Chapter 1522

Under the watchful eyes of the neighbors, the Red Flag car stopped in the alleyway. Immediately after, Cao Weiguo stepped out of the car, and a young driver diligently lifted two large suitcases out from inside.

Cao Weiguo said politely, "Xiao Zhou, come into the house for a cup of tea and rest for a while."

The driver, Xiao Zhou, scratched his head and gave a simple, honest smile, "Thank you, Leader, but I still have to go to the station to pick up Section Chief Liu."

Cao Weiguo patted Xiao Zhou on the shoulder, "Then you go ahead with your work. Come over to the house to sit when you're free."

The driver, Xiao Zhou, smiled honestly, "Yes, I understand. Leader, I'll be going then."

The driver, Xiao Zhou, nimbly returned to the car, and the Red Flag car slowly backed out of the alley.

Yan Fugui approached with fiery eyes, "Weiguo, you're back from your business trip? These are all local specialties you brought back from the Shu region, right?"

Cao Weiguo picked up the two large suitcases and wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Third Uncle, on such a hot day, you shouldn't be out here getting heatstroke; you should be inside the house blowing the electric fan."

Yan Fugui waved his hand, "It's even hotter inside the house than outside; it's so stuffy it makes it hard to breathe. Don't change the subject. What good things did you bring back from the Shu region? Let Third Uncle feast his eyes."

Cao Weiguo laughed, "My suitcases are just full of clothes and shoes; there's nothing interesting to see. It's too hot today, so I'm going home to take a shower first. I've been on the train for several days and I'm covered in sweat. I'll chat with you after I catch my breath."

Watching helplessly as Cao Weiguo trotted away with a suitcase in each hand, Yan Fugui stomped his feet in anger, muttering to himself, "This kid is getting stingier by the day. What's he running for? It's not like I could snatch them from him."

Yi Zhonghai, wearing large shorts and a tank top, sneered, "Old Yan, what kind of person is Cao Weiguo? It's not like today is the first day you've known him. That kid is extremely stingy. Don't look at the fact that he's a section chief now; that miserly nature is carved into his bones. It won't change. If you're hoping to benefit from him, you might as well wish for pie to fall from the sky."

Yan Fugui shook his head, "Look at him. He went on a business trip empty-handed, and came back with two extra large suitcases. Who knows how many good things are hidden inside? He eats and drinks well every day, but he doesn't know how to show respect to us elders. He's a total iron rooster."

Yi Zhonghai snorted, "Hmph, even if he gave his things to me, I wouldn't want them. I find him dirty."

Upon hearing this, Yan Fugui didn't pick up the conversation.

He was just grumbling about Cao Weiguo's stinginess; he wouldn't dare spout nonsense about other things.

What did it have to do with him whether someone was dirty or not?

If these words were to spread, how would he face Cao Weiguo in the future? How would the two families interact?

As for Yi Zhonghai, he hated Cao Weiguo to the bone. Although there was no evidence to prove that his misfortune was framed by Cao Weiguo, he had always liked to judge a gentleman's heart with a villain's measure. He had several people he didn't get along with, but as for someone with such a vicious heart, Cao Weiguo was likely the only one.

Furthermore, he had plotted against Cao Weiguo, and shortly after, the Workers' Inspection Team had searched his home and found things. How could it be such a coincidence?

These suspicions made Yi Zhonghai certain that it was Cao Weiguo who had framed him, ruining his reputation and causing him to lose his job. Even after returning home, he could only stay in the Sihe Academy, idling away his days. Without his salary, he could only rely on that meager grain quota to survive, and he no longer had his former glory and status.

As time passed, Yi Zhonghai's hatred for Cao Weiguo grew rather than diminished. He dreamed of destroying Cao Weiguo. With such deep hatred, could Yi Zhonghai say anything good about Cao Weiguo? Naturally, he would say whatever would ruin Cao Weiguo's reputation.

He couldn't defeat Cao Weiguo openly, but he was very skilled at ruining reputations in the dark.

On the other side, Cao Weiguo returned home with the large suitcases. Song Yulan came out with her pregnant belly to welcome him, and Song Yujuan also hurriedly took the suitcases from Cao Weiguo's hands.

"Wife, Sister Yujuan, come and see the gifts I brought back for you."

Cao Weiguo opened the two large suitcases, immediately drawing gasps of surprise from the two women.

One suitcase was filled with new clothes, new shoes, exquisite jewelry, Shu brocade, and cosmetics, while the other was filled with cured meat, sausages, dried bamboo shoots, tea, and local snacks from the Shu region.

"What's going on?"

This piece of Shu brocade was a gift given to him by a leader of the Shu Industrial Bureau. Ordinary people without connections would never be able to touch Shu brocade of this quality. Currently, due to the movement, the traditional patterns of Shu brocade had stopped production, making this piece even more precious.

Cao Weiguo smiled, "Keep this piece of Shu brocade well, and don't let outsiders see it."

Song Yulan nodded heavily, "Yes, I'll remember."

Cao Weiguo then took out clothes, shoes, and jewelry and handed them to Song Yujuan, "Sister Yujuan, these are the gifts I brought back for you."

Song Yujuan said happily, "Thank you, Weiguo."

"Dad, Dad, my gift!"

Song Yulan and Song Yujuan happily accepted their gifts. Cao Ping'an bumped into Cao Weiguo's thigh like a little calf, looking up with his round face and expectant eyes.

"How could I forget my precious eldest son? Look, this is the gift I brought back for you."

Cao Weiguo rummaged through the suitcase and pulled out a panda doll, as well as a bamboo dragonfly and a bamboo spinning top.

"Thank you, Dad!"

Upon receiving the gifts, Cao Ping'an was overjoyed, hugging his new toys and unable to put them down. ===== CHAPTER 1524 =====