Chapter 159: Section Chief Zhang, Manager Wang

Bai Fengyu's home.

Bai Fengyu came out of Ning Weidong's home, didn't notice that Bai Fengqin hadn't followed her out, and walked quickly back home.

A woman in her thirties was standing at her doorway.

Bai Fengyu immediately called out, "Liu Jie~" and ushered the person into the room.

Once they sat down in the room, before Bai Fengyu could go pour water, Liu Jie asked, "Xiao Bai, that matter I spoke to you about yesterday, how have you considered it?"

Bai Fengyu's movements paused: "Liu Jie, please let me think about it some more. You know the situation in our family; back then... sigh~ all the savings in the family were gone..."

Liu Jie nodded along, sighed, and said, "Xiao Bai, I know you have your difficulties, but this opportunity is truly rare. If you can get a permanent position, you'll earn at least twenty-some yuan more a month. The five hundred yuan will be earned back in less than two years. The opportunity is too rare; I'm afraid you'll regret it if you miss it."

Bai Fengyu was silent. She had just mentioned this matter to Ning Weidong earlier, but she hadn't mentioned the money.

She was terrified that Ning Weidong would mistakenly think she wanted money.

Ning Weidong had already been able to help her get this job at the Neighborhood Committee, and she was already very content; if she were to ask Ning Weidong for money again, what would that make her?

This wasn't Bai Fengyu trying to act holier-than-thou.

Back when she asked the original owner for money, the two of them hadn't gotten into bed yet, and her mindset was different.

At that time, it was borrowing money based on ability.

After a moment of silence, Bai Fengyu said, "Liu Jie, I know you mean well. Please let me consider this matter some more. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will definitely give you a definite answer."

Liu Jie nodded, sighed, and said, "Sister knows that for a woman, life isn't easy without a man. People, you know~ once you reach this point, you have to think more for yourself."

Bai Fengyu agreed, and after chatting about a few more idle topics, Liu Jie got up to leave.

Bai Fengyu saw her out to the courtyard gate, watched her back fade into the distance, and her expression suddenly sank. She spat lightly on the ground and cursed in a low voice, "That old shameless woman, pimping all the way to my doorstep!"

If she had only been suspicious before, then with Liu Jie coming over tonight, the meaning between the lines was too obvious.

Especially since she mentioned Section Chief Zhang again and again.

Even if she were slow-witted, she would have understood.

This Liu Jie was a lobbyist for Section Chief Zhang, and what was even more infuriating was that this Section Chief Zhang not only wanted the person, but also planned to squeeze five hundred yuan out of Bai Fengyu.

This guy was simply shameless! More importantly, according to Ning Weidong, it seemed this Section Chief Zhang was someone who didn't really handle things.

Whether it could actually be accomplished was still up in the air.

The worst-case scenario was that he took all the advantages, and in the end, the matter of the permanent position still wasn't accomplished.

Thinking of that possibility, Bai Fengyu couldn't help but frown.

Originally, Ning Weidong had just said he would call Zhang Dajun tomorrow to ask about the situation with this Section Chief from the Street Office.

Bai Fengyu had originally wanted to wait, but now it seemed that wouldn't do; she had to tell Ning Weidong tonight.

Thinking as she walked back to the side courtyard, she saw Bai Fengqin coming out of the room with her schoolbag before she had even entered.

Bai Fengyu was stunned: "Leaving so early?"

It had been decided long ago that Bai Fengyu would go stay at her classmate's house tonight; Bai Fengyu just felt it was a bit early.

Bai Fengqin said "Mm," her eyes somewhat meaningful.

She knew the relationship between her cousin and Ning Weidong, and thinking that she wouldn't be there tonight and Bai Fengyu would go to Ning Weidong's room, Bai Fengyu felt her cheeks burning.

She was still an innocent girl, only having a half-understanding of that business between men and women; besides shyness, there were infinite fantasies.

Unfortunately, those things were all too far away from her now.

"Sister, I'm leaving." Bai Fengqin gripped her schoolbag straps with both hands and walked out with her head down.

Bai Fengyu felt she was a bit strange, but she just assumed it was because the college entrance exam was coming up and the study pressure was high, so she didn't think much of it.

She turned and waited until past nine, nearly ten o'clock.

By this time, most families in the courtyard had turned off their lights.

The night was dark, and Bai Fengyu came out of her room, pretending to be nonchalant as she walked quickly toward Ning Weidong's home.

She reached out and pressed the door; sure enough, it had been left unlatched.

She went in, closed it behind her, and slid the bolt into place.

The inner room was still lit, and Bai Fengyu walked in quickly, familiar with the path...

A long time later, everything calmed down.

Bai Fengyu felt a bit of a toothache.

Just now, in order to suppress her voice, she had bitten down hard on the corner of the quilt, soaking it completely.

In this era, although this kind of thing was the main recreational activity for men and women at night, because of housing conditions, the soundproofing was often very poor; sometimes there was only a layer of wood between two families.

Whatever movement was happening next door could be heard clearly.

This was often very embarrassing.

Especially when doing that kind of thing, once the sound was too loud, it might end up with the whole courtyard knowing.

Bai Fengyu took a while to catch her breath and regain her senses.

Yet she discovered that Ning Weidong was still playing with the balls.

She could feel that Ning Weidong was very fond of these two things of hers, and she said in a low voice, "Still not enough touching?"

Ning Weidong fiddled with them and said, "How could this ever be enough~"

Bai Fengyu squinted her eyes lazily, and after a while, she gathered her spirits and said, "Weidong, there's a matter..."

Hearing Bai Fengyu recount the situation with Liu Jie's visit just now, Ning Weidong couldn't help but frown.

It had to be said, Bai Fengyu bringing this up at this time was a real mood-killer.

But Ning Weidong also understood that the reality of the situation meant Bai Fengyu couldn't wait.

And what was truly unlucky was that Section Chief Zhang.

Damn it, even if he didn't have eyes, did he not have a brain? Regardless of whether it's the Neighborhood Committee or the Street Office, for someone of Bai Fengyu's age who is also extremely beautiful, which one has simple connections? You damn well better figure out what's going on before you dare to make a move.

Blinded by lust, ignoring everything else? A flash of ferocity crossed Ning Weidong's eyes, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Go to work as usual tomorrow; don't worry about this matter."

Upon hearing this, Bai Fengyu felt a weight lift from her heart and nuzzled her body into Ning Weidong's embrace.

This was exactly the feeling; no matter what situation she encountered, as long as she spoke to her man, even a burden weighing a thousand catties could be handed over.

When she married Ma Liang, she never had this feeling; it wasn't until these past six months, after being with Ning Weidong, that she finally experienced this sense of having someone to rely on.

It was truly wonderful!

Thinking of this, Bai Fengyu's hand couldn't help but grope downward.

Before long, the second half began.

……

On the other side, Liu Jie exited the alleyway, headed south, walked past two streets, and arrived at a courtyard.

This small courtyard facing the street was originally the back-row house of the fourth section of the Dazayuan next door.

It used to house three families, but now Section Chief Zhang had managed to get his hands on it by any means necessary, directly sealing the Moon Gate that connected to the front, opening a small door on the side, and making it a private, independent courtyard.

Liu Jie walked over and knocked on the door a few times.

A teenager of sixteen or seventeen came out from inside to answer the door, and upon seeing Liu Jie, called out, "Third Aunt."

Liu Jie asked, "Is your dad home?"

She looked inside as she asked. Because it was a back-row house, the courtyard wasn't square but a long strip, facing five North Rooms.

Although it didn't look as imposing as a standard Siheyuan, having this courtyard was considered quite impressive, whether in the present day or in the era before Ning Weidong transmigrated.

The teenager turned his head and called out, "Dad, Third Aunt is here~"

After finishing, he let Liu Jie inside.

A middle-aged man in his forties came out from the middle room; it was none other than Section Chief Zhang from the Street Office.

Seeing Liu Jie, his face immediately beamed with joy: "Third Sister-in-law, did you just get back from there?"

Liu Jie nodded and followed him into the room.

The furnishings and furniture in Section Chief Zhang's home were quite good for this era, and he had all the electrical appliances one would expect.

Section Chief Zhang enthusiastically poured water and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, how did it go?"

Liu Jie smiled and said, "I think it's about right. I've hinted at everything that needed to be said. She's a smart person and should be able to understand."

Section Chief Zhang nodded, sat down, let out a long breath, and chuckled: "Third Sister-in-law, this time I owe it all to you. How can I ever thank you?"

Liu Jie said, "We're all family, why talk about thanks?"

Section Chief Zhang waved his hand: "One thing is one thing; I definitely have to thank you, I definitely have to."

Liu Jie felt some misgivings in her heart, and after hesitating several times, she still asked, "I heard that when she first came to the Neighborhood Committee, it was through connections at the Police Station. I'm just afraid..."

Section Chief Zhang waved his hand and said, "You mean Zhang Dajun from the Police Station? I've already inquired. The one surnamed Bai has no relatives with Zhang Dajun; it's just a matter of people relying on other people. It's fine~"

Liu Jie felt a weight lift from her heart.

People at the Police Station were not to be trifled with.

If something were to go wrong, regardless of whether Section Chief Zhang was afraid or not, she would definitely be implicated.

At this moment, Section Chief Zhang added: "By the way, that opera singer you mentioned last time, what was that woman's name again?"

Liu Jie hurriedly said, "You mean Shi Xiaonan, right~"

Section Chief Zhang said, "Right, that's Shi Xiaonan. How is her divorce going?"

Liu Jie said, "According to your instructions, I'm still holding it up, keeping it in mediation~"

Section Chief Zhang nodded: "You must keep a close eye on it for me."

Liu Jie nodded, but she felt puzzled in her heart. She had originally thought Section Chief Zhang had his eyes on Shi Xiaonan, but she hadn't expected him to turn around and go after Bai Fengyu.

Actually, strictly speaking, it wasn't a big deal. After all, Section Chief Zhang's wife had died of illness a few years ago, he had an eldest daughter living elsewhere, and he was raising a son alone; it was reasonable for him to look for a new wife.

It was just that setting his sights on two women at once was a bit hard to justify.

What she couldn't figure out even more was that with Section Chief Zhang's conditions, no matter who he liked, he could just go to them directly; why go through all this trouble?

However, Liu Jie only thought about it in her heart; whether it was right or wrong, she couldn't be bothered to think too much about it.

After leaving Section Chief Zhang's house, Liu Jie couldn't help but look back.

She didn't want to go against her conscience, but her eldest and second child had returned from the countryside with no jobs in sight, and the only person who could help with that was Section Chief Zhang.

After Liu Jie left, Section Chief Zhang also came out of his house shortly after, rode his bicycle along Fuchengmen Street to the west, and went straight to a gray three-story building left over from before the Liberation.

He parked his bicycle under the sign for the 'Erqing Lushe'.

Section Chief Zhang walked inside. A woman in her thirties was standing behind the counter. Seeing Section Chief Zhang walk in and head straight for the back, she couldn't help but frown and call out, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

Section Chief Zhang paused for a step and said irritably, "Are you new here? I'm looking for Manager Wang."

The woman was indeed new.

Although the manager of a State-owned hostel wasn't a high-ranking official, he was her immediate superior, and coupled with the man's imposing manner, he clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Section Chief Zhang went up the terrazzo stairs.

Seeing him go upstairs, the woman pursed her lips and gave a soft "Tch."

On the third floor, at the Office at the end of the hall, Section Chief Zhang knocked on the door and shouted, "Old Wang, I'm coming in~"

A voice responded from inside.

Section Chief Zhang pushed the door open and entered.

By rights, it was long past closing time.

However, this Manager Wang of the hostel really treated his workplace as his home; the Office included a suite.

The radio in the room was playing the news, and a middle-aged man in his forties was sitting by the sofa soaking his feet.

Looking into the suite, the bedding on the bed was already laid out; it looked like he was about to lie down after washing his feet.

Manager Wang asked in surprise, "Why are you here at this hour?"

Section Chief Zhang said, "Is it inconvenient for you?"

Manager Wang said with some impatience, "Alright, talk about your business."

Section Chief Zhang said, "That woman from last time is about to take the bait."

Manager Wang raised his eyebrows, his interest piqued: "So fast? Given that woman's personality, that shouldn't be the case~"

Section Chief Zhang said, "It's not the one who performs opera; that dame still needs more time to break in. It's the one from the Neighborhood Committee with the surname Bai."

Manager Wang immediately frowned and let out a "Hmm" that was clearly filled with disappointment.

Section Chief Zhang asked in confusion, "Why not, Old Wang? This one surnamed Bai is even prettier than Shi Xiaonan, so why are you..."

Manager Wang said, "It's not a question of whether she's pretty or not. Division Chief Liu of the Mechanical Bureau just happens to like Peking Opera. I've scouted several, and Shi Xiaonan is the most suitable."

Section Chief Zhang didn't know what to say and managed a dry laugh: "Well~ it might still take some time on Shi Xiaonan's end. That woman is very hard to handle, and she has some professional training. If you want to force her to listen, it's going to take some effort."

Manager Wang snorted coldly, "What's so hard to handle about her? It's just that you lot are unwilling to spend money."

Section Chief Zhang choked on his words.

Manager Wang said, "Don't think I don't know how much was given from that side and how much you actually spent."

Section Chief Zhang hurriedly tried to explain.

Manager Wang cut him off and continued, "Money is a good thing; everyone likes it. But some money must be spent when it needs to be. If you get the job done, everything is easy to discuss. If you mess it up... hmph, don't blame me for not warning you."

Section Chief Zhang swallowed hard and kept nodding in agreement.

Manager Wang continued, "For an opera singer, what she seeks is nothing more than fame and fortune. If she wants fortune, give her the money she's owed; if she wants fame, I recall there's a Peking Opera performance in Hong Kong coming up in a while. Give her a spot, and I don't believe she won't be tempted."

Section Chief Zhang's mouth twitched, and he was already cursing in his heart.

Damn you, it's easy for you to talk while standing there; it's all about giving money and giving fame.

Money is one thing, but damn it, a performance spot in Hong Kong—do you know how many resources that takes? You just flap your lips and give one away; you make it sound so easy.

Manager Wang roughly guessed what he was thinking and hummed lightly, "Don't be unconvinced. As long as the job is done, money is not a problem."

As he spoke, he reached out, took an envelope from a small drawer in the low cabinet beside him, and tossed it to Section Chief Zhang: "I was going to give it to you when you came the day after tomorrow, but since you're here today, there's no need to wait."

Section Chief Zhang's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly caught it with both hands.

He squeezed it with his hand and felt a thick stack inside. He opened the envelope to look, and it was all green US dollars.

Each bill was ten dollars, and judging by the thickness, there were at least two or three thousand.

At the exchange rate, that was six or seven thousand yuan.

If it were on the black market, it could probably be exchanged for over ten thousand yuan! (End of chapter)