Qi Tongwei: Sign-in relationship started during student days

Chapter 1099 Comparison

The Anti-Corruption Bureau is on the sixth floor.

Amidst the flattery of the anti-corruption prosecutors, Zhao Xiaohui easily made her way to Hou Liangping's office.

When she pushed open the door, Hou Liangping was engrossed in his work, his brows slightly furrowed, his pen flying across the report, unaware that she had entered.

Zhao Xiaohui didn't knock on the door, but stepped forward and gently placed the insulated box on the report that Hou Liangping was writing.

"Hey." Hou Liangping looked up in surprise, and when he saw who it was, the sharpness in his eyes softened instantly. He smiled and said, "Xiao Hui, when did you get back? Why didn't you call me?"

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I called Chen Hai, but he said you've been busy with a case lately, so I didn't bother you."

Hou Liangping was deeply moved. After so many years of marriage, Zhao Xiaohui had always been considerate of him in every way.

Hou Liangping looked out the window; it was pitch black. He casually glanced at his watch; the hour hand was precisely at 9:30, no more, no less.

He couldn't help but sigh, "Time flies! It's already 9:30 in the blink of an eye, and I haven't even finished working on this report yet."

Zhao Xiaohui gave him a reproachful look, "It's not that time flies, it's that you're working too hard."

With a case on the line, forget about time. He's forgotten his wife and kids; now, he probably can't even remember where his home is.

Hou Liangping carefully took his son from his hand, gently stroking Ranran's soft cheek with his fingertips, and said in a teasing tone, "Isn't this all so that you can become the director's wife as soon as possible, and Ranran can become the director's young master?"

Zhao Xiaohui said, "With your abilities and my father's support, becoming a department head is only a matter of time, and you might even be able to reach an even higher position in the future."

It's not worth pushing yourself so hard; ruining your health is not worth it.

Hou Liangping said, "That won't do. If I don't have solid achievements to back me up, even if I get promoted because of my father, people will still talk behind my back and say that I, Hou Liangping, am a coward who got promoted because of my father-in-law."

Besides, relying on seniority and back channels to climb the ranks—not only do others look down on me, but I despise myself for it.

Zhao Xiaohui sighed softly to herself. She knew her husband too well; she knew he was secretly competing with his senior, Qi Tongwei.

The two of them are on completely different paths, so how can they be compared?

Qi Tongwei followed the ruling path, focusing on the economy and people's livelihood, developing projects and promoting development. His achievements were clearly visible and tangible, so his promotions were naturally rapid.

Hou Liangping, on the other hand, does the tough job of anti-corruption investigations, and is the one who rushes to the front to be the knife and tackle the hard nuts to crack.

Moreover, while the Anti-Corruption Bureau appears to be a powerful unit feared by everyone in officialdom, it is actually an unit that offends people.

Don't think that catching corrupt officials means everything is fine.

In today's officialdom, who doesn't have a few friends, and who doesn't have superiors and subordinates?

Investigating one person offends a whole bunch.

Do you think this group of people will let you rise so smoothly to the top?

In comparison, her husband could never catch up with Qi Tongwei.

She couldn't imagine what her husband would think if he knew that his senior from university had been promoted to deputy provincial level last year.

After hesitating for a moment, he told Hou Liangping about his father's notification.

"Liangping, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it? Tell me," Hou Liangping replied as he opened his lunchbox.

"Qi Tongwei is back." Zhao Xiaohui carefully observed Hou Liangping's reaction.

Hou Liangping paused for a moment, then immediately said nonchalantly, "So what if he comes back? He's from Handong, it's normal for him to go back." He then asked casually, "What position will he take back?"

Zhao Xiaohui knew her husband had misunderstood. "It's not a transfer; he's just coming back to visit his family."

"I see." Hou Liangping's expression remained calm, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The pressure from this senior alumnus was immense, and he felt quite uneasy if he were to return to the position.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "Dad said you need to come home tomorrow. He wants to entertain Qi Tongwei and wants you to accompany him."

"Keep me company?" Hou Liangping hesitated again. What was he supposed to do? Be a mere background figure?

"Xiao Hui, I have a case to handle..."

"Let's give it a push," Zhao Xiaohui said. "After all, it's Dad's order. Besides, if you don't go, Qi Tongwei will think you're guilty."

Hou Liangping thought about it and nodded, "Alright, I'll put my work aside tomorrow."

Having finalized his plans to accompany his son tomorrow, Hou Liangping immersed himself in eating dumplings, while also entertaining his son Ranran.

Zhao Xiaohui walked around the desk to look at the report written by Hou Liangping. "Guo Huai Ren?"

Hou Liangping swallowed the dumpling in his mouth. "The former Party Secretary of Yantai City. I just took office and plan to start with him to make a good start."

“No, Liangping, I think we should put this case on hold for now.”