Chapter 40

Wang Yewei was waiting at the entrance of the county government when suddenly an off-road vehicle stopped beside her. The driver was actually Lu Fan.

After getting in the car, Wang Yewei said with a smile, "Your unit has assigned vehicles?"

"No, this is because Director Guo saw that I've been busy lately and have to come to Ningyang to report work frequently, so he's showing consideration for his subordinate and assigned it temporarily."

"That's not bad either. Having a car is convenient. I thought I'd have to take a bus to Yingjiang."

With one hand on the wheel, he made a U-turn and set off.

Sunlight shone in through the windshield, and when he turned his head, it just happened to outline Lu Fan's resolute profile.

While waiting for a red light, Lu Fan looked quietly ahead. When the green light turned on, he reacted quickly. Although he didn't rush toward his prey like a cheetah, he didn't waste a second.

A man driving is very focused, and a serious man is the most charming. Wang Yewei, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but feel a sense of affection, her peripheral vision glancing at him from time to time.

"Lu Fan, did you misunderstand what I meant?"

"Hmm? Misunderstand what?"

"Then why haven't you contacted me even once?"

"This, work has been a bit busy lately."

"Busy is just an excuse; not caring is the reason. I don't believe you could be so busy that you don't even have time to send a message or make a phone call?"

Lu Fan couldn't help but say, "You gave me a 'nice guy card'!"

"Ah?" Wang Yewei laughed until she was leaning back and forth, her chest heaving.

"I was sincerely saying you're a good person. You're so self-reliant and have such drive, isn't that right? I said let's be friends, you really know how to think! Where do you get so many thoughts? Can't you just understand the literal meaning?"

"Oh!" Lu Fan continued to focus on driving.

"Lu Fan, what grade is your sister in?"

"Eighth grade."

"How are her studies?"

"Top ten in her grade!"

"That's so impressive!"

"Yeah, it's alright!"

One question and one answer, they soon arrived in Yingjiang. Wang Yewei really wanted to say, are you a robot? We're dating!

Actually, Lu Fan was very nervous, his palms were sweating, and he didn't dare to look sideways at all. She was a cadre's child and so beautiful; he always felt they were from different worlds. In the end, it was still inferiority.

When they arrived at the cinema, Wang Yewei got out of the car first, and Lu Fan went to park.

By the time he reached the ticket office, Wang Yewei had already bought the tickets and was holding two drinks and popcorn.

"How can I let you spend money? Let me give it to you!"

Wang Yewei's expression changed slightly, and she scolded him in a slightly angry tone, "I have a salary too, you male chauvinist!"

Lu Fan stopped talking again, but he just felt a bit uncomfortable. In fact, he just wanted to protect that little bit of self-esteem.

After the movie started, Lu Fan was deeply attracted by the plot of "CJ7" and watched it with extreme seriousness because this was his first time watching a movie. He didn't even notice when Wang Yewei handed him a drink. The beauty could only secretly curse Lu Fan for being a dead piece of wood who didn't understand romance, and could only watch the movie herself.

The movie was particularly moving and resonated infinitely with Lu Fan. Xiao Di had a strong thirst for knowledge and beautiful fantasies about life, yet encountered all kinds of awkwardness at school because he was poor, so he was dirty.

Wang Yewei noticed tears welling up in the corners of Lu Fan's eyes and really wanted to hold his hand, but held back due to a girl's reserve. She was very curious about what this boy had actually experienced. Little did she know that curiosity kills the cat, and it is often the beginning of a person falling into a trap.

After more than an hour, the movie ended, and Lu Fan was still immersed in it.

"Lu Fan, was the movie good?"

"It was good. Stephen Chow acted very well. 'CJ7' shows the social pressure brought by education and the various drawbacks of school education; it's worth our careful reflection. I hope the sunshine is new every day, and let us do some things within our power that are useful to society."

Wang Yewei really wanted to ask, are we watching the same movie? Am I too superficial?

Wang Yewei was a bit hungry and wanted to eat something, but was too embarrassed to speak up.

And Lu Fan remembered her saying she wasn't eating dinner, so he didn't ask again. The two returned to Ningyang, chatting intermittently along the way, and in the end, the beauty went home on an empty stomach.

No eye contact, no holding hands, nothing at all, just like two ordinary friends watching a movie. Wang Yewei didn't know why she felt a bit disappointed, perhaps it was a sense of loss—was she really that unappealing? However, she felt more reassured about Lu Fan's character.

That night, Lu Fan went to the construction site and made do with his brothers for the night; he wanted to see two people tomorrow.

He specifically checked their homework, which was quite good; they were all writing.

A single thread cannot make a line, and a single tree cannot make a forest.

Lu Fan knew deeply that to fulfill his wish, he must have helpers; fighting alone wouldn't accomplish anything. These six brothers had played together since they were kids, and he knew their character and everything about them inside and out. If they could get on the right path, they would definitely be a huge help in the future. The urgent task was to find a way to get them into the system. Although it was very difficult, he couldn't give up even if there was a glimmer of hope.

The fourth brother, Ceng Ming, couldn't help but complain, "Brother Fan, you being able to arrange work is a coincidence. Even if we brothers get college diplomas, we won't be able to pass the exams at all. I was most afraid of studying when I was in school, and now you're still asking me to study. I'm just not cut out for this; I really can't handle it!"

Lu Fan wasn't angry or disappointed; instead, he could understand their thoughts and patiently persuaded them, "You can handle it, you must handle it! If you can't handle it, you still have to handle it! In this world, it's not easy for anyone, so why can't we handle it? We are all children who walked out of the countryside. We can't rely on our dads, so we can only rely on our lives! I won't hide it from you all, there's a very high probability that the county will recruit in two years, and I've been trying to find a way. Brothers, the opportunity is rare, you must persist. Burn your boats, fight to the death, it's only two short years. Fight until you're dead or alive, fight until you have no regrets! If you're my brothers, listen to me!"

Yang Minghao scolded, "Old Four, show some backbone. As long as there's a tiny bit of hope, we can't give up. Would Brother Fan harm us? Do you think eating from the public pot is that simple?"

"Alright, alright, I'll study, okay? I'm just complaining. If there really comes a day when I can have a formal job, I'll step on everyone who looked down on me!"

The next day, just after starting work, Lu Fan went to the Human Resources Bureau and knocked on the door of Deputy Director Xu Zheng.

"Oh, Xiao Fan! How do you have time to come here today? Sit down, I'll make you a cup of good tea, authentic Mingqian Longjing."

Lu Fan laughed, "Yuqian is a top-grade, Mingqian is a treasure. I'm in for a treat!"

"A friend gave it to me, and there's another tin that hasn't been opened. You can take it with you later!"

"Then don't feel bad about it, I'll accept it without being modest!"

"Take as much as you want, I'm happy to give it to you! Do you have business in Ningyang today?"

"Sigh, Baishu Bay has been spotted by County Head Yang and is going to be built into an observation point for 'forest creation' work. I estimate I'll have to run back and forth frequently in the future. I have to report work to County Head Yang later."

"Little brother, this is a good thing; others can't even beg for it. I heard that County Head Le spoke up at the standing committee meeting, seemingly disagreeing with letting you do it, but he was pushed back by County Head Yang. You have to hold on tight to County Head Yang's big, thick leg in the future!"

Lu Fan's heart tightened. This Le family was like a ghost that wouldn't go away. He must be on guard against those dogs in the future. Connections were too important; this was what he lacked the most right now. He only found out now about something that concerned his future and destiny.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Xu. In that godforsaken place of Baishu Bay, information is blocked. In the future, I'll have to ask you to keep me informed."

"That goes without saying. If there's anything, we can communicate by phone at any time."

After chatting for a while, Lu Fan stated the purpose of his trip: "Brother Xu, you also know that Baishu Bay has been designated as an observation point. Now I need to purchase a batch of cypress seedlings. The leader gave me some quota, but I just started working and have no connections at all. Brother Xu has wide connections, can you help me order 20,000 cypress seedlings?" To take, one must first give.

Xu Zheng fell silent upon hearing this. How could he not know this was a benefit Lu Fan was offering? If you give gifts to others, you must have something you want. His wife worked under him, and he should have been the one currying favor with him, but now it was the other way around. He must be planning something big, so he had to treat it seriously and figure out what he wanted to do first.

"Xiao Fan, if there's anything I can do, just say it. As your older brother, I definitely won't refuse."

Lu Fan said sincerely, "I just started working, I'm single and have no worries. What could I have? I just feel like I hit it off with Brother Xu and want to ask for advice on some things frequently. Take these seedlings, for example, I don't even know how to handle it right now. My parents passed away early, and none of my relatives have jobs, so when I encounter things, I don't even have anyone to discuss them with."

Everyone has compassion. Xu Zheng relaxed his vigilance and sighed, "Xiao Fan, I'm a few years older than you and have seen more things. If there's anything you can't figure out, maybe I can offer some advice. Don't worry, I'll definitely keep my mouth shut. We brothers don't need to be so formal. What's the deal with the seedlings?"

Sincerity is a killer move; trust can narrow the distance. Lu Fan said, "Regarding that observation point, the leader gave me some quota, and I don't know how to handle it."

Xu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Fan, let me analyze it for you. You're the one doing the actual work at the observation point. Presumably, the leader is only giving you a bit of soup; this is standard procedure. According to my experience, you can't swallow even this little bit of soup alone. The leader giving it to you is a favor; not giving it is their duty. Don't you still have to do the work? If you ask me, it's best to offer half of it up to the Director and the supervisor. It was 'extra money' that came from the sky anyway, don't feel bad about it!"

Lu Fan was suddenly enlightened and said gratefully, "Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years. Brother Xu must teach me often! But a man's word is his bond; Brother Xu must help with those 20,000 cypress seedlings."

Xu Zheng laughed, "I don't mind money being dirty! If you dare to give it, I dare to take it! Xiao Fan, this kind of money basically has no risk. Just hang it on a company to go through procurement. The market is unpredictable, so there's always a reason no matter what you say."

Today's events made Lu Fan completely understand the meaning of the two words "give and take." Only by giving can one gain; give first, then gain!