1: Chapter 1 The Mysterious Dinner Party

"Hello, Little Xiao, come to my office in a while. I have something to discuss with you."

One day, Xiao Bei was working overtime in the office when he suddenly received a call from Director Yan Jinghui, the Director of the Municipal Government Office of Canglan City.

After graduating from Jiangnan University, Xiao Bei had successfully passed the civil service examination and started working at the Municipal Government of his hometown, Canglan.

Although he had been in the officialdom for a few years, he was still just a minor role who poured tea, poured water, and wrote materials, but Xiao Bei had no complaints.

After all, as a typical "small-town test-taker" with no background and no connections, being able to fight his way out of the massive army of civil service exam candidates could be considered a success.

Generally, for a farm boy with no power or influence like Xiao Bei, being able to reach the rank of deputy section chief in the future would be an honor to his ancestors.

"Okay... Okay, Director Yan, I'll be right over."

Xiao Bei dared not delay. He put down the documents in his hand, straightened his slightly wrinkled shirt, and walked quickly toward Director Yan Jinghui's office.

He stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and knocked gently. Hearing a low "Come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.

"Director Yan, did you ask for me?"

Xiao Bei stood at the doorway, bowed slightly, and asked respectfully.

Director Yan Jinghui was sitting behind a large desk, holding a fountain pen, seemingly reviewing documents.

Hearing Xiao Bei's voice, he looked up, a faint smile appearing on his face:

"Little Xiao, come in and sit."

Director Yan Jinghui pointed to the chair opposite him, his tone casual yet carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

Xiao Bei sat down cautiously, his hands on his knees, his back straight, looking just like a student listening attentively in class.

He felt a bit uneasy, not knowing why this usually stern superior had suddenly summoned him.

Director Yan Jinghui put down his pen, crossed his hands on the desk, and looked straight at Xiao Bei:

"Little Xiao, you've been at the Municipal Government Office for a while now, right? How are you feeling?"

Xiao Bei nodded quickly:

"It's quite good, Director Yan. I really cherish the opportunity to work here."

Director Yan Jinghui smiled, a flash of inscrutable light crossing his eyes:

"Young man, you must have ambition; you cannot stand still. Have you ever thought about... advancing further?"

Xiao Bei was stunned, a surge of excitement immediately welling up in his heart.

He hadn't expected Director Yan Jinghui to suddenly bring up this topic, and for a moment, he was at a loss.

"Director Yan, I... I certainly want to advance, I just don't know how to work towards it."

Xiao Bei said, feeling a bit awkward.

Director Yan Jinghui waved his hand, his tone relaxed:

"Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. There is a dinner party tonight; you will come with me. Meeting more leaders will be beneficial for your future development."

Xiao Bei felt a surge of joy. Looking at Director Yan Jinghui's demeanor, he realized he was being groomed!

He nodded quickly:

"Thank you, Director Yan, I will definitely perform well!"

Director Yan Jinghui nodded with satisfaction, though a flash of cunning crossed his eyes:

"Hmm, remember, talk less at the dinner party, listen and observe more. Do you understand?"

Although Xiao Bei didn't quite grasp the deeper meaning of Director Yan Jinghui's words, he still nodded solemnly:

"I understand, Director Yan."

Director Yan Jinghui waved his hand:

"Alright, go back to your work. Be downstairs at six o'clock sharp to wait for me."

Xiao Bei stood up and bowed respectfully:

"Okay, Director Yan, I'll head out now."

After walking out of the office, Xiao Bei's heart remained unsettled for a long time.

Although he had some doubts, he felt mostly excitement. He felt as if he had grasped an important opportunity, and perhaps he would be able to rise to success in the future.

Inside the office, Director Yan Jinghui watched Xiao Bei's retreating figure, a cold sneer curling the corners of his mouth.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Old Cui, the scapegoat has been found."

Director Yan Jinghui's voice was low, "Proceed according to plan tonight, don't make any mistakes."

A hoarse laugh came from the other end of the phone:

"Rest assured, Director Yan. Can't you trust me to handle things? However, is this kid reliable?"

Director Yan Jinghui sneered:

"A small character with no background is the best pawn. If something happens, he'll have no choice but to take the fall."

Hanging up the phone, Director Yan Jinghui leaned back in his chair, a flash of triumph in his eyes.

He tapped the desk lightly and muttered to himself:

"Xiao Bei, oh Xiao Bei, don't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame your own bad luck."

As night fell, Xiao Bei waited downstairs at the Municipal Party Committee Office on time, having specifically changed into formal attire.

Director Yan Jinghui's official car drove up slowly. The window rolled down, and Director Yan Jinghui waved at him:

"Get in."

Xiao Bei acknowledged, quickly climbed into the car, and fastened his seatbelt.

The car slowly drove into the most luxurious hotel in Canglan City—the Jinding Hotel.

Under the night, the hotel was brightly lit, and the entrance was filled with various high-end cars, highlighting its nobility and luxury.

Through the car window, Xiao Bei looked at the magnificent entrance, feeling a wave of nervousness.

He had never set foot in such a place, let alone dined at the same table with the leaders of the city.

Director Yan Jinghui seemed to notice Xiao Bei's awkwardness, smiled faintly, and patted his shoulder:

"Little Xiao, relax. Tonight is just a meal to meet some people, don't be too nervous."

Xiao Bei nodded quickly, took a deep breath, and said:

"Thank you, Director Yan, I will be careful."

After getting out of the car, the two walked straight into the hotel lobby.

The marble floor was polished to a mirror-like shine, the crystal chandeliers were dazzling, and the air was filled with a faint scent of perfume.

Xiao Bei followed behind Director Yan Jinghui, his footsteps somewhat stiff, fearing he would appear out of place.

The elevator went straight to the VIP private room on the top floor.

As the door opened, several leaders from the Municipal Police Bureau were already seated inside, chatting and laughing. Seeing Director Yan Jinghui enter, everyone stood up to greet him.

"Old Yan, you've finally arrived, we were just waiting for you!"

A slightly chubby middle-aged man walked up with a smile and patted Director Yan Jinghui's shoulder.

Director Yan Jinghui laughed and pointed to Xiao Bei behind him:

"The traffic was a bit heavy on the way, which delayed us. Come, let me introduce everyone. This is Little Xiao from our Municipal Party Committee Office. He's a young man with a lot of potential."

Xiao Bei stepped forward quickly, bowed slightly, and said respectfully:

"Hello, leaders. My name is Xiao Bei. Please offer me your guidance."

Everyone looked him over and nodded in acknowledgment.

The chubby leader smiled and said:

"Little Xiao, right? Not bad, young man, you have a bright future. Sit down and let's chat."

Xiao Bei sat down cautiously in the seat next to Director Yan Jinghui, his hands on his knees, his back straight, appearing exceptionally reserved.

He stole a glance at the others at the table and discovered that everyone present was either the top or second-in-command of the various Municipal Police Bureaus, which made him even more nervous.

The food and drinks were soon served, and everyone started to toast each other.

Director Yan Jinghui drank while chatting with the leaders about work in the city, and asked seemingly casually:

"Oh, that's right, have Mayor Qin and the others arrived?"

...