Chapter 115: Realizing the Gains

Although the Zhao Family had some other thoughts before, the marriage alliance was settled after all, and Ning Weidong could be considered half a member of the family.

Furthermore, now that Ning Weidong had toppled Wang Kaifeng and demonstrated his own capabilities, the Zhao Family taking the initiative to pass on this news was also a gesture of goodwill.

Especially Zhao Ruyi; after finishing the serious business, her eyes fluttered as she looked at Ning Weidong with a hint of admiration and asked, "Tell me about it, how did you manage to get Wang Kaifeng sent in?"

Ning Weidong, however, was not swayed by her; the matter was not yet over, and it was not the time to relax—celebrating prematurely now would be like popping champagne at halftime.

Ning Weidong sternly refused: "What is there to ask? Hurry back, I still have serious business here~"

Zhao Ruyi pouted at the rebuke and muttered, "Fine, don't tell me then, why be so fierce~" She then glared at Ning Weidong, huffed, and twisted her hips as she walked away.

Ning Weidong ignored her.

If the news just passed on by the Zhao Family was correct, there was still a tough battle ahead; he had to block Wang Guoqiang, otherwise, it would be ugly if he really let him turn the tables and get Wang Kaifeng out.

Moreover, Chu Zhongxin had previously used the case of Deputy Factory Director Liu to graft the blame onto Wang Kaifeng.

This trick worked once, but if Wang Guoqiang was determined to save Wang Kaifeng, he would certainly break this move; it would be difficult to withstand the pressure relying solely on Chu Zhongxin, so another way had to be found.

Ning Weidong stood in the corridor, holding a cigarette while his brain searched for a countermeasure.

Just then, Wen Aiying came out of the Office, saw him by the stairs, and immediately said: "Weidong, hurry, it's a call from your brother."

Ning Weidong snapped back to reality, immediately crushed the half-smoked cigarette, walked quickly back into the room, and picked up the phone on the table.

On the other end of the line was Ning Weiguo.

Ning Weiguo's call had just gone directly to the Fourth Workshop duty room, where Ning Wei answered, explained the situation, and then transferred it here to see if he could reach Ning Weidong.

"Weidong, there's a situation now..." Ning Weiguo's speaking speed was somewhat fast: "I just received news that Wang Guoqiang has sought out his old superior..."

As Ning Weidong listened, his expression grew increasingly grave.

The Zhao Family had only sent word earlier to inform him that Wang Guoqiang would continue to rescue Wang Kaifeng, without providing more specific details.

And Ning Weiguo, while speaking of the same matter, contained more specific information.

For example, the person Wang Guoqiang sought was his old superior; this old superior belonged to the same faction as the one who had previously tipped him off to target Ning Weidong and sabotage the Wang Family and Zhao Family marriage alliance, though they were not the same group.

Wang Guoqiang had once served as a guard for this man, and their relationship was quite extraordinary.

A guard by a leader's side is equivalent to half a family member, and some are even closer than their own children.

Because at critical moments, a guard can truly rush forward and use their own body to block a bullet.

Ning Weidong had not expected Wang Guoqiang's resolve to be so great.

Just as Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen were the people who could provide a safety net for Ning Weidong, this old superior was the person who could provide a safety net for Wang Guoqiang.

But then again, a guard is not a child after all, and even the best relationship has a limit.

Favors grow thinner the more they are used and are the least able to withstand squandering; yet Wang Guoqiang actually used such a precious favor on Wang Kaifeng.

For a moment, Ning Weidong did not understand.

But standing from Wang Guoqiang's perspective, it seemed understandable.

From beginning to end, Wang Guoqiang had never admitted defeat or surrendered; he was aiming for victory.

As long as he could rescue Wang Kaifeng, no price was too high to pay.

To a certain extent, this could be considered "buying horse bones with a thousand gold."

As long as he succeeded and Wang Kaifeng returned safely to the Manager, he could show the people at the Manager what kind of person he, Wang Guoqiang, was.

As long as one followed him, even in such a situation, he would save them regardless of the enormous price paid.

It would instantly boost the cohesion, loyalty, and morale of those around him.

When the time came, the tides would turn, and the situation that Li Weibing had worked so hard to open up would be fiercely suppressed once again.

Even if Wang Kaifeng returned and his position had been taken by Li Peihang, Wang Guoqiang could still find a way to maneuver for the position of Division Chief.

After all, Li Peihang's promotion by one level only made him a Deputy Division Chief, not a full Division Chief.

In this instant, thoughts surged through Ning Weidong's mind, and he knew he absolutely could not let Wang Guoqiang succeed.

"Vice Factory Director Wang..." Ning Weidong narrowed his eyes, unable to help but take a deep breath to release the pressure in his heart.

It must be said, Wang Guoqiang's move of "the brave win when meeting on a narrow path" had once again forced Ning Weidong into a corner.

If he lost this round, the previous victories would become completely meaningless.

Ning Weidong put down the phone with a gloomy expression.

Because Chen and Wen Aiying were present, he could not discuss countermeasures with Ning Weiguo over the phone.

Both Chen and Wen Aiying saw the oppressive atmosphere; both were shrewd people and did not speak out of turn.

Ning Weidong nodded, said "Chen, Sister Wen, I'm going out for a bit," then strode out of the Office and turned directly toward Li Peihang's office.

This office was in a mess; besides Li Peihang, there were two young men in their twenties helping to tidy up.

Seeing Ning Weidong come over, Li Peihang immediately smiled and said: "Brother, you've come just in time, come over and help me move some things..."

Ning Weidong reached the front and said solemnly: "Brother Li, I have something to tell you~"

Li Peihang was taken aback, saw Ning Weidong's gravity, and without understanding, raised his hand to signal the two young men to leave.

The two were sensible and closed the door well as they left, then Li Peihang asked: "What happened?"

Ning Weidong said in a low voice: "I just received a call from my brother; Wang Guoqiang is not giving up and still wants to save Wang Kaifeng, and he has already reached out to those above."

Upon hearing this, Li Peihang's expression changed instantly; the corners of his mouth, which he had been unable to keep down, suddenly drooped. He stood up abruptly from the sofa, paced back and forth on the floor, and said in a flustered rage: "Wang Guoqiang! Wang Guoqiang, what exactly does he want to do!"

It was no wonder Li Peihang was like this; in reality, the struggles within the Manager were restrained and would not truly reach an irreparable point.

This was the so-called "fighting without breaking."

But now, Wang Guoqiang had directly broken this tacit understanding, exposing the affairs of the Manager to the higher-level leaders without any concealment.

What was he trying to do! At the same time, Li Peihang also felt a sense of fear: what if Wang Guoqiang really had the momentum of "smashing the cauldrons and sinking the boats" and would not stop until he saved Wang Kaifeng?

Seeing him like this, Ning Weidong could not help but frown.

This was also the reason why Ning Weidong looked down on Li Peihang in his heart; at the critical moment, he was the first to lose his composure.

By comparison, Wang Kaifeng is truly much stronger than him.

Earlier in the Office, when being taken away by Chu Zhongxin, Wang Kaifeng was still able to remain calm and composed.

If the same situation were to happen to Li Peihang, he would likely be in complete despair by now.

Ning Weidong had to cough once and said, "Brother Li, now is not the time for complaints. The only way forward is to find a way to cope. You must contact Factory Director Li immediately and do everything in your power to stop them from getting Wang Kaifeng out." At this moment, Ning Weidong's gaze was exceptionally firm: "Brother Li, whether you advance further to become Division Chief Li, or are knocked back to your original state overnight, depends on this!"

Li Peihang felt a chill in his heart, and a flash of gloom crossed his eyes.

Clearly, they had already won; clearly, the Manager had already decided that he would serve as the Deputy Division Chief of the Security Division and act as the head of the division's work.

He had waited for this day for nearly three years, and he would never allow his efforts to go to waste.

Li Peihang said, "Let's go, let's find my uncle now!"

Ning Weidong was not surprised; in this situation, the safest method was to find Li Weibing, who was also Li Peihang's greatest pillar of support.

And Ning Weidong had not actually come to find Li Peihang.

Because he had long known that Li Peihang lacked the qualifications and the ability to solve the problem.

At this time, one had to speak directly with Li Weibing and have Li Weibing bring out the equivalent resources he held to clash with Wang Guoqiang.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to block Wang Guoqiang's desperate final move.

Of course, if the Wang Family or the Zhao Family were willing to take action, they could also intercept this move by Wang Guoqiang.

It was just that the two phone calls from earlier indicated that the Wang Family and the Zhao Family had no intention of wasting their important resources on this.

Ning Weidong was not surprised by this situation.

In fact, ever since Zhao Lichun handed over the clues about the train accident at the Manager through Division Chief Shen of the Logistics Department.

Ning Weidong had already sensed the underlying meaning; this was a case of "the drinker's heart is not in the cup."

So much so that after obtaining these clues, Ning Weidong did not follow them down, but instead changed direction and focused on the two people who died in the accident.

Even so, it still served the purpose of "beating the grass to startle the snake."

The Zhao Family and the Wang Family joining forces must have carved off a piece of fat from this train line.

Therefore, at this stage, Ning Weidong could feel that the Zhao Family and the Wang Family no longer had a particularly strong desire to fight.

Wang Guoqiang likely saw this opportunity, which is why he gambled everything one last time.

He bet that the Wang Family and the Zhao Family did not care about the outcome within the Red Star Factory.

Even if the Wang Family and the Zhao Family won outside the game, it did not mean that he, Wang Guoqiang, would necessarily lose inside the game.

At this point, the situation of the whole matter had changed again.

Previously, as a key figure in the whole affair, Ning Weidong's interests were aligned with the Wang Family and the Zhao Family.

This was why Chu Zhongxin, representing the Wang Family, was able to hold his ground and not release Wang Kaifeng when facing internal and external pressure.

But all things develop and are not immutable.

It was like this this morning, but by the afternoon, it had changed.

Although Ning Weidong did not know the inside story, he estimated that it was right after Chu Zhongxin held his ground and detained Wang Kaifeng.

The faction behind Wang Guoqiang must have reached a secret agreement with the Wang Family and the Zhao Family.

This was almost certain; only this could explain why Wang Guoqiang dared to burn his bridges.

Because by this time, the Wang Family and the Zhao Family were no longer enemies, and the chess game had returned to the Red Star Factory.

The phone calls just now from Zhao Lichun and Ning Weiguo were a notification of retreat.

At this moment, Ning Weidong's interests diverged from those of the Wang Family and the Zhao Family.

The Wang Family and the Zhao Family had already cashed in, but Ning Weidong's interests were still inside the Red Star Factory and had not yet been realized.

And after all the commotion these past few days, racking his brains and unable to sleep for several days, how could Ning Weidong possibly swallow this half-cooked meal?

He had to find a way to realize his interests.

This is precisely the wonder of politics.

Water has no constant shape, and clouds have no constant form.

Previously, Li Weibing, who sold Ning Weidong to the Fourth Workshop to promote his subordinates, now had to cooperate with him, and they had become the most reliable comrades-in-arms.

And Ning Weidong's greatest backing, the Wang Family—the natal family of his marriage partner—had instead pulled out.

From the third floor to the fifth floor, Ning Weidong and Li Peihang arrived quickly.

"Knock, knock, knock~" Li Peihang knocked on the door in front, and a "Come in" followed from inside.

Ning Weidong entered Li Weibing's Office, and his first impression was of simplicity.

An ordinary desk, wooden chairs, plain teacups, and artificial leather sofas.

The room was filled with the smell of smoke, and there were two pots of Clivia on the windowsill, with many cigarette butts stuck in the flowerpots.

Ning Weidong couldn't help but take another look, thinking to himself that it was hard on those two pots of Clivia.

Li Weibing sat behind the desk, his hair gray, looking quite old, wearing reading glasses and reading a newspaper.

He looked up at the door, was slightly surprised to find Ning Weidong following behind Li Peihang, put down the newspaper, and said with a smile, "Peihang, Weidong, it's you two~"

Li Peihang looked serious, took two quick steps to the side of the desk, and said, "Uncle, the latest situation..."

Blah, blah, blah—he repeated the situation Ning Weidong had just told him.

Li Weibing frowned upon hearing this, his gaze involuntarily turning to Ning Weidong, and he said in a deep voice, "Weidong, is this news reliable?"

Ning Weidong had not spoken just now, but at this moment he stepped forward and said, "Factory Director, it is absolutely reliable. No matter what, we must prepare early; we absolutely cannot let them succeed."

Li Weibing frowned, forming a deep "chuan" character on his forehead, stood up, habitually walked to the window, took a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it himself.

Ning Weidong did not speak again, but Li Peihang could not hold back, followed him to the window, and said, "Uncle, we cannot wait on this matter. If we really wait until the dust settles, we will be in a passive position."

Li Weibing certainly understood that if he let Wang Guoqiang fish Wang Kaifeng out this time, then however pathetic Wang Kaifeng looked when he was taken away, he would be just as shocking when he returned.

Everyone in the factory would see how much Vice Factory Director Wang valued his subordinates, how resourceful he was, and how he could reach the heavens... even being able to save Wang Kaifeng, who was trapped in a dead end.

At that point, he, the Factory Manager, would be in a difficult spot.

It's just that, looking at it this way, Wang Guoqiang is going all out; he has actually played his biggest trump card directly.

Under these circumstances, if they really have to engage in a head-on blocking battle, he isn't confident about what percentage of a chance they have of winning.

He fears that after exhausting all their strength and investing a massive amount of resources, they still won't be able to stop him in the end—that would be the worst-case scenario.

Thinking of this, Li Weibing looked at Ning Weidong, finished a cigarette in a few puffs, and said in a deep voice, "Weidong, what is your take on this?"

Ning Weidong heard the subtext; it wasn't a question of what he thought.

To Li Weibing, Ning Weidong's attitude wasn't important; what mattered was the stance of the Wang Family and the Zhao Family behind him.

Ning Weidong's expression was serious; he didn't spout nonsense at a time like this.

Whether borrowing influence or using someone else's banner as a tiger skin, one must choose the right person and the right time; one cannot act recklessly.

This is not the time for bluffing, because at this moment, no lie can be sustained for long.

Ning Weidong said candidly, "Manager, just now Zhao Lichun from the Zhao Family and my older brother both called me; their stance is very clear: they will not continue to invest."

Li Weibing remained calm. As an old fox, at his age, perhaps his courage had weakened, but his experience and wisdom were definitely still at their peak.

If Ning Weidong had sworn that the Zhao Family and the Wang Family both supported him, Li Weibing would never have believed it.

On the contrary, Ning Weidong's honesty made him think more highly of him. He said unhurriedly, "You sought out Peihang and came to me together; it seems you have different ideas from them?"

Ning Weidong nodded without hesitation and said, "Yes. On this matter, my personal interests are not aligned with theirs; rather, we have a common interest."

Li Weibing frowned. Ning Weidong's naked mention of "interests" made him feel a bit jarred.

If it were Li Peihang saying such things, he would definitely have stopped him.

But Ning Weidong's status was different. Although Ning Weidong was his subordinate in terms of his position at the Red Star Factory, in terms of interest factions and strength, they were closer to a cooperative relationship.

Furthermore, he had betrayed Ning Weidong at the meeting earlier, severing some of the previous goodwill.

Therefore, facing Ning Weidong, he had to endure it even if he felt jarred.

Being in the game, no one can be willful.

It just interested him: having lost the support of the Wang Family and the Zhao Family, on what grounds did Ning Weidong come here so brazenly to discuss blocking Wang Kaifeng with him? Li Weibing asked this question quite frankly.

Ning Weidong said indifferently, "This is exactly why I came here. If I still had the support of the Wang Family and the Zhao Family, I wouldn't have come. Don't you think so?"

Li Weibing's expression changed; he heard the subtext in Ning Weidong's words.

If the Wang Family and the Zhao Family had joined forces and were truly interested in the Red Star Factory, there would be no place for him, Li Weibing, in the Red Star Factory right now.

It is precisely because the Wang and Zhao families have no such interest that the current situation exists.

To put it bluntly, I, Ning Weidong, may not have many chips, but you, Li Weibing, are also a down-and-out figure. Since you don't have many chips in your hand, stop putting on airs as a Factory Manager; at best, we are huddling together for warmth, and it's not a case of one begging the other.

Figuring out Ning Weidong's meaning made Li Weibing feel uncomfortable.

He, the dignified Factory Manager of the Red Star Factory, had been the one whose word was law in the factory a few years ago, ruling the roost while Ning Weidong was still nursing.

Yet he hadn't expected that a hero would grow old, how sorrowful it is.

First there was Wang Guoqiang, and now another Ning Weidong has appeared.

But the next moment, Li Weibing suppressed his negative emotions and instead laughed heartily: "Not bad! Seeing that you are so confident, you must have a countermeasure. There are no outsiders here, so feel free to speak."

"Actually, there is nothing much to say," Ning Weidong said composedly. "It is nothing more than mobilizing resources to block Wang Guoqiang's actions; you, Manager, certainly have ways to do that."

Li Weibing said with a blank face, "That is the most conventional method. However, given the current situation, doing this will at most only trip him up. As long as Wang Guoqiang is determined, it is hard to change the situation." Saying this, he stared deeply at Ning Weidong: "Comrade Xiao Ning, if it were only that, why would we go to such trouble? What difference does it make if it's a day earlier or a day later?"

Ning Weidong said sternly, "Of course there is a difference. As long as the Manager can hold him off for a period of time, I am confident I can keep Wang Kaifeng pinned inside so he cannot come out."

Li Weibing's eyes narrowed, staring at Ning Weidong like a hawk.

Ning Weidong did not flinch at all, meeting his gaze.

For a moment, no one spoke; only Li Peihang, who was nearby, felt as if the air had frozen.

He could barely interject in the conversation between Ning Weidong and Li Weibing just now.

It was the first time he had seen such a sharp side of Ning Weidong; in terms of momentum, he actually didn't lose to Li Weibing. One must know that Ning Weidong was at most twenty-one years old.

Fortunately, this atmosphere didn't last long. After only half a minute, Li Weibing suddenly laughed: "I suppose you won't tell me the method for keeping Wang Kaifeng blocked inside."

Ning Weidong also laughed: "The method is not important; the result is. Wang Kaifeng must not be released." As he said this, he glanced at Li Peihang and continued: "The Security Division must be my Brother Li's!"

Li Peihang was stunned, a trace of emotion bubbling up in his heart; Ning Weidong could still remember him at a time like this.

Even though he also understood that the reason Ning Weidong said this was because his promotion to Deputy Division Chief was the logical endorsement for Ning Weidong to become a Deputy Section Chief.

If he couldn't get promoted, Ning Weidong, as a Deputy Section Chief, naturally wouldn't be able to get promoted either.

But he still felt a trace of emotion.

Li Peihang couldn't explain why this was the case.

Perhaps the momentum Ning Weidong displayed while standing toe-to-toe with Li Weibing had infected him, making him feel that Ning Weidong's ecological niche was already higher than his own.

And for a superior to show even a sliver of pity to a subordinate makes one feel grateful.

At this moment, Li Peihang didn't have time to think about this; he only knew that after a conversation he considered less than harmonious, his uncle Li Weibing and Ning Weidong had reached an agreement.

This gave him a sudden realization: the tone and wording of a conversation don't seem that important; as long as it hits the vital point and the interests of both parties are aligned, cooperation happens naturally.

Conversely, no matter how warm and gentle the conversation is, or how polite and yielding the attitude, it will eventually fall apart just the same.

It's just that in the end, he still couldn't figure out what method Ning Weidong had to seal the door for Wang Kaifeng's release.

After all, even Li Weibing couldn't do it; without the support of the Wang and Zhao families, on what grounds could Ning Weidong?...

Leaving Li Weibing's Office, Ning Weidong and Li Peihang returned to the third floor.

Li Peihang couldn't help but ask, "Weidong, what method do you actually have?"

Ning Weidong gave a mysterious smile: "Brother Li, you'll know later. If I say it now, it won't work."

Li Peihang felt helpless. Knowing that Ning Weidong was very set in his ways and not someone he could persuade, he simply stopped asking; at worst, he would just wait.

According to the current situation, Wang Guoqiang's side couldn't afford to wait; whether Wang Kaifeng could be released was a matter of these next one or two days.

What medicine Ning Weidong was selling in his gourd would soon be revealed.

Ning Weidong did not stay there long; he made a call from the Office to the Fourth Workshop duty room, told Ning Wei to come over, and then hurried downstairs.

Li Peihang pursed his lips and turned back upstairs.

He arrived at Li Weibing's Office again.

As soon as he entered the room, Li Weibing said, "He left?"

Li Peihang gave an "en" sound: "I asked him, but he wouldn't say; he just called the Fourth Workshop duty room and didn't say anything else."

Li Weibing said dismissively, "Then let's see what kind of miraculous methods he actually has."

Li Peihang then asked, "Uncle, setting him aside for now, as for your side..."

Li Weibing knew what he was worried about—that Wang Guoqiang might succeed before Ning Weidong was ready.

Li Weibing said, "Rest assured, holding him off for a day or two is still doable."

On the other end, Ning Weidong came down from the Factory Office Building, stood outside the north gate of the building, lit a cigarette to himself, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and waited for Ning Wei to come over.

After about four or five minutes, Ning Wei came over from inside the factory at a jog, panting with white mist puffing from his mouth, and called out "Third Brother" when he reached him.

Ning Weidong gave an "en" sound, pursed his lips, and walked a few steps toward the nearby bike shed.

During work hours, there was no one here.

Ning Weidong lowered his voice and said a few words in Ning Wei's ear.

Ning Wei showed a surprised expression: "Third Brother, why are you looking for him?"

Ning Weidong said, "Just go find him, be careful, and don't let anyone see you."

Ning Wei nodded and didn't ask any more: "Alright, don't worry, I'll go now."

But he was stopped by Ning Weidong: "What's the rush? Wait until after work."

Ning Wei chuckled, hurriedly said "Ai," and scurried off like a wisp of smoke.

Ning Weidong stood in place watching him walk away, but his face was somewhat solemn.

He had no certainty in his heart whether he could block Wang Kaifeng from getting out this time.

For many things, besides planning, whether they succeed or not requires a bit of luck.

At the same time, Wang Guoqiang had already exhausted all his efforts; in order to fish Wang Kaifeng out, he had stopped at almost nothing.

Inside a large courtyard next to Fuxing Road.

In an office building, inside a reception room, Wang Guoqiang was uncharacteristically restless, looking toward the door from time to time, as if he had returned to his rash age of twenty-something.

Sitting next to him was a middle-aged man of similar age; seeing him like this, he couldn't help but push his glasses and say with a chuckle, "I say, Old Wang, it seems you've really been backed into a corner this time."

Wang Guoqiang gave a bitter smile, though he didn't defend himself: "If there were really no other way, do you think I'd be willing to come and trouble my old leader? I've felt guilty in my heart all these years~ Not only could I not help the old leader at critical moments, but I became a burden instead, making the old leader worry. I... sigh~ never mind!"

The middle-aged man next to him saw him like this and felt embarrassed to tease him further, so he turned serious and said, "Old Wang, have you really thought it through?"

Wang Guoqiang understood his meaning, pursed his lips, and said, "Thought it through! Some things must be decided; we wasted too much time in the past few years. Now that we've finally regained an opportunity, I've managed the Red Star Factory for three years, and I cannot wait another three years."

The middle-aged man frowned and sighed with emotion: "That's right~ we've all wasted too much time. Forget it, since it's your choice, I won't try to persuade you otherwise. I hope your choice is the right one..."

Before he finished speaking, the door opened from the outside, and a young man wearing a gray Zhongshan Suit entered, saying expressionlessly, "Comrade Wang Guoqiang, the Chief wants to see you."

Wang Guoqiang stood up immediately and walked over quickly.

In the evening, Ning Weidong got off work and went home as usual.

Recently, because of the tense situation in the Fourth Workshop, Ning Weidong had been working around the clock and hadn't returned to his home in the Dazayuan much.

Pushing his bicycle up the cement slope of the main gate, he hadn't even left the passageway of the main gate when he saw Lu Dama rushing out from inside.

On her forehead was her signature red mark; even in the dark, one could recognize it at a glance with a little help from the light.

"Oh my, Lu Dama, what are you doing?" Ning Weidong turned slightly to make space.

"Weidong?" Lu Dama's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly grabbed his sleeve: "You've come back just in time, hurry and give me a ride for a bit."

As she spoke, she pulled Ning Weidong toward the outside.

Ning Weidong was left feeling baffled; he said "Ai" but didn't budge: "Lu Dama, tell me clearly what you're doing."

Seeing she couldn't pull him, Lu Dama had to patiently say, "Hurry up, it's a matter of life and death. I just heard that Shi Xiaonan is with some man, and Wang Kai has gone out carrying a kitchen knife."

Ning Weidong's mouth twitched, thinking to himself, what kind of messy business is this~ He said helplessly, "He's carrying a kitchen knife, what use is it for you to go?"

Lu Dama choked, slapped her thigh, and said, "We can't just stand by and watch! Hurry, hurry."

Ning Weidong looked helpless as he was pulled out of the courtyard again.

Although he didn't want to deal with this messy business, in this era, living in a Dazayuan still required some considerations, especially among neighbors.

At this time, the collective mindset hadn't completely disintegrated, and people weren't yet used to living their own little lives.

Often, when one family had an issue, everyone helped; at the very least, one had to keep up appearances, otherwise, people would talk behind your back, and the gossip could drown you.

Especially for Ning Weidong right now, having just been promoted to Deputy Section Chief at the factory, he had to be even more careful about his reputation in this regard.

Still the same saying: some people, some things, while they might not be enough to accomplish anything, they are definitely more than enough to ruin things.

Ning Weidong followed Lu Dama out of the courtyard; Lu Dama pointed in a direction, and he got on his bicycle without asking any more questions.

Following the alleyway to Fuchengmen Inner Street, he turned left and followed the street east for about several hundred meters.

From far away, Ning Weidong saw a crowd of people gathered and knew he had likely arrived.

Upon getting closer, he indeed saw quite a few familiar faces.

Lu Dama had arrived late; among the crowd, Lu Daye was shouting, and Zhou Kun and several young people from the front courtyard were all there, having already restrained Wang Kai, so there was no need for Ning Weidong to charge into the fray.

Before the bicycle had even stopped steadily, Lu Dama hopped off.

You couldn't tell, but this little old lady had such agile moves.

Lu Dama clamored to push through the people watching the spectacle.

Ning Weidong pushed his bicycle, not squeezing into the crowd.

However, he was tall and could see the general situation inside over the heads of the crowd.

He saw Shi Xiaonan crying like a pear blossom in the rain, and beside her was Wang Kai with bloodshot eyes; judging by his state, he must have been drinking.

On the other side of Shi Xiaonan were three people, one woman and two men; just by the way they stood, one could tell they were performers, likely Shi Xiaonan's colleagues or peers.

One of them had their jacket pocket torn open, and there was a bruise on the left side of their face.

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, didn't Lu Dama say earlier that he had come brandishing a kitchen knife? It seemed Wang Kai hadn't truly gone mad; the knife was just to scare people, and when it came to the critical moment, he hadn't dared to actually hack anyone.

Since he hadn't lost his mind, it wasn't a major problem.

While thinking this, Ning Weidong's gaze swept over and he found Wang Kai.

At this moment, Wang Kai had already been subdued by a few young men led by Zhou Kun.

Whether it was Zhou Kun taking the opportunity to settle a personal score, Wang Kai looked rather disheveled.

Not only was his face bruised, but there was also blood hanging from the corner of his mouth.

Based on this scene, Wang Kai hadn't gained any advantage in this confrontation and had instead suffered a loss.

Ning Weidong didn't have any thoughts of gloating; after all, it had nothing to do with him.

He had originally intended to watch the commotion and then leave, but unexpectedly, at that moment, there was a stir in the crowd, with shouts and cries.

Ning Weidong looked closely and saw that Shi Xiaonan had fainted.

Caught in such a situation, it was common for Shi Xiaonan to be so angry and anxious that she fainted.

Ning Weidong was watching the spectacle and wondering how this group would wrap things up, never expecting the matter to land on him.

Lu Dama's loud voice suddenly shouted: "Weidong, hurry and push your bicycle over!"

Ning Weidong was stunned, only then realizing that the group present, including Lu Daye and Zhou Kun, must have all walked there and hadn't ridden bicycles.

Only Ning Weidong was standing on the side pushing a bicycle.

Ordinarily, in this situation, it would be best to carry her on one's back, which would be more convenient than putting her on a bicycle.

But after what had just happened, while Shi Xiaonan was beautiful, no one wanted the trouble; the image of Wang Kai with bloodshot eyes and a kitchen knife was still fresh in their minds, so even those who wanted to help had to weigh it in their hearts.

At such a time, Ning Weidong's bicycle became the only choice.

Ning Weidong gave an affirmative response, and without him needing to call out, the crowd in front automatically parted, making way for him and his bicycle.

Ning Weidong pushed the bicycle forward.

Lu Dama, along with another woman in her forties from the courtyard and Shi Xiaonan's female colleague, helped lift Shi Xiaonan onto the back rack of the bicycle.

Shi Xiaonan's eyes were tightly shut, and her whole body was as limp as a noodle.

In this situation, it was impossible to ride it, so Ning Weidong had to push from the front while two people held her from behind.

Seeing Shi Xiaonan like this, Wang Kai stood blankly on the spot, his previously angry eyes somewhat vacant, showing no urgency or panic.

He watched Shi Xiaonan being helped onto the bicycle as if looking at a stranger, and until the bicycle was further and further away, he collapsed like a deflated ball, sitting down on the ground.

Ning Weidong pushed the bicycle along the main road, and before long, he saw a courtyard gate by the roadside with a red cross sign hanging on it.

Ning Weidong didn't have much of an impression of it, but with that sign, it was certainly close enough, so he tilted the handlebars and turned into the gate.

Fortunately, Lu Dama was there to follow up, so Ning Weidong didn't need to do anything.

He wasn't overly eager to help, and after greeting Lu Dama, he intended to leave.

Just as he came out of the door, he ran into Lu Daye, Wang Kai, and Shi Xiaonan's other two colleagues.

Lu Daye asked hurriedly: "Weidong! Did you see the doctor? How is Little Shi?"

Ning Weidong said: "Lu Daye, Lu Dama just went in with her, you should hurry in too."

Lu Daye could see that Ning Weidong didn't want to meddle in other people's business; he had only brought Shi Xiaonan over because he had no other choice.

He felt somewhat dissatisfied with Ning Weidong's attitude.

In Lu Daye's deep-rooted concept, neighbors in the same courtyard helping each other was a given, and Ning Weidong's attitude was very poor.

If this were ten years ago, he would have brought out his authority as the Courtyard Elder and dragged him out to give him a good lecture.

Unfortunately, it was no longer ten years ago, and the Ning Family was no longer the same Ning Family.

Even if he had something to say, he had to keep it to himself.

Ning Weidong left the clinic, got on his bicycle, and headed home.

He still had things to do today and needed to go back to discuss them properly with Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen.

Not long after he left, he saw Wang Zipeng huffing and puffing over on his bicycle.

Wang Zipeng also saw Ning Weidong and immediately shouted, swerving his handlebars to rush over from the other side of the road.

Fortunately, there weren't many people on the road, and the two stopped by the side.

"Oh, Weidong!" Wang Zipeng arrived with a grin: "I just got back to the courtyard. I heard—what happened? Did Wang Kai and Shi Xiaonan cause a scene again? And he even brandished a kitchen knife!"

Ning Weidong could see that this fellow Wang Zipeng was definitely here to watch the commotion; when he mentioned the kitchen knife, one could clearly feel his excitement, fearing only that the world wouldn't be chaotic enough.

Ning Weidong chuckled inwardly.

In terms of character, this fellow Wang Zipeng was definitely not a good person.

But he did have his merits, namely that he knew how to talk and how to handle things.

As long as you were of higher status than him, he could make you feel like you were bathed in a spring breeze.

Ning Weidong said with a smile: "So what if he used a kitchen knife? Do you want to play the hero saving the beauty?"

Wang Zipeng winked and lowered his voice: "The hero saving the beauty would be you! It would never be my turn~ But then again, that woman really is a stunner. When Wang Kai married her, I once said that Wang Kai wouldn't be able to handle a woman like that, and look what happened..."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile: "I couldn't tell, you have the ability to predict the future?" As he spoke, he turned and pointed to the clinic in front: "It's right over there, go if you want to, I'm going home."

Wang Zipeng's eyes rolled, and he hurriedly turned his direction: "Then I'm going back too, let's go together."

He didn't want to give up a single moment of the opportunity to be in sync with a leader and be with a leader.

Although Ning Weidong was only a Deputy Section Chief in the Security Division and had nothing to do with the Logistics Department, Wang Zipeng just loved this routine; as long as someone was a leader, he loved to fawn over them.

Moreover, he had tasted the sweetness of this.

Not to mention anything else, his own wife was introduced to him by a Section Chief in their Logistics Department; otherwise, how would he have ever met the daughter of a Cadre from the Cotton Textile Factory?

The two of them rode their bicycles and returned to the courtyard in no time.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Wang Zipeng's wife, Qian Fangqi, discussing Wang Kai and Shi Xiaonan with a few young wives in the courtyard.

Seeing Wang Zipeng return, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Hey? Why are you back?"

Wang Zipeng smiled and said, "I ran into Ning Weidong on the road, so we came back together."

Ning Weidong nodded and said, "Old Wang, sister-in-law, I'm heading back first."

Wang Zipeng hurriedly nodded and bowed in agreement, which made Qian Fangqi, who was standing nearby, frown, though she didn't say anything to his face.

After Ning Weidong entered the side courtyard, she pulled Wang Zipeng toward the back courtyard, passed through the Moon Gate, and once no one was around, asked, "What were you doing just now? Acting like that toward Ning Weidong. By the way, didn't you say you were going to see Shi Xiaonan? How come you're back in the blink of an eye?"

While placing their bicycle under their window, Wang Zipeng curled his lips and said, "What would a woman like you know? Do you know what Ning Weidong is now? He is a proper Deputy Section Chief."

"Deputy Section Chief!" Qian Fangqi widened her eyes, full of disbelief: "What did you say? Ning Weidong became a Deputy Section Chief!"

Wang Zipeng pulled her into the house and said, "Deputy Section Chief? Let me tell you, it's only because he's young; otherwise, he definitely would have been a full Section Chief this time. You know Li Peihang from the Security Division..."

Qian Fangqi nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.

Wang Zipeng said, "Everything that was originally in Li Peihang's hands has now been given to Ning Weidong. His position as Deputy Section Chief has more power than an average full Section Chief."

Qian Fangqi suddenly understood, yet still felt it was unbelievable: "No, how did all this happen?" ——I have a few thousand words of saved drafts left, so I'm posting them all together to make ten thousand words. Seeking monthly tickets, seeking subscriptions!

(End of this chapter)