Chapter 18: Bastard

"Zhou Ming, it's bad. Huang Zheng, that bastard, has teamed up with the factory security office to target Xiaohan. They've already closed Xiaohan's restaurant," Zhang Lei rushed into the Agricultural Bank's reception room. Seeing Zhou Ming and Su Han waiting there, he didn't wait for them to ask and just blurted it out.

"Huang Zheng?" Su Han stood up, saying, "Zhou Ming, you were right. It really is him."

Zhou Ming nodded. He and Su Han had suspected that Huang Zheng was the likely culprit. Huang Zheng was petty and vengeful. After Su Han exposed his bullying to the factory security office, he had held a grudge. Later, he had his wife and family spread rumors to tarnish Su Han's reputation. Whenever Su Han opened a small restaurant, he would send factory security to create trouble.

Now that Su Han was making a lot of money from the national treasury bond business with Zhou Ming, Huang Zheng feared that she would come back to retaliate. So, he decided to strike first and make it impossible for Su Han to seek revenge.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and asked Zhang Lei, "How is the situation at the factory now?"

Zhang Lei shook his head. "Not good. The factory security office is searching everywhere for Xiaohan. Zhou Ming, what should we do? Should we ask Mr. Gou for help?"

"It might be a bit troublesome," Zhou Ming replied. "After what happened with Ma Jianjun, Huang Zheng still dares to act this way, which means he's not afraid of Mr. Gou. So even if we ask Mr. Gou for help, it might be of no use." Zhou Ming added, "And although Mr. Gou has dealt with Ma Jianjun, Ma Jianjun might still hold a grudge against me. It's hard to say he wouldn't be involved in this."

"What should we do then?" Su Han asked, clearly distressed. Zhou Ming was her only support.

Zhou Ming said, "How about this: since we've already made a lot of money, Xiaohan, you should go hide out somewhere else. As long as Huang Zheng can't find you, that's fine. I'll ask Sister Mu Qing to take me to Nanjing. As long as we make a lot of money outside, we can come back and find a way to establish connections with the county and city. Then we won't have to fear him anymore and we can help you get revenge."

"That's the only option," Su Han said. "But I don't want to go to other places. The cost of living elsewhere is too high. Staying for a month could cost a thousand yuan, and I'm not used to it. Zhou Ming, your business still needs money. I'll just go back to my rural hometown. Huang Zheng is only powerful in Nanhui County and the factory. He won't find me in the countryside, and I won't spend much money there."

Zhou Ming was surprised that Su Han, even at this moment, was still thinking about his business and saving money. Where could he find such a good girl?

Zhou Ming initially wanted to persuade Su Han that he didn't mind the one or two thousand yuan, but Su Han was adamant about not accepting it. Finally, Zhou Ming relented and took Su Han to Nanhui Station, giving her a thousand yuan for her return to her rural hometown.

Before she got on the train, Zhou Ming took Su Han's hand and swore, "Xiaohan, at most, I'll make you endure for half a year. I will definitely come back to take you out of the countryside and help you get revenge on Huang Zheng!"

Su Han smiled gently, "Zhou Ming, I believe you. And I'm originally from the countryside. Returning there isn't really a hardship."

...

After sending Su Han off, Zhou Ming and Zhang Lei returned to the factory. Zhang Lei took Zhou Ming directly to the factory's television station to find Lin Muqing. As Zhou Ming was about to knock on Lin Muqing's office door, they heard a voice from inside.

"Muqing, you've been working here for a long time now, doing news recordings and production work. It's been hard. There's a vacant deputy station director position. How about I apply for you? Although the procedure is a bit cumbersome, let's discuss this over dinner tonight. What do you think?" It was the voice of a middle-aged man.

"Director Zhu, I'm a temporary employee from the city station. Please show some respect!" Lin Muqing's voice was cold.

"Temporary? Muqing, didn't you offend someone at the city station? Don't worry. Even if the city station doesn't want you, I do!" Director Zhu said.

Zhou Ming realized why Lin Muqing suddenly wanted to partner with him in the national treasury bond business. Her beauty had caused trouble. Even though she was a widow who had been through several men and was criticized by the factory people as a seductive woman who absorbed men's vitality, her charm still made men want to take advantage of her.

It seemed that Lin Muqing was troubled by Director Zhu's harassment and, having learned about the lucrative national treasury bond business, wanted to join Zhou Ming to make money.

"Lin Muqing, do you really think you're some pure virgin? You're just a woman who has been used by several men. I'm willing to have you today, so don't be ungrateful!"

Director Zhu's words made Zhou Ming's heart tighten. It seemed that Lin Muqing's refusal had infuriated Director Zhu. Zhou Ming, having lived two lifetimes, knew that higher-ups might still care about their status and face, but grassroots officials were known for being shameless.

Worried that Lin Muqing might be bullied, Zhou Ming reached for the door, but it was locked. In a panic, Zhou Ming kicked the door open. Inside the office, he saw Lin Muqing cornered by the fat Director Zhu, who was reaching out his lecherous hand to grab Lin Muqing.

Director Zhu, annoyed at being interrupted, glared at Zhou Ming and said, "Who are you? How did you get in here? Why are you disrupting the factory's business? Zhang Lei, quickly arrest this person and send him to the security office!"

Zhou Ming was not intimidated. He quickly stepped up, grabbed Director Zhu by the collar, and pulled him away. Then he winked at Lin Muqing and said, "Sister, is this guy trying to bully you? Should we call the police?"

Zhou Ming said this deliberately to give himself a "justified" reason for intervening, rather than being seen as an "unrelated person."

Director Zhu, not knowing this, panicked when Zhou Ming mentioned calling the police. He was just the station director and was familiar with the factory security but didn't have connections at the police station. He hurriedly forced a smile and said, "Little brother, don't be so impulsive. Let's discuss things calmly. I was just talking about work with your sister. I didn't mean to bully her."

"You're full of crap! I clearly heard you trying to bully my sister!" Zhou Ming retorted angrily.

At this point, Lin Muqing said, "Let him go. I don't want to see him anymore."

Upon hearing this, Director Zhu felt as if he had been granted a reprieve. He escaped from Zhou Ming's grip and fled. After he left, Lin Muqing couldn't hold back her tears of grievance.

Zhou Ming took some tissues from the desk and handed them to Lin Muqing, signaling Zhang Lei to step aside. After a while, Lin Muqing managed to control her emotions, smiled tearfully at Zhou Ming, and said, "Sorry for making you see this."

Zhou Ming gently shook his head, "Sister Muqing, you should resign and come with me to Nanjing. We'll partner in a lucrative business. You'll be your own boss and won't have to deal with people like this."

"I don't need your charity!" Lin Muqing said stubbornly.

"This isn't charity; it's a partnership!" Zhou Ming emphasized. "You have connections at the entry-exit management office in Nanjing, which I need. Also, for some personal reasons, I need to make more money quickly. So, Sister Muqing, I was already planning this before I saw what happened today. No matter what, I want you to come with me!"

Lin Muqing stared at Zhou Ming for a long time, then lowered her head. "Thank you. Whether you're comforting me or being sincere, I really appreciate it. However, can I think about the resignation and going to Nanjing to make money a bit more?"

"Do you not trust me, Sister Muqing?" Zhou Ming asked.

Lin Muqing blurted out, "Of course not."

"Then it's settled," Zhou Ming said. "I can guarantee that if you come with me, I'll help you earn enough to buy the entire factory TV station!"

Lin Muqing gazed at Zhou Ming for a while before finally nodding. "Okay, I believe you."

...

Leaving Lin Muqing's office, Zhou Ming encountered Zhang Lei in the hallway. Zhang Lei asked, "Is Sister Lin okay?"

Zhou Ming shook his head. "She's fine. And she agreed to come with me to Nanjing to make money, so she won't have to worry about Director Zhu's harassment anymore."

Zhou Ming was about to say something else when a very annoying voice suddenly rang out. "Oh? Isn't this the little brat from the Zhou family? Who left the door unguarded, letting you run in here?"

It was Huang Zheng's voice. Hearing

 this, Zhou Ming's expression darkened immediately. It was this person who had smeared Su Han's reputation and prevented her from returning to the factory, even though she had done nothing wrong. Now she had to endure in her rural hometown.

"Little brat, don't look at me with that kind of look," Huang Zheng said. "Let me ask you, did you hide that little whore Su Han? Where is she now? I'll tell you, her restaurant is suspected of illegal operations and has violated several factory regulations. The factory security office wants to take her to the police station. You'd better confess honestly, or the factory security office will arrest you too."

"Go to hell!" Zhou Ming angrily pointed at Huang Zheng. "Let me tell you, Huang, one day I'll buy the entire 760 Factory and have the factory security arrest you!"

Huang Zheng laughed loudly. "That's the funniest joke I've ever heard. Zhou Ming, who do you think you are? City leaders, provincial leaders, or central leaders? Buying the entire 760 Factory? You should first solve your father's problem."

Zhou Ming's expression hardened. "What's wrong with my father?"

"Nothing. It's just that your old man treated work as a joke, taking an unexplained leave for half a month, seriously violating the factory's regulations. The factory wants to dismiss him," Huang Zheng said.

"Unexplained leave? My father had appendicitis and needed surgery at that time. How did it become unexplained leave?" Zhou Ming said.

"Really? Then why didn't the factory know? According to the factory hospital's records, your father only had ordinary gastroenteritis, which could be treated with some medicine, and he could go back to work. But he chose to deceive the factory and ignore the factory leadership's warnings, taking unexplained leave for half a month. The factory has grounds to dismiss such a worker who doesn't follow the rules!" Huang Zheng said arrogantly, while cleaning his ears.

"Bastard!"

Zhou Ming clenched his fists. He didn't expect Huang Zheng to be so despicable, even using his father's illness to seek revenge and trying to get his father dismissed from the factory.