Chapter 197: The Cement Factory (Part 1)

Chapter 197: The Cement Factory (Part 1)

Marriage is traditionally a joyous occasion in one’s life, but after the ordeal of the wedding in Wu Hai County, Hou Weidong was thoroughly intimidated. He feared that if he were to host another full-scale event in Yi Yang, he would be driven to madness. Consequently, he decided to merge the celebrations, holding a single wedding in Shazhou that served both locations.

The wedding in Shazhou was divided into three distinct segments. The first hosted officials from the Shazhou Construction Commission system. The second welcomed colleagues from Zhang Yuanzheng and Chen Qingrong’s factory. The third was reserved for the guests traveling from Yi Yang.

The delegation from Yi Yang included Zeng Zhaoqiang, Zhu Bing, Qin Feiyue, Su Ming, Ouyang Lin, Zeng Xiangang, and Xi Zhaoyong. Duan Ying and Yang Qian also attended. Li Jing from Jinggong Group arrived accompanied by several major shareholders, along with Guo Lan and Old Zhan from the Organization Department. All had been formally invited to Shazhou.

The banquet in Shazhou consisted of about thirty tables, concluding the grand wedding festivities with lively warmth.

After a brief period of honeymoon leave, Xiaojia returned to work at the Garden Management Bureau, and Hou Weidong went back to the Organization Department of the Yi Yang County Party Committee.

Upon returning to the office of the Comprehensive Cadre Section, daily routine resumed. Old Zhan was a shrewd man; having witnessed the depth of Hou Weidong’s connections through the wedding, he discarded any previous underestimation. He now sought to cultivate a relationship with this young man who had once served as a township cadre.

Old Zhan dressed impeccably, wearing a crisp white shirt and polished leather shoes, projecting an air of official authority. A pair of glasses perched on his nose. His workload was light; after finishing his few tasks with swift efficiency upon arriving at work, he would stand by Hou Weidong’s desk to boast. “In this era, making money is the top priority. At my age, I no longer aspire for promotion. If I have the chance to run a small business and earn a little extra, I can be content. A few drinks of revolutionary wine, a game of revolutionary cards—that is enough for me.”

Hou Weidong was busy filling out cadre analysis forms. This type of paperwork required no technical skill, only diligence and attention to detail. However, Old Zhan stood there talking incessantly. Hou Weidong listened patiently for over an hour, managing to write only a few characters on the form.

Guo Lan, the deputy section chief in charge, was helpless regarding Old Zhan’s behavior of taking up space and dominating conversations. In terms of age, Old Zhan was nearly twenty years her senior. In terms of seniority within the Organization Department, he was incomparable. Yet, Old Zhan lacked self-awareness, leaning heavily on his seniority. He had no formal demeanor, spending the entire morning from 8:40 to 10:00 standing by Hou Weidong’s desk, rambling on about everything from the north to the south, spanning five thousand years of history.

If this behavior were allowed to continue, the section’s work would become difficult to manage. When the clock in the bottom right corner of the computer screen hit 10:30, Guo Lan finally lost her patience. She picked up a cadre report from the previous year and walked over to Hou Weidong. “Hou Weidong, here is last year’s report for your reference. Please speed up. We need to submit the materials to Minister Xiao this afternoon. Once Minister Xiao reviews them, Minister Liu will sign off, and they must be sent to the Municipal Organization Department first thing tomorrow morning. Hurry up.”

Hou Weidong understood the implication in Guo Lan’s words. He was also annoyed by Old Zhan’s verbosity. Cooperatively, he picked up his pen and said, “It seems I’ll have to work overtime. Old Zhan, let me finish the important work first, and we can continue chatting later.” With that, he focused his gaze seriously on the report, ignoring Old Zhan completely.

Old Zhan, sensing the lack of interest, lingered for a moment longer. “Hou Weidong, are you free this Sunday? I know a reservoir with plenty of carp weighing two jin each. I’ll invite Guo Lan and you to go fishing.”

Guo Lan joked, “Hou Weidong is newlywed. How could he bear to spend his Sunday fishing? And you— we three spend five days a week together. Do you really need to squeeze in on Sundays too? Isn’t that getting a bit too clingy?”

Old Zhan immediately changed the subject. “Guo Lan, you and Hou Weidong graduated in the same year. He’s already married. You should hurry up, or you’ll end up as an old maid.”

Hou Weidong looked up at Guo Lan.

Guo Lan was considered a beauty in the Organization Department, and a single one at that. Introducing boyfriends for her had become the self-appointed duty of the older colleagues. However, this young woman was stubborn, ignoring their earnest advice. Old Zhan, though not particularly old in age, possessed significant seniority and was part of the matchmaking brigade. He always seized every opportunity to express concern for Guo Lan’s marital prospects.

Guo Lan thought to herself, I am simply too young to command respect from these older colleagues.

Old Zhan never treated Guo Lan as a superior, and there was nothing she could do about it. After all, she was only a section leader, not a department leader. She could not determine Old Zhan’s fate. Conversely, during critical periods like democratic evaluations, Old Zhan could cast a decisive vote. This was crucial for young people seeking promotion. Old Zhan understood this dynamic well, which is why he often adopted the airs of a veteran.

Just as they were talking, Xiao Bing appeared in the doorway. As the executive deputy minister, his face remained calm, but he seemed to carry an aura of pesticide. Old Zhan, like a pest, quietly slipped back to his desk, pulled out an unfinished document, and picked up his fountain pen.

“Finish the reports quickly. Try to have them ready for me this afternoon,” Xiao Bing instructed Guo Lan.

He then walked over to Hou Weidong’s desk. “You held the banquet in Shazhou, but didn’t even invite me to drink?”

Hou Weidong quickly replied, “Minister Xiao, your work is so busy. It’s rare to have a day off. How could I dare to disturb you? I booked two tables at the Yi Yang Hotel on Friday, specifically to treat the colleagues from the department.”

Minister Xiao nodded satisfactorily. “Now that you’ve been transferred to the Organization Department, we are all family. Marriage is a major event, and the department should celebrate it properly.” He then turned to Guo Lan. “Section Chief Guo’s idea is good. Minister Liu agrees with you. For every deputy section-level cadre’s birthday, the Organization Department will send a greeting card. We want our colleagues to feel the warmth of their ‘natal home.’”

As soon as Minister Xiao left, Old Zhan sprang up as if there were needles under his chair. Seeing that Guo Lan and Hou Weidong were focused on the reports, he slipped out, wandering off to another office.

There was only one computer in the Comprehensive Cadre Section. Guo Lan stared intently at the screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard, producing a rhythmic clacking sound reminiscent of pearls falling onto a jade plate.

“Hou Weidong, you transferred to the Organization Department without telling your brother. Tonight, you’re treating me and Guo Lan to dinner.”

Ren Lindu, who worked in the Youth League Committee on the first floor, entered the Comprehensive Cadre Section carrying a folder, chatting and laughing as he walked in.

Hou Weidong knew Ren Lindu’s intentions went beyond just a meal. He put down his pen, glanced at Guo Lan, and said to Ren Lindu, “Treating you to a meal is a small matter. Where do you want to eat? It’s up to you.”

Ren Lindu smiled at Guo Lan. “We respect the lady’s opinion. Guo Lan, where would you like to eat?”

Among the young cadres in Yi Yang City, Ren Lindu was undoubtedly an outstanding figure. His most prominent trait was his adaptability. He never felt shy in any situation and possessed excellent eloquence. Even if the other party was introverted and quiet, he could keep the conversation flowing and draw them out. Since joining the Youth League Committee, he had thrived, his active presence evident in all major league activities.

Ren Lindu had already caught the eye of Secretary Zhao of the County Party Committee. It was rumored that he would soon be transferred to the County Party Committee Office.

Guo Lan came from a scholarly family. Her father, Professor Guo, was well-read and cultivated, spending most of his time in contemplation or reading. Aside from in the classroom, he spoke little. Growing up in such an atmosphere, Guo Lan’s ideal partner bore the shadow of her father. Consequently, she did not favor Ren Lindu’s quick-witted, extroverted, and talkative nature.

She politely declined. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I just want to go home and have a bowl of plain porridge. If you two want to go drinking, don’t drag me into it.”

Ren Lindu’s eyes twinkled. “I know a new porridge shop, run by people from Guangdong. They say the taste is excellent. The three of us can go there for porridge. Not a drop of alcohol.” As he spoke, he exchanged a glance with Hou Weidong.

Hou Weidong understood Ren Lindu’s intent, but deep down, he did not wish to help him. Guo Lan was a woman of inner and outer beauty. Interacting with her felt like a clear spring in summer, very comfortable. While he and Xiaojia were truly in love, Ren Lindu’s aggressive pursuit of Guo Lan made him feel subtly uncomfortable, as if his own interests were being infringed upon.

Such hidden feelings were difficult to expose, and he concealed them well.

Facing Ren Lindu’s request for help, Hou Weidong smiled. “Old Zhan likes fish. When he returns, I’ll ask for his opinion and let him choose the restaurant.” He added, “I just saw Li Xiaohong. I’ll invite her too.”

Ren Lindu had hoped to create a quiet environment, but he hadn’t expected Hou Weidong to bring in Old Zhan and Li Xiaohong. However, he could not refuse. “In that case, since Hou Weidong is treating us to dinner, after eating, I’ll treat everyone to karaoke.” His calculation was precise: even with a larger group, dancing was still one-on-one, which would increase opportunities for close contact.

Old Zhan happened to return from outside just then. Hearing the word “dinner,” he said, “Ren Lindu, you’re treating us to a meal, but how could you forget your old brother?”

Ren Lindu handed Old Zhan a cigarette. “Old Zhan, today Town Mayor Hou is treating all the comrades of the Comprehensive Cadre Section to dinner. I’m just tagging along for the free food and drink. You can’t back out of the drinking.” Old Zhan, who loved joining in the fun, agreed readily.

While Ren Lindu and Old Zhan were discussing where to eat fish, Minister Xiao walked over again. He said to Guo Lan, “Don’t leave after work today. Minister Liu is hosting a banquet for several professors from Shazhou University. You should attend.”

After Minister Xiao left, Ren Lindu felt somewhat disappointed, but he still enthusiastically discussed dinner plans with Old Zhan.

Hou Weidong found the situation amusing inside. Suddenly, Liu Tao, the comprehensive section chief of the County Party Committee Office, hurried down the stairs. Old Zhan greeted him warmly. “Section Chief Liu, any instructions?”

Liu Tao was familiar with Old Zhan. “May I ask which one is Hou Weidong?”