Feng Man savored her candy, liking to let the sweet treat linger in her mouth, sucking gently as her tongue tip curled lightly, allowing the refreshing flavor to spread.
Cheng Lang ate his candy with a bit more dominance and forcefulness. His lips and tongue moved flexibly and powerfully, accompanied by heavy breathing as he went from light kisses and nibbles to an insistent invasion that brooked no refusal.
There was clearly no candy involved, yet Feng Man could no longer tell if they were actually eating candy. The air around them seemed filled with the cool, stimulating scent of mint candy, intoxicating, exhilarating, and utterly bewildering.
The woman, scooped up by the man and perched on the counter, breathed rapidly, her eyes glazed over. When she finally caught her breath, she gulped in air, her chest heaving unevenly. Yet the solid chest before her rose and fell slightly just like hers, unable to calm.
Lifting her gaze to the tall man, Feng Man suddenly met Cheng Lang’s deep, dark eyes.
Those usually calm, unruffled phoenix eyes now churned like raging ocean waves, stripped of reason and detachment, filled only with thick, profound desire.
“Eat a bit more candy?” After the long kiss, Cheng Lang’s voice was laced with desire, exceptionally low and husky, as if rasped by grit. When it scraped past Feng Man’s ear, it sent shivers through her.
“No more.” Feng Man murmured softly, her words spilling from red lips that seemed to carry a delicately soft heat, scorching hot.
But the man refused to let up. His straight nose bridge drew close, brushing her perky nose tip. Their breaths mingled, and their clear eyes locked, each seeing only themselves in the other’s gaze…
Eating candy had turned into quite the endurance test.
That evening, Feng Man was held tightly in the room by Cheng Lang as they “ate candy” for a good while. When Fan You Shan and the kids returned after sharing out the candy, she hurriedly straightened her appearance in front of the mirror.
Especially those watery, rosy lips. Feng Man pursed them lightly, wiped them again, and gulped down several mouthfuls of warm water. She certainly didn’t want the elementary school kids mistaking it for spicy strips again!
Cheng Lang, who had recently taken quite an interest in eating candy, now had softer features. Even when his little aunt Cheng Yulan came to check on the younger generation and mentioned his father’s death anniversary, he barely reacted.
“Next month marks the day your dad passed…” Cheng Yulan had complicated feelings toward her brother, but with the dead gone like a snuffed lamp, all his past misdeeds had scattered with the wind, leaving only a trace of longing. “It’s far from the old home here, so skipping the grave visit is fine. Just burn some paper money when the time comes.”
“Mm.” Cheng Lang didn’t dwell on his father with his little aunt. Thinking back now, even his father’s image had blurred quite a bit. “Handle it as you see fit.”
Feng Man busied herself in the courtyard. Hearing Cheng Lang chatting idly with his little aunt in the main room, she caught snippets about his father, but when the little aunt left, Cheng Lang didn’t bring it up, so Feng Man didn’t ask.
Later, when she saw her cousin’s wife returning from picking up goods at the slaughterhouse, Feng Man mentioned it. Dong Xiaojuan sighed obliquely, “Mom used to curse the late uncle-in-law often, saying he harmed the Cheng family and Ah Lang. But time has passed, and it seems she’s softened.”
“Cousin-in-law, you mean Cheng Lang’s dad harmed…” Feng Man was used to Cheng Lang’s reticent ways and how he rarely mentioned family. She only knew both parents had passed.
“Yeah, the big uncle was a real fool, sigh.” Dong Xiaojuan didn’t know the full details, just piecing it together from her mother-in-law’s occasional rants.
Considering Cheng Lang’s current upright and kind nature, Feng Man couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed even from crooked bamboo, good shoots could emerge.
After chatting a bit, Feng Man and the others headed to the stall to sell. With autumn’s chill setting in, hot foods gained popularity.
The peanut porridge, which had been cooked ahead and cooled in previous months, now arrived straight from the pot, steaming hot. Just one look warmed the heart.
Elder Huang, hired by Cheng Lang as a mascot and shield, strolled over leisurely, still in his old cadre style. “A bowl of porridge and a sesame flatbread.”
Yuan Qiumei had worked for Feng Man nearly a month now. Hearing the order, she moved nimbly.
“Here you go, sir.”
But this time, she ran into the retired cadre who commented on everything. Elder Huang said, “Why don’t you all learn from the factory and wear uniform work clothes? Add a few stools too, so folks can sit and eat.”
Yuan Qiumei was stumped, having no idea about such things.
Feng Man smiled. “Elder Huang, we’re just a street stall—no need for that level of formality.”
Seeing Elder Huang frown displeased at the rebuttal, Feng Man quickly added, “If we open a proper shop, we could consider it. By the way, Elder Huang, the news mentioned developing a commercial district. Any updates on that? If it happens, we could put tables and chairs in the shop—you’d eat more comfortably.”
Elder Huang had just furrowed his brows at her previous remark, ready to lecture, but now felt she’d asked the right person.
“These things are contested everywhere. They’ll hold meetings for several rounds—wait and see.”
Hearing this, Feng Man felt somewhat reassured. With Elder Huang’s connections and insights, it was likely accurate.
Elder Huang’s habit of pointing out flaws was annoying, but he responded well when stroked in the right direction, and he proved useful.
Elder Huang took his paper box of porridge and sesame flatbread toward the Mine District. Sitting in the Mine District Canteen, he dug in heartily.
At lunchtime, the canteen filled with miners, all wolfing down food after heavy physical labor, starved fierce.
Yet one spot remained quiet.
In the mine chief’s office, Cheng Lang met with several workers promoted to minor management. He Chunsheng reported on yesterday’s trip to the District Committee to apply for the safety inspection, only to be stalled and brushed off.
“I think they’re deliberately dragging it out, wasting our time.”
The Mine District’s annual safety inspection required rectifications for any failures, relying heavily on connections. The inspection rigor was set from above, varying greatly between districts.
Now, even getting someone for Red Star Mine District’s yearly check was being put off. If they faced a random audit later without it done, things would be worse.
Zhou Yuejin furrowed his thick brows, his dark face tense. “It must be You Jianyuan again! After the Development Office issue, he quieted down for a bit, but now he’s tripping us on fire safety.”
Fan Zhenghua couldn’t help worrying. “Liberation Mine District holds such status—they strut around the district. The You family knows more higher-ups than our Mine District workers combined. If he wants to sabotage us, it’s just a word.”
The men in the room bristled with righteous anger, fearing frame-ups or nitpicks. A fire safety issue could lead to shutdowns for rectification, delaying mining pointless.
Cheng Lang remained calm on the surface, turning to He Chunsheng. “This isn’t suitable for you to handle, nor for any of us. Only one person can do it.”
He Chunsheng was curious. “Master, who?”
Cheng Lang’s thin lips curved slightly. “Of course, the old man we’re buttering up.”
Elder Huang ate his lunch in the canteen, alternating bites of sesame flatbread, porridge, and pickled radish skins. Delicious—it beat restaurant food and even his son’s hired nanny’s cooking.
He’d agreed to work at Cheng Lang’s mine partly for the respect, to guide the youngsters, and partly for the food.
But midway through eating, Cheng Lang sat beside him—the one who paid his wage monthly.
“Elder Huang, I need to trouble you with something.”
Elder Huang nearly choked hearing Cheng Lang wanted him to submit some fire department application. “I’m just your errand boy for paperwork?”
He was a retired District Committee cadre!
Cheng Lang cut straight to the chase, hitting the vital point. “No one else in our Mine District can pull this off. After thinking it over, you’re the only one. Us youngsters lack the skill—we can only rely on you.”
This struck Elder Huang’s heart. He schooled his face sternly. “You youngsters are so rash in handling things.”
Cheng Lang smiled accommodatingly. “You’re right.”
Elder Huang pressed on. “Can’t even manage small matters.”
Cheng Lang looked humbly receptive. “Exactly. That’s why we need you to step in. The District Committee truly lost out when you retired…”
Seeing Cheng Lang’s good attitude, Elder Huang grabbed the Mine District’s application materials, called He Chunsheng, and headed to the fire department.
That evening, He Chunsheng brought the latest news. “Elder Huang is the man!”
Thumbs up, his admiration for his master grew. “He went in pointing out everything left and right. The clerks didn’t give him face, mocking him for pretending to know. But you know his temper—he immediately lectured them on flawed procedures and regulations, even roasting their chief. The clerks, thinking it was trouble, called out the chief—who turned out to be someone Elder Huang had promoted. He greeted him respectfully and invited him in for tea!”
“It’s sorted?” Zhou Yuejin’s gloomy face finally brightened after days.
“Of course!” He Chunsheng marveled again at the treasure they’d invited. “Master, hiring him to sit town was spot on!”
Cheng Lang: “You Jianyuan calls in Huang Zhiyi; we call in Huang Zhiyi’s dad. One-upping him.”
You Jianyuan heard about it while reporting Red Mountain Mine District’s mining progress to District Committee Development Office Director Huang Zhiyi.
“Director Huang, from my experience, this Red Mountain dig will surprise. The underground deposits are rich, high-grade—sure to contribute to Ink River’s economic development.”
Huang Zhiyi oversaw mining development and beamed, praising You Jianyuan’s promise. The mood was harmonious.
Until You Jianyuan’s secretary delivered the news: Huang Zhiyi’s own father had helped Red Star Mine District pass the fire inspection hurdle.
The two men stared at each other. You Jianyuan’s temples throbbed, veins faintly bulging.
The one repeatedly foiling his plans was the director’s own father—You Jianyuan had nowhere to vent, not even daring to curse openly. Utterly frustrating!
“Director Huang, your father seems quite busy since retiring. The old man should take care of his health, not bustle about with all sorts of nonsense.”
Huang Zhiyi truly ached over this dad. Hearing You Jianyuan, he gave a wry chuckle and hurried home, only to find the old man reading the paper while eating stir-fried noodles.
“Dad, why meddle blindly? Even I can’t intervene in mine district matters, yet you rush to help.”
Elder Huang snorted coldly. “This is called: in one’s position, attend to one’s duties. As Red Star Mine District’s advisor, I must get things done, or I’d be taking that wage for nothing.”
Huang Zhiyi: “…”
Head aching with anger, Director Huang snapped, “You’ve been retired for ages—why bother? Isn’t enjoying your twilight years better?”
Freshly flattered by Cheng Lang and He Chunsheng into high spirits, Elder Huang slammed the table. “Twilight years my foot! Yours truly is stronger than you lot, and now you’re lecturing me at my age!”
Director Huang, high and mighty everywhere else, always deflated before his own father—helpless.
When Feng Man heard how Cheng Lang had coaxed Elder Huang into full compliance, foiling You Jianyuan’s schemes with one retired cadre, she laughed till she doubled over. “Elder Huang has even more pull than imagined.”
Cheng Lang stared, momentarily stunned at Feng Man shaking with laughter, a smile tugging his thin lips. “Elder Huang looks intimidating but is easy to handle.”
“If Elder Huang heard that, he’d grab you for a thirty-minute lecture.” Feng Man gestured.
“Worth it. Even his nagging is a living Buddha.”
The next day at the stall, Elder Huang strode over steadily for lunch: the usual bowl of peanut porridge and sesame flatbread. This time, Feng Man specially packed three liang of braised pork to send along.
“Elder Huang, any guidance for our stall? We’re all ears.”
Elder Huang was about to launch into advice when Feng Man’s proactive overture made him sense something off. “You little girl, suddenly all humble.”
“Indeed. Your experience is vast—you’ve eaten more salt than we’ve traveled roads. We definitely need your teachings. Also, keep an ear out on the shop development news. If there’s anything, come educate us.” Feng Man smiled sweetly, dusting off long-unused flattery skills to butter him up. “Our Ah Lang’s Mine District thrives thanks to you.”
Bombed by sugar-coated cannonballs, Elder Huang took his food to leave, but Feng Man continued, “Elder Huang, sixty-five is prime age for striving and struggling—we’re all counting on you.”
Elder Huang felt the urge to flee for the first time: “…”
He slipped away.