Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin rushed Xie Huilan to 301 General Hospital after her water broke, while their families hurried to join them. Huilan was taken into the Operating Room, leaving Dong Xuebin and the Xie Family waiting outside for news.

• Dong Xuebin drove Huilan toward the hospital and called Han Jing, who told him to keep Huilan lying flat and contacted the family and hospital.
• Han Jing notified Xie Guobang, while Xie Guoliang informed Old Master Xie and arranged for relatives at 301 General Hospital to prepare for Huilan's arrival.
• Dong Xuebin carried Huilan into the hospital, where doctors examined her and wheeled her toward the Operating Room.
• Dong Xuebin tried to follow Huilan inside, but Xie Guojian and Huilan stopped him, and the Operating Room doors closed with him waiting outside.

Dong Xuebin anxiously waited while Hui Lan gave birth, surrounded by her family at the hospital. The doctor finally announced that Hui Lan and her son were both safe.

• Dong Xuebin paced outside the Operating Room and worried that Hui Lan might suffer complications during childbirth.
• Xie Ran and Xie Jing arrived and tried to reassure Dong Xuebin while he waited for news.
• Xie Guobang and Han Jing arrived, and Han Jing explained that Hui Lan had chosen to give birth naturally.
• More members of the Xie Family gathered at the hospital, including Xie Guoliang, Xia Yanzhen, and Ci Lifen.
• The Operating Room light went out, and the doctor emerged to announce that Hui Lan and her son were both safe.

Xie Huilan safely gave birth to a healthy boy, and Dong Xuebin and the Xie family celebrated before briefly visiting mother and child. The chapter ended with Dong Xuebin insisting on waiting outside the delivery room while Hui Lan rested.

• The doctor announced that Xie Huilan and her newborn son were safe, and Han Jing called Old Master Xie and Dong Xuebin’s mother with the news.
• Han Jing and Dong Xuebin entered the delivery room after the doctor allowed only two visitors, where they saw Hui Lan holding her baby.
• Han Jing delightedly held her grandson, while Dong Xuebin rushed to Hui Lan’s bedside to check on her.
• Dong Xuebin tried holding the baby, but the boy cried until Hui Lan took him back and soothed him.
• After the doctor asked everyone to leave so Hui Lan could rest, Dong Xuebin insisted on staying outside in case anything happened.

Three days after Xie Huilan gave birth, Dong Xuebin brought her and their baby home to Old Master Xie's villa, where the family welcomed them. After everyone met the baby, the family agreed to Dong Xuebin's choice of name: Dong Zhong.

• Dong Xuebin helped Xie Huilan out of the car and carried her into the villa after the family took turns holding their baby.
• Old Master Xie and Fourth Granduncle met the baby, and Dong Xuebin thanked Fourth Granduncle for helping with his work transfer.
• Old Master Xie asked the family to decide on the baby's name, and Dong Xuebin proposed Dong Zhong.
• The family accepted Dong Xuebin's choice, and the baby was named Dong Zhong.

After her month of confinement, Xie Huilan prepared to leave for her new post as Municipal Party Secretary in the Southern Region, taking Little Chongchong with her. Han Jing revealed that the family expected Xie Huilan to establish herself and lead the younger generation's political rise.

• Dong Xuebin struggled with the demands of caring for Little Chongchong while Xie Huilan nursed him and prepared for her noon flight.
• Han Jing urged Xie Huilan to leave Little Chongchong in the Capital City, but Xie Huilan insisted on taking him and asked Aunt Wang to accompany them.
• Xie Huilan asked Han Jing whether she could act freely in her new post, and Han Jing confirmed that Old Master had approved it.
• Han Jing explained that the family had gained influence in the latest reshuffle and that Dong Xuebin's hard drive and actions had helped Xie Huilan secure the Municipal Party Secretary position.
• Han Jing told Xie Huilan to establish herself and set an example for the family's younger generation, and Xie Huilan agreed.

Dong Xuebin saw Xie Huilan and their newborn son off as she left to take up her new post, then discussed his own return to work with Han Jing. Han Jing urged him to keep a low profile in his Zhengchu Level position while helping Xie Huilan establish herself in the Southern Region.

• Dong Xuebin reluctantly said goodbye to Xie Huilan and their baby at the airport as the family joked together after their departure.
• Han Jing asked Dong Xuebin to drive her home and told the others she had something to discuss with him.
• Han Jing advised Dong Xuebin to keep a low profile when he reported to his new Zhengchu Level post and use the time to recover from past upheavals.
• Han Jing explained that Dong Xuebin's father and the family had carefully arranged his new position so he could settle in and help Xie Huilan establish herself in the Southern Region.
• Dong Xuebin promised Han Jing that he would work hard and not disappoint her or his father.

Dong Xuebin began his new job at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, arriving late and keeping to himself as he tried to follow his mother-in-law’s advice to stay low-key. He learned that his office’s oversight covered Jiangnan Province, where Hui Lan had just taken office, giving him a potential role in protecting her.

• Dong Xuebin moved into a modest apartment near work and drove an old Xiali to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
• He arrived more than an hour late on his first day at Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office Eight, greeted coworkers, and went straight to his office.
• Dong Xuebin brewed tea instead of meeting leaders, reviewing documents, or assigning work, because he intended to keep a low profile.
• He learned that Office Eight oversaw six provinces and that his Second Office covered Jiangnan Province, where Hui Lan had just taken office.
• Dong Xuebin realized his office could investigate and supervise high-ranking provincial cadres, giving him a way to deter anyone who might make trouble for Hui Lan.

On his first official day in the Second Office, Dong Xuebin relaxed in his office before joining his colleagues for lunch. Han Fei’s blunt question about his background left Dong Xuebin amused as the group continued getting to know him.

• Dong Xuebin spent the morning in his office reviewing staff files, drinking tea, and listening to music.
• Yin Cheng'an greeted Dong Xuebin, excused his late arrival, and invited him to the agency cafeteria with the Second Office staff.
• Yin Cheng'an treated the group to lunch, and Dong Xuebin observed their informal, joking atmosphere.
• Han Fei asked Dong Xuebin what his background was and compared his rank with her own; Dong Xuebin said he had no special background.

On his first day in Second Office, Dong Xuebin kept a low profile and spent the afternoon relaxing until Lan Xuewen brought him a complaint letter concerning a vice governor in Jiangdong Province. Lan then revealed that Xie Huilan had asked him to help Dong familiarize himself with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

• After lunch, Dong Xuebin returned to the office alone while Han Fei and the others criticized his distant manner and heard Beethoven playing from his office.
• Dong Xuebin texted Xie Huilan, who advised him to keep a low profile and told him Lan Xuewen would visit.
• Lan Xuewen delivered a complaint letter about suspected wasteful projects involving a vice governor in Jiangdong Province, and Dong Xuebin agreed to pass it to Yin Cheng'an.
• Lan Xuewen explained that Xie Huilan had asked him to help Dong understand the situation and get started with his work, and they greeted each other warmly.

Lan Xuewen briefed Dong Xuebin on the backgrounds and personalities of his colleagues in Second Office. Dong Xuebin exchanged contact information with Lan and decided to keep enjoying his relatively easy post.

• Lan Xuewen told Dong Xuebin that Director Yin Cheng'an was easygoing with colleagues but strict and decisive when handling cases.
• Lan Xuewen outlined the family connections of Zhang Dongliang, Sun Zhaobang, and He Zhou.
• Lan Xuewen explained that Han Fei had the strongest background in Second Office because her father held a powerful post in the Central Organization Department.
• Dong Xuebin asked about Han Fei's father's faction, and Lan Xuewen said he did not know but that the man had an average relationship with the Xie Faction.
• Dong Xuebin thanked Lan Xuewen, exchanged phone numbers with him, and returned to his office after Lan left.

Dong Xuebin accepted Jiang Min’s invitation to Lian University’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, where she wanted him to arrive early and help. He left work on time and took the next day off, leaving his coworkers baffled by his lack of interest in office life.

• Jiang Min invited Dong Xuebin to the university’s anniversary celebration and asked him to arrive before six to help move things and keep order.
• Jiang Min suggested Dong Xuebin give a speech as a former student, but he declined because he wanted to keep a low profile.
• Dong Xuebin and Jiang Min arranged to have dinner together that evening.
• Dong Xuebin left the office at exactly five and declined Han Fei’s invitation to dinner with the Second Office.
• Dong Xuebin handed Yin Cheng'an the documents and requested the next day off, which Yin Cheng'an approved as annual leave to be made up later.
• After Dong Xuebin left, Han Fei complained about him, and Yin Cheng'an rebuked her before the group went to dinner.

Dong Xuebin took Teacher Jiang Min out to dinner and drove her to her staff dormitory ahead of a leaders’ event the next day. As Jiang Min got out of his battered car, a jagged edge tore her skirt, leaving her to hurry home holding it closed.

• Dong Xuebin met Jiang Min and took her to an inexpensive restaurant for dinner.
• Jiang Min told Dong Xuebin that leaders from several provinces would attend the next day’s event, including a vice mayor from Jiangdong Province.
• Dong Xuebin told Jiang Min he worked at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, but she dismissed his claim that he had already become a big leader.
• Dong Xuebin drove Jiang Min to her staff dormitory in his old Xiali.
• A jagged edge on the passenger seat tore Jiang Min’s skirt as she got out, and she declined Dong Xuebin’s offer of his pants before hurrying inside.

Dong Xuebin returned to Lian University for its thirtieth anniversary celebration and reunited with former classmates. He caught up with Le Hai Dong, Zhao Meng, and Sun Ru Hua, who discussed their careers and Le Hai Dong’s connections in the Capital City education system.

• Dong Xuebin woke early, drove to Lian University, and received a campus pass after explaining that Teacher Jiang Min had invited him to help.
• Dong Xuebin felt nostalgic as he revisited the campus for the first time in about three years.
• Dong Xuebin recognized Le Hai Dong, Zhao Meng, and Sun Ru Hua in the parking lot, and they greeted one another and caught up.
• Le Hai Dong asked Dong Xuebin for Yao Cui’s phone number, but Dong Xuebin avoided answering and changed the subject.
• Zhao Meng and Sun Ru Hua asked about Dong Xuebin’s income and Le Hai Dong’s promotion, and Le Hai Dong offered to help them through his education-system connections.

Dong Xuebin reunited with former classmates at Lian University and joined them in helping Teacher Jiang prepare for the anniversary celebration. The others soon stopped working, leaving Dong Xuebin to move almost all the heavy items by himself as Jiang Min returned to help him.

• Sun Ru Hua, Zhao Meng, and Le Hai Dong chatted about their lives while Dong Xuebin listened quietly.
• Jiang Min arrived and explained that she had called the former students to help with tasks for the university anniversary celebration.
• Jiang Min led the group into the auditorium and asked them to move tables and flower baskets backstage.
• Le Hai Dong, Zhao Meng, and Sun Ru Hua gradually stopped helping and went to chat, while Dong Xuebin moved nearly all the heavy items alone.
• Jiang Min returned, saw Dong Xuebin working by himself, and tried to help, but Dong Xuebin insisted that she rest.

Dong Xuebin helped Teacher Jiang prepare for Lian University's anniversary celebration, then ignored Vice Principal Wang's order to move equipment and chatted with Teacher Jiang's students. The chapter ended when he heard that a leader's car had struck Teacher Jiang at the school gate and she had not gotten up.

• Dong Xuebin did most of the preparation work while Le Hai Dong, Zhao Meng, and Sun Ru Hua rested, and Teacher Jiang thanked him.
• Dong Xuebin helped secure a fallen banner, then went inside to watch the rehearsal after Teacher Jiang said there was nothing else to do.
• Vice Principal Wang ordered Dong Xuebin to help move equipment, but Dong Xuebin ignored him and stayed in his seat.
• Dong Xuebin learned that the students he was chatting with were Teacher Jiang's current students and spoke warmly with them.
• Dong Xuebin heard that a leader's car had grazed Teacher Jiang near the school gate and that she had not gotten up.

Dong Xuebin rushed to the school gate after learning that Jiang Min had been hit by a car, where he found angry students confronting the driver. He learned the driver was Dong Quan, a vice mayor of Wuyang City, and recognized Wuyang City from a document he had seen the day before.

• Dong Xuebin hurried to the school gate after students told him Teacher Jiang had been hit.
• Dong Xuebin found Jiang Min sitting injured while students and teachers surrounded the Audi and demanded that its driver apologize.
• The driver, Dong Quan, got out after a student kicked the car, while security guards tried to hold the angry crowd back.
• A student explained that Dong Quan had brushed Jiang Min with his car, then tried to drive on without checking on her.
• Dong Xuebin heard that Dong Quan was a vice mayor of Wuyang City in Jiangdong Province and recognized the city from a document at the Letters and Visits Office.

After Deputy Mayor Dong Quan brushed against Jiang Min with his car, students demanded an apology while Vice Principal Wang pressured them to disperse and let Dong Quan enter the campus. As Dong Quan began to leave the confrontation, Dong Xuebin stepped forward and challenged him.

• Students and teachers surrounded Dong Quan at the school gates, demanding that he apologize to Jiang Min and pay compensation.
• Jiang Min told her students to return to the auditorium, but they refused until she insisted that they leave her to handle the matter.
• Vice Principal Wang arrived and ordered the crowd to disperse, threatening students who continued to block the entrance.
• Vice Principal Wang apologized to Dong Quan and escorted him into the campus as the crowd watched angrily.
• After Dong Quan had taken three steps, Dong Xuebin walked forward and asked who had said he could leave.

Dong Xuebin confronted Dong Quan for striking his mentor, Jiang Min, and refusing to apologize. He revealed that he was an inspector with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and ordered Dong Quan to come with him for questioning.

• Dong Xuebin stopped Dong Quan from leaving and insisted that he apologize to Jiang Min and compensate her.
• Dong Xuebin rebuked Dong Quan and Vice Principal Wang, then offered Dong Quan the choice of apologizing or facing further consequences.
• Dong Quan refused to apologize and dismissed Dong Xuebin's ultimatum.
• Dong Xuebin showed Dong Quan his work ID and identified himself as an inspector in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's Eighth Inspectorate Office.
• Dong Xuebin ordered Dong Quan to accompany him for a talk and warned that refusing could lead to administrative measures.

Dong Xuebin revealed that he was a Zhengchu Level official from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and demanded a private talk with Dong Quan after Dong Quan injured Teacher Jiang. Deputy Mayor He Zhengfei tried to mediate but recognized that Dong Xuebin would not back down, so he told Dong Quan to cooperate and left.

• Dong Xuebin showed Dong Quan his Central Commission for Discipline Inspection credentials and asked Vice Principal Wang to prepare a nearby classroom for a private discussion.
• Vice Principal Wang arranged a classroom after Dong Quan realized he could not refuse an official request from the Eighth Inspectorate Office.
• He Zhengfei arrived, and Dong Quan appealed to his former superior for help with the dispute over Teacher Jiang's injury.
• He Zhengfei offered to have Dong Quan pay compensation and asked Dong Xuebin to let the matter go, but Dong Xuebin refused and cited his official assignment and Teacher Jiang's importance to him.
• He Zhengfei told Dong Quan to cooperate with Dong Xuebin, then left the campus as the onlookers wondered why he had not intervened further.

Dong Xuebin confronted Dong Quan over Wuyang City's new stadium project, using a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigation to put him under pressure. Dong Quan left realizing his political career could be at risk, while the crowd outside waited for the outcome of the dispute.

• Dong Xuebin led Dong Quan into the Teaching Building, where students cheered after seeing the deputy mayor go with him.
• Dong Xuebin questioned Dong Quan about Wuyang City building a third stadium despite having two existing ones.
• Dong Xuebin said the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had received a report and ordered Dong Quan to submit a written report before the end of the week.
• Dong Quan left the meeting fearing the investigation could threaten his political career and suspecting Dong Xuebin would use it against him.