Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

“That’s right, I’m going into politics.” Gao Yuliang put his hands behind his back and looked into the distance. “Just today, Secretary Liang selected me, and I was included in the list. I’ll be saying goodbye to Handong University from now on. Of course… there’s nothing wrong with teaching, but politics offers me a much broader horizon.”

The latter part of those words sounded familiar to Qi Tongwei.

Gao Yuliang's abilities are beyond question.

Calm, composed, eloquent, resilient, politically astute, and farsighted... no single word is too good to describe him.

Most importantly, Gao Yuliang always treated Qi Tongwei differently, both at school and in politics.

No matter how others slander Qi Tongwei, he will always stand up for his students immediately.

The two had a teacher-student relationship as well as friendship.

Director Qi also said that if Teacher Gao were to slap his left cheek, he would offer his right cheek as well.

Moreover, Gao Yuliang always maintained the integrity of a scholar.

Before Sha Ruijin arrived in Handong, almost no one paid any attention to Chen Yanshi and his wife. Only Gao Yuliang, mindful of the history of the old revolutionaries, gave them enough respect.

"Tongwei, you are the first person at Handong University to know that I am involved in politics. I haven't even told Professor Wu yet. Perhaps at some point in the future, we can work together."

"It is my honor to work with you."

"You're being modest." Gao Yuliang shook his head gently. "Tongwei, although you're in Yantai and I'm in Jingzhou, I've been following what's happening to you, especially the 915 anti-drug operation. You really made me, your teacher, proud. There are many things I still need to learn from you."

"Teacher, you flatter me. The political path is long, and all I can do is follow my heart and act accordingly!"

"What a wonderful phrase, 'following oneself and one's heart'!"

Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei and smiled again, his eyes full of admiration.

He could sense that this disciple in front of him would definitely be exceptionally outstanding in the future, perhaps even surpassing him.

That evening, Gao Yuliang invited Qi Tongwei to stay for dinner.

Since Teacher Wu wasn't home, the two of them made a plate of tomato and egg soup and a plate of smashed cucumber, and drank and chatted until midnight.

Gao Yuliang is now riding high on success.

As soon as he entered politics, he became the secretary of Liang Qunfeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

The salary and benefits of a division chief.

This starting point is already the end point for many people who have spent their lives navigating the ups and downs of officialdom.

The next day.

Gao Yuliang went to the provincial capital to report for duty first, while Qi Tongwei walked into the mall at a leisurely pace.

Next stop, Beijing.

Go find his sweet and salty Xiao Ai.

Upon arriving at the mall, Qi Tongwei looked around the jewelry counter, trying to find a gift he liked, but after searching for a long time, he still couldn't find one that satisfied him.

The main problem is that he still can't win over Zhong Xiaoai's heart.

That girl is clever and quirky, and her moods are unpredictable. I'm afraid if I don't choose a good gift, I'll get a scolding.

Well, it's quite difficult.

Finally, with the help of the sales assistant at the counter, I bought a colorful bracelet.

One hundred and fifty yuan.

Clutching the colorful bracelet and feeling a mix of trepidation and excitement, Qi Tongwei boarded the train to Beijing.

Beijing.

This place was not unfamiliar to Qi Tongwei, after all, he was the director of the provincial public security bureau in his previous life and had held meetings here before.

At this moment, things are much easier.

He wasn't on any mission, nor did he have any particular plans; he simply wanted to find Zhong Xiaoai.

He didn't even want to mention being targeted by Wang Dejun in the anti-drug squad. He wasn't Hou Liangping; he didn't want to rely on his wife for everything.

Another point is that Qi Tongwei in this life has a deeper understanding of power.

What is power?

In the past, Director Qi believed that rising to higher positions meant having power.

Qi Tongwei doesn't understand it that way now.

Power comes from the people and should benefit the people. Power does not belong to individuals, nor should we be excessively obsessed with it.

One who is without desires is invincible!

After getting off the train, Qi Tongwei took out his phone, entered a number, and then put it back.

The March sun is warm but not scorching.

The reflection on Qi Tongwei's face made him look like a sunny yet naive young man.

It's inevitable for a young man to feel nervous when meeting a girl he likes.

And so, he paced back and forth on the platform, constantly picking up his phone and putting it down again.

Finally, I got hungry.

After some internal struggle, he decided to fill his stomach first.

After all, you need a full stomach to have the energy to think about other things...

Chapter Thirty: Zhong Xiaoai in Formal Attire

After getting off the train, Qi Tongwei walked across two streets and found a small restaurant to sit down.

The capital city is truly a place where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold.

Don't let the small size of the restaurant fool you; the rent is quite high, and it's packed with people at lunchtime.

Qi Tongwei is not short of money these days. He ordered two small dishes, opened his phone again, and was still undecided.

Just then, the conversation of a few people at the next table caught his attention, and he put down his phone for the time being.

“Old Xu, the Discipline Inspection Commission is keeping a close eye on things now. We can’t afford to eat so much meat and fish anymore. Director Wu is an example. When he was taken away yesterday, my legs went weak with fear.”

"I know, that's why I didn't dare go to the hotel today and just chose this little restaurant. Sigh... I'm afraid I won't have any good days ahead."

"Who says otherwise! The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's Thunder Second Bureau is no joke. If they want to investigate, there's nothing they can't investigate. Also... among those people who took Director Wu away yesterday, there was a young girl. Do you remember her?"

"I remember her. She had fair skin and was very pretty. She looked like an intern."

"Old Xu, your judgment is terrible! That's not an intern!"

"So young, isn't he an intern?"

"That's Secretary Zhong's niece!"

"Which Secretary Zhong?"

"Secretary Zhong Zhengqian!"

Upon hearing the name "Zhong Zhengqian," everyone at the table fell silent.

That's every corrupt official's nightmare.

After a long silence, someone finally spoke up in a low voice, "Old Wang, is this news accurate? If Secretary Zhong interferes with our Development and Reform Bureau, we're really finished."

"The information is 100% accurate. From now on, we must act with integrity and restraint when necessary, lest we run into trouble and die without even knowing how."

"Stop talking, eat quickly, and get back to work. If we get targeted, we're really finished."

"I'm not eating anymore, I'm going to work!"

"Old Xu, why are you acting like a frightened bird? You even refuse to eat when Secretary Zhong is mentioned."

The man known as Lao Xu didn't speak, but simply lowered his head and walked towards the Development and Reform Bureau office building across the street.

The others all let out a long sigh.

The sheer impact of Zhong Zhengqian's name had already made them lose their appetite. After eating a little, they put down their chopsticks, paid the bill, and left.

Qi Tongwei heard their conversation clearly and guessed who Secretary Zhong was.

Besides Grandpa Zhong, the current head of the Zhong family is also Zhong Xiaoai's uncle.

Zhao Dehan once said that in Beijing, a single brick could knock down a whole group of department heads. While that may be an exaggeration, it does reflect the reality of the situation.

Take those people from earlier as an example. It's not hard to tell from their conversation that they are all leaders from the Development and Reform Bureau on the other side.

However, these leaders seem to be having a tough time now, as they are being investigated by the disciplinary committee, and Zhong Xiaoai is involved in the investigation.

"Kung Pao Chicken, Pork Cracklings and Vegetables, all the dishes are ready, please enjoy."

The waiter interrupted Qi Tongwei's thoughts.

You can't go against your stomach.

Looking at the steaming stir-fried dishes, Qi Tongwei ladled out another bowl of rice and started eating.

I must say, the restaurant is small, but the food is really good.

After eating one bowl, Qi Tongwei had another, even mixing the soup with his rice, and ate it all up.