Chen Guangwei said, "Shuxian, let's not talk about the children anymore. These years..."
Chen Shuxian shouted, "Why don't you mention the child? If it weren't for the child, I would have died long ago! Chen Guangwei, you and your son can decide someone's life or death at will, but now you dare to touch Xin Xin? I'll fight you to the death!"
Chen Guangwei wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Shuxian, I really have no ill intentions towards my daughter. What will it take for you to believe me? I came here with a firm resolve. If Father cannot accept you and your daughter, then I will officially leave the Chen family. From now on, all matters concerning the Chen family will have nothing to do with me. I have lost too much in the past. From today onwards, I will not allow either of you to leave me. I will protect you and give you the best life."
Chen Shuxian said calmly, "Thank you. Xin Xin is protected now. This person treats Xin Xin very well, and I feel very reassured."
Chen Guangwei asked, "You mean that guy named Zhao Qiang?"
Chen Shuxian said, "He is very talented. Making money is just a piece of cake for him, and Xin Xin is very dependent on him."
Chen Guangwei said, "I do not agree with Xin Xin's relationship with him. My daughter is half of me, and I have the right to decide her life's most important matter."
Chen Shuxian snorted: "Chen Guangwei, I've already told you not to flatter yourself. Who has ever acknowledged that our daughter is half of you? Me, or Xinxin? You're planning to use your father's theory of 'marrying someone of equal social standing,' aren't you, Chen Guangwei? You're dreaming."
Not wanting the conversation to become more tense, Chen Guangwei dropped the topic and said, "Shuxian, let's not talk about the future. I've missed you so much these past few years, you know? My hair turned white because of missing you; this black hair was just dyed. I'm so lonely without you. I know you and your mother have had a hard life all these years, but my heart has never stopped aching. I don't want it to be like this, but Father still refuses to give up his prejudice against you. I'm afraid that if he finds out where you are, it will be bad for you, so I haven't dared to openly search for you. But if Father still doesn't agree to you coming home with me this time, I'll threaten to kill myself."
Chen Shuxian looked up and continued to look out the window. Although she had subconsciously forgiven Chen Guangwei, how could she let go of all the bitterness of so many years all at once? Chen Shuxian would not give Chen Guangwei a good look right now. Besides, her daughter had not forgiven Chen Guangwei. What use would it be if Chen Shuxian forgave him? Her daughter was the most important part of Chen Shuxian's life now.
"Shuxian, I have remained unmarried because of you..."
Chen Shuxian snorted, her voice tinged with smugness. She had learned from the media that Chen Guangwei was still unmarried, which calmed her down considerably. If Chen Guangwei already had a wife, Chen Shuxian was certain she wouldn't even get into his car.
“Every night I think of you so much that I can’t sleep. Every time I think of you so much that I can’t control myself, I cut my chest,” Chen Guangwei said, lifting his shirt. Chen Shuxian was still staring out the window, so Chen Guangwei took her hand and placed it on his chest. What Chen Shuxian touched was not smooth skin, but a patch of bumpy scars. She turned around in surprise.
Chen Guangwei was a handsome man, but his skin, hidden beneath his clothes, was shockingly scarred, with horizontal and vertical lines all over it. It was so horrifying that it made one's heart tremble. How many cuts would it take to create such a condition, and how much courage would it take to inflict such torture on the body? This was something no ordinary person could do. This also proved how deep Chen Guangwei's love for Chen Shuxian was; even after so much time had passed, he still had not forgotten her.
Even though Chen Shuxian felt wronged, she couldn't bring herself to hate Chen Guangwei when she saw his appearance. She and her child were in pain, but Chen Guangwei was also in pain. Could it all be blamed on him alone? He was Chen Kezong's son, and he had no choice in the matter.
Unable to control her emotions, Chen Shuxian threw herself into Chen Guangwei's arms. "Guangwei..." The two were not without feelings for each other, otherwise Chen Guangwei would have married someone else long ago, and Chen Shuxian would have been married off long ago.
Chen Guangwei hugged Chen Shuxian tightly: "Shuxian, please never leave me again. If the Chen family can't accept me, we'll go to another place and start a new life together, and raise Xinxin well."
Chen Shuxian chuckled: "Xin Xin has grown up a lot, yet you still treat her like a child."
Chen Guangwei said, "Her thinking is not yet mature, and there is so much she needs to learn."
Chen Shuxian said, "No, Guangwei, I don't want you to interfere in the child's life. Do you want to see Xinxin follow the same path you did back then? Do you want to become the second Chen Kezong?"
Chen Guangwei was speechless. Wasn't his father's strict demands on him also due to his current state of mind? People are sometimes hard to judge as good or bad; it depends on what they do.
Chen Shuxian and Chen Guangwei rekindled their old flame in the car, while Chen Xinxin complained to Zhao Qiang: "Zhao Qiang, what should I do? That bastard is bothering my mother."
Zhao Qiang said, "It depends on your mother's attitude. If your mother still loves him, I think you should just leave it alone."
Chen Xinxin said loudly, "No, I can't watch my mother be deceived by him again. Hasn't she suffered enough before?"
Zhao Qiang said, "The past is the past. I think Chen Kezong wouldn't dare to act so recklessly now."
Chen Xinxin said, "It still doesn't work, you have to help me."
Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, okay, I'll help you. How can I help you?"
Chen Xinxin said, "Drive Chen Guangwei away."
Zhao Qiang was sweating profusely: "That's your biological father."
Chen Xinxin said, "I don't acknowledge him. My father is already dead."
"You're just fooling yourself."
Chen Xinxin said, "Even if it's just fooling myself, you still have to help me."
Zhao Qiang was speechless.
Zhao Ling was driving her parents, younger brother, and He Shan. Zhao Mingming was sitting in the passenger seat, looking at his sister driving a car worth over a million with great envy. "Sis, when I get a driver's license, can I borrow this car for a few days?"
Before Zhao Ling could express her agreement or disagreement, Zhao Shan said, "You're dreaming. You've really ruined our family this time. Your mother and I have lost our jobs, and the factory is going to take back our house. How are we going to live from now on?"
Zhao Mingming said, "Well, isn't Chen Guangwei helping us? I heard he's very capable."
Zhao Shan reached out from the back seat and slapped Zhao Mingming on the back of the head: "Whether someone owes you or is owed to you, it's still yours."
He Shan secretly tugged at Zhao Mingming's collar from the side, reminding him not to say anything more, or he would get beaten up again.
Zhao Ling was too embarrassed to ask Chen Xinxin to beg Chen Guangwei. She knew that Chen Xinxin hated Chen Guangwei and was only willing to ask for Zhao Mingming's release because Zhao Qiang had gone to jail with her. Otherwise, Chen Xinxin probably would never have bowed down to Chen Guangwei in her life.
Because of Zhao Ling's limited driving skills, the car was moving very slowly. It was almost an hour later when they arrived at the machinery factory area. From a distance, they could see a crowd gathered at the entrance of the area. Zhao Ling was a little panicked. She was afraid that she would lose control of the car and cause a lot of trouble if she hit someone. With no other choice, Zhao Ling had to stop the car far away.
The crowd at the district entrance saw a car stop some distance away. They looked at it, then, as if receiving some kind of signal, they surged towards it, startling Zhao Mingming, who instinctively prepared to run away. Zhao Ling, with better eyesight, said, "Dad, it looks like leaders from the machinery factory. Look, your workshop director is in the crowd."
Zhao Shan said, "It's over, it's over. It must be those people from the district who heard that your mother and I were fired, and they're here to watch the show."
Zhao Ling asked in confusion, "Really? I saw the factory director and the party secretary there too. Do they also like to join in this kind of fun? Is it necessary?"
Volume Two [488] Welcoming
【488】Welcome
"The factory director and the party secretary? How is that possible?" Zhao Shan rubbed his eyes. These two were like gods, hard to find. Zhao Shan and Guo Huiqin had almost forgotten what they looked like. They basically saw them only a few times a year.
The group of people at the district gate walked faster and faster, as if their target was indeed Zhao Shan and his group. Zhao Ling cursed, "They can't be in such a hurry, can they? Are they waiting at the gate to take over the houses? Don't the factory director and the party secretary have houses to live in?"
Zhao Mingming picked up a brick from the ground: "Whoever dares to take over our house, I'll smash their head in."
He Shan grabbed Zhao Mingming's arm, and Guo Huiqin grabbed her son's other arm as well: "No, Mingming, you can't get into trouble again. If you get arrested again this time, who knows if you'll be able to get out safely?"
Zhao Shan snatched the brick from his son's hand: "You brat, if you cause any more trouble, I'll disown you as my son."
Zhao Ling turned around and hugged Zhao Qiang: "I'm scared."
Chen Xinxin said nonchalantly, "I'm not afraid. At worst, I'll have Chen Guangwei come over. He owes me one." She was using her own father as free labor.
"Old Zhao, you're finally back! We've been waiting for you for so long!" The factory director shouted as he rushed over. The Party Secretary behind him walked a little slower. He glared fiercely at the factory director, then his face lit up with joy. He strode forward and grabbed Zhao Shan's other hand: "Old Zhao, you've worked so hard. I heard you fell ill, and I didn't have time to visit you in the hospital. Don't mind. We heard you were coming home, so we're here to welcome you at the door."
Zhao Shan thought he had misheard, so he pulled his hands out of the factory director's and the party secretary's hands respectively, and then rubbed his ears vigorously. Guo Huiqin next to him reminded him, "You didn't hear wrong. I'm confused too. What's going on? They must have mistaken you for someone else."
The factory director said, “How could you mistake me for someone else? You are Guo Huiqin, the wife of Comrade Zhao Shan. You are a pillar of our machinery factory, a key technical worker, and an outstanding employee. You have worked diligently for decades and are a role model for all our cadres and employees.”
"I have decided to launch a campaign throughout the factory to learn from Comrades Zhao Shan and Guo Huiqin, calling on the entire factory to take action to strictly manage and control the situation, and repay the whole society with excellent products."
Zhao Qiang glanced at the government vehicle that arrived shortly after, and Zhang Feng got out. Zhao Qiang immediately understood. He pointed at Zhang Feng and said to Zhao Ling, "Do you understand now? It was all arranged by him. The machinery factory wouldn't dare to disrespect the mayor, would it?"
Zhao Ling was relieved. It turned out that Mayor Zhang Feng had called the machinery factory in advance. With Mayor Zhang's arrangement, how could the leaders of the machinery factory dare to disregard it? Naturally, they were all eager to curry favor.
Zhao Shan and Guo Huiqin were extremely apprehensive. Zhao Shan said, "Factory Director, Party Secretary, I... I don't deserve this. I'm so scared that you're welcoming me like this." Zhao Shan was telling the truth; he wasn't happy at all, but rather terrified.
Guo Huiqin said, "As long as the factory doesn't fire us or take back our houses, we'll kowtow to the factory director and secretary." As she said this, Guo Huiqin was about to break down. Houses are the foundation of Chinese people's lives. If they don't even have houses, how miserable would that be?
The factory director said sternly, "Who said they wanted to dismiss Zhao Shan and Guo Huiqin from their public positions? Whoever said that, step forward!"
The workshop foreman tried to hide behind, but Zhao Ling pointed at him and said, "It's him! My dad was hospitalized because of him."
The Party Secretary pulled the workshop director in front of everyone and said, "Director Qian, tell me, where did you get the order? Who told you to fire such a dedicated veteran technician? Who do you think you are?"
Director Qian was sweating profusely. The principle for dismissing workers was that the factory administration's approval was required, but according to convention, once the workshop made the decision, it could be implemented without reporting. But did Director Qian dare to argue now? He stammered, "I...I...I'm sorry, Comrade Zhao Shan." Director Qian already knew that the Chen family was behind Zhao Shan. What could he do now? He was even less capable than Zhang Feng and Wang Yifan. A workshop director, in front of the overwhelming Chen family, was nothing at all.
Director Qian knelt down with a thud, moved his knees to Zhao Shan, and cried, "Comrade Zhao Shan, I was blind! I shouldn't have fired you. I was out of my mind and accepted Yang Yuhai's bribe. Now I'm retracting the workshop's decision, and I won't take back your house either. Please forgive me. It's all that damned Yang Yuhai's fault. He tempted me with money, and I couldn't resist."
Zhang Feng walked over with a solemn expression and said, "So Yang Yuhai actually did such a thing. I must investigate this thoroughly, clear Comrade Zhao Shan's name, and ensure that the people can live a peaceful life."
Zhao Shan was even more agitated than Director Qian: "You really won't fire us? You really won't take back our houses?"
The Party Committee of the Machinery Factory said, "Old Zhao, I assure you with my personal reputation that the previous order was made by Director Qian in violation of factory principles and had no merit whatsoever. So rest assured, take a couple of days to rest at home, and we'll reassign you to work once you're better. As for the house, considering that your son is already an adult and you have a daughter, the house is too cramped. Therefore, the factory has decided to provide you with a large 100-square-meter house free of charge. You can use it for your son's future wedding. This is what you deserve for your hard work for the Machinery Factory for half a lifetime."
Zhao Shan, tears streaming down his face, exclaimed, "Thank God!"
Guo Huiqin was so excited that she wanted to kneel down to the Party Secretary and the factory director, but Zhao Ling stopped her. Others might be able to fool Zhao Shan and his wife into accepting her, but Zhao Ling wouldn't fall for it. What did it mean that she deserved what she had worked so hard for? If it weren't for Chen Guangwei and Zhang Feng's appearance, she would probably be packing her things and preparing to move out of the house right now.
Zhang Feng said to the machinery factory leader who was still planning to pester Zhao Shan, "Comrade Zhao Shan is in poor health and is not suitable to stay outside for too long. Let's talk about some things later. Let's take Comrade Zhao Shan upstairs to rest first."
The factory manager said, "Comrade Zhao Shan, you've worked like a slave for the machine factory for most of your life. Now let me carry you upstairs." As he spoke, the factory manager squatted down in front of Zhao Shan, which terrified Zhao Shan. The factory manager was going to carry him himself? Who was the factory manager? In the machine factory, he was practically an emperor. Normally, he wouldn't care about the workers; the workers were already grateful if he didn't exploit them and even if their wages weren't paid on time.
Zhao Shan was still hesitating when the factory director had already pulled him onto his back. Seeing that he had no chance to show off, the secretary of the machinery factory hurriedly took Guo Huiqin's arm and said, "Sister-in-law, let me help you upstairs. You've had a hard time." Fortunately, Guo Huiqin didn't say "serving the people" at the right time, otherwise Zhao Qiang would have burst out laughing from behind.
The group entered the district in a grand procession. Several women who always liked to gather at the entrance of the building and gossip came out. They couldn't believe their eyes. One of them even pinched her companion's thigh, which made her companion scold, "Hey, why did you pinch me?"
"Am I dreaming? Who is carrying Zhao Shan on their back?"
The woman whose thigh had been pinched spoke as the other woman pinched her back hard: "Does it hurt? If it does, that's good. It means you're not dreaming. That's our factory director, and the one supporting Guo Huiqin is the factory's Party Secretary."
"How is this possible? How could the Zhao family be worth such treatment from two high-ranking factory leaders?"
"Could it be that Zhao Mingming beat up Director Yang's son from the Enterprise Management Office and even got away with it?" someone asked.
"I think it's probably Zhao Shan's daughter who's really capable," someone guessed, and it was pretty close to the mark.
"Hey, look! Who's that Zhang Feng over there? He's Zhang Feng, the mayor of Baiyuan City!" You should see this person on TV often, so he's easy to recognize.
Everyone who had come out to watch the spectacle was in an uproar. Zhao Shan's family had suddenly risen to prominence, becoming like phoenixes on a branch. Who would dare to look at him now? If he were to casually say a few bad words to the factory director, the party secretary, or the mayor, how could anyone live with themselves? Those who had previously spoken ill of Zhao Shan's family were filled with unease, secretly planning to visit Zhao Shan's house that evening with gifts to dispel any hostility they might have for him.
Zhang Feng was trying his best to get closer to Chen Xinxin. The relationship between Chen Xinxin and Chen Guangwei was impossible to hide, even if no one told them, because the father and daughter looked so alike.
Chen Xinxin clung to Zhao Qiang, disgusted by Zhang Feng's fawning. Zhang Feng wasn't oblivious; he immediately changed his target. Since Chen Xinxin was so caring and enthusiastic towards Zhao Qiang, he figured all he had to do was please Zhao Qiang. Besides, he couldn't afford to offend someone with special abilities like Zhao Qiang. He had offended him badly before, and who knew if he might lose his head tonight.
“Comrade Zhao Qiang, I am very sorry for what happened before. Sometimes I have no choice but to do certain things. You should be able to understand the difficulties we officials face.” Zhang Feng also had another concern: the relationship between Zhao Qiang and Luo Wei and Yang Shiqi. Although Zhao Qiang denied it, and neither did Luo Wei and the special forces unit, it was obvious to anyone that they came with a purpose. It was definitely not like they were strangers as they claimed, nor was it because Zhao Qiang thought he was handsome and couldn't afford to offend people with special abilities, let alone the Luo and Yang families.
Zhao Qiang didn't want to ruin things, since Zhao Shan's family would still have to live in Baiyuan City in the future. He said, "Mayor Zhang, you're too kind. I think the main reason for this is that Yang Yuhai caused trouble, which led to a huge misunderstanding between us."
Zhao Qiang shifted all the blame onto Yang Yuhai, which suited Zhang Feng perfectly. He repeatedly said, "Yes, yes, it's all Yang Yuhai's fault. I will definitely not let him off easily."
They had already entered the stairwell. The factory manager, who had never exerted himself so much before, was covered in sweat. He was exhausted from carrying Zhao Shan on his back. His steps were unsteady, and he had to hold onto the handrail to rest. Zhao Mingming took his father from the factory manager's back and said, "Let me do it. I'm afraid you'll collapse on the spot."
After going upstairs and opening the security door, everyone entered in turn. Zhang Feng looked around the cramped living quarters and said, "It really isn't easy. There are so many people in the family, it's too crowded. It seems that there are still many workers in Baiyuan City whose living difficulties have not been resolved. I am not a good mayor. When I get back, I will have the lower levels conduct a survey. We must solve the housing problem first. Without a house, how can workers work with peace of mind? This is the foundation of everything."
The factory director of the machinery plant and Zhao Qiang were powerful, but this did not stop them from currying favor with everyone in the Zhao family, because the mayor had come to support the Zhao family in such a high-profile manner, so what right did they have to go against them?
The factory manager said, "Mayor Zhang, please rest assured that our factory's housing problem will be solved first, especially for Zhao Shan's family, who will receive special consideration."
Zhang Feng nodded: "That's good. Don't let the municipal party committee and government down." Turning back to his secretary, Zhang Feng said: "Go out and buy two bags of rice and peanut oil, and another fifty catties of pork. It's almost the New Year, and I can't come to Master Zhao's house empty-handed."
Upon hearing this, the secretary went out to handle the matter. Seeing that Mayor Zhang had already expressed his opinion, the factory director and the party secretary felt they couldn't fall behind. So they said to Zhao Shan, "Old Zhao, the factory is studying your professional title evaluation and year-end bonus. We'll notify you once it's approved at the meeting. The factory is facing difficulties right now, but no matter how great the difficulties are, we must find ways to overcome them. We can't let a meritorious employee have a bleak year."
Zhao Shan was so nervous that he didn't know what to say. At this moment, all the high-ranking officials in his eyes were revolving around him. How could Zhao Shan, who had never seen such a scene before, bear it?
The people inside were competing to improve Zhao Shan and Guo Huiqin's welfare benefits. In fact, the factory leaders were putting on a show for Mayor Zhang, who was in turn putting on a show for Chen Xinxin. But Chen Xinxin didn't care at all; she only had eyes for Zhao Qiang.
Knock, knock, knock. Someone gently knocked on the door. Mayor Zhang jumped up and said, "It must be my secretary who has brought back New Year's goods."
When Mayor Zhang opened the door, he was startled: "Chairman Luo? You... what brings you here?"
A slight smile flashed across Luo Wei's face: "Mayor Zhang, why can't I come?"
Zhang Feng quickly stepped aside and said, "Yes, of course I can. I'm just a little surprised."