Returning to the villa, Chen Bin and Shan Liqiang went to the study on the second floor.
The study was fully equipped, but the bookshelves were empty, creating a sense of disharmony.
Not long after, Ji Ruyi knocked and entered with a tea tray.
"Secretary Chen, I prepared this tea especially for you."
"Thank you."
"You're welco, it's my duty."
After Ji Ruyi left, Shan Liqiang imdiately went to the door.
He gently unlocked the door; only after seeing the other person go downstairs did he lock it again.
"Secretary Chen, I don't know if this housekeeper was placed by Gan Qiu, but you should be careful."
"Alright, I'm aware of that."
In fact, even without Shan Liqiang's reminder, Chen Bin would not trust Ji Ruyi.
He still vividly rembered the losses Hao Wenjing suffered from Zhuang Aijiu back in the day.
After sitting down again, Shan Liqiang said indignantly.
"Those people at dinner today were obviously giving you the cold shoulder on purpose."
Chen Bin, however, was indifferent, "I even thought they wouldn't show up. It's not bad we could have dinner together."
Seeing the calmness on his face, Shan Liqiang didn't say more.
In his view, Chen Bin's calm composure was genuine.
But this was just the beginning; whether it would end up like Sui Tang, no one could say for sure.
Sipping his tea, Chen Bin asked, "How much do you know about Ouyang Tianxiong?"
"He's well-known in Tianhe. The Ouyang Group he leads covers many industries, mainly real estate. I've heard that Ouyang Tianxiong has a shady past, unpredictable temperant, and has done a lot of dirty work secretly."
Upon hearing this, Chen Bin nodded slightly, seemingly deep in thought.
Just then, the phone rang abruptly.
Seeing it was Cheng Zhuang calling, he chose not to answer.
Instead, he told Shan Liqiang, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
Knowing that Chen Bin surely had other matters to attend to, Shan Liqiang got up to leave.
Once the study door closed, Chen Bin returned Cheng Zhuang's call.
"There was soone else around just now; why did you call?"
Cheng Zhuang answered, "Brother, I'm already outside your villa. Since you've just arrived in Tianhe, I wanted to see your living environnt."
"Alright, I'll co down now."
After hanging up, Chen Bin personally went downstairs to greet Cheng Zhuang.
Once in the living room, after so brief pleasantries, Cheng Zhuang pulled out a laptop and started working.
Soon, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Not bad, there are no caras or listening devices installed here."
Over the years, Cheng Zhuang hadn't changed his impulsive nature.
ssing around as soon as he enters soone's ho would have gotten him kicked out a long ti ago if it were soone else.
But Chen Bin knew he ant well.
Smiling, he said, "If they dared to install bugs here, they'd be really bold."
"We're new here; you can't be too careful."
As they spoke, Cheng Zhuang handed the laptop to Chen Bin.
"Check it regularly when you return. No bugs now doesn't an there won't be any in the future."
Nodding, Chen Bin accepted the laptop and took Cheng Zhuang upstairs.
Once seated in the study, Cheng Zhuang asked with a smile.
"Tonight's grand feast wasn't very pleasant, was it?"
"Look at you, you ca all the way just to tease . Let's first discuss your understanding of Tianhe."
"The waters run deep here, especially with the rampant collusion of officials and businessn. The web of interests is complex. I can assure you, serving in Tianhe is more challenging than ever before."
Even though Cheng Zhuang was Chen Bin's staunch supporter, after months of investigation, he found Tianhe's political environnt to be shocking.
Establishing a foothold here seed nearly impossible.
For this reason, Cheng Zhuang was extrely worried about Chen Bin's prospects in Tianhe.
Chen Bin poured a cup of tea for Cheng Zhuang, smiling.
"I love tackling challenging tasks. With the right approach, no problem is insurmountable."
With a sigh, Cheng Zhuang said nothing further.
Things are easier said than done.
Chen Bin continued, "The organization deployed to Tianhe to primarily boost the economy, while also cleaning up the political atmosphere a bit."
"They've given you the two toughest tasks; did you offend soone?"
"If I accomplish these two tasks, my next position will certainly be Governor."
Hearing this, Cheng Zhuang suddenly lit up.
"Really?"
"Of course, when have I ever lied to you?"
In an instant, Cheng Zhuang's spirits lifted.
After all, he considered himself lacking in ability, always saying the wrong things and not doing well.
At most, he thought he could only be a small police officer.
With Chen Bin's influence, he reached heights he'd never dared imagine before.
He knew Chen Bin never let his brothers down in his endeavors.
If Chen Bin beca Governor, he might rise further.
Without hesitation, Cheng Zhuang imdiately shared all the information he'd gathered about Tianhe.
Chen Bin committed to mory the details he found useful.
After chatting for a while, he asked, "Do you know everything about Ouyang Tianxiong?"
Cheng Zhuang nodded repeatedly, "Of course! He's notorious for operating in both legal and illegal circles in Tianhe. By the way, how do you know about him since you just arrived?"
Chen Bin imdiately recounted what happened on the highway.
"Bang!"
Upon hearing it, Cheng Zhuang's expression changed, and he slamd his fist on the tea table.
"Bastard, daring to treat my brother like that, I'll teach him a lesson tomorrow."
Chen Bin quickly advised, "Don't be impulsive. We've just arrived in Tianhe; it's unwise to make enemies with such local bigwigs. If Ouyang Tianxiong indeed has a criminal background, it's only a matter of ti before he's taken down."
"How about I first investigate him?"
After so thought, Chen Bin finally shook his head.
"Taking him down is tangential; your focus should be on investigating the municipal standing committee mbers, especially Mayor Gan Qiu."
"Alright, I'll get on it tomorrow."
The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Bin left the villa.
Besides his chauffeur, Fang Qing was also standing by his car.
Thinking of Fang Qing's behavior yesterday, he beca cautious.
Acts of unsolicited friendliness aren't always good, and Fang Qing might be Gan Qiu's spy.
As Chen Bin approached, Fang Qing greeted him with a smile.
"Secretary Chen, how did you sleep last night?"
"Not bad, my greatest trait is going with the flow."
"That truly is a state of mind I admire."
Chen Bin didn't take Fang Qing's flattery seriously.
Instead, he asked, "You're here so early, is there sothing you need?"
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