The young man, like all the rural people who grew up in the mountains, had a dirty face, a bald head, and wore clothes that had been washed and ironed clean. His teeth were yellow with tartar, and his fingernails were black with dirt. His body was full of the scent of grass and the sun. In the city, everything was new and strange, and he felt that playing in the mud all his life was a sign of failure. He always remembered every interaction he had with city people and held a deep respect for those who could sit in bright offices and give orders, yet still receive a monthly salary.
"Brother, if you come with me, you just need to give some instructions when we get there," the young man said, rubbing his hands and feeling ashamed as they walked out of the office building.
Cheng Jie Min was thinking about how to change his current situation. Hearing the young man's honest words, he lifted his head. Seeing the young man's embarrassed expression, he couldn't help but think of his fellow villagers back home. They probably acted the same way when they came to the city.
Cheng Jie Min felt a familiar rural atmosphere and, seeing the young man's humble appearance, stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying, "Brother, my name is Cheng Jie Min. What's yours?"
Cheng Jie Min's friendly gesture made the young man's body stiffen for a moment, but then he was pleasantly surprised and said, "Brother, my name is Sun Xiao Zhu. Everyone in the village calls me Zhu Zi."
"Then I'll call you Zhu Zi. Where are you from?" Cheng Jie Min asked with a smile.
"I'm from Sun Family Gully. I drove for a whole day and night. My cousin asked me to come and report to Director Dong. The car is parked at the warehouse. Let me take you there on my bike," the young man said, relaxing a bit. As he spoke, he pulled out a crumpled pack of Caidie cigarettes from his pocket and hesitated before saying, "Brother, my cigarettes aren't good, but you can try them."
Cheng Jie Min took the cigarette from Sun Xiao Zhu, lit it with a lighter, and said, "When I was a kid, my family used to offer Caidie cigarettes to guests. I was so eager to try them that I secretly smoked a few puffs."
"Oh, Brother Cheng, you're from the countryside too?" Sun Xiao Zhu's respect for Cheng Jie Min grew even more when he saw that Cheng Jie Min not only didn't mind the poor quality of the cigarettes but also lit one.
It took them about ten minutes to ride to the warehouse where the Water Resources Department stored items. Two tractors were parked at the warehouse entrance, their beds filled with plastic bags of apples. Four or five strong men were gathered at the entrance, some sitting on bricks, others squatting on the ground.
One of them was wearing a neatly pressed suit, had a crew cut, and his shoes were polished to a shine. He held a fashionable fitness cup and had a demeanor that clearly set him apart from the others, likely the leader of the group. Seeing Cheng Jie Min and the young man approach, he called out loudly, "Zhu Zi, what did Director Dong say?"
"Brother Da Hai, this is Brother Cheng from the Water Resources Department. Director Dong asked him to come and check the apples we brought," Zhu Zi said, pointing to Cheng Jie Min.
The man quickly came to Cheng Jie Min's side, took out a cigarette, and said with a smile, "Director Cheng, my name is Sun Zhi Hai. Please look at these apples. I picked them specially for the Water Resources Department. They're not big or sweet, but I won't charge a penny."
After taking the cigarette, Cheng Jie Min judged from the man's speech that he must be a farmer who had made a name for himself in the city, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten this business from the Water Resources Department.
Cheng Jie Min took the cigarette and said, "The apples look good. Unload them here."
"Alright, let's start unloading!" Sun Zhi Hai waved his hand and said, "Ermeng, you guys, start unloading the truck!"
The men who had been squatting stood up and began to unload the truck. Seeing the scene, Cheng Jie Min knew he didn't need to help, but he felt bad for them. They had been driving for a whole day, and he had nothing to do anyway, so why not lend a hand?
"Oh, Director Cheng, how can we let you do such hard work!" Sun Zhi Hai quickly stopped Cheng Jie Min when he saw him about to help.
Cheng Jie Min smiled and said, "No problem, more hands mean more strength. I've been sitting in the office for so long that I need some exercise."
As he spoke, Cheng Jie Min took a bag of apples and carried it into the warehouse.
Seeing Cheng Jie Min's determination, Sun Zhi Hai didn't stop him. He gave a signal to Sun Ermeng on the truck to give Cheng Jie Min the lightest bags, thinking he would stop when he got tired.
However, what Sun Zhi Hai didn't expect was that Cheng Jie Min, despite being drenched in sweat, didn't stop. His work ethic was even better than theirs.
This young man, not only a department official but also capable of doing rural work, was someone special. Sun Zhi Hai, who had come from the village and made it to this point, relied not only on his hard work but also on his shrewdness.
"Director Cheng, let's take a break. There's no rush today," Sun Zhi Hai said with a smile after putting down a bag of apples.
After moving nearly a hundred bags of apples, Cheng Jie Min didn't feel tired at all. The depression in his heart had been washed away. Although his back was sweating, his mood was much better.
He clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Let's take a break."
When Cheng Jie Min squatted down to rest, Sun Xiao Zhu and the others also came over. They surrounded Cheng Jie Min and started smoking. These people were already grateful that Cheng Jie Min had helped them move apples, and seeing that he had no airs of a city person, they felt even more close to him.
Laughter soon spread from their small circle...
"Who has seen Cheng Jie Min?" The quiet office was suddenly broken by this voice. Dong Huacheng was a bit unhappy. Who was this ignorant person?
However, when he looked up and saw who it was, he jumped up as if his seat had a spring, his face muscles bulging. "Director Jia, hello. It's been a while since you came to our office to guide our work. I just got some good tea and was about to bring it to you. Come in and try it."
Dong Huacheng was so polite to the visitor because he was the secretary of the department head, Li Zhonghua. How could he not be polite?
"Director Dong, I'll try your tea later. By the way, have you seen Cheng Jie Min?" Jia Yunqing didn't want to offend Dong Huacheng and smiled at him before asking softly.
What did Jia Yunqing want with Cheng Jie Min? Dong Huacheng's mind raced, and he asked tentatively, "Brother, do you need to find Xiao Cheng?"
"It's Director Li who needs him!" Jia Yunqing said straightforwardly.
Director Li needs Cheng Jie Min, definitely because heζ
θͺ modified Director Li's report! He deserves it! Thinking this, Dong Huacheng's eyes darted and he said, "Oh, I haven't seen Cheng Jie Min today. He didn't come in the afternoon."
"He didn't come to work in the afternoon?" Jia Yunqing looked at Dong Huacheng, surprised.
"Ah, young people these days, you can't say or touch them!" Dong Huacheng sighed and deliberately stretched his hand. "Brother, why don't you report to Director Li first? I'll go find Cheng Jie Min right away."
Jia Yunqing had no other choice but to nod in agreement. "Director Dong, I'll leave it to you. Find him as soon as possible and let me know. I'll report to Director Li first."
Watching Jia Yunqing leave, Dong Huacheng's face showed a hint of a smile. He slowly sat down in the office, picked up a newspaper, and started flipping through it. As for Director Li finding Cheng Jie Min, well, if Cheng Jie Min can't be found, Director Li will definitely blame him, and it has nothing to do with him, the deputy director of the office.
"Director, should we notify Cheng Jie Min?" Xiao Huang asked, refilling his cup with water.
Dong Huacheng looked at Xiao Huang with a complicated expression but didn't say anything. Xiao Huang realized he had said the wrong thing and lowered his head.
"Xiao Huang, have you read the Records of the Grand Historian? The part about Zhao Gao is really well written!" Dong Huacheng was satisfied with the effect of his gaze and his voice became even more gentle.
Xiao Huang's heart skipped a beat, immediately thinking of the most famous part about Zhao Gao in the Records of the Grand Historian. He quickly said, "Director, please have some water." Returning to his seat, Xiao Huang glanced at his colleagues, who seemed to be busy with their work, and quickly lowered his head.
Trouble often comes from speaking too much. Cheng Jie Min, I've said a word for you, but Old Dong is out to get you, and I can't do anything about it!
Just as Xiao Huang was thinking, the office door opened again, and Jia Yunqing rushed in, saying, "Director Dong, have you found Cheng Jie Min? Director Li needs him urgently."
"I haven't found him yet. This Xiao Cheng, I've called him dozens of times, telling him that Director Li needs him, but he hasn't come back or even called back," Dong Huacheng rubbed his hands, pretending to be worried.
Jia Yunqing didn't suspect anything else and urged, "Director Dong, this is a real problem. I'm transferring this big problem to you. Find him quickly; the boss is getting anxious."
"Director Jia, you can trust me. I've already sent people to look for him. We'll find him soon," Dong Huacheng said, clapping his hands. "When we find him, I won't be gentle with him. If he doesn't work properly, what if he delays Director Li's affairs?"
Jia Yunqing nodded and left the office, saying, "I'll go look for him too."
Watching Jia Yunqing leave, Dong Huacheng's smile was somewhat strange. After a few minutes, he waved his hand and said, "Go find Cheng Jie Min and see where he is!"
The people in the office all went out. Watching them leave, Dong Huacheng smiled smugly. He didn't notice that one person's steps were a bit faster than usual.
PS: Quan Xiong's ranking has dropped. I hope all the brothers and Xiao Mao will work together to help.