Chapter 18: Come Home with Me for Dinner

"Governor."

Tian Yun stood up abruptly as if struck by lightning. His gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, bore into Chen Teng, as if attempting to peer through his eyes to uncover the answers hidden deep within his soul.

Chen Teng, however, merely allowed a faint, enigmatic smile to touch his lips. "It seems the operation has just concluded, and you haven't yet devised a brilliant strategy, Old Tian. No matter. But once you return, you must race against time to produce an impeccable plan!"

"Understood!"

Tian Yun nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "Please rest assured, Governor Chen. Upon returning, I will go all out to organize a practical and effective plan to help our comrades adapt to the pace of the times with ease."

"As for those comrades who truly struggle to keep up, ensure they are properly looked after. We must not let our people lose heart."

Tang Hu and Li Mo sat silently to the side like statues, listening to the exchange. Although Chen Teng had dismissed the conversation as mere casual chatter, both men knew better. They were well aware that when it came to professional matters—even if discussed off the cuff—while no classified secrets would be breached, the information conveyed was undoubtedly accurate and significant.

Li Mo’s gaze swept over Tian Yun, unobserved.

Currently, most provincial public security bureau chiefs held the concurrent rank of Vice Governor or Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. However, here in Fu Province, the position of Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Secretary was held by Gao Liang, the Deputy Provincial Party Secretary. Before Long Yuntao became the Party Secretary of Fu Province, Gao Liang had been a top contender for that very role.

But when Long Yuntao arrived from the central ministry, he effectively shattered Gao Liang’s ambitions. When Gao Liang then pivoted to vie for the governorship, Chen Teng—the Executive Vice Governor—stepped in as Acting Governor and, through a series of subsequent maneuvers, secured the position of Governor.

Gao Liang’s position had become rather awkward, as both Long Yuntao and Chen Teng were his former rivals. Although he served as Deputy Party Secretary, Long Yuntao had consolidated almost all power, leaving Gao Liang to essentially act as a figurehead. Consequently, the position of Political and Legal Affairs Secretary became the only platform where Gao Liang could assert his status. This meant that the Public Security Department, the Provincial Procuratorate, and the Provincial Court were all under his heavy-handed control.

Even without looking elsewhere, Li Mo knew from his previous life that before Gao Liang left office, he had held the authority of the Public Security Department firmly in his grasp. While Tian Yun held the title of Chief, he was essentially sidelined.

It was clear that by having Tian Yun reorganize the department, Chen Teng intended to help him reclaim that authority. Yet, this inevitably created a conflict: Gao Liang would certainly not be pleased. After all, if he was already a figurehead as Deputy Secretary, losing his grip on the Political and Legal Affairs Commission would render him entirely ornamental within the province.

Tian Yun was, of course, well aware of what Li Mo had deduced. But would he retreat because of it? No. He too aspired to the rank of Vice Governor or Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and that meant Gao Liang was a mountain he had to overcome.

Li Mo reined in his wandering thoughts and continued to listen.

These matters were still far removed from his own reality. After all, he was merely an officer at a county-level public security bureau; provincial-level power struggles had little to do with him, and even municipal affairs were distant.

Soon after, the conversation between Chen Teng and Tian Yun came to an end. It was approaching noon, and Chen Teng glanced at his watch. Seeing this, Tian Yun immediately understood it was time to take his leave. He rose quickly and said, "Governor Chen, I shall take my leave then. I will return and submit the plan to the provincial authorities as soon as possible."

"Very well."

Chen Teng nodded. As Tian Yun stood up and headed for the office door, Li Mo and Tang Hu prepared to follow, but Chen Teng called out, "Li Mo, you stay behind. Your Aunt Mu knows you’ve returned today and has prepared a meal herself. Join me for lunch later."

Li Mo stopped.

Tian Yun and Tang Hu halted as well. Tian Yun turned to Tang Hu and said, "Old Tang, grant Li Mo a few days of leave."

"Understood!" Tang Hu quickly turned to Li Mo. "Li Mo, submit a leave request when you get back. I’ll give you two days; return to the bureau in two days' time."

"There is an awards ceremony at the bureau in three days, so you must not be absent," Tang Hu added, casting a cautious glance at Chen Teng and Tian Yun.

Tian Yun had initially been slightly displeased that Tang Hu only offered two days, given that he himself had made the request, but upon hearing the latter part, he understood. Li Mo had performed a meritorious deed and was due for commendation; it would not do for him to be absent.

"Yes, sir!" Li Mo saluted Tang Hu.

Once Tian Yun and Tang Hu had departed, Chen Teng picked up his briefcase and rose. "Let’s go. Come home with me. I haven't tasted your Aunt Mu’s cooking in a long time; I’m tagging along to benefit from your visit today."

Li Mo smiled and followed Chen Teng out of the provincial government building. Secretary Li was already waiting by the car.

"Little Li, you don't need to join me for lunch. Go back and get some rest," Chen Teng said to his secretary.

"Yes, sir!" Secretary Li nodded. He waited until Chen Teng and Li Mo had boarded the car and watched them drive away before heading toward the cafeteria.

***

They arrived at the provincial party committee residential compound, where the car pulled up in front of a detached villa. As Chen Teng and Li Mo stepped out, Chen Xi, who had been waiting at the entrance, hurried over to greet them.

"Dad! Li Mo!"

Seeing Chen Xi rushing over, Chen Teng’s previously jovial expression stiffened. He cast a glance at Li Mo and moved unobtrusively to stand between Li Mo and Chen Xi.

"Xiao Xi, is lunch ready?" Chen Teng asked.

"It is. Mom said you two should be arriving around now, so she sent me out to meet you. And look, I just came out and you’re already here!"

Chen Xi spoke naturally, bypassing her father to walk to Li Mo’s side. She took his hand and led him toward the villa. "Li Mo, come quickly. Mom has prepared several of her signature dishes—they’re every bit as good as what any master chef could make."

Watching Chen Xi holding Li Mo’s hand, Chen Teng’s face froze once more. He sighed, shook his head, and muttered to himself, "Alas, a daughter grown is like water spilled."

He walked toward the villa, his back radiating the weary melancholy of a father who had lost his hold.

Inside the villa, Chen Teng watched Li Mo laughing and talking with his wife and daughter. He sighed again and walked over. When Mu Jinyi turned to look at him, the smile on her face vanished instantly. "Go wash your hands and prepare for dinner," she said coldly.

Chen Teng’s expression stiffened again as he headed toward the kitchen.

Mu Jinyi turned back to Li Mo with a smile. "We’re about to eat. Make sure you get a good taste of your Aunt Mu’s cooking."

"After lunch, Aunt Mu and Xiao Xi will take you out for a stroll around the city."

Chen Teng emerged from the kitchen and sat down at the table in silence. Li Mo felt a flicker of curiosity. When he saw them at the hospital previously, their relationship had seemed quite harmonious. Why did Mu Jinyi seem so dismissive of Chen Teng now?

Though perplexed, Li Mo knew this was not his place to ask, so he suppressed the thought.

Mu Jinyi removed the lids from the dishes on the table. "Come, let’s eat!"