Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

Chapter 217 Marital Argument

Early in the morning, Zhong Xiaoai's flight landed on time at Handong.

She didn't notify anyone to pick her up at the airport, but instead took a taxi and rushed to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Hou Liangping's dormitory.

The car drove from the remote airport into the bustling city of Jingzhou and arrived at the courtyard of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Looking at the dramatic changes in Jingzhou, Zhong Xiaoai realized that she hadn't visited her husband since he moved to Handong.

So much so that it was only now, after Hou Liangping was demoted to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, that he came to see him for the first time.

Guided by the security guard, Zhong Xiaoai found Hou Liangping's dormitory.

She gently knocked on the door.

Hou Liangping's furious roar came from inside:

"Didn't I tell you not to bother me during my sick leave?!"

The roar stunned Zhong Xiaoai, and the gatekeeper shrugged helplessly and left.

"Ryoping...it's me, Xiao Ai."

"Xiao Ai?"

Upon hearing the name, Hou Liangping quickly got out of bed and opened the door.

Upon seeing Zhong Xiaoai at the door, Hou Liangping excitedly hugged her, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Hey, let go of me first. It's broad daylight, and we're at your workplace, this isn't appropriate..."

Zhong Xiaoai broke free from Hou Liangping and went into the house on her own.

A pungent smell of alcohol mixed with cigarette smoke, instant noodles, and sweaty clothes suddenly assaulted Zhong Xiaoai's nostrils, almost making her faint.

Upon closer inspection, the room was incredibly dirty and messy, making it hard to believe that this was the same Hou Liangping who had always been clean and presentable.

What kind of treatment has my husband received in Handong these days?

Zhong Xiaoai felt a lump in her throat and thought of helping Hou Liangping tidy up the house first.

Hou Liangping followed behind, scratching his head and grinning foolishly:

"Xiao Ai, what brings you to visit me...?"

Zhong Xiaoai smiled but didn't say anything, and just quietly tidied up the house.

Seeing this, Hou Liangping also started tidying up.

The room was enveloped in a brief moment of warmth.

Looking at her husband, Zhong Xiaoai felt a complex mix of emotions that were hard to describe.

She could sense Hou Liangping's heartfelt joy, but she herself had come with a mission. Thinking about it this way, she felt somewhat guilty, but ultimately, the interests of her family prevailed.

As they tidied up, Hou Liangping kept sharing with Zhong Xiaoai what he had seen and heard since arriving in Handong, without mentioning a word about the unhappy things.

Hou Liangping's way of showing concern for Zhong Xiaoai was to only report good news and not bad.

But Zhong Xiaoai's mind was elsewhere. She wanted to ask several times, but Hou Liangping was in the middle of something, so she had to swallow her words.

Finally, when Hou Liangping mentioned taking Zhong Xiaoai to Handong University, Zhong Xiaoai lost her patience and interrupted:

"Ryoping, we can talk about those things later. So, did you obtain something?"

Hou Liangping's joyful expression froze; his face darkened, and he said:

"Who told you that?"

Zhong Xiaoai stopped what she was doing, turned around to look at Hou Liangping, and said:

Just tell me if you have it or not.

Hou Liangping nodded angrily, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart.

Why does this busy man's wife suddenly have time to come see him?

I thought it was out of concern and care.

So, there was a purpose behind it all.

"Liangping, I'll be frank. It's my father's idea to come see you today."

Zhong Xiaoai tried her best to keep her tone calm:

"He asked me to persuade you to give me that...that ledger so I can take it back to him."

"Hahaha, it really is because of the ledger! The Zhao family wants it, the Sha family wants it, and now even the Zhong family wants a share?" Hou Liangping suddenly laughed.

Hearing Hou Liangping's unrestrained remarks, Zhong Xiaoai frowned and said:

"Ryoping, watch your words."

"Pay attention? Pay attention my ass! What am I afraid of? Even the Zhong family cares so much that they've sent you, their precious young lady, to Handong in person. The value of that account book is immeasurable! It's far more important than me, this worthless son-in-law!" Hou Liangping suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, his voice growing louder and louder, sending chills down everyone's spine.

"But the ledger is an inanimate object, isn't it? I'm the living thing, a living, breathing person, right? Aren't I human? Am I even human?"

Seeing Hou Liangping's hysterical state, Zhong Xiaoai felt even more irritated. From the time they met until now, Hou Liangping had always had an extremely emotional personality. She used to think it was genuine, but now she only felt disgusted by it.

Having spent a long time in large families and government agencies, Zhong Xiaoai increasingly looked down on those bookish cadres who showed their emotions on their faces, and instead admired leaders who could keep their emotions in check.

Even so, Zhong Xiaoai tried her best to control her emotions, and said helplessly, rubbing her forehead:

"Ryohei, when will you ever grow up a bit...?"

These words thoroughly wounded Hou Liangping's pride.

You can say whatever you want about him, but Hou Liangping absolutely does not want to hear the word "naive".

He would subconsciously compare himself to Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai. Thinking of how his senior classmates and good brothers had achieved great success and stability, Hou Liangping felt that he was no longer destined for maturity.

But he was unwilling to admit his naiveté.

Therefore, Zhong Xiaoai's words completely ignited Hou Liangping's fragile nerves!

Hou Liangping pointed at Zhong Xiaoai, his eyes bloodshot, and roared:

"Fine, so you think I'm childish! I know your Chung family has always looked down on me, including you! Damn it, if I hadn't stood firm, the kids would probably be taking your Chung family name!"

Hou Liangping's voice was very loud, and Zhong Xiaoai, worried that it would attract the attention of people from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, quickly said:

"Hou Liangping, what's wrong with you! Don't spout nonsense!"

"I'm crazy? Don't think I don't know! Your father actually regrets letting you marry me, doesn't he? The ideal son-in-law in his mind is probably that Xia Qing! But unfortunately, Xia Qing's wife has a background that's even stronger than your Zhong family! I'm really sorry, I, the son-in-law who settled for second best, have disgraced you!" Hou Liangping roared, tears streaming down his face, his eyes bloodshot.

"Hou Liangping! That's enough! You don't understand anything at all!" Zhong Xiaoai was also made to lose her composure by Hou Liangping's agitated emotions. She hadn't expected that Hou Liangping thought so much about her and the Zhong family.

But how could Hou Liangping be the one to settle for second best?

Having lost Xia Qing, an ideal marriage partner whom he couldn't reach, there were at least a dozen, if not dozens, of excellent men who were a good match for the Zhong family, and Hou Liangping was definitely not one of them.

If it weren't for Zhong Xiaoai arguing with her family and insisting that she would only marry Hou Liangping,

How could Zhong Zhengguo possibly agree to this marriage, letting his precious daughter marry a country boy who is of no help to the Zhong family!

Hou Liangping didn't understand any of this. He thought that it was his personality and ability that impressed Zhong Zhengguo, making him the son-in-law of the Zhong family. Under the Zhong family's arrangement, he rose through the ranks and became the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau's Action Division at the Supreme People's Procuratorate at a young age!

Zhong Xiaoai was really anxious. She didn't know how to explain or appease Hou Liangping to smooth things over.

Just as Zhong Xiaoai was trying her best to calm down and get back to a state where she could communicate.

Hou Liangping said coldly:

"I have already submitted the account book."