Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

Chengdu had been standing at the arrival gate for quite some time.

He kept peering out of the window, scanning the flow of people exiting the station. With each passing minute, his anxiety increased.

After a long while, a man's figure came into Chengdu's view.

With a slightly plump face and slicked-back hair, he wore a pink shirt under a purple suit, and the Patek Philippe watch on his left wrist was the finishing touch to the whole outfit.

Zhao Ruilong greeted Cheng Du first, extending his right hand in an extremely exaggerated salute, and shouted:

"Director Cheng! Why did you come to pick me up in person?"

Cheng Du didn't dare take Zhao Ruilong's joke seriously. He quickly jogged forward, took Zhao Ruilong's suitcase, and said with a smile:

"Young Master Zhao, you've worked hard."

"Alright, Chengdu, let's not waste time." Zhao Ruilong walked ahead, with Chengdu following closely behind carrying his suitcase.

After the two got into Chengdu's car, Zhao Ruilong finally spoke, his tone carrying a smile, but anyone could hear the coldness in it:

"Director Cheng, I heard you went to see Qi Tongwei? What, was my suggestion good?"

Cheng Du suddenly remembered that when Li Dakang was preparing to settle things, he had called Zhao Ruilong and received the reply that he should go and seek refuge with Qi Tongwei.

At that time, Cheng Du was unwilling to go, but only went to seek refuge with Qi Tongwei after receiving instructions from Xia Qing, the liaison officer.

Although it was supposed to be to avoid trouble, it was Xia Qing's order after all, and he may have also spoken to Qi Tongwei. This director of the Public Security Bureau really treats Cheng Du very well.

Now that he had met Zhao Ruilong, Cheng Du certainly couldn't reveal Xia Qing's instructions, so he laughed it off and said:

"Yes, Young Master Zhao, after you gave your instructions, I went to seek refuge with Director Qi."

Zhao Ruilong snorted coldly, too lazy to continue speaking; in his eyes, it wasn't up to par.

If Qi Tongwei hadn't arranged for Cheng Du to pick him up, Zhao Ruilong would have only had Cheng Du talk to him on the phone.

After driving for a while, Cheng Du cautiously glanced at the rearview mirror and said softly:

"Um, Young Master Zhao."

"Hmm?" Zhao Ruilong said impatiently.

"Director Qi...he also works for you, right? May I ask, is the work he does the same as mine?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruilong's eyes widened, a sinister smile spreading across his face. He said:

"What's wrong, Director Cheng? He's a full-fledged department head, and you're a deputy division head. Are you feeling resentful? But then again, the work you do is indeed more 'weighty'... Alright, I'll talk to the old man about it."

Cheng Du quickly thanked him, already feeling reassured.

It seems that what Qi Tongwei did wasn't as dirty as what I did...

The car soon arrived at Zhao Ruilong's residence. He had returned to discuss matters related to the food court with the provincial environmental protection inspection team.

Before that, Zhao Ruilong had to meet someone.

Qi Tongwei was already waiting outside Zhao Ruilong's residence.

"You've arrived, Director Qi."

Zhao Ruilong greeted Qi Tongwei with a half-smile and led him into the house, while Cheng Du waited outside the door.

Zhao Ruilong then changed the subject, saying:

"Hey, are you and Professor Gao planning to switch sides? We haven't heard from you in so long, and the first thing we do hear is that the food court is under environmental inspection and going to be demolished? Director Qi, surely this isn't a setup you and Professor Gao set up for me?"

Qi Tongwei's heart skipped a beat. He always found it hard to remain calm in front of Zhao Ruilong. Besides the fact that the Zhao family was his backer, the main reason was that Zhao Ruilong controlled too much of his "things".

Qi Tongwei quickly organized his thoughts and carefully explained:

"Ruilong, you really can't blame the teacher... He was besieged by Sha Ruijin, Tian Guofu, and Li Dakang at the Standing Committee meeting, and Yi Xuexi was relentlessly investigating outside. It's really not easy for him to hold on until now... As for the environmental protection inspection, that was Sha Ruijin's idea. Did you expect the teacher and the top leader to bang on the table...?"

Zhao Ruilong's face darkened, and he said:

"Okay, can you arrange for Gao Yuliang to have dinner with me tonight?"

Qi Tongwei's expression became even more troubled as he said:

"Ruilong, it's a sensitive time, so it might not be convenient for you to meet with the deputy secretary privately. I can pass on a message to you..."

"Alright, I'll handle it myself, I don't need you." Zhao Ruilong waved his hand impatiently, then looked at Qi Tongwei and said with a forced smile:

"Director Qi, you should know how you got to the level of director-general..."

Qi Tongwei nodded repeatedly, saying:

"Please rest assured, Ruilong...Young Master Zhao, I will always remember the kindness of my former leader..."

Zhao Ruilong didn't even glance at the servile Qi Tongwei and ordered him to leave.

Qi Tongwei went out, and Cheng Du, who was waiting outside, hurriedly came up to him, wanting to say something.

Qi Tongwei waved his hand, looking exhausted, and said:

"Go back to the hall."

Throughout the journey, Qi Tongwei sat in the back seat without uttering a word.

Thinking of Zhao Ruilong's attitude just now, and the teacher's instructions to him.

"Minister Xia, I'm giving you a chance."

Qi Tongwei's mind, which had been a jumbled mess, gradually cleared up.

He glanced at the driver in the front seat, who was the deputy director of his younger brother's company.

After hesitating for a long time, Qi Tongwei finally spoke:

"degree."

Cheng Du was startled and hurriedly said:

"Director, is there something you need?"

"You and Zhao Ruilong..." Qi Tongwei hesitated, carefully organizing his thoughts before slowly saying:

"Some things are better dealt with sooner rather than later, before they get too serious..."

Du Cheng was taken aback.

Is Qi Tongwei trying to persuade himself?

A warm feeling washed over him. He valued loyalty and brotherhood highly, and in a sense, he already regarded Qi Tongwei as his elder brother.

He understood Qi Tongwei's meaning quite well.

He felt deeply touched by Qi Tongwei's concern.

But a pity.

I've gotten myself into this mess.

After much deliberation, Cheng Du finally replied with a smile:

"Director, no, Brother Qi, I know, don't worry."

Qi Tongwei nodded and said nothing more. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and took a short nap.

……

The following day, in the conference room of Building No. 1 in the municipal party committee compound of Lüzhou City.

Yi Xuexi and the members of the environmental protection inspection team are currently engaged in a heated negotiation.

The other party was Zhao Ruilong, the big boss of Luzhou Food City and chairman of Huilong Group.

Zhao Ruilong remained relaxed. He had never taken Yi Xuexi seriously, even though Yi was now the newly appointed deputy secretary of Luzhou City and acting mayor.

The negotiations did not go smoothly. Yi Xuexi's attitude was extremely tough, and he offered no room for negotiation other than demolishing the food court.

Zhao Ruilong was extremely displeased, but since Yi Xuexi had gained Sha Ruijin as a backer, he patiently negotiated with Yi Xuexi.

Yi Xuexi stated that if negotiations fail, the demolition will be carried out in accordance with the province's plan, followed by compensation.

Upon hearing the words "forced demolition," Zhao Ruilong sneered:

"Another forced demolition. When did the officials in Handong become so simplistic and brutal in their work, resorting to forced demolition at the slightest disagreement? No wonder you were working with Li Dakang back then, Secretary Yi."

Upon hearing this, Yi Xuexi knew that Zhao Ruilong was referring to his past collaboration with Li Dakang in Jinshan County, and said coldly:

"This is completely unrelated. Chairman Zhao, please focus your attention on the food court. Two hundred million in compensation is not a small amount. We hope Chairman Zhao will understand and take a broader perspective..."

"Understanding and cooperating with the government's work, contributing to the development of Handong? Alright, alright, Secretary Yi, I can recite these slogans by heart." Zhao Ruilong interrupted Yi Xuexi, and seeing the other's somewhat embarrassed expression, stood up and said:

"Alright, that's enough for today. I still have a few contracts to discuss. Come back to me when you've thought things through."

Zhao Ruilong opened the conference room door directly, then suddenly remembered something, turned around, pointed at Yi Xuexi, and smiled:

"Secretary Yi, I meant if... you're going to forcibly demolish our property..."

"You can definitely give it a try."

After saying that, Zhao Ruilong slammed the door shut and left, leaving Yi Xuexi with his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, staring at the door without saying a word.