Chapter 297: Such Stability
Luo Dongchuan was very satisfied. “Exactly! I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve walked bridges. You can’t go wrong listening to me!”
“Dad, how are you and Mom doing lately? Is everything going smoothly at work…?”
Hearing Luo Xiaoling ask after their health and warmth left Luo Dongchuan feeling quite comforted.
His daughter had grown up!
Although what she said was sometimes a bit childish, everyone goes through a growth process!
Right before hanging up, Luo Xiaoling said somewhat hesitantly, “Dad, there’s something I need to tell you. Ruyi ran into some trouble…”
Luo Dongchuan frowned. “Ruyi has always been stable; she isn’t that kind of person! Someone must be framing her…”
Luo Xiaoling curled her lip. Oh, she’s stable alright. Eight legs—how could she not be stable?
“Dad, who do you think did this? Ordinary people wouldn’t dare offend the Shen family, right?
“Could there also be something fishy about Uncle Qi’s merger business?
“Could Uncle Shen have instigated him to do it?
“And then someone took revenge on Ruyi…
“Ah, Dad, my roommate seems to have an urgent matter for me. I can’t chat with you anymore. I’ll call you another day!”
Luo Xiaoling hung up the phone, her heart drumming. She didn’t know if this trick of Su He’s would work.
Over on this end, Luo Dongchuan hung up the phone, his brow furrowing deeply into the shape of a river.
His wife, Zhang Lin, grumbled, “I hadn’t even said two words to Xiaoling yet, why did you hang up?”
“She has an unexpected matter on her end. We can just call another day. Let’s go, don’t keep Old Shen waiting!”
When the two arrived at the Shen residence, Shen Jiawang and Song Xian were both very hospitable.
After dinner, Song Xian and Zhang Lin chatted idly, while Shen Jiawang called Luo Dongchuan into the study.
Shen Jiawang let out a sigh. “Originally, I wanted to give Dazhi a proper leg up, but who knew he would act muddleheaded? I estimate he’ll be stepping in place for two or three years now.
“Let’s not talk about him, let’s talk about you. The deputy director position at your foreign trade department has been vacant for quite some time. You have no issues with either seniority or academic credentials. When you return from Guangzhou this time, I’ll pull some strings for you.”
Luo Dongchuan looked intensely excited. “Old Shen, thank you so much, I don’t even know what to say…”
Shen Jiawang smiled. “Dongchuan, saying that makes you an outsider!
“We’ve been good brothers for many years; it’s only right that I help you!
“Besides, Ruyi and Xiaoling get along just like real sisters. To crack a joke, if Xiaoling were a boy, I would have married Ruyi into your family, haha…”
After sharing a few laughs, Shen Jiawang shifted the conversation. “I heard that an additional entry for An County appeared on the list for this Guangzhou Fair?”
Luo Dongchuan said casually, “Yes, I was bewildered too. I reckon Old Lu pulled some connections. The merger business last time might have been his doing as well.”
Shen Jiawang’s eyes flickered. “So that’s how it is. Do you think An County will achieve anything at this Guangzhou Fair?”
Luo Dongchuan was amused!
“I think it’s highly unlikely. They’re just accompanying the crown prince to study—merely going through the motions.
“Although the An County Textile Factory brought in hair accessory orders, that tiny knickknack can’t be eaten or worn. Few foreign guests will be interested.
“Furthermore, the location of their booth is extremely marginalized. I estimate virtually no foreigners will head over there.”
Shen Jiawang nodded. “Since that’s the case, there’s no need for you to expend too much effort on them when the time comes. Keep your primary energy focused on the other major foreign exchange earners.
“As for some of the preliminary preparations and such, just let them handle it themselves. There’s no need for you to get involved.”
Luo Dongchuan froze. What did Shen Jiawang mean by this?
Could it be that he was dissatisfied with Old Lu because of Qi Dazhi’s business, and therefore wanted to trip up An County?
“Dongchuan, I don’t mean anything else; I just want to remind you. Within the boundaries of the rules, some things can be flexible.
“For instance, some matters can be mentioned or left unsaid, and some materials can be provided or withheld…”
Luo Dongchuan’s heart was in his throat, but he still nodded. “Old Shen, I understand.”
Upon leaving the Shen residence, Zhang Lin asked in puzzlement, “Old Luo, why did your face look a bit off just now? What did Old Shen say to you?”
Luo Dongchuan shared an excellent relationship with his wife, so he didn’t hide it, recounting everything to her down to the last detail.
Zhang Lin frowned instantly. “Why is Old Shen targeting An County? Is it because of the merger business last time?”
Luo Dongchuan nodded. “Most likely. Qi Dazhi is his man, so it counts as a slap to his face.”
Yet he vaguely felt it wasn’t that simple, automatically recalling the words Luo Xiaoling had spoken.
Was the merger business truly instigated by Old Shen?
Old Lu, the Shen family?
Could Old Lu’s backing be a certain powerful family in the capital that is at loggerheads with the Shen family?
They can’t easily break face openly, so it spilled over onto Shen Jiawang and Old Lu?
At this moment, Zhang Lin said, “Earning foreign exchange through exports is a major affair. If someone catches a tail on you, it’s no joking matter. You must think it over carefully. Even if you proceed according to his words, don’t go too far, lest you get yourself thoroughly smeared.”
Luo Dongchuan’s mind was in a complete tangle for a time, and he gave an “en” in response.
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence.
Shen Jiawang stared at Song Xian with a dark and cold expression. “I will handle Su He. You and Ruyi stop meddling. If you dare to perform foolish deeds behind my back again in the future, I won’t let you off!”
Song Xian said through her tears, “The Su family intentionally swapped the children back then. I simply can’t get over this hurdle in my heart. Plus, Ruyi didn’t have a good life in the Su family either, so…”
Shen Jiawang said impatiently, “Alright, I have no spare time to listen to your wretched business!
“The main branch in the capital finally managed to suppress Lu Qifeng down to a bird-starved place like An County; we absolutely cannot let him use the wind of the Guangzhou Fair to rise up.
“Therefore, An County must be left entirely empty-handed at this Guangzhou Fair!
“The line with Luo Dongchuan might not necessarily succeed. I need to mention this matter to the main branch and have them make some arrangements as well…”
The top leader of An County, Lu Qifeng, had no idea he had become a scapegoat. At this moment, he was speaking with Director Hu, Director Tian, and Director Feng.
He had only received the distributed document this evening. Therefore, even though it was already past working hours, he had still gathered everyone over.
Lu Qifeng was exceptionally excited. He hadn’t expected that An County, a perennial poverty-stricken county, would also see a day when it could participate in the Guangzhou Fair.
Director Hu and the other two were also exceptionally excited.
Although Su He had painted bright prospects for them early on, after all, only what entered the mouth counted as real.
Director Tian was the most excited, gesturing wildly. “Our instant noodles will definitely shine brilliantly at the Guangzhou Fair. We can sell at least fifty thousand US dollars’ worth!”
Director Feng poured cold water on him. “Fifty thousand US dollars? You have to sell nearly seven hundred thousand packs of instant noodles to reach that figure. Can you achieve that?”
Director Tian shot him a sidelong glance. “Of course I can!”
Even if I can’t, Little Su can. Die of rage!
He ignored Director Feng and instead asked Lu Qifeng, “There should be a limit on the number of accompanying personnel, right? How many slots were we given?”
“Normally, a booth is equipped with three personnel. Because our An County has a special situation, the document notes six people.”
The moment Director Tian heard this, he began counting on his fingers. The top leader would definitely go. Furthermore, he was leading the team. Himself, Old Hu, Old Feng, plus Little Su—that left only one slot.
This slot would most likely go to the top leader’s secretary or a deputy in charge of the economy.
Tsk-tsk, Baldy Chen definitely won’t be able to go this time!
How pitiful!
