No one expected that Liu Zhengxing would personally come to apologize.
When Yang Wenyan arrived at work in the morning and heard he had come, he was quite shocked.
Most people would feel embarrassed to receive his apology, and then the matter regarding Liu Weidong would just be let go.
After all, as the chief of the personnel section, he had personally come to apologize to a lowly female worker. If this female worker refused to accept it, she would be considered too ungrateful.
This Liu Zhengxing was indeed smart, but unfortunately, his son and daughter were both good-for-nothings.
Everyone was waiting for Qiao Lanshu's reply.
Liu Zhengxing was slightly plump and tall. He always had a smile on his face, but the look in his eyes when observing people was very profound.
At first glance, he was an old fox who knew exactly how to manipulate people.
Qiao Lanshu remained silent for a moment. Secretary Wen grew a bit anxious and urged her, Comrade Xiao Qiao, what are you thinking now? Say something.
Liu Zhengxing smiled and said, No rush. Comrade Xiao Qiao can take her time to think about it. I am not in a hurry.
Saying that, he added,
This matter is indeed the fault of my unfilial son. I have been too busy with work these past two years, so I neglected the two children at home, which allowed them to make these mistakes. Comrade Xiao Qiao, I have also heard about my daughter putting up big-character posters about you. Rest assured, I will have the two of them come over tomorrow to apologize to you in person.
Since Liu Zhengxing had come personally, Qiao Lanshu certainly could not keep dwelling on this matter.
Otherwise, if word got out, who knew what would happen to her reputation.
Qiao Lanshu then said, Section Chief Liu, I don't really blame them, but what I don't understand is why they targeted me. First the big-character posters, then pretending to be personnel section staff to call me out... Without clarifying the reason, I am worried they will come looking for trouble again next time.
Liu Zhengxing stared at Qiao Lanshu for a few moments before saying,
Well, I haven't asked yet either. Weidong has been at the police station since last night, and I haven't even seen him. But rest assured, I can guarantee that the two of them will not cause you trouble again. If they do, just come tell me, and I will deal with them for you.
Since he had said this much, Qiao Lanshu nodded and said, Section Chief Liu, with your word, I am relieved.
At this point, the matter was considered settled. Liu Zhengxing even offered to treat Qiao Lanshu to a meal, but how could she dare to go.
She might end up being poisoned by him.
As soon as Liu Zhengxing left the food factory, Liu Weidong was released from the police station.
Although Qin Yuanzheng had previously said that he wanted the police to investigate the case thoroughly, and he was planning to find time to go to the police station to question Liu Weidong himself.
However, before the military could intervene, Liu Zhengxing personally went to apologize to Qiao Lanshu, and then took Liu Weidong home on the grounds that the two parties had reconciled.
Deng Weijun, who hadn't been to the warehouse workshop for a long time, rushed over to talk to Qiao Lanshu after hearing the news, Sister-in-law, I heard that guy surnamed Liu was released?
Qiao Lanshu nodded.
Deng Weijun slapped his thigh and said angrily, You shouldn't have accepted their apology. Letting them off so easily is too cheap for him.
Saying that, he lowered his voice, I just went to check. That Liu Weihong still didn't come to work today. She probably doesn't have the face to show up. If she dared to come, I would definitely go over and give her a piece of my mind.
The moment Qiao Lanshu saw Liu Zhengxing, she knew the police station couldn't hold Liu Weidong.
She whispered, Brother Zheng said that just based on Liu Weidong impersonating someone from the personnel section to call me out, he can't be sentenced to labor reform. The military is the most fair and just, and they wouldn't impose a heavy sentence for a minor offense. So, since he was going to get out anyway, it was better to accept Section Chief Liu's apology, to avoid giving them another excuse to target me and Brother Zheng.
Liu Zhengxing looked like someone who was hard to deal with, completely different from the siblings Liu Weihong and Liu Weidong.
As long as Liu Weidong was released, he would naturally expose his own flaws later on.
Deng Weijun actually understood this reasoning too.
After all, Section Chief Liu had personally come to apologize. If Qiao Lanshu still refused to let it go, it would cause a lot of trouble.
Deng Weijun was still cursing, This Liu Weidong, I've heard of him before. He is very well-connected in the Longcheng area. He loves playing cards, frequently changes girlfriends, and has bad luck, so he often loses money. But he has a lot of money and isn't afraid to lose.
Qiao Lanshu immediately asked, Weijun, do you know this Liu Weidong?
Deng Weijun replied, I know him, but he doesn't know me.
After all, Liu Weidong was very popular, and many young people in Longcheng had heard of him.
His reputation wasn't very good either. Whenever he saw a pretty girl, he would force her to date him. Some girls were scared just hearing his name.
Qiao Lanshu lowered her voice and said, He is out of the police station now. Please keep an eye out for any news about him these next few days. I want to see what he is up to.
Qiao Lanshu spoke tactfully, but Deng Weijun understood.
Qiao Lanshu wanted to watch for Liu Weidong to make a mistake so she could report him and have him arrested for labor reform.
Deng Weijun immediately said, Sister-in-law, don't worry! Leave this matter to me, I will definitely get it done perfectly for you.
Saying that, Deng Weijun hurried off.
...
On the other side, as soon as Liu Weidong was released from the police station, he immediately went home.
Upon arriving home, he saw that his father, Liu Zhengxing, and Liu Weihong were both there.
Liu Weihong was staying at home because she had been demoted and felt too ashamed to go to work.
Liu Zhengxing, on the other hand, was specifically waiting at home for Liu Weidong to return.
Liu Weidong limped into the house. Looking at Liu Zhengxing, he asked in surprise, Dad? Why didn't you go to work today? It's already this late, why are you still at home?
Liu Zhengxing looked at Liu Weidong with a cold and dark expression. Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table and scolded, If I weren't at home today, do you think you could have come back in one piece?
Liu Weidong said nonchalantly, Dad, I'm not in one piece either. My leg is injured.
Liu Zhengxing was speechless.
Liu Zhengxing stood up, took a few steps to Liu Weidong, pointed at him, and said, Didn't I warn you? I don't care how you mess around outside normally, but there is only one thing: do not offend the military personnel. Why didn't you listen?
Liu Weidong replied, Dad, I've always remembered that. I didn't offend anyone from the military.
Liu Zhengxing sneered, You didn't? Then how did you get arrested and taken to the police station this time? And why were you kept overnight without the police releasing you? Wasn't it because you offended a military family member?
Liu Weidong felt a bit guilty, but he still said, It's just a military family member, it shouldn't matter that much, right? Besides, look, haven't I come back now?
Speaking of this, Liu Weidong said rather smugly, I knew it, Dad, you would definitely have a way.
Slap.
Liu Zhengxing slapped Liu Weidong across the face.
Liu Weidong was beaten silly. Liu Weihong, who had been sitting in the living room watching the drama unfold, instantly changed her expression upon seeing this. She quickly stood up and hurriedly retreated to her room.
Liu Weidong looked at his father in disbelief. Dad, why did you hit me? I didn't even do anything wrong, what was that for?
Looking at his son, Liu Zhengxing suddenly felt a deep wave of exhaustion.
He lowered his voice and said sternly, You need to lay low for a while. Stop selling that powder for now. Wait a month or two until the new municipal party secretary takes office, then we will see.
Somewhat baffled, Liu Weidong asked, Dad, how do you know our municipal party secretary is being replaced? Besides, I am very careful when I sell that powder. No one will ever find out.
Liu Zhengxing's expression grew grave. Haven't you been listening to the radio news? The inspection team is coming soon, and they are tightening security everywhere. If your business gets discovered, not even God himself could save you!
Liu Weidong still did not take it seriously. He argued, You are telling me not to sell the powder, but you always come to me for money. If I don't sell that stuff, where is our family going to get money from? Weren't you pretty supportive of it before?
Liu Zhengxing had indeed taken quite a bit of money from his son.
Because of this, his tone lost some of its edge. He just said with a hint of impatience, Anyway, for the time being, you had better just stay home and recover from your injuries. Do not go out, and definitely do not sell that stuff. Wait until this blows over before you think about doing it again, understand?
Liu Weidong did not take these words to heart at all, but on the surface, he nodded. After all, he was still somewhat afraid of his father.
He nodded and said impatiently, I know, I know. I won't sell it, alright?
Seeing his son agree, Liu Zhengxing finally felt relieved. He turned around and left the house to go to work.
Liu Weidong returned to his own room, pulled back his bedding, and lifted the wooden bed board underneath. A large stash of items was piled beneath it.
The goods were wrapped in oil paper, forming small rectangles about two fingers wide, all arranged in neat, tidy rows.
He took out a packet, examined it, and murmured with a tinge of regret, What a pity. Such valuable stuff!
Just one tiny piece could sell for an astronomical price of over a hundred yuan, making it even more profitable than gold.
Over the past two years, the money he had earned from selling this had been exchanged into thick stacks of cash, all hidden beneath another section of his bed board.
Even though he had promised Liu Zhengxing that he would stop selling.
He still felt he had to deliver the orders his customers had already placed.
Besides, he had made countless drops before. Surely, nothing would go wrong with just one or two more deliveries.
With that thought in mind, Liu Weidong took two pieces from the stash, slipped them into his pocket, and prepared to head out once it got dark.
