Chapter 335: The Upper-Level Route (Part 1)

Chapter 335: The Upper-Level Route (Part 1)

Hou Weidong stood on the balcony, his gaze sweeping over the street below. Pedestrians and vehicles moved like scenes from a movie. People in business suits hurried along, their busyness radiating a vibrant energy. It was a stark contrast to the lethargic pace of Yiyang.

His mind kept replaying the events that had unfolded since Zhu Yan’s transfer. The ancients spoke of a cunning rabbit having three burrows, he thought. I cannot hang myself on a single tree. Besides Zhu Yan, I must cultivate relationships with other powerful figures. Otherwise, my position is far too precarious.

It was a simple truth, yet the simpler the logic, the deeper its significance—and the easier it was to overlook.

Li Jing emerged from the kitchen carrying milk, eggs, and whole wheat bread. This was her standard breakfast. The plain, unadulterated foods carried a faint, mellow aroma that was incredibly tempting. Thinking that she might be carrying Hou Weidong’s child, her heart swelled with joy. A natural smile graced her face—a genuine expression of inner happiness, not the hollow, practiced smiles of the entertainment world.

“I’m heading to the Provincial Finance Department to deliver some items. I’ll return to Yiyang as soon as I’m done.” The food suited his taste perfectly, and Hou Weidong ate with relish.

Li Jing felt a profound sense of well-being, knowing she carried a part of Hou Weidong’s life essence. In this moment, she was simply a happy housewife, setting aside the scheming and caution of a chairman’s wife. “You have the key. In the future, when you come to Lingxi, don’t bother booking a hotel. Just come straight here.”

“Mm.”

“In this apartment, aside from the renovation workers, you are the only man who has ever entered. And you will remain the only man to do so.”

Li Jing’s words were a confession of sorts. Hou Weidong understood the implication clearly. He looked up and said, “I know.”

An extramarital affair was like a massive whirlpool; once caught in it, one sank deeper and deeper. He was neither an ascetic nor a conservative, yet he still felt the weight of pressure.

“Eat quickly. You need to meet Old Jiang soon.” Li Jing stopped talking at the right moment. She knew Hou Weidong well. Sensing his preoccupation, she didn’t press the issue further but shifted the topic to the gift. “What if you contact Old Jiang and he makes excuses to avoid meeting you?”

Hou Weidong had been wrestling with this very problem. “Calling him is risky. He can easily find an excuse not to see me. If he refuses once, he likely won’t accept the gift again.” After a moment of deliberation, he made up his mind. “How can one catch a tiger without entering its lair? I’ll go directly to the Finance Department and place the Go set openly on his desk. Being secretive would only make him look down on me.”

Li Jing admired this masculine resolve. She nodded. “Gift-giving is an art. If done appropriately, it can not only get things done but also forge friendships.”

The Provincial Finance Department was an imposing structure. Its exterior walls were clad in gray marble, with a glass curtain wall running through the center. Even a stranger, without seeing the sign at the entrance, would know from the building’s appearance alone that this was a wealthy institution.

When Hou Weidong drove up to the Finance Department, several cars were just entering the compound. He followed closely behind them and passed through the gate without being stopped. The security guard at the entrance didn’t recognize the small car with the Shazhou license plate, but he knew the Bluebird was a decent vehicle. Seeing it follow the Director’s car, he assumed it belonged to a regional or departmental leader and saluted formally.

Hou Weidong followed the group into the lobby but didn’t want to stay too close. Noticing a restroom on the ground floor, he stepped inside, naturally creating distance from the others.

The fixtures in the restroom were high-end, gleaming brightly. There was no unpleasant odor; instead, a faint sandalwood fragrance lingered in the air, even fresher than the scent in a karaoke private room.

Exiting the restroom, Hou Weidong walked steadily toward the elevator. He didn’t even glance at the security guard sitting at the registration desk in the lobby. The guard, in turn, ignored him completely, showing no interest in asking any questions.

Inside the elevator, Hou Weidong checked the floor directory. The diagram for the ninth floor was missing. This meant the leadership offices were on the ninth floor. He smiled inwardly. This is truly a case of trying to cover up a fire with straw.

The corridor on the ninth floor was lined with potted plants and was very quiet. He saw several doors open on the left and walked over. Passing a door that was slightly ajar, he saw Deputy Director Jiang writing intently.

Hearing the knock, Deputy Director Jiang didn’t look up. “Come in.”

“Hello, Director Jiang.”

Deputy Director Jiang was surprised to see Hou Weidong. His immediate reaction was that Hou Weidong had come to ask for another favor. Considering the Zhu family father and son, he still gave Hou Weidong some face. He put down his pen, his expression cold. “What can I do for you?” He thought to himself, What is going on with the office? How did someone just walk in?

Hou Weidong smiled broadly. “Thank you, Director Jiang. Maoyun Thermal Power Plant has transferred the funds. It was truly timely rain. Otherwise, the coal mine would have had to shut down, and 170 workers would have lost their jobs.” He continued, “Secretary Zhu said that Director Jiang is the most warm-hearted and helpful person. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

Deputy Director Jiang was reading a bulletin from the State Council. Hearing Hou Weidong mention the coal mine, he recalled the series of briefings regarding coal mines. “Director Hou is the head of the New Management Committee. Why are you running a coal mine?”

Although Hou Weidong had visited without prior notice, Deputy Director Jiang’s attitude was better than expected. This greatly relieved Hou Weidong. He replied, half-truthfully, “My second sister and brother-in-law used to work at the silk factory. After the factory went bankrupt, they had to go into business just to make a living. They bought the Hufo Coal Mine, only to realize they had fallen into a trap. With long-term losses, my brother-in-law and the others faced unemployment again.”

The tension on Deputy Director Jiang’s face eased, though he didn’t smile. “Coal mining is a good project. This year, the State Council issued two notices on closing and rectifying small coal mines. Their attitude is firm, and their determination is strong. The main goal is to reverse the situation where supply exceeds demand. I estimate that starting next year, the coal market will gradually improve.”

Hou Weidong had read these newspapers and documents, but he feigned excitement. “That’s great news. Since the State Council has issued such policies, I’ll go back and encourage my sister and brother-in-law to stay positive.”

He then shifted the topic. “I heard from Elder Zhu that Director Jiang is a Go master. I have a Go set here that is quite good. Keeping it with me is like hiding a pearl in the dark.” As he spoke, Hou Weidong took the Go set out of his briefcase. The sandalwood box had been removed. Although the box was nice, it was far less valuable than the Go set itself. He had simply replaced it with an ordinary wooden box.

Deputy Director Jiang understood Hou Weidong’s intentions perfectly. Hou Weidong knows how to repay kindness; he is not an ungrateful person. He was well-known for his love of Go, and many people had tried to curry favor by sending high-end sets. So, when Hou Weidong took out the Go set, it didn’t surprise him. He just thought Hou Weidong was sensible. He didn’t pay much attention to the quality of the set itself.

As Hou Weidong presented the Go set, he casually opened the lid and placed it in front of Deputy Director Jiang.

Deputy Director Jiang was a connoisseur. The moment he saw the pieces, his eyes lit up. He was very familiar with these pieces. They were from the fat man on the Art Street. The lowest price he had quoted was 120,000 yuan. Although Deputy Director Jiang loved Go, he hadn’t been willing to spend such a heavy sum on it. He had looked at it several times but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to buy it.

He touched the pieces with his hand. They felt warm and smooth, and the weight was perfect. It was a top-tier Go set. After handling it for a while, he pushed it back toward Hou Weidong. “The item is too valuable. Please take it back.”

Hou Weidong stood up and smiled. “This is a small token of my appreciation, Director Jiang. Please don’t be polite.” He stepped back to the door. “Director Jiang, I won’t disturb you any longer. Goodbye.” He gently closed the door behind him.

Seeing Hou Weidong retreat so quickly, Deputy Director Jiang knew he couldn’t chase after him with the Go set in hand. He leaned back in his chair, looking at the Go set for a while, then at the door. After about five or six minutes, he opened the other lid, revealing the black pieces, dark as ink.

Maoyun Power Plant paid on time, saving a coal mine. Receiving a Go set in return is not a big deal. Thinking this, he placed the pieces in his drawer. A moment later, he opened the drawer again, took out a few pieces, and placed them on the desk to admire them closely.

No wonder Zhu Yan trusts young Hou. He is generous. Not bad. Deputy Director Jiang’s impression of Hou Weidong changed significantly.

Hou Weidong had successfully completed his task. At this point, he still believed the Go set was worth only 10,000 yuan. He had no idea it was a superior set of jade pieces worth over 100,000 yuan.

On the highway, Hou Weidong was in a good mood. He soon drove from Lingxi back to Shazhou. Seeing the sign indicating two kilometers to Shazhou, he hesitated slightly, then exited the highway. He parked in front of the school for the deaf and mute and sent a text message to Zhu Mei: I’m at the school for the deaf and mute. You said your computer had problems, so I brought it to get it repaired. Zhu Mei replied quickly: Great! I’ve been unable to use the computer for two days and didn’t know what to do. Brother Hou, please come quickly.

According to Zhu Yan’s wishes, Zhu Mei was supposed to call Hou Weidong “Uncle Hou.” However, Zhu Mei insisted on calling him “Brother Hou” and refused to change. Over time, it became a habit.

Hou Weidong drove to the school for the deaf and mute and saw Principal Yang and Zhu Mei standing at the gate. Zhu Mei was wearing a plaid skirt, her demeanor calm and quiet. If she didn’t speak, she looked like a normal, pure young girl.

Principal Yang stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Mei, stretching his neck to look down the road. During the Spring Festival of 1998, the New Management Committee had sent some money and supplies to the school, solving Principal Yang’s urgent financial crisis. Therefore, Hou Weidong’s reception had improved dramatically. Principal Yang had been pacing around the playground. Seeing Zhu Mei come out with a large bag and learning that Hou Weidong was coming, he followed her to the school gate.

After exchanging some words of gratitude, Principal Yang looked embarrassed. “Every time we meet, it’s about money. I feel ashamed. Zhu Mei’s computer skills, painting, and grades have improved rapidly. Now, many of the deaf and mute children are envious. The school wants to set up a computer room. I applied to the Education Commission, but they didn’t approve. They said even Shazhou No. 1 High School only got computers this year, so the school for the deaf and mute should wait.”

“The children at the school for the deaf and mute are different from normal people. It’s pitiful. It’s all because I, as the principal, am incompetent and can’t secure funding.”

Hou Weidong asked, “How many computers do you need?”

“Forty.” Principal Yang felt he was asking for too much, but for the sake of the students, he thickened his skin to ask for help.

“In that case, I’ll try to find a few companies to sponsor it. Forty computers are not a small amount, so it might take some time.”

Seeing Hou Weidong’s readiness to help, Principal Yang was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful. On behalf of all the deaf and mute children, thank you.”

Hou Weidong made a few simple hand gestures to Zhu Mei, and then Zhu Mei got into the car.

Watching the car drive away in a blur, Principal Yang stroked his thinning hair and sighed, “If Secretary Changquan’s children were also deaf and mute, that would be good.”

Zhu Mei sat in the passenger seat, holding the computer in her lap. This computer had opened up a whole new world for her. When it suddenly broke yesterday, she felt lost and anxious, as if days were dragging on forever. She had sent countless text messages to Hou Weidong, finally waiting for him to arrive.

Hou Weidong was driving and didn’t have time to check his messages. She sat quietly beside him, watching the car weave through the busy streets. Suddenly, she thought of her online friend, “Son of the Wind.” Son of the Wind said that life is like a symphony. What is a symphony? Is it very complex music? She had lost her hearing since childhood and was accustomed to a silent world. She couldn’t imagine what “sound” was. Was it the wind? Was it water? Or was it the lightning in the sky?

Brother Hou beside her was always so serious. He wasn’t as humorous as Son of the Wind, nor did he understand “music.” This made her feel a sense of regret.

Hou Weidong parked the car in front of a large computer store, made a gesture, and got out with Zhu Mei.