Chapter 157: The Enclosure

Ning Weidong returned home, and as he reached the front of the Dazayuan, he happened to run into Lu Daye returning from the outhouse.

Ning Weidong had been in quite a good mood the whole way back; although the exam results weren't out yet, he knew in his heart that he had definitely succeeded.

Although the current exams were relatively strict, in terms of difficulty, they were still quite low, and on top of that, Ning Weidong had taken the Correspondence Education exam.

Looking at the result, Ning Weidong's intense studying beforehand had actually been a bit of an overkill.

But that didn't matter; even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, and overkill is always better than a horse stumbling.

"Oh my, Lu Daye, looking at you smiling like a flower, you must have had a satisfying trip to the latrine~" Ning Weidong teased with a smile.

Lu Daye couldn't help but laugh or cry: "You brat, no sense of propriety; looking at you, you must have done quite well on your exam today?"

Ning Weidong didn't show false modesty: "Is it just 'quite well'?"

Lu Daye was taken aback.

Ning Weidong continued: "It was extremely well!"

Lu Daye was caught off guard, pointing a finger at Ning Weidong: "You brat, are you just making fun of your elder?"

Ning Weidong quickly stopped while he was ahead.

As the two talked, they entered the main gate of the Dazayuan, and Lu Daye suddenly remembered: "Right, Weidong, someone came to your house just now."

Ning Weidong was stunned, stopped in his tracks, and asked: "Someone came? Who?"

Lu Daye said: "I hadn't seen her before; she was a woman, and quite stylish."

Ning Weidong found it strange; he thought of An Ning the moment he heard "woman" and "stylish."

But Lu Daye had met An Ning before, so he shouldn't have said he hadn't seen her.

Ning Weidong nodded and, filled with curiosity, walked through the Moon Gate.

Lu Daye took a glance, then turned and headed back to his own home.

But the moment he stepped inside, he saw Lu Dama by the window, and as soon as he entered, she asked: "Hey, old man, I heard you talking to Ning Weidong just now; is he back?"

Lu Daye nodded and closed the door behind him.

Lu Dama looked gossipy and whispered: "Hey, the woman who came earlier was looking for Ning Weidong, right~"

Lu Daye said: "Why ask me? You saw her too."

Lu Dama clicked her tongue and said: "You tell me, it's unbelievable; ever since this Ning boy became a Section Chief, my goodness... one after another, pretty women are all throwing themselves at him."

Lu Daye didn't say anything.

Lu Dama tugged at him and pressed on: "If this keeps up, I think this Ning boy is going to get into trouble sooner or later."

Before she could finish, Lu Daye glared at her fiercely: "What nonsense are you spouting~"

Lu Dama was startled and said with a hint of grievance: "It's not just me saying it; the Wang family and the Zheng family are all saying the same."

Lu Daye frowned: "They're blathering, and you're just following along? If that reaches their ears, they might not say anything to your face, but they'll hold a grudge against us in their hearts."

Lu Dama was unconvinced and whispered: "Can you blame us for talking? It's his own lack of discipline; with one woman after another around him, ever since he was promoted to Deputy Section Chief, he's been showing off too much, and the women around him..."

Before she could finish, Lu Daye was truly angry and said in a low voice: "Still talking! Can't you stop?"

This made Lu Dama shrink her neck in fear, and she finally pursed her lips and fell silent.

Lu Daye said: "How many times have I told you, disaster comes from the mouth, disaster comes from the mouth! Why don't you ever learn?"

Lu Dama was still unconvinced: "We weren't lying."

Lu Daye said: "If it were a lie, it wouldn't matter, don't you understand? What I fear is that you old gossips might actually be right."

Lu Dama was stunned, only then realizing what he meant.

On the other side, Ning Weidong returned to the East Cross Courtyard and scanned the area, but saw no one waiting outside his house.

He wondered to himself if they had left while Lu Daye was at the outhouse; Ning Weidong pondered who could be looking for him while he put his bicycle away, preparing to go inside.

Just then, Bai Fengyu from the neighboring Bai family came out of her room and called out: "Weidong, you have a guest."

Ning Weidong turned his head and saw a woman following behind Bai Fengyu.

The woman had long, wavy hair, which was quite eye-catching in this era, and she was wearing a belted trench coat with brown lace-up high heels.

Ning Weidong narrowed his eyes and recognized the woman instantly; it was Jiang Liya from the Logistics Department.

In the Red Star Factory's Logistics Department, there were two most famous women: one was Gao Yanmei, the daughter-in-law of Factory Director Li Weibing, and the other was Jiang Liya.

Jiang Liya was considered one of Vice Factory Director Wang's people, and many in the factory rumored that Jiang Liya had an improper relationship with Wang Guoqiang, though there was never any solid proof.

Ning Weidong hadn't expected her to come.

By all accounts, Ning Weidong had no interaction with this woman at the factory and had barely spoken to her a few times.

To have her show up at his home today, what did this mean? Although he was puzzled, Ning Weidong was very enthusiastic on the surface: "Oh my, Sister Jiang! You are truly a rare guest."

Jiang Liya walked up to Ning Weidong with a smile and said softly: "Listening to Comrade Ning, it seems you aren't very welcoming to an uninvited guest like me~"

Jiang Liya spoke with a slight southern accent; she wasn't a local of Beijing but had come from Shanghai. She wasn't tall, barely 1.6 meters, and even in high heels, she looked quite petite in front of Ning Weidong.

Ning Weidong quickly waved his hands: "I wouldn't dare; your arrival makes my home shine with brilliance!"

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Bai Fengyu, who was standing by, interjected: "Weidong, you probably don't know yet~ Sister Jiang's daughter is a classmate of Fengqin's at the same school!"

Ning Weidong was stunned; he had long known Jiang Liya had a daughter in high school, but he hadn't expected her to be at the same school as Bai Fengqin.

He put on a surprised expression: "Really? Sister Jiang, your daughter is in high school? I can't tell, I really can't tell!"

Jiang Liya smiled, knowing Ning Weidong was complimenting her on looking young.

This was also what she was most proud of.

This era was not like the future, where people in their thirties were still considered "babies."

In this day and age, in some rural areas where people married early, there were plenty of thirty-five or thirty-six-year-old grandparents.

Jiang Liya was thirty-five this year, so it was normal for her daughter to be in her first year of high school, but it was truly rare for someone to maintain such a youthful appearance.

Even Bai Fengyu, who was pretty and young herself, was far behind Jiang Liya in terms of dress and style.

After learning Jiang Liya's true age, Bai Fengyu did not feel that Ning Weidong could have any improper relationship with Jiang Liya; after all, the age gap was too large.

Ushering Jiang Liya into the room, Ning Weidong smiled and said, "My home is humble, please don't mind, Section Chief Jiang."

Jiang Liya was the Office Director of the Logistics Department.

Jiang Liya said, "I cannot agree with that; it makes it sound as if I have become detached from the masses."

While pouring water, Ning Weidong apologized, "Look at this mouth of mine."

Jiang Liya looked around and suddenly asked, "I heard you are seeing Zhao Ruyi from the Factory Office and are already preparing to get married?"

Ning Weidong gave a sound of acknowledgement, not knowing what medicine Jiang Liya was selling in her gourd. Jiang Liya said, "I am still aware of Zhao Ruyi's situation..."

Ning Weidong frowned slightly.

Jiang Liya clearly had more to say but didn't finish her sentence, instead shifting the topic directly: "By the way, I heard you went to take a Correspondence Education exam today; how did you do?"

Ning Weidong was not surprised; his participation in the Correspondence Education exam was no secret, and it would not be difficult for Jiang Liya to find out.

He responded with a smile, "It went alright; it's just a Correspondence Secondary Specialized School, not worth mentioning."

Jiang Liya smiled, naturally crossing her legs, and said, "How could that be? If it were someone else, a Correspondence Secondary Specialized School would naturally count for nothing, but you, Deputy Section Chief Ning Weidong, are different."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow, vaguely guessing the other party's intent.

Jiang Liya continued, "With this Secondary Specialized School Diploma, you can obtain Cadre Status and no longer need to be a Worker-turned-Cadre. With this Secondary Specialized School Diploma, it shouldn't be long before you, as a Deputy Section Chief, are confirmed in your position, am I right?"

Ning Weidong smiled calmly, picked up the water he had just poured, and took a sip: "Section Chief Jiang, you might as well speak plainly about your purpose."

Jiang Liya said unhurriedly, "Then I won't beat around the bush. I heard that Zhao Ruyi plans to transfer away..."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow; he hadn't expected Jiang Liya to be aiming for this.

Previously, he had discussed with Zhao Ruyi that she should leave the Red Star Factory and set up a separate Trade Company, initially affiliated under the Mechanical Bureau.

He hadn't expected this woman, Jiang Liya, to be so sharp.

Or perhaps it wasn't Jiang Liya who was sharp, but Wang Guoqiang behind her, who had captured the information contained within.

Ning Weidong did not deny it: "Ruyi does want to transfer; her personality isn't really suited for working in the factory anyway."

Jiang Liya smiled: "Section Chief Ning, what are you saying? There is no such thing as 'not suited'; I'm afraid Comrade Zhao is going out to make a fortune this time."

"Oh?" Ning Weidong gave a half-smile: "How do you mean?"

Jiang Liya said, "Do you really need me to spell it out? Dealing in Approval Documents is hardly a secret now."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow: "What, is Section Chief Jiang interested?"

Jiang Liya waved her hand and said, "I don't have that qualification."

Ning Weidong's expression turned serious: "So you mean Section Chief Jiang is here representing Factory Manager Wang?"

Jiang Liya smiled and nodded: "I wonder if there is such an opportunity?"

Ning Weidong fell silent, unable to grasp what Wang Guoqiang meant.

Theoretically, since Wang Kaifeng was arrested last time, the two sides had become enemies.

Although Wang Kaifeng didn't die in the end, he still had to spend over a decade in the Northwest.

More importantly, this move by Ning Weidong had directly disrupted Wang Guoqiang's layout, causing the situation he had painstakingly built for years to be destroyed in one fell swoop.

He had been forced to lie low in the factory and was suppressed by Li Weibing.

Now, Jiang Liya had come to find Ning Weidong to say that the two sides could cooperate.

Ning Weidong said: "This isn't a question of opportunity or not; doesn't Factory Manager Wang hate me?"

Jiang Liya said indifferently: "Hate? Why should he hate you? Are you talking about Wang Kaifeng? That was because his skills were inferior to others; he lost, so he lost—what is there to hate? Besides, one thing is one thing, another is another; that was inside the factory, this is outside the factory—how can they be the same?"

"Are they not the same?" Ning Weidong asked back.

Jiang Liya said: "Whether they are the same or not depends on how Section Chief Ning thinks about it—whether you want one more friend or to solidify an enemy. As the old saying goes, more friends mean more paths, more enemies mean more walls, don't you think?"

Ning Weidong was silent.

Jiang Liya added: "Besides, times are different now; what the situation was then, and what it is now. You are now the son-in-law of the Zhao Family, and you have connections with the Wang Family..."

Ning Weidong still didn't respond; to say that Wang Guoqiang didn't hate him at all would be impossible.

After all, Wang Kaifeng was Wang Guoqiang's nephew, and a great situation had been ruined by Ning Weidong.

But Jiang Liya was not wrong about one thing: times had changed.

Given his current status, from Wang Guoqiang's perspective, he certainly wouldn't want to become a mortal enemy with him.

That would benefit neither side.

It was just that the other party had suddenly proposed participating in the trade of Approval Documents, and it was hard to say what their true intentions were.

Ning Weidong thought for a moment and said: "Section Chief Jiang, allow me to consider this matter. Moreover, since you mentioned Approval Documents, you must have some understanding of them..."

Ning Weidong concluded that Jiang Liya must also be doing this in secret.

Just looking at the outfit she was wearing, the clothes, the watch, and the jewelry—none of these were things an ordinary person could afford.

What is called fashionable, what is called knowing how to dress? That is all piled up with money.

Where does the money come from? Ning Weidong continued: "This matter isn't something I can decide alone. With Factory Manager Wang's situation, I can't make the call; I have to ask my elders first. Besides, this isn't just our family's business..."

Jiang Liya was stunned; she clearly hadn't known this beforehand.

Ning Weidong observed her reaction and couldn't help but smile inwardly, then continued: "To tell you the truth, our Ruyi has a good sister, surnamed Li, named Li Kangmei, and her younger brother Li Yuanchao, who are partners with us."

Jiang Liya frowned slightly; she was not a child of the high-ranking compounds and was not in that circle, so she didn't know the background of the Li siblings.

But since they were good sisters with Zhao Ruyi, they certainly couldn't have an ordinary background.

Now the matter had become even more complicated.

And this was the reason why Ning Weidong had insisted on finding partners when he first decided to deal in Approval Documents.

Even without the Li siblings, Ning Weidong would have found a way to cooperate with others through Zhao Ruyi's connections.

It was precisely to raise the fence and increase the cost for anyone wanting to cause trouble in the dark.

If it were only the Wang Family and the Zhao Family, although they had some deterrent power, to be honest, within Beijing, there were plenty of people who could afford the price of offending both the Wang Family and the Zhao Family at the same time.

But adding the Li Family to the mix was equivalent to placing a heavy weight on the scales.

In terms of strength and status, the Li Family was a notch above both the Wang Family and the Zhao Family; once Ning Weidong and Ruyi's interests were tied to the Li siblings—sharing in their glory and their losses—anyone thinking of making an issue out of this would have to carefully weigh the gains and losses.

Correspondingly, the Li Family needed the support of the Wang Family and the Zhao Family in the industrial sector.

There is also a common saying: a magistrate is no match for the official in charge on the spot.

……

Half an hour later, Jiang Liya came out of Ning Weidong's room, turned around, and said, "Comrade Ning, no need to see me out~"

Ning Weidong chuckled and said, "I'll walk you to the outside."

Jiang Liya did not insist, and the two walked all the way to the gate of the Dazayuan, where Ning Weidong stepped down the stairs and said, "Director Jiang, walk slowly."

Jiang Liya nodded, turned, and walked out along the alley, her high heels making a rhythmic "clack-clack" sound on the concrete ground.

Ning Weidong watched her graceful figure depart, unable to help but lower his eyes, his expression grave.

(End of this chapter)