Chapter 89: Something Huge Has Happened

Jiangzhou Brewery, today being the first day back to work, employees poured through the gates chatting and laughing, all smiling broadly and brimming with energy. Upon seeing Zhou Andong, they all greeted him warmly.

Zhou Andong entered Gu Bing’s office; this guy’s enthusiasm was terrifyingly high—he got up earlier than the rooster and went to bed later than the dog.

Gu Bing was still pondering what An Jing had told him last night—it felt utterly surreal. Jian Qiu, who had always been arrogant and regarded men as worthless, had actually taken a liking to that dog Zhou Andong.

As he was thinking, Zhou Andong walked in. Gu Bing stared at him like he’d seen a monster, circling him several times, muttering under his breath.

Zhou Andong grabbed Gu Bing’s head: “What the hell are you doing?”

Gu Bing shook his head and sighed. Truly, a beautiful flower forced onto a pile of cow dung—no justice in this world.

Zhou Andong couldn’t make out what Gu Bing was mumbling, but he knew it wasn’t anything good. “If you’ve got something to say, say it out loud. Don’t whisper behind my back.”

Gu Bing snorted. “First day back to work—come with me to the workshop. Safety can’t be neglected.”

Zhou Andong said, “Alright, let’s go. Also check on the progress of the new liquor development in the tech department.”

After two years of barely clinging to life, Jiangzhou Brewery had restarted operations. In the days that followed, Gu Bing became busy, and Zhou Andong wasn’t idle either—he monitored the new liquor’s development, communicated regularly with Guan Shengjie about the literature contest, and kept tabs on the shop renovations.

To Zhou Andong’s surprise, Gao Qingkui and Zhang Deyou didn’t cause any more trouble. The subordinates below them also behaved themselves, completing every task assigned by Gu Bing without cutting corners.

But Zhou Andong knew this was only surface-level calm. Those two old bastards wouldn’t just give up—they were surely brewing something, though he didn’t know when they’d strike.

At 1:25 a.m. on February 24, a special express train pulled into Fengjing Railway Station. Passengers disembarking suddenly noticed armed soldiers and police everywhere on the platform. When they paused to look, police immediately came over to urge them away.

“What’s going on here?”

“I don’t know. Never seen anything like this before.”

“Could they be catching fugitives?”

“Unlikely. If it were fugitives, police would lead and soldiers assist. But look—they’ve got soldiers inside the inner circle, while police are keeping order on the outside.”

“Then someone important is coming.”

“I think so too.”

At 2:30 a.m., all trains passing through Fengjing were halted outside the station. All non-essential personnel were cleared from the platform. Both soldiers and police grew solemn.

At 2:50 a.m., over a dozen top officials from Liaoning Province appeared on the platform. At 2:58 a.m., a special train slowly entered Fengjing Station and stopped precisely at 3:00 a.m. The doors opened, and a short elderly man stepped out.

The dozen officials rushed forward in a flurry, offering greetings. Afterward, the old man boarded a Hongqi, accompanied by Liaoning’s top two leaders. More than an hour later, the Hongqi pulled into a heavily guarded compound and stopped before a three-story building.

The old man stepped out: “Go home. We’ll discuss everything tomorrow.”

The officials dared not speak a word. They silently got into their cars and vanished into the night.

The old man returned to his room and said to a middle-aged military officer behind him: “Arrange it—I want to meet young Zhou Andong tomorrow.”

The middle-aged officer froze. He hadn’t expected the old man to bypass meeting the provincial leaders first and instead request to see Zhou Andong.

“Understood. Please rest early.”

The officer stepped out, pulled out a small notebook, found Zhou Andong’s name, and added another star after the one already there.

In the morning, Zhou Andong woke up, his right eye twitching nonstop. He slapped it, but it didn’t help. He muttered, “Damn it. Is this a sign of luck or disaster?”

He dragged his feet brushing his teeth and washing his face, ate breakfast by the roadside, then strolled toward the brewery.

Meanwhile, Gu Bing was on the phone, his expression bizarre: “Alright, I’ll notify him.”

*Click.* Gu Bing hung up. He’d never dreamed he’d receive a call from the old man’s secretary—not for himself, but for Zhou Andong.

“This is insane,” Gu Bing glanced at the wall clock—it was past nine. That bastard usually arrived early. Today, with something this important, he was late.

Gu Bing couldn’t sit still. He paced his office, constantly checking the time. Logically, if the old man wanted to see Zhou Andong, he’d first notify the city, then the city would send someone to fetch him. But the secretary had called Gu Bing directly—clearly to save time.

The office door opened again. Gu Bing blurted out, “You finally—” but looked up and saw not Zhou Andong, but Jian Qiu.

Jian Qiu asked, puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Gu Bing made an exaggerated face: “Something’s happened. Big trouble.”

Jian Qiu asked again: “What happened?”

“Big trouble. Huge trouble.” Gu Bing stared at her, serious. “It’s about Zhou Andong.”

“What?” Hearing it involved Zhou Andong, Jian Qiu panicked, grabbing Gu Bing’s arm. “What happened to him?”

Seeing her eyes reddened with worry, Gu Bing snapped: “Why so worked up? Is he really that great?”

Jian Qiu snapped back: “Just tell me. What’s wrong with him?”

“Ow! Easy! You’ve bruised my arm!” Gu Bing winced, then quickly explained.

Jian Qiu released him, stunned: “You mean the old man wants to meet Zhou Andong? You’re not lying?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Gu Bing frowned. “I just don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

“Good!” Jian Qiu beamed. “If the old man meets him, this becomes our ace card. Whoever opposes us can be crushed by waving it. If he works harder, no one will dare look down on him.”

Gu Bing sneered: “From what I’ve observed lately, you’re the only one with blind faith.”

Jian Qiu’s smile vanished. She glared at Gu Bing: “If you can’t speak properly, then shut up.”

The office door opened again. This time it was Zhou Andong. Before he could speak, Gu Bing grabbed him and dragged him out: “Come on, hurry!”

Jian Qiu followed: “I’m coming too.”

Zhou Andong, bewildered, got into the 212: “Where are we going?”

Gu Bing said: “Provincial capital.”

Zhou Andong asked, confused: “Why are we going to the provincial capital?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.” Gu Bing started the car, stomped the gas, and the 212 roared off.