Chapter Twenty: The Director Steps Forward

Director Liu Jun, seeing what Chen Maoran had just said, hurried to flatter him. In truth, he had rarely ever visited Chen Huajiang’s place. One could say that he spent very little time at the factory each day; in any case, Chen Huajiang had hardly seen him before.

Now that Liu Jun and Chen Maoran had come here to eat, a thought took root in Chen Huajiang’s mind. Perhaps his little eatery could continue operating, at least for now, and he wouldn’t need to go looking for evidence of Wu Min’s corruption just yet.

Chen Huajiang quickly grilled the lamb skewers and personally brought them to Chen Maoran and the others’ table.

“Director Liu, I’ll clear out the house in the next couple of days. Didn’t the factory say it needed the place urgently? Even though I’m only renting it, since the factory wants it, I’ll just have to find somewhere else. But please give me a week—otherwise, I won’t be able to move all this stuff out. Would that work? Consider this meal on the house.”

Chen Huajiang said this deliberately for Chen Maoran to hear. He knew full well it wasn’t the factory that needed the building, but rather that the Wu family father and son simply disliked him and wanted to make trouble.

Liu Jun, a bit puzzled, thought to himself that he had never said anything about needing the building. Besides, Chen Maoran had just expressed strong support for this young man—if he now said the factory needed the place, wouldn’t that be a slap in his own face?

“Who told you the factory needed the building?” Liu Jun asked, somewhat displeased.

“The deputy director told me. I rented the place from the security department, and he went to the head of security, telling him to hurry me up to vacate because the factory needed it,” Chen Huajiang replied honestly.

Chen Maoran’s expression darkened a little. Judging by what Liu Jun had just said, the factory had never asked for these rooms. Clearly, this was the deputy director acting on his own.

“Director Liu, what’s actually going on? We’re supposed to support young people striking out on their own. Does your factory really need this place? The young man just said he’s paying rent,” Chen Maoran said, siding with Chen Huajiang.

Chen Huajiang, quick-witted as ever, dashed inside and fetched his contract.

When Liu Jun and the others looked it over, it was indeed a legitimate three-year rental agreement.

“Does the factory really need the building? This contract is for three years. Director Liu, I suggest you look into this matter. If word gets out that the Red Flag Factory is bullying a young man trying to do business, it will do terrible damage to your reputation,” Chen Maoran said sternly. After all, the Red Flag Factory was such a large enterprise, and the agreement had been properly signed. If they could just repossess the place at will, what about the loss to the businessman?

“I will certainly look into this matter. Please rest assured. And you, young man, don’t worry: from now on, if anyone tells you to move out, you send them to me,” Liu Jun declared.

With those words, what did Chen Huajiang have to fear? He was curious to see who would dare to try to make him move out again.

“Understood, Director Liu. Please enjoy your meal! If you want more, just call me—I’ll grill more for you,” Chen Huajiang said with a broad smile.

Back inside, Dagang was beaming with delight. “Brother Jiang! With Director Liu’s support, what do we have to fear from them? Let them stew in their anger! I’d like to see what Wu De says if he comes by again. Now we can work in peace.”

A weight was lifted from Chen Huajiang’s heart, though he still planned to teach Wu De a lesson for his behavior. Of course, it wouldn’t be in the next few days—he would need to bide his time, lest anyone suspect anything.

The next day, Wu De showed up early at Chen Huajiang’s eatery.

“What’s this? Didn’t the security department tell you yesterday? Pack up and get out of here, or I’ll have someone come and throw all your stuff out,” Wu De said arrogantly, glaring at Chen Huajiang.

“No need to talk to me about it. If you’ve got something to say, talk to the director. He was here yesterday, and he said that if anyone tries to make me move, they should see him first,” Chen Huajiang replied, undaunted.

Wu De burst into mocking laughter. “Hilarious! Do you think the director is your relative? It doesn’t matter who comes today—you’re moving out.”

No sooner had Wu De finished speaking than Liu Jun walked over.

“Wu De, what are you saying?” Liu Jun’s voice cut in.

Wu De turned, startled to see Liu Jun standing behind him.

“Director, you’re here. This guy is taking up our space to do business. I told him to leave, but he won’t, and he even says he has your support,” Wu De said, thinking Chen Huajiang was bluffing, and looked smugly at Liu Jun.

“Yes, I do support him. And what gives you the right to make him leave? Or was this your father’s idea? Tell your father to come to my office,” Liu Jun said coldly, his face dark.

Wu De was dumbfounded. Could it be that Chen Huajiang really did have some connection to the director? He dared not argue further and, after leaving the eatery, went straight to Wu Min’s office.

“Dad, how could Chen Huajiang have anything to do with the director? The director wants you to go to his office. You’d better go,” Wu De said, his words tumbling over each other in confusion, leaving Wu Min baffled.

“What are you talking about? Go do your work. I’ll go see the director,” Wu Min replied, heading to Liu Jun’s office.

Liu Jun, looking stern, gestured to the chair opposite. Wu Min nodded and sat down.

“That young man running the eatery at the gate—do you have some grudge against him?” Liu Jun asked directly, making Wu Min’s heart skip a beat.

“No grudge, director. Why? Did something happen?” Wu Min feigned ignorance.

“I heard you sent someone from the security department to tell him the factory needed those three rooms and to vacate. Is that true?” Liu Jun asked, cutting straight to the point.

Wu Min paused, then forced a smile. “Yes, the factory’s latest shipment has nowhere to go, so I thought we could use that space. That’s why I had the security department talk to him.”

“You’re not putting the goods in the warehouse, but at the gate? Aren’t you afraid of thieves? Besides, that was just a storage space before. Why are you driving him out now? From now on, if you dare to do this again, don’t blame me for being harsh,” Liu Jun said coldly, his anger obvious. Wu Min grew anxious—if he were really fired, he’d have nothing to say.

“Understood, Director. I’ll go inform the security department,” Wu Min replied.

“Good, go on then,” Liu Jun said.

Wu Min left Liu Jun’s office seething with frustration. He had hoped to deal with Chen Huajiang, but to his surprise, the young man had taken the matter straight to the director. He never considered that Chen Huajiang might actually have a connection to Liu Jun; he just thought he’d been reported.

Back in his own office, Wu De came in once again.