lot of backlogged documents, but with Huang Ming's help, Chen Luo only needed to come in for a few hours every Friday to finish his work.

Back home, the two little ones immediately clung to him, since Chen Luo had been mostly in Luzhou and hadn't seen them for almost a week.

"Dad, shall we go out to eat?"

Chen Zhengxi looked at Chen Luo with a gleam in his eyes, while Chen Zhengshu, though more restrained, couldn't hide the anticipation in his eyes either.

"Okay, let's call Mom and go out to eat!"

"Yay! I want to eat hot pot!"

Amidst the commotion, the family drove out of the provincial party committee building and headed straight for the nearest shopping mall, Wanda Plaza.

It was almost 7 p.m. when they arrived at the mall. Chen Luo and Zhang Nian, each holding one of their children's hands, were about to enter the mall when a familiar voice came from behind them.

"Secretary Chen!"

Turning around, Chen Luo saw that the people who came were Liu Mingyu and Lu Yike, as well as Lin Huahua, whom Chen Luo considered insignificant and Liu Mingyu considered a third wheel.

"We just got off work and we've already met again." Chen Luo's tone was very gentle.

As they were talking, Lin Huahua stepped forward and started joking with Chen Zhengxi.

"Yes, it's Friday, so we were planning to go out for hot pot. Secretary Chen, you and General Manager Zhang, are you?"

"What a coincidence! My family and I are also here for hot pot. Shall we join us?"

Chen Luo was just being polite, but before the adults could even refuse, the child agreed first.

"Okay, okay, Sister Huahua, let's have hot pot together!"

Since things have come to this point, Chen Luo has no choice but to let Chen Zhengxi have her way.

The group went directly to a Sichuan hot pot restaurant in the mall and sat down at a large table. There were five adults and two children, and the table was just full.

"Yike, Mingyu, have you two made up your minds?"

Zhang Nian was the one who questioned the two.

"Ahem, Mr. Zhang, you mean..."

"Hey, don't play dumb. When are you two getting married? Our whole family is waiting to attend your wedding."

Lu Yike blushed visibly. At this moment, Liu Mingyu, who was standing next to her, grabbed Lu Yike's small hand and said, "Secretary Chen, President Zhang, we plan to get our marriage certificate next month."

Lu Yike did not refute, and Lin Huahua and Chen Zhengxi, who were standing to the side, smiled brightly at the scene.

"Lin Huahua".

"Here! Please give your instructions, Secretary Chen."

Lin Huahua's smile vanished instantly upon being suddenly called out.

"Your aunt asked me the other day, saying that since I introduced Mingyu to Director Lu, when can I introduce you to a promising young man as well? Do you need one?"

"what?"

Lin Huahua was a little confused.

"It seems you have no desire to improve."

"No, no, no, Secretary Chen, I need it!"

The little incident made Lu Yike feel less shy instantly. They stopped talking about work and just chatted casually. They were all from the same generation, so the generation gap was small and they got along quite well.

In no time at all, all the dishes were served.

It must be said that there are advantages to having Lu Yike and the other two together, such as Lu Yike sitting next to Chen Zhengshu now.

Lin Huahua sat next to Chen Zhengxi, and the two of them kept putting food on the little guy's plate, while Chen Luo and Zhang Nian, the couple, were able to relax.

While I was eating, a familiar figure walked into the store again.

This time, Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping came.

After finally being released, Hou Liangping went home and took a nap. Then, Zhong Xiaoai took him out for a meal to get rid of the bad luck.

What a coincidence that it was the same hot pot restaurant.

As soon as Zhong Xiaoai entered, she saw Chen Luo. She didn't recognize the others, but those who could sit and eat with Chen Luo must be of high status.

Hou Liangping was still a little dazed, clearly not fully recovered, and didn't notice anything amiss.

She plopped down in the dining chair, and at that moment, it would be futile for Zhong Xiaoai to try to leave.

Chapter 161 Enemies are destined to meet.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Xiaoai was about to step forward and greet Chen Luo, but since he was a provincial leader, she couldn't pretend she hadn't seen him.

As soon as he got up, he saw Chen Hai walk in with Tang Chuchu and two little kids at the door.

In an instant, Zhong Xiaoai completely forgot about the matter of greeting him.

He nudged Hou Liangping beside him, and Hou Liangping looked up and their eyes met.

Their eyes blazed with fury. Chen Hai's smile vanished abruptly; he was still unaware that Hou Liangping had been released by the Discipline Inspection Commission.

"Chen Hai! You're pretty ruthless!"

Hou Liangping's face was somewhat ferocious, and Chen Hai was no less so, gritting his teeth, both of them seemingly on the verge of stabbing each other in the back.

This scene was naturally witnessed by Chen Luo and his group at their table. Feeling like a bystander, Chen Luo suddenly found the tender beef in his mouth no longer appealing.

"Liangping, calm down, Secretary Chen is still watching!"

At the critical moment, with Zhong Xiaoai's reminder, Hou Liangping turned around in confusion and looked at Chen Luo. Chen Luo just smiled faintly, and Hou Liangping's anger was instantly suppressed.

At this point, Chen Hai also discovered the blind spot.

He saw Lu Yike, Liu Mingyu, Lin Huahua, and finally his gaze fell on Chen Luo and Zhang Nian.

The anger that had almost ignited cooled down immediately.

"Liangping, I remember you were taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation not long ago. How come you've been out for only a month? Tsk tsk tsk, your Xiao Ai is really capable. I have to say, you married a good wife."

"Brother Hai, are you saying he's a kept man?"

Tang Chuchu didn't know Hou Liangping; after all, Cai Chenggong wouldn't introduce people to each other so casually.

At this moment, Tang Chuchu's brilliant finishing touch made Hou Liangping's expression extremely unpleasant.

"I guess so. But our Director Hou has lost weight while he was taken away for investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission. It's normal for his wife to bring him here for some hot pot to help him recover."

The conflict has become completely public.

Hou Liangping couldn't hold back any longer.

"Ha, who do we have here? Aren't you Cai Chenggong's wife? Chen Hai, you've got some skills, huh? Is this how you take care of Cai Chenggong's family? Dressed up like a flower, aren't you afraid of draining your body?"

Tang Chuchu was not happy to hear this.

"Hey Director Hou, I haven't done anything to you, have I? You're calling me a femme fatale? Tsk, to be honest, I'm only thirty, and my skin and figure are pretty good. Your wife might be able to make you live off her, but she looks like she's in her forties or fifties. You're really not doing a good job!"

A critical hit, definitely a critical hit.

"Shut up!"

As soon as Zhong Xiaoai spoke, the entire hot pot restaurant fell silent, startling some customers.

At this moment, Chen Luo spoke with a smile.

"Hey, hey, hey, you lot, if you're not going to eat, don't stand here making a scene and disturbing the owner's business. This isn't the attitude of serving the people!"

Chen Luo's words were like a terminator. Although he still wanted to watch the drama unfold, the impact was ultimately negative, and Chen Luo had an obligation to protect the image of the cadres in Handong.

After calming down, Chen Hai directly led Tang Chuchu to sit down. At this point, it would be awkward for anyone to leave, and anyone who left would be considered trash.

The same applies to Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping.

What appeared to be a meal was actually a tense standoff between the two sides, with even the waiters feeling immense pressure.

Chen Luo and his group were the first to finish eating.

As Chen Luo paid the bill and left, he glanced at Hou Liangping and Chen Hai with amusement. It seemed that something had happened between these two college best friends that Chen Luo was unaware of.

After leaving the hot pot restaurant, Chen Luo and his family parted ways with Lu Yike and her group, since it was a date for young people.

Just as Chen Luo and the others left, Chen Hai, who had been eating quietly in the hot pot restaurant, spoke up first.