Chapter 80

"Ha ha ha..." Jia Zong's eyes darted around, and after looking left and right, he burst out laughing uncontrollably, as if he had heard something incredibly amusing. He bent over, pointing at Cheng Jemin, and gasped for breath, saying, "You are the village chief Cheng?"

"Yes, I am the deputy village chief."

Jia Zong was momentarily stunned, then laughed loudly again, "Oh, you've killed me with laughter! Chief Cheng, since you've honored us with your presence, shouldn't there be firecrackers and drums to welcome you grandly? I, Jia, didn't arrange a ceremonial guard to greet you, isn't that a bit impolite? Please be magnanimous and don't take it to heart!"

The people behind Jia Zong, seeing their boss teasing the village chief, were already laughing uncontrollably and chimed in, "Boss Jia, why do I smell chicken manure?"

"Ha ha, Chief Cheng, I've heard that in the countryside, security relies on dogs, communication on shouting, heating on shivering, wealth on robbing, and marriage on imagination. But your attire as a village chief isn't bad at all. It seems the monks are poor, but the abbots are rich!"

Li Tonghuai's frown deepened. He never expected Cheng Jemin to pull such a stunt. He secretly cursed that this little Cheng was more of a hindrance than a help. Without the necessary skills, he shouldn't have taken on this task. Now, not only has he failed to get things done, but he's also making a fool of himself!

Just as he was seething inside, he heard Liu Tairan sternly rebuke, "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

"Hey, are you the police of the Pacific? You manage the sky, the earth, the air, and even people's bowel movements and flatulence. Besides that, do you also manage who laughs until they choke? You must be really busy!"

"I just picked up a new girlfriend. If I tell her about this scene, I'm sure I can get her into bed!" Li Si flattered, laughing lewdly.

Jia Zong laughed dryly a couple of times, then came to Cheng Jemin with a smile, "Report to the leader, I have something to do now and can't entertain you. You might as well go where it's cool!"

Cheng Jemin, seeing that these people were not taking him seriously, smiled indifferently, "You're right, Jia Zong. I'll find a place to stay. Honestly, coming to Tianyuan City for such a trivial matter during the New Year, I find it tedious. After all, it's not me who will suffer. I'm just meddling in other people's affairs."

At this point, he pointed at Liu Tairan, "Director Liu, you must be my witness. If the higher-ups investigate, I've done my part and shouldn't be held responsible anymore!"

Liu Tairan, though unsure of Cheng Jemin's plan, felt that this young man must have a strategy. He immediately understood and cooperated, "Rest assured, Chief Cheng, I will be your witness."

"Let's go then!" Cheng Jemin said, pulling Liu Tairan away.

Li Tonghuai, watching Cheng Jemin's performance, felt a stir in his heart. His gaze toward Cheng Jemin became a bit unusual.

Jia Zong, however, was stunned. He thought this young deputy village chief would cling to him, but why was he leaving so quickly? What was this all about?

After a moment's hesitation, he reached out to stop him, "Chief Cheng, you seem like a straightforward person. Why speak in half-sentences? That's not making me happy, is it?"

"These days, as long as I'm not responsible, I don't care if you're happy or not! Zhang Chu, you're a witness. Since I came, you must also testify that it was this Jia Zong who refused to talk!" Cheng Jemin looked impatient, eager to leave.

Zhang Chu, a businessman who had honed his skills in social interactions over the years, quickly responded, "Chief Cheng, you don't need to worry. I will testify truthfully."

Jia Renxiong, despite his family background, had some talent. Cheng Jemin's vague words only confused him more.

"Chief Cheng, don't go. Clarify what you mean first!"

"Aren't you too busy to listen? I won't force you. I don't want to waste my time either!"

Jia Renxiong, though finding this young deputy village chief annoying, sensed something fishy. He had to suppress his anger, "I may be busy, but I can spare a few minutes. Speak up."

"It's a bit cold here. I'm almost frozen!" Cheng Jemin stomped his feet, looking uncomfortable.

Jia Renxiong's lips twitched, but he finally arranged, "Let's go to my office. Si, prepare the tea!"

Cheng Jemin didn't hesitate, striding up the stairs. Liu Tairan, seeing Cheng Jemin go upstairs, was about to follow but was stopped by Li Si.

"Director Liu, wait here. I'll be back soon."

Zhang Chu and Li Tonghuai exchanged glances, silently approaching Liu Tairan and asking, "Director Liu, what does Chief Cheng plan to do?"

Liu Tairan shook his head without a word.

Jia Renxiong's office was warm and cozy. Once inside, Cheng Jemin realized how cold he had been. He plopped down on the leather sofa and said casually, "Hmm, this place is nice. It would be even better with a cup of hot tea!"

Jia Renxiong inwardly fumed, thinking, "You're putting on quite a show. If you don't give me a good reason today, I'll have you thrown out!" Despite his irritation, he glared at the female secretary who had followed them in, "Don't you know to serve tea when a guest arrives?"

The flirtatious secretary, upon hearing Jia Renxiong, hurriedly poured a cup of hot tea for Cheng Jemin. Cheng Jemin sipped it appreciatively, "Jia Zong, your office must have cost you a few thousand yuan to renovate, right?"

"A few thousand? Our Jia Zong's sofa alone costs tens of thousands!" The secretary almost burst out laughing, giving Cheng Jemin a disdainful look and speaking arrogantly.

Jia Renxiong's lips curled up, his face beaming with pride. This office was his pride and joy, far superior to the old boss's.

"Wow, such a luxurious place is a real treat. I envy you, Jia Zong!" Cheng Jemin said calmly.

If someone Jia Renxiong had to look up to flattered him, he would have been delighted. But Cheng Jemin, a mere deputy village chief, was not worth his time.

"Get to the point."

Cheng Jemin put down his cup, "Since Jia Zong is in such a hurry, let's get to the main issue. As a big boss, you must be well-informed and read the newspapers regularly, right?"

"Ah, what's the matter?" Jia Renxiong had no time for newspapers. He'd rather pamper his secretary. But he had seen the airs of big bosses, whose offices were filled with thick books. He couldn't admit to not reading them, or he'd seem like a boor.

Cheng Jemin leaned back on the sofa, "Jia Zong, you should know that the higher-ups are very concerned about migrant workers' wages!"

"Oh, Chief Cheng, are you here to collect wages? Fine, go to the relevant department. I'll wait here!"

Jia Renxiong, hearing Cheng Jemin's words, was furious. He thought this guy would say something important, but it was just a waste of time.

Cheng Jemin chuckled, "Zhang Chu and his team renovated your place, and it didn't cost me a cent. Why should I care?"

"To be honest, I also told Jia Zong earlier. It's the New Year, and I'm eager to go home and prepare for the holiday. Who wants to waste time here? But I couldn't avoid it. I'm the youngest and the lowest-ranking in the village leadership, so I was sent here to communicate with Jia Zong."

"What does my business with Zhang Chu have to do with your village?" Jia Renxiong was both annoyed and curious.

Cheng Jemin waited for this question and sighed, "Jia Zong, you might not know about our village."

Jia Renxiong thought, "If I knew, there would be a problem. Why would I care about a poor, remote village? Even if you gave me money, I wouldn't bother with it!"

"In our village, family ties are very complex. I heard that someone went to visit relatives during the New Year and didn't come out for three days. Do you know why?" Cheng Jemin called out to the flirtatious secretary, "Miss, can you pour me another cup of tea?"

The secretary, seeing Cheng Jemin's laid-back attitude, didn't want to deal with him. She thought, "This young man looks good, but he's a bit of a bumpkin. 'Miss' sounds so cringeworthy!" But as her job was to serve, she had to refill Cheng Jemin's cup.

Cheng Jemin took the cup and said to Jia Renxiong, "It's because there are so many relatives. They drink one after another, and it takes three days to visit them all!"

"Hey, I don't have time for your chitchat." Jia Renxiong's face turned cold, feeling that bringing this young man to his office was a logical mistake.

"Jia Zong, don't be in a hurry. Just two more sentences, and I'll leave. In our village, if a relative is bullied, all the aunts and uncles will come to their aid. I heard that the villagers who didn't get their wages are planning to come here on tractors to demand payment. The village secretary and chief had to personally go to the village to calm them down!"

"But they have conditions. The leaders sent me to mediate to prevent the situation from escalating. After all, the village must control mass protests in their early stages."

Jia Renxiong's expression became complicated...

At the stairwell, Zhang Chu paced back and forth, his mind filled with one thought: Can this Chief Cheng really resolve the issue?

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