0081 90 Life is like a game of chess, each move brings a new twist.

As Zhou Xiye turned the corner on the steps, his phone rang in his pocket. He took it out and saw that it was Pei Zhiyu.

"Hey, what's up?"

Pei Zhiyu asked on the other end of the phone, "Why didn't you go home yesterday? I'll pick you up today."

Zhou Xiye raised his hand and touched his neck, then took a few steps through the crowd and past the window by the stairs. "Do you want the ancestral precepts? They're in the office. I'll bring them to you after get off work."

"..."

Pei Zhiyu looked down at the smoke rising from the ashtray, "Uncle went a bit too far that day, Ke Xiye, you are my..."

“I’m going home tonight, come pick me up,” Zhou Xiye said as he pushed open the office door and went inside. “Is there anything else?”

The only sound on the phone was the rustling of documents. Zhou Xiye turned on his computer and moved the mouse.

"Okay, I'll pick you up tonight."

Pei Zhiyu hung up the phone, and Zhou Xiye put it down. Her tone towards Pei Zhiyu wasn't very friendly, but some things take time. If physical intimacy meant one could do whatever they wanted, then wouldn't male prostitutes or prostitutes be the perfect partners for their clients?

Quickly putting aside the matter of Pei Zhiyu, Zhou Xiye opened her email and received information from Ye Lifeng about the leadership team of Hangzhou and some local bigwigs. After downloading and printing it, she found a thick stack of documents; she still preferred reading paper versions.

Just as I turned to the first page, the office phone rang again. "Hello, this is Zhou Xiye..."

Before he could speak, a voice came from the other end, "Xiao Zhou, have you read Minister Ling's proposal and speech?"

Zhou Xiye frowned. "I saw it. What's wrong?"

Ye Lifeng was silent for a moment, and Zhou Xiye immediately understood what he meant.

"I'm not too clear about the State Council's position on this matter. If he can bypass the Premier and the NPC's proposals, then... is that his intention?"

Ye Lifeng let out a long sigh, "That's the crux of the matter. I'll send someone to pick you up tonight so we can discuss this in detail."

Zhou Xiye put down the phone and took out the draft of Ling Qingyun's proposal on reforming biopharmaceuticals from the drawer. From this perspective, it was about the people's livelihood, but not enough to solve the immediate problems.

Ye Lifeng has always focused on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and the issue of local debt. This aligns with Lu Daiyuan, who is about to join the cabinet. Using political means to get entrepreneurs to help solve the problem of local debt has always been his approach.

Especially after the last dinner, she had already seen through Lu Daiyuan's intentions. This would not only solve livelihood issues but also reduce the influence of tech upstarts on public opinion, preventing a situation where a few US tech giants could influence the election results.

Ling Qingyun's actions took an unconventional approach, but few dared to touch the biotechnology field. After all, this industry was too closely linked to the higher-ups, monopolized by princesses and princes—it was off-limits. But Ling Qingyun did it, surprising everyone.

This brought his proposal to the attention of the whole country, diverting public attention from outdated issues such as economic structural reform, supply-side structural reform, and RMB internationalization, and focusing on a highly innovative industry.

Anyone with a DSLR camera who understands the stakes knows that Ling Qingyun couldn't possibly be touching the emperor's interests... Therefore, this action must have some other purpose. Zhou Xiye pressed the spring of the ballpoint pen, making a clicking sound, the frequency of the pen's sound increasing with the flight of his thoughts.

The gaze, which had been scattered across the speech draft, shifted to the paper of the current mayor of Hangzhou, and the ballpoint pen made a dot on his face.

If Ling Qingyun isn't insane, his actions must have been ordered by higher-ups. What are they planning to do? Reshuffle the industry and reorganize the biotechnology sector? Zhou Xiye is certain that this is something that the intellectuals all want to know.

Including herself.

This move is unexpected; how should we proceed?

Ai Jianshe pushed open the office door and saw Zhou Xiye deep in thought. Without disturbing her, he picked up a water glass, brewed a pot of tea, and stood by the window, looking out at the world. The radiator in front of his legs felt warm, and Ai Jianshe sighed with satisfaction.

Zhou Xiye snapped out of his daze and looked at Ai Jianshe's retreating figure.

"Teacher Ai, you're back."

Ai Jianshe took a sip of tea, turned his head, but didn't turn to look at Zhou Xiye. He simply asked, "Xiao Zhou, are you being transferred?"

Zhou Xiye pursed her lips, not speaking to anyone unrelated to the matter. "Teacher Ai, are you trying to get rid of me?"

Ai Jianshe shook his head, still not turning to look at her. "At this stage, you know a lot of theory and have some practical experience, but it's not deep enough." After saying this, he turned to look at Zhou Xiye. "You're in the same situation as Wang Yangming when he attained enlightenment. You have ideas, but no conviction."

Zhou Xiye looked at Ai Jianshe without saying a word. Ai Jianshe, being an old fox, must know something, but what if he was bluffing her? Besides, judging from Ai Jianshe's tone, it seemed like he wanted to say something intimate. She closed the document and placed it face down on the table.

"Teacher Ai, what do you mean by this?"

“Xiao Zhou, you’re a good person. You’re resourceful, quick-witted, and handsome. But…” Ai Jianshe moved his mouth, “but the way you are now won’t last long on the political path. You need to think clearly about what you’re doing it for.”

Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "Of course, it's for promotion and making money."

Ai Jianshe blinked, stared at Zhou Xiye for two seconds, and then smiled. "I saw you printing Minister Ling's proposal and speech yesterday. It wasn't intentional; I just happened to scan it."

Zhou Xiye smiled and shook his head, then stood up. "It's nothing serious, Teacher Ai. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

Ai Jianshe waved his hand, "I just hope that you forget me after you become successful, and don't suddenly remember me one day and then take revenge on me."

“No, that won’t do,” Zhou Xiye laughed. “You’re really joking.”

Ai Jianshe walked to the table, put down his teacup, and asked, "Where are you being transferred to?"

"It's not decided yet; we need to get the transfer order from above."

Ai Jianshe nodded, turned the teacup around so that the floral side was facing him, and said, "I've never liked scheming and intrigue in my life. I'm content with a quiet, easy job."

He looked up at Zhou Xiye and said, "I don't have much to say to you, just do your job well." After saying this, he put the lid back on his cup, sat down in his seat, and unfolded the newspaper in front of him.

Zhou Xiye paused, looked at Ai Jianshe without saying a word, turned around, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

But the voice on the other end was unfamiliar, "Hello, this is the office of the mayor of Haidian District. I am Gu Lingshan, the mayor's secretary."

Zhou Xiye raised his hand and glanced at his watch. "I am Zhou Xiye. Please tell District Chief Pei that I have something to attend to and that he shouldn't come to pick me up."

There was a pause on the other end. "Hello, Madam District Chief, I will inform the District Chief."

"Okay, thanks," he said, and hung up the phone.

"I need you to write an article and a speech opposing the proposal, and we also need to cooperate with the public opinion. The employment rate hasn't even gone up yet, and he wants to crack down on biotechnology. He's really crazy."

Ye Lifeng put down his tea, his face full of absurdity. "Moreover, I spoke with Teacher Hua on the phone. His actions were probably due to his dissatisfaction with the Emperor giving me the position of Prime Minister, which is why he resorted to this drastic measure. Look at the Emperor's expression during the meeting; he seemed to want to drag him off the stage."

At this point, Ye Lifeng finally smiled, "Xiao Zhou, what do you think?"

Zhou Xiye thought Hua Chunyang's analysis was correct, but... "His relationship with the higher-ups has always been good. Ling Qingyun used to be his subordinate. How could they fight tooth and nail for the position of Premier?"

Ye Lifeng shook his head. "You're just a young girl, you're too inexperienced. Yes, you think they have a good relationship, friends for twenty or thirty years. But birds die for food, does he think Qingyun doesn't want this position?"

"I just think this matter is a bit frivolous. Qingyun has never acted so unconventionally before. His resume is very solid, he has made his way up step by step, and he has many achievements. I don't think he is the kind of person who would fail at a crucial moment."

Ye Lifeng leaned back, thought for a moment, then twitched his finger. "So what do you think?"

"I think we should be prepared for both possibilities. This is a weakness he has exposed to us. We should stick to the original plan and not attack him."

Ye Lifeng thought for a moment, "Now that you mention it, I remember. The biotechnology field he mentioned might be related to the remnants of the He faction. The situation in Northeast China is quite complicated. Some well-known biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have been based there since the reform and opening up. They have advanced technology and a lot of equipment. If there is a technology blockade, that area will definitely be the breakthrough point."

Zhou Xiye nodded. She was unaware of this situation and could only gather information from Ye Lifeng.

Neither of them spoke. Ye Lifeng remained silent for a moment, looked at her, and suddenly smiled, "How well do you understand the situation in Hangzhou? Are you confident?"

Zhou Xiye picked up his teacup and took a sip. "They're not easy to deal with. Besides the tech upstarts, there are also their original local bullies. The Jiangzhe region has had its own local government since ancient times, and it's already a mature political group."

Ye Lifeng smiled and said, "No rush. Everyone goes through this. Either you don't do anything, or you can't cause any major problems. If you're going to do something, do it thoroughly and make a great achievement. As for Hangzhou... indeed, you don't need to worry too much about its development. You just need to secure your position as mayor and cultivate relationships with the local bigwigs. After a few years, you can return to the central government from the local level. Being able to settle down in the central government and be given a powerful position is more important than anything else."

"Thank you for your advice, Minister. I understand and will be more careful."

After leaving Ye Lifeng's house, Secretary Xue was supposed to drive her home, but Zhou Xiye saw Pei Zhiyu's car. Secretary Xue saw it and greeted her with a smile, saying, "Happy marriage, you two have a great relationship."

Pei Zhiyu rolled down the car window, nodded to Secretary Xue, then got out of the car and walked to the side to open the car door for Zhou Xiye. "Let's go home."

Secretary Xue smiled beside him, and Zhou Xiye glanced at him before bending down and getting into the car.

Traffic flowed continuously on the road, while the music inside the car was soothing.

"Are you discussing going to Hangzhou?" Pei Zhiyu broke the silence between them. He looked at Zhou Xiye in the rearview mirror. She was lying down, not saying a word.

"more than."

Pei Zhiyu looked ahead, lightly stepped on the gas pedal, and stopped the car at a red light.

"As your husband, I think it's best if we don't go to Hangzhou. We've only been married a short time..."

Zhou Xiye threw the Pei family ancestral precepts from the back onto the passenger seat.

Pei Zhiyu caught a glimpse of the ancestral precepts out of the corner of his eye, but his expression remained unchanged. "I don't quite understand you. Why do you want to go to Hangzhou right after getting married?"

Zhou Xiye raised an eyebrow. "When you were negotiating with Teacher Hua, she didn't tell you the truth?"

Pei Zhiyu shook her head.

“As your partner and your wife, I’m telling you the truth… Your mother works for the Women’s Federation, so she should know about my marital situation… I got married because I met the requirements for a promotion.”

Pei Zhiyu nodded, a cold glint in her eyes. "I understand. You only married me because of the mayor of Hangzhou."

As the car started moving, Pei Zhiyu said, "Isn't it better to stay in Beijing?"

“I have no experience; I need to go to the grassroots level to learn.”

"What position do you want first? I can help you transfer to another one."

Zhou Xiye forced a smile. "No need, thank you."

Pei Zhiyu pursed her lips, her expression turning somewhat unpleasant. "You work for Ye Lifeng, and you listen to him so obediently. Is there something between you two?"

Zhou Xiye found this absurd and before she could refute it, the car braked suddenly, and she raised her hand to hold onto the back of the seat.

Several CEOs of biotechnology companies left Ling Qingyun's house. It was already dark, and the stars were sparse.

Ling Xingzhi accompanied Ling Qingyun back.

"The reporters are all arranged, and the news reports are all ready. All we need is for the 3.15 program to expose it."

Ling Xingzhi nodded. "Father, isn't this a bit inappropriate? The Emperor will definitely have objections."

Ling Qingyun smiled and said, "You don't understand. Just focus on preparing your work report. You don't need to worry about my affairs."

Guo Huaisheng came out of a nearby room with a smile on his face. "Would you like to stay for dinner? Luo Chen has gone abroad. Can you take care of yourself by yourself?"

Ling Xingzhi smiled faintly, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt Guo. I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

A man drove home aimlessly. The nanny had long since left, and Ling Xingzhi finally had some peace and quiet.

He poured himself a glass of wine, put on a vinyl record, and the melodious sound swirled and danced in the air. He sat on the table, drinking his wine, lost in thought.

After an unknown amount of time, his phone rang, and Ling Xingzhi answered it.

"Secretary, Miss Zhou is to be transferred to Hangzhou to serve as mayor."

Ling Xingzhi took a sip of his wine, catching the key phrase, "The mayor of Hangzhou..." He chuckled, looking down at the red wine in his glass, "Has it been approved?"

"not yet."

Ling Xingzhi nodded, "Okay, I understand," and hung up the phone. He finished the last sip of his wine, the red wine filling every cell of his mouth. He muttered to himself, "The transfer documents haven't been approved yet..."

"...It hasn't been approved yet."