Chen Bin leaned forward with a cold sneer.
"What, do you want to hit me? Go on, try touching me if you dare!"
This remark made Bao Kanglu tremble with anger.
He really wanted to give the other party a good beating, but reason told him he couldn't do so.
"What, are you chickening out?"
With a shove, Chen Bin pushed Bao Kanglu aside, then picked up a teacup from the table and splashed the cold overnight tea onto Bao Kanglu's face.
"Back when you had Feng Huzhou backing you, you used to trip me up in secret. I'm being merciful dealing with you like this now. Get lost before I really get angry!"
Anyone else would have exploded with rage facing such humiliation.
But Bao Kanglu, being an old fox in the political arena for many years, forcefully suppressed his anger.
He wiped the tea from his face and turned around to leave.
Because he knew Chen Bin was deliberately provoking him.
As soon as he made a move, he'd be playing right into Chen Bin's hands.
Back in his office, he slammed his fist on the desk, growling lowly.
"Chen, I'll never forgive you!"
At the end of November, Cheng Zhuang officially took the position of Deputy Director at Tianhe City Public Security Bureau.
In mid-December, Sui Tang arrived in Tianhai, taking over Chen Bin's position as Director of the Yanxi Province News and Broadcasting Bureau.
Sui Tang's departure was very sudden, taking the entire Tianhe political circle by surprise.
Except for Shan Liqiang, who knew the inside story, almost everyone thought Gan Qiu would take the top position.
Even Gan Qiu himself thought so.
In terms of age and work experience, he was the best candidate for Tianhe District Committee Secretary.
However, to be sure, Gan Qiu decided to make some moves.
After all, as long as he hadn't secured the top position, there could still be changes.
He drove to a mid-to-high-end residential community in Tianhai and took the elevator to the 13th floor.
After adjusting his clothes slightly, Gan Qiu rang the doorbell.
It wasn't long before the door opened, and a distinguished woman appeared before him.
Even though she was over fifty, she still looked extraordinarily graceful.
"Gan Qiu, come on in!"
Once inside, Gan Qiu's face was full of flattery, looking very appeasing.
"Teacher Hua, how have you been lately?"
"I've been quite well. Take a seat, I'll get you some water."
As Gan Qiu settled on the sofa, Hua Shuzhen brought a cup of water over.
Receiving it, he once again praised her.
"Teacher Hua, you look radiant, even younger than last time we met."
"You're just trying to make me happy, how can anyone get younger?"
Though she said this, her face was already beaming with a smile.
Seeing this, Gan Qiu immediately took out a small box from his leather bag.
The box opened to reveal a translucent bracelet inside.
"Teacher Hua, I heard jade is good for you. Wearing this, you'll look ten years younger."
Hua Shuzhen put on the bracelet and inspected it closely, liking it more and more.
"This... must be expensive, right?"
"It's indeed not cheap. But beautiful jade should go to the right person, and it suits Teacher Hua perfectly."
"Maybe I should decline, it's too generous of you."
"It's no trouble, as long as Teacher Hua likes it, any cost is worth it."
Saying this, Gan Qiu glanced upstairs instinctively.
"I wonder if Secretary Bao is home?"
"He's in the study upstairs, you can go ahead."
As Hua Shuzhen spoke, she kept her eyes fixed on the jade bracelet, as if completely absorbed in it.
"Alright, I'll head up then."
Gan Qiu was actually perplexed; it's just a rock, so why does Hua Shuzhen love it so much?
He could only say he didn't understand a woman's world.
Arriving at the upstairs study, Gan Qiu knocked lightly on the door.
A voice carrying authority soon responded from inside, "Come in!"
Upon entering, Gan Qiu saw Bao Kanglu standing at his desk, writing calligraphy.
He immediately closed the door and stood to the side, waiting quietly.
Gan Qiu had no real skills but was adept at playing political games.
By chance, he managed to connect with Bao Kanglu and frequently visited to offer gifts.
Last time, defeating Shan Liqiang and becoming the mayor, Bao Kanglu played a decisive role.
After finishing the words "Integrity and Honesty," Bao Kanglu finally put down the brush and gestured for Gan Qiu to sit.
"Brought something again?"
"Just a bracelet, it's really not worth much."
"Even if it isn't worth much, you can't bring gifts, or next time I won't let you in."
Gan Qiu quickly nodded, "Alright, I'll be more careful next time."
He had heard such words countless times before.
Bao Kanglu always told him not to bring gifts, but accepted them every time without fail.
Pouring tea for Gan Qiu, Bao Kanglu continued, "You're here for the top position in Tianhe, aren't you?"
"Yes, Secretary Bao, your insight is unmatched. I wonder if the province has decided on the next secretary for Tianhe?"
Taking a sip of tea, Bao Kanglu replied.
"As far as I know, not yet."
As soon as he put down the cup, Gan Qiu stood up, took the teapot, and added water to the cup.
"You know, I meet all the requirements and am very familiar with Tianhe. I hope Secretary Bao can help settle this for me."
"Deciding the top leader of a city isn't up to me. But rest assured, I'll help facilitate as soon as possible."
"Thank you so much, Secretary Bao."
In Gan Qiu's view, with Bao Kanglu backing him, taking over for Sui Tang was a done deal.
"By the way, how is Huo Kun doing in Tianhe?"
Bao Kanglu originally wanted to put his nephew in the provincial station, but unfortunately, Chen Bin disagreed.
He had no choice but to settle for second best, letting Gan Qiu arrange for him at Tianhe City Radio and Television Station.
Gan Qiu quickly replied, "His work is going smoothly, and he gets along well with colleagues."
"My nephew tends to cause trouble. If he makes a mess, you'll have to pay extra attention."
Bao Kanglu wasn't satisfied with Huo Kun, but since he was his sister's child, he couldn't ignore him.
"Secretary Bao, rest assured. As long as I'm in Tianhe, Huo Kun's work and life will be smooth sailing. Whenever issues arise, I'll handle them personally."
While the two were deep in conversation, Chen Bin used a business trip to the Imperial Capital to meet with Cheng Kai.
Since breaking up with Wu Jie, Cheng Kai had lost interest in food and drink, noticeably thinner than before.
Seeing this, Chen Bin sighed slightly.
"You can't stay down like this, or you'll end up like I did."
Hearing this, Cheng Kai's eyes suddenly brightened.
"Did you have a similar experience?"