“Is that so?” Xiao Zhou’s initial excitement from discovering his father was somewhat dampened by Zhang Liunian’s sudden revelation.
“You can acknowledge this father, but having too many sons means it’s best not to live together.”
The saying that the near is foul and the distant is fragrant perfectly described Gao Lijie’s family.
In his past life, Xiao Zhou, overwhelmed with emotion after finding his father, moved in with the Gao family within days. As a result, he not only lost Gao Lijie’s favor but was also severely exploited by his half-brothers.
Given that Xiao Zhou was now under his care, Zhang Liunian naturally wished for him to live a good life.
“I will consider it carefully,” Xiao Zhou didn’t fully heed Zhang Liunian’s advice.
Zhang Liunian said no more, returning to the hospital to continue recovering from his injuries, while Xiao Zhou stayed by his side, ready for any command.
Uncle Yi had asked Zhang Liunian to go out and inquire about the teahouse. However, the report was that the provincial city had no trace of such a teahouse.
Zhang Liunian was not surprised, as he himself didn’t recall a teahouse. But Uncle Yi refused to believe it.
“Impossible. The boss said it exists, how can it not?” Uncle Yi racked his brain, unable to understand why the teahouse couldn't be found.
“If it’s not there, it’s not there. Find some people and start investigating Zhu Laosan’s movements and his evidence of crimes…” Zhang Liunian decided to take the initiative this time and wanted to know Zhu Laosan’s activities.
However, he also knew this wouldn’t be easy. Uncle Yi had just arrived and lacked a solid foundation, making it unlikely to track Zhu Laosan’s movements. But when it came to investigating Zhu Laosan’s criminal evidence, he was quite capable.
“His personal movements are difficult to track, but his general direction is traceable. What I lack is manpower,” Uncle Yi honestly replied, stating facts.
“I will give you one million in funds first. If it’s not enough, you can ask me again. Find the manpower yourself. The salary for the hired individuals will be 350 yuan per month, with accommodation provided but no meals. All expenses for business trips, including food and lodging, will be covered.”
Seeing Zhang Liunian’s trust in him, Uncle Yi began to form some ideas. After all, he had worked for the South City Teahouse for a long time and had some connections and channels.
“With money, things get done. I’ll have the manpower assembled in these two days. Wait for my good news.” Uncle Yi, apart from his somewhat unappealing appearance, was very capable.
He kept his word and indeed found a large group of people in two days. After Zhang Liunian met them at the hospital, he discussed the strategic direction with Uncle Yi. The general plan was to investigate Zhu Laosan from two angles: first, his involvement with drugs, and second, his actions in the provincial city over the past year or two, to find evidence and allies.
With the direction confirmed, Uncle Yi led his men to work.
After Uncle Yi left, Zhang Liunian was also to be discharged from the hospital. He had been there for three days and had largely recovered, needing only a few more days of rest to be completely well.
Just as he and his wife were packing to go home, Section Chief Gu brought good news.
“Boss, the department store has been unsealed. They also said that the bad debt is only linked to Tang Guo and has nothing to do with us. What exactly did you do to resolve everything?”
Section Chief Gu was truly impressed with this new boss at this moment. The new boss had said that just meeting Gao Lijie would resolve the issue, and in less than two days, it was indeed resolved.
Bosses were indeed different from them; they did what they said and followed through.
“Is that so? Then you’ll be busy. Let Xiao Zhou assist you with the department store matters. You will be the supervisor, and he will be the deputy supervisor and my assistant.” Zhang Liunian said this while looking at Xiao Zhou.
Xiao Zhou naturally wouldn’t refuse. He had been accompanying Zhang Liunian here for the past few days and was bored. Upon hearing that he would be working with Supervisor Gu to manage the provincial department store, he was quite excited.
“I was in need of a helper, Xiao Zhou’s arrival is perfect,” Section Chief Gu said. Hearing that he was now promoted to supervisor, he didn’t mind having a deputy supervisor.
“Then you two go handle it!” Zhang Liunian still had to be discharged from the hospital and wouldn’t be going to the department store for now. He would go after returning home.
Two hours later, when Zhang Liunian arrived at the department store with Zhang Qian, he found a dense crowd in front of the building. They were not all customers; there were also movers coming and going.
The goods he had brought in from Pengcheng were now all entering the department store, with considerable activity that attracted many onlookers.
Zhang Liunian observed the prosperous scene and entered the department store with Zhang Qian. Inside, it was also bustling, with people stocking shelves, selling goods, and cleaning.
In short, the department store had never been this lively before.
The bustling opening of the department store quickly attracted the attention of the entire province, and naturally, it also caught Zhu Laosan’s attention.
Initially, he didn't believe that the department store could open so quickly. After sending someone out to inquire, he indeed received news of the department store’s opening.
“Bang!”
“What is Feng Shouchai doing? Why was it unsealed after less than half a month of closure?” Zhu Laosan angrily slammed his small hammer on the table, directly creating a large hole in it.
The people below dared not make a sound upon seeing this and could only endure his venting of anger.
Zhu Laosan became even more enraged seeing their behavior. He swung the hammer over their heads, “Find out why it was unsealed!”
“They said it was an order from higher up, and that Zhang Liunian wasn't required to pay the ten million yuan. As for Feng Shouchai, I heard he was arrested, but the specific details are unclear,” the person below replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Laosan became even more furious. How could Zhang Liunian, having just returned to the provincial city, have resolved this matter?
It was even facilitated by someone from higher up, who not only waived the debt but also reopened the store. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
“You go find out who that person from higher up is and why they let him accomplish this. Get out.” Zhu Laosan finally shouted in a roar.
Those below dared not linger. With their heads bowed, they tremblingly retreated.
After they left, Zhu Laosan smashed several things with his hammer until he remembered something and had Wu Gudi summoned.
“I have something for you to do.” Zhu Laosan, upon seeing Wu Gudi arrive, got straight to the point.
When Wu Gudi encountered Zhu Laosan, it was like an old house catching fire; she instantly became love-struck. Upon hearing that he had something for her to do, she agreed without even asking what it was.
“No matter what you ask me to do, I will agree,” Wu Gudi said sweetly, hugging Zhu Laosan’s arm.
Her words did improve Zhu Laosan’s mood somewhat. He reached out with his greasy hand and groped Wu Gudi’s body, quickly pulling her onto the bed. However, just as Zhu Laosan was reaching a state of excitement, Wu Gudi suddenly cried out in pain, clutching her stomach.
Wu Gudi’s discomfort spoiled Zhu Laosan’s mood, and he got up to tell her to leave. Wu Gudi, feeling unwell, went to see a doctor, who informed her that she was pregnant.
Wu Gudi was overjoyed and returned home to share the good news with Zhu Laosan.
Zhu Laosan was stunned. Was he truly going to have a son?
Although he was old, because he preferred married women, there weren't many women who had given birth to children for him. He had three children, but all of them were daughters.
If Wu Gudi could give him a son, it would be his first son, making it of great significance.