Chapter 104: Sunset Farewells

The setting sun painted the distant horizon red.

Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang, the two teachers, were already waiting in the car.

A group of brothers gathered around Bing Ge and Xu Chen as they walked toward the village entrance.

Li Rui walked along, tearing open two packs of cigarettes and handing one to each of them.

The brothers couldn’t help but envy Rui Ge’s current “job.”

Back when Li Rui was expelled from school, he’d planned to drive a taxi.

Now, following Mr. Xu, everything had clearly improved.

Besides, Xu Zhiquan had arranged it all today—generous and carefree, he chatted and laughed with several high-ranking officials…

In front of these younger men, he fully displayed the charm of a mature elder and successful figure, earning their admiration.

Li Rui, cigarette dangling from his lips, felt a bit bashful before Xu Chen and cleared his throat:

“Mainly, I want to thank you, Chen Ge and Mr. Xu, for giving me this opportunity…”

…

With the funeral arrangements settled, Xie Bingran would return to the provincial capital tonight with the two coaches.

Town Chief Feng and the Village Chief “discussed” matters at length, and the Village Committee officially took on the task of thoroughly renovating the Old Xie Family Residence.

Of course, over the years that followed, the girl who’d once faced so much cold indifference rarely returned to live there…

Xu Chen walked beside Xie Bingran until he saw her to the car door.

She paused at the vehicle, then glanced back at her group of brothers.

She seemed on the verge of saying something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Her icy, gloomy “Bing Ge” persona had returned.

Then she raised her arm and gave the brothers a casual wave.

Just like so many times before…

They draped arms around each other’s shoulders, cigarettes in their mouths, smiling up at their Bing Ge—just as always.

Bing Ge opened the rear door herself and bent down to slip inside.

The tinted privacy film on the window hid her figure once the door closed.

Xu Chen smiled and raised his hand in farewell.

He knew Xie Bingran was sitting inside, turning her head to watch him.

…

At the alley’s mouth, Xu Zhiquan and Feng Wenjiang sat on a long bench, smoking.

Feng Wenjiang suddenly realized something and said,

“My daughter Qingqing says Xu Chen’s girlfriend is about 1.74 meters tall. Could it be Xie Bingran?”

Xu Zhiquan froze for a moment, then laughed heartily:

“Don’t ask me—I really have no idea about that.”

…

After seeing off Bing Ge, Zhao Feng and the brothers said their goodbyes to Chen Ge and Rui Ge before walking off.

Some headed to the nearby bus stop to catch the coach, while others went straight back to their homes in the neighboring village.

…

Xu Zhiquan stood and shook hands seriously with Feng Wenjiang.

Town Chief Feng laughed: “You owe me another drink.”

Xu Zhiquan grinned: “I’ve been saving up, but you’re so busy I can never nail down a time.”

With Vice Mayor Wu present today, Feng Wenjiang helped Xu Zhiquan shine in front of him—that was truly a big favor.

Feng Wenjiang sighed:

“I thought we might become in-laws, but now that hope seems slim.”

Xu Zhiquan said nothing and offered him a cigarette.

He pulled out his lighter, shielded it with his broad palm against the wind, and politely lit Town Chief Feng’s cigarette.

…

Once Town Chief Feng had departed, Xu Zhiquan, Xu Chen, and Li Rui finally drove off.

With the window down, the evening breeze from the countryside drifted in, pleasant and freeing.

Listening to the wind’s whoosh, Xu Zhiquan fell silent.

Attending a funeral today had reminded him of his late wife.

When he sent her off, it had been that same fresh, warm breeze…

At one moment, Xu Zhiquan shook off his thoughts and spoke:

“Meeting Vice Mayor Wu today was a major breakthrough for our plans!”

He paused, then added with a smile:

“Actually, there’s another development that could be a key boost if it works out.”

Xu Chen turned to him: “What is it?”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled: “I’ll tell you at home—we still need to discuss it.”

Xu Chen asked: “So mysterious?”

Xu Zhiquan suddenly recalled something and half-joked:

“Xie Bingran will compete in Shanghai during the May Day holiday. Son, want to go watch? Could be a nice break before your college entrance exams…”

…

…

Night had fully fallen when the Accord rolled up to the small two-story building at the Xu residence.

Father and son got out, and Li Rui poked his head through the window:

“Chen Ge, want me to drive you to school early tomorrow?”

“Yeah—6:30 a.m. tomorrow.”

“Got it!”

…

Back inside, father and son each retreated to their rooms to freshen up.

Xu Chen took a quick shower, changed into clean clothes, then headed to his father’s study.

Xu Zhiquan sat in his “boss chair,” holding a cup of tea as he handed over several sheets of paper.

“Like I mentioned, our company needs to hire a new financial accountant.

I asked some friends to recommend candidates. Take a look.”

Xu Chen took the papers—resumes.

He skimmed through them but paused on one, reading it twice from top to bottom.

“Dad, this Fang Jun…”

Xu Zhiquan, cigarette in hand, laughed heartily twice:

“We agree—Fang Jun’s perfect for the role.”

Recalling his father’s words in the car, Xu Chen smiled:

“If we bring him on board, acquiring the Mechanical Factory gains another crucial edge.”

He glanced down at the resume again.

This 25-year-old graduated from the Provincial Capital University of Finance and Economics with a major in accounting.

More importantly, his last two years were spent in financial roles at the State-run Bright Machinery Factory.

That meant he knew the factory’s internal finances and even some core operations inside out.

With plans to take over the Mechanical Factory, landing Fang Jun would give us vital insider information.

Xu Chen flipped through the resume, thinking:

“He only left last month…Dad, how did you find him? Have you met him—is he reliable in person?”

Xu Zhiquan replied:

“I treated Huang Furen to dinner a few times, and he introduced me to two or three factory insiders.

One of them—a ‘reformist’ middle manager—gave me Fang Jun’s resume.”

Xu Chen said: “Dad, you’re impressive—you’ve already penetrated the factory’s ranks and figured out their internal factions!”

Xu Zhiquan said: “Know thy enemy! You set the grand strategy, and I’ll execute it.

The more I study the factory, the more promising it looks—so I’ve put in a lot of effort behind the scenes!”

Xu Chen couldn’t help raising his hand to give his dad a thumbs-up.

Xu Zhiquan took a sip of tea and continued:

“There’s another surprise hidden in Fang Jun—his name suits him; he’s a powerhouse…

The factory’s rapid drift toward bankruptcy over the past month or two is directly connected to him.”

Xu Chen: “What?!”