Volume 2 [410] The Lives of Ordinary People
【41o】The Life of Ordinary People
The government did consider sending the price bureau to investigate the price, but not everyone in the Zhang family can be investigated. Besides, even without investigation, it was known that Zhao Qiang was the mastermind, so there was no need to investigate the price. In the end, it would still be a mystery. The government couldn't calculate the value of the advanced equipment that Zhao Qiang manufactured, let alone the slimming tea. Who dares to say what the cost was?
Overnight, slimming teas and cosmetics from youth health product companies located in major cities across the country were snapped up. The price of a single pack of slimming tea skyrocketed from 10,000 yuan to 1 million yuan, and it was still impossible to find a buyer.
Dongyang City took the lead in conducting large-scale experiments, and the results showed that H virus infected individuals treated with slimming tea would not relapse. Dongyang City was the first among the regions in the world infected with H virus to restore normal social order. Shan Hongfei received high praise from the central government for this, but the mayor fell ill beforehand, so his contribution was essentially erased. Hearing that Shan Hongfei would soon be transferred to a position in the provincial government, this could be considered a blessing in disguise for him. Shan Hongfei was extremely grateful for his junior brother's help. Previously, he had always helped Zhao Qiang, and now he finally benefited from Zhao Qiang's good fortune, and it was a big one at that.
Meanwhile, Donghai City was also a key city commended by the central government because, during the height of the virus outbreak, it was one of the most stable cities in the world. Its citizens maintained a calm attitude towards the virus, exhibited the lowest level of panic, and achieved the most successful isolation measures. Despite being located in a high-risk area, the city ultimately ranked last among all high-risk cities in terms of the number of cases.
Xu Liming was riding high. He had been in charge of the entire battle against the H virus in Donghai City. Thanks to Zhao Qiang's advance guidance each time, he was able to stabilize the situation. The higher-ups intended to promote him to the position of Secretary of the Donghai Municipal Party Committee. However, given that Xu Liming had only been the Vice Mayor for a short time, the promotion had to be postponed. Nevertheless, this incident had solidified Xu Liming's position in the Donghai Municipal Government. Now, no one dared to look at him. Even the current Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor consulted him when they had problems.
Zhao Qiang stayed in Dongyang City for a few days until most of the patients were discharged before leaving with Luo Wei. The two first went back to their hometown of Zaolin Town for two days, leaving their parents a large box of slimming tea before returning to Donghai City. Meanwhile, Zhang Lingfeng was already transferring the sales revenue he received to Xu Xiaoya's account in a steady stream. In the past, a set sold for more than 10,000 yuan, but now a pack sells for 10,000 yuan, and the profit has increased thirtyfold. In the past, the daily income was 1.4 billion yuan, but now it has increased thirtyfold to more than 10 billion yuan. Moreover, because it is a nationally supplied antiviral drug, it is even exempt from taxes. Zhang Lingfeng was overjoyed.
Most of this money comes from the government, but some people also pay for the slimming tea themselves. As the number of patients in the country decreases sharply, the government will also cancel the free supply. When patients return, they will have to pay for it themselves. At this time, the slimming tea from the Youth Health Products Company will be launched overseas, with a supply price of $10,000 per pack. This infuriates the Americans. Zhang Lingfeng is actually giving them a discount. Otherwise, it would be £10,000 per pack. If they don't want to buy it, so be it.
A few weeks ago, Xu Xiaoya was worried about not having enough cash flow, but now she's worried about having so much money sitting idle. The girls in the repair shop looked at each other, and Hu Qian sighed: "If Zhao Qiang can make so much money, do we still need to run a company? Let him support us."
Luo Wei chuckled: "The nature is different. Zhao Qiang told me that the company is a real business, while a youth health product company may close down at any time, so the real business is the most important."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Yes, Wei is right. What's the use of having a lot of money? If the country confiscates your property, it's worthless. But our real industries are our real bargaining chip, making any enemy afraid to covet us."
Hu Qian praised, "You guys have good taste. I guess I'm getting old."
Luo Wei retorted, "Cousin, are you making fun of me? You're only a few years older than me."
Hu Qian said, "Being three years older than you doesn't mean you're older. Now that we have so much money, what's the next step?"
Xu Xiaoya said, "Continue to follow Zhao Qiang's instructions and acquire large quantities of heavy industry equipment."
Hu Qian said, "But our management team is severely lacking, and there aren't many trustworthy senior managers."
Xu Xiaoya asked, "Wei, how are your manpower numbers?"
Luo Wei said, "We can transfer some of them, but there are also many new employees at Haifeng Group. I'm not too sure about their management abilities; we need time to verify them."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Then let's hire a headhunting firm and poach managers from abroad. Anyway, there's nothing to keep secret about the companies we just acquired. We can dismiss them once our own management team has grown up."
Hu Qian said, "Okay, I'll take charge of this."
Xu Xiaoya pressed the phone on the table. There were internal lines in each room of the overhaul plant. Xu Xiaoya was calling Wang Meng, "Wang Meng, come to the office for a moment."
Wang Meng pushed open the door and entered in less than half a minute. "Sister Xiaoya, you were looking for me?" Xu Xiaoya was a year older than Wang Meng.
"What do you think about setting up a security company?"
Wang Meng said, "I asked Brother Qiang, and he agreed." Wang Meng only obeyed Zhao Qiang's orders, so he didn't agree directly when Xu Xiaoya told him about this.
Xu Xiaoya said, "Then just follow this plan. My dad has already taken care of the approval process for us. You can just go to the Public Security Bureau to get the certificate."
Wang Meng nodded: "Yes, Brother Qiang has already told me the recruitment conditions, and he will first transfer a group of retired soldiers from the army to serve as security guards. Please rest assured, Sister Xiaoya."
Xu Xiaoya rubbed her forehead and said, "At least he still has some conscience, knowing to help me with some things. Okay, the location for the security company has been finalized, and construction will begin next week. Then you'll have your own office building."
Wang Meng said, "Brother Qiang said you should re-inspect the security company's office building; there are many places that need to be changed."
Xu Xiaoya was unaware of this: "Oh? Okay, we'll discuss it again when he gets back."
Wang Meng pointed out, "Actually, it's just about increasing and expanding the training area."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Is it necessary? The original design already included many facilities in this regard."
Wang Meng said, "Brother Qiang said it's very necessary."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Alright then, we'll discuss this later. You should focus on the security company's team members."
Zhao Qiang was currently working at Shunfeng Technology in front of the overhaul factory, putting on a show. Wang Yidong had brewed him the best Longjing tea, and the two were leisurely drinking tea in the office. Sitting next to him was Ma Chang, the guy who often went to Home Inn Computer Company to collect scrap. Now he was dressed in a suit and tie, and his job had changed to a company gatekeeper. Wang Yidong had helped him get the job, and he had come to Shunfeng Technology to visit his old friend since he was off work today.
"Chang, you're a person of status now, have you considered settling down?" Wang Yidong asked.
Ma Chang took a sip of tea. Actually, he didn't think it tasted better than the Nutritional Express drink. "I've thought about it. Some friends have recommended it, but none of them suit my taste."
Zhao Qiang laughed and said, "Brother Chang, you need to have a target in mind when you're looking for someone, right?"
Ma Chang whispered to the two of them, "At the very least, they should have a figure like Hua's. They're all as flat as an airport runway. How can women like that have children?"
Wang Yidong, who had been wanting a fuller figure, laughed and scolded, "You shameless old man, you're almost fifty and you still want big breasts?"
Ma Chang said seriously, "Boss Wang, you're wrong about that. A man nearing fifty is still a man, and he has normal needs too. Besides, I earn more than a thousand yuan a month, and I have four days off every month. During work hours, I just read the newspaper and watch TV. You tell me how comfortable my job is? Just for that reason, can't I find a woman with big breasts?"
Zhao Qiang laughed: "Brother Chang, if Sister Hua heard you say that, she'd probably kick you twice."
Ma Changdao said, "No, the last time I saw her she was joking with me, saying I looked youthful again. I guess that girl is a little attracted to me. But we are quite a bit of an age difference, otherwise I would definitely seduce her to go home and get a divorce."
Zhao Qiang and Wang Yidong exchanged a glance, and they almost burst out laughing. This Ma Chang is still so narcissistic. Would Ma Hua even be interested in him? He's the finance director of Shunfeng Technology now, Zhao Qiang would be more suitable.
Wang Yidong glanced at his watch and said, "It's getting late. I'd like to treat you two to a simple lunch today."
Ma Chang waved his hand and said, "No, no, it was agreed that I would treat you. I haven't expressed my gratitude for helping me find this job. It just so happens that Qiang is here. Let's get together, have some drinks, and celebrate the start of a wonderful life."
Zhao Qiang felt warm and cozy being with these old friends. He didn't refuse and said, "Okay, let's just find a restaurant that's affordable and clean."
Ma Changdao said, "Don't worry, after the H virus incident, the hygiene in our Donghai City has improved by a lot. The restaurants are very clean now. I'll tell you a secret, I made a fortune this time."
Wang Yidong asked curiously, "What wealth?"
Ma Changdao said, "I resold two packets of slimming tea from someone else and made a profit of this amount." Ma Changdao held up one finger.
Wang Yidong asked, "One thousand?"
Ma Chang said with dissatisfaction, "What? Ten thousand?"
Wang Yidong laughed loudly: "Really? Then we can't just pick any restaurant for lunch today. You have to treat me to a good meal."
Ma Chang said smugly, "No problem, let's go. We're all living good lives now, so old friends should get together more often."
There aren't many people like Ma Chang who, even after making money, still remember their old friends. Zhao Qiang felt really comfortable being with them. In the past, it was said that old classmates were especially close when they met, since there were no conflicts of interest between them. However, during his recent trips back to his hometown, he encountered several old classmates, but Zhao Qiang didn't feel very comfortable. Instead, he felt a sense of friendship from an old man who used to collect scraps.
People should never forget their roots. Otherwise, Zhao Qiang would have helped Zhao Hai and Chen Yang, who were his old classmates. But now? Zhao Qiang wasn't thinking about that anymore. However, Sun Gang was a decent guy. When leaving Dongyang City, Zhao Qiang instructed Han Qiming to settle the full amount for Sun Gang's seafood. The food poisoning incident had nothing to do with him; it was something he couldn't have predicted. Although he did provide the seafood, the responsibility couldn't be shifted onto him.
Now that Han Qiming understands the cause and effect of the matter, he will naturally take extra care of Sun Gang in the future. This can be considered as helping Sun Gang. With the thousands of employees of the Dongyang branch factory as a support, Sun Gang can easily make a fortune by selling any welfare products.
In the newly opened area, at a restaurant on the street, Ma Chang specially requested a clean private room. The three of them sat down inside, and Ma Chang generously ordered several meat dishes. He then instructed the waiter to bring out a bottle of fine wine that cost over eighty yuan. He personally poured wine for Wang Yidong and Zhao Qiang.
Ma Chang raised his glass and said, "Boss Wang, I am very grateful for your help over the years. I would like to thank you. I have prepared a box of top-quality wild ginseng for you and Qiang. It is a specialty of our hometown. After you have drunk the wine, you can take it home and keep it to make medicinal wine. It will be very effective for Lao Badao."
Wang Yidong raised his glass and said, "Old Ma, I know what you mean by that. Take the things back and keep them for yourself. We don't need to do this kind of thing. We brothers can get together often when we have time."
Ma Changdao said, "These aren't expensive, just over two hundred yuan each. It's not worth refusing. Next time I make some money, I'll bring you a real wild ginseng. That'll be a real token of my appreciation. Just accept these two. If they don't work, you can just chew them like radishes. Come on, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's drink and celebrate that we're all living a good life."
Zhao Qiang was overjoyed. He raised his glass and said, "I'll sponsor you, Brother Chang. I wish you a bright future, and that you'll soon marry a wife and have a big, healthy son."
Ma Chang downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and said, "Qiang, I have high hopes for you. If I, Ma Chang, can really have a son, I'll have him recognize you as his godfather. What do you say?"
Zhao Qiang readily agreed: "Okay, Brother Chang, you should hurry up and find a wife. I'm waiting for my godson to be born."
Back when Zhao Qiang was being beaten, Ma Chang risked his life to rush up the scale with his steelyard. Would Zhao Qiang refuse such a gesture? Such a friend may not bring you much benefit, but the more honest and simple a friend is, the more likely they are to be a true friend. When you are in danger, they will risk their lives for you, and when you are in the limelight, they will quietly stay behind you.
However, Ma Chang didn't know Zhao Qiang's true strength at the moment. Otherwise, he would never have sat down and drunk with Zhao Qiang, nor would he have shown such a generous attitude. This is also why Zhao Qiang doesn't like to show his true colors. He wants to live a real life with affection and righteousness, rather than a so-called friendship that has been distorted by various interests.
Wang Yidong knew Zhao Qiang somewhat, and he thought to himself, "Chang, you're really lucky! You've found such a good godfather for your son; you'll be living a life of luxury."
Ma Chang had no idea what Wang Yidong was thinking. He enthusiastically got up to refill their drinks, and a warm and friendly atmosphere filled the private room. This time, Zhao Qiang deliberately got drunk. He believed that drinking happily was a worthwhile experience, and that this was life—the real, flesh-and-blood life of ordinary people.
Rich people always say they feel empty, but that's because they've lost themselves. Zhao Qiang knows he'll never feel that way. He lives among real people, and he will always cherish the friendship with them and always keep a calm and positive attitude.
(Thanks to 我行我素 [2 photos] and 1iuyu123 for their monthly ticket support)
(Thanks to Mo Chenggui for the donation)
(This chapter was scheduled to be released yesterday afternoon, but I have to go on a business trip early this morning. Thank you all for your support.)
Volume 2 [411] Invitation
【411】Inviting guests
Time passed quietly, and the weather grew colder day by day. Frost began to form on the windowpanes in the morning, but it was still a long time before the heating was turned on, so the air conditioner had to be on inside.
The kitchen was filled with clanging and banging from early morning. Xu Xiaoya lazily crawled out of Zhao Qiang's arms, her full breasts exposed to the air, so alluring. Zhao Qiang was also awake. He chuckled and grabbed one of her breasts. Xu Xiaoya proudly brought the breast to Zhao Qiang's mouth, absolutely confident in her breast shape, unlike those flat-chested girls.
Zhao Qiang laughed and said, "You're still not full after drinking all night? If you eat any more, you can skip breakfast."
"Get lost," Xu Xiaoya rolled her eyes at Zhao Qiang and started getting dressed. "We'll be twenty-four after the New Year. Are you planning to marry me or not? You can't expect me to follow you around without knowing why."
Zhao Qiang said, "Aren't you a year younger than me? You won't be old enough next year." The policy in Donghai City states that women under the age of 24 are not allowed to register for marriage.
Xu Xiaoya said, "I won't change your age, as long as you're old enough."
Zhao Qiang demurred, saying, "We're still so young, what's the rush?"
Xu Xiaoya stopped fastening her bra straps and hugged Zhao Qiang with her clothes disheveled. "Qiang, of course I'm worried. You're surrounded by beautiful women every day. Do you know how worried I am? You and that vixen definitely have some kind of illicit relationship. I'm too lazy to care about you anymore, but I want to marry you. Otherwise, I'll follow you around every day and I'll definitely catch you cheating."
Zhao Qiang was terrified. Xu Xiaoya was absolutely capable of doing such a thing. Although she was only guessing at the moment, if she kept an eye on him every day, that day might come. "Okay, okay, whatever you say."
Xu Xiaoya tempted Zhao Qiang, saying, "As long as you marry me, I won't care about you anymore, okay?"
Zhao Qiang was overjoyed, but he still asked in a calm tone, "Really?"
Xu Xiaoya held the bra up to Zhao Qiang's eyes: "You idiot, you'll be exposed as soon as you try it on. Tell me, have you and Wei had any ambiguous relationship?"
Zhao Qiang retorted, "Am I as extravagant as you say?"
Xu Xiaoya said, "Yes, you've spent money from head to toe. How come I didn't notice when we were in college? I thought you were an honest kid back then. Men with money go bad, it's an eternal truth."
Zhao Qiang asked Xu Xiaoya, "You don't regret it now, do you?"
Xu Xiaoya said, "Yes, I regret it. I regret not taking you in and training you into a devoted man sooner. Now it's too late. You're like a radish that's been spun out of my heart and can't be changed."
"Then what should we do?" Zhao Qiang asked.
Xu Xiaoya said, "What else can I do? I'll tie you up with a rope and pull you over to check on you from time to time to prevent you from spending too much time with other girls. I have some confidence in you, but I don't have confidence in other girls. They will inevitably fall in love with you in time. Sigh, there's nothing I can do. Who told me to find such an outstanding man?"
The two left the bedroom laughing and joking. Xu Liming was reading the newspaper in the living room, while Sun Junmei was busy in the kitchen. Xu Xiaoya went in to help her mother, but she could only lend a hand. If she were asked to make breakfast, Xu Liming would probably immediately take Zhao Qiang out for soy milk and fried dough sticks.
"Zhao, sit down, I have something to tell you." Xu Liming called out to Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang sat opposite Xu Liming. "Uncle, what's the matter?" With Xu Liming's current popularity and status in Donghai City, there shouldn't be anything he can't handle.
"The gathering of municipal leaders that I mentioned last time was postponed because of the H virus infection. Everyone brought it up again in the meeting yesterday morning, so we decided to hold it tonight. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we won't be afraid of drinking too much tonight. What do you think?"