"Da Min, I feel like you've changed into a different person." Zhen Jie, sitting on the back of the bicycle, couldn't help but say.
Lu Weimin's heart stirred slightly, "Why do you say that? Is something wrong?"
"I can't really explain it, but I feel like you've changed. A while ago, you seemed very depressed, and I even asked Zhen Ni to comfort you more, to encourage you not to be discouraged by the setback of your graduation placement. But today, I found that in front of Uncle Gu, you were like a debater, pressing hard. Didn't you notice Uncle Gu's expression?" Zhen Jie brushed a strand of hair that had fallen out of place, "I think Uncle Gu was quite moved by your words. Maybe he was a bit too careless."
"He wasn't careless; he was overly confident." Lu Weimin smiled faintly. The Phoenix 28-inch bicycle had been well-maintained by his father, making it very smooth and easy to ride, with a strong and steady pace.
"What should we do now? Just go home and wait for the result?" Zhen Jie hadn't realized that she had subconsciously come to rely on this man.
"I'm afraid that won't work. For Gu Mingliang, whether Uncle Zhen has a problem or not, the final outcome won't have much impact on him. You noticed his attitude, right? He's playing it safe, speaking boldly but being slippery and watertight, covering all bases. But what about Uncle Zhen being left in this situation? Just waiting is like waiting to die!"
Lu Weimin sighed inwardly. Gu Mingliang might take action, but the presence of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) might make him cautious. The extent of his efforts is worth considering, especially since some of Uncle Zhen's lifestyle issues can't be hidden from this old fox.
Is he worried that if he supports Uncle Zhen too much, and Uncle Zhen's problems are eventually exposed, it will affect the trust placed in him?
"Da Min, tell me the truth, can my father really get through this?" After a long pause, Zhen Jie, sitting behind him on the bike, finally spoke softly.
"Zhen Jie, until the last moment, no one can be sure. We trust Uncle Zhen on the issue of bribery, but what about the others?" Lu Weimin exhaled, "I'm afraid that if some people can't find a handle, they'll spread it out, trying to bring Uncle Zhen down. No one is perfect. Uncle Zhen has worked in the factory for so many years; it's inevitable that he might have made some mistakes. If someone grabs onto them and magnifies them, it's hard to say what will happen."
Zhen Jie was in a state of confusion. She knew what Lu Weimin meant. Normally, she would be very sensitive to anyone mentioning these things, and she would get angry if anyone hinted at them. But now, she didn't care, especially since Lu Weimin was being quite tactful.
"Da Min, you must have a way." Zhen Jie felt an inexplicable sense of trust, "I believe you must have a plan."
"Zhen Jie, you really have faith in me. If I had a way, would I have been sent back to Nan Tan so dejectedly?" Lu Weimin laughed self-deprecatingly, "But we have to try."
Lu Weimin looked at his watch; it was already noon. He rode the bicycle with Zhen Jie out of the factory area and headed straight for the post and telecommunications office.
Taking out the small notebook with the contact number, Lu Weimin hesitated for a moment.
Cao Lang was his closest friend from university, but now that they had just graduated, was it appropriate to trouble him?
But if there was no external intervention, Lu Weimin was certain that history would follow its original course. Even if he went to the CCDI and revealed everything he knew, it wouldn't change much.
In the face of harsh reality, no one could change established rules with just a few grand words. To change the rules, one needed power, at least for now.
Zhen Jie watched curiously as Lu Weimin dialed the number. It was a long-distance call, and the area code was Beijing. Lu Weimin spoke in Mandarin with a Changxi accent, even mixing in some Cantonese.
After Lu Weimin explained the situation in detail over the phone, Cao Lang laughed on the other end, "Da Min, you're really lucky. Did you know my mother works at the CCDI? What a coincidence!"
Cao Lang had always been low-key and mysterious at school, rarely interacting with classmates. Even the other two roommates only maintained a normal relationship with him. Lu Weimin, with his outgoing and generous personality, got along well with Cao Lang.
However, before the swimming incident, Cao Lang and Lu Weimin were only relatively close.
Cao Lang grew up in the north and couldn't swim, but not being able to swim in Lingnan was a real pain. During university, they often went out to play on weekends.
During a boat ride at a reservoir, Cao Lang accidentally fell into the water. His large frame and weight of over 180 pounds made it almost impossible for Lu Weimin to drag him to the shore. In a panic, Cao Lang tightly clung to Lu Weimin, almost taking him down as well.
The act of saving Cao Lang's life redefined their relationship. They became truly close, and Lu Weimin learned that Cao Lang's parents worked in central government departments, and his mother's family was among the founders of the People's Republic.
However, Cao Lang had a rebellious personality and disliked using his family background as a talking point, so he chose to study in Lingnan instead of Beijing.
Lu Weimin only learned that Cao Lang's mother worked at the CCDI years later, when Cao Lang had already gone to Yugoslavia as a war correspondent for Xinhua News Agency. During the U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, Cao Lang was lucky to be in Montenegro.
Cao Lang's parents insisted on bringing him back to China, and it was only then that Lu Weimin, who had reconnected with Cao Lang, learned about his mother's position.
After the 9/11 attacks, Cao Lang unhesitatingly joined the war in Afghanistan, active in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.
"Really?" Lu Weimin also laughed, sensing that Cao Lang wasn't too concerned about such matters. What might be a big deal to some people was trivial to others, "Looks like my long-distance call wasn't in vain."
"Ha ha, Da Min, how's your placement going? Are you happy to be at Factory 195, where you can be with your girlfriend? When are you coming to Beijing? I'll take you around."
"Hey, my placement has changed a bit, but it's fine. By the way, I'm counting on you for what I just mentioned. See if there's anything you can do." Lu Weimin brought the topic back.
"Alright, it's not a big deal. With your personality, if you're willing to vouch for it, it can't be a big deal. Wait a moment, my mother is at home. I'll talk to her. Don't hang up." On the other end of the phone, Cao Lang seemed to be asking the nanny who had answered the phone to call his mother.
Brothers, seeing that Lao Rui got up early to write, give him a few more recommendation votes!