Hu Mancang said with a headache, “But Lu Changfeng is an employee of the Research Institute. Why would he be willing to help your Red Star Factory?”
Wang Dafu pointed at Su Wanqing and said, “This is Lu Changfeng’s wife. She just called and confirmed. Lu Changfeng said he’s willing as long as his leader agrees.”
Hu Mancang looked at Su Wanqing with suspicion. Lu Changfeng was tall and handsome, standing out wherever he went, while Su Wanqing’s appearance was… well, hard to describe. Were they really a couple?
Su Wanqing nodded, “Yes, my husband Lu Changfeng has agreed.” This was the first time Su Wanqing had referred to Lu Changfeng as her husband, and she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
Hu Mancang was still troubled, “But their Research Institute isn’t under my jurisdiction. They report directly to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. My words might not carry much weight.”
Wang Dafu said, “Even though they aren’t under your direct management, they should still consider your position. If you make a call, their leader won’t easily dismiss your request. Smith insists on having Lu Changfeng. I really have no other choice. If the cooperation is canceled, then…”
Wang Dafu deliberately trailed off, shifting the pressure onto Hu Mancang, knowing full well that he cared more about this cooperation than he did.
Helpless, Hu Mancang dialed Du Yushan’s number. “Director Du, we’d like to borrow Comrade Lu Changfeng for three months to work at the Rockefeller Company. Could you please accommodate this?”
Lu Changfeng was the Research Institute’s most outstanding engineer, and Du Yushan was naturally reluctant. “What will we do if he leaves? The project he’s working on hasn’t been completed yet.”
Hu Mancang said, “There’s no other way. We’ve finally reached a cooperation agreement with the Rockefeller Company, and they specifically requested Comrade Lu Changfeng. If he doesn’t go, the cooperation will be canceled. Please help us out. I’ll remember this favor.”
But Du Yushan remained unmoved. “No, Lu Changfeng must complete his current project first.”
Hu Mancang said, “It’s not right now; it’s by the end of the year. Director Du, please help us out!”
Du Yushan replied, “Lu Changfeng’s project will take at least three more months. He definitely won’t be available by the end of the year. Sorry, but I can’t help.”
With that, Du Yushan hung up the phone.
Hu Mancang was both angry and helpless. This Du Yushan was really stubborn.
Hu Mancang said to Wang Dafu, “Du Yushan refuses to release him. He says Lu Changfeng must finish his current project first, which will take over three months.”
Wang Dafu thought for a moment and said, “Then I’ll discuss it with the Rockefeller Company again tomorrow. It’s getting late, so I won’t keep Director Hu from leaving work.”
Hu Mancang said, “Communicate well. We absolutely cannot let this cooperation fall through.”
He glanced at Su Wanqing. “Is this the secretary of yours who speaks excellent English?”
Wang Dafu said proudly, “Yes, even Smith praised her.”
Hu Mancang was pleased. “I have a foreign delegation to host next month. How about lending this comrade to me for a day?”
“Of course, Director Hu. You can borrow her for as many days as you need.”
Su Wanqing thought to herself, “Don’t they need to discuss this with me?”
Wang Dafu took Su Wanqing back to the Red Star Factory. On the way, he said, “Why don’t you call your husband tomorrow at work and ask about the specifics of his project?”
Su Wanqing said, “Okay!”
When they arrived at the factory, everyone was starting to leave work. Wang Dafu and Su Wanqing had just entered the office.
Secretary Tang hurried over anxiously and said, “Director, you’re finally back. I heard that this afternoon, Deputy Factory Director Gao took Comrade Liu and Secretary Sun to a meeting at Filiya Company. When they left, all three looked worried, but when they returned, each of them was beaming with joy.”
Su Wanqing sighed inwardly; office politics these days were quite intense. This Secretary Tang couldn’t be underestimated—he was even doing undercover work.
She hadn’t noticed this herself.
Wang Dafu, however, remained calm and steady. “Not necessarily,” he said. “They might just be putting on a show for us. Comrade Su, over the next few days at work, help me find out about Comrade Liu’s English proficiency. I’ll think it over some more.”
“Alright!”
Su Wanqing packed up her things and got off work. She and Xia Yue lived in the same direction, and since Xia Yue didn’t have a bicycle, Su Wanqing gave her a ride.
Su Wanqing said, “From now on, I’ll take you to and from work.”
Xia Yue replied sheepishly, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”
“It’s fine. You’re so thin—I can manage.”
Su Wanqing thought this weighted cardio was pretty good—not only would it burn fat, but it would also build muscle. If she could regain her lean, toned figure, she’d be over the moon.
Just ten minutes after they started riding, they were stopped by Su Daqiang and Su Jianjun.
Su Daqiang scowled darkly and said, “You wretched girl, give me back that three thousand yuan. If you don’t return it today, I’ll beat you to death.”
Su Jianjun chimed in from the side, “Exactly! I’m about to get married, and you’re taking the money away. Are you trying to ruin this family?”
Su Wanqing replied coldly, “What’s wrong with me taking back my own money?”
Su Daqiang didn’t waste any more words on her. With a heavy, thick fist, he swung at her, and Su Wanqing took a solid punch to the face.
Su Wanqing wasn’t like the original owner, who would have just taken it. Without a word, she threw down her bicycle and fought back against Su Daqiang.
But the difference in strength between men and women was too great, and with Su Jianjun helping, Su Wanqing was no match for them.
She took several hard hits, her face bruised and swollen all over. Still, Su Wanqing managed to land a few fierce kicks on both Su Daqiang and Su Jianjun, leaving them with injuries as well.
Xia Yue had also disappeared without a trace.
Su Daqiang sneered, “What’s the use of being nice to others? When trouble comes, they run away first.”
No sooner had Su Daqiang finished speaking than several people rushed out from the alley, armed with kitchen knives, brooms, shovels, and spatulas—seven or eight people in total.
It turned out this area was near Xia Yue’s home. She had taken advantage of the chaos to go back and call for help.
Led by Xia Yue’s younger brother, Xia Tian, they gave Su Daqiang and his son a thorough beating.
Only when the father and son knelt and begged for mercy did they stop. Su Wanqing said triumphantly, “Is the friend I made useful or not?”
Su Daqiang and his son looked ashen-faced.
Su Wanqing added, “If either of you dares to trouble me again, I’ll go straight to the factory secretary tomorrow.”
Xia Tian roared, “Get lost, now!”
The father and son scrambled onto their bicycles and fled in a panic.
Xia Yue, her heart aching, pulled Su Wanqing aside and asked, “Are you alright?”
Fortunately, Su Wanqing’s extra weight had cushioned the blows, so her injuries weren’t too severe.
“I’m fine. Thank you for today,” she said. She had thought Xia Yue had run off in fear, but instead, she had gone home to call for help. She really hadn’t made the wrong friend.
If it weren’t for Xia Yue, she didn’t know how badly Su Daqiang and his son would have beaten her.
No wonder the original owner had been so weak and easy to bully—these two really went all out.
But Su Wanqing wasn’t going to let this slide. She planned to settle both old and new scores tomorrow.
Xia Yue said, “You should head home early; you still have three children waiting for you.”
Su Wanqing nodded, “Mm, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning and treat you to lunch.”
Xia Yue shook her head, “No need for lunch; you have it tough enough as it is.”
Su Wanqing smiled, mounted her bike, and rode home.
Lu An’an was exceptionally self-reliant, picking up his younger siblings after school and bringing them home.
By the time Su Wanqing finished grocery shopping and arrived home, they were already there, with Lu An’an preparing to make Malted Milk Powder for his brother and sister.
Seeing Su Wanqing bruised and swollen, Lu An’an clenched his small fists, his face flushing red with anger.