In the afternoon, having nothing better to do, I wandered over to the slag heap behind the cafeteria to gaze at the bustle of the farmers’ market beyond the wall. A rather inconspicuous stall tucked away in a corner caught my attention. The old vendor, carrying a worn-out basket of vegetables, looked strangely familiar—wasn't that Xiao Yao, the girl who fetched water for the corn during the day and collected leftover vegetable leaves in the evening?

For some inexplicable reason, I felt a profound pity for her, a feeling similar to what I first experienced upon meeting Xu Chen. Even though her outward appearance was worlds apart from Xu Chen’s, this innate urge to do good stirred within me, compelling me to act. Men are naturally inclined to showcase their protective capabilities, especially those who are strong and powerful. Regardless of whom they protect, irrespective of beauty or plainness, this fundamental human instinct drove me to hop down the courtyard wall and stealthily approach her to observe.

Setting aside the quality of the vegetables Xiao Yao was selling, her method of salesmanship was fundamentally flawed. She simply placed her wares on the ground, then retreated to a corner, hugging her knees and remaining silent. This stood in stark contrast to the vendors beside her, who were loudly hawking their goods to attract customers. Looking at her attire, her clothes were soiled, and bits of straw clung to her hair; she looked as if she had just crawled out of a rubbish heap. Despite being a girl, it was obvious from her appearance that she wouldn't smell pleasant. Who would want to buy vegetables from someone like that?

Poor soul, you fare even worse than Zhao Fen or Zhao Fang did back then; you’re almost on par with what Elena’s life must have been like in a pigsty in primitive society. Once my plans regarding Maquan Water bear fruit, I must push ahead with building the beverage factory. She will be the very first worker I hire.

“Uncle, could you be lenient? I don’t have a single cent.”

While I was lost in thought, a stern-looking administrator in a peaked cap arrived to collect the sanitation fee—one Yuan for the large stalls, fifty cents for the small ones.

The administrator’s tone was harsh: “Hurry up with the money. Everyone says the same thing. If I don't charge you, I can't charge anyone else. Who’s going to clean up?”

I burst out from my corner—not, of course, to beat up the administrator—and snatched up a bundle of unidentified greens from the ground: “I’m buying vegetables,” I declared, then quickly threw down the five Yuan I got from the bicycle repair shop and fled. It’s rare to see a high-ranking cadre like myself reduced to such poverty!

With a whoosh, I vaulted back over the courtyard wall into the government compound, then headed to the cafeteria and tossed the greens to the fat cook preparing the meal. He looked at me, bewildered, “What’s the meaning of this? Did you quit delivering newspapers to become a steward? Besides, I already bought tonight’s vegetables.”

“I paid for these out of my own pocket and brought them to the kitchen. Get me an extra couple of pieces of meat when you serve the dishes later,” I replied.

Getting a whole bundle of greens for free was certainly a stroke of luck. The fat cook chuckled, tossing the vegetables into the kitchen. “Little Zhao, do you know anyone around here? I’m swamped trying to manage alone, and the kitchen needs another general helper. Room and board included, two hundred Yuan a month. If you have any good friends or family members, bring them over; I guarantee I’ll look after them.”

A bundle of greens in exchange for a job lead—a fair trade, I supposed. However, I didn't really know any outsiders. I casually said, “I’ll ask around the neighborhood. If I find a suitable candidate, I’ll bring them to you for a look.”

“I say, why are you hiding out in the kitchen? Hurry up, hurry up, don’t waste time on official business.” It was Zhang Fengzhen, coming to fetch me to the Liangshan Grand Hotel to invite Chief Ke Fan and Scarface.

On the way, Ning Shixuan asked, “They’re not going to start fighting with us again at the first disagreement, are they?”

Zhang Fengzhen retorted, “If they really dare to start a brawl in front of the Police Chief, we shouldn't hold back; we’ll smash them with stools!”

Secretary Liu was also pulled along to attend, given his position as the First Secretary to Secretary Ma—a big shot in Liangshan County. He said, “I brought my knife. If things get really bad, we can hold them off for a while.”

Zhang Fengzhen laughed, “With Zhao Qian here, what are we afraid of? Since he managed one against four last time, we don’t need to fear them this time either.”

I wasn't afraid of them, but I worried those two might spout nonsense and ruin my plans. I didn't know what Hu Qing had said to Xie Sen that day, nor how Xie Sen had instructed Ke Du afterward. I truly hoped the Chief Ke Zhang Fengzhen mentioned wasn't Ke Du; otherwise, I wouldn't know how to introduce everyone when we met.

The Liangshan Grand Hotel was considered top-tier, though it only specialized in hospitality, not other businesses. But their hostesses were exceptionally charming and beautiful, and the quality of the cuisine was considered luxurious for such a small inland county. I genuinely worried about Ning Shixuan’s wallet, considering she didn’t heed my advice to avoid this place, thus allowing me to enjoy a free feast.

Whoa! The hostess led the way, pushing open the door to the private room we had reserved in advance. Two people were already seated inside—they had arrived earlier than us! Seeing the five of us enter, the two men instantly stood up, their tense eyes darting around nervously.

When their eyes landed on me, they stopped moving immediately. Both men respectfully greeted me, “Brother Qian, you’ve arrived.”

These two were Ke Du, the officer who had me arrested and handcuffed to the iron door at the Public Security Bureau, and Scarface, whom I had struck down when he tried to hack at me with a long knife. I laughed and said, “Don’t address me like that; it creates a poor impression.”

Zhang Fengzhen was astonished: “You… you know them?”

Fearing they might speak carelessly, I quickly jumped in: “How could I not know them? This officer is imposing; I often see him coming and going at the Bureau. And this Brother Scar, he ate my grilled squid last night and gave me a thumbs-up, saying, ‘Wàn’er ruì gōudé’ [Wonderful]. That’s how we met.”

Scarface, gripping his wounded abdomen, managed to suppress a laugh. Ke Du gave an awkward smile: “Brother Qian is so humorous. I felt an immediate kinship with you the moment I saw you, an instant spark of affinity. So, Old Eighth and I decided tonight to treat you to a meal.”

“No, no, no!” Ning Shixuan exclaimed. “We are treating you to dinner. Regarding my uncle’s matter, we ask that you let it go, considering we are all government personnel. Otherwise, if it comes to a mutual ruin, it won't be good for anyone.”

I chimed in, “Yes, considering we all serve the people, let’s forget about past grievances.”

Scarface and Ke Du’s faces lit up: “Thank you, Brother Qian! Please, sit down, take the seat of honor.”

Ning Shixuan rushed to take the host’s seat, but Ke Du intercepted her. He told her, “Don’t fight me for it. Director Xie has given instructions: all expenses tonight are on him. I’m representing him to share a few drinks with Brother Qian. If you want to treat Brother Qian, do it tomorrow.”

Ning Shixuan was utterly confused and turned to me, questioning me with her eyes. Zhang Fengzhen pulled her aside and whispered, “Don’t worry about the details for now; overall, this is a good thing.”

Zhang Fengzhen was absolutely correct. Although Ning Shixuan couldn't grasp the reason behind the arrangement, she happily took her seat. I couldn't resist the earnest urging of the two men and ended up seated in the guest of honor’s position. On one side, those two treated me with the utmost respect; on the other, Ning Shixuan kept looking at me with happy eyes. Meanwhile, Secretary Liu’s expression grew darker and darker—it seemed our relationship was truly heading toward an irreconcilable point.

Dishes and wine flowed in like a river, startling Ning Shixuan. If she had to pay, the two thousand Yuan in her purse might not even be enough. Zhang Fengzhen didn’t care; he ate and drank heartily.

Ke Du raised his glass to me: “Brother Qian, your humble subordinate apologizes. I offended you previously; I was blind and failed to recognize your true stature. If you think well of me, from now on, we are friends. Just say the word if you need anything.”

With things turning out so pleasantly, Ning Shixuan was naturally very happy. Sitting next to me, she whispered, “Hey, he stole your catchphrase.” Ning Shixuan was referring to the phrase, ‘If you need anything, just say the word.’ I wasn't sure how much Xie Sen knew about me or what he had told Ke Du, but this outcome was precisely what I desired. So, I raised my glass: “Chief Ke, you are too kind. As a newcomer here, I will rely on your future guidance.”

After finishing that glass, Scarface immediately raised his again: “Brother Qian, you understand everything now without me needing to say much. I toast Brother Qian.”

It seemed Niu Tiannan and Ma Haibei had explained the situation to Scarface. Since he was here for this dinner, it meant he was willing to follow me from now on. Although I didn’t exactly have time to dabble in the underworld, with no work assigned by the leadership for the time being, a little amusement wouldn’t hurt. Weren’t Xie Lei and Liang Kuan acting so tough? Let’s have a competition.

After finishing one round of drinks, Ning Shixuan pulled me outside the private room under some pretext: “Zhao Qian, tell me the truth, what exactly is going on here?”

Zhang Fengzhen followed us out shortly after: “Yeah, Little Zhao, what’s the real story? You’ve put me in a very awkward spot. Based on the current situation, it feels like all my hard work over the past two days has gone to waste. If I had known you had this kind of pull, why the heck would I have bothered getting involved?”

I explained, “Brother Zhang, you misunderstood me. I did hide one thing: Scarface wasn’t just here for grilled squid last night; he was looking for trouble. But I dealt with him subtly. You know how these underworld guys are; they respect a hero when they see one. He probably couldn't sleep last night, and thinking it over, he decided I was a friend worth making. Since you were planning to invite them anyway, that’s how things turned out. Honestly, I was just as blindsided.”

Ning Shixuan laughed, “You’re just praising yourself indirectly. But how did I not know he caused trouble last night? That’s strange.”

Zhang Fengzhen said, “It seems you saw that Little Zhao is quite the capable hero. I noticed Brother Eighth has an abdominal wound, so you must have done that last night. Did you ever attend a martial arts school, or why are you so good at fighting?”

I admitted, “To tell the truth, I served in the army for five years before university. Handling three or five people shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is,” they both sighed. Ning Shixuan studied my face carefully: “You don’t look like it. How old are you this year? You look barely twenty.”

I replied, “A man’s age is also something to be kept secret.”

But Zhang Fengzhen suddenly recalled another matter: “Wait a minute. How do you know Chief Ke? Don’t tell me you often see him in and out of the Public Security Bureau; nobody would believe that excuse.”

I had no choice but to confess: “Alright, I’ll tell you the truth. The night before last, after you all went to the hospital, I was arrested and taken to the Public Security Bureau.”

“What!” they exclaimed. “How could that happen? You were performing an act of righteous bravery!”

I acted wronged: “Isn’t that right? Fortunately, you know my eloquence is top-notch. I lectured them on reasoning all night long, and in the end, Director Xie Sen of the Public Security Bureau was moved by me, let alone a minor officer like Chief Ke.”

Although Ning Shixuan and Zhang Fengzhen didn't entirely believe it, they couldn't find a flaw in my story to refute it right away, so they let it go. The three of us went back inside to continue drinking.

We found Secretary Liu chatting animatedly with Chief Ke and Scarface, the three exchanging compliments. For a moment, the three of us couldn't interject. Ning Shixuan whispered to me, “Actually, I never mentioned it, but Secretary Liu’s personality is the one I despise most. But since we’re all friends, I never brought it up.”

It seemed Secretary Liu was trying to usurp the role of host. I coughed to interrupt their exchange: “Come, I propose a toast to everyone—let’s help each other and get rich together from now on!”

Ning Shixuan declared, “Even though I’m a woman, count me in on getting rich! I’m still waiting to earn money to buy a house.”

Everyone burst into hearty laughter and downed their drinks.