Chapter 129: Overseas Chinese Apartment

Ning Weidong's thoughts wandered, and he began to let his imagination run wild.

It took him a long while to collect his thoughts, boil some water, and wash his feet.

He reached out and turned on the radio.

The news broadcast inside had already finished, and now a radio play was airing.

In these past few years, radio programs had changed significantly; the eight model operas that were once the main focus were becoming increasingly rare, while other radio plays, essays, and poems had begun to emerge.

Ning Weidong couldn't say he liked them; after all, he had experienced the information explosion before he transmigrated, and this little bit of content wasn't stimulating enough for him.

It was mostly just to have some noise in the room, otherwise, it would be too desolate.

……

On the other side, at Bai Fengyu's home.

Bai Fengqin held a basin of hot water, placed it on the ground, and said, "Sister, let me wipe your body for you."

Bai Fengyu took off her clothes while asking, "Did you bolt the door?"

Bai Fengqin put the towel into the hot water: "Bolted it~" After finishing, she put down the towel, shook her hands, and went to hang up the curtains.

Just at this moment, she happened to see Ning Wei and Fan Datou coming out of Ning Weidong's room, and upon returning, she asked, "Sister, the eldest brother of the Ning Family really moved away just like that."

Bai Fengyu looked at her leg in a plaster cast, still thinking about how the Ning Weiguo family had moved away, leaving Ning Weidong alone in the courtyard; once her leg healed, she could just sneak over.

Seeing her distracted, Bai Fengqin called out, "Sister~" again.

Bai Fengyu came back to her senses: "What?"

Bai Fengqin pouted, took the towel out of the basin, wrung it twice, and said, "I heard that Brother Ning moved into an Office Building, it has heating in the winter, no need to light a stove, and the building even has a toilet. Is that true?"

In this day and age, having a toilet inside the room was still quite novel; even if some schools built multi-story buildings, they still used dry latrines.

Bai Fengyu said, "How would I know? I heard it is." As she spoke, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "Fengqin, when do you think we will be able to live in a multi-story building too?"

Bai Fengqin said, "Sister, don't worry, once I get into university, I will definitely take you to live in a building."

Bai Fengyu smiled: "Silly girl, by the time you graduate from university and start working, you'll be married and having children; how could you live with me?"

Bai Fengqin's face turned red, and she hurriedly said, "Sister, then I won't get married, I'll stay with you for my whole life."

Bai Fengyu said, "Talking nonsense again..."

Bai Fengqin didn't make another sound; the mention of marriage made Ning Weidong involuntarily appear in her mind.

It wasn't that she still had any lingering thoughts about Ning Weidong, it was just that having grown up from a child to this age, whenever marriage was mentioned, she could only think of Ning Weidong.

Unfortunately, he hadn't taken a fancy to her.

Bai Fengqin couldn't help but pout, holding back a breath in her heart; there were only two months left, and she was determined to give it her all and get into a good university.

Back then, Bai Fengyu had asked Lu Dama to introduce her to Ning Weidong, and Ning Weidong had refused without even thinking.

Later, Bai Fengqin also figured it out; in reality, Ning Weidong just didn't think she could pass the exam.

If he had thought she could get into university, even if Ning Weidong was now a Deputy Section Chief at the Red Star Factory, she would still be a match for him.

She was determined to prove herself and get into a university to show Ning Weidong.

Thinking of this, Bai Fengqin couldn't help but bite her lower lip.

……

The next morning, Ning Weidong sat in his Office, put down the phone, and stood up to walk out.

He had just spoken to Li Peihang on the phone and was preparing to go over there.

Last night, Fan Datou came over and said that Sun Jiacheng might be a Special Agent; this matter was no small thing.

Regardless of whether it was true or a misunderstanding, it definitely had to be reported upward.

Arriving at the door diagonally across, Ning Weidong pushed the door open and entered.

The office that used to belong to Wang Kaifeng had now become Li Peihang's.

"Brother Li~" Ning Weidong entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Li Peihang was beaming; ever since moving into this dream office, Li Peihang could be considered to be in high spirits.

He laughed and said, "Little brother, how is the reading going? Every time I go over, you are holding a Correspondence Education book; you are certainly diligent."

Li Peihang's words were not an exaggeration; ever since Ning Weidong became a Deputy Section Chief, he had put the vast majority of his energy into reading, and Li Peihang was quite happy to see that.

Ning Weidong was busy reading, so naturally, he had no energy to fight him for power.

However, Li Peihang had seen Ning Weidong's ruthlessness, and coupled with his relationship with the Wang Family and the Zhao Family, he didn't dare to provoke him too much.

Ning Weidong saw through his inner conflict clearly, but he wasn't in a hurry; everything would be decided after the Correspondence Education exam.

The two exchanged pleasantries, and Ning Weidong said seriously, "Brother Li, I have a situation here to report to you..."

Blah, blah, blah—Ning Weidong recounted the situation reported by Fan Datou, and at the end, he said, "Brother Li, you know the situation at the Fourth Workshop better than I do. Do you think we should talk to Factory Director Li about it first?"

Li Peihang pondered and nodded slowly: "This situation is indeed very important, but... just based on Fan Datou's one-sided story to say Sun Jiacheng is a Special Agent, I think we should wait a bit longer... Didn't you tell Fan Datou to play along?"

Ning Weidong nodded.

Li Peihang said, "Then let's wait and see."

Ning Weidong didn't insist; he had originally intended this anyway. Today, he came to find Li Peihang just to test the waters, so as to avoid any future situations where he might be accused of knowing and not reporting.

Returning from Li Peihang's side, Ning Weidong went back to his own office, then picked up the phone and dialed: "Hello, Fourth Brother, this is Weidong... Are you free tonight... Alright, see you then."

Ning Weidong hung up the receiver.

Regarding Sun Jiacheng's situation, he definitely had to tell Chu Zhongxin; if Sun Jiacheng really was a Special Agent, Chu Zhongxin must have a share in this credit.

After finishing the call, Ning Weidong continued reading.

He ate lunch with Zhao Ruyi, and afterward, he was dragged to the flower nursery of the factory's Logistics Department to take a look.

Although it was called a flower nursery, it was actually an indoor garden of considerable scale.

Every year for May Day, National Day, the Spring Festival, or other large-scale celebrations, the Red Star Factory not only needed to use a large number of flowers itself but also had to provide a portion to the city.

Especially in this season, many of the various flowers in the nursery were in bloom, looking and smelling wonderful.

However, not just anyone can come here; otherwise, with tens of thousands of people at the venue, if you came to take a look and I came to take a look, it would inevitably end up in a mess.

Returning to the Office after work in the afternoon, Ning Weidong was just about to continue reading when a knock on the door sounded.

Ning Weidong was interrupted and said, "Come in."

Ning Wei pushed the door open from the outside, closed it, and called out, "Third Brother."

Ning Weidong frowned; Ning Wei wouldn't come here for no reason.

Sure enough, Ning Wei said, "Third Brother, Shen Sikui just came to find me."

Ning Weidong didn't recall this person for a moment.

Ning Wei hurriedly reminded him, "The one who used to be by Wang Jingsheng's side."

Ning Weidong then remembered that there was indeed such a person: "Hmm, what's wrong with him?"

Ning Wei said, "Shen Sikui said his cousin, An Ning, wants to see you."

Ning Weidong's expression sank; ever since Wang Jingsheng had his incident, he hadn't been in contact with An Ning for some time.

What was the meaning of this sudden request to see him? Ning Weidong thought for a moment and asked, "Did he say if there was anything the matter?"

Ning Wei replied, "No, he only said it was an important matter and hoped you would have time to go over. This is the address." As he spoke, he took out a slip of paper. Ning Weidong didn't know what medicine An Ning was selling in her gourd, so he picked up the slip of paper and looked at it.

Written on it was an address, which turned out to be the Overseas Chinese Apartment in Garden Village.

Ning Weidong had an impression of this place; it should be the first commercial housing in all of Beijing, built in 1962, sold only to Overseas Chinese, and the layout and environment were not outdated even in the era before Ning Weidong transmigrated.

An Ning had actually moved there! This made Ning Weidong's thoughts spin several times; it was clear that in the more than a month they hadn't met, many changes had occurred on An Ning's side.

Ning Weidong estimated that she must have re-established connections Overseas.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to suddenly move to the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

The houses there couldn't be bought just by having money.

But since An Ning had come to find him again, he wondered what she wanted to do.

Seeing this address, Ning Weidong became a bit more interested and said to Ning Wei, "Go back and tell Shen Sikui that I will go over tonight after dinner."

Ning Wei acknowledged this and immediately retreated.

Ning Weidong then walked to the window to look down.

Before long, Ning Wei's figure exited the Office Building and arrived outside the South Gate.

In the distance, a person was squatting by the curb smoking; seeing Ning Wei come out, he immediately stood up to greet him, presumably Shen Sikui.

Ning Weidong didn't look down anymore and returned behind his desk, pondering what business An Ning could have with him.

There was nothing else to do all afternoon until it was almost time to get off work in the evening, when Zhao Ruyi came up from downstairs; she didn't knock, but pushed the door open directly, poked her head through the crack, and said with a grin, "Still studying hard!"

Ning Weidong raised his head and glanced at her.

Zhao Ruyi then entered and closed the door behind her.

As the weather warmed up, Zhao Ruyi had long since shed her heavy winter clothes; today she was wearing a beige belted trench coat, with flared trousers underneath, and a pair of high heels on her feet, the pant legs covering the heels, making her look even taller.

Ning Weidong also smiled, stood up, walked over, and gave her a peck.

Through their time together, having gained a certain understanding, Ning Weidong felt that Zhao Ruyi's personality was actually quite good.

She didn't have the endless nitpicking of ordinary young women, nor the affectation of "If I don't say it, can't you guess it?"

Zhao Ruyi was straightforward about everything; she spoke her mind, and if she was dissatisfied, she would act directly.

What was even rarer was that when she couldn't win in a fight, she wouldn't whine or complain.

Zhao Ruyi was left dazed by the kiss, her eyes a bit misty, when she suddenly thought of something, lowered her head shyly, and said, "Big Brother and Sister-in-law moved yesterday, why didn't you tell me? I only found out this afternoon."

Ning Weidong smiled and said, "If I told you, would you have gone over to help?"

Zhao Ruyi said righteously, "Of course~ I didn't go yesterday; Sister-in-law won't hold it against me, will she?"

Ning Weidong patted her bottom: "You haven't even married into the family yet~"

Zhao Ruyi added, "Then I'll go over tonight to help you tidy up."

Ning Weidong was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected Zhao Ruyi to have such a considerate side, so he couldn't help but grab her bottom: "Just help me tidy up, nothing else?"

Zhao Ruyi blushed; from the time they met until now, although they had had many intimate contacts, they hadn't crossed the final line.

It wasn't that Zhao Ruyi was strictly guarding it; because the two were in an arranged marriage, the wedding was a certainty, and plus, Zhao Ruyi didn't reject Ning Weidong, so it would just be a matter of time when their feelings reached the right point.

The reason they hadn't taken a step further was mainly due to objective constraints.

This era was not like later generations where one could get a room anytime, anywhere.

This was an era where you even needed an Introduction Letter to stay at a guesthouse.

You didn't need one for the factory guesthouse, but they were all acquaintances there, and it was inevitable that they would be recognized, which made Zhao Ruyi embarrassed.

But now, Ning Weidong lived alone, so he finally had a place.

Unfortunately, Zhao Ruyi came at the wrong time; Ning Weidong said helplessly, "It won't work today; I arranged it with Fourth Brother this morning to go find him tonight for something."

Zhao Ruyi pouted.

Ning Weidong leaned into her ear and gently bit her earlobe: "Don't be impatient; in two days it'll be Sunday, you can come over then."

Zhao Ruyi blushed and stomped her foot indignantly: "Who's impatient? I'm ignoring you!"

Although she said she was ignoring him, she didn't actually leave, and the two lingered for a long time before going downstairs together.

After sending Zhao Ruyi home, Ning Weidong went to the Municipal Bureau guesthouse restaurant.

Chu Zhongxin had come over after getting off work and had already been waiting for a while.

When Ning Weidong arrived, he immediately ordered the dishes.

Don't underestimate the guesthouse restaurant; the chefs here all had backgrounds, and each one had a few signature dishes that were well-known.

More importantly, it was safer here than outside, and there was no need to worry too much about walls having ears.

Inside the small private room, Chu Zhongxin took out a bottle of Fenjiu and said with a smile, "Weidong, let's have a good drink today, brother."

Ning Weidong didn't stand on ceremony either; he took the bottle from Chu Zhongxin's hand and looked at it: "Whoa~ '69 vintage!"

Chu Zhongxin chuckled and said, "For the New Year this year, your sister-in-law stole it from my father-in-law."

Ning Weidong also smiled.

Opening the bottle cap, the two of them each poured a glass cup full.

Before the hot dishes arrived, they used peanuts and a platter of cold cuts to accompany the liquor.

They talked about their recent situations while drinking.

When they took down Wang Kaifeng last time, Red Star Factory was the main battlefield, while Chu Zhongxin's place was the most important secondary battlefield.

Without Chu Zhongxin providing support and containment, Wang Kaifeng would have been released long before the end.

Once Wang Kaifeng came out, it would have added many variables to the final result.

Fortunately, Chu Zhongxin had his own connections; otherwise, he might not have been able to withstand that Division Chief Xu at the time.

The two of them talked while they drank.

After a while, when the three hot dishes were served and the door to the private room was closed, Ning Weidong finally brought up the matter of Sun Jiacheng.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhongxin, who had already been tipsy from drinking three taels of liquor, instantly sobered up by more than half.

Ning Weidong continued, "Fourth Brother, Fan Datou just found me last night. You are an expert in this area; how credible do you think this matter is?"

Chu Zhongxin fell into deep thought, and after a long while, he said, "Since it involves a Special Agent, even if there is only a one percent chance, we must invest one hundred percent of our effort."

After finishing, Chu Zhongxin patted Ning Weidong's shoulder with some excitement: "Weidong, this lead of yours came at the perfect time!"

In reality, Chu Zhongxin's previous help in taking down Wang Kaifeng was not entirely without side effects.

As time passed, the Special Investigation Team he was in charge of regarding Deputy Factory Director Liu had made no progress, and voices of criticism had already emerged.

Chu Zhongxin knew that because he had caused others to lose face before, they would eventually have to make a move.

Otherwise, if everyone followed suit in the future, things would descend into chaos.

Chu Zhongxin could only accept it; if there was no sufficient reason, he would have to abandon this team.

He had not expected that at this moment, Ning Weidong would deliver a new lead.

(End of this chapter)