Chapter 69: Opening a Husband-and-Wife Shop

“Is this the whistleblower letter you mentioned?” Dai Hongwei waved the letter in his hand. “Are your brains full of shit? These letters are obviously written by just two people, and the signatures at the bottom are fake—didn’t you verify any of this?”

Chang Tai’s mind went blank; he didn’t even seem to hear Dai Hongwei’s words, just kept frantically wiping sweat from his face.

“What a useless fool!” Dai Hongwei sneered inwardly, flinging the letter onto Chang Tai’s face. “I won’t interfere in your factory’s affairs, but you must publicly clarify the investigation into Zhou Andong. Someone as outstanding as Zhou Andong cannot have even a single stain on his record—do you understand?”

Chang Tai snapped to attention: “Y-yes… yes… yes, I understand.”

“If you mess this up, I won’t let you off easy,” Dai Hongwei said coldly, colder than the minus seventeen- or eighteen-degree weather.

Chang Tai nodded vigorously; his undershirt was already soaked through, and any thought of harassing Zhou Andong had long vanished.

Dai Hongwei turned to Zhou Andong and smiled. “Think carefully about what I said. When you’ve decided, come find me.”

Zhou Andong shook his head slightly. “I know—being by your side would mean a brilliant future for me. But over a thousand workers at this distillery are counting on me to put food on their tables.”

Dai Hongwei frowned. “You’re just an ordinary worker—the whole factory’s food problems aren’t your concern.”

Gu Bing walked over and smiled. “Leader, I’m Gu Bing, the party secretary of the distillery.”

“Nice to meet you,” Dai Hongwei shook Gu Bing’s hand.

Gu Bing said, “Leader, the distillery truly can’t function without Zhou Andong.”

“Oh?” Dai Hongwei suddenly became interested. It was year-end, and he had a mountain of pending cases—constantly rushing from one thing to the next. He’d heard of Jiangzhou Yugong Wine, but knew nothing about the factory’s actual situation.

Gu Bing briefly explained the reforms: “Without Zhou Andong, there would be no Jiangzhou Yugong Wine. None of the workers here could even make it through the New Year.”

“I’ve been short-sighted!” Dai Hongwei sighed. “Comrade Zhou Andong, if the distillery no longer needs you—or if you grow tired of this job—no matter where I am, you must come find me.”

Zhou Andong was moved by Dai Hongwei’s words. “Leader, if I ever end up with nothing to eat, don’t turn me away.”

“Hahaha…”

Dai Hongwei burst out laughing, clapping Zhou Andong on the shoulder. “If you really end up starving, come find me—I’ll treat you to meals every day.”

Though it was a joke, Dai Hongwei said it seriously—he knew full well that someone like Zhou Andong couldn’t be kept by a distillery.

Dai Hongwei got into the car. Liu Hai said, “I’ve been busy these past few days. When I get my holiday for the New Year, I’ll find you for a drink.”

Zhou Andong nodded. “No problem.”

Liu Hai left too, and the reporters packed up their gear and climbed into their vehicles.

The beautiful female reporter from the municipal TV station took a few steps, then turned back with a smile. “Zhou Andong, I saw your matrimonial notice pasted on the noodle shop window.”

Zhou Andong froze. The reporter waved. “I’m Shang Hui!”

An Jing’s eyes sparkled. She glanced at the female reporter who had already gotten in the car, then at Jian Qiu—and still smiled. What a huge heart she had.

“How can you still be smiling?” An Jing whispered into Jian Qiu’s ear.

Jian Qiu shrugged. “If I don’t laugh, should I cry?”

An Jing narrowed her eyes. “Your man’s about to be snatched away.”

Jian Qiu shot An Jing a fierce glare. “Who’s my man? Say another word like that, and I’ll sew your mouth shut.”

It was far too cold outside for office workers to endure. One by one, they turned and headed back into the factory building, but each paused to glance at Zhou Andong as they turned. Their expressions were complex—no one knew what they were thinking.

Chang Tai and the others had no face to stay. Without even a single polite word, they slunk away in shame.

Gu Bing circled Zhou Andong several times, clucking his tongue. “How did I never notice? Where’s the special thing about you that both these big shots are so fond of?”

Zhou Andong looked up at the sky. “Look—how blue the sky is, how warm the sunlight. Yet I feel sadness.”

Gu Bing’s lip twitched. “I still don’t see any sadness in you.”

Zhou Andong whispered, “My sadness comes from the direction of the sun. I heard it tell me—I am the illegitimate son of God.”

Everyone around him stared, utterly baffled.

Zhou Andong scanned the group. “A few days ago, I beat up some thugs, and certain people targeted me, trying to fire me. Then Big Brother Zuo showed up—and my crisis vanished. Today I fell into crisis again, and Big Brother Dai appeared just in time to rescue me. You tell me—how could two such coincidences happen? If not me, then who else could be God’s illegitimate son?”

“Holy shit!” Gu Bing cursed loudly. “I never thought of it that way. Now that you mention it—it really is too damn coincidental!”

“Brother Dong!” Wu Cheng ran over, beaming with admiration. “So awesome! I don’t get what you said, but it must be incredible!”

“Get lost!” Zhou Andong rolled his eyes, then turned to Yao Jun, who was approaching. “Don’t leave after work—come eat with me. I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Alright,” Yao Jun nodded. “I’m heading back to the workshop.”

“It’s freezing!” Jian Qiu hugged her arms. “Get inside—don’t stand out here.”

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Gu Bing said. “Back to my office.”

The group returned to the office. Gu Bing introduced Zhou Andong. “Let me introduce you—this is Guan Shengjie, chief reporter for the People’s Daily.”

Zhou Andong shook Guan Shengjie’s hand. “Reporter Guan, nice to meet you.”

“We’re all brothers—no need for formality,” Gu Bing said. “Shengjie’s older than you—call him Jiege or Guange.” Then to Guan Shengjie: “This is Zhou Andong—call him Dongzi.”

Guan Shengjie smiled. “Then I’ll take the liberty and call you Dongzi.”

“That’s perfect,” Zhou Andong smiled back. “I’ll call you Guange.”

“This is my good friend, An Jing,” Jian Qiu said to Zhou Andong with a beaming smile. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

Zhou Andong’s eye twitched. He sensed Jian Qiu had ulterior motives and wisely avoided a direct answer. “It’s true that birds of a feather flock together—do beauties always befriend other beauties?”

Jian Qiu smiled happily. “I’ve already prepared the money. Whenever you need it, just let me know.”

Gu Bing asked curiously, “What money?”

Jian Qiu said, “We’re planning to open a shop—to earn some pocket money.”

“Open a shop?” Gu Bing frowned. “What kind of shop?”

Jian Qiu said, “Something like KFC—we’re going to create our own brand.”

An Jing leaned close to Jian Qiu’s ear, her breath warm. “You two are planning to open a husband-and-wife shop, aren’t you?”