Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang pretended to reconcile and act like a loving couple to reassure Mother Jiang, whose suspicions about their marriage kept growing. When she caught them without proof of marriage, Jiang Fangfang kissed Dong Xuebin to convince her, and he turned the staged gesture into a passionate kiss.

• At breakfast, Mother Jiang urged Jiang Fangfang and Dong Xuebin to sit together, and she insisted Dong Xuebin stay until after dinner.
• While washing dishes, Jiang Fangfang told Dong Xuebin to act more intimate with her so Mother Jiang would not suspect their arrangement.
• Jiang Fangfang and Dong Xuebin held hands in front of Mother Jiang and said they had made up, but she remained doubtful and demanded to see their marriage certificate.
• After Mother Jiang added sugar to her medicine, Jiang Fangfang suggested they act even more intimate when they realized they had no marriage certificate to show.
• Jiang Fangfang kissed Dong Xuebin in front of Mother Jiang, and Dong Xuebin kissed her back until she began returning the kiss.

Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang pretended to be affectionate so Mother Jiang would believe they were still together. After Mother Jiang stepped onto the balcony, Jiang Fangfang asked Dong to kiss her again when her mother returned, leaving him eager but trying to keep the act within her boundaries.

• Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang kissed on the sofa until Mother Jiang interrupted them and joked about their affection.
• Mother Jiang said she was relieved they had not divorced, then went to exercise on the balcony and shut the door to give them privacy.
• Dong Xuebin worried that he had gone too far, but Jiang Fangfang told him her mother believed their act and warned him not to use his tongue next time.
• Jiang Fangfang asked Dong Xuebin to kiss her again when Mother Jiang came back, and he agreed.
• When they heard Mother Jiang open the balcony door, Jiang Fangfang initiated another kiss, and Dong Xuebin kissed her without using his tongue.

Dong Xuebin spent the day pretending to be Jiang Fangfang’s intimate partner so her mother would believe their relationship, then took Jiang Fangfang’s luggage back to his apartment. He fell asleep beside some of her clothes, comforted by their scent.

• Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang kept up their affectionate act until Mother Jiang left them alone on the balcony.
• Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang spent the day holding hands and behaving like a couple whenever Mother Jiang was nearby.
• After dinner, Dong Xuebin prepared to leave, and Mother Jiang asked him to take Jiang Fangfang’s clothes and luggage back with him.
• Dong Xuebin packed Jiang Fangfang’s clothes, personal items, apples, and honey, then drove back to his apartment.
• Unable to sleep, Dong Xuebin took some of Jiang Fangfang’s clothes from her suitcase and placed them beside his bed, where their scent soothed him.

Dong Xuebin stayed up to read fairy tales to Jiang Fangfang over a late-night video call after she said she could not sleep. The call ended with Jiang Fangfang spotting her underwear and stockings hanging beside Dong Xuebin’s bed.

• Jiang Fangfang called Dong Xuebin after one in the morning and asked him to read something to help her fall asleep.
• Dong Xuebin and Jiang Fangfang switched to QQ, but Jiang Fangfang accidentally started a video call instead of voice chat.
• Dong Xuebin read a short fairy tale while Jiang Fangfang lay down and listened.
• Jiang Fangfang noticed her underwear and stockings hanging by Dong Xuebin’s bedside, and he hurriedly moved them out of view.

Dong Xuebin worried that Jiang Fangfang would confront him about the underwear she had seen during their video call, but she calmly discussed county business with him. Their meeting ended with Dong Xuebin touching her thigh again, leaving her response unknown.

• Dong Xuebin gathered Jiang Fangfang's clothing from his bed and put it in her suitcase before going to work.
• Li Xiaona told Dong Xuebin that Jiang Fangfang had arrived and asked him to bring her last week's work documents.
• Jiang Fangfang discussed county finances and investment promotion with Dong Xuebin, and he promised to prepare a plan that day.
• Dong Xuebin grew emboldened by Jiang Fangfang's calm manner and placed his hand on her thigh.

Dong Xuebin discussed investment promotion funding with Jiang Fangfang, who approved individual investor outreach because the county could not afford its own conference. Zheng Dayou then informed them that the city had ordered the county to attend its Investment Conference that weekend, and Jiang Fangfang assigned Dong Xuebin to handle it.

• Dong Xuebin asked Jiang Fangfang for funds to contact investors individually, and she approved a budget of about one million while urging him to secure investment for road construction.
• Li Xiaona announced that Zheng Dayou had arrived, and Zheng explained that he had first gone to Dong Xuebin’s office before coming to see Jiang Fangfang.
• Zheng Dayou told Jiang Fangfang and Dong Xuebin that the city had notified the county’s investment department to attend the Meihe City Investment Conference that Saturday and Sunday.
• Dong Xuebin realized that Hua Li may have kept him uninformed because of their conflict, but he concealed his suspicion.
• Jiang Fangfang said the county should use the city conference opportunity and left the task to Dong Xuebin.

Dong Xuebin inspected Zhenshui County's Investment Bureau and discovered that it had only four staff members, cramped offices, and almost no investment results. After reviewing its records, he confronted Zheng Dayou with the bureau's average annual investment total of less than five million, leaving the scale of the bureau's problems clear.

• Dong Xuebin asked Yao Cui to notify the Investment Bureau that he would visit during the lunch break.
• Dong Xuebin walked to the bureau and met Zheng Dayou, Cheng Yujie, and Chen Yunsong, learning that its staff handled several overlapping duties.
• Dong Xuebin nearly fell on a broken stair and saw that the bureau had a shabby shared office with only a few desks.
• Zheng Dayou told Dong Xuebin that the bureau had only four employees and had struggled to attract investors because of the county's remoteness and poor conditions.
• Dong Xuebin read the bureau's investment records and questioned Zheng Dayou about its average annual investment task of less than five million.

Dong Xuebin confronted the Investment Bureau’s poor results and resolved to devote himself to improving investment attraction. He announced that he would work alongside the four staff members and prepare for the upcoming city investment conference.

• Dong Xuebin discussed the bureau’s limited resources and weak investment results with Zheng Dayou, then decided they had to turn the situation around.
• Dong Xuebin gathered Cheng Yujie, Chen Yunsong, and Gong Na and challenged them to stop blaming poor county conditions for their results.
• Dong Xuebin announced that he would focus on the bureau for the next month and start working in its office the following day.
• Gong Na and Zheng Dayou raised concerns that four people would not be enough for the city investment conference.
• Dong Xuebin declared that he would count as the fifth staff member and take on phone calls, business liaison, and other work himself.

Dong Xuebin completed an investment plan for Zhenshui County and discussed funding and staffing with Jiang Fangfang ahead of the County Party Committee Standing Committee meeting. After returning home, he received a desperate call from his former colleague Chang Juan, who had been suspended after kicking a deputy bureau chief and feared losing her job.

• Dong Xuebin finished the investment plan and gave it to Jiang Fangfang, who said she would seek support for funding at the next day's Standing Committee meeting.
• Jiang Fangfang explained that the county faced a severe budget shortage and that hiring more Investment Bureau staff would be difficult under existing personnel limits.
• Dong Xuebin carried Jiang Fangfang's luggage to her apartment before she left to check on her mother.
• Chang Juan told Dong Xuebin that she had kicked a deputy bureau chief who made lewd remarks to her, paid one hundred thousand in medical compensation, and had been suspended.
• Dong Xuebin offered to help Chang Juan and said he would ask around, then called Tan Limei to learn more about the case.

Dong Xuebin joined the County Investment Bureau’s preparations for an investment conference, approved buying two vehicles, and worked alongside the staff. Jiang Fangfang heard that he was answering the bureau’s phone and praised his hands-on approach.

• Dong Xuebin asked the Investment Bureau staff for suggestions, and they agreed that the bureau needed vehicles to improve its image with investors.
• Dong Xuebin approved ordering two vehicles at about two hundred thousand yuan each and promised to seek further support at the Standing Committee meeting.
• Dong Xuebin assigned Chen Yunsong to order the vehicles and Cheng Yujie to contact investors, then sat with the staff as they worked.
• Dong Xuebin answered the front desk phone, learned that Chen Yunsong was Chen Xiaomei’s biological younger brother, and continued taking calls despite Zheng Dayou and the others offering to relieve him.
• Jiang Fangfang called to confirm the report that Dong Xuebin was acting as a switchboard operator and praised him, encouraging the Investment Bureau staff to work with renewed energy.

Chang Juan arrived in Zhenshui County seeking refuge with Dong Xuebin after getting into trouble at her Capital City agency. Dong agreed to try to find her a position and planned to contact her leaders, but her transfer remained uncertain.

• Yao Cui told Dong Xuebin that a woman claiming to be his older sister had arrived with luggage, so he arranged a ride for her to the Investment Bureau.
• Dong Xuebin recognized the visitor as Chang Juan, his former colleague, and brought her into his office after she broke down crying.
• Chang Juan explained that she had been suspended after kicking a man who harassed her and asked Dong to help her find work in Zhenshui County.
• Dong Xuebin warned Chang Juan that the county was poor and her personnel file remained in Capital City, but promised to do what he could.
• Dong Xuebin planned to take Chang Juan to lunch and then contact her leaders about letting her go.

Dong Xuebin reassured Chang Juan after she came to him for help and arranged temporary lodging and transportation for her. He then secured approval to transfer her from the State Security Bureau Branch to his investment promotion work, pending paperwork.

• Dong Xuebin took Chang Juan to lunch, listened to her worries about being fired, and promised to help her find a position.
• Dong Xuebin arranged for Chang Juan to stay at the County Guest House and lent her his Land Rover, with Chen Yunsong driving her there.
• Dong Xuebin called Zhen Anguo to request Chang Juan's release from the State Security Bureau Branch, and Zhen Anguo agreed once the paperwork was ready.
• Dong Xuebin called Secretary Shen, who approved bringing Chang Juan over to help with the investment promotion work.

Dong Xuebin argued for more staff and positions for the Investment Bureau, then promised to bring in at least fifty million in investment at the upcoming City Investment Conference. Meng Rui approved the requested support and set the fifty-million target, leaving Dong Xuebin responsible for delivering it.

• Jiang Fangfang and her allies supported strengthening the understaffed Investment Bureau, while Ci Boyang argued that the county could not afford more personnel.
• Dong Xuebin clashed with Ci Boyang and other cadres, insisting that investment work could help ease the county’s financial difficulties.
• Meng Rui stopped the arguments and asked what results Dong Xuebin could deliver in exchange for policy support.
• Dong Xuebin requested a deputy director promotion slot, an office director, a Business Section Chief, a driver, and a section staffer.
• Dong Xuebin pledged to bring in at least fifty million in investment, and Meng Rui approved the requested support and set that as the target.

At the Standing Committee meeting, Dong Xuebin defended the understaffed Investment Bureau against criticism and pressed county leaders for more personnel ahead of the City Investment Conference. He left the discussion arguing that the bureau could not deliver stronger results without additional staff.

• Dong Xuebin arrived early and chatted with Pu An, Liao Haiwei, Chu Peng, and Cheng Fuguang before Meng Rui and Jiang Fangfang entered.
• The Standing Committee handled routine agenda items for more than an hour before Meng Rui asked Dong Xuebin about preparations for the City Investment Conference.
• Dong Xuebin said he lacked confidence in bringing in investment, and Zhang Wanshui criticized his attitude and thinking.
• Dong Xuebin defended his work by pointing to the Investment Bureau's four staff members and limited budget, then argued with Cheng Fuguang over staffing levels and results.
• Dong Xuebin told the committee that the bureau needed more personnel, while Meng Rui replied that the county also lacked funds.

At the Standing Committee meeting, Dong Xuebin secured approval for his proposed Investment Bureau staffing changes after Secretary Meng and Jiang Fangfang backed his recommendations. The meeting ended with Dong preparing to bring his former colleague from State Security to Zhenshui County, while the investment promotion team’s new appointments were set in motion.

• Dong Xuebin asked to settle the Investment Bureau transfers and promotions before the Saturday City Investment Conference, and Jiang Fangfang approved lateral transfers for a driver and a staffer.
• Meng Rui and Jiang Fangfang agreed to Dong Xuebin’s recommendation of Chen Yunsong as Business Section Chief.
• After Zhang Wanshui and Cheng Fuguang objected, Meng Rui approved Cheng Yujie as office director and ordered Liao Haiwei to arrange an assessment.
• Dong Xuebin recommended a former colleague from the Capital City State Security Bureau for deputy bureau chief, claiming she could help secure investment.
• Meng Rui and Jiang Fangfang approved the candidate and ordered her transfer to Zhenshui County to begin promptly.

Dong Xuebin secured county support for his Investment Promotion Work after pledging to bring in fifty million in investment and staking his position on success. He also advanced plans to staff his bureau and arrange Chang Juan’s promotion, while the risk and political consequences of his pledge remained unresolved.

• After the Standing Committee meeting, Pu An warned Dong Xuebin that his fifty-million investment pledge and offer to resign had put him under pressure, but Dong Xuebin insisted he could deliver.
• Dong Xuebin told Jiang Fangfang he had made the pledge during the meeting, and she confirmed the county would fully support his work while promising to share responsibility if he failed.
• Dong Xuebin asked Yao Cui to find a reliable clerk who could begin work the next day.
• Secretary Shen told Dong Xuebin that Chang Juan’s suspension had been revoked and would not be entered into her file, so Dong Xuebin contacted her workplace and spoke with Liao Haiwei about her assessment and transfer.
• Dong Xuebin’s pledge had helped consolidate the Investment Bureau and secure personnel changes, but failure could cost him his position, while success would also benefit Secretary Meng’s faction.

Dong Xuebin welcomed Xiao Hong and Lao Wei to the Investment Bureau, then began meeting with staff individually about personnel changes. He told Gong Na that she would be promoted to clerk and called Chen Yunsong and Cheng Yujie in next, leaving them wondering what good news awaited them.

• Dong Xuebin spoke with Yao Cui, who told him she had selected Xiao Hong to transfer to the Investment Bureau.
• Dong Xuebin welcomed Xiao Hong and Lao Wei, then introduced them to the bureau staff and arranged for Lao Wei to handle its cars.
• Dong Xuebin and Zheng Dayou called Gong Na into the office and told her that the Personnel Bureau would discuss her promotion to clerk.
• Gong Na thanked Dong Xuebin and Zheng Dayou, then left the office delighted.
• Dong Xuebin called Chen Yunsong and Cheng Yujie into the office, while Xiao Hong settled in at her new desk.

Dong Xuebin and Zheng Dayou announced new leadership roles in the Investment Bureau, rewarding Cheng Yunsong and Cheng Yujie for their work. The bureau staff were energized by the promotions, and Zheng Dayou then assigned Gong Na to the Office and Xiao Xiao to the Business Section.

• Dong Xuebin offered Chen Yunsong the newly reestablished Business Section Chief position, and Chen accepted.
• Dong Xuebin named Cheng Yujie as the Investment Bureau Office Director, and she thanked the leaders.
• Chen Yunsong and Cheng Yujie left delighted, and the bureau's atmosphere grew more energetic.
• Dong Xuebin told Zheng Dayou that staff assignments should mainly be his decision.
• Zheng Dayou assigned Gong Na to the Office and Xiao Xiao to the Business Section, giving Xiao Xiao a deputy section chief designation without a salary increase.

Dong Xuebin arranged for Chang Juan to join the Zhenshui County Investment Bureau and revealed that the county had approved her promotion to deputy director. Chang Juan was surprised to learn that her suspension had been erased and could choose whether to return to the Capital City or stay and take the post.

• Wang Xia and the Organization Department staff arrived at the Investment Bureau to conduct formal assessments for the promotions Dong Xuebin had secured.
• Chen Xiaomei called Dong Xuebin to thank him for helping her younger brother, Chen Yunsong, get promoted.
• Dong Xuebin met Chang Juan, who was searching for housing and worrying about her finances and suspended salary.
• Chang Juan asked whether her transfer to the Investment Bureau had gone through, and Dong Xuebin confirmed that her file and paperwork were being arranged.
• Dong Xuebin told Chang Juan that the county had approved her appointment as deputy director and that her suspension had been erased, leaving her free to return to the Capital City or stay.

Dong Xuebin brought Chang Juan to the Investment Bureau and arranged for her to become its deputy director. He then revealed that the bureau had one month to secure fifty million in investment, or he would resign.

• Dong Xuebin persuaded Chang Juan to join the Investment Bureau as deputy director and promised to arrange her housing.
• Chang Juan met the Organization Department staff and the bureau employees, who accepted her as Dong Xuebin's new deputy.
• Dong Xuebin announced that the Investment Bureau had to secure fifty million in investment within a month of the City Investment Conference.
• Dong Xuebin told the staff that he had pledged to resign if the bureau missed the target, leaving them alarmed about the task and their new promotions.