Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 793 It's Quiet

The man surnamed He said, "How can that be the same? This is the treatment the country gives me, why should I share it?"

Xiao Wei smiled and said, "It's different when it's your situation; it's all problems when it's someone else's. The chef also puts in the work; the restaurant relies on him to make money. Why shouldn't he get more? I understand why your neighborhood is broke—it's because of you. With you around, you'll never make any money. You're too selfish; I'm sure you'll embezzle, take advantage of public resources, and benefit from the system."

The man surnamed He slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "How dare you talk to me like that? Do you believe I'll sue you?"

Xiao Wei threw his work ID on the table: "Do you believe I'll investigate you? I don't believe you're completely clean-cut, and I certainly don't believe no one knows what you've done."

The man surnamed He said, "Disgraceful! I'm not done with you yet. So what if you have a few stinking bucks? Just wait for the big inspection."

Xiao Wei said, "I have money, and I earned it penny by penny. I'm proud of it. Unlike some people who just want to take advantage of others, you know? I have no respect for you. Go find someone to check me out. Oh, by the way, let me remind you, I work for a provincial enterprise, and I'm also a member of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference and a representative of the Municipal People's Congress. If the person you find isn't high-ranking, it might not work."

The man surnamed He threw Xiaowei's work ID back on the table and said, "The state has repeatedly issued orders prohibiting leading cadres and their spouses and children from engaging in business. You are defying these orders. I will report you tomorrow."

Chen Hui said, "This is an honor bestowed upon Xiaowei by the country. Xiaowei solved several major cases and arrested several murderers last year. Can you compare?"

Sister Li rubbed her forehead, turned her head and said, "Old He, we're out here on business, not for you to show off. How many people have you offended these past few days? You should go home now."

The man surnamed He stood there, his expression changing slightly. He turned and left without a sound. Sister Li sighed and said, "I'm sorry, you all had to see this. Old He, tsk, sigh."

Xiao Wei said, "With this guy in your neighborhood, I doubt you'll be able to get anything done."

Chen Hui said, "Did you come up through the Cultural Revolution? Your mouth and mind are still full of that old tune. How can someone like that be a leader?"

Xiao Wei said, "Sister Li, now that I know about this welfare home and the five-guarantee households, I definitely have to lend a hand. However, I won't go through you; our company will handle it ourselves. I'll let you know when it's done, and your neighborhood committee can participate. As for your factory, I can help come up with some ideas, but we still need a reliable person to take the lead. You know, Lao He, haha."

Chen Hui said, "Everyone says they've investigated, so let's investigate. We'll probably do a lot better if we remove these kinds of people."

Xiao Wei said to Sister Li, "You need to understand the principle that different people should do different things. If you want to run the factory well and make money, you need to let knowledgeable people manage it, give them authority, and let them make the decisions. That's the normal attitude for doing things. I understand your current situation now. It's because the leader doesn't understand anything and is giving orders blindly."

Sister Li said, "Back then, who knew anything? We were all forced into it; we just had to bite the bullet and go for it."

Xiao Wei said, "You have houses, but if you can't run a business yourself, why don't you rent them out to others? Rent is income too. Besides, if the factory isn't doing well, just let capable people take over the business, and you can collect the contract fees. Why should everyone starve like this?"

Sister Li said, "I had thought about this before, but who should make the package and who shouldn't? We're all colleagues from the same unit, and it's not a pleasant topic. We tried to organize it once before, but everyone disagreed, so we didn't bring it up again."

Chen Hui said, "Whoever pays more can take over the contract. What's so difficult about that? Once they take it over, it's theirs. They have the final say during the contract period, and any profits they make are theirs. I bet you guys are already envious before the contract is even signed off. It's no wonder it won't work out."

The woman who had been sitting quietly on the side said, "It's all because of Lao He stirring things up. Otherwise, how could things have come to this? Last time, when Xiao Wang's child was about to sign the contract, he insisted that they pay 60% of the annual profit. Who would do that? Why should they? I've disliked him for a long time. With him around, nothing good has happened. He just wants his son to cover for him, right? And then he doesn't want to pay anything. A thousand a year, how can he even bring himself to say that?"

The sound of a car came from outside. Chen Hui walked to the window, glanced out, and said to Xiao Wei, "We've arrived at Director Huang's house."

Xiao Wei stood up and said, "Excuse me, Sister Li, I have something to do. I'll let you know when I've settled things with the welfare home and the elderly living alone. As for you, I'm sorry, I can't help you with that. You'll have to figure it out yourselves."

Sister Li wanted to say something, but after opening her mouth, she didn't say anything. The four of them went downstairs together.

Downstairs, the Huang family got out of the car. Huang Jianzhong was carrying the listless Huang Yuting, while Huang Su's wife had red and swollen eyes and looked completely dazed, as if she had lost her soul. Huang Su's younger brother, Huang Jianguo, seemed quite excited, perhaps because of his young age.

The team was led by Director Qin, probably because he was quite familiar with Xiao Wei. Seeing Xiao Wei come down, he said in a loud voice, "Xiao Wei, hurry up and make arrangements, which building are we moving to?"

Xiao Wei walked over with a smile and said, "Whatever, they're all their own anyway. Let them choose. They can choose whichever floor they want, pick two apartments, or even just have them face-to-face. That way it'll be convenient for them to look after each other."

A group of police officers were unloading things from the truck. Director Qin took off his hat, looked up at the headquarters building, and said, "You're really getting cocky now. Is this building still under construction? I thought it was finished."

Xiao Wei said, "Last year we managed to clear the outside, but we didn't touch the inside at all. This year it should be almost done, around the end of August or the beginning of September."

Director Qin nodded, turned to look at the third floor on the other side, and said, "Make the arrangements. Where should we move them?"

Xiao Wei said, "Right now, the people living upstairs are all our relatives and friends, and they just pick and choose whichever they want to stay in. Let me think, two apartments facing each other, maybe we shouldn't choose a floor too high? How about this building? There are two empty apartments on the second floor, so let's go with this one."

Director Qin said, "Okay, a shorter one will save you climbing. These three floors below are already quite high. Come on, this building, let's go up to the second floor and carry it."

Chen Hui said, "The door wasn't locked, the key was in the mortise and tenon. The one with the door closed without a key means someone is there."

A group of young men started working noisily. They didn't have much stuff moving from the bungalow. The Huang family wasn't well-off. The only major appliances they had were a TV and a bicycle. The rest were tables, chairs, chests, cabinets, luggage, and clothes. They didn't even have a bed.

Director Qin scratched his head and said to Xiao Wei, "There's no bed, no low table, and what use is that kang bed frame here? What kind of house are we moving into?"

Xiao Wei said, "First, load everything up, then the truck will make another trip to Li Guan to pick up the bed and cabinet. I've already had them prepared. Is there anything you need at home? We'll bring it all back at once."

Director Qin said, "Get me a bed. The old bed I got from work creaks every time I turn over. I have everything else. Actually, to tell you the truth, I'm wavering now. I really want to move over here. It's closer to you guys, and we can have a drink together sometime. I'm all alone over there."

I asked him, "When are you planning to sell that house? It's one of only six buildings occupied by my family. Old Liu isn't moving either, leaving our family feeling pathetic. At least it's quiet these days."

(End of this chapter)