Normally, Xu Zhengyang wouldn't bother with the people Old Li arranged to monitor him; after all, there was nothing shameful about what he did as a "human." As for what he did as a "god," they couldn't detect it even if they wanted to. Besides, they didn't monitor his family and friends, which made Xu Zhengyang feel much better. It also helped balance Old Li's feelings of defeat; after all, he was outmaneuvered by this country bumpkin, and he wasn't happy about it, was he? He had to give Li Bingjie some face and smooth things over. Xu Zhengyang didn't want to sit at the dinner table with his elders, glaring at each other with disapproval, when he and Li Bingjie visited her parents' home in the future. He'd be unhappy, and Li Bingjie would be embarrassed too, wouldn't she?
But if word gets back to Old Li that I'm going to have dinner with a girl today, it will be awkward.
Well, Xu Zhengyang, you actually want to have your cake and eat it too? Then I absolutely cannot agree to your relationship with Li Bingjie!
Hmm, Xu Zhengyang is shameless and innocent, and very self-delusional. He really thinks he's an invincible handsome guy who can charm any beautiful woman.
Xu Zhengyang scratched his head. This couldn't go on forever. He was only doing this to give Li Bingjie face and make the old lady feel better, but there was a long road ahead. Living under constant surveillance was just too... disrespectful of his privacy.
Driving to Xinmin Road, nearing Yong'an Residential Area, Xu Zhengyang parked his car in a parking space in front of Huadu Shopping Mall and then got out. Xu Zhengyang lit a cigarette, stood beside the car, and seemingly boredly looked at the streetlights that were already on, as well as the neon lights of various businesses on both sides of the road.
After taking a few puffs of his cigarette, Xu Zhengyang turned and walked to the left.
Xu Zhengyang walked all the way to the westernmost parking space of Huadu Shopping Mall and stood next to an ordinary reddish-brown Santana sedan. He raised his hand and tapped the driver's side window a few times with his bent index finger.
After about ten seconds, the car window opened, and a young man who looked to be around thirty years old, wearing glasses and appearing quite refined, asked with some confusion, "Is there something you need?"
"Mm." Xu Zhengyang nodded with a smile.
"And you are?"
Xu Zhengyang reached out and removed the other person's glasses. The movement seemed slow, but it was over before the other person could react. Xu Zhengyang tossed the glasses behind his back, his smile fading, and calmly said, "If anyone follows me again, I'll beat them up every time I see them..."
"Are you out of your mind?" The young man seemed to have just realized what was happening, and angrily cursed, then pushed open the car door and got out, looking like he was going to argue with Xu Zhengyang!
The young man was about 1.8 meters tall, half a head taller than Xu Zhengyang, but Xu Zhengyang grabbed him by the neck and forced him to lean back against the roof of the car. The young man struggled, seemingly powerless, and shouted, "Hey, what are you doing? Let go, let go! You're hitting me!"
Some passersby looked over, and several security guards who were walking back and forth in front of the mall immediately surrounded them.
Xu Zhengyang ignored everyone's gazes, tightened his grip slightly, and said calmly in a low voice, "Listen, it's not just you, anyone... if they follow me or spy on me again, I will be angry."
"Are you sick? What nonsense are you talking about..." The young man seemed to be having trouble breathing because his neck was being choked. His face was turning red and purple as he struggled to defend himself while casting pleading glances at the security guards.
Several security guards immediately stepped forward, two of them reaching out to pull Xu Zhengyang away while advising, "Sir, please don't cause trouble here. You can go to the police station to mediate if there's anything wrong..."
"Let go!"
The two security guards found that they couldn't pull Xu Zhengyang away at all.
Xu Zhengyang exerted force, swinging his arm and throwing the young man to the ground. At the same time, he broke free from the pull of the two security guards, but he didn't care about the angry yet slightly puzzled looks of the security guards around him. He quickly squatted down, reached out and grabbed the young man's neck as he was struggling to get up, pressing him to the ground so he couldn't get up. He calmly lowered his voice and said, "When you go back, tell him that I will visit him in a few days."
After saying that, Xu Zhengyang stood up, pushed away several security guards who were already pulling at him and shouting at him, glanced around, and then walked eastward with a relaxed expression as if nothing had happened.
Several security guards immediately helped the young man, who was still lying on the ground in a daze, to his feet.
Are you alright?
"Do you know him? Should we call the police...?"
The young man completely ignored the security guards' concerned inquiries, only frowning as he looked at Xu Zhengyang's somewhat thin back under the light, then turned around, opened the car door, got in, and started the car.
Under the astonished gaze of several security guards, the Santana drove away from the parking lot in front of Huadu Shopping Mall and headed east along Xinmin Road.
"Damn, this kind of guy deserves a beating, he doesn't even say thank you."
"I think this grandson has probably done something wrong."
"That guy was pretty tough, haha."
"Look at his clothes and appearance, nothing special, huh? Well, take a look, that white Audi A4, the one that guy drives, he's not your average person..."
The security guards, bored, started gossiping amongst themselves.
The onlookers dispersed, their faces filled with disappointment at not seeing any more exciting fight scenes.
When Xu Zhengyang drove to Dong Wenqi's apartment building in Yong'an Community, he found Dong Wenqi wearing a knee-length coat and a white scarf, already standing at the entrance of the building. There were no so-called friends next to her.
Dong Wenqi stepped forward, opened the passenger door, and said with a smile, "My friend is waiting for me at the hot pot restaurant."
Xu Zhengyang smiled, started the car, and drove out of the residential area, saying, "Speak, what's up?"
"Hey, can't I just treat you to a meal if there's nothing wrong?"
Xu Zhengyang smiled but remained silent.
Dong Wenqi blushed and said helplessly, "Okay, it's my friend who wants to work at our company..."
"Just talk to Deng Wenjing or Zhan Xiaohui about this. Hehe, you know I don't usually get involved in things," Xu Zhengyang said casually with a smile, seemingly not bothered by the matter.
Dong Wenqi was a little embarrassed and said, "Chairman, you're not angry, are you?"
"Not at all, haha." Xu Zhengyang laughed, "Our company is in need of manpower right now."
"You still mind..."
"No, I just don't want to get involved in these things."
"Oh, just this once, and don't let it happen again, okay?"
Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, "Alright, it's nothing. I'll treat you to dinner today as a thank you for your hard work at the company..."
At this time, Xu Zhengyang was unaware that the friend Dong Wenqi introduced who wanted to work at Jinghui Logistics Company was someone who had deliberately arranged it.
After all, Xu Zhengyang wouldn't go so far as to use his supernatural powers to find out about everyone he meets!
Volume 4, City God Chapter 206: We are all good people, right?
After the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, Jinghui Logistics Company's business volume began to increase, especially after the tenth day of the first lunar month, when the business volume suddenly soared, showing a straight upward trend.
As the year draws to a close, a surge in the volume of goods transported across all industries is an inevitable phenomenon.
Jinghui Logistics Company has entered its busiest period in over a year. Fortunately, the company was well-prepared and had informed all employees in advance that no employee would be allowed to take leave from the end of the twelfth lunar month until the 29th of the twelfth lunar month unless there were special circumstances.
Xu Zhengyang watched as the company grew busier day by day. He learned from Deng Wenjing that by mid-month, the company's business volume had increased more than five times compared to usual, and it was still growing rapidly.
The company has had to hire private vehicles every day to handle a large volume of cargo transportation.
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang, who is usually lazy and doesn't care about company affairs, has no choice but to stop going to Jinghui Logistics Company for a while to avoid disturbing others' work. He feels bad sitting there watching others busy but not doing anything himself...
This guy is too... lazy.
Xu Rouyue has returned from her holiday. Unlike her lazy brother, when she heard that Jinghui Logistics Company was unusually busy, she asked to help out at the logistics company for a few days, which could be considered an internship.
"Students should focus on their studies and stay home to study more..." Xu Zhengyang advised earnestly, though he was actually just trying to save face. Even his younger sister wanted to help, but he was hiding at home being lazy.
"Bro, these days college students are all thinking about finding temporary jobs during their holidays to gain work experience. They can't even find a company they want to work for, but I have a place ready for me. Why shouldn't I go? Bro, you're not worried that I'll cause trouble for your company, are you?"
Xu Zhengyang had no choice but to agree. He called Zhan Xiaohui and asked Xu Rouyue to go and help Dong Wenqi with some statistical work. He even called Dong Wenqi himself to ask her to take good care of her.
The company is unusually busy these days, but no one is complaining that the chairman hasn't been coming around lately.
Zhan Xiaohui never dared to think about it in this direction. Other reasons, such as Dong Wenqi, were that the chairman was not an idle person and had many more things to do.
Upon learning that the chairman's sister was coming to intern at the company, Zhan Xiaohui dared not be careless or negligent. The couple discussed it for a long time and then called Dong Wenqi into the office for a serious talk, emphasizing that they must treat Xu Rouyue well. The company has been busy lately; they couldn't let Xu Rouyue be as overworked as they were.
Dong Wenqi, on the other hand, knew exactly what these university students were thinking. So, while she was excited to have a helper, she also thought that this was an opportunity to deepen her relationship with the chairman and improve her relationship with his sister... Go away, what are you thinking? Dong Wenqi blushed and quickly dismissed her unrealistic thoughts.
Meanwhile, the construction team in the provincial capital stopped work and took a holiday on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Xu Zhengyang asked his father to inquire with the construction workers. Anyone who wanted to earn more money could work as a temporary loader at Jinghui Logistics Company for a few days. The wages were calculated on a daily basis. In addition to the daily wage of fifty yuan, there was also a commission calculated according to the tonnage and the size and number of vehicles loaded, as stipulated by the company.
Xu Zhengyang has done his part for Jinghui Logistics Company during this busy month, and has been a great help.
From a strict and fair perspective, Xu Zhengyang is neither lazy nor idle.
He had things he considered more important and busier than company affairs to handle, so he stopped going to the Gu Xiang Xuan shop and rarely went home.
He stayed at a resort in the Jingniang Lake tourist scenic area.
As the year draws to a close, travel agencies are at their quietest, and scenic spots are even less crowded. It's exceptionally peaceful here, undisturbed by anyone.
Xu Zhengyang can now calm down and fulfill his duties as a City God.
Yes, as the year draws to a close, many industries are in their busiest period of the year, including... criminals. The incidence of open and covert robberies and thefts is soaring. Who doesn't want a prosperous year? As a result, the public security department is also at its busiest during this time.
To safeguard the interests of the general public, resolutely crack down on the arrogance of criminals, and ensure that more people can enjoy a peaceful and happy New Year, Xu Zhengyang, as the City God, certainly cannot be idle.
In just a few days, Xu Zhengyang appointed thirteen new ghost messengers, aiming to ensure they were more comprehensively and effectively deployed in their duties. Whether it was hasty or not was secondary; he could simply screen them again next year when things were less busy, sending any unsuitable ones to do menial tasks in the underworld…
Twenty-eight ghost messengers, led by Captain Su Peng and remotely commanded by the City God, spread out across the four districts and fourteen counties of Fuhe City, baring their fangs and brandishing their ferocious expressions, launching a crackdown of the highest intensity!
In addition to listening to reports from the ghost messengers and adjudicating cases that the ghost messengers dared not judge privately, Xu Zhengyang also had to organize and summarize all the work done over the past year, learn from the experience, examine the shortcomings, and lay a more reasonable and clear foundation for the future work of the City God's Palace.
In addition, Xu Zhengyang also had to go online every day to browse posts on the forum of Fuhe City Information Port. If he found a post with a case, he would immediately investigate the truth of the matter through the city's case file and then arrange for the ghost messengers to enforce the law quickly, strictly, and severely!
Damn it, it's the Lunar New Year! Anyone who doesn't let others have a good New Year can forget about having one!
So, in the twelfth lunar month of that year, police in various parts of Fuhe City discovered a strange phenomenon: early in the morning, criminals would frequently walk into the gates of police stations, public security bureaus, or criminal investigation teams to turn themselves in. They were either for theft, robbery, or other crimes; without exception, these guys all seemed to have been severely beaten, with striped bruises on their bodies as if they had been whipped. When asked why they were beaten or who beat them, they remained silent, only frankly recounting their crimes.
Some cases that the police were investigating were solved so easily.
As for the underworld, Xu Zhengyang wasn't in a hurry to go there. With the Mingnie Terrace in place, good and evil were immediately judged. The ghost messengers, wielding the nets given to them by the judge, stood at the foot of the cliff, retrieving evil spirits and tossing them into the middle or slow streams; however… it was tough on those ghost messengers. They were incredibly busy, so busy that to avoid the excruciating torment of being doused in boiling oil, they had to keep working non-stop.
Do you know how many ghosts drift through the River of Oblivion and the River of Three Crossings every day? Tens of thousands.
As for the other institutions and facilities in the underworld that need to be rebuilt, Xu Zhengyang temporarily ignored them for two reasons. First, he didn't have time to wander around there. Second, he was afraid that the divine power of the underworld would be insufficient, and he would have to expend divine power from the mortal world again. If a farce like the last one happened again, and his physical body was destroyed without him noticing, then Xu Zhengyang would become the most tragic god in the Three Realms since the beginning of time.
Furthermore, how slow is the flow of a slow stream?
It's estimated that by the time the next facility is needed, Xu Zhengyang will be in his seventies, eighties, or even over a hundred years old.
As for the other rivers of Sanzu that carry various living beings, the Mingnie Platform is needed... Xu Zhengyang's level of thought is not yet so high that he can reason about the good and evil among animals.
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang was not in a hurry.
What worries him now is that Li Bingjie hasn't returned yet, and there's been no news of her.
His phone is off, and he doesn't reply to QQ messages.
We're on holiday now!
At first, Xu Zhengyang didn't pay much attention. Everyone has their own things to do, right? Besides, Li Bingjie was in Beijing, so nothing unexpected would happen to her; her status was unquestionable. But after a week without any news, Xu Zhengyang couldn't help but become suspicious. Goodness, could it be that Old Li's whole family is trying to completely sever ties with us?
Therefore, on the night of the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Zhengyang specially sent out his divine sense to explore the old man's mind in order to see what he was planning.
Since the last lesson and warning to the stalker, no one has been following or monitoring him since.
The old man was furious, yet helpless. This guy was completely unpredictable, capable of creating problems at any moment that left everyone bewildered and unsure how to handle them. Moreover, this man possessed terrifying strength and powerful backers—who wouldn't fear him? If he were angered, who could guarantee that this guy wouldn't cause chaos and upheaval?
Therefore, using their loved ones as threats is absolutely unacceptable;
Punish him personally? That's even worse. He's a madman, and the deity standing behind him is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
The series of events that suddenly occurred a few days ago are the most powerful proof and warning given by Xu Zhengyang.
Once, in his imagination—or rather, in his dream—the old man even saw a figure wearing slippers and shorts, holding a pitchfork, standing by a ditch in the farmland, glaring angrily like a fool, shouting at him with extreme arrogance, domineering fearlessness, and rudeness: "You old geezer, if it weren't for Bingjie's sake, I would @#￥@~~..."
In all honesty, this was absolutely not a dream that Xu Zhengyang had entrusted to the old man.