With Yan Zhao handling the case, Chen Meilan didn't need to worry about it.
The day after the trade fair was actually her busiest day, as she had to arrange merchandise distribution, ship orders, and see off the distributors one by one.
Compared to securing deals, merchandise distribution was an even greater art. The distributors came from all corners of the country - some regions were cold, others warmed up quickly. Southerners preferred stylish and attractive clothing, while northerners prioritized durability and sturdiness.
Distribution had to be tailored to regional differences for good sales.
This task required Chen Meilan's personal supervision; no one else could handle it as precisely as she could.
While she was busy working with her team in the warehouse, Cui Min suddenly rushed in, exclaiming: "Meilan, come quickly! Great news - some high-ranking officials are here to see you!"
"Who is it?" Chen Meilan asked.
Cui Min was just a shareholder, not part of management, so she rarely came to the factory. Her excitement made Chen Meilan wonder who could have arrived.
After being pulled out of the warehouse to the office building, Chen Meilan saw three people: one wearing a police uniform and two elderly men in civilian clothes.
The one in police uniform appeared to be in his fifties, well-built, clearly with a military background. His face seemed somewhat familiar.
Of the two elderly men in civilian clothes, one was her father-in-law Yan Peiheng, and the other had graying hair and stood straight-backed - clearly a former military man.
While Yan Peiheng just smiled without speaking, the elderly military man approached and grasped Chen Meilan's hand: "What a remarkable woman! Comrade Chen Meilan, I hear you made sales of 700,000 yesterday - if this were a battle, it would be a great victory!"
Chen Meilan wondered if her eyes were deceiving her.
The man shaking her hand was a high-ranking Military Commission leader surnamed Chao - she had seen his photo in military newspapers.
He was Yan Peiheng's former superior, one of the top three leaders in the military.
From Chao Commander's words, someone must have reported yesterday's trade fair results to him.
Chao Commander continued: "I hear you're truly profitable, providing jobs and wages for 300 veterans. That makes me very happy. I was on a business trip and thought I'd stop by to see you!"
Though Factory 271 no longer had military connections, and Chen Meilan wasn't under this old leader's command, out of respect for him being Yan Peiheng's superior, she declared: "We will work hard and not disappoint the leaders' expectations."
Chao Commander released her hand and said: "We old folks don't understand business and can't offer much support or advice - we can only watch from afar. But remember this always: you must maintain the military's image and discipline. Never bring shame to the soldiers and military of Hua Country!"
"Understood," Chen Meilan replied.
She was about to ask if the leaders would like to have a simple meal at the factory when the man in the police uniform interjected with a smile: "Commander, Factory 271 seems to be on the right track, while Factory 291 is still undergoing restructuring. After looking around, I think Factory 271 is doing exceptionally well. Since it's already up and running, once Factory 291 is contracted out, why not transfer some management personnel from here to get 291 running properly?"
The two elderly men exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously: "That's not a bad idea."
From their perspective, both were military factories undergoing restructuring and employing veterans.
Since Factory 271 was running smoothly, deploying some personnel to Factory 291 seemed like a natural military-style reallocation.
But for Chen Meilan, this was unacceptable. The military assets had been restructured - she was the contractor, this was her territory.
She was responsible for paying workers' wages and bearing all the business risks, and they had only just started seeing success.
She thought they had come to offer encouragement, but instead they were here to steal her resources?
Were they bandits? Had they no shame?
The earlier sense of honor instantly vanished. Chen Meilan turned to Cui Min and whispered: "Who is this bastard?"
Cui Min whispered back: "Deputy Director Zheng from the Public Security Bureau. I heard he's about to be promoted to the provincial level. His suggestion isn't right - why should our people from 271 be sent to 291?"
State enterprises might talk about honor and selfless dedication, but private businesses were about competing for talent, money, and market share.
Factory 291 would become 271's biggest competitor - wouldn't it be foolish to send them their own people?
Cui Min continued whispering to Chen Meilan: "Deputy Director Zheng's father and Chao Commander are old war comrades - their families are very close. Also, he was your brother Yan Jun's former superior. His words carry a lot of weight."
Chen Meilan suddenly understood - so this was the famous Deputy Director Zheng from the municipal bureau.
At the municipal bureau, there were four bureau-level officials: Director Qin, Zhang Chao, Deputy Director Li, and this Deputy Director Zheng.
When Qi Songlu needed rehabilitation within five hours, fearing the Broadcasting Bureau wouldn't approve in time, Yan Zhao had given credit for the case to Deputy Director Zheng, who managed to clear all procedures and get Qi Songlu on television within those five hours.
With his high rank and considerable influence, Deputy Director Zheng was indeed masterful at managing relationships.
Looking at Deputy Director Zheng, Chen Meilan suddenly had a thought: he must be the one connected to Yu Xiaoqiao!
Though he wasn't in the military, his connections could influence who got the Factory 291 contract.
If it was really him, everything made sense - Yu Xiaoqiao wasn't just interested in Hu Xiaohua, but also in the already-trained veterans from Factory 271.
How clever - bringing in a high-ranking Military Commission leader, making Chen Meilan think they came to praise her, when actually they came to poach her people.
Cui Min knew how difficult the past year had been for Chen Meilan - training workers, renovating the factory, repairing machinery, hiring designers, competing with Gu Xiao. Business was like warfare, and Factory 271 had stood on the edge of collapse several times.
They had only just started seeing returns, couldn't they be left in peace for a while?
But rank trumps all, and scheming was the greatest asset in this era.
Deputy Director Zheng spoke righteously but clearly intended to simply appropriate Factory 271's achievements and the territory they had fought to establish.
Cui Min's hands were shaking with anger: "Meilan, what should we do? We must refuse."
But Chen Meilan ignored her and smiled, saying to Chao Commander: "That's fine, we're willing to support Factory 291 unconditionally..."
Cui Min pinched Chen Meilan, thinking she must be crazy to agree so readily when others were trying to steal their accomplishments.
Not only did Chen Meilan offer unconditional support, but she added with a smile: "Sending personnel isn't much - management must also be properly handled. I have our 'Group Company Management System,' 'Group Company Performance Assessment System,' and 'Salary Position System' - all proper group management regulations. While 291's shareholders can be others, let 271 handle unified management, with me as general manager. Do the leaders have any objections?"
Yan Peiheng, who once had strong prejudices against his daughter-in-law, doubting her ability to run the enterprise, now had unprecedented confidence in her and immediately nodded thoughtfully.
After considering for a moment, Chao Commander actually said: "That works - you've certainly proven yourself as a capable general manager!"
Deputy Director Zheng felt something was amiss: "If you're the general manager, wouldn't the factory essentially become yours?"
"The shareholders can be anyone - I'll serve as general manager for just 500 yuan a month," Chen Meilan said frankly.
Being a leader in a large factory for just 500 yuan monthly salary - but Chen Meilan's effectiveness would far exceed that amount.
Even Deputy Director Zheng gave a thumbs up: "Uncle Chao, Uncle Yan, I think Chen Meilan's idea is excellent and worth trying."
Chao Commander then said to Yan Peiheng: "Talent should be recognized regardless of family ties, Old Yan. Don't worry about overworking your daughter-in-law. For the sake of the veterans, let's have Chen Meilan serve as Factory 291's general manager."
"I'll think about it," Yan Peiheng said.
Then the two elderly leaders, accompanied by Deputy Director Zheng, took their leave.
After the leaders left, Cui Min finally spoke after a long pause: "Meilan, are you crazy? I heard the person contracting Factory 291 is connected to Deputy Director Zheng. If you take our people there to serve as general manager, aren't you just training our own enemy?"
Chen Meilan still had to finish arranging the goods, so she didn't have time to explain much. She just shouted from a distance, "Let's make a bet. 291 will eventually be ours, no one can take it away. Don't believe me? Just wait and see!"
Cui Min watched as Chen Meilan dashed off in her high heels, thinking to herself, "Is she crazy? Is she daydreaming?"
291 was almost contracted out, what did it have to do with them?
However, the moment Chen Meilan saw Deputy Director Zheng, she guessed that the person helping Yu Xiaoqiao was indeed Deputy Director Zheng.
He had connections with the military leadership and was also the elder brother of the Yan family, Yan Jun's superior.
It was clear that not only was Commander Chao very appreciative of him, but Yan Peiheng also respected him quite a bit.
If Deputy Director Zheng wanted to help Yu Xiaoqiao secure 291, he would have to first deal with other competitors, leaving only Yu Xiaoqiao in the end.
But Yu Xiaoqiao had a criminal record, which would eventually be exposed, and then she would lose her qualification to contract.
By then, Chen Meilan had a sales management and performance salary evaluation system for the group company. The leaders would naturally consider merging 291 into 271.
So today, Deputy Director Zheng came to ask for people from 271, but Chen Meilan wanted the entire 291 factory.
It was like playing high-stakes poker.
You want my interest, I want your principal. Who's afraid of whom?
After arranging the goods and sending off the distributors, the busiest period of this quarter for Chen Meilan was over.
As the general manager, she didn't need to work regular hours, could come and go as she pleased, and could take a break whenever she was free.
Chen Meilan recently planned to take a vacation and rest for a few days.
She should also spend some quality time at home with her children and husband.
Just like boiling a frog slowly, the longer a couple stays together, the more their feelings will gradually fade.
After a while, it turns into a kind of kinship.
If it weren't for Yu Xiaoqiao's appearance, Chen Meilan would never have thought that Yan Zhao would also have troubles.
Troubles about his hands.
Thinking about how he almost always used cold water all year round, how painful would his hands be during rainy weather?
Fortunately, she had a few days off. Instead of going to see Yu Xiaoqiao, she went to visit an old Chinese medicine doctor she once knew. She carefully explained Yan Zhao's hand problems to see if there was a solution.
The old doctor prescribed a formula, but it wasn't a topical ointment. It was herbal medicine, and the method was quite troublesome. First, the herbs had to be boiled, then the broth discarded. The herbs were then placed in a cloth bag and applied to the hands while still hot. This treatment had to be done for a full two weeks to dispel the rheumatism.
It was Saturday, and everyone only worked half a day. Normally, Yan Zhao and the children should be home by noon.
Carrying the herbs home, Chen Meilan started boiling them in a pot.
She deliberately called Yan Zhao first to ask if he would be home for lunch and then mentioned that she had gotten him some medicine.
"Did you get the medicine from Yu Xiaoqiao?" Yan Zhao asked first.
Chen Meilan hesitated for a moment and asked back, "Yan Zhao, do you think no one but Yu Xiaoqiao can cure your hands?"
"Only she knows there's a problem with my hands and mentioned the medicine to me," Yan Zhao said seriously and solemnly.
This was why Yu Xiaoqiao, despite her few words, could always subtly handle men.
Yan Zhao, a straight-laced man, especially disliked going to the hospital when he was sick and preferred to trust folk remedies.
"Let's talk at home," she said.
This time, she had to cure Yan Zhao of his gullibility towards women.
After hanging up, she started preparing lunch. First, she cut some streaky pork and sautéed it with bean paste to extract the oil. Then she fried some diced chicken until dry, covered it with a bowl, and sliced some cabbage thinly for later use in a vinegar dish.
The rice she had just cooked was now done. She fluffed it up and covered the pot to let it steam, then took the opportunity to cut some winter melon, wash some dried shrimp, and beat some eggs to make a dried shrimp and winter melon soup.
At noon in May, three dishes, one soup, and a pot of rice were enough for the whole family.
As the soup pot started boiling, Chen Meilan checked the time and figured the kids should be home soon. She started preparing the dishes when suddenly she heard the children's voices singing outside: "Clouds are bright, I let my love fly freely, I'm not afraid of the sky falling..."
It was this year's most popular song, "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," which was being sung by children all over the streets and alleys.
Chen Meilan was just about to light the gas stove when she heard Yuanyuan shout, "Mom, we have a guest!"
She turned off the stove and walked out of the kitchen. There in the courtyard stood a man, coincidentally, it was Deputy Director Zheng, whom she had seen at the factory a few days ago.
His full name was Zheng Yong, around fifty years old, had a good relationship with the Chao family, and was also the elder brother of the Yan family, Yan Jun's superior.
However, Chen Meilan didn't know about this relationship before.
People in the public security and justice system usually restrained their children from revealing their elders' work to outsiders.
Just like how Yuanyuan and Little Wang had been in school for years, but Yan Zhao had always instructed them not to tell their classmates what he did for a living. Chen Meilan had vaguely heard that Zheng Beibei's grandfather was a leader, but she had never guessed until Deputy Director Zheng came to her house today.
It turned out that Deputy Director Zheng's granddaughter was in the same class as Yuanyuan.
Deputy Director Zheng smiled warmly and shook hands, "Hello, Chen Meilan, we meet again."
Chen Meilan also shook hands, "Deputy Director Zheng, what a rare guest. Please, come inside."
Deputy Director Zheng saw the table set up in the courtyard and sat down directly. He also brought two bottles of Wuliangye liquor and two packs of cigarettes, placing them on the table. He signaled Zheng Beibei and Yuanyuan to go out and play, then gestured for Chen Meilan to sit down as well. "I see you're running the factory quite well. Haven't you heard the leaders in the army praising you?"
"It's okay, not too bad," Chen Meilan had to be modest.
Deputy Director Zheng was not yet sixty, well-maintained, with few wrinkles, and his back was straight.
People of their generation married early, and Zheng Beibei was his only granddaughter. Judging from the surface, he seemed like a very kind grandfather.
Suddenly visiting, Chen Meilan guessed he was still here to talk about 291.
After all, a few days ago, he had followed the two old leaders to 271 factory specifically for 291, to run errands for Yu Xiaoqiao.
However, Deputy Director Zheng smiled and said, "You should know, I'm Yan Zhao's older brother, Yan Jun's superior. During the Cultural Revolution, we went to Qinghai together." He patted his thigh and continued, "We both have very serious rheumatism, a legacy from our time in Qinghai."
Chen Meilan didn't know much about Yan Jun.
She only knew he had once been a soldier and later went abroad on a public assignment, staying in the United States.
Since Gu Xiao came last year, due to the land certificate issue, Yan Wei and Yan Zhao had been trying to contact Yan Jun, but the phone number was always empty, and the letters sent to the address were never replied to.
Could it be that Yan Jun, who didn't even contact his father and brothers, had been in frequent contact with Deputy Director Zheng?
Following the conversation, Chen Meilan asked, "My older brother's family is currently in the United States. How are they doing?"
Deputy Director Zheng clearly knew the situation and sighed deeply, "They're doing very well. Yan Jun is doing great, and your sister-in-law, Liu Xiuying, was already a heroine among the educated youth during the Cultural Revolution. Now she's doing even better in the United States. It's said that their youngest son speaks English more fluently than Chinese, completely Americanized, truly enviable."
Chen Meilan just smiled.
Having given away his mother's property to a rival for a chance to go abroad, Yan Jun and his wife living well wasn't surprising.
If they weren't doing well, it would be too unfair to Su Wen.
And being so closely connected with Deputy Director Zheng, an outsider, while not even calling Yan Zhao and his brothers, even if they became Americans, Chen Meilan's family had nothing to envy. After all, rich relatives who can't be relied on are better off not having.
Deputy Director Zheng then said with a smile, "Your sister-in-law is planning to come back to the country recently, to our Xiping City. She'll probably visit your house. She asked me to come and get your phone number, saying she wants to talk to you about something. I'm here to get your phone number today."
Getting a phone number didn't require bringing two bottles of Wuliangye and two packs of cigarettes.
Chen Meilan felt that Deputy Director Zheng should have other matters to discuss. Sure enough, he continued, "Speaking of your three brothers, your father-in-law most wronged Yan Jun and his wife, especially your sister-in-law. When they got married, they immediately went to Qinghai, living in adobe houses, eating mixed flour buns, and barely getting enough for three meals a day. Like me, your sister-in-law developed severe health issues, chronic rheumatism and cold legs."
He then added, "You are both daughters-in-law of the Yan family. Your sister-in-law wants to have a private chat with you, but she doesn't want Yan Zhao and his father to know about it. You should understand, right? You must not tell Yan Zhao about your sister-in-law wanting your phone number, okay?"
The reason Deputy Director Zheng brought gifts when visiting was to ensure that Chen Meilan wouldn't inform Yan Zhao about Sister-in-law Liu Xiuying wanting her phone number.
On the surface, she had to agree, so Chen Meilan said, "Sure." Then she asked, "You seem to have a good relationship with my sister-in-law."
"She promised to help my son's family emigrate when they return from abroad," Deputy Director Zheng said with a smile.
No gain without effort; it turned out that Liu Xiuying had promised to help Deputy Director Zheng's son emigrate, which was why he was running errands to deliver the message.
With the matter settled, Chen Meilan stood up and said, "Yan Zhao will be back soon. Please stay a while longer; I'll go prepare dinner for us."
Saying this, she headed to the kitchen.
Yuanyuan and Zheng Beibei's relationship wasn't particularly good initially. When 'Return to the City' first came out, Zheng Beibei often said that Yuanyuan's performance wasn't as good as Ningning's, which naturally upset Yuanyuan and made her distance herself further.
However, since Zheng Beibei was a guest at their home, Yuanyuan was still very welcoming.
She had kept many photos and postcards from filming 'Return to the City.'
Yan Zhao had bought an album to keep them in.
Now, the two little girls sat under the eaves, heads together, looking at the album.
Girls, after all, would soon find common ground and chat happily, whispering to each other.
With Chen Meilan in the kitchen, Deputy Director Zheng sat in the courtyard, feeling bored. Seeing the two girls chatting happily, he walked over, gently stroked Zheng Beibei's head, and asked with a smile, "Is it interesting?"
"Yes," Zheng Beibei replied and then told Deputy Director Zheng, "But Grandpa, I don't want to go abroad. I still want to study and go to school with Yan Shengnan, can I?"
The little girl knew her grandfather was arranging for her to go abroad, but she was too young to want to leave, so she said this.
Yuanyuan was hearing for the first time that Zheng Beibei was going abroad. She closed the album and curiously looked at Deputy Director Zheng.
Little Wang, who had been at home, had been sorting out their dirty clothes to wash. Now, he also came over.
The children had only heard of adults going abroad, never children, so they found it particularly novel.
Little Lang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Grandpa, why does Beibei want to go abroad?"
"Our domestic education isn't good enough. Beibei is going abroad for better education," Deputy Director Zheng said.
"But our teacher teaches pretty well," Little Wang interjected.
Deputy Director Zheng found the child laughable, his eyes showing disdain, and said, "Do you know what your eldest cousin's youngest son is called? He's called Jimu. At nine, he speaks fluent English. Can you?"
Little Wang said, "But Jimu was born in the U.S. and has been learning English since childhood, so of course, he's better than me. But if we compare Chinese, he definitely can't beat me."
This remark stumped Deputy Director Zheng.
And he became angry: "A summer insect cannot discourse on ice!"
Little Wang was in the fifth grade and could understand the meaning of "a summer insect cannot discourse on ice."
The child immediately felt a bit angry and stubbornly said, "Grandpa, I don't accept that. Let Jimu come and compete with me in Chinese, see who's better."
Deputy Director Zheng was inexplicably angered by the child and said angrily, "Yan Jun is my old subordinate. He has three sons, all your cousins, and they are all top students."
"I don't know them, so how could I know?" Little Wang said sincerely.
Little Wang genuinely didn't know his cousins, only knowing that the eldest seemed to be called Mike, the second John, and the third Jimu or Jim, but he had never met them, so how could he know?
But Deputy Director Zheng felt this child was challenging him.
Pointing at Little Wang, he said, "Your temper is exactly like your father's, stubborn and obstinate!"
Although he was Yan Zhao's superior, Chen Meilan couldn't help but step in, but just then, Yan Zhao returned, calling out, "Deputy Director Zheng, what a rare guest, how come you're here?"
Deputy Director Zheng, still angry from being contradicted by Little Wang, said, "I came to discuss something with your wife; it's done, so I'll take my leave."
Yan Zhao hadn't heard the earlier argument between Deputy Director Zheng and Little Wang and was still calm, saying, "You called the other day asking for Hu Xiaohua's file and case documents. I've prepared them for you. Let's have dinner before you go."
Chen Meilan immediately looked at Yan Zhao, who was also looking at her.
Strangely, he even winked at her.
Indeed, it was Deputy Director Zheng who wanted Hu Xiaohua's case documents.
So, it was Deputy Director Zheng who was preparing to frame Hu Xiaohua and send him to prison.
As a leader, it was too easy for him to manipulate things and target Hu Xiaohua.
Deputy Director Zheng hesitated when he wanted the case documents, and Zheng Beibei kept pleading, "Grandpa, stay for dinner, I still want to play with Yuanyuan a bit longer."
Yuanyuan also politely said, "Grandpa, have dinner at our house."
Only Little Wang, having been scolded by Deputy Director Zheng for no reason, pouted his mouth and kept rolling his eyes.
Unable to refuse the hospitality, Deputy Director Zheng sat down. It was hot, so Yan Zhao took off his clothes and signaled Deputy Director Zheng to do the same. He opened a bottle of wine, saying he wanted to have a few drinks with Deputy Director Zheng.
However, perhaps it was the first time the leader was a guest, his hands trembled, and he accidentally dropped the wine bottle, which almost shattered. Deputy Director Zheng instinctively reached out to catch it, but Yan Zhao, while he was bending down, suddenly pressed the pager on Deputy Director Zheng's waist, quickly glanced at it, and then went to the kitchen to bring out the dishes.
He swept a handful of flour on the kitchen counter, wrote down a series of numbers, and then said, "Write it down."
Seeing Chen Meilan still in a daze, Yan Zhao whispered, "This is the pager number Deputy Director Zheng uses to contact Yu Xiaoqiao."
Chen Meilan then noticed that there was a pager on the table, but Deputy Director Zheng also had one on his waist.
Two pagers, one public, so it was placed on the table, the other hidden on his waist.
Deputy Director Zheng indeed played high-level games; at home, he was a kind grandfather, in front of leaders, a capable subordinate, but he had a pager specifically for contacting his mistress.
The pager on his waist was for single-line contact with Yu Xiaoqiao, with only one number recorded.
They usually wouldn't call but would leave messages at the pager station. Following this number, Yan Zhao could check the pager station's records to find out where they met and where they stayed.
To make it more exciting, just with this pager number, Yan Zhao could even knock on the hotel room door and catch Deputy Director Zheng and Yu Xiaoqiao.
