Chapter 43: It Turns Out We Knew Each Other

  "Uncle, the second thing is like this. This is my sister, surname Xiao, who opened a song and dance hall in the city. But because of the police crackdown this time, her song and dance hall didn't have any shady dealings, but some of her competitors couldn't bear to look at it, so they framed her. Now the police found those planted things in Xiao's song and dance hall, and her place might also face closure for rectification. I want you, uncle, to give Xiao a fair deal back. The name of the song and dance hall is 'Golden Splendor'.

  Chen Gong was speaking lies without blushing for the sake of Xiao Xingya, which wasn't his original character. Chen Gong used to be straightforward and clear about right and wrong, but over the years in this place, he slowly changed, now seeming righteous on the surface but with some evil shadows lurking behind."

  Xiao Xingya smiled secretly, Chen Gong had indeed become much smarter over the past three years. Those who didn't understand human relationships and flexibility would not go far in officialdom.

  Hao is a straightforward person, and his appointment as the Public Security Bureau chief in this important city of Beijing has much to do with his character, apart from his ability.

  Director Hao naturally didn't believe what Chen Gong said. This time, the places that were raided were all large venues. How could ordinary people possibly have nothing better to do than go to those places and cause trouble? The number and quality of security personnel in these venues are generally relatively high.

  Director Hao has already figured out that Chen Gong is making excuses for the beautiful woman, which is a big deal in Captain Wu's eyes, but it's not a big deal in Director Hao's eyes. He doesn't need to find anyone, just one phone call from him can make "Jin Bi Hui Huang" come back to life.

  Director Hao spoke bluntly to Chen Gong, but also had to continue pretending. "Little Chen, your relationship with my son is not ordinary, this matter is not a problem for me, let me put it this way, I can allow Xiaozong's Song City to continue operating next week, but the matter is not over yet, the list after this inspection has already been filed with the Public Security Department of Huaxia State, wanting to remove Xiaozong's Song City from the list, I don't have that ability, at most I can ask if it can be done, I dare not guarantee."

  Director Hao was actually hinting at Chen Gong. I can only report your identity to the top, but whether they recognize it or not is hard to say.

  Chen Gong understood Director Hao's meaning, "Then trouble Uncle, do your best to help. My sister Xiao is indeed not familiar with anyone in the capital. Oh, Uncle, what was the first thing I just said? Don't know?"

  Director Hao smiled and pointed at Chen Gong, "Young people, just remember this grudge. I guarantee you that if Captain Wu has done anything illegal or disciplinary, I will not tolerate it!"

  Chen Gong and Director Hao agreed to wait for a reply two days later, and Xiao Xingya also thanked them very much. Due to time constraints, Director Hao also had urgent matters to attend to, so the two of them left the Public Security Bureau in high spirits.

  Through Xiao Xingya's observation, Chen Gong and Hao Director are not in a son-classmate relationship at all. From their expressions, it can be seen that the two have known each other for a long time, and Director Hao attaches great importance to what Chen Gong says. It seems that Chen Gong has connections in Beijing and holds a relatively high political position.

  The next day, Chen Gong, as the host, took Xiao Xingya to Tiananmen Square in Huaxia National Capital City early in the morning. They listened to the solemn national anthem and watched the bright national flag rise in the wind. The two of them shouted "Long live our motherland!" at the top of their lungs, making passersby think they were crazy. In fact, this was just a way for them to relax. Xiao Xingya had been to Beijing many times before, each time alone to watch the flag-raising ceremony. This time she came with a male friend and had just solved a big problem, so she was very happy.

  "Sister Xiao, today I'll be your tour guide and take you on a special day out, guaranteeing you an extraordinary experience."

  Strolling through Lotus Flower Market, Nanluoguxiang and Yandai Xiejie, visiting the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, playing in Hutongs, eating at Nine Gates, having Beijing snacks...

  At night, Chen Gong sent Xiao Xingya to the hotel. "Alright, Sister Xiao, you should get some rest early today. Tomorrow, Director Hao will give us a reply, and once it's settled, we'll fly back to Fuhai together. Sister Xiao, you're in charge of the tickets." Chen Gong still couldn't resist teasing Xiao Xingya, and joking with the beautiful woman gave him a deep sense of happiness from within. Moreover, Xiao Xingya was not only a beauty but also a boss, which added to the flavor.

  Xiao Xingya had a crazy day of play, feeling very tired and happy, still thinking about the jokes Chen Gong said in the car, she burst out laughing again. "Hey, Chen Gong, the places you took me to today are indeed what you call 'unique', yeah, they're not bad at all! I'm really happy today, thanks a lot! And by the way, I've got the plane ticket covered, don't try to grab it from me. From now on, I'm officially your Xiao Jie (older sister), little brother."

  Like Xiao Xingya, a seasoned businesswoman with many siblings, the words she just spoke to Chen Gong indicate that she has formally accepted Chen Gong as her "brother", sharing both good fortune and hardships together.

  "Alright, alright, I'm not that young anymore, Xiaojie. Just call me Chen Gong, no need for the 'little brother' stuff. I'm off, you get some rest, don't stay up too late or it won't be pretty tomorrow."

  When Chen Gong said the three words "little brother", Xiao Xingya felt a strange warmth emanating from within, "Goodnight, Chen Gong, I'm going up now. You come over early tomorrow to wait for me." After finishing speaking, Xiao Xingya had already turned around and ran upstairs.

  Chen Gongmou escorted Xiang Xingya upstairs. Perhaps it was because Xiang Xingya's handbag wasn't fully closed, something mysteriously flew out of the bag and fell at the entrance of the corridor. Chen Gong walked over to pick it up and took a look - it was a photo. On the right was Xiang Xingya, and on the left was an older man who looked very close to her. Although Chen Gong couldn't say he liked Xiang Xingya at this point, men all have a little jealousy in them. Chen Gong felt uncomfortable in his heart, subconsciously thinking why it wasn't him being so intimate with Xiang Xingya. He put the photo away and left.

  The next day, Chen Gong arrived at the hotel lobby on time as agreed.

  Xiao Xingya hurried over, Chen Gong took a look and saw that Xiao Xingya wasn't wearing makeup today, and her hair seemed like it hadn't been styled. Although she still looked beautiful, it was quite different from when she had makeup on.

  Ever since Chen Gong saw that photo, his good impression of Xiao Xingya has been slowly fading away.

  Xiao Xingya's face didn't look good either, and she was very cold. "Let's go." She even forgot about the breakfast they had agreed on for this morning yesterday.

  It was still Chen Gong who couldn't help but ask first, "What's wrong, Xiao Jie? Is something going on in the company again? You look terrible."

  Chen Gong saw Xiao Xingya's eyes getting more and more moist, as if tears were about to burst out at any moment. "Xiao Jie, are you okay? Who bullied you, I'll help you take revenge."

  Xiao Xingya finally came back to her senses and replied to Chen Gong, it turned out that she had lost something very precious while playing yesterday.

  Chen Gongmeng suddenly thought of that photo, could the old man in the photo be Xiao Xingya's father? Hmm, it was very possible. Chen Gong immediately took out the photo, he had long been prepared to return it to Xiao Xingya today.

  Xiao Xingya slammed on the brakes, holding the photos to her chest with both hands, and tears still flowed out uncontrollably. "Chen Gong, you're so annoying, why didn't you pick it up for me?" Her tone was very gentle.

  Chen Gong didn't know that Xiao Xingya attached so much importance to the photo, "Xiao Jie, is this your father?"

  Xiao Xingya shook her head, "No, he was the one who brought me step by step to where I am today. When I first met him, he was the Secretary of Fuhai Municipal Committee, and soon after, he was transferred to be the Vice Governor of the Southern Province. Later, he became a Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee. The year we first met, he died of an incurable disease."

  Chen Gong was also guessing whether Xiao Xingya was the old man's mistress, Xiao Xingya seemed to have seen Chen Gong's thoughts, "He has no children, so he always regards me as his own daughter, and I always call him Uncle."

  Chen Gong patted his own head, wondering where he had gone wrong. Suddenly, Chen Gong's heart returned to its carefree state of the previous day. "Sorry, Xiao Jie, I was just being silly. You'd better keep the photo safe, and when you have time, you can get more copies made. If it gets lost, it'll be a pity. Let's go, Xiao Jie, let's take care of our business first, then head back to Fuhai."

  Xiao Xingya also believes that adults should not hold grudges against the ignorant, and besides, as long as someone is a man, they might think in an impure direction. "Alright, let's go, Chen Gong. When we arrive at Fuhai, Sister Xiao will treat you well."

  ……

  "What? What can we do, Uncle?" Chen Gong heard Director Hao say that things were not going well. The permanent deputy minister of the Public Security Department was known as "Iron Face" and showed no mercy to anyone. Director Hao said he could restore "Jin Bi Huang" to continue business, but if the Public Security Department investigated, they would still come to shut down the store, and he couldn't guarantee that nothing would go wrong.

  "I've done my part, Little Chen. If you all have discussed and aren't afraid of the Ministry of Public Security investigating, I'll turn a blind eye here. Director Xiao, please sit down for a moment, I'll go out with Little Chen."

  Xiao Xingya knew that Hao Director had definitely tried his best, anyway, first open for business, and then severely crack down on prostitution, gambling, and drugs. Hopefully the Ministry of Public Security won't investigate. Xiao Xingya sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, thinking to herself, what secrets do they have? Forget it, just wait and see, who knows what kind of relationship Chen Gong has anyway.

  Director Hao led Chen Gong out of the office and said in a low voice, "Chen Gong, I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Director Xiao, but if you want to completely calm this matter down, unless your father comes forward, that iron-faced deputy minister will not give in. Actually, I've already told him about your identity over the phone, but he knows you can't represent your father, so he won't give you face."

  Chen Gong really wanted to help Xiao Xingya deal with things more perfectly. "Uncle Hao, is there really no other way?"

  Director Hao thought for a moment, then told Chen Gong that the deputy minister would coincidentally arrive at the bureau today to inspect work and might arrive at any time. He wanted to see if he could blow some wind into the deputy minister's ear again, so he had to thicken his skin and try again.

  Director Hao's mobile phone rang, "Uh-huh, okay, I'm already upstairs. Why didn't you say so earlier? I'll head downstairs right away."

  The deputy minister has already entered the Public Security Bureau and is heading towards Director Hao's office. "Chen Gong, the deputy minister has arrived, I'll go greet him immediately. Later, I'll bring him to the conference room. You and General Xiao wait in my office for news."

  "Director Hao, are you done with your busy work? Once you're done, I need to talk to you about something important." The iron-faced deputy minister had already arrived on the second floor and spotted Director Hao.

  Chen Gong turned around and looked at the deputy minister who was speaking. The deputy minister also saw Chen Gong's appearance, and both of them said in unison, "It's you."

  Hao Director was startled in his heart, it turned out that the two were acquainted.