Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 676 Settling the Matter

Xiao Wei said to the power company guy, "This had nothing to do with me, but you threw a cup at me and cursed at me. I handcuffed you and took you back because I thought you were so great, that you could cut off the power, right? And that the police station would give you face too? You even called out Lao Lu, so you're familiar with Chief Lu, huh? Let me tell you, today, not even Lao Lu, not even eight Lus can do anything."

The guy said, "You're tough, now I know you're tough. I can't mess with you. Can I leave now, officer?"

"What's wrong, Wei?" Chen Hui and Xia Maosheng ran in wearing bath shorts and shirtless.

The waiter who glared at people ran down to tell Chen Hui that Xiaowei was about to get into a fight.

Manager Han rubbed his forehead, thinking to himself, "Oh no, this is going to be a big deal."

Xiao Wei pointed at the guy and said, "You guys from the power company, drinking and acting crazy here. You're ordering drinks and food, and when I was talking to Manager Han, you threw a glass at me. My little police station can't afford to mess with you, so you handle it."

Chen Hui lunged forward to grab a fist and throw a punch, yelling, "You son of a bitch!" Xiao Wei grabbed Chen Hui, saying, "Don't hit me."

Chen Hui pointed at the guy and said, "You guys have completely disgraced the power industry. Give me a phone." Chen Hui then turned to Manager Han and said.

Xiao Wei said, "Manager Han, could you please bring me a phone?"

Manager Han hurriedly went to get the phone. Chen Hui's anger had subsided by now; he had almost exploded when he first heard about it downstairs.

Chen Hui asked the group opposite him, "Come on, give me your numbers. Let me see what kind of awesome people you are. What classes are you in?"

The power supply back then was different from the current configuration after corporatization. They had much more power, managing everything from operation, maintenance, substation repair, and security to meter reading, billing, and dispatch. They had many staff and work groups, and were not subject to local jurisdiction, forming their own faction and acting quite arrogantly.

Xiao Wei said, "I despise people like you the most. You think you're so great just because you have a little something. I wouldn't say anything if you came to take advantage of me or steal some gas, but what the hell are you doing? Trying to cause trouble? Trying to ruin this place? A bunch of idiots."

Manager Han came over, panting, carrying a mobile phone.

Xiao Hui thought for a moment, then walked to the side and dialed a number.

"Hey? I'm Chen Hui. Who's on duty today? I'm at the bathhouse on Jiuma Road. A few guys from the lower shifts are causing trouble here, drunk and disorderly. They almost beat up my buddy. They're demanding alcohol and stir-fried dishes, acting like they have no backbone. The police station here said they can't afford to offend them and told us to handle it ourselves. I feel so ashamed."

After exchanging a few words, Chen Hui hung up the phone, handed the mobile phone back to Manager Han, and asked, "Do these guys always come here causing trouble? Have they taken anything or any money from us before?"

Manager Han looked at Xiao Wei, who said, "Just answer my questions. Tell the truth, whatever you have to say."

The guy over there asked Xiaowei, "Bro, what do you want? We give up, let's go, okay?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui, who was talking to Manager Han, and waved his hand, saying, "Wait here quietly for a while. Are you going to wait here or come back to the office with me? I'm fine with either, it's up to you."

The guy stared at Xiaowei for a few seconds, then turned and sat down on the sofa, saying, "Sit down, sit down, wait and see what he can do." He took out a cigarette and lit it. He didn't look drunk at all now. All drunken antics are just harassment.

Xiao Wei also took out a cigarette, offered one to Xia Maosheng who was standing to the side, and lit one for himself. Chen Hui, after finishing his conversation with Manager Han, came over and took one, saying, "What's going on? What exactly do you mean?"

Xiao Wei said, "This boss is alright, it's worth helping him out. Besides, I need to talk to him about something." Chen Hui nodded.

Ten minutes later, five or six people followed the waiter in.

Chen Hui went up to greet him: "Brother Wang."

The visitor reached out and shook hands with Chen Hui, smiling as he asked, "What's going on?" The visitor was the deputy director of the Fengtian City Power Bureau, who happened to be on duty that night.

Fengtian City's power industry is probably the most miserable among all the prefecture-level power industries. In other cities, the bureau chiefs are considered quite powerful figures, but in Fengtian, there are two big shots above them, so they have to consider their surroundings before they can even show off.

However, being in a position of power provides more opportunities for promotion, so it's a trade-off.

Chen Hui said, "A friend of mine owns this place. Today, a few of us came here with our wives to take a bath, and we ran into these guys acting all high and mighty, drunk and disorderly. They were demanding drinks and food, or they'd smash up the place. My buddy said a few words to the manager and then smashed a glass at them. Your guys are really something else. I've seen it all."

Deputy Director Wang asked, "Is your baby's one-month celebration coming up? When are you hosting a celebration? Can I join you for a drink?"

Chen Hui said, "My dad arranged it. I really didn't know. I'll call you later. Just so you know, when you come, drink, and don't accept any gifts. Otherwise, don't come."

Deputy Director Wang nodded and asked, "Where are the police station officers? Have they left?"

Chen Hui pointed at Xiao Wei: "This is my brother, he's at Jixian Hospital now. Okay, you handle it. I was halfway through my shower, what a bummer."

Deputy Director Wang said, "Okay, you go wash it, I'll handle it."

Chen Hui said to Xiao Wei, "Then Lao Xia and I are going downstairs. How much longer will you be?"

Xiao Wei said, "You two go ahead, I'll go upstairs and say a few words." Chen Hui and Xia Maosheng went downstairs, and Xiao Hui went straight upstairs to find Brother Long.

Deputy Director Wang walked over and looked at the five men: "Do you recognize me?"

The one in the lead looked at Deputy Director Wang and asked, "Who are you?" Back then, it wasn't like today where a little bit of information and photos could fly around online. Besides, the levels were quite far apart; there were city bureaus, district bureaus, and branch bureaus—four or five levels in total.

Deputy Director Wang said, "I'm from the Municipal Bureau, my surname is Wang. You guys pack your things and come with me."

A lackey standing nearby asked, "This is Director Wang from the Municipal Bureau. Which department are you from? Who is your direct supervisor?"

The one in the lead said, "We just came to take a shower, we didn't do anything."

Deputy Director Wang said, "We make our living in the electricity industry, so it's normal for us to put on airs wherever we go. But you guys didn't choose a good day today. Learn from this and stay away from this place in the future." Manager Han, who was standing next to him, nodded and turned to leave.

The henchman said, "Hmph, I have to admire your luck. Do you know who was on the phone just now? That's the son of the biggest guy in Northeast China. This is his friend's place, understand? Let's go, remember this lesson for the future."

The five guys, no longer confused, got up dejectedly and walked out. One of them handed Manager Han a business card, smiling, and said, "For anything related to the electricity industry, call this number. It's not good for you to go straight to the top."

Everyone had left, but Manager Han was still standing there, a cell phone in one hand and a business card in the other, completely bewildered. What did "stabbing the top" mean? Who did I stab? After a moment's thought, he hurried upstairs; he needed to get to the bottom of this.

(End of this chapter)