You Jianyuan and Liu Lei had gone looking proper but returned in utter disgrace after being chased and bitten by the Big Yellow Dog the entire way.
The suits on both men were torn. In their panicked flight, they had fallen flat on their asses, leaving their Western suits and trousers wrinkled and covered in dust.
“Good! Very good, Cheng Lang!” You Jianyuan nearly laughed in anger. The man had actually unleashed a dog on them. “That damned dog chased only us. It really is Cheng Lang’s loyal hound!”
Liu Lei was still shaken from the pursuit. The dog had looked so docile, but when it went berserk, it was terrifying—mouth agape like a basin of blood, barking madly, and running incredibly fast. It was…
“Director You, we can’t just swallow this. If we go back now…”
“Go back? You think we haven’t lost enough face already!” You Jianyuan thought of how the nearby residents had seen their sorry state. It was mortifying, all because his secretary Liu was a useless fool. In his rage, he kicked out at him. “Remember this incident. First, focus on tomorrow’s big event!”
Liu Lei ached all over from the dog chase and now this heavy kick from You Jianyuan, but he didn’t dare complain. He could only agree repeatedly.
The chaotic day settled as the sun set in the west. When the sun rose again, the Mine District bustled once more. Miners hurried to work, vendors hawked their wares energetically, and at the entrance to the Liberation Mine District, firecrackers crackled.
The bursts of firecrackers exploded in a blaze of red. Feng Man stole a glance ahead amid her busyness. Three Hongqi Brand Small Sedans were parked at the mine entrance. Mine Chief Tong Huafeng, Deputy Mine Chief You Changgui, and the currently most prominent You Jianyuan led middle-level cadres in an enthusiastic welcome. Several middle-aged cadres in Zhongshan suits stepped out from the cars. They appeared rather plain, but the aura of authority nurtured by years of power emanated from their brows and eyes.
Dong Xiaojuan also craned her neck to look. “I heard they’re big leaders from the district. So imposing!”
Feng Man looked up again. A red banner fluttered at the Liberation Mine District entrance, proclaiming: Warmly Welcome District Leaders for Inspection Visit.
This was a treatment no other mine district received. They could only watch enviously.
Feng Man had come especially early today, thanks to Cheng Lang’s tip about the major event at the Liberation Mine District. She had especially learned that You Jianyuan planned to bring the leaders to the stalls for a bite.
Seeking endorsement from the leaders? Feng Man saw through You Jianyuan’s intentions. She naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity and had come to work unusually early.
While the Liberation Mine District busied itself welcoming the district leaders, the other mine districts operated normally. Many workers emerged seeking food, spreading to various stalls. Among them, the stall with the hottest business was Ma Ji, selling at half price.
Many came specifically to eat “Feng’s” at half price.
By noon at 12 o’clock, workers streamed out from the Liberation Mine District. Amid them, the four district leaders, accompanied by You Jianyuan, headed straight for the nearby stalls.
“District Chief Zhang, Deputy District Chief Li, Director Yang, Director Huang, our Mine District area has specially set up these stalls to provide good guarantees for the workers and create job opportunities for miners’ families. Business here is good; both miners and families love coming,” You Jianyuan said, tailoring his words masterfully to don the leaders with praise. “The families are grateful for the leaders’ guiding policies and work diligently at their stalls. Since the leaders are here to inspect the mine and talk with workers, why not go deeper and understand the miners’ families? Our mine district’s reporter is already ready with his camera.”
District Chief Zhang nodded in satisfaction. “Comrade Xiao You has good ideological awareness. We serve the people—no need for lavish waste on big fish and meat. Tasting the stall food popular with miners is truly getting close to the masses.”
The district reporter Lu Yongnian, camera around his neck, joined the Liberation Mine District’s reporter in snapping photos from ideal angles.
You Jianyuan led the district leaders on a tour, introducing enthusiastically, before bringing them to You Jianyong’s stall. “Leaders, this is the stall miners love most now—great quality, low price, widely praised. Master Hong, Master Wang, isn’t that right?”
Under You Jianyuan’s instructions, Liu Lei had arranged several miners nearby to be ready for questions.
“Yes, leaders. We love Ma Ji’s food the most—tasty and cheap.”
District Chief Zhang and Deputy District Chief Li asked a few more questions about what miners liked to eat, then decreed: “Come, let’s try some.”
You Jianyuan signaled his cousin. Fresh Meat Thousand Layer Pancakes, Milky White Fish Soup, and stir-fried noodles were served up. The leaders each tasted, while You Jianyuan praised nonstop beside them.
“Leaders, I personally funded this stall to provide the best and cheapest food for workers—a little treat to whet the appetite, not for profit.” With these words, he elevated his image instantly. “Workers say our food improves their appetites and gives them more energy for work.”
The leaders cast approving glances at You Jianyuan. The three foods looked decent, sparking some anticipation… But upon tasting, they found the flavors quite ordinary—mediocre, nothing as remarkable as the hype.
Considering the atmosphere, they couldn’t dampen enthusiasm and offered polite praise: “Not bad.”
Deputy District Chief Li had believed You Jianyuan’s boasting and expected some hidden gem, perhaps to tempt his elderly mother’s poor appetite. Now disappointed, he kept it from showing.
From then on, he trusted You Jianyuan’s words three degrees less.
You Jianyuan puffed out his chest. “Thank you for the praise, leaders.”
Huang Zhiyi was among them, echoing the leaders, but he had little interest in the stall food You Jianyuan promoted. It was neither good nor bad—just so-so.
The smug You Jianyuan continued gilding his image: “Even miners’ families from other mine districts copy our recipes to sell similar food, and we’re generous about it. Right next door is a stall run by Red Star Mine Chief Cheng Lang’s wife. Her stuff looks the same as ours but costs much more.”
His words thoroughly trashed Cheng Lang and Feng Man, leaving a poor impression on any listener.
The leaders naturally wouldn’t probe such trivial matters. They glanced sideways, noting the stalls sold similar items, and faint unclear emotions flickered in their eyes before vanishing.
Only Lu Yongnian, who had bought from Feng’s before, narrowed his eyes in doubt. He had come for the fame many times; Feng’s was the renowned one, never Ma Ji. Though Ma Ji’s food looked similar to Feng’s, as a regular customer, one look, one sniff, and two bites revealed the gap.
Ma Ji couldn’t compare to Feng’s.
But as a reporter, Lu Yongnian’s task today was solely to photograph and record. With leaders present, he wouldn’t voice doubts and just ate silently.
Feng Man heard You Jianyuan’s words clearly. ‘This guy’s got thick skin—expert at twisting facts,’ she thought. She said nothing, only uncovering the pot of freshly simmered Milky White Fish Soup from that morning.
Steam billowed out, carrying a fresh aroma scattered by the wind, wafting straight to the neighboring stall and into everyone’s noses.
Hiss…
What a fragrant smell!
The fish soup’s rich flavor seeped everywhere, invigorating the senses and making mouths water involuntarily.
Feng Man broke open a freshly baked Fresh Meat Thousand Layer Pancake. The crispy crust encased perfectly grilled meat—half fat glistening with oil, half lean meat firm and tight. One look stirred the appetite for meat.
Finally, a pot of glossy stir-fried noodles. Feng Man lifted a chopstickful high; the oily, red-bright noodles cascaded like a waterfall, enticingly colored, coated in red sauce, mixed with bean sprouts, greens, onions in various hues, exuding a rich fragrance.
Everyone at the Ma Ji stall turned their heads toward Feng’s, eyes lingering on the three dishes. Without comparison, they hadn’t realized how superior they were. Why did Feng’s look and smell so much more delicious than Ma Ji’s?
Throats bobbed, lips parted slightly, nostrils flared—they were all drawn in.
You Jianyuan’s face turned ashen. He ignored the tempting aroma and visuals, hurriedly ushering the leaders away: “Leaders, let’s go view the active mining site. The workers up the mountain await eagerly.”
The seasoned leaders, though tempted and salivating, composed themselves and turned: “Let’s go.”
Business couldn’t be delayed.
Feng Man watched the group of leaders leave, lips curving slightly. You Jianyuan’s earlier expression and the crowd’s restrained hunger were somewhat comical.
Once You Jianyuan left, the workers who had held back swarmed, more heading to Feng’s.
After all, the food was right there—so fragrant and tasty. Ma Ji’s fell short.
If not for You Jianyuan’s strict orders that on this major day, Liberation Mine District must support their own stall and not flock elsewhere in front of leaders, everyone would have rushed over earlier.
With booming business, Feng Man and her two helpers continued selling. Ma Ji had opened next door thinking to steal business, unaware it served as foil greenery for contrast.
Feng Man saw at a glance that Ma Ji’s food skimped even on her modified secret recipe. It was…
As food sold and lines formed, a “queue-jumper” suddenly appeared. Other workers grumbled at first, but upon seeing the tall, stern face, they joked instead.
“Boss, your man has to queue too.”
“Marital perks stay home. No special treatment in business.”
Even He Chunsheng and Song Guodong joined in.
“Master’s wife, no backdoor for Master~”
“Lang Bro, go home to eat. Don’t grab our share.”
Facing his own mine workers’ cold ruthlessness toward their boss over food, Cheng Lang’s thin lips hooked up: “You lot are really gluttons.”
Feng Man glanced at Cheng Lang and smiled sweetly at the familiar Red Star Mine District miners: “Rest assured, no backdoors for anyone, no matter the relation. But Mine Chief Cheng ordered some food from me yesterday. I’ll deliver to him. Have Cousin-in-law and Sister Qiumei serve you.”
They had planned this yesterday. Feng Man handed a batch of food to Cheng Lang, then rode with him in the small truck up the mountain.
After months, she sat in the truck’s passenger seat again, securing the bucket of ingredients between seats. To the man focused on driving, she said: “You didn’t hear You Jianyuan’s words—they were nauseating. He claimed Feng’s copied his Ma Ji, smearing us in front of the big leaders.”
“He’s always like that.” Cheng Lang had experienced it. “His family has deep connections—officials and businessmen in high places. He learned nothing else but posturing perfectly.”
Hearing Cheng Lang mention You Jianyuan’s grandfather’s name, Feng Man suddenly recalled the man appeared on TV. No wonder You Jianyuan was so confident—his backer was rock-solid.
The small truck, used for mountain supply runs, had the rear loaded with heaters, thermoses, and blankets. Cheng Lang gripped the wheel, eyes ahead, his distinct knuckles tapping lightly. He suddenly circled back: “Even our relationship can’t get backdoor treatment?”
Feng Man hadn’t expected him to remember the banter. Keeping her boss demeanor: “Of course. Life is life, business is business. Mine Chief Cheng, even spouses settle accounts clearly.”
The word “spouses” pleased the ear. The truck braked slowly passing Red Mountain, stopping a few hundred meters from the Liberation Mine District’s Red Mountain duty station. Cheng Lang turned sideways to Feng Man, a hint of smile on his lips: “I’ll get out first. You follow at the right moment.”
“Mm!” Feng Man blinked, reassuring him.
You Jianyuan’s grand welcome for these rare leaders had to be exploited—let it make wedding clothes for them.
The district leaders toured Red Mountain, with You Jianyuan accompanying throughout. His prepared speech worked wonders; he seemed an experienced coal mining hand to all.
Huang Zhiyi timely brought up past glories, further gilding You Jianyuan’s face.
“You Director You are young and promising. Last year, you led the team to discover a rare metal mine, making a significant contribution to Ink River’s energy development. Early this year, you even received commendations from provincial leaders.” After all, he had enjoyed plenty of hospitality from the Liberation Mine District, so Huang Zhiyi was naturally happy to say a few good words for You Jianyuan. “Looking at the mining progress on Red Mountain now, in a few more months, you should be heading to the province for more commendations, right?”
You Jianyuan put on an act and waved his hand. “Director Huang, you’re too kind. I just worked with the workers to overcome the mining difficulties and hoped to contribute a bit to Ink River’s economic development.”
District Chief Zhang and Deputy District Chief Li nodded repeatedly and gave concise praises to You Jianyuan before chatting more deeply with the miners. They asked about work intensity and difficulties, and whether there were any issues in daily life. The scene was harmonious.
Once the exchange ended, the leaders took a stroll nearby and prepared to leave in a few minutes, wrapping up this guidance visit.