While having a smoke at the foot of the mountain, You Jianyuan was about to express his thanks to Director Huang when he spotted a tall figure suddenly appearing on the mountain path, striding over energetically. Who else could it be but Cheng Lang?
How was this guy like a lingering ghost? He even dared to show up on his turf!
“Cheng Lang, what are you doing here?” Among the nearby large and small mine districts, the Liberation Mine District was the largest and the only one able to invite the district chief and deputy district chief. What a face! You Jianyuan naturally did not want Cheng Lang to meet the leaders.
“Director Huang is here, so I came to report on work.” Cheng Lang remained calm and composed as he bypassed You Jianyuan and tossed an intriguing topic to Development Office Director Huang Zhiyi. “Director Huang, that Laifeng Mountain we mentioned last time from our Red Star Mine District’s mining is right nearby. If you have time, you’re welcome to come for guidance.”
You Jianyuan was almost laughed into a rage. “Cheng Lang, have you gone mad? Director Huang is my honored guest. What dream are you having? Why would he go to your rundown mine district!”
He turned his head and explained to Huang Zhiyi. “Director Huang, this Red Star Mine District dug up a ‘dead mountain.’ Everyone knows the survey showed extremely low coal content, unsuitable for mining. This guy insists on wasting manpower and money to dig it up. It’s utter nonsense!”
If it had been a month ago, Huang Zhiyi would have only listened to You Jianyuan and given Cheng Lang no chance. But in the past month, Cheng Lang had frequently reported work to the Development Office. Huang Zhiyi could see Cheng Lang’s professionalism and experience in this area, especially since Cheng Lang had vaguely hinted that Laifeng Mountain might have a rare metal mine.
This visit to the Liberation Mine District had already ended, so Huang Zhiyi felt a spark of interest. “What’s on Laifeng Mountain worth me seeing?”
Cheng Lang’s gaze was firm. “Of course, something Director Huang wants to see.”
You Jianyuan listened to their riddle-like exchange and was about to call security to drag Cheng Lang away when he heard Huang Zhiyi nod. “Since we’re here, let’s go take a look.”
“Director Huang…?” You Jianyuan could hardly believe his ears. Just as he prepared to persuade vigorously, he saw District Chief Zhang and the other major leaders coming down the mountain. A bad premonition suddenly rose in his heart.
District Chief Zhang saw Huang Zhiyi talking to a unfamiliar young man and asked about it. After Huang Zhiyi whispered the situation, his thick brows raised slightly. Instead, he asked, “How long does it take to get to Laifeng Mountain from here?”
Cheng Lang knew there was hope upon hearing this and quickly answered, shortening the distance a bit. “Just a few minutes by car.”
At a time like this, even if it was ten or so minutes by car, he had to say a few minutes. After all, as long as he could get the leaders on the road, a few extra minutes didn’t matter.
“Then let’s go take a look. It won’t delay us much anyway.” Ink River City, from top to bottom, had long been interested in rare metal deposits after years of coal mining.
You Jianyuan could hardly believe it. He had clearly mobilized his family’s deep connections to invite the district chief, deputy district chief, and other leaders, meticulously designing every link just to show off in front of them and get on TV news and newspapers. But now… how were they all heading to Cheng Lang’s mine one by one!
Unable to sit idly by, You Jianyuan followed them out, wanting to persuade the leaders not to be fooled. But when they reached the Red Mountain mining area’s duty room, he saw the on-duty miners crowding around Feng’s boss, pulling out money to buy food. You Jianyuan’s vision went black!
Over a month ago, Guo Da Hai had reached his limit and led the workers in an ‘uprising’ against You Jianyuan for even meddling in their personal spending for treats. Everyone responded to his call, causing a storm across the entire Liberation Mine District. In the end, You Changgui saw things weren’t right, stepped in to calm people, lectured his nephew not to push too hard, and the matter settled.
After this uproar, Guo Da Hai became someone You Jianyuan couldn’t easily touch. Targeting him would only give others ammunition, calling it deliberate revenge. Even his second uncle You Changgui had warned that in such cases, he needed to go soft—put on a show for outsiders, pretend to get along well with the workers.
At that moment, seeing Guo Da Hai and a few other on-duty miners buying four bowls of fish soup and four portions of stir-fried noodles from Feng Man’s iron bucket, veins bulged at You Jianyuan’s temples. He wished he could throw the lot out!
“Hello, leaders!” Guo Da Hai was straightforward and unlike many others who tensed up around leaders. He had never feared them. After all, no matter your position, you’re just a person like me. He greeted the district leaders with a beaming smile, quite relaxed and at ease, as if meeting old friends.
District Chief Zhang had faced tense, restrained workers all day. Seeing Guo Da Hai different now, he glanced at Lu Yongnian, who got the hint, raised his camera, and prepared to capture the district chief’s approachable moment.
The affable-faced District Chief Zhang walked over to them and asked the worker who had greeted him. “Comrades, are you just having lunch now?”
“Yeah, leaders. We heard you were coming, so we waited on empty stomachs, not daring to eat randomly.” Guo Da Hai said whatever was on his mind; his stomach was growling loudly by then.
“You—” You Jianyuan was nearly infuriated to death. Listen to what this guy was saying! He had truly had one oversight amid perfect plans—forgetting to swap out reliable people in the duty room!
District Chief Zhang let out a hearty laugh, finding it interesting instead. “That’s on us for disrupting your meal. I see you’re buying lunch from this vendor? Here’s the deal: I’ll cover the cost as an apology.”
“District Chief, that won’t do!” You Jianyuan rushed forward to stop it but was blocked by Deputy District Chief Li.
Deputy District Chief Li also showed an approachable side, joining District Chief Zhang in Lu Yongnian’s camera frame.
But Guo Da Hai was utterly unreserved, grinning wide with his big white teeth. “District Chief, no need to stand on ceremony. Thanks!”
Feng Man refunded Guo Da Hai and the others, took ten yuan from District Chief Zhang, gave two yuan change, pocketed the money, and then ladled a few extra bowls of fish soup.
“Leaders, it’s cold today. Have a bowl of fish soup to warm up.” Feng Man placed the ladled fish soup on the long table at the duty room door. Six bowls of milky white soup looked clean and appealing, dotted with a few goji berries, very enticing.
District Chief Zhang hadn’t planned to eat or drink more, but after a tiring inspection tour, the aroma and appealing color of the fish soup tempted him.
“We won’t take advantage of the masses. Let’s pay properly.” District Chief Zhang paid another three yuan.
Feng Man didn’t argue with the leaders wanting to appear approachable. She followed Lu Yongnian’s lens, lifted a bowl of fish soup, and posed perfectly for a great promotional shot.
They had drunk You Jianyuan’s heavily promoted Ma Ji fish soup at the mine entrance earlier, so the district leaders hadn’t held high hopes for Feng’s fish soup, figuring the taste would be similar. But unexpectedly, upon tasting it, the freshness exploded in their mouths. The soup was smooth and delicate, brimming with umami, instantly dispelling the fatigue and chill from a busy morning of inspections.
Once District Chief Zhang spoke, it carried weight. “This soup tastes great. Who knew we had such skill nearby in the mine district? Comrade, are you a miner’s family member?”
Feng Man’s first reaction was to glance at the tall man beside her, then respond gracefully. “This Red Star Mine District Chief Cheng Lang is my husband.”
“What a coincidence. We’re just heading to that mine to take a look.” District Chief Zhang finished a bowl, his mood greatly improved by the delicacy, and he remarked amiably. “Even here, your skills would be wasted.”
“It’s not wasted. As long as the leaders and workers can enjoy satisfying food, that’s valuable enough.” Feng Man knew exactly how to deal with these leaders, saying things that hit right at the heart—what experience from her past life as a wage slave had taught her.
Deputy District Chief Li nodded repeatedly, thinking the soup was fresh and tasty, suitable even for the elderly. He could have his mother try it. But work came first; he’d remember it for now.
Lu Yongnian snapped a few more shots, drank some fish soup, and chimed in timely. “District Chief, Feng’s is quite famous. My family has eaten there several times, all saying the boss’s skills are top-notch. Even people outside the mine district come by reputation.”
“Oh?” The leaders instantly recalled You Jianyuan’s earlier words but didn’t show it, just affirming a couple times. “These skills are worth it. If it were at our District Committee entrance, I’d buy a bowl too.”
Whether joking or not, the praise was heavy. You Jianyuan ground his teeth in frustration.
He had clearly stolen the ‘secret recipe,’ so how was he still losing to Feng’s!
You Jianyuan watched helplessly as the major figures he had painstakingly invited finished the fish soup and, under Feng Man’s enthusiastic guidance, headed together to the active mining site in the Red Star Mine District.
As he prepared to follow, Cheng Lang blocked him.
The man’s cold phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, thin lips parting coldly. “Director You, it’s inconvenient to invite you to our mine district. After all, if anything gets stolen… you have a record, so it’s hard not to suspect you.”
You Jianyuan was nearly smoking with rage at Cheng Lang’s overt jab and could only yell at Liu Lei. “How do you watch people? The leaders got hijacked and you didn’t stop them!”
Liu Lei wouldn’t dare act out in front of District Committee leaders and had no way to vent his grievances now.
……
You Jianyuan failed to go up Red Mountain. He sneaked to the foot but was stopped by workers Cheng Lang had arranged at the duty room. He could only stew in fury outside.
Two hours later, the leaders finally came down. You Jianyuan hurried up to see them off and show his face, but he saw District Chief Zhang looking appreciatively at Cheng Lang before turning to Huang Zhiyi. “Whatever support the Red Star Mine District needs for mining, the Development Office must provide strong backing.”
Huang Zhiyi was deferential. “District Chief, rest assured. We’ll definitely support and cooperate.”
You Jianyuan couldn’t believe his eyes. Meanwhile, he heard Deputy District Chief Li speaking privately to Feng Man.
“My mother is getting on in years, with bad teeth. She gets nauseous from even a little greasy meat and complains she can’t eat. I wonder if your fish soup would help.”
Feng Man’s eyes lit up. “It’s worth trying. This fish soup is clean, without other greasiness, especially suitable for the elderly. It warms against the cold; hands and feet stay warm in winter.”
“Good then. I’ll take some back for the old lady to try later.”
You Jianyuan watched wide-eyed as the leaders got into the Hongqi Brand Small Sedan and left, nearly speechless amid the thick, pungent exhaust.
What was this!
He had worked so hard to invite the big leaders for guidance, to gain face, but now Cheng Lang and Feng Man had stolen the spotlight?!
With the people gone, You Jianyuan’s anger boiled over. He charged at the couple who were turning to leave.
“Cheng Lang, Feng Man, you dared to steal my thunder! You two are truly despicable and shameless!” You Jianyuan put his hands on his hips; his carefully groomed suit was slightly disheveled, mirroring his chaotic mood. “You two make quite the match made in heaven!”
Cheng Lang’s brows twitched. He never knew You Jianyuan could speak so pleasantly. “Thanks for the compliment.”
You Jianyuan: “…?”
A breath stuck in his chest, unrelieved. He itched to settle all accounts with Cheng Lang. “You put on such an act. Don’t think I don’t know you’re the blackest-hearted! That day you deliberately let the dog bite me, and I haven’t settled with you yet…”
“What black-hearted? Letting a dog bite you?” Feng Man stepped in front of Cheng Lang, her smile vanishing as her face tightened seriously. “You Jianyuan, you steal chickens and dogs everywhere and still want to frame my Ah Lang? He’s kind-hearted, always yielding. The truly black-hearted one is you! Those insulting words right back at you!”