Chapter 38 Surprise

e plethora of lifestyle philosophies and employment innovations that emerged after the 21st century.In his memory, social layoffs and unemployment rates became severe in 1996 and continued to rise, aw...Chapter 38 Surprise

Lěi said that Bergkamp's fierce shot in the World Cup eighteen years ago was the most classic goal. Then, when Su Cun faced Yang Mu and kicked that ball, it also became the most talked-about topic in Shizhong No.1 High School and No.2 High School this season.

On weekends, three good friends gathered in their own unit's courtyard. Liu Rui complained to Su Cun, "Thanks to your blessing, Wang Haoran from your school was too heavy-handed. Yang Mu had many days with bruises on his face, and he even used blue medicine water, which made him look even stranger. How could such a person not spread rumors in the school Many people mistakenly thought that you, Su Cun, did this. Now my relationship with him is completely ruptured. He has threatened to find someone to hurt me many times!"

Su Cun was speechless; he didn't expect that after No.2 High School students spread the news, in some students' eyes, he had become a problem student like Wang Haoran who enjoyed brawling and fighting bravely. But oddly enough, his "problem student" grades seemed to be inconsistent with this image.

Su Cun smiled at Liu Rui and said, "You'd better not go alone to the toilet these days, and also try not to stay in school toilets for too long."

"Why" Liu Rui was stunned. "Do you think he will ambush me in the toilet That's immoral! Don't scare me with your dark thoughts!"

Su Cun just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'm just reminding you to be careful." Being blocked by Yang Mu in the toilet was something Liu Rui told him late at night after drinking some alcohol during a visit home for Chinese New Year. Of course, when he was blocked by Yang Mu wasn't this time, but rather around senior year of high school. During that period, they were still on good terms, but one day Yang Mu put food from his own plate in Liu Rui's bowl at the cafeteria, which caused Liu Rui to explode and splash soup all over him, making their relationship deteriorate. On another occasion, while Liu Rui was using the restroom, Yang Mu took advantage of the situation to beat him up.

This Yang Mu is petty-minded; there's no guarantee he won't replay this event ahead of schedule.

Su Cun thought, if it weren't for you getting drunk and telling me about these embarrassing stories later in life, how could I have heard them As a return favor to your honesty, whether or not you choose to be cautious or risk another embarrassment is up to you.

After all, Liu Rui was full of arrogance now, quite different from his mature and steady self later on. Without going through many things and being influenced by various experiences, how could he develop a calm demeanor Thus, Su Cun didn't intend to prepare for Liu Rui to avoid such humiliations; sometimes suffering losses wasn't entirely bad.

After all, having been reborn once, Liu Rui couldn't be given the same opportunity. The experiences and lessons he was currently undergoing often laid the foundation for his personality formation and problem-solving methods in the future.

The provincial government assigned Xin Xinchuan City's deputy police chief and vice-secretary of the Party committee, Jin Donghai, to serve as deputy mayor and police chief in Xiha City with full authority over the party branch there.

During a standing committee meeting, Jin Donghai proposed a series of reforms for law enforcement issues. Based on his analysis of the complex local security situation in Xiha City and suggestions for purchasing additional police vehicles to conduct research, he requested an increase in per capita funding.

However, this was suppressed by Party Secretary Wang Bo, who said, "Comrade Jin doesn't understand the current situation. Comrade Jin's eagerness to improve security conditions in Xiha City is understandable, but we can't proceed so hastily. As I know, the city already has extra police vehicles equipped; only individual areas have severe issues with official car usage. Comrade Jin should focus on addressing this issue and alleviating the shortage of police cars rather than relying on a cash-strapped government to solve it."

After leaving the meeting hall, Mayor Hong Xiaotian discussed an investment solicitation document with Jin Donghai. The municipal party committee compound was still an eighties-era building, with dark-tinted windows giving it a solemn appearance. Outside there was a small artificial hill and pond, full of shrimp and little fish; however, the hill was already overgrown with lush weeds, and spring's humidity made everything slightly damp.

As they were about to part, Hong Xiaotian smiled at Jin Donghai and said, "That was quite a close call!"

In the eyes of others, this could be seen as the first clash between the new Donghai and Wang Bo.

Jin Donghai had accumulated numerous negative reviews in Xinchuan City. During his tenure, several gang-related incidents were rumored to have occurred, along with city officials being threatened or even assaulted by unknown individuals. There were also舉報信件 (reports) pointing out his severe misconduct, but when these reached the provincial level, they were like throwing stones into a vast sea.

It was said that Jin Donghai had connections with the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Liu Cheng. However, he managed to ascend from Xinchuan City's mayor to the deputy secretary of the Party Committee and director of the Public Security Bureau in Xihaicheng amidst all the turmoil before his affairs were properly settled. This was indeed thought-provoking.

Thinking about Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Secretary Liu Cheng cast a shadow over Wang Bo’s heart; this man was a major figure from an opposing faction, who had a hand in Wang Bo's exile during their previous conflict. Now that he has maneuvered another Standing Committee member into the position, hasn't he silently laid down his pieces

Jin Donghai proposed such a significant demand for fiscal funds so soon after taking office; this was clearly testing the waters. Wang Bo managed to suppress him at the meeting, but out of thirteen standing committee members present, five had shown support towards Jin Donghai—individuals beyond Wang Bo's control. Therefore, it became clear where Hong Xiaotian’s “close call” remark stemmed from.

In the municipal compound where the sun was setting, Su Can, Wang Weiw ei, Lin Zhouwu, and others waved to each other as they bid farewell at the entrance.

Today, Su Can found out that he had been riding with them on bus route 8, circling around to Government Street. The station below was where their unit resided, while a few steps down led to his family's shop, and not far from there was the compound where Wang Weiw ei and others currently lived.

A dark-colored car arrived at the entrance; security guards promptly raised the barrier. In this era, automatic barriers in Xihaicheng were still uncommon—this one being manually operated with weights on one end and a rope on the other, even within government premises.

Upon seeing the license plate number, Lin Zhouwu chuckled and said, "Oh, Wang Bo's father has returned at just the right time. Su Can, aren't you coming over for dinner"

Su Can shook his head and replied, “There might be a lot going on in my shop today; I’ll go eat there instead. Bye.”

"Remember that we’re going to the Karaoke City later to sing together!" Lin Zhouwu reminded him.

Wang Weiw ei also nodded and shrugged as he bade farewell to Su Can—although they had reconnected, his attitude towards Su Can was somewhat cold, perhaps because from a deep-seated perspective, Wang Weiw ei considered Su Can a friend but not someone with whom he could share his heart.

This wasn’t entirely unexplained. After being reborn once and facing them with sincerity, Su Can didn't lower himself to flatter others for the sake of getting closer; thus, his ideas often clashed with theirs due to their forward-thinking nature.

If it were someone like Xu Yi yang or Liu Rui, they would naturally follow Su Can's lead. But in front of Wang Weiw ei, who was similarly competitive and ambitious, he didn't want to be a follower behind Su Can, harboring some reservations; his goal had always been to remain at the forefront among their group, which Su Can’s presence somewhat altered, hence his slight resistance.

Having a deep understanding of Su Cen's mindset, Weiwei didn't overly concern himself with this. In recent days, he had not been actively engaging in their trio’s ideological exchanges. For Su Cen, Wang Weiw ei was still just an early matured teenager, and competing for status within that circle wasn’t something he aspired to.

Lin Luoran waved at Su Cen when they were at the fork of the municipal party committee residential area. A layer of pale golden light was enveloping him. "See you later then! I'll also come to your place another day to buy stationery, and remember to recommend something for me!"

Returning to the two-story Western-style house they were staying at, an middle-aged woman opened the door when they arrived. The trio shouted out in unison, "Aunt Zhang!"

Aunt Zhang was a domestic helper appointed by the Party Committee and Government specifically for Wang Bo's needs. Taking into consideration his work schedule and the children’s study breaks, she would prepare meals for them daily and thus had become quite familiar with them all. She said, "I have already prepared your food on the table. Take off the lid of the bowls to eat while it is still hot! Secretary Wang has arrived, waiting just for you guys to come."

Seeing his three children returning home one by one, Wang Mu felt a tinge of satisfaction despite how weary he was from work and life. Being with kids did provide him some relaxation.

After having dinner, Wang Bo retreated upstairs to his study where he made himself a cuppa tea and read a book while ignoring the trio downstairs.

The gloomy sky mirrored his somber mood as he thought about Jin Donghai. He was unsure whether Zhao Lijun on Red Xiaotian's side could compete with this man in the public security system, but since Mayor Red Xiaotian and him shared a similar political background, and he had an overwhelming seven votes among city committee members, there truly wasn't anything for him to worry about.

However, Wang Bo’s true concern was not Jin Donghai. What troubled him the most was Liu Cheng, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, known as the "Black Tiger." Some people hailed him a hero since he had managed to expose many corrupt officials one by one during his tenure. Yet others claimed that beneath his glorious facade lay the strongest shield for provincial criminal elements, an enigmatic and powerful backing!

Dealing with the rest was still manageable, but just thinking of Liu Cheng sometimes would make him break out in a cold sweat.

On Saturday afternoon after having dinner, Su Cen got on the bus and went to Prosperous Song City. He knew that Wang Weiw ei, Lin Zouwu, and their group had gone to play earlier that day. During dinner time, they had even called home to ask if he wanted to join them for a hot pot meal. Su Cen said no and that he would be staying at home before meeting up with them later at the song city.

Having promised to go to the song city, one couldn’t just leave it hanging. Besides, Wang Weiw ei had proudly told his father that he was going out under Su Cen's protection, which made him get approval to leave home. From this perspective, Su Cen indirectly became their protector. Even Su Cen himself didn't know how many times his son had borrowed his face in front of Wang Bo.

Wang Weiw ei only needed a humble expression and informing Wang Bo that he was going out with Su Cen to play for him to get approval without any doubt.

The third floor of Prosperous Song City, Su Cen saw the trio having fun in their room. They had ordered a bunch of snacks. Lin Luoran's long legs were curled up on the sofa while she sang Jay Chou’s “Stranger You’re So Familiar” and snacking on potato chips at the same time with some soft munching sounds. This scene was quite pleasant to look at.

Seeing Su Cen’s gaze, Lin Luoran felt a bit smug but immediately noticed that he seemed more focused on her long legs than anything else. Her face flushed as she usually ignored those who looked at her, yet somehow under Su Cen's gaze, she felt extremely uneasy and involuntarily stiffened up, pulling her legs into the shadows. She was increasingly annoyed by Su Cen, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze alone.

When Lin Zouwu went out of the song city supermarket with a few bottles of alcohol and snacks in hand, he found something odd about their neighboring room where two girls were rushing out with red eyes while some shouting could be heard from inside. The manager at the door stopped them coldly, one of whom wearing hot pants and a sleeveless top highlighting her curves warned, "What are you running around for! The guests in there have big connections, you better take good care of them or I will make sure to put your lives on the line if they get upset!"

The other girl held the manager's hand and pleaded, "Ms. Yang, the customer’s grip is too heavy for me and Xiao Lan to handle. Please let us switch with someone else!"

Lin Zhouwu carried a large pile of food into their private room with a suspicious look on his face. The two girls glanced inside as well. One of them trembled slightly when she saw Su Can, then wiped away her tears and said to the manager who was about to intervene, "Never mind, let’s go in."

The expression on Manager Yang's face improved immediately. "Hey, Xiao Lan is such a good girl. You can’t earn money without putting in effort. Go inside and get the customer drunk so he'll suffer less."

The other girl looked at her changed-minded companion with astonishment. As they were about to enter the room again, she said, "You want to go back Then I won't stay with that man. Playing poker with him is too much for me. His grip is too heavy! If you want to do it, then you do."

The one girl was suddenly resolute about going in, while the other resisted fearfully. Through the open door, Su Can and Wang Weiwei could clearly see what was happening.

The door suddenly opened again, and a man in his forties with flushed cheeks rushed out. "You little bitches actually dared to run away! They were all laughing at me!" He said this, and there came another round of laughter from the room inside.

At that moment, Su Can's private room was playing romantic songs, but because of what had just happened, Lin Luoran didn't sing anymore. Therefore, based on the sounds of laughter coming from next door, Su Can deduced that there were at least eight to nine middle-aged men inside.

Seeing the two girls who escaped in front of him, he grabbed one by his side and slapped her hard onto the ground. "Run You think I can't pay you"

His eyes then glared at Cheng Lan, who covered her head protectively with a fearful cry.

The man was about to continue being violent when he saw Su Can's expressionless face in front of him.

In the adjacent private room, Wang Weiwei had a bitter smile on his face. Before Su Can left, he said, "Do you want to give your dad a surprise"

My dad A surprise! No way!

Seeing that Su Can was clearly going to intervene and meddle in the matter, Wang Weiwei's head nearly exploded.

This book is soliciting 100 membership slots. The release tonight is a bit late; please forgive me. There will be more updates later tonight!ironment, especially within the precocious circle at City No.1 High School, there were only a few ways to earn respect: first and foremost, being academically excellent. As high school students under...