Chapter 205: Meeting Peace

The next day, Ning Weidong went to work as usual.

After meeting with Zhao Ruyi's father yesterday, Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyi had already sent a telegram to Tan Limin, who was far away in Eastern Europe, and at the same time, they mailed Natasha's handwritten letter there.

The next step was to patiently wait for a reply from the Soviet Union.

Ning Weidong arrived at the Office and continued to take out his Correspondence Education textbooks for college.

Although he didn't discuss anything else with Zhao Ruyi's father yesterday, Ning Weidong knew very well in his heart that once the connection with the Soviet Union was established, he probably wouldn't be able to stay at the Red Star Factory any longer.

When the time came, if Dongyi Company were to take the lead, they would certainly pull Ning Weidong out to take Zhao Ruyi's place.

Simply put, Zhao Ruyi couldn't handle this matter.

If this Dongyi Company were just flipping Approval Documents, it would all be small-time stuff; if people turned a blind eye, no one would care.

But once it got involved with the Soviet Union, there were too many nuances involved, and Zhao Ruyi's personality was not suited for these things.

Not long after Ning Weidong sat down, Li Peihang walked over carrying his tea mug.

Ning Weidong looked up, called out "Brother Li," and stood up with a smile to walk over.

The two sat down on the sofa, and Li Peihang asked, "What happened at home yesterday? You didn't come in all day."

Ning Weidong said, "Nothing much, a relative at home had a bit of trouble and went to the hospital."

Ning Weidong casually found an excuse to brush it off.

Li Peihang said, "Is that so? Is it serious? Which hospital? I'll go take a look later."

Ning Weidong waved his hand and said, "No need, it's nothing major."

Li Peihang was just being polite and didn't insist, instead saying, "But brother, you missed a good show by not coming yesterday."

Ning Weidong was surprised; seeing Li Peihang's winking expression, he didn't know what had happened at the Manager yesterday.

Just at this moment, someone else came to the door.

It was hot in the summer, and the Office door wasn't closed. Chen stood outside, and seeing that Li Peihang was also there, he was stunned for a moment, then gave a hehe laugh and knocked before walking in.

Chen called out "Division Chief, Section Chief." He was an old comrade and had long been one of Li Peihang's people, so he wasn't too reserved.

Li Peihang said with a smile, "Old Chen, are you here to tell Weidong about that matter too?"

Chen gave a hehe laugh, which counted as an admission.

Ning Weidong was even more confused; what had happened at the Manager yesterday to make these two laugh so lewdly?

Because Li Peihang was there, Chen was tactful and didn't rush to speak.

Li Peihang spoke with great animation about yesterday's events, while Section Chief Feng chimed in from the side.

Ning Weidong's eyes widened as he listened: "You mean, yesterday afternoon, Director Feng of the Second Workshop and Wang Ting from the Technical Section were in the storeroom..." As he spoke, he put his hands together and moved his thumbs: "... doing that thing, and were caught red-handed by Wang Ting's husband!"

No wonder these two were so excited; there was no entertainment in this era, and this kind of scandalous, stimulating news was the most attractive to people.

Li Peihang slapped his thigh and said with no small amount of regret, "Damn it, I went too late. By the time I arrived, that woman had already gotten dressed."

Ning Weidong said, unable to laugh or cry, "Brother Li, watch yourself; you're a Division Chief, after all."

Li Peihang was stunned.

Ning Weidong immediately changed the subject: "But I think I've seen Wang Ting from the Technical Section before; she is quite fair-skinned."

Ning Weidong had a bit of an impression of Wang Ting; she was one of the figures in the Manager second only to Jiang Liya and Gao Yanmei, and was considered a technical backbone. She was usually stern and didn't smile, so he hadn't expected her to be so wild in private.

Li Peihang was swayed for a moment and cursed, "Damn it, you brat, stop acting so righteous with me." He then winked and said, "That woman is indeed quite fair, but I heard from the person who burst in at the time that her body was even fairer than her face, and she was even hairless..."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow: "White!"

Li Peihang laughed and scolded, "I knew you were a brat who wasn't serious; you're so young and you already know about 'white'."

Ning Weidong said, "What does this have to do with being serious or not? If you have little knowledge, you should read more books."

Li Peihang said, "Cut it out, tell me, which book did you read that in?"

Seeing that the two had gone off-track, Chen hurriedly said, "Fair or not, put that aside. I heard yesterday that Director Feng was beaten badly. Wang Ting's husband was like a madman at the time; he almost caused a death."

Li Peihang curled his lip and said, "That old lecher, he deserves to be beaten to death. I don't know what Wang Ting saw in him. He'll be fifty in two years, right? Is his body still that good? Can he still get it up?"

Ning Weidong said with a hehe, "Brother Li, listening to you, it sounds like she shouldn't have looked for Old Feng, she should have come to look for you~ I'll have to have a good talk with your wife later; your way of thinking is very dangerous~"

Li Peihang was stunned and cursed, "Get lost."

After some banter, Ning Weidong suddenly said, "I remember Director Feng is one of Manager Wang's people, right~"

Li Peihang was stunned.

Chen was too, and then said, "Well, Division Chief, Section Chief, you two talk, I'll head back first."

As he left, he thoughtfully closed the room door.

The ceiling fan whirred overhead.

Li Peihang clicked his tongue, fished a cigarette out of his pocket, and handed one to Ning Weidong: "I didn't expect this either; I'm afraid they're going to destroy Old Feng this time."

Ning Weidong took the cigarette and lit it himself: "Heaven's sins may be forgiven, but one's own sins are inescapable. It's not like someone grabbed Old Feng and forcibly stripped his clothes off; he couldn't control himself, who can he blame~ By the way, what's Manager Wang's reaction?"

Li Peihang curled his lip and said, "What other reaction could he have? He's lost too much face this time. With this kind of thing happening, can you still expect him to keep protecting Old Feng? I reckon he probably has the heart to kill Old Feng right now."

The previous incident with Wang Kaifeng could still be considered a struggle between two sides, where one move was a step behind.

This time, with a situation like Director Feng's, it can only be said that Wang Guoqiang used the wrong person and failed to recognize talent.

If one were to really be serious, as the number one person in the Manager, this blame should be placed on Li Weibing's head.

But now everyone knows that Li Weibing is about to retire, and coupled with Wang Guoqiang's previous dominance, it has instead neutralized Li Weibing's responsibility.

This scandal has pressed Wang Guoqiang's face into the dirt.

It was exposed so directly that even if he wanted to cover it up, he couldn't. In just one day, everyone in the Manager knew about it, and many versions were circulating—some saying Director Feng used force, others saying Wang Ting seduced him...

And the biggest beneficiary of this matter is undoubtedly Chu Chengfu.

Thinking of this, Ning Weidong couldn't help but narrow his eyes and say, "Brother Li, do you think this matter could be a trap dug by Old Chu? Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? To put it bluntly, there are plenty of shady things in the Manager; how is it such a coincidence that they were caught in the act?"

Li Peihang curled his lip and said, "What do you mean 'could it be'? I'm telling you, it was that old snake Old Chu who did it." As he spoke, he revealed a meaningful expression: "Old Feng hasn't been able to keep his pants on for a day or two. Back before you came to the Manager, he was already messing around with a woman surnamed Chai in the Logistics Department; I heard someone even saw them..."

Ning Weidong suddenly understood; no wonder Li Peihang was so certain.

As the saying goes, flies don't bite seamless eggs; since this Director Feng had this flaw for a long time, it is not surprising that someone with ulterior motives seized the opportunity.

It's just that, logically, Wang Guoqiang is a meticulous person; he couldn't have been unaware of what kind of character Director Feng is.

Ning Weidong asked his question.

Li Peihang sneered: "He... how could he not know? But when it comes to using people, you have to use people without flaws, and you also have to use people with flaws; it just depends on whether this person is useful or not."

Ning Weidong caught the meaning: "Does this Director Feng have any other superior qualities?"

Although Ning Weidong himself is not clean, generally speaking, no one would make a big deal out of relationships between men and women; after all, even Confucius said, "Eating and sex are human nature."

Unless it is like Director Feng, who directly caused a scandal and could no longer cover it up.

Li Peihang said: "He doesn't really have any superior qualities, but his older brother does~ Director Feng's older brother is in the railway system, and his position is not low..."

Ning Weidong suddenly understood. No wonder; presumably, Wang Guoqiang had matters he needed to beg this Director Feng's older brother for, and thus had to tolerate and indulge him.

Li Peihang added: "However, I had underestimated Chu Chengfu before; I didn't expect that his first move this time would strike at Wang Guoqiang's weak spot."

Listening to these inside stories of the Red Star Factory, Ning Weidong felt no ripples in his heart.

Others might not know, but Ning Weidong knew clearly in his heart that once he made contact with the Soviet Union this time, he would definitely not continue to stay at the Red Star Factory.

After talking for a while longer, Li Peihang went back.

Ning Weidong then read and studied on his own until it was almost noon, picked up the phone, and dialed: "Hello, are you free at noon? Let's have a meal together... You pick the place... Okay..."

Hanging up the phone, Ning Weidong checked the time again, took a sip of water, and got up to walk outside.

Just as he reached the corridor, he saw Li Peihang also coming out of the Office, and he said with a smile: "Brother, shall we go together at noon today?"

Ning Weidong said: "That won't work today; I have an appointment with someone and need to go out."

Li Peihang didn't say much more; he was just going to the canteen anyway.

Ning Weidong rode his bicycle out of the Manager, followed the main road east, and arrived near Lianhua Bridge.

At this time, Beijing West Station had not yet been built.

Ning Weidong arrived in front of a State-owned restaurant, and just as he finished parking his bicycle, he saw An Ning coming out from inside.

Ning Weidong said with a smile: "You're fast~"

An Ning was wearing a light-colored dress and showed no signs of the dishevelment of sweating from a long-distance bicycle ride; it was clear she hadn't come by bike.

Ning Weidong didn't ask further, and after exchanging greetings, the two entered the shop.

An Ning introduced as she walked: "The chef at this shop has a few signature Sichuan dishes that are made to a very high standard; I'll let you have a taste today."

An Ning knew that Ning Weidong could eat spicy food.

In this era, Beijing restaurants were still dominated by Lu cuisine, and Sichuan cuisine was not yet as common as it would be in later generations.

Ning Weidong said with a chuckle: "With such high praise, I really must have a good taste."

While talking, the two entered a private room; it was actually just partitioned off with wooden boards, and a ceiling fan was hanging above, humming.

Ever since he rejected the An Family's proposal to engage in Smuggling last time, Ning Weidong hadn't seen An Ning for some time.

Ning Weidong was not short of women around him, and he had no spare time to look for her.

Since she called to meet today, An Ning knew that Ning Weidong must have something on his mind and wouldn't just be eating a meal.

However, An Ning didn't rush to ask; it was clear that she had been doing well recently, looking radiant and smiling like a flower.

The dishes were all ordered by An Ning; Ning Weidong had no dietary restrictions.

At the end, An Ning asked: "Shall I keep you company for a drink? There is iced beer."

Ning Weidong was feeling hot, so he simply nodded; at worst, he wouldn't go back in the afternoon and would just go home or to Zhao Ruyi's place.

Before the dishes arrived, the beer came first; Ning Weidong opened a bottle, poured a glass, and downed it in one gulp.

On such a hot day, one gulp of iced beer made him feel refreshed instantly.

An Ning also refreshingly followed with a glass.

Subsequently, one after another, the dishes arrived quickly.

With only two people eating, An Ning ordered six dishes in total; she had witnessed Ning Weidong's appetite, so she wasn't worried about wasting much.

After the dishes were served and the door was closed, Ning Weidong ate while bringing up the main business: "Is your cousin from the same clan still in Beijing?"

An Ning's chopsticks paused; she didn't expect Ning Weidong to ask about An Zhiyuan, as Ning Weidong had very clearly rejected An Zhiyuan's proposal last time.

An Ning didn't know what medicine Ning Weidong was selling in his gourd, so she couldn't help but be cautious, though she didn't show it on her face, and replied: "He's still here~ Recently, I don't know who he went through, but he has made contact with a few people from the big compounds."

Ning Weidong was not surprised.

An Zhiyuan had gone to great lengths to come to Beijing, and he certainly wouldn't give up easily without achieving his goal.

As for what An Ning said, it was not strange that An Zhiyuan had made contact with a few descendants from the big compounds.

Descendants from the big compounds are not all the same; apart from a small number of elites, most people at this time had no prospects.

These people had the background but no way to cash in on it.

Even those who could be like Wang Kaixuan, earning money through Approval Document, were in the minority.

More of them just used their fathers' names to mess around outside.

Ning Weidong estimated that the people An Zhiyuan was in contact with were mostly this type.

If they were truly respectable, they wouldn't easily get involved with him.

Ning Weidong said: "Later, you contact him and say that I have something I want to talk to him about."

An Ning's heart stirred, and she said with a smile: "What is it? Tell me first~"

Ning Weidong glanced at her; there was no need to hide it, so he said indifferently: "Last time he came to say he wanted to engage in Smuggling, I want to ask him what channels he has on hand."

An Ning was a bit surprised; based on her understanding of Ning Weidong, he was a person with strong opinions, and once he decided on something, he would never easily change his mind.

Now that he was asking An Zhiyuan about these things again, did this mean he had changed his mind?

An Ning asked the question in her heart.

Ning Weidong said half-truthfully: "Yesterday I just went to see my future father-in-law..."

An Ning's eyes widened, and she felt a sudden realization; no wonder Ning Weidong wanted to change his approach.

Without a doubt, Zhao Ruyi's father, this variable, was already significant enough.

Ning Weidong continued, "But I'll say this upfront: even if we really can cooperate, it won't be the kind of model you're thinking of."

An Ning immediately realized the benefits this change could bring her.

Previously, because Ning Weidong had rejected An Zhiyuan, An Ning's standing with the An Family in Hong Kong had declined.

Of course, this decline did not affect An Ning's quality of life; these were all small sums of money.

After all, besides Ning Weidong, An Ning still had some connections in Beijing.

Although An Ning had spoken vaguely just now, the fact that An Zhiyuan could reach those children of high-ranking officials was largely due to An Ning's connections.

However, this type of connection resource was clearly unable to fool the Overseas An Family.

Now that Ning Weidong was seeking her out, and doing so after meeting Zhao Ruyi's father, the weight of this was too great.

As for how exactly to cooperate, it was not important to An Ning; she only needed to frame the fact that Ning Weidong had taken the initiative to find her as her having tried every possible way to persuade Ning Weidong to change his mind, which would be enough to make the Overseas An Family look at her with new eyes.

Thinking of this, An Ning's eyes darted around.

Doing this certainly couldn't be kept from Ning Weidong, otherwise, if Ning Weidong were to have any subsequent contact with An Zhiyuan, it would be very easy for her to be exposed.

An Ning smiled cheekily, leaned in toward Ning Weidong, and nudged him with her shoulder: "Let me tell you something..."

(End of this chapter)