Chapter 43

Chapter 30: Power Has Its Own Dignity

The people around seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere, and they all closed their mouths, not daring to breathe loudly. Xu Yao curiously glanced over but only saw a group of people's backs, so she turned back out of boredom.

Wen Haiming's heart was in his throat, fearing that Wen Liang would say something inappropriate. However, Wen Liang didn't even look at his father, scratching his head awkwardly and said, "We are classmates at No. 1 High School. We rarely ask about family matters, but she mentioned that her father shines shoes. I was afraid of hurting her self-respect, so I didn't dare to ask more. This time, I took the opportunity to bring her for some part-time work to earn some pocket money."

Shining shoes? Yang Guangsheng, with his thirty years of experience in the political arena, barely managed to keep his expression unchanged. Meng Shanshui was clearly taken aback, while Zhang Fang couldn't help it and opened his mouth slightly. A female colleague behind them even laughed, but she quickly covered her mouth when Meng Shanshui glared at her.

Wen Haiming almost wanted to rush over and kiss Wen Liang. Good son, I'll reward you with ten yuan when we get home! This response not only dispelled Xu Fuyan's suspicions but also explained why he brought the girl to work. It was comprehensive and flawless. Xu Fuyan stared at Wen Liang for a while. The young boy's eyes were clear and bright, his expression shy yet steady. He stood quietly without any signs of unease or panic, looking anything but a liar. Xu Fuyan didn't believe that a child with a guilty conscience could remain calm under his gaze. He turned to Wen Haiming and smiled, "Old Wen, your child is good, very good."

Wen Liang had mentioned Xu Yao, intending to use it as a way to connect with Xu Fuyan, but it almost instantly put his father in a terrible situation. Fortunately, upon hearing Xu Fuyan's question, he quickly reacted, barely averting the crisis. Even with his quick wit, this blunder made him break out in a cold sweat.

Wen Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Wen Haiming with a smile, "Dad, why are you here? I brought a friend to play, and I know how to behave, don't worry." This subtle hint could only be understood by Wen Haiming, who had a good understanding of his son. He inwardly smiled bitterly: Knowing how to behave? You almost got your old man into a hole!

Actually, as long as Wen Liang wasn't really up to no good, Xu Fuyan had a good impression of him, especially since he had saved Xu Yao. Moreover, Wen Haiming was highly regarded by him. However, the tense atmosphere just now might have hurt the loyalty of his subordinates. The best approach was to give a sweet potato after a beating. As for what the sweet potato was, Xu Fuyan, as if just noticing Wei Gang, said coldly, "Are you Wei Gang from the Agricultural Machinery Factory?"

Wei Gang had already recovered from the initial shock and behaved quite properly. He took a few steps forward, maintaining the optimal four-step distance from Xu Fuyan, slightly bending his upper body, showing respect without losing his dignity. "I am Deputy Factory Manager Wei Gang. Factory Manager Zhang is in the hospital due to overwork, so I am temporarily in charge of the factory's work."

If he had been overly submissive and flattery, Xu Fuyan might have dismissed him on the spot, which would have been counterproductive. Xu Fuyan snorted, "As a deputy department-level cadre, you represent the image of Qingzhou. Your words and actions outside should be measured and mindful of your status. Arguing with a child, are you not ashamed?" Xu Fuyan didn't mention Wen Haiming at all, focusing on the "lack of manners" comment. This differential treatment made Yang Guangsheng's heart race.

Just to appease Wen Haiming, it didn't seem necessary to be so ruthless. Misbehavior by subordinates outside was not uncommon, even the city's vice mayor, Bai Changqian, had once publicly scolded a county bureau chief at a city-wide finance conference, causing a sensation.

Xu Fuyan's actions were essentially forcing Wei Gang to apologize to a child in public, a punishment far exceeding his offense. If Xu Fuyan really wanted to resolve the matter smoothly, it would have been better to have Wei Gang apologize to Wen Haiming. Both were deputy department-level cadres, and the political landscape of Qingzhou was complex. To find Xu Fuyan's true intentions, one had to consider many factors. Suddenly, he recalled Xu Fuyan's second inspection of the Qinghua Factory, where his fifteen-minute speech was cut to five seconds by the city's Party Secretary and Propaganda Minister, Wei Chenfeng.

And Wei Chenfeng was Wei Gang's paternal uncle.

What was most remarkable was that Xu Fuyan acted as if he didn't know Wei Gang from the start, making it impossible for others to guess that he knew about Wei Gang's relationship with Wei Chenfeng. This was understandable, as Xu Fuyan had only recently arrived in Qingzhou, and there were many deputy department-level cadres like Wei Gang who didn't catch his attention. The subtlety of this move was not something a seasoned official, with a clear understanding of Qingzhou's political situation, could easily discern. They might even naively think that Xu Fuyan was being patient and fair, speaking to the matter rather than the person, showing great leadership.

What a clever move, avenging Wei Chenfeng's betrayal, giving Wen Haiming face, showing other subordinates his decisive nature, and warning those who were wavering that the secretary was human and would not tolerate any slight. Four birds with one stone, executed without a trace, extremely skillful. Wen Haiming would now be even more loyal, with no further concerns.

Yang Guangsheng's mind raced with countless thoughts, but his face remained unchanged, as calm as a freshwater pearl.

Wei Gang's body stiffened, his hands tightly gripping the seams of his pants, the tendons in his fingers clearly visible. His head, which had been lowered, lifted, his face pale and frightening. Zhao Jianguo, the director of the third workshop, who had been silent since Xu Fuyan's arrival, was terrified, silently cursing his fate. You can argue, but my gift to you will be for nothing!

The Agricultural Machinery Factory workers, who had long been dissatisfied with Wei Gang, watched his pale face with glee, not caring why a few words had reduced the once arrogant factory manager to this state. They felt as if they were enjoying the company of Qingzhou's most famous courtesan, Qi Shu, from the inside out.

The middle-aged man who had helped Wei Gang earlier tried to hide among his colleagues, but he didn't dare to abandon Wei Gang, looking pitiful and frequently smiling at Li Shengli, truly pitiful and hateful!

Wei Gang was seething with anger. You only insulted my lackey, and now you're pressing me so hard, is it really necessary? Gathering his courage to argue, he looked up and saw Xu Fuyan's half-smiling face. What chilled him was the lack of warmth in those stern eyes, cold and hopeless.

There is a hierarchy in the world, and it is even more pronounced in the political arena. This one look extinguished Wei Gang's courage. Thinking of the recent trends in the city, he shuddered, bending his waist even more, and said with trepidation, "I was indeed wrong, Secretary Xu's criticism is justified. I will apologize to... to Wen Liang." He forced a smile, patted Wen Liang's shoulder affectionately, and said, "Wen Liang, it was all my fault. I shouldn't have spoken so harshly. I apologize to you sincerely!"

As these words were spoken, the expressions of those around were complex, unsure whether they felt more sympathy or schadenfreude, or both.

Yang Guangsheng nodded with a smile, seemingly approving of the resolution, but his true thoughts were inscrutable. Meng Shanshui, who had been closely observing him, couldn't read anything from Yang Guangsheng's face, sighing inwardly, "Old foxes are the best!" However, Wei Gang, who had been successful at a young age and whose uncle was Wei Chenfeng, a powerful figure in Qingzhou, would now become the biggest joke in the Qingzhou political circle by being forced to apologize to a young boy.

He had feared that Wei Gang would lose his temper and confront Xu Fuyan, and even with his uncle's protection, Xu Fuyan could easily destroy him. But this young man showed flexibility and resilience, biting his teeth and enduring it, showing great potential, great potential!

However, Wen Haiming was truly composed, not uttering a word. If he had said a few words before Wei Gang's apology, the matter would have been resolved. Now, it would create a deep enmity with Wei Gang!

Meng Shanshui looked at Wen Haiming, feeling very complex. The once helpless and trampled deputy director of the Policy Research Office had grown to the point where he could stand up to the rising star Wei Gang without hesitation.

The world is full of surprises, truly sigh-worthy!

Wen Haiming seemed to be in a trance, standing behind Xu Fuyan, not uttering a word. It was Wen Liang who surprised everyone. At such a young age, he dared to speak up when everyone was silent, taking two steps forward to get closer to Xu Fuyan and said with a smile, "Secretary Xu, Factory Manager Wei's mistake was unintentional. There's no need for an apology. My mother works at the Agricultural Machinery Factory and is Factory Manager Wei's subordinate. My father is also in the city committee with Minister Wei. We see each other often, so there's no need for an apology." Seeing Xu Fuyan's puzzled look, he added softly, but loud enough for a few nearby people to hear, "Minister Wei Chenfeng is Factory Manager Wei's uncle!"

Others might not have understood the implications, but Yang Guangsheng almost applauded. What a young man, what a Wen family boy! Xu Fuyan had been performing a solo act, but in the end, a teenager had perfectly wrapped up the situation, seamlessly. Xu Fuyan's next move would be to feign understanding, comfort Wei Gang, and say some polite words, thus resolving the matter. Even if others knew about Wei Chenfeng, they would think Wei Gang had just been unlucky, not suspecting Xu Fuyan's deliberate retaliation. This way, he humiliated his opponent while minimizing the backlash. Wei Chenfeng would have to swallow his pride, and the only thing he could do was to scold Wei Gang for being incompetent.

What a hero, a young hero! This well-timed, well-measured comment immediately piqued Yang Guangsheng's great interest. The mastermind, Xu Fuyan, would be even more impressed, as even he hadn't thought of ending it this way. Wen Liang's finishing touch was brilliant, brilliant!

Xu Fuyan's eyes narrowed slightly, silently observing Wen Liang. He then said some polite words, as Yang Guangsheng had predicted, and pulled Wen Liang's hand, smiling and leading him into the store. Li Shengli hurriedly led the way, and Wei Gang, receiving a signal from Meng Shanshui, dared not leave. Since his face was already lost, he might as well stay to see if there was any chance to turn things around. He instructed Zhao Jianguo and the others to wait outside and quickly followed.

For a moment, the Qinghe Soy Milk Store, which had been quiet for ten minutes, finally welcomed its first wave of customers!

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