7: Chapter 7 The Road Ahead is Set

Li Dakang took the slip of paper and also took out his own contact information from his wallet: "Uncle Hu, I will inevitably have to trouble you in the future."

He noticed that when Division Chief Hu Weihang took the slip of paper, his fingers were trembling slightly.

Li Dakang was all too familiar with the gleam in the eyes of this official from the Provincial Department of Personnel; it was the look of someone thirsting for advancement.

...

The black Audi drove away from the Xingyuan residential compound, and Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua leaned back against the leather seat, closing his eyes to rest.

As the car passed over the Mingzhou Bridge, he gazed at the flowing river water outside the window, his thoughts drifting far away.

The arrival of Li Dakang was an opportunity for him, but even more so, a challenge.

If he could use this opportunity to establish a connection with Li Hongji, his own official career might advance further; but if he handled it improperly...

Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua shook his head, dispelling this ominous thought.

The urgent priority was to ensure that Li Dakang had a smooth time in Guantian Township, as only then would he have more reasons to frequently report his work to Li Hongji.

"Old Zhang." Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua spoke suddenly.

"Tomorrow morning at seven, take me to the office first. Then, make a trip to Anjiang County and hand this to County Party Secretary Yuan Kai."

He handed over a sealed document bag, which contained the resume of Li Dakang, as well as a letter he had written by hand.

The letter did not detail the background of Li Dakang, only mentioning "please take care of him," stopping just at that.

Driver Old Zhang glanced at his leader through the rearview mirror, tactfully replied "Okay," and didn't ask any more questions.

On the way back to the Mingzhou Hotel, Li Dakang specifically took a detour through the busiest commercial street.

The May breeze carried the scent of flowers, and a music store by the street was playing "Story of Spring," the melody so light and cheerful that it made one's heart feel bright.

When passing a public phone booth, he stopped and dialed the number for the capital.

"Dad, it's me."

Hearing his father's voice, Li Dakang straightened his back unconsciously: "The arrangement is set; I'm going to Guantian Township, Anjiang County, Xinying City, to serve as the township head."

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, followed by the deep voice of Li Hongji: "Guantian Township? Was that arranged by Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua?"

"Yes," Li Dakang said softly.

"I think this is exactly what Grandfather and you hoped to see, the most arduous place."

There was another silence, and then the voice of Li Hongji softened slightly: "Take care of yourself, and don't force yourself to bear difficulties alone. Remember, you are first a descendant of the Li family, and only second a cadre of the state."

Hanging up the phone, Li Dakang stood under the phone booth, watching the crowds coming and going on the street, his heart feeling clear.

His father's last sentence was profound, serving as both an expression of concern and a reminder.

The Li family could allow their descendants to endure hardship, but they absolutely must not truly stumble.

After hanging up, Li Dakang raised his hand to hail a red Xiali taxi.

The moment the car door closed, the driver observed him through the rearview mirror, seeing that this young man was wearing a well-pressed shirt and had a calm demeanor, not looking like an ordinary tourist.

"Where to, young man?"

"Mingzhou Hotel."

The car wheels rolled over the road, emitting a steady friction sound.

Li Dakang gazed at the flowing street scene outside the window—the neon lights of the department store, the cooking smoke from roadside stalls, pedestrians riding bicycles... each frame exuded the vividness of 1993.

Yet his father's words, "You are first a descendant of the Li family, and only second a cadre of the state," kept echoing in his ears, like a double-edged sword, providing confidence while also drawing an invisible boundary.

When he returned to Room 402 of the Mingzhou Hotel, the curtains were half-drawn, and the light from the desk lamp cast diamond-shaped spots of brightness on the carpet.

Li Dakang loosened his collar, then picked up the telephone receiver and dialed a number.

"Hello, who is this?"

The male voice on the other end of the line was thick with drowsiness, and there was a faint, soft reproach from a woman in the background; clearly, he had just crawled out of bed.

"Li Dakang."

No sooner had the three words fallen than a flurry of panicked rustling sounds came from the receiver, as if someone had suddenly sprung up from the bed, causing something to fall to the floor.

"Third Young Master?!"

The lazy tone instantly tightened, filled with incredulous urgency: "You have arrived in Jiang Province? I will come to pick you up immediately!"

A crisp sound of a belt buckle clashing followed in the background; he was likely scrambling to put on his clothes.

"Mingzhou Hotel, Room 402. Come over."

Li Dakang held a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, imagining the chaotic scene on the other end, and added before hanging up: "No rush, take your time."

These words almost made Cao Yong, who was clutching the phone, bite his tongue. Was the Third Young Master's tone a reprimand, or was he really not in a hurry?

How could he dare to be negligent? He shouted "You go first" to the woman on the other end of the phone and then began rummaging for clothes in the room while barefoot.

Cao Yong was the only son of Vice Governor Cao Jianhui, who was in charge of transportation in Jiang Province. By rights, with his status, he would never be able to reach a top-tier Beijing princeling like Li Dakang.

It was entirely because he had acknowledged Zhou Mingyuan, the cousin of Li Dakang, as his "Big Brother." Last year at a gathering in the capital, he had managed to show his face alongside Zhou Mingyuan, which was the only reason he had barely managed to strike up a conversation with Li Dakang.

This time, before Li Dakang came to Jiang Province, he had specifically asked Zhou Mingyuan for the contact information of Cao Yong, which counted as a chess piece placed in advance.

To Cao Yong, this was a heaven-sent opportunity.

If he could attach himself to the "Third Young Master" of the Li family who had deigned to come to Jiang Province, let alone walking sideways in Jiang Province, he would have a true major backer in the capital in the future.

He quickly applied hair gel in front of the mirror, changed into his most presentable suit, grabbed his car keys, and rushed out.