A Qin C Coaster bus was speeding down the highway on the right lane, less than ten minutes away from the exit ramp.

Inside, members of the study group, dressed in black jackets, were eating their boxed lunches at the tray tables.

Just then, a man in gold-rimmed glasses, about fifty years old, somewhat thin but looking quite energetic, asked, "Is there anyone from Xia Hai on board for this study trip to Xia Hai?"

Everyone looked up after he asked the question. Then, the young man next to him, wearing a red Party emblem on his chest, looked quite young, only in his early thirties, said, "Secretary Minghai, Secretary Chen is not only from Xia Hai, but he was also the top scorer back then!"

"Oh?" Hearing this, the man called Secretary Minghai turned to look at the young man, who might have only been a year or two older than his secretary, and asked, "Is that so?"

Chen Yuan looked up, smiled, and then explained, "I went to high school in Xia Hai, but from a small city nearby."

"Then, the top scorer thing, is that true?" Secretary Minghai continued to ask curiously.

At this moment, the man sitting next to Secretary Minghai, about the same age as him, said, "Our Secretary Chen Yuan is not only the top scorer, but he was also the national top scorer at the time."

"Oh, so impressive? I've never heard of this before, I only knew that he graduated from Huaqing University with a master's degree, a real academic." Secretary Minghai said in surprise.

"Ah, this was actually told to me by my daughter."

"Yes, Secretary Chen Yuan hides it very well, very low-key, never boasts about it."

"I didn't expect that our city would have such an amazing person, it's really exaggerated."

Faced with everyone's teasing, Chen Yuan simply responded with a 'where, where' smile.

The title of top scorer in the national college entrance examination is only a hot topic during the period of the examination.

So, that title was only impressive for a summer vacation.

And for Chen Yuan, it was really not important.

The college entrance examination had no value the moment it ended.

As for the meaning of studying hard for three years in high school...

Actually, there was not much meaning.

But the worldview shaped during that period has deeply influenced Chen Yuan, even until now.

He still remembered a good female classmate in high school saying that she hoped everyone would not change.

Have I changed?

I don't know.

But the changes in Xia Hai are really quite big.

After getting off the highway and entering the city, Chen Yuan realized that he had not been to Xia Hai for several years.

But fortunately, those old friends accommodated him and gathered a few times in He Xiang and Ji Jing, as well as the unit he currently works at.

Well, now that I'm finally on a business trip here, I have to get a paid meal with these guys, otherwise, I'll definitely be scolded by that group of people.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan showed a 'there's really no way around it' smile.

The bus continued to drive in the city.

In general, it was the same, but compared to ten years ago, eighty percent of the small details were different.

When passing by No. 11 High School, Chen Yuan couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Damn, where did you move me to?

Is this still No. 11 High School?

The renovations make it look like Alliston College, so rich.

These kids nowadays, they just don't understand how difficult our learning environment was back then.

We couldn't even use our phones during class!

What? They're not allowed to use them now either?

Then never mind.

"This building, I heard it's been around for decades... but it's still more impressive than the municipal government in our provincial capital." The man next to Secretary Minghai sighed with some jealousy.

"It's even better than our provincial Party committee." Secretary Minghai corrected and also sighed, "This is the coastal province."

"After all, the gross production of one provincial capital is almost the same as that of most of our province, so they must have money."

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have let us come to Xia Hai to study."

"Straight to the government?" the secretary next to Secretary Minghai asked.

"Yes, straight there."

And so, at around 1:30 in the afternoon, the bus parked in the parking area in front of the government building.

After everyone got off the bus, several leaders who had been waiting in advance greeted them.

"Secretary Minghai, hello, I am Zhang Kang from the Municipal Party Committee." A man of about forty-five years old stepped forward and shook hands with Secretary Minghai.

"Mayor Zhang, hello." Secretary Minghai also responded warmly.

Then, in order of position, introductions were made and hands were shaken one after another.

After the leaders of the prefecture-level city had all been introduced, Secretary Minghai said, "Secretary Chen Yuan is from your Xia Hai."

"I've heard about him for a long time, the second youngest academic to reach this position in the country." Zhang Kang said with a smile.

"Mayor Zhang, hello." Chen Yuan stretched out his hand, smiling and nodding.

"..." When shaking hands, Zhang Kang saw the watch on Chen Yuan's wrist and stared at it for a while. After Chen Yuan noticed, he explained, "A very nice watch."

Actually, he was curious.

Generally speaking, people in this position, or rather civil servants, don't really wear watches.

After all, the value of a watch is too easy to see.

No matter what, it's not very appropriate.

But in other places, like glasses, coats, and shirts, it's okay to be a little more refined, because most people don't understand.

"Yes, thank you." Chen Yuan responded modestly.

Continuing to shake hands, continuing to receive.

"I heard that you all have already eaten on the bus... but let's take a good rest first, and then we'll entertain you well in the afternoon."

"When will the Municipal Party Committee have time?" Secretary Minghai asked.

"Well, they'll be free in the afternoon. Can we arrange the study meeting for noon tomorrow?"

"Yes, good, no problem."

Chen Yuan followed the study group, and after exchanging pleasantries with each other, they were taken to the guest hotel by a full-time secretary.

"Secretary Chen Yuan, this is your room."

"Yes, good, thank you for your hard work."

Chen Yuan nodded and entered the room.

After a while, the staff accompanying the delegation brought Chen Yuan's luggage to the door.

"Xiao Zhao." After the other party pushed the luggage into the room, Chen Yuan said, "I'm going out for a while, if anyone asks, just say I have something to do and will be back before the afternoon."

"Okay, Secretary Chen." Xiao Zhao nodded and then asked, "Then shall I arrange a car?"

"There's no need for that."

"Okay, good."

After he left, Chen Yuan hung his coat on the coat rack in front of the door, unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt, and then lay directly on the bed, groaning for a long time, "Ah, tired..."

Although returning to Xia Hai was quite exciting, this ten-hour bus ride was really a bit tiring.

Really, can't we take a plane next time?

I'll meet with the secretary tonight, and then have dinner, and have a meeting tomorrow, the schedule is very tight.

But fortunately, every time I go out, there is always a day and a half of free time, and I can use this time to meet with those guys.

As for this little while now...

Just as Chen Yuan was thinking, the phone rang.

"Have you arrived?" the voice on the other end of the phone asked.

"Hey, Teacher, I just arrived." Chen Yuan said.

"Then let's have dinner tonight?"

"I can't turn down the Municipal Party Committee's dinner tonight..."

"Then when do you have time?"

"Can you accept just catching up, without eating or having business entertainment?"

"Okay, okay, busy man, you say the time, it's fine to come to my place for some tea."

"Okay, then I'll come over in a while."

"Be sure to call me before you come."

"Understood."

And so, Chen Yuan, who hadn't rested for long, stretched, stood up, put on the coat hanging on the hanger, and then left the guest hotel.

Although as a study group, a special car can be arranged to go anywhere, Chen Yuan is the person who is most afraid of trouble.

Even after starting work, this personality can't be changed at all.

So, it always gives people a very 'aloof' feeling.

Of course, with the ability to hear inner thoughts, even a fool can have high EQ.

In the years of work, he has been quite smooth in dealing with interpersonal relationships.

Oh right, and this superpower.

The setting of refreshing every week is indeed a bit too much. Chao Zi probably racked his brains, so after refreshing later, they are all very useless abilities, such as being able to see how many hairs the other person has at a glance, or being able to directly convert units.

Of course, there are also very awesome abilities.

That is, to rewind the body to the state it was in half an hour ago.

And this ability...

It feels like some pretty weak people need it.

I'm fine.

I don't get tired even after working overtime for several hours!

Ah? Work overtime?

What else did you think I was referring to?

"Go to No. 4 High School."

After leaving the hotel, Chen Yuan stopped a taxi and said.

And so, the car drove to the entrance of No. 4 High School.

Still, it was that school, from the gate to the decoration, completely unchanged.

As expected of Xia Hai's top high school, with deep roots.

Unlike some half-step famous schools, that think about renovating and changing as soon as they get a little stronger...

Very shallow.

Chen Yuan walked to the entrance, and just as he was about to say something to the security booth, the gate was opened directly. Chen Yuan didn't care too much and walked into the campus.

At this time, the students were all in class, so there weren't many people in the school. Except for one class that was having PE.

And so, Chen Yuan walked on the campus.

Then, he saw the school's honor roll.

Still some very awesome students.

But the college entrance examination has been changed to the point that Chen Yuan can't understand it, so he doesn't know the value of it.

However, some things that haven't changed should still be there, right?

Thinking this, he quickly got confirmation.

Slowly, he stopped.

He raised his head and saw the pomelo tree tied with many red ribbons.

Looking at it this way, the number is indeed a bit more...

"It should be catching up with No. 1 High School, right?"

Chen Yuan didn't quite understand the strength of these two schools now.

According to the past, it was like Hashirama fighting Madara, evenly matched, but always one step ahead of the other.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan took out his phone and took a picture, preparing to send it to Xin Yu to see.

The tradition from more than ten years ago is still preserved, how interesting.

Oh right, speaking of top scorers and pomelos. The pomelo that I gave to Gu Chuan back then really blessed him, and he won a district top scorer title.

No. 11 High School, with two titles in three years, also developed rapidly at that time.

You little bastard pomelo tree, you are also a very important memory in my life.

Looking up at this tree, after smiling, Chen Yuan went to the school's principal's office.

Along the way, he still met a few teachers. But Chen Yuan didn't know them, and they didn't know him either, but they were inexplicably quite interested in him and kept staring at him.

Well, it's normal to be curious when such a person suddenly appears in the school.

And so, Chen Yuan walked to the door of the principal's office.

Then, he knocked on the door.

"Come in." A familiar voice came from inside.

Then, Chen Yuan pushed open the door.

And then, he saw an old principal on a swivel chair.

And, sitting next to the principal's desk, another old principal.

The two were chatting about something, puffing out smoke.

Seeing Chen Yuan, He Hongtao immediately got up: "Hey! Why didn't you call me when you came?"

"..." Zhang Jianjun, who was sitting in the principal's seat, was also quite surprised, "Secretary Chen, why didn't you say anything before you came?"

Chen Yuan smiled, walked over, and sat down in the seat: "The two leaders are busy with official duties, I didn't dare to disturb you."

"No one is as busy as you!" He Hongtao said with a smile, "You don't even have time for a meal."

Zhang Jianjun also handed over a cigarette.

"I don't smoke." Chen Yuan smiled and waved his hand, and said, "Even if I did, I wouldn't dare to in front of the two principals."

"Now you're Secretary Chen, what 'dare or dare not' is there?" He Hongtao complained.

"No matter what, I'm still your student."

"Still mine." He Hongtao said, glanced at Zhang Jianjun, and said with a smile, "This one is not a teacher anymore."

That's right, although still in the education system, it was already different.

Zhang Jianjun, director of the Xia Hai Municipal Education Bureau, a vice-department level with real power.

And He Hongtao, took Zhang Jianjun's place and became the principal of No. 4 High School.

"As expected of Principal Zhang, the students of Xia Hai are blessed now." Chen Yuan said.

"Are you being sarcastic?" He Hongtao said.

"Hey, are you saying that I'm some kind of devil?" Zhang Jianjun was very wary.

Let me see who is secretly badmouthing Zhang Jianjun!

"Anyway, I feel a lot of pressure." He Hongtao said.

"You haven't surpassed No. 1 High School yet, shouldn't you feel pressure?" Zhang Jianjun snorted.

"It's already amazing that No. 4 High School hasn't declined in my hands." He Hongtao was purely a rascal, and didn't have such a strong sense of mission like Zhang Jianjun.

"Then what about our No. 11 High School?" Chen Yuan asked curiously.

"A 99% rate of students entering first-tier universities, the third best school in Xia Hai, the sixth best in the province." He Hongtao said quite proudly.

"Awesome." Chen Yuan gave a thumbs up and praised.

"So, how is it going for you over there?" Zhang Jianjun asked.

"Well, it's not bad, I haven't let the two principals down." Chen Yuan said jokingly.

"Basically, you're the youngest county-level leader with real power, faster than we imagined." He Hongtao said with emotion.

"How is that county doing now?" Zhang Jianjun asked.

"It was just changed to a county-level city a few years ago, so it's okay." Chen Yuan said, "Of course, compared to Hai Dong, it's still far behind."

"After all, it's too inland, and it's not a resource city..."

Zhang Jianjun slowly snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

The three of them were just catching up quite naturally.

They talked about many topics, and the topic of their wives was naturally indispensable.

"So Xin Yu is still our colleague, teaching?" He Hongtao asked curiously.

"Yes, she's still teaching high school." Chen Yuan said.

"With her qualifications, it shouldn't be a problem for her to teach at a university." Zhang Jianjun said.

"Wouldn't that mean they'd be living in different places? They were stuck together in high school, and they're married, how could they separate?" He Hongtao said with a smile.

"That's true, those two kids were sneaking into each other's schools in high school." Zhang Jianjun remembered, he remembered everything.

Too many memories flooded into his mind!

"Then has she come?" He Hongtao said.

"She didn't come with the bus, but she should be arriving soon."

"No matter what, give us one meal." Zhang Jianjun raised his finger and said seriously.

"But this time it's really a bit..."

"Secretary Chen is busy, let's not bother him." He Hongtao patted Zhang Jianjun on the shoulder, explaining for Chen Yuan.

"Okay, okay, no matter what, I'll definitely find a way to come. Two principals, please spare me." Chen Yuan was honest.

The thing he feared the most was getting involved in this kind of thing.

Zhou Yu used to say that too: Mayor Chen is busy, let's be sensible.

But fortunately, he won't say that again in the future.

Because he has been promoted to secretary!

"That's right, no matter how high your official position is, you still have to see your teachers when you come back." He Hongtao lit one and said with a smile.

"Then let's call Mo Teacher too." Chen Yuan said.

"Okay, I'll contact him." He Hongtao thought of Lao Mo, and then said with some regret, "I've always wanted to have him come to our No. 4 High School, but the principal over there just won't let him go."

"How could Xia Hai's famous teachers be easily let go, there are only a few in each school, you're really thinking too much." Zhang Jianjun complained.

Lao Mo is doing well too.

Chen Yuan heard that he was rated as a special-grade teacher in his first year after graduation.

Later, he was also rated as a professor-level senior teacher with very tight quotas, and is a very respected Xia Hai famous teacher.

"Then when is the Municipal Party Committee's dinner?" Zhang Jianjun asked.

"Probably still a while."

"Then don't be late, I'm going back to the Education Bureau, I'll give you a ride." Zhang Jianjun stood up from the principal's seat.

"Okay, then I'll go first, Principal He." Chen Yuan stretched out his hand.

"See you in a few days, let's catch up properly."

The two just said goodbye like this, and then Zhang Jianjun drove him to the guest hotel next to the Municipal Party Committee.

The two real men talked a lot on the way.

The few tens of minutes passed quickly, like a class break, in an instant.

And when getting out of the car, Zhang Jianjun suddenly called out: "Right, what was her name again?"

Chen Yuan smiled, and then reminded, "There's also a 'heart' in it."

"Oh, then I remember."

"Teacher, goodbye."

Raising his hand, Chen Yuan smiled and waved to Zhang Jianjun.

Watching such a strict, also gentle, old principal with a lot of white hair leave.

Except for their age, these two old men really haven't changed at all.

Especially He Hongtao, the older he gets, the more mischievous he becomes.

How do I find some time for them...

Ah, headache.

Chen Yuan returned to the hotel with this question.

However, when standing at his door, he suddenly heard a sound.

A woman's voice...

Isn't this my room?

Chen Yuan took another look to confirm.

This is my room.

Who put the beauty in my room...

Chen Yuan cautiously used his room card to open the door.

Then, he saw two beauties sitting on the bed.

And one of them, 183 (1 not pronounced), with short hair, looked full of vitality, but unfortunately missing a front tooth, her eyes lit up all of a sudden, and she ran towards Chen Yuan with open arms...

"Daddy!"

When the little milky voice shouted these two words, the whole world seemed to be healed.

And Chen Yuan took the initiative to squat down, and when the little sugar candy girl pounced on him, he directly captured her and lifted her high.

"Daddy hug~"

The little girl was like a little moth, wanting a hug.

"Of course I can hug."

Chen Yuan smiled and placed one hand on her shoulder, and then looked at the side of the bed: "But Xin Yuan, who do we hug first?"

The gentle low ponytail woman on the side of the bed giggled, and then, just like Xiao Xin Yuan, ran towards Chen Yuan, and pounced on him, wrapping her arms around Chen Yuan's waist...

"In our family, we definitely hug Mommy first."