Holding a bouquet of flowers, Qi Tongwei stood in the corridor, looking particularly conspicuous.
The people passing by cast glances tainted with a trace of disdain.
Qi Tongwei didn't bother to look at their gazes.
With a clear conscience, as long as he hadn't kneeled, he was a true, upstanding man.
Those who mocked him simply wanted to watch reality crush Qi Tongwei.
By human nature, nobody truly wants to see others do better than themselves...
Especially those within one's own circle...
Besides, Qi Tongwei was resorting to such behavior precisely to gain power.
Yet, because they themselves could never accomplish what Qi Tongwei was doing, they chose to mock him.
If they were the ones benefiting, they would start making excuses for themselves.
Such is human nature...
The reason Qi Tongwei stood in the corridor was actually because the Department of Politics and Law at Handong University had produced many prominent figures.
He wanted these people to notice that a talent like Qi Tongwei was facing injustice.
This wasn't to beg for sympathy, but to stage a protest against hegemony right here and now.
A silent protest.
Though this kind of protest might seem a bit naive or ridiculous.
Still, it was like a butterfly flapping its wings—what if it actually worked?
Just then, Gao Yuliang happened to walk down the office hallway and was very surprised to see Qi Tongwei standing there!
"Tongwei, why are you standing here? And holding a bunch of flowers—you aren't really planning to..." Gao Yuliang trailed off mid-sentence, but Qi Tongwei knew what he wanted to say.
Qi Tongwei held immense respect for this teacher who had nurtured him.
In the television drama from his past life, everyone had criticized Qi Tongwei, the head of the provincial public security department.
They accused him of flattery, of relying on sycophancy, and so on...
Only this teacher remembered that he was a public security director who had taken three bullets.
Remembered that he was once a chief prosecutor with justice in his heart...
When everyone else focused solely on Qi Tongwei's flaws.
Only his teacher remembered the Qi Tongwei of the past...
If Qi Tongwei had been like that from the very beginning, could he have ever risen to the position of public security director?
Could mere reliance on being a son-in-law propel someone to the rank of public security director in just over a dozen years?
Was there truly no personal effort and capability involved?
As for everything that happened later, it surely stemmed from the arbitrary abuse of power Qi Tongwei had suffered.
If the environment around Qi Tongwei, the education he received, and the treatment accorded to him had been upright and fair.
How could there ever have been the Qi Tongwei of later years?
At these thoughts, a tear welled up in Qi Tongwei's eyes.
He had to lift his eyelids as high as possible to keep his emotions in check...
"Teacher, I won't give up. No matter how bitter or difficult it gets, I will persevere..."
Seeing Qi Tongwei like this, Gao Yuliang couldn't bear it either...
As a teacher, he simply couldn't stand seeing his students bullied.
Yet, while Gao Yuliang held an empty title, his actual influence over the government was practically nil.
Qi Tongwei was a student he had watched grow up, serving as the president of the student union.
A man chosen from among a hundred in both character and deeds...
Whenever an opportunity arose, he was determined to help this student of his.
"Tongwei, with those words from you, I can rest easy. A Communist Party member must endure loneliness and dare to hardship. I know about your situation, and I will pull some strings behind the scenes... Wait for my news."
"But you must remember, a true man does not shed tears lightly. As long as there is life, there is hope. Gold cannot be covered by a rag; sooner or later, someone who knows its true value will discover it."
Qi Tongwei didn't put on airs and readily agreed.
Watching his teacher's retreating figure.
Merging the memories of two lifetimes, Qi Tongwei knew he had to take action.
He could no longer be like his past self.
He wanted to be a man of open and upright heart, a person with a clear conscience toward his country and his people.
Qi Tongwei felt the time was right.
Carrying his bouquet of flowers, he walked straight toward Liang Lu's office.
At this sight, everyone's gaze immediately followed Qi Tongwei's steps toward the doorway of the office.
Knock, knock, knock...
"Come in!"
Seeing Qi Tongwei enter with a bunch of flowers, the corners of Liang Lu's mouth curled up in a smirk.
No matter how formidable you think you are, in front of me, you still have to bow in submission.
Yet, Liang Lu never expected that Qi Tongwei's first sentence would leave her completely baffled.
"Teacher Liang, this bouquet of flowers is to thank you!"
Liang Lu was amused by this...
Thinking to herself, *You? Thank me?*
*Are you trying to lay some groundwork first?*
However, things did not go as Liang Lu anticipated...
"Teacher Liang, I am truly here to thank you."
*Oh, little fellow, you're putting on a pretty good act,* Liang Lu thought.
*Only this way can my own superiority shine through.*
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the chance to apply for the narcotics squad, nor would I have had the chance to win this medal."
"Thank you for the opportunity. I will always remember your teachings in class and strive to be a person useful to society and the country!"
Liang Lu felt these words sounded rather awkward; she felt Qi Tongwei shouldn't be thanking her at all, but rather hating her.
She had practically blocked every path forward for Qi Tongwei, yet looking at his deadpan expression of absolute seriousness.
A sudden pang of guilt unexpectedly washed over her.
Liang Lu was, after all, someone with years of education behind her, even if her psychological state was somewhat warped.
Seeing that her student not only harbored no resentment despite her willful actions.
But genuinely believed this was meant to temper him, she was left momentarily speechless.
"Qi Tongwei, actually I..."
Sensing that she was taking the bait, Qi Tongwei pressed on, though he actually had no other good tricks up his sleeve.
How could crooked schemes ever work against a university professor whose father was a full-time deputy party secretary? He couldn't afford to play hardball.
He had no choice but to advance by retreating.
He refused to believe anyone could be so utterly shameless.
Using the teacher-student bond to his advantage.
Qi Tongwei skillfully shifted the angle to evoke empathy.
"Teacher Liang, I understand your intentions completely, but I am just a child from a remote mountain village."
"I have relatives back home who supported my education; most of them aren't very well-educated and carry heavy burdens, which would inevitably drag you down if we were together."
Pressing his advantage, Qi Tongwei continued: "If Teacher Liang fancies me, it doesn't necessarily mean romantic affection. I believe Teacher Liang feels more of a teacher's care and affection for a student."
"Besides, I truly am unworthy of Teacher Liang, and many things on my end would only implicate you, Teacher."
Qi Tongwei's words carried a deeper layer of meaning:
If he were to become the son-in-law of the Liang Family, those burdens would inevitably attach themselves to the Liang Family as well.
For a political family like the Liang Family, that was far from a good thing.
Liang Lu fell into deep thought.
In truth, she had simply been looking to derive a sense of superiority from Qi Tongwei.
Yet now, she wondered if treating a young man from a peasant background like this was too cruel.
Moreover, what Qi Tongwei said made sense; even if she married him, it might well bring unnecessary trouble to her father.
As for her feelings toward Qi Tongwei.
Liang Lu wasn't even sure if it could truly be called affection.
She had merely felt that Qi Tongwei was exceptional enough to match her.
Yet everything Qi Tongwei said made Liang Lu begin to hesitate, and coupled with his apparent naivety, it left her feeling somewhat uneasy.
Liang Lu decided to let the matter rest for a while; Qi Tongwei still needed further observation.
Even though she had been rebuffed, she remained the proud daughter of heaven.
Had her ex-boyfriend not fled abroad, Liang Lu might not have let him off so easily.
With that, Liang Lu's tone softened as she said, "Tongwei! Teacher is very happy for you. Actually, it's not what you think; Teacher just felt you were exceptional and held a trace of admiration for you. You should head back first! Thank you for the flowers you brought me."
Knowing that today's business wasn't completely finished yet.
Qi Tongwei hurriedly spoke up in a loud voice, "Thank you, Teacher Liang! I will certainly redouble my efforts to repay Teacher Liang's great kindness, and follow Teacher Liang's teachings to become a person useful to the country and society."
Her head spinning with confusion at this point, Liang Lu hurriedly waved Qi Tongwei away.
Before leaving, Qi Tongwei didn't forget to drop a parting remark: "Teacher Liang, do you know Li Dakang? He's a very handsome fellow with great political prospects, and I heard he's currently serving as a county magistrate in our province."
Desiring nothing more than to clear her head and sort out her thoughts.
Liang Lu simply grunted a vague agreement and said nothing more.
Stepping out of the office, Qi Tongwei let out a long breath of relief. He had finally taken his first step.
As long as today's events—and those exact words—spread, regardless of what Liang Lu's true attitude might be.
If the elder Secretary Liang were to make another move against Qi Tongwei, it would look like bullying a junior.
For the sake of his own reputation, the old man would have to hesitate out of fear of rat-frugality.
Watching Qi Tongwei emerge from the office.
Hou Liangping hurriedly said to Zhong Xiao'ai beside him, "Xiao'ai, wait for me here a moment. I'm going to see Teacher Liang."
Zhong Xiao'ai asked, "Liangping, why are you going to see Teacher Liang?"
Hou Liangping replied, "You'll find out in a minute."