Chapter 304: Stealing the Spotlight is a Piece of Cake!

The applause at the graduation ceremony gradually faded.

Yet, the crowd in the auditorium did not disperse.

These trainees all possessed a keen political sensitivity.

Like a pack of wolves that had caught the scent of prey, they moved toward the podium in tacit agreement.

One after another, they bent at the waist, respectfully extending their hands toward Li Chaoyang and Xia Hong, eager to shake hands with the leaders.

Zhang Desheng hurriedly raised his hands to maintain order, "Everyone line up, one by one!"

Tang Ye stood at the edge of the crowd, watching his classmates excitedly shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with Li Chaoyang, and could not help but sigh to himself.

What good would it do to shake hands with these big shots?

It could neither prove anything nor change anything.

In the end, one's fate must be held in one's own hands.

However, in the tide of everyone vying to make an impression, he ultimately did not buck the trend and quietly blended into the queue. If he had turned and left, it would have appeared too antisocial.

When it was Hu Zhongping's turn, the Class Teacher stepped forward quickly to make the introduction: "Secretary Li, this is the class monitor of our training class, Hu Zhongping."

Hu Zhongping bent his waist nearly ninety degrees, his face filled with a radiant smile: "Secretary Li, after hearing your speech, I truly feel enlightened and have gained profound insights!"

Li Chaoyang nodded gently, "Little Hu is quite good, keep up the good work!"

The brief encouragement made Hu Zhongping's face flush with excitement.

"Thank you, Secretary Li! I will certainly not let you down!"

Li Chaoyang was clear about Hu Zhongping's background; to be able to serve as the class monitor of the training class, there must be elements worth noting.

However, compared to Tang Ye, he was lacking quite a bit.

The weight of a son-in-law was already far greater than that of a nephew, not to mention that at the recent Five-Person Group Meeting, Zhou Chengwu had specifically praised Tang Ye by name.

In the undercurrents of the five-hundred-million-yuan municipal fiscal fund embezzlement case, Tang Ye had been like a sharp sword.

Not only did he successfully recover the losses, but he also wiped out the illegal syndicate led by Mingsheng Group in one fell swoop, shocking the entire Hanzhou officialdom.

The massive funds coughed up by Mingsheng Group were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly easing the municipal government's financial straits and adding a heavy, colorful stroke to Zhou Chengwu's record of achievements.

And Jiang Jing, who was in charge of finance, had also firmly secured the position of Executive Vice Mayor due to this result, grasping the power of discourse within the municipal fiscal system.

Although few people knew the inside story, in the power circles of Hanzhou, Tang Ye's role was already known to all.

As long as it was something that could make his arch-rival Xiao Jingyu frown, Li Chaoyang would feel happy.

When Tang Ye walked up to Li Chaoyang, he straightened his back, his gaze steady, a perfectly measured smile on his face, his every gesture exuding a composure inconsistent with his age.

When he finished the handshake and prepared to withdraw his hand, he unexpectedly felt Li Chaoyang's firm grip in return; the other party did not let go, but instead shook it gently twice.

"Little Tang, your graduation thesis has unique insights and profound arguments; I have already helped you recommend it for publication. When you have time, come to my office, and we shall have a good chat."

Tang Ye felt a sudden jolt in his heart, a look of surprise flashing across his eyes, before he quickly regained his composure, his tone respectful and humble: "Thank you, Secretary Li, for your cultivation! I will certainly visit on time!"

This scene was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples.

The gazes of those around focused squarely on Tang Ye, with surprise, speculation, and hidden jealousy intertwined in their eyes.

Hu Zhongping stood to the side, his face turning from blue to white, the stifled anger in his chest surging like a tide.

He gritted his back teeth, cursing inwardly!

This kid Tang Ye not only has a knack for snatching women!

He is even more adept at stealing the spotlight!

After leaving the Municipal Party School, Tang Ye specifically checked the weather forecast and, learning that there would be rain in the coming days, drove to Xiyue Garden to close the windows.

The renovation of the new home in Xiyue Garden was completely finished, and the furniture was all in place; it only needed time for the indoor odors to dissipate before he could choose a day to move in.

Just as Tang Ye finished closing the windows and was preparing to lock the door and leave, the elevator door slowly opened, and Xiao Hui walked out. Tang Ye could not help but feel puzzled: Why was she here? Could it be that she came specifically to intercept him?

Before he could speak, Xiao Hui took the initiative to explain her purpose: "I happened to see you downstairs, so I thought I'd come up and take a look. I heard the house renovation is finished; could you let me come in and have a look?"

Tang Ye found it hard to refuse and responded politely: "Of course, please come in."

Xiao Hui looked around the room, and after carefully walking a full circle, she praised: "The renovation company you found is indeed reliable; even the details are handled so well."

Tang Ye smiled modestly: "The budget was limited, it's just a simple renovation."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Hui sat down on the sofa, her eyes filled with resentment: "Why didn't you come to my wedding?"

Tang Ye explained patiently: "I was really too busy with work during that time; I truly couldn't get away."

Xiao Hui sighed helplessly: "It seems you still have a grudge in your heart."

Tang Ye gave a bitter smile: "You're overthinking it. I heard the wedding was very lively, with a full hundred tables."

A trace of loneliness flashed in Xiao Hui's eyes: "The liveliness is all for outsiders to see." She paused for a moment and asked in a lowered voice: "I heard Chen Ping is being investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission; is this true?"

Tang Ye immediately understood that this was the real purpose of her visit.

"It's true. He had frequent dealings with Mingsheng Group and has already been taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation." Tang Ye told her the truth. Xiao Hui could not hide the anxiety in her tone: "Will that affect my job?"

Tang Ye naturally knew that Xiao Hui's transfer to the Municipal Education Bureau was entirely due to Chen Ping's maneuvering; now that Chen Ping was in trouble, it was inevitable that she would be worried.

"Since you have already gained a firm foothold in the Education Bureau, as long as you aren't involved in any conflicts of interest, you shouldn't be affected." Looking at Xiao Hui's complex expression, Tang Ye added, "If there really is a problem, take the initiative to explain the situation to the Discipline Inspection Commission and strive for lenient treatment."

In fact, Xiao Hui had recently participated frequently in drinking parties organized by Chen Ping, but fortunately, she had not yet been drawn into deeper conflicts of interest.

She nodded thoughtfully and whispered in defense: "Chen Ping and I are just ordinary friends; he was only willing to help because of you. I didn't expect him to..."

Tang Ye did not expose the truth—that Chen Ping helping Xiao Hui back then was merely to gain his own trust.

"Be more cautious in making friends in the future; don't associate with just anyone."

Xiao Hui looked at Tang Ye, and a ripple stirred in her heart: Was he concerned about her?

Tang Ye had just said it casually, completely unaware of Xiao Hui's misunderstanding.

If he had known, he likely would never have said those words.

After parting ways with Tang Ye, Xiao Hui returned home to prepare dinner.

Shao Jinbo's footsteps were light as he entered the door, a rare smile hanging on his face.

Once the food was spread across the dining table, Xiao Hui hesitated for a moment before speaking softly: "What good thing happened today? You seem to be in such a good mood."

Shao Jinbo set down his briefcase, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Hui with a look that was half-smile, half-sneer: "It's a great joy for me, but for you... I'm afraid it might not be."

The chopsticks in Xiao Hui's hand hit the table with a "clack," and her voice rose sharply: "Shao Jinbo, your words are loaded with barbs; what exactly do you mean?"

Shao Jinbo's eyes turned cold in an instant, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "You still don't know that Chen Ping was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation? Didn't you always call him your helpful big brother? Now that your big brother has fallen, how does it feel?"

Xiao Hui stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound: "I never treated Chen Ping as a big brother! Stop being so snide and sarcastic here!"

"What are you acting so high and mighty for?" Shao Jinbo sneered and took a sip of wine. "Anyway, today is a good day for me. Also, if you want to keep sucking up to that grandson Tang Ye, that's your business. The one pushing behind Chen Ping's investigation is Tang Ye. Let me remind you one more time, that grandson is cold-blooded; he only has his own career path in his eyes, and anyone could become his stepping stone!"

Xiao Hui clenched her fists.

Her fingernails almost dug into her palms.

She never expected this!

Chen Ping's downfall actually had something to do with Tang Ye!