Chapter 160: Sincerity

Watching the ugly expression on Section Chief Zhang's face as he took the money, Manager Wang narrowed his eyes, a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth.

He said in a deep voice, "Once you've taken the money, you must get the job done. Get that opera singer taken care of for me as soon as possible. As for the rest, don't drag it out either, otherwise, this money won't be so easy to keep~"

Section Chief Zhang shuddered, hearing the threat in Manager Wang's tone. His expression stiffened for a moment, and he hurriedly said, "I understand, I understand~"

Manager Wang let out a "humph" and continued, "I'll give you one month at most. There is a tea party at the Mechanical Bureau in July; I want her to appear in front of Division Chief Liu."

Section Chief Zhang did not haggle this time; after all, having just taken the money, he had to show the right attitude, or else it wouldn't be easy to get money next time.

After a round of assurances, he left the hostel.

Section Chief Zhang walked downstairs while stroking the envelope tucked into his inner jacket pocket.

That feeling made him exceptionally at ease.

But once he reached the outside of the hostel, the early summer evening breeze blew, clearing his head, and he frowned again.

Although Manager Wang had spoken lightly just now—offering money for money, fame for fame—the actual execution was far from that simple.

Not to mention anything else, just the quota for the performance in Hong Kong was not easy to secure.

……

The next day, Ning Weidong arrived at his unit.

Bai Fengyu had mentioned this to him yesterday; he still had to pay attention to such matters, as she was his woman after all.

Upon arriving at the office in the morning, Ning Weidong called Zhang Dajun: "Hello, Zhang, help me check on the situation with that Section Chief Zhang from the Street Office."

On the other end of the line, Zhang Dajun was confused—what Section Chief Zhang from the Street Office? Once he understood the situation, he felt as if he had swallowed a fly.

Everyone at the Neighborhood Committee knew that Bai Fengyu had been sent there by him. Now this man surnamed Zhang hadn't made a sound or offered a greeting, yet he wanted to reach out his hand; this was clearly not taking him, Zhang Dajun, seriously!

He hurriedly promised that he would definitely handle this matter well.

Hanging up the phone, Zhang Dajun's face was gloomy.

Although Ning Weidong had never told him about his relationship with Bai Fengyu, Bai Fengyu's appearance and figure were right there—wasn't it as obvious as a louse on a monk's head? Otherwise, why would Ning Weidong not help others but specifically help Bai Fengyu? This made Zhang Dajun feel quite uncomfortable.

A leader entrusting such a matter to you is a sign of trust, yet look at the result! The more Zhang Dajun thought about it, the angrier he became; it was simply outrageous! Although they shared the same surname, Zhang Dajun had no relation to Section Chief Zhang, and the two could not even be considered acquaintances.

Ever since he heard Ning Weidong say personally that he would transfer him to the Sub-bureau, Zhang Dajun had made up his mind to follow Ning Weidong for the rest of his life.

Never mind a Section Chief, even if it were a Division Chief, as long as Ning Weidong gave the order, Zhang Dajun would dare to charge up and take a bite.

……

As for Ning Weidong, having handed the matter to Zhang Dajun, he didn't spend any more thought on it.

Ning Weidong had more important things to do; in the end, those matters between men and women were just a diversion, and there were countless more important things waiting for him.

After finishing the call with Zhang Dajun, Ning Weidong did not put the receiver down; after disconnecting, he dialed an extension to call Zhao Ruyi over.

A moment later, Zhao Ruyi arrived at the office.

Ning Weidong recounted the situation regarding Jiang Liya's visit yesterday.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruyi immediately frowned and said, "What do they mean by this?"

Zhao Ruyi was not stupid; of course, she understood who Jiang Liya represented.

Ning Weidong said, "It's hard to say yet. For now, it seems they want to reconcile."

Zhao Ruyi said, "Reconcile? Is that possible?"

She knew the role Ning Weidong had played in the incident that brought down Wang Kaifeng.

Ning Weidong said indifferently, "Nothing is impossible; in any case, it's all an expedient measure."

Zhao Ruyi said solemnly, "Then what should we do?"

Ning Weidong pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "No matter what scheme they are plotting, we must keep our own heads clear. The progress of the Trade Company must be accelerated, and the cooperation with the Li Family siblings must also be tightened."

Zhao Ruyi nodded: "I know."

Ning Weidong gave an "um" and asked again, "By the way, when we met with the eldest brother and sister-in-law last time, did they say anything to you afterward?"

Zhao Ruyi said, "That they didn't, but I think the sister-in-law most likely doesn't want to go to the Americas Department this time."

Ning Weidong was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ruyi explained, "You don't know, my sister-in-law lived at her uncle's house since she was a child, and her uncle was the very person assassinated by America."

Ning Weidong suddenly understood; he hadn't known about that grievance.

If that were the case, it was actually a good outcome for Ning Weidong.

Speaking of this, Zhao Ruyi suddenly said, "By the way, when I went back last night, my eldest cousin from Heilongjiang Province called on a long-distance line."

"What happened?" Ning Weidong asked in surprise; based on the previous situation, this matter should have mostly come to an end.

A sudden call from Heilongjiang Province likely meant a new situation had arisen.

Sure enough, Zhao Ruyi said, "They said that Liu Guangzhi's wife, that is, Natasha, had a sudden case of myocarditis..."

Ning Weidong shuddered and blurted out, "Is she gone?"

Zhao Ruyi hurriedly shook her head: "Not at all. They managed to save her; she's already been sent to the hospital and is temporarily out of danger."

Ning Weidong breathed a sigh of relief. He had originally wanted to make an issue out of Natasha; if she had really died, all his work would have been in vain.

But then again, if an ordinary person had contracted such an acute illness, it would likely have been dire.

That Natasha could be saved this time, besides luck, was likely also due to someone having just inquired about her situation a while ago.

Zhao Ruyi's aunt's husband was the very superior of the farm; the people below didn't know the inside story, so hearing that Natasha was ill, they certainly rescued her actively. And Ning Weidong immediately understood the meaning behind the call from Heilongjiang Province.

Natasha's illness this time was an opportunity.

Previously, Zhao Ruyi had mentioned wanting to transfer Liu Yun's eldest brother's family back to Beijing, but her eldest cousin hadn't supported it, mainly for fear of inviting trouble.

After all, Natasha's status was quite special; in some matters, one doesn't fear the ten thousand, one fears the "what if."

But after Natasha fell ill this time, the situation had a new change.

They could completely use the excuse of seeking medical treatment in Beijing to get them back first; as for the rest, they could talk about it slowly.

In that case, there would be nothing to criticize in principle.

Furthermore, everything is done according to formal procedures, so even if someone wants to make an issue of it, they won't be able to find any faults or omissions.

Sure enough, after Zhao Ruyi finished explaining the situation, it was much as Ning Weidong had expected.

Ning Weidong thought for a moment and said, "That could work too."

Zhao Ruyi said, "Then I'll contact them, but after returning, how should we settle..."

Ning Weidong said, "That's easy to handle. Isn't your place opening for business soon? Just put Liu Yun's brother there first and see what he can do. If it really doesn't work out, just arrange for him to be a doorman and support him for now."

"Okay, I understand." Zhao Ruyi nodded and added, "By the way, I heard this morning that Division Chief Lin from our Manager's Labor and Personnel Department is going to be transferred to Shanghai. It's estimated that a house will become vacant; should we try to find a way to get it?"

Ning Weidong hadn't heard this news: "Who did you hear that from?"

Zhao Ruyi said, "Sister Zhang from our Office; her husband is in the Personnel Department."

Ning Weidong suddenly understood; she probably wanted to do Zhao Ruyi a favor, knowing that Ning Weidong was going to marry Zhao Ruyi, and passed the news along in advance.

If they had that intention, and they managed to secure this house, they would definitely owe Sister Zhang a favor.

Ning Weidong said, "What do you think?"

Zhao Ruyi actually had her own thoughts; she really didn't want to move into a Dazayuan with complicated interpersonal relationships.

Even though she knew in her heart that even if she married into it, she wouldn't stay there for too long, she just didn't want to go.

However, Zhao Ruyi couldn't show this kind of thinking; it would be bad if Ning Weidong misunderstood.

Zhao Ruyi said, "I'll listen to everything you say."

Ning Weidong smiled: "Listen to me, let's not act rashly. Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence that just as we are about to get married, the Manager has an extra Cadre building apartment?"

Zhao Ruyi said solemnly, "Do you think there's something fishy going on?"

Ning Weidong said, "One must always be on guard against others. Besides, do you think we are lacking a house?"

Zhao Ruyi thought of that Siheyuan, and in her heart, she agreed with Ning Weidong's words.

……

After Zhao Ruyi left, Ning Weidong couldn't help but ponder.

His words just now were not without cause.

Wang Guoqiang had just had Jiang Liya come to communicate, and then a house became available at the Manager; is it really such a coincidence?

Ning Weidong suspected that this house was very likely a 'gesture of sincerity' from Wang Guoqiang's side.

He wasn't sure yet, but there was no need to guess wildly; if this was truly the case, the other party would have follow-up actions soon.

Sure enough, before lunch, Zhao Ruyi ran over again: "You guessed right! Jiang Liya just looked for me..."

Ning Weidong understood: "What did she say?"

Zhao Ruyi said, "What else could she say? She just talked about that house~ and asked if I wanted it."

Ning Weidong said, "What did you say?"

Zhao Ruyi said, "I said I would discuss it with you."

Ning Weidong smiled: "Give her an answer this afternoon; we don't want that house."

……

In the afternoon, at Wang Guoqiang's Office.

Jiang Liya said Zhao Ruyi's reply with a gloomy expression.

Wang Guoqiang wasn't too surprised: "This is not unexpected; the house really doesn't have much appeal to them."

Jiang Liya frowned and said, "I don't disagree with you about Zhao Ruyi, but Ning Weidong... I've been to his home; he lives in a Dazayuan, has to go to an outdoor dry toilet, and there are only two rooms in total, less than forty square meters..."

Wang Guoqiang waved his hand: "Don't just look at the surface of things. As far as I know, his older brother Ning Weiguo only moved out recently. As far as I know, that person from the Wang Family resumed work in '75, and it's been four or five years now. Do you think it's difficult for his son-in-law to want a house and move out of the Dazayuan?"

"This..." Jiang Liya was speechless for a moment.

Wang Guoqiang said, "But he and Yuzhen have insisted on living there until this year; why?"

Jiang Liya thought for a moment and said, "Are you saying they are seeking stability?"

Wang Guoqiang laughed: "I didn't mean that; I'm saying that many people don't care about the quality of their housing conditions."

Jiang Liya said, "But I don't think Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyi are that kind of people."

Wang Guoqiang said indifferently, "Then it's even simpler; they just think this house isn't good enough~"

Jiang Liya was stunned; they think this isn't good enough? That building was newly built by the Manager for mid-level Cadres the year before last, generally two bedrooms and a living room, or three bedrooms and a living room for the better ones.

By current standards, it would be considered quite good in any unit.

(End of this chapter)