Chapter 15

Leaving the gate of Mingtangzhai, Wu Di weighed the stone in his hand. Wen Yajiu had already told him that such stones were usually brought back from domestic auctions, sold in piles, with each pile costing around ten thousand yuan. For stones of this quality, Fatty Qian would have spent no more than 100,000 yuan at most. However, when selling, they were sold by the piece, typically for 500 yuan each, and those with better quality could fetch over a thousand. Wu Di was amazed; selling equipment, he would consider a threefold increase a sky-high price, but here, people were marking up by dozens or even hundreds of times. He knew jade was profitable, but he didn't expect raw stones to be so lucrative.

Wu Di felt that Wen Yajiu was a good person and a friend worth making. Although young, he had a good sense of people. In the past two years, he had never lost a deal he felt good about and had made a few sincere friends. However, he had never met someone like Wen Yajiu, with whom he could talk about anything. He cherished this friendship.

Before he even left the old market, his phone rang. It was Minister Ou. He immediately answered.

Minister Ou's voice was low and solemn. He asked where Wu Di was and told him not to move, as someone would come to pick him up.

With nothing to do, Wu Di called his mother. As usual, she was concerned about his personal life, specifically whether he had a girlfriend. She talked about how his elementary school classmates were getting married and his middle school classmates were having children. In the end, she forced him to sign a "treaty" that if he didn't have a girlfriend by the age of 25, he would have to return home for a match. Wu Di calculated that he had about a year left, so he wasn't too worried. If he became successful by then, his mother might let him off the hook and let him enjoy life for another two years.

The call was quite long, and only after hanging up did he notice that the fair-skinned middle-aged man who had waited for Minister Ou at his building the last time was already waiting for him. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Wu Di apologized. The man smiled and waved it off, then shook Wu Di's hand.

"Yang Junhua, the boss's secretary. Last time, it was too rushed, and I didn't get to introduce myself properly."

"Mr. Yang, you're too kind. Wu Di, just a small businessperson."

The car headed west. On the way, Mr. Yang introduced Wu Di to their destination, Minister Ou's father-in-law's house, an old general still in office.

The car arrived at a gate hidden among green trees at the foot of the Western Hills. The fully armed guards checked the pass and waved them through, followed by two more checkpoints. After dropping Wu Di off at a small courtyard gate, Mr. Yang waved goodbye without even getting out of the car.

The beautiful woman, Ms. Zhong, who had picked up Ou Dou at Wu Di's house last time, came out to greet him, apologizing profusely.

"Xiao Wu, I'm so sorry. There were too many people at home, and everything was in chaos. I didn't have time to call you. I'm really sorry."

Wu Di looked at the woman. She had undergone a near-miraculous transformation since their first meeting. She was now lightly made up and dressed simply, looking ten years younger, exuding a charming and maternal aura.

Wu Di was happy for her but politely declined her apologies.

The courtyard was not large, but as soon as you entered, there was a green lawn with a swing. Seeing Wu Di's attention on the swing, Ms. Zhong discreetly wiped her eyes and said,

"It was put up a few days ago. It had been stored away for years."

Wu Di nodded, climbed two steps, and entered a three-story building that looked somewhat old.

The living room was large but simply decorated, almost spartan. Ms. Zhong led Wu Di upstairs, saying,

"Old Ou is waiting for you in the study."

Wu Di looked around in surprise. The building was quiet, and it didn't seem like anyone was around. Moreover, Old Ou wanted to talk to him in the study, which seemed like a setup. Wu Di smiled coldly. He had no desires and didn't plan to get involved with them, so why should he care? However, for Old Mr. Lu and Aunt Song, he needed to find a way.

The study was about twenty square meters and looked more like an office. Ms. Zhong led Wu Di in, locked the door, and left. Minister Ou sat behind the desk without getting up, gesturing for Wu Di to sit opposite him and staring at him without speaking.

Wu Di felt a surge of anger, took a few deep breaths, and stared back fiercely. Minister Ou remained expressionless.

"Wu Di, 24 years old, graduated from Yucheng University, came to Beijing to work two years ago. Your parents are workers in a third-line factory, and you have a 12-year-old sister in the factory school..."

Wu Di interrupted with a cold laugh,

"No need to continue. I wondered why there was no action for a week. It turns out you were investigating me."

Minister Ou picked up a cigarette from the desk, lit it, then hesitated and put it down, leaning back with a calm expression.

"It only took a day."

Wu Di suppressed his anger and said,

"Of course, we commoners are nothing to you public servants. Fine, what do you want to say?"

"Not what I want to say, but what you want. Don't you think this is all too coincidental? Even if it is, I don't think you have the decisiveness for it."

"Coincidence? I'm afraid one wrong word will get me dragged away for a thorough investigation to see if I have any connection with human traffickers. Oh, I was wrong; I've already been thoroughly investigated. I should be grateful that I can still sit here."

Minister Ou didn't speak, just stared at Wu Di. Wu Di didn't hesitate, grabbed a cigarette from the desk, lit it, and smoked it.

"What do you want? Speak up. I think I can satisfy you."

"What do I want?"

Wu Di narrowed his eyes and asked himself softly.

"Want to get rich? I can give you a project or money directly. Here's a check for thirty million. If you want it, you can take it. Want to be an official? I can guarantee you a section-level position within ten years. Want to go abroad? Choose any university, and the check is still yours."

Wu Di shook his head, took a hard drag, and extinguished the cigarette.

"Is that all? No wonder they say great kindness turns to enmity. What I want, you can't give. You don't have the sincerity. Goodbye."

"Name your terms. I might be able to satisfy you."

"Oh? Let's try. I want you to bring Uncle Lu and Aunt Song to Beijing, buy them a separate villa, and not prevent Dou Dou from visiting them. If you can't bring them, arrange for someone to take care of them and not prevent Dou Dou from visiting during holidays."

"These are not your concerns. I will arrange for it."

"I want you to cover the tuition and living expenses for the children in Kaishantun..."

"No problem, Mr. Wu Di. You don't need to tell me how to do it. What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

Wu Di exploded, not caring that he was facing a high-ranking official, slapped the table, and roared,

"I want you to return the child to his family! What kind of person can be raised in a family with no warmth? What do I want? Charity? Charity for me? For those two elderly people who have spent thirty years in a poor mountain village, giving their lives to the children? Charity for those two elderly people who can barely cook but still returned the child to you? Charity for the villagers who beat the police bloody to rescue trafficked children but let me take Dou Dou away? Charity for me? What right do you have? Look, open your eyes and see those children in the mountains. You don't deserve to sit in that position! I'm the scoundrel! I took away the hope and lives of those two elderly people!"

Wu Di sat down, tears streaming down his face, but he stared at Minister Ou without blinking, his tone becoming calmer,

"I don't need it, really. I don't need anything. I will take care of the two elderly people and the children. I only hope that from now on, you will leave us alone, stay far away. You can continue enjoying your life in the sky, but keep your hands tight, don't let anything slip to us on the ground, because we don't deserve your charity. We will live or die humbly in your shadow. Goodbye, Minister Ou. I mean never again."

Minister Ou sat in his chair, stunned. The study door suddenly opened, and Ms. Zhong rushed in, pushing Wu Di back. Seeing Minister Ou motionless, she called out,

"Old Ou!"

Minister Ou came to his senses, stood up with red eyes, and grabbed Wu Di's hand, saying helplessly,

"Wu Di, I'm sorry. I'm the scoundrel. Being in this position for too long, I suspect everything. Don't be angry, don't be angry. You are our family's great benefactor. How could I treat you like that?"

Four elderly people with white hair and beards entered the room. One of them, with a square face, whom Wu Di recognized from TV, grunted and said,

"Good scolding, young man, very good! These scoundrels deserve it. They should be hit on the head. They are so skilled at political intrigue, compromise, and political tactics, but how many of them care about the people? Good scolding, even better if you could be harsher. Old Zhong, do you see the same fiery spirit you had when you were young?"

Minister Ou called out awkwardly, "Dad," and lowered his head, saying nothing. Another elderly man in a military uniform, with three gold stars on his shoulder, snapped to attention and saluted Wu Di, then said,

"Brother, don't blame them. It was the old man who wanted to test you. Now, you've passed with flying colors. From now on, you have a place in this family. Whenever you want to come back, you're welcome."

Old Mr. Ou looked at General Zhong in surprise and laughed,

"Wow, even the wise fox can make mistakes?"

A kind-faced, weary-looking old lady came forward, pulled Wu Di to sit down, and said softly,

"Wu Di saved the old lady's life. Great kindness doesn't need thanks. As your Uncle Zhong said, why don't you stay with us? The children are all grown up and don't come home. Yes, this child, the more I look at him, the more I like him."

Her words made Wu Di's face turn red. He was so dark, almost as dark as Song Jiang's Black Third Brother, what was there to like?

Seeing Wu Di's awkwardness, Ms. Zhong quickly handed him a towel and teased the old lady,

"Mom, who doesn't come home? I stay with you for months every year."

"Ha, hello, you are a good child, and Wu Di is a good child too."