Chapter 564

What knife are you bringing? In Zaocheng, even mentioning your name Shi Yong isn't enough? I laughed.

Shi Yong scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

In the evening, Secretary Qin delivered the phone and notebook.

I took the things, brought Shi Yong, and left.

I drove, asking Shi Yong: "Do you know where Cui Rulin lives?"

Shi Yong shook his head,

"Brother, I really don't know. Or I could ask Cui Chenglong."

"No need to ask, I know. Secretary Qin already gave me the address; this old guy lives in Phoenix Villa."

"That estate, I know, is specially built in the city for these retirees." Shi Yong replied.

"When Shi Yong gets there, he must speak little, and all actions must follow my orders." I arranged for Shi Yong.

"Don't worry, brother, this isn't our first cooperation; we already have tacit understanding." Shi Yong said confidently.

I drove quickly to Phoenix Villa.

Phoenix Villa is an estate specially built by Kong Shi on the platform for the city's retirees.

All are three-story villas.

Kong Shi once told me he would spend his retirement here; unexpectedly, he ended up retiring in prison.

Phoenix Villa lies east of Gui Shan Park in Zaocheng Xin Cheng. It covers a large area, its facilities are complete, and it should be one of the best estates in Zaocheng.

We arrived at the estate gate, where dedicated guards were on duty.

I gave Cui Rulin's name.

The guard had us wait at the gate, needing to phone Cui Rulin.

I had the guard announce our names to see Cui Rulin's attitude.

Seeing the guard make us wait at the gate, Shi Yong grew anxious again.

He shouted at the guard: "Do you know who we are? I'm Shi Yong; why make us wait at the gate?"

The guard completely ignored Shi Yong.

At this place, the guard has seen many powerful people.

I told Shi Yong: "Enough, Shi Yong, stop shouting; nowhere can you get past the guards. Wait a moment, let's see if Cui Rulin will see us."

Shi Yong had no choice but to take out a cigarette and smoke.

Then the guard came over and shouted at Shi Yong: "Sorry, sir, this is a smoke-free estate; smoking is prohibited inside and outside."

"What the hell, a lousy estate that won't let you smoke. Really bullshit." Shi Yong cursed.

Hearing Shi Yong's curse, the guard also got angry, about to lash out.

I quickly took the cigarette from Shi Yong's mouth.

"Not smoking, then not smoking. Hurry up and ask when we can be let into the estate."

I politely said to the guard.

The guard nodded.

He picked up the phone to make contact.

Soon the guard indicated we could go through, but no driving allowed; we must walk into the estate.

The guard led us to Cui Rulin's home.

"What the hell, this estate's security measures are really something."

The guard wanted to follow us, fearing we'd run around; apparently these retired old-timers are afraid of trouble.

This shows these old-timers have guilty consciences; without guilt, what are they afraid of, needing such tight security?

The estate's environment is really good, not inferior to a park.

Fountains, fake hills, flowers, grasses, trees—everything is there.

Each villa's entrance has a dedicated parking spot.

From the cars parked in the spots, I could see every family has luxury cars.

Blessings have let these old-timers enjoy themselves. What contributions did they make?

Eating big, drinking big, even in retirement they still enjoy the high life. I'm really somewhat angry.

The guard escorted us to Cui Rulin's door.

The guard knocked first.

Soon someone came to open the door.

After the door opened, the guard pointed at me and Shi Yong and said to the servant who opened it: "These two are Zhao Jianqiang and Shi Yong; they wish to see Mr. Cui."

The servant said: "Mr. Cui has been waiting for you two."

The guard then left.

We followed the servant into the villa's main gate.

The villa has a small courtyard, which is a small garden.

The servant pushed open the room's door.

Inside, lights blazed, with many people gathered in the hall.

I and Shi Yong entered the hall.

"Jianqiang brother, it's been a while since we last saw each other." The speaker, the old man, was indeed Cui Rulin.

This Cui Rulin is very fat, with a big back-combed head, a face full of horizontal flesh, and a head of black hair as if just dyed.

Most noticeable is a black mole on the right side of his nose.

Before speaking, he twitches his nose, and that black mole moves along with it.

I quickly reached out my hand,

"Thank you, Mr. Cui, you still remember me. I thought Mr. Cui hadn't seen me anymore."

Cui Rulin shook hands with me,

"Jianqiang, based on what you said, what is our relationship? From Huang City, Zhu City, Kong Shi, we have had a decades‑old relationship. How did you find time to come see this retired old man?"

"Yes, Mr. Cui, we've known each other for decades. Suddenly I thought of you, Mr. Cui, and came especially to take a look."

"To see if Mr. Cui still remembers me," I said with a smile.

"Of course I remember. Let me introduce you: this is Cui Chenglong, a minor Bureau Chief in Zaocheng; this one is Cui Chenghe, a deputy Bureau Chief in Zaocheng; this one…" Cui Rulin introduced all the prominent members of the Cui Family to me.

I shook hands with them one by one.

After the handshakes,

Cui Rulin twitched his nose, then said, "This is my brother Jianqiang, you all know he is the chairman of Da Heng Group and the closest person to Li Ming. He came today, no need to ask, it is for Li Ming's matter."

Big fellow, there's no need to worry about anything; now we should all think alike,

Speak whatever is on your mind directly.

Brother Jianqiang, you're not an outsider.

Chenglong, tell us, what's going on with Chengshan.

At this moment Cui Chenglong said, "Uncle, this afternoon Brother Chengshan was holding a meeting in the city when Tian Shi suddenly had people detain him, saying he had committed illegal acts."

I feel that Tian Shi is deliberately framing Brother Chengshan, so I gathered the Cui Family together and await your senior's instructions; tell us what to do,

We must not let Tian Shi arbitrarily frame Brother Chengshan.

At this point Cui Rulin grabbed my hand,

"Brother Jianqiang, did you know that after Kong Shi left, Zaocheng now has a new Tian Shi. Since this Tian Shi arrived, he has taken issue with our Cui Family.

He lifts his nose and raises his eyebrows.

There is no place for me in his eyes.

Fine, I don't care about those, but he also went after Brother Li Ming."

The matter concerning Brother Li Ming was originally a false accusation,

How can we not let people speak up to vindicate him.

This Tian Shi is too overbearing; he even arrested Brother Li Ming.

If a man can endure, who cannot?

Brother Jianqiang, I know you and Brother Shi Yong came to visit me because of Brother Li Ming's matter.

As for me, in life and work, I must see it through to the end.

When Li Ming spoke with me then, about his case, I was extremely angry.

Why can't Brother Li Ming be reinstated to his official position?

It must be handled for me, otherwise, on this tiny piece of land in Zaocheng, I, someone of the Cui family, will lose face. Today, we must get an explanation from that Mr. Tian.

Cui Rulin deliberately omitted the matter of Cui Chengshan, steering the issue toward Li Ming, hoping to make me share his same hatred.

How could that be? How could I let him use me? Shi Yong was just about to say something, but I glared at Shi Yong. Shi Yong then dared not speak.