Strong Min fabricated a story, claiming credit for an incident he had only heard about. "I took a salesman into town once. This kid didn't ask my permission and brought two hookers for the night, giving me the ugly one while he kept the young, pretty one for himself. After the deed, he haggled with her over the price, finally settling on 300 yuan with a receipt or 250 without. He paid the 300, but the receipt lacked the tax stamp, which meant he couldn't get reimbursed back at the factory. So, he grabbed her and wouldn't let go. She called her boyfriend, who beat him to a pulp and stabbed him a few times. He died right there. I got blamed, lost my job as factory manager, and spent seventeen days in jail. It's a long, miserable story."
Lu Hui laughed heartily. "That's a great story! You really had a gem of a salesman!"
Strong Min joined in the laughter, albeit awkwardly. Lu Hui patted his shoulder. "Come on, I'll take you into town. Just don't be my '250' (idiot)!"
Strong Min tried to decline. "I better not. If we run into the police, it's over."
"Relax, I won't let you ask for any receipts!" Lu Hui chuckled, slapping Strong Min on the head. Strong Min still hesitated, but Lu Hui pushed him towards the door. "Come on, nothing to worry about when you're with Big Lu!"
At the golf course, the afternoon sun bathed the golden, rolling fairways in a warm glow, creating a serene atmosphere. Mayor Jin, dressed in stylish sportswear, looked even more youthful and dashing. Selecting a golf club, he said to Guo Xiaopeng, "According to the rules, civil servants aren't allowed to play golf, especially during work hours. But today is an exception."
Guo Xiaopeng replied, "From what I understand, the rule is against civil servants holding golf club memberships."
Mayor Jin picked out a branded set of clubs and continued, "Whether it's playing occasionally or holding a membership, I'm too conspicuous."
Guo Xiaopeng smiled. "Even the President of the United States plays golf. Please, Mayor Jin, take the first swing."
Mayor Jin swung expertly, sending the ball flying with professional precision. Guo Xiaopeng followed suit, and they walked together.
"The head of the enforcement division at the city court, who was transferred here just two years ago, already has two golf club memberships," Mayor Jin said, turning to Guo Xiaopeng. "How much do you think those are worth?"
Guo Xiaopeng, unsure of the mayor's intentions, answered casually, "Those are market-driven items, probably worth around 200,000 yuan each."
Mayor Jin sighed. "One membership alone is equivalent to over a decade's salary for someone like me. How does a small-time division head have the guts for that?"
Guo Xiaopeng followed the mayor's lead. "Power, it's all about how you use it. When my mother and I were sent down to the countryside, matches were never in short supply. But if the shopkeepers in town decided to keep them under the counter, a sort of 'trust' formed."
Mayor Jin mused, "Legislation is easy, judgments are difficult, but enforcement is the hardest."
"Precisely because it's hard, the enforcement division is worth big money." Guo Xiaopeng, sensing the mayor's disinterest in deeper conversation, shifted topics. "I've seen that division head play golf."
"How does he compare to me?" Mayor Jin asked.
"He's far behind! He cheats at every turn, breaking all the rules." Mayor Jin hit another well-coordinated shot, smiling as the ball rolled near the hole but stopped at the edge.
In the manager's office at Haizhou Building, Wang Jingfei was working at her desk when Liu Mei barged in, looking around imperiously.
Wang Jingfei was taken aback. "Liu?"
Liu Mei raised an eyebrow challengingly. "What, I'm not welcome?"
Wang Jingfei maintained a calm tone. "What are you talking about, Liu? I've been wanting to discuss many things with you."
Liu Mei sat opposite Wang Jingfei, her eyes scanning the room. With a hint of bravado, she said, "Though I've occupied this office for years, I barely moved anything. As soon as you arrived, everything changed."
Knowing Liu Mei's visit was hostile, Wang Jingfei responded with a mix of firmness and softness. "When you took over, the building was near collapse. You had to start from scratch. Even if I only work here for a day, I'll shape the environment to my liking."
Liu Mei didn't hide her sharpness. "A master's degree really sets you apart." Pointing to an antique vase, she said, "Xiaopeng once told me that truly wealthy people buy useless things—like racehorses, antiques, pets. Or beautiful women." Her eyes flickered. "If they're really rich, they might even buy a satellite!"
Wang Jingfei, also a woman, felt the innate rivalry between beautiful women. After a moment of tense reflection, she decided to give Liu Mei the cold shoulder. She looked down, ignoring her.
Feeling she had the upper hand, Liu Mei became more brash. She took out a delicate lighter, lit a slim black "Moor" cigarette, took a leisurely puff, and asked, "Do you know the history of this building?"
Wang Jingfei looked up, noncommittal, stretching comfortably in her chair. Liu Mei, now driven by nicotine-fueled fervor, continued. "This Haizhou Building was originally arranged by the city's party secretary, Lin Zilie, for his son Lin Xiaoqiang. But after Xiaoqiang went to jail for drug use, Xiaopeng rebuilt it, growing it to today's scale. I, Liu Mei, am one of the building's founders, having made indelible contributions to Haizhou Building and Haizhou Pharmaceutical Group." She poured herself a small glass of red wine from the cabinet.
Wang Jingfei watched silently, not commenting.
Liu Mei went on, "For Haizhou Building and Haizhou Pharmaceuticals, for Xiaopeng's career, I've sacrificed everything! I can endure any humiliation or hardship, as long as Xiaopeng never leaves me! I'm willing to give up everything for him!" With that, she downed the wine.
Wang Jingfei calmly suggested, "Liu, it seems you're quite emotional today. Maybe we should talk another day?"
Liu Mei, losing her composure, threw the glass on the carpet. "No, we'll talk today!"
Wang Jingfei, smiling tolerantly, cupped her chin in her hand, ready to listen.
Unexpectedly, Liu Mei's mood shifted again. She leaned forward earnestly. "There's something I need your help with."