"Jieming, wait in the car for me, I'll be right back." At the entrance of the county transportation bureau, Chen Tiechuan got out of the car and said to Cheng Jieming.
Cheng Jieming nodded, watched Chen Tiechuan go upstairs, took out a cigarette, and threw one to Xiao Hu, then took one for himself.
"Director Cheng, I used to be a soldier. As the saying goes, you regret being a soldier for three years, but you regret not being a soldier for a lifetime. I and my comrades are like brothers, and I didn't expect you to be such a man of character. I admire you for what you did today!" Xiao Hu lit a cigarette for Cheng Jieming and sighed.
Although Cheng Jieming knew that Xiao Hu's words had some flattery, he still smiled kindly and said, "If a friend is in trouble, it's a matter of conscience to help. I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"Director Cheng, with your words, I feel reassured. Although I'm just a driver, I'm a straightforward person. I get along well with you, Director Cheng. If you don't mind, I'd like to be friends with you!"
Cheng Jieming, with his experience as a secretary, was more adept at human relations. He patted Xiao Hu on the shoulder and said, "Alright, Brother Hu, you're a straightforward person. I'll definitely be friends with you!"
Xiao Hu was originally anxious, knowing the distance between him and Cheng Jieming. He didn't expect Cheng Jieming to be so generous. Their relationship quickly warmed up.
Half an hour passed, but Chen Tiechuan still hadn't come out.
"Xiao Hu, I'll go up and check."
Cheng Jieming couldn't wait any longer. He planned to use the lunch break to meet the credit union director arranged by Gao Ziqing and finalize the loan.
The transportation bureau was a top-level department in every county. Although the four-story office building of the Daoxuan County Transportation Bureau didn't look impressive, the interior was beautifully decorated.
Cheng Jieming searched the second floor but didn't find Chen Tiechuan. Seeing people coming down in twos and threes, he ran to the third floor and saw Chen Tiechuan standing in the corridor, smoking continuously.
After waiting so long without seeing anyone, Cheng Jieming's first reaction was that Chen Tiechuan had been ignored! He walked over to Chen Tiechuan, and just then, the door of a closed room opened. A short, fat man wobbled forward, and a man with a leather bag followed closely behind.
"Director Niu, hello! I've been waiting for you for a long time!" Chen Tiechuan, seeing the short, fat man come out, quickly stubbed out his cigarette and chased after him.
Director Niu glanced at Chen Tiechuan and said indifferently, "Oh, Xiao Chen, we've already finished work. Come back this afternoon if you have something to discuss."
"Director Niu, I've already come here three times. Can you give me a little money? If you don't, I'll have to stop the construction site!" Chen Tiechuan's voice was tinged with pleading.
Hearing this, Director Niu's face changed immediately. He stomped out his cigarette and said angrily, "Chen Tiechuan, stop pestering me! The situation is difficult now, and I don't have any money. Don't threaten me with stopping work. I'll see how you settle the project payment if you don't complete it on time!"
"Director Niu, I... I really have no other choice. I don't ask for much, just enough to get through the week. Please help me get through this tough time." Chen Tiechuan's tone was almost pleading.
Director Niu's face became even more serious. He waved his hand and said, "I don't have time now. Come back in a few days."
Just as Chen Tiechuan was about to plead again, the man following Director Niu waved his hand and said, "Hey, brother, didn't Director Niu make it clear? Do you want to keep pestering? There's no money in the bureau now. Wait a bit longer!"
As they spoke, the two men were about to leave. In despair, Chen Tiechuan saw this and became anxious. He grabbed Director Niu's hand and asked, "Director Niu, the others who started the road construction at the same time as me have already received their payments. I signed a contract with the bureau. Can you give me some money first?"
"What are you saying? Do you mean I'm deliberately making things difficult for you? I'll tell you, you have a contract, right? Go and sue me if you want. I'm waiting here!" Director Niu's face turned red, and he pointed at Chen Tiechuan, furious.
"Hey, don't be annoying. Get lost! The transportation bureau is so big, do you think we owe you money?" The man following Director Niu pushed Chen Tiechuan as he spoke.
Chen Tiechuan's eyes were red, and his fists were clenched tightly. He really wanted to grab the arrogant, fat Director Niu and beat him up, but his rationality told him that such an impulsive act would have dire consequences.
"Tiechuan, Director Niu is busy now. Let's wait for the payment later. Come, let's go back." Cheng Jieming walked quickly to Chen Tiechuan and tried to pull him away.
Seeing someone come, Director Niu's short, thick neck wobbled, and he pointed at Chen Tiechuan, saying, "Boy, the transportation bureau is not a place for you to act tough. Want money? Wait your turn!"
As he spoke, Director Niu stormed downstairs.
"Damn, what a jerk!" Chen Tiechuan cursed.
"Brother, you must think I'm a joke. The project I'm working on was obtained through a friend. Just as we started, this friend was transferred, and the payment has never been settled. Later, I found out that Director Niu and my friend don't get along. He's openly bullying me! I've tried everything, even giving him money, but it's like throwing meat to a dog. He takes it but never gives me the payment."
Chen Tiechuan forced a smile and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this depressing thing. Let's go eat."
"Alright, let's go for a drink." Cheng Jieming looked at Chen Tiechuan's bitter smile, feeling both pity and admiration. His old classmate had made it on his own, and it wasn't easy. At such a time, he could still act as if nothing had happened, which was not something an ordinary person could do.
Before getting in the car, Cheng Jieming noticed a public phone next to the transportation bureau and said to Chen Tiechuan, "You get in the car first, I'll make a call."
Chen Tiechuan nodded and got in the car. He was very frustrated. He had insisted on coming to the transportation bureau to get some money to treat Cheng Jieming, as his old classmate had come from far away to bring him money. He was deeply grateful for this gesture, but he never expected Director Niu to treat him so poorly.
Cheng Jieming made a quick call and returned to the car in three or four minutes. By then, Chen Tiechuan had adjusted his mindset and smiled at Cheng Jieming, "I wanted to get some money to treat you to a good meal, but I ended up with a belly full of anger. We'll have to make do with a simple meal. There's a Lao Niu Family Noodle Shop ahead. The beef and mutton are very authentic, and the taste is great. How about we go there?"
"Let's save it for next time. I just called a friend, and he's already arranged everything. We'll go to Xiao Zhao." As Cheng Jieming spoke, he said to Xiao Hu, "Xiao Zhao is to the south."
"Xiao Zhao?" Chen Tiechuan, who had been living in Daoxuan County, naturally knew what Xiao Zhao was. However, he had only heard of it and never been there.
"Free meals are always good to have." Cheng Jieming joked.
Daoxuan County was not large, and it only took three minutes to get from the transportation bureau to Xiao Zhao. When Cheng Jieming and the others got out of the car, a tall, fat man was already waiting at the door, welcoming them from a distance, "Director Cheng, I was just regretting not having a good drink with you yesterday. I didn't expect you to visit us in Daoxuan County today. Secretary Gao is on business in the city, but he's on his way here!"
Cheng Jieming had met this man during the meal yesterday, but he only knew his surname was Meng and that he was a director in the county party committee office. From his close relationship with Gao Ziqing, he was likely a trusted aide.
"Ha, Director Meng, hello! I came uninvited, disturbing you!" Cheng Jieming shook hands with Director Meng and introduced Chen Tiechuan, "Director Meng, this is my friend, Chen Tiechuan. Please take care of him in the future!"
Director Meng had noticed Chen Tiechuan from the start but didn't know his background. However, seeing that Director Cheng had opened the car door for him, he was surprised and assumed this person must be someone important.
Hearing Cheng Jieming's introduction, he quickly extended both hands warmly, "Since Brother Chen is a friend of Director Cheng, I'll be honored to be his brother. Let's go have a drink together."
Chen Tiechuan shook hands with Director Meng and guessed his identity, but since he had little contact with Daoxuan County, he didn't know who Director Meng was.
After a brief handshake, he found a moment to head towards the restroom. For him, eating with Cheng Jieming and his friend was fine, but he didn't want to look disheveled. He couldn't change clothes, but he could at least tidy up his appearance.
"Chen Tiechuan, you actually came here! I think you're crazy!" As Chen Tiechuan approached the restroom, someone walked towards him, and before he could see who it was, he heard a harsh scolding.
PS: Thank you all for your strong support. Quan Xiong has already reached third place. I can only repay you by writing stories with all my heart and working hard to thank you for your enthusiastic support!