1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Chapter 174 Let's Go Have Fun (Part 2)

Life is like flowing water, washing away wounds and settling memories.

In the days that followed, Dong Jianguo's life was filled to the brim.

During the day, he attended tedious but fulfilling classes, while in the afternoons and evenings, he transformed into a "salesman" and a "business owner in another city."

With the superior product quality of "Crane Flavor" and his silver tongue, he managed to cultivate a complete network of connections within the training class.

Except for Guangdong, where people don't really like spicy food, there are still no distributors available. In most coastal and populous provinces, there are already distributors.

At the same time, he also had to remotely control the affairs of the Hecheng factory and sort out the supply chain through the old telephone in the guesthouse.

Life was busy and fulfilling, and Li Wan's tear-streaked face seemed to gradually become blurred in my memory as time went by.

At least, that's what Dong Jianguo himself thinks.

But some people think differently.

"Jianguo, what's wrong with Li Wan? She hasn't come to see you for days. Do you think she's angry with you?"

In the early morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the branches of the old locust tree. Chen Zhiyong sprayed mousse onto his meticulously styled Aaron Kwok hairstyle and asked casually.

Dong Jianguo paused in tying his shoelaces, his face instantly darkening.

This is the third time this week.

Since returning from Xidan that day, Dong Jianguo thought the matter was over.

But Chen Zhiyong, whether out of stupidity or on purpose, always brings up Li Wan in front of him every now and then.

He kept Dong Jianguo in suspense for a moment, saying he thought he saw Li Wan on the street, then said he heard from the front desk of the guesthouse that someone was looking for him. Finally, he said with a wicked smile that he had been mistaken.

This kind of trick is like rubbing salt into a freshly scabbed wound.

"Chen Zhiyong, are you bored?" Dong Jianguo looked up, his eyes flashing like knives. "If you're so bored, then help me copy this week's course notes. My handwriting is too ugly, I'll have to rewrite it later."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiyong immediately grinned and leaned closer, "Oh, Jianguo, look at you, getting anxious again, aren't you? I'm just concerned about you. We're both grown men, what can't we overcome? That Li Wan is such a wonderful girl, beautiful, and deeply in love with you. Are you really willing to give her up?"

"What's it to you if I'm reluctant to part with it?"

Dong Jianguo slammed his laptop on the table in a huff. "Lend me your cell phone, I need to make a long-distance call to the factory."

"Hey, that's no fun at all. It costs several dollars a minute!" Chen Zhiyong hid his mobile phone behind his back.

Looking at his shameless demeanor, Dong Jianguo knew that if he didn't make things clear today, this guy would drive him crazy.

He took a deep breath, pulled out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes from his pocket, shook one out, lit it, and took a deep drag.

"Zhiyong, I'm telling you this because I consider you a brother." Dong Jianguo exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes turning serious. "Don't get involved in Li Wan's affairs. I have a wife and children; I have to be responsible for them. This is a matter of principle."

Seeing that his expression was off, Chen Zhiyong also put away his joking face and sat down opposite him.

"Jianguo, you're a good person in every way, except you're too stubborn."

Chen Zhiyong shook his head. "These days, what's wrong with a man having a few more female confidantes if he's rich?"

"Besides, it was a consensual affair; what you did was 'romantic,' not vulgar. Furthermore, your wife is in the Northeast, and you're in Beijing—far from the emperor's reach, nobody knows."

"You don't understand." Dong Jianguo shook his head, looking out the window. "My relationship with Xiuyun isn't what you think. Besides, Li Wan is a good girl, and I don't want to hurt her."

"Okay, okay, you're so noble, you're so awesome."

Chen Zhiyong waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not talk about women, let's get down to business. Jianguo, let me tell you, your food factory, although it makes money, it's hard-earned money, small change. If you really want to do something big, take my advice and come with me to 'Dafei'!"

He leaned closer to Dong Jianguo, lowered his voice, and his eyes gleamed with greed: "Let me tell you, this time when I go back to Shenzhen, I'm planning to get a few more new boats. Let's partner up, you provide the capital, I'll provide the labor, and we'll make more money on one trip than you'd make selling spicy strips your whole life! Then, if you wanted to keep ten Li Wans, it would be a piece of cake!"

Looking at his face, flushed with excitement, Dong Jianguo felt a deep sadness welling up inside him.

This is the essential difference between him and Chen Zhiyong.

Chen Zhiyong is a smart person, but he only thinks about how to make quick money and how to take shortcuts.

He had no idea that the path he was walking was a one-way road to hell.

"Zhiyong, listen to my advice." Dong Jianguo's tone became more serious than ever before. "That thing is off-limits."

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"Why can't we touch it?" Chen Zhiyong retorted indignantly. "I've already taken care of things at customs. As soon as things get tense, we'll stop for a few days. As long as we don't stop, it's like a money-printing machine! Jianguo, are you afraid I'll cheat you? Don't worry, we're brothers, I'll definitely—"

"I'm not afraid you'll screw me over," Dong Jianguo interrupted him. "I'm afraid you'll screw yourself over."

Dong Jianguo stood up, walked to the window, looked at the old locust tree in the yard, and slowly said, "Zhiyong, remember this. In this world, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever, and there is no such thing as eternal peace. Your big plane may seem fast and exciting now, and it can make you a lot of money. But it's built on loopholes in the country's laws and order."

"It's 95 now, and the country is still developing, so the crackdown on these things might not be that severe yet. But believe it or not, in a few years, once the national machinery is running smoothly, your little boat won't even make a ripple in front of warships."

"At that time, you might not only lose your money, but also your life."

Chen Zhiyong was stunned. He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found himself speechless.

"Where did you hear this nonsense?" Chen Zhiyong stammered. "Jianguo, are you scared? If you are, then don't try to scare me."

"I'm not trying to scare you, I'm doing this for your own good."

Dong Jianguo turned around and looked at him. "Zhiyong, take my advice. Before you get too deeply involved, get rid of those things and find a legitimate business to do. You have guts and connections, what can't you do? Why do you have to take that dead-end path?"

Chen Zhiyong fell silent.

He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously digging into the sheets, his mind a jumbled mess.

Dong Jianguo's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the flames in his heart, but also making him feel a strange sense of fear.

But his inherent pride prevented him from bowing down to Dong Jianguo.

"Alright, Jianguo, stop talking." Chen Zhiyong suddenly stood up, grabbed the mobile phone on the table, and said, "I understand."

I'll handle my own affairs.

After saying that, he slammed the door and left without looking back.

Watching Chen Zhiyong's departing figure, Dong Jianguo sighed helplessly.

He knew that his words were probably wasted.

Chen Zhiyong is the kind of person who won't give up until he's hit rock bottom. Only when he's truly battered and bruised will he understand the meaning behind his words.

Well, I'll offer some advice if I can. After all, we're friends.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the training program for young entrepreneurs has come to an end.

On the day of graduation, the sun shone brightly, and red lanterns were hung in the courtyard of the guesthouse, creating a festive atmosphere.

Everyone gathered together, exchanging contact information and discussing their future plans.

"Jianguo, keep in touch! Remember to save some spicy strips for me!"

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang, as long as my factory is still operating, you'll have plenty of goods!"

"Jianguo, when you come back to our province, be sure to look me up! I'll take you to eat the most authentic hot pot!"

"Sure, I'll definitely go!"

Dong Jianguo was busy exchanging pleasantries with everyone, a smile always on his face.

Although we only spent a few months together, these people are future social elites and valuable resources. Besides the knowledge I gained, the biggest takeaway from this trip to Beijing was the network I built.

The celebration banquet that evening was held at a well-known restaurant in Beijing.

Everyone toasted and drank, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Come on, let's toast to the friendship we forged in this young entrepreneurs' training program!"

"Cheers!"

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Chen Zhiyong, holding a wine glass, staggered over to Dong Jianguo.

"Founding the Nation—Brothers—"

His tongue was swollen, his face was flushed, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused.

"What's wrong? Zhiyong, have you had too much to drink?" Dong Jianguo quickly helped him up.

"I'm not drunk!" Chen Zhiyong shoved him away, straightened his back, and said, "Jianguo, let me tell you, I thought about what you said all night. You're right, that thing—it really doesn't last long."

Dong Jianguo was secretly delighted: "Really? You've come to your senses?"

"I've thought it through!" Chen Zhiyong nodded vigorously, his eyes slightly red. "Jianguo, I'll listen to you. I'm not going to get involved in that big aircraft anymore. I'll go back and sell it, and find a legitimate business to do."

"Good! Well done!" Dong Jianguo patted him on the shoulder excitedly. "Zhiyong, you're all right! Come on, let's have a drink, brothers!"

Let's have a drink!

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

"However—" Chen Zhiyong put down his wine glass, then became somewhat hesitant, "Jianguo, there's something else I'd like to ask you."

"Speak, what is it?"

"Could I get a distributorship for your spicy snacks?" Chen Zhiyong asked, rubbing his hands together somewhat sheepishly. "I'm thinking of starting a food wholesale business, specifically selling your 'Crane's Flavor' snacks. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Jianguo burst into laughter: "Great! No problem! Zhiyong, you've struck gold! Let me tell you, this spicy snack—"

The two put their arms around each other's shoulders and began to discuss the agency matters in detail.

Looking at Chen Zhiyong's sincere face, Dong Jianguo finally felt relieved.

It seems this guy has really come to his senses.

After the dinner ended, everyone was still enjoying themselves.

I don't know who suggested it, but we went to a newly opened dance hall in Beijing to continue having fun.

"I heard the music there is really energetic, and there are foreign girls too!"

"Let's go, let's go take a look!"

Dong Jianguo initially wanted to refuse, wanting to go back to the guesthouse for a good night's sleep. But seeing everyone's high spirits, he couldn't bear to spoil the fun, so he had no choice but to go along.

The night in Beijing is a dazzling display of lights and colors.

The dance hall was located in a building in the city center, with luxury cars parked in front. Neon lights flashed, and deafening music blared from inside; even before entering, you could feel the restless atmosphere.

"Come on, Jianguo, let's go inside and take a look!"

Chen Zhiyong pulled Dong Jianguo along and squeezed into the crowd.

Upon entering the dance hall, the deafening music instantly engulfed everyone. Multicolored laser lights swept across the crowd, and men and women writhed wildly on the dance floor, the air thick with a strange mix of perfume, cigarette smoke, and alcohol.

"Come on, Jianguo, let's go sit over there!"

Chen Zhiyong found a booth on the side, pulled Dong Jianguo to sit down, and ordered a few more bottles of foreign liquor and fruit platters.

"Come on, have a drink! Relax!"

Dong Jianguo took the glass of wine but only took a small sip.

He wasn't used to this kind of occasion, and he disliked the noisy atmosphere even more. He preferred to sit quietly and observe everything around him.

Chen Zhiyong, however, was perfectly at home. He quickly blended into the atmosphere, picked up his wine glass, and went to the dance floor to chat up several stylishly dressed women.

Dong Jianguo sat alone in a booth, idly watching the crowd on the dance floor.

He picked up his glass, about to take a sip, when his gaze was suddenly drawn to a figure in the center of the dance floor.

That was a woman's back view.

She wore a red, backless long dress, looking exceptionally alluring under the colorful lights. Her hair was pulled up high, revealing her long, fair neck.

She was swaying her body to the rhythm of the music.

That silhouette —

Dong Jianguo's hand jerked violently, spilling the wine from his glass onto his trousers.

He was completely unaware.

His eyes were fixed on the woman's back, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

The way he walked, the swaying motion, the half-face revealed when he slightly turned his head—

is her!

It's definitely her!

Li Wan!

Dong Jianguo's mind went completely blank for a moment.

He never expected to see Li Wan here.

Moreover, she was wearing such revealing clothes, twisting and turning on the dance floor.

"Li Wan————"

Dong Jianguo murmured the name, his voice hoarse.

He suddenly stood up, wanting to rush into the dance floor and pull Li Wan out of it.

He wanted to ask her why she came here? Why was she dressed like that?

However, his feet seemed to be nailed to the spot, unable to move.

He remembered the heartless words he had said to her that day at the movie theater entrance.

Let's pretend that kiss never happened.

"I have a wife and a daughter."

"You're a good girl, you should find someone who's a good match for you."

These words, like knives, now turned around and stabbed him in return.

What right does he have to question her?

What right does he have to interfere in her life?

Just then, a middle-aged man in his forties appeared on the dance floor like a hunter who had found his prey.

He was heavily pregnant, and wore a thick gold necklace around his neck, swaying as he twisted and turned toward Li Wan.