Chapter 289: Xiao Ziqiang’s Wish
Among all the old comrades, Deputy Squad Leader Yan Song and Xiao Ziqiang were the most successful.
It went without saying for Xiao Ziqiang. As the owner of Self-Improvement Decoration, his net worth was already over ten million.
Yan Song was the director of the Chengguan Town Patrol Office and had a fair amount of influence in Luocheng.
Seeing that Yan Song was a bit displeased, several comrades who were on good terms with him started ganging up on Cheng Hongbing.
"It’s been over a decade since we left the army. I really don’t get why the squad leader is acting so high and mighty."
"The squad leader really is lame. Isn’t he just a taxi driver? What’s with him putting on airs with us? Making Director Yan and President Xiao wait for so long."
Yan Song simply sat back and enjoyed the show.
Xiao Ziqiang’s expression darkened. "How much did the squad leader help us back in the day? It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was like a real older brother to us. How can you guys talk about him like that?"
Now that Xiao Ziqiang had spoken, the old comrades all shut their mouths.
Yan Song chuckled. "President Xiao, don’t be angry. The guys’ words may be crude, but their point isn’t wrong. The squad leader showing up this late is a sign of disrespect to you."
Just as Xiao Ziqiang was about to speak, the door to the private room was pushed open by Cheng Hongbing. Seeing his old comrades, he felt a wave of warmth and clasped his hands in a salute. "Sorry, everyone, traffic was a bit heavy. I’ll drink three glasses as a penalty!"
The comrades were stunned. Wasn’t Cheng Hongbing just a taxi driver?
Why was his family dressed so well? Especially his wife, who was dressed like a wealthy lady.
Xiao Ziqiang stood up and greeted him with immense enthusiasm. "What penalty? Old Squad Leader, the fact that you could make it is the greatest honor you could give me. Come! Sit over here!"
As he spoke, Xiao Ziqiang pulled Cheng Hongbing toward the seat of honor.
Cheng Hongbing couldn’t refuse and had no choice but to take the seat of honor.
Cheng Yuan and Wu Xiuli sat down next to him in turn.
Yan Song asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Squad Leader, where are you making your fortune these days? You look like you’re doing pretty well for yourself."
Cheng Hongbing said flatly, "Not making any fortune. I drive for a rideshare service."
Hearing this, the comrades’ eyes flickered. They had thought the squad leader had struck it rich, but it turned out he was just a rideshare driver.
’His wife must be dressed so well just to keep up appearances.’
Cheng Hongbing didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. He proactively raised his glass. "Let’s all toast Ziqiang. Happy birthday, Ziqiang! May your business grow more prosperous every day!"
The old comrades were very respectful of Xiao Ziqiang, and they all raised their glasses for the toast.
After the first glass was downed.
Xiao Ziqiang raised his glass, looked around the room, and said in a solemn voice, "Today is my birthday, and I have a wish. I hope my old comrades can help me fulfill it."
Everyone laughed and said, "President Xiao, just say the word! We’ll definitely help you make your wish come true!"
Xiao Ziqiang downed the alcohol in his glass in one gulp, then looked at Cheng Hongbing apologetically. "Old Squad Leader, I didn’t discuss this with you beforehand, so please don’t be offended."
Cheng Hongbing replied in a gentle voice, "Ziqiang, just go ahead and say it."
Xiao Ziqiang nodded and said gravely, "I’m sure everyone knows about Xiaoyuan’s situation. He was wrongly imprisoned and has now been released. As everyone knows, it’s very difficult for ex-convicts to find a job. I’m sincerely asking all of you, my old comrades, to help us figure something out for Xiaoyuan!"
The old comrades instantly fell silent. No one wanted to touch that topic.
’Help someone who’s been to prison find a job?’
’How many favors would that burn?’
Cheng Yuan was speechless. ’This Uncle Xiao has good intentions, but I don’t need his help!’
Cheng Hongbing and Wu Xiuli also gave a wry smile. ’Their son was living in Villa Number One; did he really need someone to help him find a job?’
However, it was a kind gesture from Xiao Ziqiang, so Cheng Hongbing and Wu Xiuli didn’t refute him and cause him to lose face.
Seeing the old comrades remain silent, Xiao Ziqiang had no choice but to single someone out. "Deputy Squad Leader, your station must have a few official positions, right? If you can’t get him a permanent spot, it’s fine. Even letting Xiaoyuan be an auxiliary officer would be great!"
Yan Song’s expression changed. "President Xiao, don’t put me on the spot. Hasn’t your Self-Improvement Decoration taken on a lot of projects? Just have him work at your company!"
Xiao Ziqiang gave a bitter smile. "Deputy Squad Leader, you think my life is easy? I’ve taken on a lot of projects recently, but the delayed payments have me on the verge of bankruptcy! I haven’t been able to pay my workers for two months, and I don’t know when it’s all going to collapse. You should be the one to help Cheng Yuan. Even an auxiliary officer position is like half an iron rice bowl."
Yan Song sighed. "It’s not that I don’t want to help, but our station has very strict requirements for auxiliary officers. Cheng Yuan has a criminal record; he won’t pass the background check! Let’s have some of the other comrades help Cheng Yuan instead."
Cheng Yuan really wanted to tell Yan Song that his record had already been expunged. However, he didn’t want Yan Song to know about his influence in Luocheng; otherwise, Yan Song would surely stick to him like glue.
Cheng Hongbing gave a dry cough. "I appreciate everyone’s kind intentions, thank you all. But my Xiaoyuan doesn’t need anyone to find him a job."
Yan Song raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so Cheng Yuan has found a job? I wonder where he’s working?"
Cheng Hongbing was at a loss for words. Cheng Yuan was so secretive all day that he honestly had no idea where his son worked.
Cheng Yuan said calmly, "I’m a doctor. I usually just help people with their illnesses."
The moment they heard Cheng Yuan was a doctor, the comrades’ eyes lit up. Who didn’t know that doctors had good benefits and a lot of perks?
One of the comrades’ wives asked with a beaming smile, "Xiaoyuan is a doctor? He’s really made something of himself! I heard he broke up with his ex-girlfriend. My daughter is a nurse at the Third Hospital. You young people should get to know each other."
Xiao Ziqiang’s wife, Zhou Feng, also got a little anxious and quickly recommended her own daughter.
"Xiaoyuan, do you remember my daughter, Yating? You two used to play together all the time when you were kids. Yating is now the chief designer at our Self-Improvement Decoration. You two should get to know each other better."
Xiao Yating was exasperated. ’Doesn’t her mother know she has a boyfriend? She’s just playing matchmaker without a clue!’
Because of his status as a doctor, Cheng Yuan had become a hot commodity.
All the old comrades with daughters were looking at him as a potential son-in-law. After all, a son-in-law as handsome as Cheng Yuan with such a good job was someone you couldn’t find even if you searched with a lantern!
As for his criminal record?
The old comrades were all clear on the fact that Cheng Yuan had been wrongly imprisoned for protecting his ex-girlfriend. His moral character was guaranteed.
Yan Song was extremely displeased. ’He never expected that Cheng Yuan could still become a doctor after spending two years in prison!’
’Damn it!’
Fortunately, his own son, Yan Liming, was also doing well. Thanks to his father’s repeated maneuvering, he had already become the captain of the Economic Investigation Division at the West City Patrol Office, a position not at all inferior to Cheng Yuan’s as a doctor.
Yan Song put on a delighted expression and asked, "It seems Xiaoyuan didn’t stop studying during his two years in prison. I wonder which hospital’s medical license he passed the exam for?"
Cheng Yuan answered truthfully, "I’m not at a hospital. I’m a traveling doctor."
Hearing this, Yan Song let out an unkind laugh. "Ah? So Xiaoyuan is just a barefoot doctor? And here I thought you’d passed the exam for an official position..."
In an instant, the crowd’s enthusiasm evaporated.
’Just a barefoot doctor, and an ex-convict at that. He couldn’t possibly be a son-in-law, no matter how handsome he was.’
Zhou Feng also began to back down.
But Xiao Ziqiang didn’t think so. He said gently, "I think being a barefoot doctor is great. At least they don’t act like hospital doctors who make you get blood and urine tests and all sorts of useless checkups the moment you walk in. A single visit can cost you hundreds or even a thousand yuan. Yating, you and Cheng Yuan should exchange phone numbers. You young people should get to know each other. I fully support you two dating."
Xiao Yating was utterly speechless. ’Is her dad out of his mind? He wants her to date a barefoot doctor? And an ex-convict, no less? How humiliating would that be?’
"Dad, actually, I haven’t told you... I already have a boyfriend! You should just let one of the other girls have Cheng Yuan!"