Du Zhaohui was an arrogant man who had no shame.
To put on a show in front of Du Chenrong, and to irritate others, he could sweetly call Du Chenrong’s junior wives “Mother,” curse Liu Tianquan in his heart while calling him “Uncle” to his face… This man wore many masks and could endure much. As long as it benefited him, Du Zhaohui didn’t care about losing face – face could be sold by the pound, as long as the price was right!
His attitude toward others was the same – he could bow his head to those who were useful.
Those who weren’t useful were mere insects to him.
Why did Du Zhaohui value Tang Hongen? Tang Hongen could determine various policy conditions for the Chenrong Group’s investments in Pengcheng, directly affecting Du Zhaohui’s interests. Moreover, Tang Hongen couldn’t be swayed by money or beauty – at least Liu Tianquan’s attempts through these two approaches had failed.
For such an incorruptible Mayor Tang, Du Zhaohui had no choice but to show respect!
Now Du Zhaohui blamed Bai Zhenzhu for kicking him – that kick had knocked away his rationality. He shouldn’t have taken this attitude; this matter should have been resolved long ago. Du Zhaohui had prepared for this corridor “chance encounter” and had rehearsed his lines, but suddenly seeing Zhou Cheng embracing Xia Xiaolan – the actor Du forgot his lines!
Damn it, Xia Xiaolan was too ruthless. At yesterday’s accident scene, she had pressed glass shards into her flesh to stay conscious, even frightening Du Zhaohui.
She had been so harsh on herself just to ensure Du Zhaohui and his people would save Kang Wei.
After all that, he wasn’t even her boyfriend – had she lost her mind?
Du Zhaohui could recognize couples. The intimate glances and small gestures couldn’t fool him. Though Zhou Cheng’s clothes couldn’t compare to Du Zhaohui’s luxurious attire, even with Du Zhaohui wearing his most low-key outfit today, all of Zhou Cheng’s clothes together couldn’t buy one of Du Zhaohui’s shirts… Yet Zhou Cheng’s presence was still overwhelmingly impressive to Du Zhaohui.
In physique and appearance, men would naturally compare themselves. Du Zhaohui was someone who cared greatly about appearances, otherwise he wouldn’t dress so flashy and flamboyantly.
When Du Zhaohui’s gaze met Zhou Cheng’s, Zhou Cheng smiled at him – a smile that sent chills down Du Zhaohui’s spine.
What was this man’s background?
By the time Du Zhaohui remembered his purpose, Kang Lianming had already led his group to the door, treating Du Zhaohui as if he were invisible.
Du Zhaohui beckoned:
“Investigate that man’s background.”
He had just started uncovering Kang Lianming’s background, and now he had to investigate another person. Du Zhaohui was quite annoyed.
“Young Master, he must have served in the military.”
The bodyguard who had stopped Bai Zhenzhu was the first to answer, knowing which person Young Master Du wanted to investigate. Du Zhaohui gestured for him to continue.
“His walking stance and posture show military training, and his hands have seen blood… Young Master, this person isn’t simple.”
If the escaped smuggler from Fujian Province were here, he would recognize Zhou Cheng instantly. Zhou Cheng had led men to raid the smuggling boat and nearly taken his life – Zhou Cheng’s handsome face was that smuggler’s nightmare!
Du Zhaohui wanted to curse. Xia Xiaolan had never said the injured Kang Wei was her boyfriend; that was all Du Zhaohui’s assumption… So bringing Xia Dajun from Hong Kong was completely useless!
“Has Xia Dajun arrived?”
“Young Master, he’s at Baiyun Airport now. We’ll get him to Pengcheng in the shortest time possible. Should we bring him directly to the hospital?”
Du Zhaohui threw his wheelchair cushion in his follower’s face.
“I’ll make you a doctor’s appointment later – you need your head examined!”
He had been wrong, but when it came to making stupid mistakes, these idiots were always right on time!
Du Zhaohui’s face darkened.
Just now when Kang Lianming’s group had ignored him, Du Zhaohui called over the bodyguard who had repelled Bai Zhenzhu: “Push me to Kang Wei’s ward.”
After sending the other bodyguards away, Du Zhaohui’s appearance surprised Kang Lianming’s secretary:
“Comrade Du, your leg…”
Those who could serve as leaders’ secretaries were all extraordinary in their way.
Mayor Tang’s Secretary Peng and Kang Lianming’s secretary both seemed more capable than the high-paid assistants Du Zhaohui hired. This was something Du Zhaohui couldn’t understand – these mainland secretaries, earning 100 yuan monthly, did work worth 10,000 yuan.
Du Zhaohui’s assistants could earn over 10,000 Hong Kong dollars, yet he couldn’t find one who was satisfactory and reliable.
For instance, right now, Kang Lianming’s secretary’s ability to hit where it hurt was first-rate.
Du Zhaohui wore a pained expression, “My leg is fine, but my head is uncomfortable. I got dizzy when standing, so they brought a wheelchair. Sorry to amuse Secretary Yang.”
Secretary Yang smiled, “Not amusing at all. I see Comrade Du’s wheelchair is quite nice. Should we get one for Young Master Kang? Look at that big hole in his head – he must need one too.”
Losing a tooth wasn’t the same as having your head kicked flat – why sit in a wheelchair? Secretary Yang couldn’t understand this young Hong Kong businessman’s thinking.
Who could be fooled by such petty tricks? Even he could see through them, let alone the leaders.
These Hong Kong people were insincere!
In Yunan Province.
Life in the Xia family of Dahe Village had become very difficult.
They had been prospering before, but now their life seemed like a joke.
The promising Xia Xiaolan had been driven from the Xia family with just 20 jin of sweet potatoes. This wasn’t just the Xia family’s shortsightedness – since the college entrance exam policy was implemented, Xia Xiaolan had been the first in Anqing County to enter Huaqing University. If there had been a genius of literature descending to earth, meant to land in Dahe Village, the Xia family and the village gossips had driven them away together.
Xia Ziyu might not have been as outstanding as Xia Xiaolan, but she too was a proper university student.
But once these university students went to Beijing, they were like birds returning to the forest – not coming back for summer break, no movement during winter break either. Xia Zhangzheng and Zhang Cui had directly split from their brothers, leaving Old Lady Xia for Xia Hongbin to care for.
Monthly living expenses were nothing – Old Lady Xia dreamed of living like city folk.
Yet she had driven Xia Xiaolan away, and Xia Ziyu had left on her own. The Xia family’s two granddaughters had become precious university students, but Old Lady Xia couldn’t rely on either of them! During the National Day celebrations, when villagers gathered around one TV set and saw Xia Xiaolan appear on screen, Old Lady Xia collapsed and showed signs of a stroke.
They rushed her to the county hospital in chaos.
Wang Jingui dared not refuse treatment – with Old Lady Xia at home, the eldest son’s family would still pay support money.
Bad people were hard to kill – Old Lady Xia didn’t die so easily. After half a month in the county hospital, she was discharged – one side of her body was somewhat immobile, she walked crookedly, her mouth wouldn’t close properly, remaining crooked even when not speaking.
Wang Jingui wanted to notify Xia Zhangzheng but didn’t know where the eldest couple had gone. When she asked the Zhang family, they wouldn’t say either.
Adding frost to the snow, Xia Hongbin had sunk deeper into gambling, losing several thousand yuan in just a few months. Wang Jingui felt life was unbearable. Just then, someone said Xia Dajun had made his fortune in the south and wanted them to come enjoy the good life. Old Lady Xia, with her crooked mouth, wept profusely:
“My son ah, only Dajun is most filial!”