After sharing with Cheng Lang the major matter that Baozhu had mentioned in her letter, Feng Man thought of her little sister’s words again. Baozhu did not know that she and Cheng Lang had gotten married, and she had even comforted her big sister in the letter not to worry, as Big Brother Cheng was now drawing the fire.
She truly was a broad-minded little girl.
Once the matters back home were temporarily set aside, Feng Man turned her thoughts to her cousin-in-law’s words. Cheng Lang was reliable in many aspects, but he still carried a lone wolf temperament in certain ways and had not fully immersed himself in married life.
At least when it came to major events, he had no intention of discussing or informing his nominal new wife.
Feng Man deliberately drew out her tone as she repeated her cousin-in-law’s words from that morning. “Your mine district matters—your cousin tells his wife everything when he gets home. It doesn’t sound like a small problem. Is your cousin making a fuss over nothing, or are you just that capable, able to solve any problem on your own?”
Cheng Lang had little experience living long-term with family. His parents in the past, and later his little aunt and cousins’ family, he had always kept at a certain distance. Yet at this moment, he strangely picked up on the faint accusatory tone in Feng Man’s usual voice, like she was coming to question him.
But where this “questioning” came from, Cheng Lang was not entirely clear.
After pondering for a moment, Cheng Lang said seriously, “That group led by You Jianyuan doesn’t like the look of us. Even after we left, they’re still thinking of suppressing us. This time, they even found people to badmouth us in front of the district committee development office leaders, to the point that several of our recent procedures have been held up and not approved.”
Doing business required not only skills, but also connections and resources. Social niceties were commonplace.
But when your opponents had more connections and stronger backers, they could trip you up endlessly.
“Then the opening and subsequent mining…” Feng Man felt a bit relieved at heart once Cheng Lang explained the issue clearly.
“I’m working on ways. Mine district matters all fall under the development office’s jurisdiction. We can’t afford to sour relations with the local leaders. Even if we know they’re being stirred up to target us deliberately, we can only pretend not to know.”
Just like today, they still had to receive the inspection team cordially.
Cheng Lang appeared unhurried on the surface, showing no signs of anxiety, which made Feng Man click her tongue in wonder. She did not know if this man was truly unflappable in the face of change or just too good at masking his emotions, never letting joy or anger show.
“So what methods do you have? You don’t seem anxious at all.”
Cheng Lang had already finished his three liang of noodles and waited for Feng Man to finish eating before taking the two noodle bowls and washing them along with the iron pot.
Clearly not expecting Feng Man to still be interested, Cheng Lang said a bit more. “Director Huang of the district committee development office is interested in non-ferrous metal mines. I’ll cater to his interests and chat with him about it, seeking balance from backers like You Jianyuan. I must let Director Huang see our side’s strength and value. As for the rest… he loves tea, so I’ve already had someone buy some good tea.”
Technical sincerity plus social niceties. Feng Man nodded. Cheng Lang handled things reliably, but…
Feng Man leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching the man deftly wash the bowls and pot, and asked, “You’re not inviting him on opening day?”
“I did invite him, but he looked down on our place and politely declined, unwilling to come.” Cheng Lang had naturally thought of this. An opening ribbon-cutting was a statement of support. If the leader truly attended, things would be easier later, and people under the district committee development office would have to weigh their actions carefully.
Feng Man pursed her lips. “If you can’t invite Director Huang, that Buddha, then invite a bigger Buddha instead.”
After wiping the iron pot dry and covering it, and draining and putting away the bowls and chopsticks, Cheng Lang paused. “Which bigger Buddha?”
“Just wait and see. I told you casual chats are useful.”
……
August 4th, lunar sixth month twenty-second day. On the day Red Star Mine District reopened after renovations, the weather was fine with clear skies.
Feng Man and Dong Xiaojuan’s stalls closed for the day as they went together to join the fun, surrounding the area with other miners’ families until it was packed tight.
The mine district entrance was newly decorated. Eight racks of a hundred firecrackers each exploded with crackling booms that echoed through the skies, accompanied by gongs and drums, creating quite the lively scene.
Cheng Lang had specially changed into a white shirt and black suit that day. He gave a simple speech, then arranged for three miners of different ages and seniority to give remarks from the center. Finally, he invited a miner’s family member to say a few words as well.
Feng Man listened quietly, confirming to herself that she had indeed chosen the right person.
Her fiancé in the book had real skills. A simple opening ribbon-cutting ceremony gave the workers full face and motivation, even including a family representative. Even though the big sister still had her rural accent and spoke nervously, the atmosphere was great, making all the other families beam with joy.
Work, especially in the eighties and nineties, often required family support. A harmonious family meant success in all things.
With the boss like this, the first step smoothly won over the workers and their families.
“Cousin-in-law, I’m going to pick someone up. I’ll be back soon.” Feng Man checked her watch; it was about time. She turned and left.
“Huh?” Dong Xiaojuan had not expected anyone else to pick up today. She only watched as Feng Man hurried off, and when she returned, she was actually bringing back Elder Huang, who had been wandering around with hands behind his back pointing this and that for a while!
“What’s this about?” Dong Xiaojuan watched wide-eyed as Feng Man brought back the elder, only for Cheng Lang to invite him to the central spot and ask him to say a few words.
Thunderous applause erupted. Dong Xiaojuan was dumbfounded. “What’s going on here?”
Liberation Mine District deputy mine chief’s office.
You Changgui and You Jianyuan were hosting District Committee Development Office Director Huang Zhiyi, brewing good tea as the uncle and nephew chatted grandly with Director Huang about Ink River’s future mining development plans.
When the wall clock pointed to eleven, You Jianyuan seemed to hear the crackling of firecrackers. A smile played on his lips as he offered tea. “Director Huang, we’ve had some minor internal issues at our mine district. Some people won’t obey management and insist on stealing credit. Now they’ve stirred up trouble and taken a group to start their own stove elsewhere. Look, they’re even holding an opening ribbon-cutting today for that rundown little mine district, making it seem like a big deal.”
Director Huang sipped the fine Pu’er, savoring the rich tea aroma, and nodded in satisfaction. “Young people having drive is good, but being too eager for quick success is not. They invited me to attend as well, but after thinking it over, the invitation from Liberation Mine District side is more important.”
You Jianyuan had his plans. No matter how he belittled them verbally, he knew Cheng Lang’s capabilities well and absolutely did not want to give him a chance to rise. Thus, he had deliberately scheduled the same time to invite Director Huang.
As they spoke, Director Huang’s secretary suddenly entered from outside. “Director Huang, the neighboring Red Star Mine District’s opening ribbon-cutting…”
Before he finished, You Jianyuan interrupted first. “Secretary Wang, Director Huang declined and has no intention of attending.”
Director Huang nodded. He naturally had to give face to the largest-scale Liberation Mine District.
But Secretary Wang looked troubled. “No, Director Huang, your father went. He’s at the Red Star Mine District ribbon-cutting, standing in the center pointing things out for seven or eight minutes, and now he’s cutting the ribbon together with Red Star Mine District’s boss, Cheng Lang.”
Director Huang: “…？？？”
You Jianyuan and nephew: “…？？？”
Red Star Mine District’s opening ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded successfully amid the festivities. Feng Man had specially invited a master chef to prepare the first lavish opening meal for all the miners and their families, comparable to a banquet.
Cheng Lang footed the bill, with a high per-table standard of fifteen yuan, unlimited meat dishes.
It was also then that Feng Man realized Cheng Lang might look cold, but he truly took care of his own people, always giving whatever he had.
Especially on the first day of opening, the opening shot had to ring out loud.
Elder Huang was among them, surrounded by miners asking about his past glorious deeds. He Chunsheng provided full emotional support beside him. “Elder Huang, your skills are too impressive! If you were thirty years younger, there’d be no place for my master!”
“You just retired too early. What a waste of your talents!”
“Our mine district just opened. You have to give us more pointers—we have so much we don’t understand!”
Elder Huang had not enjoyed such treatment in many years. After retirement, he had no place to issue orders, his wife had long passed, his son was too busy with work, and it was hard even to find someone to talk to. Now, being surrounded and giving speeches felt like a dream back to a dozen years ago.
From not far away, Cheng Lang watched He Chunsheng coax Elder Huang into beaming smiles and could not help but curve his lips. “This move of yours works well.”
Feng Man was a bit smug. “This is called using his dad to command the leader.”
Under the sunlight, the woman lightly lifted her chin, letting the golden warmth sprinkle over her eyes and brows. Cheng Lang’s heart stirred, suppressing the strange surge, and went to handle proper business.
Ten minutes or so later, District Committee Development Office Director Huang Zhiyi arrived hurriedly with his secretary. Seeing his own father truly sitting at Red Star Mine District, nearly blending in with the miners, he almost blacked out.
He had his secretary bring his old father out, then earnestly persuaded him. “Dad, how did you end up here?”
Elder Huang snorted. “Why can’t I come? I was invited by Mine Chief Cheng Lang of this mine district and his wife Feng Man to attend the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
His righteous tone left Huang Zhiyi nearly speechless.
“Dad, don’t come again in the future. What are you doing mixing in a place like this?” Huang Zhiyi knew his father had been a cadre for decades; that air could not be changed, and he could not help but use official tone.
“What do you mean don’t come!” Elder Huang finally found a sympathetic ear and insisted, “I’ve been hired as a mine district consultant. From now on, I’ll work here, guiding these young folks.”
He bore heavy responsibility and duty on his shoulders, obligated to point out the way for these youngsters.
Huang Zhiyi: “…？”
You Jianyuan did not go himself but sent someone to follow Huang Zhiyi’s group and scout the situation. The report came back that Director Huang’s father had joined Cheng Lang’s mine district.
“What?” You Jianyuan had tried every way to trip up Cheng Lang, but now Director Huang’s dad was invited to sit in charge. How could he still trip him up!
Fuming, You Jianyuan slammed a fist on the desk. “This Cheng Lang is insidious and cunning! He’s undermined us at the root!”
If Director Huang tried to trip them now, with his own dad at the mine district, the people under development office would look at the monk for the Buddha’s sake and could not subtly suppress them anymore. It was truly infuriating.
Red Star Mine District’s grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony ended with great fanfare, uniting all the miners and families into one rope and temporarily resolving the crisis of sabotage. Finally, everyone could breathe a sigh of relief.
The miners successively started work. All were veterans, needing almost no adjustment time—plug and play. Especially as they prepared for two major mine district tasks: first, adjusting the old mine’s extraction techniques and strategies to ensure daily profits; second, developing the new mine.
The first day’s work concluded smoothly. Fan Zhenghua’s family came to Cheng Lang and Feng Man’s home, and even Cheng Yulan joined the gathering. Having seen the morning ceremony, they ate together in the evening.
At the dinner table, Fan Zhenghua marveled at Cheng Lang and Feng Man’s brilliant move. “You Jianyuan was sabotaging behind the scenes. I was wondering why Ar Lang wasn’t anxious at all. I couldn’t sleep last night. But who knew inviting that elder would be so effective—straight to the development office director’s dad!”
No matter how capable the son, the dad is always the dad.
Huang Zhiyi had no way with his father and left looking disgruntled—it was quite amusing.
Cheng Lang clinked glasses with his cousin and smiled faintly. “This matter was mainly Manman’s credit. She actually ran into Huang Zhiyi’s dad and even spotted his biggest ‘flaw’—loving to point out the world’s problems everywhere. Might as well use it.”
Feng Man’s ear itched. It was the first time Cheng Lang called her with such intimacy. She was used to it from other relatives and friends, without any awkwardness.
But from her nominally closest husband, this intimate address felt inexplicably strange, as if Cheng Lang were tickling her ear with a feather—somewhat itchy.
It was probably the awkwardness from two unfamiliar people suddenly forming the most intimate relationship, needing time to adapt and understand.
“That’s true—my contribution was huge.” Feng Man raised her small face, eyes sparkling brightly, deliberately teasing. “Mine Chief Cheng, Boss Cheng, how do you plan to repay me?”
Her rare playful banter amused everyone at the table. Even Cheng Yulan smiled. Her nephew rarely cracked a smile, no longer looking as stern and cold as before. At this moment, his thin lips held a hint of amusement, his gaze fixed on Feng Man’s face.
Fan You Shan shoveled rice heartily, eating with the most gusto. With the adults all laughing, he laughed along too. Thinking of the drama most loved in TV shows, he suddenly blurted out, “Uncle, at a time like this, you should pledge with your body!”
Feng Man: (⊙o⊙)
Cheng Lang: (☆▽☆)