"Dong Qifeng's painting?"
Cheng Lu was taken aback.
"Yes, this painting is by Dong Qifeng. I didn't expect Miss Cheng to be so knowledgeable about ancient Chinese paintings."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"My relatives like ancient paintings, so I naturally know a little. As far as I know, Dong Qifeng's paintings aren't very valuable, maybe only a few hundred thousand yuan at most. Are you saying that for a mere few hundred thousand, you'd let the director off?"
Cheng Lu retorted.
"If you consider its value, letting the director off is indeed not a good deal. But the problem is, with this painting, the poverty alleviation funds for Mingshan Town will be secured."
Chen Feng said excitedly.
"What do you mean? An ancient painting worth a few hundred thousand yuan can secure tens of millions in poverty alleviation funds? That seems unlikely."
Cheng Lu asked with disbelief.
"If you don't approach the right person, it's indeed impossible. The political arena is a marketplace of money. If the money isn't in place, things simply won't get done. But if you find the right person, it becomes very easy."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, hearing you say that, have you already found the person you were looking for?"
Cheng Lu asked excitedly.
She had been thinking that if Chen Feng couldn't handle the poverty alleviation funds for Mingshan Town, she would tell her father back in Jiangcheng. Little did she know, Chen Feng had a way.
"Yes, the second-in-command of the Jiangcheng personnel department, Cui Yali."
Chen Feng said directly.
"What does poverty alleviation funds have to do with personnel?"
Cheng Lu was stunned.
"Not only is there a connection, but it's a very significant one. My classmate Zhao Mingpu in Yongming County, isn't he just occupying a position without doing any work? I'll use this painting to win over Cui Yali, have her replace Zhao Mingpu, and appoint someone who can disburse the poverty alleviation funds. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
Chen Feng said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Lu was impressed.
Chen Feng's mind was truly agile, navigating through complexities to resolve the issue.
The next day, Chen Feng went to Jiangcheng immediately.
Chen Feng and Cui Yali, or Aunt Cui, had a very good relationship. It wasn't a romantic relationship, but it was closer than mere friendship.
Cui Yali was very fond of the novel "Ordinary World" and the protagonists, Sun Shaoan and Tian Runye. Chen Feng's demeanor and conduct were very much like Sun Shaoan's, which made Cui Yali utterly infatuated with him.
To maintain this important connection, Chen Feng didn't rush to sleep with Cui Yali.
In reality, if Chen Feng wanted to, he could sleep with Cui Yali at any time.
However, Chen Feng held back.
The reason was simple: since Cui Yali loved reading novels and even the characters within them, it indicated she was a person who enjoyed fantasy. As long as there was fantasy, her interest would remain strong. Once the fantasy was shattered, her interest would likely wane significantly.
Unless that man completely captured her heart.
Chen Feng felt he hadn't yet reached the depths of Cui Yali's heart. Therefore, when seeking her favor, it was better to use material things than his body.
"Chen Feng, you're finally here."
As Chen Feng entered Cui Yali's room, Cui Yali eagerly embraced him and they kissed passionately.
Even though it wasn't time to go to bed yet, passionate kisses were acceptable.
Chen Feng didn't refuse Cui Yali's eager kiss. Their relationship was akin to lovers, so a few kisses were normal.
"Aunt Cui, I heard you're quite fond of Dong Qifeng's ancient paintings. I happen to have one, so I brought it along."
After speaking, Chen Feng handed the painting to Cui Yali.
"Heard? Chen Feng, tell me honestly, who told you about this? My fondness for Dong Qifeng's ancient paintings is something only I know."
Cui Yali asked excitedly.
"Perhaps it's best not to say? I feel a bit embarrassed."
Chen Feng's face flushed.
He had casually offered a perfunctory remark, and Cui Yali was pressing for details.
"You must tell me."
Cui Yali urged Chen Feng.
"Actually, it wasn't from hearing others."
Chen Feng's face turned even redder.
"Tell me, if it wasn't from others, how did you know? My love for Dong Qifeng's ancient paintings has lasted for decades, and no one has guessed it before. You're the first."
Cui Yali gazed at Chen Feng with an infatuated look.
"Aunt Cui, it's like this, there's a fragmented painting by Dong Qifeng in your bedroom..."
Chen Feng spoke the truth.
"You said it yourself, it's a fragmented painting, and it doesn't even have a signature. How did you know it was Dong Qifeng's?"
Cui Yali continued to gaze at Chen Feng with an infatuated look.
"Aunt Cui, since you've asked, I won't hide anything. The reason I can identify fragmented paintings is that after graduation, I conducted in-depth research into ancient Chinese paintings."
"Chen Feng, if I remember correctly, you're from the Computer Science department at Jiangcheng University of Technology, aren't you? Ancient paintings are completely unrelated to your major. How did you become interested in studying them?"
"Aunt Cui, it's like this, I'm involved in the political arena. I need to be familiar with some basic matters in the political sphere. For example, most influential figures in the Chinese political arena have a hobby: they like ancient Chinese paintings. If I want to connect with higher-ups, I must have some understanding of ancient paintings."
Chen Feng replied earnestly.
"Chen Feng, your personality is becoming more and more like Sun Shaoan's. Sun Shaoan also acts like this, very insightful."
Cui Yali looked at Chen Feng with admiration.
"Aunt Cui, you flatter me. I'm happy as long as you like this painting by Dong Qifeng."
Chen Feng smiled modestly.
"Go ahead, why are you suddenly giving me a painting? Is there something you want to discuss?"
Cui Yali asked with a smile.
"Aunt Cui, I don't know if I should say it. Discussing this matter given our relationship, it might not be appropriate."
Chen Feng said deliberately.
"You must say it!"
Cui Yali urged him.
Thus, Chen Feng no longer hesitated and recounted the matter of Zhao Mingpu to Cui Yali in detail.
"Chen Feng, have you ever considered one thing? In fact, you don't need to concern yourself with the interception of poverty alleviation funds by the Yongming County side. If there are problems with poverty alleviation in Mingshan Town, you can directly blame the Yongming County side. There's no need to take the responsibility onto yourself."
Cui Yali advised Chen Feng.
"Aunt Cui, that's logically sound, but I can't get past it in my heart. Although I like fame and fortune, I've always maintained my bottom line. There are so many impoverished households in Mingshan Town living in difficult conditions, urgently needing the help of poverty alleviation funds. As the deputy mayor of Mingshan Town, I have a responsibility to help these impoverished households escape poverty quickly. If I don't even have this basic principle, I don't think I need to be in the political arena anymore. My vision is too narrow, and no matter how much I advance, I'll only reach a certain level."
Chen Feng explained in full.
"Chen Feng, you are truly becoming more like Sun Shaoan, so simple and honest! Don't worry, I'll instruct the people below to transfer Zhao Mingpu. By the way, where do you think it would be appropriate to transfer someone like Zhao Mingpu?"
Cui Yali asked tentatively.
"Before, he was in charge of religious affairs, a rather idle position, in Mingshan Town. So, let him continue to manage religious affairs, another idle position."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Certainly! Alright, the matter of Mingshan Town's poverty alleviation funds is settled. We haven't seen each other in a long time, shouldn't we..."
Cui Yali said, looking at Chen Feng with deep affection and eagerness.