Cheng Zhuang continued asking, "Have you noticed anything strange about Zuo Kai recently?"
After thinking for a long ti, Qi Balin finally shook his head.
"I truly don’t know. I co to work every day, but I don’t really understand much about Zuo Kai’s affairs."
Seeing that he couldn’t get any useful information, Cheng Zhuang added.
"When you go back to the bar, act like nothing happened. If Zuo Kai senses sothing is off, it will be trouble."
"Got it, I understand."
As Qi Balin got out of the car, he spotted Zuo Kai standing not far away, silently watching him.
After stepping out, he forced a smile.
"What are you doing standing here?"
Zuo Kai didn’t answer his question but instead glanced twice at Cheng Zhuang’s car.
"Who’s that in the car?"
"No one. Just a friend."
The two chatted casually as they walked into the bar.
Qi Balin, unable to hold back, asked casually.
"My bank card is still with you, right?"
Startled, Zuo Kai imdiately grew alert and asked back.
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing really. Just don’t feel like lending it to you anymore."
"Co on, it’s not like you’re using that card for anything. Just let —hey! What are you doing?!"
Before Zuo Kai could finish speaking, Qi Balin grabbed the phone from Zuo Kai’s pocket.
"Hey Zuo, return my card quickly, or I won’t let you off!"
Zuo Kai instantly realized sothing was wrong. To calm Qi Balin, he smiled and said.
"I left the card at ho. Co with , and I’ll get it for you."
"Fine. You better not play any tricks, or I’ll smash your phone!"
"Don’t get worked up. It’s just a bank card. There’s no need to ruin our friendship over it."
With that, Zuo Kai got into the car first.
Just as Qi Balin opened the front passenger door, the car suddenly sped off.
He chased the car for over a hundred ters but couldn’t stop it.
Realizing things had gone sour, Qi Balin rushed outside the bar to find Cheng Zhuang.
He recounted what had happened in the parking lot.
Cheng Zhuang, furious, pointed a finger at Qi Balin and yelled.
"I told you not to alert him! How could you expose yourself the mont you got out of the car? What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"I... I just wanted my bank card back; I didn’t expect him to drive off."
Looking at Qi Balin’s aggrieved expression, Cheng Zhuang, albeit impatiently, replied.
"Take to his rental unit imdiately before he has ti to move anything!"
Under Qi Balin’s lead, they conducted a thorough search of Zuo Kai’s room.
But aside from a packaging box for a purchased surveillance cara, they found no useful clues.
Taking the packaging box and Zuo Kai’s phone, Cheng Zhuang imdiately called Chen Bin to report what happened.
Since the events had already transpired, Chen Bin didn’t reprimand him further.
He simply instructed Cheng Zhuang to track Zuo Kai’s movents and find soone to unlock the phone to check whether the recording was stored inside.
The following afternoon, Chen Bin received another dinner invitation from Mao Bocheng.
He guessed it would again involve Zhu Lang.
That evening at Yanxi Hotel, Mao Bocheng was already waiting in a private room.
"Mr. Chen, is that matter still not feasible?"
By now, all channel directors and deputy directors had been appointed, except for the Agricultural Channel.
Chen Bin’s approach was to use this as an indirect way to show Mao Bocheng that the matter was indeed difficult.
If Mao Bocheng could voluntarily give up, it would be ideal.
If not, assigning Zhu Lang a deputy director position would be the most generous compromise.
"This... it’s genuinely challenging. The pressure from the higher-ups is considerable, and I’m finding it hard to manage."
Mao Bocheng didn’t respond directly and instead shifted gears.
"I suddenly received an anonymous tip today. What the informant provided is rather adverse for you."
The smile on Chen Bin’s face froze instantly, and he hurriedly asked, "What did they provide?"
"I’m bound by discipline and can’t disclose that. But as a key cadre under organizational cultivation, I’d hate to see your bright future ruined."
Chen Bin realized that Zuo Kai might have handed the recording over as evidence to Mao Bocheng.
Seeing his distressed expression, a sly satisfaction flickered across Mao Bocheng’s face.
"You don’t need to worry too much. At the mont, only I am aware of the material. Given our relationship, I don’t intend to launch an investigation on this matter."
Faced with the situation, Chen Bin couldn’t object further.
He raised his glass solemnly and said.
"Secretary Mao, rest assured, Zhu Lang’s promotion will be my responsibility!"
Mao Bocheng smiled and nodded.
"See? I told you—it’s achievable as long as you’re willing to make it happen."
Leaving the restaurant after dinner, Chen Bin’s mood was abysmal.
He despised feeling powerless and manipulated.
But given the current circumstances, he had no choice but to accept it.
The only option now was to placate Mao Bocheng first and then delve into the specifics about the recording.
The next day, Chen Bin defied opposing voices to officially announce Zhu Lang as the new Agricultural Channel director.
Like the other directors, Zhu Lang’s tenure would be three years.
If his performance during the term was poor, the station reserved the right to dismiss him.
On Friday, as Shen Xue returned ho from work, she found Feng Huzhou had already finished preparing dinner.
Feng Huzhou, having a child late in life, beca deeply doting on their youngest son after retiring.
He even dismissed the nanny and fully embraced being a househusband.
Shen Xue sat at the table, her spirits lifted by the sumptuous dinner.
But facing Feng Huzhou’s aged and unsightly face, her stomach churned.
After scarfing down his al, Feng Xiaobao hurriedly got up and said to Feng Huzhou and Shen Xue.
"Mom, Dad, I’ve already agreed with my friends to play downstairs after dinner—is that okay?"
Feng Huzhou smiled and nodded, "Sure, be back early."
Feng Xiaobao nodded and ran out with his scooter.
Watching Shen Xue stare blankly and avoid eating, Feng Huzhou asked.
"Xiao Xue, what’s on your mind?"
Putting down her chopsticks, Shen Xue abruptly said seriously.
"Old Feng, why don’t we get a divorce?"
Stunned, Feng Huzhou’s expression froze as he furrowed his brows.
"Why? What have I done wrong?"
"You’re in your sixties; I’m only in my thirties. Do you truly think our age gap makes us suitable?"
"Are you saying you think I’m old and useless now?"
Without hesitation, Shen Xue nodded.
"Yes. At this stage in life, I need a man, and you... sigh, let’s part ways while things are amicable."
"What about the child? Would you tear apart this family just to satisfy your selfish desires?"
Thinking of the fulfillnt Chen Bin brought her, Shen Xue couldn’t suppress her emotions and blurted out.
"I suggest you not bring up the child because Xiaobao isn’t even yours!"
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