The new officials' arrival brought a flurry of activity; the county leaders had been working diligently lately, fearing the impact of this wave of change. Fortunately, Director Liu was amiable and showed no inclination to stir up trouble, which came as a relief to many.
Yan Xuewen, the manager of the sugar and tobacco company, rarely saw Secretary Liu except during large collective meetings. Although considered a powerful figure by the common folk, he was not even considered a middle-level official within the county. He was enjoying his morning tea and reading the newspaper in his office, contemplating where to spend his evening leisure, as his wife at home was a bore.
However, with the new secretary taking office, he dared not act rashly. He could only look at the vibrant young girls from afar to satisfy his cravings.
"Manager Yan, this is a call from Secretary Tang at the county office."
"Secretary Tang? The secretary to the main secretary? Looking for me?"
"Yes, Manager Yan, when did you get in touch with Secretary Tang? You must remember to help us advance in the future!"
Yan Xuewen rubbed his hands excitedly. It must be that the secretary had a task to assign him, finally recognizing his abilities! Perhaps before he retired, he could even reach a top leadership position!
"Bring it on, I can handle any burden. Let the storm rage on!"
He went to take the call amidst his colleagues' envious gazes.
His colleagues watched as his expression shifted from joy to gloom, and finally, sweat beaded on his forehead. He nodded incessantly, his head almost banging against the desk, like a traitorous lackey in a TV drama receiving a scolding from his demon lord superior.
After Yan Xuewen hung up, a colleague handed him a handkerchief and quietly asked, "Manager Yan, what did Secretary Tang want?"
Yan Xuewen shivered and brushed it off, "Nothing, just some personal matters. I need to go out for a bit."
Yan Xuewen went directly to the billiards hall. Yan Xiaoliang was currently talking with the Zhao Youliang siblings, essentially listening to them curse Xie Sui for his shamelessness and lack of integrity, wishing they could skin him alive. Yan Xiaoliang was in need of a sharp blade to deal with Xie Sui, and his expression grew more pleased.
"Xiaoliang, you have friends here? Are you busy?"
Yan Xuewen entered and immediately spotted Zhao Xuefei. The eternally youthful girl exuded vitality, possessing a fatal charm for older men, and he found it hard to tear his eyes away.
Yan Xiaoliang looked surprised. "Dad, why are you here?"
Yan Xuewen snapped back to attention. "Come here, I need to tell you something."
Zhao Xuefei had initially felt a pang of annoyance at the old man's gaze, finding it disgusting. But upon hearing he was Yan Xiaoliang's father, a prominent manager, she instantly found him benevolent-looking, even his wrinkles appearing pleasing.
Yan Xiaoliang followed him out, only to learn it was about Xie Sui's payment for goods. He said unhappily, "That brat is too impudent. I don't even care about him. I wanted to withhold the payment and curb his arrogance."
"No, you must settle the bill for him immediately and deliver the goods."
Yan Xiaoliang was furious. "Why? I'm supposed to deliver money to him? Dad, am I even your real son?" Could that brat be his father's illegitimate child?
Yan Xuewen snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? That kid is not simple. I don't know how he managed to get Director Liu on his side, and Secretary Tang himself is inquiring. If we detain his payment without reason, even your father can't handle the fallout."
"What? He actually has this kind of influence?" Yan Xiaoliang couldn't even get close to Secretary Tang. How could Xie Sui, a nobody, possess such power?
"I'll investigate this matter. We can only befriend Xie Sui, not antagonize him, understand?"
"Fine, I get it." Yan Xiaoliang felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly. How could he deliver money to Xie Sui? What would his subordinates think? Wouldn't it be seen as him bowing to Xie Sui?
"Who is that girl?" Yan Xuewen, the old lecher, couldn't help but glance repeatedly at Zhao Xuefei. Yan Xiaoliang replied, "She's from the same village as Xie Sui. That brat is no good; he's ruined the girl."
"He dared to act like a hooligan?" If there was solid evidence, Yan Xuewen would have Xie Sui arrested and imprisoned.
"Not exactly, but anyway, that brat is not a good person. He's full of bad intentions."
"Let's resolve this matter first, and then we can discuss other things."
After Yan Xuewen left, Yan Xiaoliang didn't dare to delay. He immediately pulled up Xie Sui's ledger and took the money to deliver it to him. Xie Sui was easy to find; all the ice pop vendors in the area came to him for supplies. Following the bicycles laden with foam boxes, he quickly located Xie Sui's place.
Gu Lei saw Yan Xiaoliang approaching and stepped forward to greet him. "Brother Yan, why are you here? Come inside, it's too hot out here."
"Manager Gu, we are waiting for the invoice. Don't leave!"
"Wait, can't you see I have a guest?" Gu Lei didn't pay any attention to these small vendors and focused on entertaining Yan Xiaoliang.
Lin Wanwan heard the commotion from inside and came out. "I'll handle it."
"Okay, miss, please be quick. The more time you delay, the less we sell. Customers are waiting."
"It will be fast. Have you counted the money?" Lin Wanwan spoke gently and worked quickly, much to the satisfaction of the vendors.
Xie Sui went to the plastic factory to settle his accounts with Ma Jianguo. Although he could have deferred the payment for a month, Xie Sui didn't want to owe anyone. He didn't have money before, but now that he did, he wanted to return it. He disliked being indebted to others.
Returning, he saw Lin Wanwan processing invoices and asked, "Where is Gu Lei?"
"A guest arrived, and he's entertaining them."
Xie Sui's expression turned stern. What guest was so important that he would neglect the people delivering goods? These vendors were now the lifeblood of their factory; their livelihood depended on them.
He walked into the office and saw Yan Xiaoliang. He forced a smile and said, "I wonder which distinguished guest it is? Oh, it's you? Is there something you need?"
Gu Lei felt guilty. "Brother Xie, Brother Yan is visiting for the first time, so I'm entertaining him."
Xie Sui gave him a deep look. "You can go out now." Gu Lei was unhappy, feeling Xie Sui was being too dismissive.
"Is there something?" Xie Sui tapped the desk, gesturing for Yan Xiaoliang to stand up. He was sitting in Xie Sui's office chair, showing no awareness of being a guest.
Yan Xiaoliang suppressed his anger and said, "Xie Sui, do you have to be so sarcastic with me? If I did anything wrong in the past, I'm here to apologize today. Can we let bygones be bygones?"
"And then?" Xie Sui was usually good-tempered, smiling and being polite to everyone. However, towards selfish and arrogant people like Yan Xiaoliang, he couldn't win them over or become friends, so there was no need for politeness.
"This is your payment, I've brought it to you. Is that sincere enough?" A thick stack of money was thrown onto the desk. Xie Sui said speechlessly, "I'm taking back money that rightfully belongs to me, and I have to thank you for it? Is this your sincerity?"
"Alright, I've accepted it. Then we're even." He counted out Yan Xiaoliang's rebate and threw it on the table as well. "We're settled, and we'll never meet again. Young Master Yan, my humble establishment is too small to accommodate a Buddha as great as you. Please, leave!"