After seeing off the two daughters of the Yan family, Wen Liang returned to the big world. Luo Qi sat on the sofa in a daze, with a dull look in his eyes and a listless look, completely different from his former high-spirited self.
After today's blow, he finally gave up on Yan Qixiu!
An Baoqing lit a cigarette and handed it to him. Luo Qi looked up woodenly, and after a while he reached out to take it. He took a few deep puffs, and the tobacco burned rapidly, making a sizzling sound in the air. The dependent smell seeped into his lungs and then slowly dissipated in every inch of his flesh and blood.
Wen Liang sat down opposite him and was speechless for a while.
When the cigarette finally burned out, Luo Qi exhaled the last puff of smoke, a sad smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Mr. Wen, you have always been good to me. This time I am sorry for you. I accept the beating and punishment!"
An Baoqing opened his mouth but swallowed his words of plea back into his stomach. It was true that he and Luo Qi had a personal friendship, but precisely because of that friendship, he couldn't say a single word more at this moment.
"We each serve our own masters. There is no right or wrong. Besides, there are no irreversible consequences. Let's just let it go!" Wen Liang stood up, clapped his hands, and sighed: "Luo Qi, what a pity. We could have been friends!"
Luo Qi was stunned for a moment, almost unable to believe his ears, and said: "You...you just let me go like this?"
Wen Liang smiled slightly and said, "Who do you think I am? A bandit who robs and plunders houses, or a robber who kills and steals? Brother Jiu, you stay here with him for a while. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
As soon as he left the room, An Baoqing chased him out, his eyes full of gratitude, but also deeply guilty, and said: "Thank you, Master Wen, for letting him go... It's also my fault that I didn't find out Luo Qi's background, causing such a big trouble..."
Wen Liang looked a little tired. This day and night seemed uneventful, but the danger was no less than a real fight, and the pressure he was under was much more than it seemed. He nodded and smiled, "Don't be polite. You and Luo Qi have been friends for many years. You can't punish him for such a small matter. By the way, tell Luo Qi that without Yan Qixiu's protection, don't act so rashly. You must know that not everyone is as easy to talk to as me!
An Baoqing nodded in agreement. Looking at Wen Liang's leisurely back, how could he not feel emotion in his heart? Compared with Yan Qixiu's ruthlessness towards his subordinates, Wen Liang undoubtedly had a more magical power that made people loyal to him.
Arriving at Diyuan Garden, Zuo Yuxi also returned home early from work. After listening to Wen Liang's explanation of the cause and effect of the incident, she immediately became very interested in Yan Qixiu. As an official who was keen on power, it was natural for him to be attracted to Yan Qixiu after learning that there was such a strange woman. Before she could ask in detail, Wen Liang asked her to call Zuo Jing first to report Luo Yun's identity behind the scenes.
Zuo Jing had been in charge of Lingyang for just over a year. Facing a local tyrant like Luo Yun, he mostly adopted a defensive rather than offensive approach. However, temporary tolerance did not mean acquiescence to the status quo. With Secretary Zuo's courage and means, how could he tolerate a powerful force under his rule? Secretly placing people around Luo Yun was a sign that he was about to take action.
If Zuo Jing was really ruthless, made careful plans, and made detailed arrangements, he could have pulled out Luo Yun at a cost. However, if Yan Qixiu was involved, he might not be able to achieve his goal as planned.
What's more worrying is that Zhuang Shaoxuan is not a dead man, he will definitely seize the opportunity to fish in troubled waters and reap the benefits. By then, Zuo Jing will have to get involved in the dispute between Yanzhuang and cannot get out. No matter from which perspective, it will be more trouble than gain to touch Luo Yun at this time!
However, Zuo Jing is in a high position and has great power. His vision, realm and position determine that his way of thinking must be different from Wen Liang's, so he cannot make a choice for him. He can only let Zuo Yuxi point out the connection between Luo Yun and Yan Qixiu for reference.
After Zuo Yuxi finished the call, Wen Liang asked, "What did Secretary Zuo say?"
"He was silent for a while, then said he understood, but didn't make any specific comments. He also asked me to ask you when you are free to go to Lingyang and have a meal together..."
"Father-in-law, are you treating me to a meal?" Wen Liang said with a smile, "Sure, when I come back from Suhai, I might have to go to Lingyang to pay a visit to Secretary Zuo. You should go too, so that I won't be bullied by my father-in-law!"
"Bah, you little rascal, are you afraid of being bullied?"
"That's right. If he dares to bully me, hum..."
The next morning, Wen Liang and Zuo Yuxi washed up and went out together, and found a nearby snack bar to have breakfast. Zuo Yuxi couldn't help but roll his eyes at Wen Liang and said, "Next time, go find your teacher Si..."
Wen Liang laughed loudly, feeling very proud, but when Zuo Yuxi picked up a bun and stuffed it into his mouth, his laughter stopped immediately. His funny appearance made her giggle again and again.
"You said you were going to Su Hai last night?"
Wen Liang drank a sip of oil tea and washed down the buns before he took a breath and sighed, "Isn't Qinghe planning to shoot a commercial? Uncle Li and his friends don't have any connections, so I had to volunteer to hook up with a director. Alas, my poor life of hard work..."
Zuo Yuxi was not very interested in business matters. He nodded to show that he understood and said, "I may have to go to Guanshan in the next two days. The report on the transition from private to public has been approved by the provincial department. Next, several locations will be selected for trial implementation. Qingzhou is one of the pilot areas. I received a call from Yan Jize yesterday, saying that Director Zhang Wugu specifically asked to see me. I am afraid he wants to ask for details in person..."
Zhang Wugu is deeply rooted in the education system and his word is final. If Zuo Yuxi can gain his appreciation, it will be of great help to his career.
Wen Liang picked up the bowl and said with a smile: "Let me use tea instead of wine to wish Director Zuo immediate success and a high position in the corporate world!"
After finishing their meal, Zuo Yuxi drove Wen Liang to the train station. Dushe was not around, and there was no reliable driver for the time being. It was too tiring to drive for several hours, so it would be more convenient to take the train.
It was already one o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived in Wuzhou City. Ye Zhiwei waited outside the train station, found a place to eat, and then drove Wen Liang to the Wujiang County Party Committee.
It was not yet office hours, and the county party committee office building was deserted. Wen Liang asked an aunt who was cleaning the place for directions, found his way to the director's office, knocked on the door, waited for a while, and then the door creaked open.
Yao Shang was wearing a pair of slim light black trousers and a white round-neck chiffon top, which was simple yet elegant, capable yet gentle. When she saw Wen Liang standing at the door, she opened her mouth slightly, but was speechless for a moment.
"Director Yao, we haven't seen each other for only a month or two. You don't have to look like you've seen a ghost, right?"
"Oh, excuse me, please come in, please come in!"
Yao Shang was at a loss as to what to do and asked Wen Liang to come in. Her heart was beating so hard for some reason. She subconsciously looked at the empty corridor outside, but suddenly realized something and secretly said: This is not a **, why are you so sneaky? She took a few deep breaths with her back to Wen Liang, closed the door, turned around and lifted the hair by her ear, and smiled softly: "Why did you come here? You didn't even call in advance. If I happened to be away, wouldn't it be a wasted trip?"
Wen Liang pulled a chair over and sat down, saying, "This shows that I'm lucky..."
Yao Chang had not seen Wen Liang since the ambiguity in the car. This sudden encounter caught her off guard, and her face felt so hot that she almost dared not look him in the eye. She went to the water dispenser in the corner to get some water, brought it over and put it on the table, lowered her head almost to her chest, and said, "Drink some water."
Wen Liang knew she was embarrassed, so he deliberately said in a relaxed tone: "Director Yao, you can't do reception like this. Your stiff attitude will scare away the guests."
Yao Shang burst into laughter, looked up at Wen Liang's clear eyes, and instantly understood that in front of this man who could see through people's hearts, she didn't need to think too much. Her tense heartstrings relaxed, and she said playfully: "What kind of guest are you? I remember Secretary Fu said that Wujiang is your second home, so don't think of enjoying the treatment of a distinguished guest."
"I like what Secretary Fu said. Since we are all family, I will speak directly. Director Yao, I am here to ask for your help this time."
"I know you don't come here for no reason. What's the matter? Tell me now!"
"Are you still in touch with Teng Jinglin, the director of the opening ceremony of Biluochun last time?"
Yao Shang asked curiously, "What do you want to do with him?"
"My friend's company wants to ask him to shoot an advertisement, but I heard that he is arrogant and may not take such a small job, so I would like to ask Director Yao to say a few good words for him."
"So that's how it is. You found the right person." Yao Shang smiled and said, "The county is going to shoot a tourist film recently. I'm in contact with Teng Jinglin. Give it a try, but I can't guarantee it."
There was a noisy sound outside, and people going to work entered the office building one after another. Wen Liang stood up and said, "Thank you, Director Yao. I won't delay your work for now. I'll be the host at Taihu People's House tonight. Please do me a favor."
Yao Shang didn't want to stay any longer, so she sent him downstairs and suddenly whispered, "That night... I was too impulsive, I'm sorry..."
The reason why Wen Liang did not call but came to see Yao Shang in person was naturally because he did not want to lose this friend easily. Yao Shang was also a smart person, knowing that it was easy for Wen Liang to take her body that night, and she could not blame him afterwards, but he did not take advantage of the situation, but instead spoke kindly to comfort her. When they met again today, they were even more open and honest, without contempt or frivolity, which was the demeanor of a true gentleman.
Wen Liang smiled, stretched out his hand and gently shook hands with Yao Shang, saying: "Director Yao, we all need to look forward and let the past be the past!"
(Rabindranath Tagore - When you commanded me to sing, my heart seemed to burst with pride, I looked up at your face, tears welled up in my eyes.
In my socket.
All the bitterness and contradictions in my life melted into a sweet harmony—
My praise is like a joyful bird, fluttering its wings across the ocean.
I know you enjoy my singing. I know it is only because I am a singer that I can come before you.
With the outstretched wings of my song I have touched your feet, which I never dared to hope to touch.
Intoxicated by the song, I forgot myself. You were my master, but I called you my friend.
I know not how thou singest, my lord! I always listen in wonder.
The radiance of your music illuminates the world. The breath of your music permeates the heavens.
The radiance of your music illuminates the world. The breath of your music permeates the heavens. The radiance of your music illuminates the world. The breath of your music permeates the darkness of the heavens. (To be continued)