Chapter 14: Back to the Light of Day

On the morning of September 6, Han Xuyang walked out of the municipal Discipline Inspection Committee looking utterly exhausted, and at once thought of that young man. He was grateful that Lu Fan had held firm under the pressure, grateful he had taken that copy of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government — otherwise, even with someone putting in a word, it would have been hard to get past, since it was a real-name report after all.

Since the principal party was fine, Lu Fan was naturally released as well. Walking out of the detention center and standing once more in the sunlight felt like being reborn.

At this moment, Lu Fan's spirit and body seemed to have come apart. Those three nightmare-like days left him with lingering dread, and he had even developed a fear of the Discipline Inspection Committee — the physical harm was nothing compared to the spiritual devastation.

Staring foolishly at the dreary drizzle, Lu Fan's heart sank. Wave after wave of bitterness welled up in him. No one had come to pick him up, there was no bus, and he had to walk half an hour to reach the street.

Lu Fan began to scheme, thinking how to turn this crisis into an opportunity. He couldn't have taken the fall for someone else for nothing — not a peep out of those big shots.

What Lu Fan was obsessing over now was getting into the system. Only by breaking in there could he make waves; only then would the future hold infinite possibilities, and only then might he fulfill his wish.

Walking and walking in the rain, a sedan pulled up beside Lu Fan. Xiaobin pressed down the car window and said, "Get in!"

"Thanks, but no need!"

Xiaobin said without allowing any argument, "It's raining, get in! I brought you here, I'll take you back."

Wang Yujia chimed in, "A grown man hemming and hawing like that — don't take a kind heart for a donkey's liver and lungs."

Lu Fan replied neither servile nor overbearing, "Director Zhang, you all go ahead, I want to walk for a bit."

A man has to have backbone, has to have dignity. Besides, Lu Fan had already developed a shadow over anyone from the Discipline Inspection Committee — how uncomfortable would it be sitting in that car?

"Fine, then we'll head off first. Lu Fan, let me leave you with a word: abide by the rules, stay away from crooked paths — the righteous road of this world is paved with trials!"

"Thank you, Director Zhang, I will!"

As the car pulled away, Wang Yujia asked curiously, "Director Zhang, I get the feeling you're treating this Lu Fan rather specially."

Xiaobin said, "Poor guy, both parents are gone. He dropped out of school this year, and he's still raising his younger sister."

"Huh? How awful!" Wang Yujia's sympathy welled up, and she regretted the cold mockery she had just aimed at Lu Fan.

After walking for over half an hour, Lu Fan returned to the construction site. Du Wenlong, who was in the middle of a poker game, sprang to his feet, and then several of the brothers came running over, their concern written all over their faces.

Lu Fan said with a smile, "Brothers, I'm fine, I was fine all along — three days of good food and drink."

Du Wenlong said, "Good that you're back, Brother Fan. I say we quit this accountant job — can't even get a taste of the mutton, and we've only landed ourselves in a stink!"

"Chouchou, that's got nothing to do with it. Life is unpredictable, things are hard to foresee — we have nothing, if we don't fight, where's the way out? Relax, brothers, I'm fine right now, aren't I? Maybe there's something good hidden in the bad — let's wait and see! Has the boss come back?"

"He's back, we all saw him."

"You guys keep playing, I'll go say hello to the boss."

Before Lu Fan reached the manager's office, Boss Wu was already waiting at the door — he had also seen Lu Fan return.

"Xiaofan, come in quick!"

After entering, Boss Wu hurriedly asked, "You alright?"

Lu Fan put on a look of lingering dread and said gingerly, "It was terrifying — they wouldn't even let a person sleep, I almost couldn't hold on. Every time I was about to break down, I thought of how good Boss Wu has been to me. A person has to have a conscience, so I gritted my teeth and pushed through. But luckily, I got out today — that place is no place for a human being; no one could guarantee they'd hold up if it went on too long!"

Boss Wu felt it in his bones and praised, "Xiaofan, I knew I wasn't wrong about you — you're a real man! Don't worry, we're not a tree without roots or water without a source; this matter ends here! Take this, gather a few brothers tonight and go relax, take the scare off!" With that, he pulled twenty thousand yuan from the drawer and handed it to Lu Fan.

Lu Fan hurriedly declined, saying, "Boss Wu, I only did what was part of my job — I can't take this money!"

"I know you're not well off financially, and you still have to look after your sister. Money is a hero's courage, gold is a man's waistband — listen to me, take it! What's a little money like this? There'll be more and more later! County Chief Han just called me, asking about you specifically — he's very satisfied with your performance this time, said he has to thank you! Note down the number, call County Chief Han back in a bit. Xiaofan, when the chance comes, you have to seize it — compared to success, what is face?"

"Boss Wu, I'll keep your golden words close to my heart. But a gentleman loves wealth only when it's gotten the right way — I really can't take this money. That's my principle."

Seeing Lu Fan's attitude was unusually firm, Boss Wu said helplessly, "You stubborn kid, really bullheaded! Fine, take it or don't. Xiaofan, our building is almost up — you find someone to handle the exterior wall section, and I'll pay on time."

Although it was still a caring arrangement, at the very least it was a cooperation. Lu Fan didn't refuse, and said, "Thank you for your care, Boss Wu. Don't worry, I'll do this job crystal clear."

It could be counted as having shared hardship. They chatted for over half an hour, and the relationship between the two had clearly grown much closer.

Han Xuyang sat in his office waiting for Lu Fan's call, but there was still no response by the end of the workday. He was a bit puzzled — he had clearly told Old Wu to have Lu Fan call back.

After work, Han Xuyang dialed Boss Wu's number and asked, "Lu Fan hasn't come back?"

"He's back, started his shift normally this afternoon."

"Then why didn't he call me back?"

"Ugh, probably overthinking again. I offered him twenty thousand and he flat-out refused — probably worried you'd be the same. The kid may be poor but he's got backbone!"

Taking credit without growing arrogant, staying composed in triumph — Han Xuyang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Old Wu, send me Lu Fan's number. Rewarding merit is the way; failing to reward the good loses people's hope — a man has to act with conscience."

At eight in the evening, Lu Fan was drinking with brothers Du Wenlong and the others to take the scare off, when his phone rang. He saw it was an unfamiliar number, and out of politeness picked up — only to be shocked by the very first sentence.

"Xiaofan, this is Han Xuyang. I've been waiting for your call all afternoon."

Lu Fan hurriedly stood up, walking as he spoke, "Hold on a moment, it's too crowded and noisy here — let me find somewhere with no people."

After reaching an open spot and looking around to make sure no one was there, Lu Fan said worriedly, "County Chief Han, could someone be tapping our call?"

Caution keeps the ship afloat for ten thousand years — careful enough, not bad!

Han Xuyang laughed and said, "With this matter behind us, it won't stir up any more waves — you needn't worry."

"That's good. Are you alright, sir?"

"Ha, if something had happened to me, could you have gotten out? Xiaofan, you performed very well this time — I have to thank you."

Lu Fan truly didn't want to refuse this kindness, but he couldn't bring himself to accept it either. Bringing it up now would seem like trading on a favor, and Lu Fan didn't want to be looked down on. He said regretfully, "You and Boss Wu are both people I respect — these are things I ought to have done. I hope everyone around me can be safe and sound and healthy!"

Han Xuyang could feel Lu Fan's sincerity. He had also learned of Lu Fan's family situation through Old Wu, and felt deep sympathy for this child with a tragic background who refused to give up. He said, "You're still young. As long as you're willing to work hard, the future holds infinite possibilities. If you run into any difficulty, you can come to me anytime."

The emotion had reached its peak — opportunity knocks but once. Lu Fan simply couldn't hold back that ambitious heart any longer. He set aside all his dignity, mustered his courage, and said, "County Chief Han, the greatest wish of my life is to get into the system. If you can help me, I'll spend my whole life repaying you!"

Both ends of the line fell silent. Lu Fan felt an inexplicable nervousness, his hands trembling — as far as he could remember, this was the first time he had ever asked anyone for a favor!

After a long pause, Han Xuyang said, "Come to my room, let's talk in detail!"

Hearing this, Lu Fan's heart was pounding wildly. He hung up and ran straight for the Ninyang Hotel.

The drinking session was still going on. They drank and drank, and then the main man was gone. Du Wenlong and the others waited and waited, and started worrying about their boss. After getting through on the phone, they asked, "Brother Fan, where are you?"

Lu Fan said breathlessly, "You guys keep drinking — it's urgent, I'm off to handle something huge!"

Du Wenlong was the first to stand up, saying, "Brother Fan, I'm coming with you — I wouldn't bat an eye at murder or arson!"

"What are you thinking! I'm off on serious business. You guys have fun, wait for my word."