BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 5 Sun Desheng

After entering the building, Che Qianzi followed closely behind the fat man into the elevator leading to the top floor.

The fat man made one phone call after another and had no time to pay attention to the somewhat naïve young Taoist beside him.

“Spicy Boy, where the hell have you been? I just got back from America and you didn’t even come pick me up… What? Your old man arranged a blind date for you? Where’s the future sister-in-law from? How’s her family? I’m just saying, we can’t be picky… Anyway, do your thing. I’m fine here. Give my regards to my future sister-in-law.”

“Old Yang, what’s wrong with your family? Why are they trying to assign me a job? No, not Big Yang—I mean Secretary Yang. They want to give me work. I’m telling you, even that idiot Bear has gone crazy with him. Everything was fine before I got on the plane. How come he suddenly dares to throw his weight around now that I’m back? You don’t know either? Your wife’s school sports day? You’re her cheerleader? Hey, hey—”

Before he could finish speaking, the other side hung up.

The fat man was about to make another call when the elevator doors opened.

He and Che Qianzi had reached the top floor.

Looking toward the office at the end of the hallway, the fat man turned to the Taoist and said:

“Little brother, listen to me. Go find Wu Rendi in Room Six. He’ll tell you what happened to Boss Gao…”

“You planning to have this Wu guy beat me up?”

Before he could finish, Che Qianzi interrupted him.

After a pause, he continued:

“Don’t think I’m easy to bully just because I’m from a small town. Wu Rendi, right? We’ll see who’s beating whom. Fatty, if I don’t see Gao Liang today, I’m sticking to you.”

Realizing that his intentions had been exposed, the fat man laughed loudly.

“Brother, that wasn’t what I meant at all. Since you’re so suspicious, come with me to the Director’s Office. I’ll handle my business first, and afterward I’ll tell you what happened to Boss Gao.”

As he spoke, the fat man led Che Qianzi to the office door at the end of the corridor.

Instead of knocking, he leaned close to Che Qianzi’s ear and whispered:

“Little brother, help me take the blame for something. One scapegoat, one hundred thousand yuan.”

The moment he finished speaking, the fat man suddenly kicked the office door with all his strength.

Bang!

Despite his size, the kick carried tremendous force.

The door flew open.

Immediately, the fat man turned to Che Qianzi and said:

“What are you doing, brother? Secretary Yang never said the door was locked. You’re so young—why such a bad temper?”

“Even if this used to be my office, you can’t just go around kicking doors open.”

“I’m telling you, don’t let it happen again.”

After saying that, he made a face at Che Qianzi before walking into the office.

Inside stood a bewildered middle-aged man.

The fat man smiled and said:

“Secretary Yang, I heard you wanted to assign me some work. As soon as I heard, I rushed over.”

“Oh, right. This is a little brother of mine. He heard someone took over my office and got upset.”

“I’m just saying, young people having a little temper is understandable.”

Secretary Yang nervously glanced at Che Qianzi.

He thought the fat man had already learned about the things he had been secretly doing behind the scenes.

In his mind, the young Taoist was clearly some powerful helper the fat man had brought along.

And anyone the fat man invited was certainly not someone he could afford to offend.

For the sake of one hundred thousand yuan, Che Qianzi accepted the blame without complaint.

If Gao Liang really couldn’t be found, he would have to repay Kong Dalong’s debts himself.

A hundred thousand yuan was still money.

Keeping a straight face, he followed the fat man into the office and quietly waited to collect payment afterward.

“It’s all a misunderstanding,” Secretary Yang said with an awkward smile.

“Director Sun’s office is still Director Sun’s office. As long as I’m here, nobody would dare touch it.”

He walked out from behind his desk and grabbed the fat man’s hand.

“Didn’t Xiao Xiong tell you? He’s always so careless.”

“The thing is, a new directive came down from above. It says that comrades who have spent extended periods overseas handling foreign affairs must temporarily step away from work and undergo an internal review.”

“As long as there are no problems, you’ll return to your original position.”

As he spoke, Secretary Yang returned to his desk and picked up a document.

Handing it over, he continued:

“Director Sun, see for yourself. This isn’t my decision.”

“I’ve always believed you’re completely trustworthy.”

“Think of it as a short vacation. I’ll watch over the bureau while you’re gone.”

The fat man ignored his explanation and began reading the document.

The moment he saw the first line, he burst out laughing.

Then he pointed at the words and turned to Che Qianzi.

“Little brother, look at this first sentence.”

“‘Regarding certain leaders of the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Investigation and Research…’”

“Recently, I’m probably the only one who’s been overseas, right?”

“Secretary Yang, next time tell them to write my name directly—Sun Desheng.”

“That way people won’t mistakenly think this document is talking about them.”

Hearing the fat man named Sun Desheng steer the conversation his way, Che Qianzi finally pieced together the situation.

He said: “So you offended somebody.”

“The higher-ups don’t like you.”

“They want to suspend your position and let this Secretary take your place.”

“If you ask me, you should just step aside gracefully.”

Those words nearly scared Secretary Yang half to death.

He immediately waved his hands.

“Misunderstanding! Complete misunderstanding!”

“Everyone in this circle knows that there’s only one Director of the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Investigation and Research, and that’s Sun Desheng.”

“My title as Secretary is mostly ceremonial. I just help Director Sun deal with matters from above…”

“Wait a second.”

Che Qianzi suddenly interrupted him.

“You said he’s the only director here?”

He stared at Sun Desheng.

“Then what about Gao Liang?”

“Did he retire or get transferred?”

“Director Gao Liang?” Secretary Yang asked in surprise.

“He passed away seven or eight years ago.”

Realizing that the young Taoist had come looking for the former director, he continued: “I was transferred to the bureau the year Director Gao passed away.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

“Gao Liang is dead…”

The final thread of hope Che Qianzi had been clinging to snapped instantly.

His family owed more than five million yuan.

The only person who might have helped him was dead.

For a moment, he stood there in a daze, completely lost.

It seemed the only option left was to follow Kong Dalong’s example and run away.

“Boss Gao may be gone, but you still have me.”

Sun Desheng smiled at him.

Then he continued: “To say something shameless, as long as you’re not here to claim kinship, everything else can be handled.”

“If Boss Gao could do it, so can I.”

“And if Boss Gao couldn’t do it, I just might be able to.”

“So tell me.”

“Do you need money, or is it something else?”

“Forget it.”

Deflated, Che Qianzi shook his head.

“My problem isn’t something ten or twenty thousand yuan can solve.”

“The amount is too big. I’m afraid it might scare you.”

“Besides that hundred thousand you promised me, just buy me a train ticket to Guangzhou.”

“Consider it a favor from Gao Liang.”

So they weren’t working together after all.

The Taoist had simply been hired by Sun Desheng.

Secretary Yang finally relaxed.

He sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said: “Little Sun, you should follow the directive.”

“Take some time off and rest.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already discussed everything with the directors of the various departments, as well as Yang Jun and Yang Xiao.”

“The bureau’s normal operations won’t be affected.”

“Oh?”

Sun Desheng ignored Che Qianzi now and sat directly on top of the desk.

Looking at Secretary Yang, he smiled.

“So that’s why you’ve suddenly grown some courage.”

“While I was in America, you secretly met with all of them and worked things out.”

“I underestimated you.”

“Looks like you’ve spent these past few years building up your nerve.”

“You even dare negotiate with the Two Yangs now.”

“So tell me—did you also have a little chat with my buddy Lazi and Director Wu?”