Under the shade of trees.
Xu Wendong and Liu Shii walked along the winding path, sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting mottled shadows.
"Vice Mayor Wang used to be a driver; it’s said that when he started working, he drove for Minister Chen of the Organization Departnt."
"Minister Chen appreciated Vice Mayor Wang greatly. Even when he went to work for the provincial organization, he didn’t forget Vice Mayor Wang and promoted him step by step until he beca Vice Mayor."
"But five years ago, Vice Governor Chen was diagnosed with ALS and went on dical leave, and Vice Mayor Wang lost his backer."
"Otherwise, his achievents now would certainly not just be Vice Mayor."
Xu Wendong casually asked, "Is the Vice Governor Chen you’re talking about nad Chen Guoan?"
Liu Shii: "Yes."
Xu Wendong had heard Su Li’s father ntion this na before and held great respect for Chen Guoan. He also knew that if it weren’t for Chen Guoan’s illness, he wouldn’t have been able to secure that position at all.
Unfortunately, ALS was an incurable disease.
"That building up ahead seems to be the place where Vice Mayor Wang is recuperating," Liu Shii pointed to a small two-story building ahead.
------
An elderly man sat in a wheelchair, a chessboard in front of him. "Xiao Wang, your chess skills have improved a lot!"
Wang Jun chuckled, "I learned it all from you, old leader."
Chen Guoan shook his head. "Your skills have indeed improved a lot, but it still doesn’t change the final outco. Do you know why?"
"Please, old leader, enlighten !" Wang Jun humbly sought guidance. Although he had moved into the sanatorium, for him, it wasn’t a bad thing.
Because he could enjoy retired life early.
Once the spring ward, and the temperature rose, he could go fishing by the sea.
Just the thought of it made him feel very comfortable.
Chen Guoan said, "Whether in business or politics, to make a mark, you need the boldness that instills fear in your opponents."
"And you, cautious and steady, lack boldness."
"Politics is different from business. In business, being cautious and steady might just an you earn a bit less."
"But politics is different. It’s a battlefield without gunpowder. Once you show a crack, you’ll be plunged into a deep abyss!"
"In politics, hesitation leads to defeat!"
"The old leader sumd it up well; it was my fault for not listening to your advice earlier," Wang Jun felt a deep regret.
If Chen Guoan hadn’t fallen ill, he surely would’ve had the boldness.
But the problem was that Chen Guoan was seriously ill.
His boldness had vanished without a trace.
Chen Guoan tremblingly picked up a thermos cup. "This current situation isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At least the two of us can still et regularly, play chess, and chat!"
Wang Jun curiously asked, "Old leader, how do you view the current situation in Haicheng?"
Chen Guoan: "What’s the na of the deputy director of the Urban Planning Bureau?"
Wang Jun: "Xu Wendong."
Chen Guoan: "He’s only twenty-four, isn’t he?"
"Yes," Wang Jun said. "If I’m not mistaken, he should be Great Xia’s youngest deputy division-level official. He must have very strong connections backing him."
"That’s one-sided!" Chen Guoan laughed. "He might be Great Xia’s youngest deputy division-level official, but his boldness is astonishing."
"Rember, boldness is related to one’s background."
"But it’s also not of great significance."
"Sotis, boldness is the strongest background."
Wang Jun seed to understand but wasn’t completely sure.
Chen Guoan said, "On his first day in office, Xu Wendong’s car was doused with manure; it was indeed disgusting."
"But he cleverly used this incident to openly declare war on Haicheng’s political circles!"
"Even at the height of my vigor, I wasn’t as assertive as he is!"
Wang Jun sighed, "It was my fault for competing for that position before; otherwise, I wouldn’t be in an irremovable suspicious position now!"
Chen Guoan smiled, "Who’s to say losing a horse is not a blessing?"
Wang Jun was puzzled, "Old leader, what do you an?"
"Whether you did anything wrong or not, Xu Wendong knows clearly in his heart," Chen Guoan said, smiling aningfully. "I don’t know what this young man’s intentions are, but one thing is clear: Your political career has just begun!"
Wang Jun was utterly confused, having no clue what the old leader ant.
Just then.
Wang Jun’s driver ca in and respectfully said, "Leader, there’s soone nad Xu Wendong outside wishing to see you."
Chen Guoan smiled, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."
Wang Jun furrowed his brow, then said, "Let him in!"
He didn’t know Xu Wendong’s intentions.
But since the other party had co, there was a necessity to et him.
Monts later.
Xu Wendong and Liu Shii walked in.
However.
Wang Jun ignored him and instead sat intently in front of the chessboard, playing against the old leader.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Still, Xu Wendong wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he stood to the side, watching while holding a cigarette.
This actually made Chen Guoan and Wang Jun a bit uneasy.
Goodness!
How could a young man have such great composure?
"Ahem," Chen Guoan broke the silence first, looking up with a smile, and asked, "Young friend, do you know how to play chess?"
Xu Wendong smiled, "I know a bit."
Chen Guoan: "In your opinion, who can win this ga?"
Xu Wendong shook his head. "It’s already a deadlock!"
Chen Guoan was taken aback and then seriously looked at the chessboard. Initially, he didn’t believe the ga had beco a deadlock.
But after pondering for a few seconds, he realized the board was indeed deadlocked.
This made him have a newfound respect for Xu Wendong.
Because, as of now, the chess ga hadn’t shown any signs of a deadlock; it would take at least twenty more moves to manifest.
Who would have thought Xu Wendong could perceive the entire situation so quickly? It was sothing he couldn’t help but admire.
He asked with a smile, "Is there a way to break it?"
"Crash!"
Xu Wendong casually flipped the board, making a ss all over the floor and angering Wang Jun: "Young man, what do you an by this? Aren’t you going too far?"
He was already annoyed with Xu Wendong. If Xu Wendong hadn’t challenged Haicheng’s political arena, he wouldn’t be in his current predicant.
Let alone Xu Wendong had publicly flipped his chessboard.
This was simply an affront to his dignity!
Liu Shii shivered with fear, not expecting Xu Wendong would actually overturn Wang Jun and Chen Guoan’s chessboard.
Xu Wendong calmly lit a cigarette. "Since the outco is already determined, why waste ti on such things?"
"Although there’s an old saying that life is like chess, life doesn’t offer second chances."
"We should cherish every mont; that’s what makes life worthwhile."
Wang Jun was indignant, "Are you here to lecture ?"
Xu Wendong quickly replied, "Vice Mayor Wang, you’re overthinking. How could a junior dare to teach you, a senior in Haicheng’s political scene?"
Wang Jun snorted in displeasure, "Then why are you here to see ? You should know I find you annoying, right?"
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