As mentioned before, Yuan Huapeng and his second brother-in-law didnât quite see eye to eye.
Though he was a child of an officialâs family, his personality was quite unrestrained, and he eventually followed the path of state-owned enterprises, just like Feng Jun. He liked to act on his own instincts and looked down upon his sycophantic second brother-in-lawâthe key issue was their incompatible personalities.
Of course, when it came to family matters, he still had to turn to his second brother-in-law, just as the latter would not ignore him if he needed help.
After all, Yuan Huapeng believed that Mayor Zang could very well keep Director Cao in check, itâs just that the cost was deemed too high and not worth the trouble.
Upon learning this news, Yuan Huapeng gave Feng Jun a call.
When the call was answered, Feng Jun was dining with Feng Jing.
Master Feng had indeed bedded her the previous night, so he couldnât be the kind of man who just gets up and leaves afterward. Moreover, Mei Jin had been longing for affection, and having encountered such a young, handsome, and robust man who rekindled her long-lost passions, she couldnât possibly restrain herself.
Her main attraction to Feng Jun was not his wealth, which she took little interest in as she wasnât in need of money.
That being said, if he were too strapped for cash, she wouldnât feel too good about itâshe wasnât materialistic, but if she were to be responsible for most of their expenses, it wouldnât look good either.
Like tonight, she was treating him to dinner, with the reason being that he paid yesterday and her mood still wasnât particularly great today.
Today, her mother-in-law had harassed her mother, asking her to control her daughter.
Feng Jing was furious and therefore decided to continue the affair today.
Feng Jun, of course, was more than willing, but having recently schemed against Director Luo, he needed to be cautious of any potential retaliation. Thus, their dinner took place in an extremely secret location, and he didnât drive there.
During dinner, he brought up the possibility, âIf youâre worried Penglai Grand Hotel isnât safe, we can go to Peach Blossom Valley, or we can go to Baixing Town. I bought a piece of land there.â
Feng Jing didnât want to go to those unfamiliar places and said that Penglai Grand Hotel was fine. However⦠could they invite Li Shishi again?
It was certain that she hadnât shared Feng Junâs plans with the young greeter, but the youngster was indeed a great shield. Moreover, in the face of her mother-in-law, Li Shishiâs attitude was tough and her stance firm, which she greatly admired.
As for her affair with Feng Jun, this morning, the youngster had seen her in a⦠very relaxed position. Although it was a bit embarrassing at the time, there was no need to keep hiding it.
Feng Jun was a bit hesitant, mentioning that the young greeter was on a night shift today. Even though she could leave work earlier as a greeter, she wouldnât be finished until midnight. Should they wait for her until then?
âThen we wait,â she decided, stating that she had caught up on sleep at noon. Feng Jing was really eager to have a shield, knowing all too well how delicate women within the system, especially, can be.
Feng Jun still hesitated, telling the truth, when he gave the young greeter 30,000 yuan yesterday, he had already decided to prevent this woman from getting too involved in his life.
However, he didnât want to make things difficult for Feng Jing. Just as he was uncertain about what to choose, he received Yuan Huapengâs call.
Truth be told, he had never understood who exactly had their eyes on his project. Wang Haifeng mentioned it was a leader from the Housing and Construction Bureau nearing retirement, but that was all the information he had.
His brother did know who was coveting the project, but as people within the system operate⦠well, everyone knows. Even Wang Haifeng himself couldnât get the details from his own brother.
Feng Jun had looked up the leaders of the Housing and Construction Bureau, suspecting Director Cao the most. Although he was only fifty-seven, within the bracket that allows for promotion, his days were numbered.
But that was just a strong suspicion, not a certainty, and even as Feng Jun browsed the official website, he had his doubts. As a deputy at the department level with an asterisk, could he really make someone at the department level so wary?
Now he finally had confirmation, even the son of the deputy directorâs nameâsomething that couldnât be found on the official website.
Having a target made things easier. Feng Jun smiled, âAlright, Yuan Bro, thanks for your concern.â
Wasnât this the first time in history that this youngster had called him Yuan Bro? Yuan Huapeng felt a bit uncomfortable. When faced with âhistorical firsts,â most people do.
Even still, he pressed on, âThereâs no need for thanks. Remember Xiao Gao? Gao Qiang wants to ask you a favor. Actually, we both know the person. Itâs Yu Qingzhu, from the Yu Familyâ¦â
After listening, Feng Jun was momentarily stunned, âYu Qingzhu is speaking for someone with the surname Luo⦠asking me to let him off the hook?â
This matter felt somewhat absurd to him.
He was pursuing Director Luo relentlessly with the intention of wringing out who was scheming against him.
Now Yuan Bro had already investigated and identified the person, and yet Yu Qingzhu was interceding on behalf of Director Luo?
Then, Feng Jun realized something: Luo mustnât have told Yu Qingzhu the whole truthâat least, not clearly.
Despite that, he was annoyed with Yu Qingzhuâs presumptuousness in hastily making overtures on someoneâs behalf, âWho does she think she is to interfere in everything? Iâll let it go this time for your sake, but please tell Luo not to cross paths with me again.â
Having received this response, Yuan Huapeng immediately informed Gao Qiangâalthough Yu Qingzhu was just a young girl, she was a Yu family member, an entity the Yuan Family looked up to.
So, for being able to owe this favor, Yuan Huapeng was quite pleased.
Feng Jun hung up the phone, only to find Feng Jing looking at him with a rather peculiar expression, âThe Cao Weihua you mentioned, is he from the Construction Committeeâs progeny?â
âYes,â Feng Jun nodded, thinking to himself, Author, can you not, do we really need so many coincidences, âDo you know him?â
âI donât know him,â Feng Jing shook her head decisively, âbut Iâve heard of him. A high school classmate of mine got pregnant by him and later committed suicide by jumping from a buildingâ¦â
It turned out that this guy had been at a university in Funiu, where his life had been quite dissipated. After a girl got pregnant, her family found out and demanded he take responsibilityâeither marry her, or she would find a secluded place to give birth to the child.
Of course, Cao Weihua did not want to be easily tied down by someone, and he was ruthless in his actions, directly threatening the girl, saying if you really want to have the baby, I will definitely report your premarital pregnancy to the school authorities.
The girl was fierce too, she just jumped off a building and committed suicide, but before she did, she photocopied thousands of copies of her suicide note and scattered them everywhere.
With such an incident, it would be difficult for Cao Weihua not to become notorious. Feng Jing was just a high school classmate of that girl, and she had heard about it.
Later, he couldnât stay at the school, and it was said that he went abroad to study.
Feng Jun was quite astonished when he heard this, âAfter such an incident, he still has the nerve to come back to Zhengyang?â
âHis grades were poor, so he definitely went to a diploma mill abroad,â Feng Jing scornfully curled her lip, âIf he didnât learn anything substantial, where else could he go if not back to his hometown?â
âSince heâs back, he should just behave and keep a low profile,â Feng Jun was speechless, âbut he just has to court disaster.â
Feng Jing looked at him with interest, âIf you want to give him trouble, I can help you dig up some information⦠Back in the day, our alumni even organized a protest, and many people are quite familiar with him.â
âThat would be great, thank you,â Feng Jun replied with a smile, nodding, âTo show my gratitude, tonightâ¦â
Feng Jing gave him a look, âWait for Xiao Li. If all else fails, just book a room and wait for her, itâs not far from midnight.â
âWhat are you thinking?â Feng Jun gave her a stern look, speaking seriously, âI meant, Iâve got the tab for tonight⦠you little tease!â
Feng Jingâs face turned red, and she kicked him, âYouâre such a scoundrel, always acting older than your age!â
âYouâre not being fair,â Feng Jun continued to speak earnestly, âI may be young, but that doesnât mean Iâm little, and as for being a âguiâ⦠even bigger!â
There wasnât much else to say. Li Shishi didnât mind being the third wheel; she enjoyed good food and drink, and the chance to sleep in a luxury suite. As long as they were willing to have her, she was willing to stay.
The next morning at ten, Feng Jun arrived at the bank where everything was ready, and he began the bank transfer.
However, Li Liangquan told him that closing the account today would be too troublesome and difficult to achieve, given that there had been such a large amount of funds involved. To transfer and clear the funds and close the account on the same day was just not appropriate.
He suggested that Feng Jun come back to close the account in half a month, which would be much more convenient.
Feng Jun did not know whether he was telling the truth or not, but transferring the money was the priority, and closing the account a few days later wouldnât matter.
After handling the matter, Feng Jun went straight back to Baixing Town; he had been out for three days, and it was time to check in.
When noon came, it began to rain. By four oâclock, Li Liangquan called again, âBoss Feng, Director Luo would like to invite you to dinner tonight⦠Do you have the time?â
âItâs raining from the sky, and heâs got water in his head?â Feng Jun spoke without any courtesy, âThere are plenty of people who want to have dinner with me⦠heâs not worthy!â
âThatâs the thing, I donât want to bother you,â Li Liangquan said with a wry smile, âbut he mentioned that a mutual friend of you both might also be there.â
âI donât have any mutual friends with him!â Feng Jun ended the call.
The only person they could both consider a mutual friend was Yu Qingzhu. Feng appreciated her beauty and vivacity but he really couldnât stand her overly good opinion of herself. Faults come from indulgence, and he had no intention to indulge hers.
For the past two days, Feng Jing had done a good job of being the firefighter, and he was no longer as anxious as he had been at the start.
Naturally, the key point was that he wasnât certain if the name Cao Weihua would come up in the conversation at the dinner table.
So he denied having any mutual friendsâLu Xun had it right, better not to meet at all than to meet with conflict.
About ten minutes after hanging up, his mobile phone rang again; it was from an unfamiliar number.
The caller was none other than Yu Qingzhu, âHello, President Feng, this is Yu Qingzhu.â
âOh, hello, what can I do for you?â
âDirector Luo would like to invite you to dinner tonight, can you make it?â
âI cannot!â Feng Jun replied, decisive as ever, âAs for the reason, Iâve already explained it to Xiao Li. Heâs not worthy!â
âI can help mediate the misunderstanding between you two,â Yu Qingzhu said with a serious tone, âwould that be alright?â