At the Pinnacle of Power: My Insider Report Alarms Bigwigs in Beijing's Elite Circle

"I studied economics in college, and I usually read books on politics and economics. Occasionally, I also study the patterns of modern economic development in various countries around the world, which is why I had the humble opinion I just mentioned."

Lin Yi met Xu Shimeng's admiring gaze and said modestly.

Xiao Yuan said with a smile, "Lin Yi, Wang Xiang just said that what you just said was at the level of a ministerial leader. How can you say it's shallow? You're so humble in front of a beautiful woman, how can I, as your older brother, show off?"

"Brother Xiao is right. Lin Yi, you're too modest. Here's your penalty drink."

Xu Shimeng smiled and picked up a glass of wine, saying it was a punishment, but actually she was offering a toast to Lin Yi.

"Oh my, our Shimeng actually offered a toast to a man! It's like the sun has risen in the west!"

Zhong Xiaole was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Because he knew very well that Xu Shimeng, who was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the capital, was the perfect granddaughter-in-law in the hearts of the heads of the major wealthy families in the capital, and her suitors were as numerous as fish crossing a river.

But Xu Shimeng wasn't interested in those wealthy elites, let alone someone like today who would take the initiative to toast a man!

Wang Xiang and Chen Zhan both looked like they'd seen a ghost.

Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind:

Lin Yi and Xu Shimeng seem to be a good match.

Unaware of Xiao Yuan's thoughts, Xu Shimeng continued after clinking glasses with Lin Yi, "Lin Yi, what are your views on the news media?"

"I believe that our news reporting cannot be completely factual and speak for the people domestically, nor can it break through the blockade of Western public opinion and speak for the motherland internationally."

Lin Yi pondered for a moment before speaking.

The inability of some domestic news reports to be factual has long been a source of public criticism.

Foreign public opinion has long been dominated by the Western world. It wasn't until after 2020, when the overseas version of TikTok became popular worldwide, that the blockade of Western media was broken, allowing the world to see the true face of China.

"Then do you have any good suggestions?"

Xu Shimeng's eyes lit up.

As a reporter for Guangming Daily, she was well aware that Lin Yi had just pointed out the problems in the field of news media incisively.

"You can try creating your own self-media or establishing a news media group to speak for the people truthfully, while also seeking overseas development to break through the Western world's media blockade. The pressure at home lies in ideological control and policy restrictions, while the pressure abroad lies in restrictions on communication channels. But I believe you can solve both of these problems."

Lin Yi offered his advice.

For an ordinary person, it would be impossible to withstand the pressure from above and ensure that every news report is factual.

However, Xu Shimeng is a descendant of the wealthy Xu family, so it's still worth a try.

As for breaking through the Western world's media blockade, it will happen naturally once technology develops to a certain level.

As you can see, since 2023, foreign internet celebrities have been flocking to China, filming videos from all over the country, and sparing no effort to promote China.

"Lin Yi, I think your suggestion is very good, but there are some parts I haven't figured out yet and need to go back and think about them carefully. How about this, I'll save your number and call you later if I don't understand something, okay?"

Lin Yi seemed to have ignited a dream in Xu Shimeng's heart. She was somewhat moved and took the initiative to ask Lin Yi for his phone number.

what's the situation?

Did Shimeng take the initiative to ask a man for his phone number?

If this gets out, wouldn't Shi Meng's suitors go crazy?

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan and the other three were all a little dumbfounded.

"it is good."

Lin Yi smiled and nodded, then exchanged contact information with Xu Shimeng.

Wang Xiang, Zhong Xiaole, and Chen Zhan had planned to exchange contact information after dinner, but seeing that Xu Shimeng had done it first, they all took the initiative to save Lin Yi's phone number as well.

Originally, Xu Shimeng and her three companions came to visit Xiao Yuan and celebrate his election as mayor, but Lin Yi replaced Xiao Yuan and became the absolute protagonist of the dinner party.

At 10 p.m., after dinner, Lin Yi and Xiao Yuan escorted Xu Shimeng and the other three to the entrance of Yunshan Hotel.

"Lin Yi, if you have time to come to Yanjing, remember to let me know, and I'll treat you to a meal."

When saying goodbye, Xu Shimeng took the initiative to invite Lin Yi to dinner.

Lin Yi smiled and nodded: "Okay."

"Goodbye."

Xu Shimeng said no more, waved to Lin Yi and Xiao Yuan with a flourish, and then entered the hotel building with Wang Xiang, Zhong Xiaole and Chen Zhan, who were all dumbfounded.

A few minutes later, Xu Shimeng returned to her hotel room and was about to take a shower when she suddenly received a call from her father, Xu Hongrui.

"Shimeng, have you finished eating with your brother Xiao Yuan?"

Xu Hongrui, who was in charge of the Jiangnan region, spoke first, without the authority of a high-ranking official, but with the doting affection of a father for his daughter.

Xu Shimeng took off her shoes, revealing her crystal-clear jade feet, and casually replied, "Yeah, just got back to my hotel room."

How was your trip to Yunshan?

"Quite interesting."

"How to say?"

"I met a very interesting person."

"You're not talking about that Lin Yi, are you?"

Lin Yi's name instantly popped into Xu Hongrui's mind.

Xu Shimeng was taken aback: "Dad, you know him too?"

"He saved your brother Xiao Yuan. In a sense, he is a benefactor to our families. How could I not know that?"

Xu Hongrui smiled bitterly.

When he learned the truth behind Xiao Yuan's case from Zhong Wei, he felt a chill run down his spine.

If it weren't for Lin Yi, Xiao Yuan would most likely have met a terrible end, which would have left him with a lifetime of guilt and remorse!

Meanwhile, several powerful families, including the Xu family, will no longer have the face to face the Xiao family!

“Dad, let me tell you, before I came to Yunshan, Zhong Xiaole told me that Uncle Zhong had a very high opinion of Lin Yi. At the time, I was very curious, what did Xiao Yuan’s secretary do to deserve Uncle Zhong’s praise!”

Xu Shimeng said excitedly, "But after I met Lin Yi, I found that he was even more outstanding than Uncle Zhong had described! In fact, I think that in terms of knowledge and insights into the economic field, no one in the younger generation of China can surpass him!"

"real or fake?"

Xu Hongrui was taken aback.

He knew that his daughter had been influenced by him since childhood and had a deep understanding of politics and economics. Moreover, due to the nature of her work, she had interviewed many leading figures in the domestic economic field.

Under these circumstances, Xu Shimeng's evaluation of Lin Yi just now can be described as incredibly high!

"Dad, why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, you can ask Wang Xiang. In his words, Lin Yi's insights into the economic field are in no way inferior to those of the leaders of the National Development and Reform Commission!"

Xu Shimeng pouted, clearly unhappy.

"I believe you, how could your father not believe you?"

Xu Hongrui seemed to imagine his daughter's angry face, and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Then he said, "It seems I need to find some time to meet this young man."

"Dad, when I parted ways with Xiao Yuan just now, I invited Lin Yi to Beijing. Later, when he goes to Beijing, I'll bring him home so you can talk to him!"

Xu Shimeng quickly said.

"it is good."

Xu Hongrui replied instinctively, then suddenly realized something was wrong:

What does it mean to take him home?

Xu Shimeng put down her phone, rested her chin on her hands, seemed to be recalling something, chuckled to herself for a while, then picked up her phone again and sent a message: Help me investigate something that happened eighteen years ago...

On the other side, Lin Yi took Xiao Yuan to the municipal party committee's family compound.

He was about to say goodbye to Xiao Yuan when his phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was his mother, Fang Lan, calling. He answered the phone first: "Xiao Yi, tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Are you coming back?"

"Mom, I don't know what the leader's arrangements are yet. What's wrong?"

Lin Yi responded to his mother first, then looked somewhat puzzled.

Fang Lan hesitated on the other end of the phone.

Seeing this, Lin Zhengguang, the father, snatched the phone and said, "Xiaoyi, Fang Li said you've been disciplined and are no longer Mayor Xiao's secretary. Your mother is worried about you and wants to ask what happened."

"Dad, Mom, I was temporarily transferred to another department a couple of days ago, but I've returned to the Municipal Government Office today. I'll still be Mayor Xiao's secretary."

Lin Yi frowned slightly.

His temporary assignment to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation team was not a secret within the municipal party committee and government, but it did not reach the counties below.

His latest appointment was only announced yesterday afternoon, so it's even less likely that people in the county below would know about it.

“I told you long ago, my son is fine. Fang Li was spreading rumors. You didn’t believe me before, but do you believe me now?”

Hearing Lin Yi's words, Lin Zhengguang breathed a sigh of relief, then glared at Fang Lan.

Fang Lan felt a mix of emotions; she was happy that her son was alright, but also heartbroken by Fang Li's actions.

Lin Yi frowned and asked, "Dad, what did he do?"

“Whenever he met relatives and friends, he would say, ‘You’ve been disciplined, you’re no longer Mayor Xiao’s secretary, and your future is ruined!’ He also said that when he asked you for help, you were heartless, and that if our family wanted to ask him for help in the future, there would be no way we could get it!”

Lin Zhengguang said angrily.

"Dad, don't worry, we will never ask him for help!"

Lin Yi's brows furrowed completely.

Fang Li, whom the father mentioned, is Lin Yi's uncle and the vice president of Qinghe County Hospital, which is under Yunshan City.

After Lin Yi became Xiao Yuan's secretary, Fang Li asked Lin Yi to put in a good word with the leaders of Qinghe County to promote him to the position of director of the county hospital.

In addition, Fang Li also asked Lin Yi to arrange a job for his son, Fang Zhenhai.

Fang Zhenhai didn't even attend a diploma mill; he graduated from a technical college, yet he wants to become a civil servant with a permanent position!

Lin Yi refused both requests without hesitation!

Lin Yi knew that Fang Li was as snobbish as his name suggested, but he did not expect that Fang Li would hold a grudge against him, spread rumors about him, and even show off in front of his parents!

This annoyed Lin Yi!

"what happened?"

Xiao Yuan sensed Lin Yi's anger and asked after Lin Yi hung up the phone.

Lin Yi gently shook his head: "It's alright, Brother Xiao."

"Do you still consider me your brother?"

Xiao Yuan glared at Lin Yi, annoyed, and said, "I know your personality. If there's nothing wrong, why are you in a bad mood? So, what is it?"

"Brother Xiao, it's just a small matter..."

Lin Yi didn't want to tell Xiao Yuan about his family's dirty laundry, but seeing Xiao Yuan's insistent insistence on getting to the bottom of things, he had no choice but to tell him the truth.

After hearing this, Xiao Yuan was stunned for several seconds before saying, "Okay, tomorrow's visit and inspection will be held in Qinghe County. After you arrive in Qinghe, go straight home. After I finish my visit and inspection, I'll go to visit my uncle at home."

"Brother Xiao, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Lin Yi was stunned.

He never expected that Xiao Yuan would personally go back to his hometown to support him for such a small matter!

"My uncle is sick, and I haven't visited him yet. I'll take advantage of the Dragon Boat Festival to visit him."

Xiao Yuanyi said sternly, "Besides, although I don't know why Fang Li spread rumors, I was unhappy to hear them and wanted to clarify things for you. Is there a problem?"

"Thank you, Brother Xiao!"

Lin Yi immediately expressed his gratitude, deeply moved.

Xiao Yuan gently patted Lin Yi on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Xiao Lin, we must serve the people well, and also take good care of our families!"