Chapter 588: Old Friends Reunite to Talk About the Past

My sudden appearance before Guo Wei took him greatly by surprise; he stood stunned for a full ten seconds before enthusiastically reaching out both hands to embrace me.

We are a pair of old comrades-in-arms, starting from Suxi Town and walking step by step to this day; through countless intersections, suspicions, and the unspoken understandings of choosing sides, everything was cleared away in this sudden reunion.

Just as Qian Youyu said, Guo Wei is indeed the head of the Municipal Industrial Park Management Committee now, though he is not the Director, but the Deputy Director. The reason a Director has never been sent is said to be because the controversy is too great; in a management committee without a Director, Deputy Director Guo Wei has taken over the duties of the Director. In other words, the one with overwhelming power in the industrial park is none other than him.

I did not let Qian Youyu follow me; I had to figure out the situation first.

Guo Wei was completely unaware of the purpose of my visit, and even knew very little about me working at the Letters and Calls Bureau. When I went to the Provincial Party School for training, he was still following Guan Peishan, serving as the Deputy Team Leader stationed in Chunshan County for the Municipal Government's Economic Development Leading Group. A year later, he has upgraded his equipment, while I am still almost standing in place.

My arrival brought him some surprise and astonishment. It was not just that we were once in the same trench, but mainly because when I first introduced Xue Bing to him, he had made a solemn vow before me.

After a round of pleasantries, Guo Wei first expressed that he felt sorry for me, saying that when I got married, he could not attend due to some unavoidable reasons, and he still feels regretful thinking about it to this day.

I responded to his apology with a smile; I knew Guo Wei was speaking insincerely. When I married Huang Weiwei, Guo Wei must have been hurting inside. Back then, he gave up a girlfriend he had been dating for five years for Huang Weiwei, but he did not expect that Huang Weiwei would not accept him, causing him to lose both the sesame seed and the watermelon.

I belong to those who came from behind; Huang Weiwei falling in love with me made me hesitate for a time. I could not bear to part with Xue Bing, whom I loved in the mountain village, but I could not withstand Huang Weiwei's tenderness and understanding. Especially the magnanimity she displayed made me finally make up my mind to give up Xue Bing's love and turn to embrace her.

In fact, the thoughts hidden in the bottom of my heart I never dared to reveal to the world; between Huang Weiwei and Xue Bing, I simply could not distinguish who was more lovable. It was only because of Minister Huang Shan standing behind Huang Weiwei that the scales of desire tipped toward her side.

Therefore, I am not a noble person. Not only am I not noble, but I am also a very shameful person. For the sake of my future, I gave up love; this is my permanent pain. And this kind of pain, I can only bear myself, not daring to reveal even half a bit.

Huang Weiwei had almost accepted Guo Wei for a period of time in the past, but because of my appearance, Guo Wei suffered a defeat.

In this way, I almost snatched his love away.

The Municipal Industrial Park does not occupy as much land as Qian Youyu said, but it has indeed planned an area of five square kilometers. The industrial park is still just a blueprint, and no enterprises have moved in yet.

I looked at a huge planning map hanging on the wall and clicked my tongue in praise: "Director Guo, impressive!"

Guo Wei was in high spirits; he picked up an iron rod that looked like a television antenna from the table and pointed at the planning map to introduce it to me. I thought about it according to the blueprint he envisioned; if everything is as he said, the economy of Hengyue City will go up three levels.

After finishing the introduction, Guo Wei sighed and said: "These are all plans; to turn plans into reality, we still need to walk a long road."

I tentatively asked him: "How exactly do you plan to achieve it?"

Guo Wei said straightforwardly: "Simple, sell land."

"Sell land?" I repeated his words, and the story of Suxi Town rose in my heart. Back then, I used a piece of wasteland at Old Eagle Mouth to exchange for Qian Youyu's investment without spending a penny; can this trick still be played now?

Guo Wei smiled and said: "Actually, you understand better than I do. Our Hengyue City does not have many advantages; although transportation is developed, there is no decent port or wharf. Even though land transportation extends in all directions, products eventually have to be unloaded at a port. In this way, logistics costs are more than double those of coastal cities. If we want to attract a phoenix, we must first have a parasol tree. Our parasol tree is land! Hengyue City lacks almost everything, but the only thing it doesn't lack is land. Don't you think?"

I nodded and said: "Director Guo has great foresight!"

Guo Wei returned to the sofa to sit down, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

I asked in surprise: "When did you start smoking?"

Guo Wei did not avoid me and said bluntly: "Ever since I broke up with Xue Bing, I learned. Only now do I feel that smoking is really good; this thing can not only refresh the mind but also help people think."

I am an old smoker; someone like Guo Wei who started halfway is basically child's play in front of me.

Two people smoking in the room, and the smoke filled the entire room. We didn't feel it while inside, but if an outsider walked in, they would be smoked out by this thick smell of smoke.

Since he took the initiative to mention Xue Bing, I just happened to find an opportunity to explain the mystery in my heart.

Guo Wei seemed to deliberately avoid this question; every time I mentioned Xue Bing, he would divert the topic. I knew there was no point in asking further; Guo Wei would not tell me the truth.

After chatting for a while, he seemed to suddenly remember something and asked me: "How did you find me here?"

I smiled faintly and said: "Director Guo, we are colleagues again now."

Guo Wei looked at me in confusion, so I told him about my arrangement at the Municipal Government's Letters and Calls Bureau. I said I heard by chance that the Director of the Management Committee was him, and since we are old friends, it would be too unkind not to come and visit.

After pondering for a long time, Guo Wei said: "You are a cadre who participated in the Provincial Party School training; no matter what, you shouldn't have ended up at the Letters and Calls Bureau. There must be a problem here."

I shook my head and said: "Actually, there is no problem. Every position needs people, not to mention that now is a great time for economic development. Perhaps the leaders feel that I am more suitable for the position of Letters and Calls."

Guo Wei shook his head and said: "Don't fool me. What kind of person you, Chen Feng, are—if others don't know, how could I not be clear? If you were still the Town Mayor of Suxi, maybe you wouldn't have any thoughts. The problem is that you have already been in a leadership position; to ask you to be without desire or demand now, even a ghost wouldn't believe it."

I laughed: "Believe it or not, it's up to you."

Guo Wei sighed and said: "Chen Feng, you must be playing some tricks again."

I complained: "Director Guo, you think of me a bit too complexly. Actually, I am someone who is used to being content with whatever happens; it doesn't matter which clump of grass I am placed in."

He stared at me for a long time, shook his head, and said: "You didn't come here today just to reunite with an old friend; what is it, tell me."

I exhaled a puff of smoke and said: "There really is nothing; I just came to see you."

Guo Wei said "Oh," then called someone to come in to arrange for us to have a meal together at noon.

I wanted to refuse, but before I could open my mouth, Guo Wei spoke first: "Let's not drink at noon. We'll continue in the evening; we'll have a drink at Xinlinyin."

I hesitated and said: "Let's not do it in the evening; it's best if we have a working meal together at noon."

Guo Wei glanced at me, laughed loudly, and said: "Chen Feng, are you worried that I don't have money? Let me tell you, although my management committee is still a field of withered grass, the money in my hands would make you jealous if I told you."

"Public money!" I said, looking at him with a half-smile.

"In my hands, it is mine. If I don't spend it, others will spend it just the same. Money is something that only comes back after it is spent; it can't breed if it's kept in hand."

When the conversation reached this point, I couldn't help but lament my own situation. On my first day at the Letters and Calls Bureau, I treated everyone to a meal and drinks; my office colleague Zhou Yun kindly said the bureau would pay, but when the invoice was taken to Director Lilian to sign, not only was it not signed, but I was also scolded.

Our Letters and Calls Bureau has very limited funds and no source of income. Apart from financial appropriations, there is simply no way to make money. Usually, the bureau spends money by splitting one cent into two; if we want to change a light bulb, we have to get Lilian to sign and agree.

If we encounter destitute petitioners, we not only have to treat them to a meal, but sometimes we have to pay out of our own pockets to buy tickets to send them away.

The last time we ate, I ended up paying out of my own pocket, and afterwards, Lilian vaguely warned me not to bring the unhealthy trend of wining and dining into the Letters and Calls Bureau.

Comparing people to people is infuriating! Guo Wei's grand talk was because he had plenty of money in his pocket. With more money, one's courage is greater, one's spirit is fuller, and one can look down on the world—who else but me!

If I declined again, it would make me look small-minded. So I said: "Director Guo, you treat at noon, and I'll treat in the evening."

Guo Wei laughed: "How much money does your Letters and Calls Bureau have? Forget it. It'll be me in the evening."

I laughed dryly and said: "Can't I pay out of my own pocket to treat you?"

Guo Wei looked at me like I was a monster and said: "Pay out of your own pocket? No way!"

"Fine!" I said readily: "I definitely won't pay, but the guest in the evening must be treated by me."

"It's a deal! You're treating in the evening." Guo Wei smiled with satisfaction, patted my shoulder, and said: "Chen Feng, we are worthy of being old partners. Life is a circle; after going around in a circle, we are back again."

I sighed: "Director Guo, that is indeed the case."

Although I said this, I was very dissatisfied with Guo Wei's tone and actions in my heart. He kept calling me by my name, while I kept calling him "Director Guo"; he patted my shoulder while speaking—this is how a superior leader shows intimacy to a subordinate. I am a Deputy Director of the Letters and Calls Bureau; although the rank is not high, you, Guo Wei, are also a Deputy Director. We are comrades of the same rank; by what right do you pat my shoulder while speaking?

Guo Wei's words and actions were deliberate; when he let go of my shoulder, I saw a strange smile appear on his face.

He is trying to seize the initiative and give me a show of force.

I, Chen Feng, am no pushover, but if one does not endure small things, one will spoil great plans. Given Guo Wei's current position and environment, there is no need for me to offend him yet. Besides, these little tricks he is deliberately playing are merely to satisfy his own psychological balance.

Before Guo Wei went to the countryside for socialist education, he was already a cadre in the Municipal Committee Office; his starting point was higher than mine, and his network of connections and resources in the city are far richer than mine. To put it simply, the ghosts he knows in the city outnumber the leaders I know.

However, how he managed to shake off Guan Peishan and become such a hotshot Deputy Director at the Management Committee—just how many stories lie behind that is exactly what I want to know.

Everyone knows that the funds of the Hengyue City Industrial Park make it one of the most well-funded units in Hengyue City. The five square kilometers of land in Guo Wei's hands is like guarding five golden mountains.

I made an excuse to go to the restroom and took the opportunity to call Qian Youyu, telling him to find the most luxurious private room at Xinlinyin; we are to host Director Guo for a banquet tonight.

Qian Youyu agreed gleefully, buttering me up by saying that as long as I step in, there is nothing that cannot be handled.

I cursed at him, "Old Qian, you talk too much nonsense. Tonight depends on you."

Qian Youyu replied with a knowing tone, "I understand!"

Just as I was about to hang up, Qian Youyu suddenly blurted out, "Little brother, let me ask you something. I just heard from Xiao Xue that Director Hao of the Suxi Police Station was taken away by the Commission for Discipline Inspection; is that true?"

My heart sank, and I said slowly into the phone, "I don't know. I am not with the Commission for Discipline Inspection."

This chapter was released only today due to sensitive words. I am truly sorry!