Chapter 113: You Are Not Wrong
Hearing Gao Guangbo’s words, Shen Youchu cried even harder.
Cheng Yuan was getting annoyed. ’This official’s words are too nasty, too absolute.’
’He refused to take no for an answer!’
Cheng Yuan stared fixedly at Gao Guangbo. "I must adopt Ruoxi today!"
Gao Guangbo shrugged, as if to say ’suit yourself,’ then said with some impatience, "Please step aside. Don’t hold up the people behind you."
Cheng Yuan didn’t cause a scene, nor did he leave. He led Shen Youchu to a seat in the waiting area, then took out his phone and called Wu Fei.
The call was answered instantly, and Wu Fei’s enthusiastic voice came through. "Brother Yuan, what can I do for you?"
"I’m at the Civic Center, in the Civil Affairs Bureau. I want to adopt a girl, Shen Youchu. The orphanage has already provided the necessary documents, but because I have a prison record, one of the officials here is blocking me. Can you figure something out?"
"That’s easy to handle. It’ll only take a word. Brother Yuan, are you still at the Civil Affairs Bureau?"
"In the waiting area."
"Okay, just a moment."
The Civil Affairs Bureau Director’s Office.
Director Wan Liang was leisurely sipping tea and browsing today’s newspaper.
BEEP. BEEP.
His cell phone rang.
Wan Liang took out his phone. When he saw the caller’s name, he immediately perked up. A genial smile spread across his face, as if the person on the other end were standing right before him.
"Secretary Wu, hello! What can I help you with?"
"Director Wan, you’re too kind. You’re the leader, how could I dare give you instructions? I’m actually calling to ask for a small favor."
"Please, Secretary Wu, go ahead. I’ll do everything in my power."
"It’s like this. A friend of mine, Cheng Yuan, is at the Civil Affairs Bureau. He’s trying to adopt a girl, and the orphanage has already provided the paperwork. But he’s being held up by one of your staff because of a past criminal record. Is there any way you can bend the rules for him?"
Wan Liang frowned, looking troubled. "This is a bit difficult, Secretary Wu. It really is against the rules."
Wu Fei chuckled and asked, "Director Wan, Cheng Yuan was framed and wrongfully imprisoned. He’s not a malicious person. Is there really no way to make an exception?"
Wan Liang didn’t want to offend Secretary Wu. His mind raced.
"Secretary Wu, if that’s the case, then it’s much simpler. As long as you can manage to get Cheng Yuan’s case overturned, I can definitely make it work on my end."
"Then thank you, Director Wan! Oh, by the way, the other day, the leadership happened to mention that Director Wan is a diligent and sincere man, a good comrade who could be entrusted with greater responsibilities."
"Thank you for the leadership’s consideration! I will always rally around the organization!"
Energized by Wu Fei’s tip, Wan Liang’s face glowed with excitement. He snatched up the intercom and asked, "Gao Guangbo, did a Mr. Cheng Yuan come by just now to file some paperwork?"
A jolt went through Gao Guangbo.
Gao Guangbo’s heart leaped into his throat. He answered cautiously, "He did."
"Bring Mr. Cheng to my office immediately. I will meet with him personally."
"Yes, sir!"
’Bro, you know the Director? Your connections are that solid, so why didn’t you give me a heads-up? Were you just setting me up to fail?’ Gao Guangbo was beside himself with frustration.
Gao Guangbo quickly put up a "Service Suspended" sign, hurried out from behind the service window, and strode up to Cheng Yuan and Shen Youchu. His face was all smiles as he said, "Mr. Cheng, you know our Director Wan! Why didn’t you say so sooner? If you had just mentioned it, I would have definitely given you the green light!"
Cheng Yuan smiled slightly. "Didn’t you say it was against the rules?"
Gao Guangbo chuckled awkwardly. "There are policies, and then there are ways to get around them! There’s always a solution."
Cheng Yuan shook his head slightly. ’I never knew public institutions had so many backdoors. It really is easier when you know people!’
"My mistake. I thought something this small could be handled directly, without needing to bother Director Wan. After all, favors are the hardest debts to repay."
"You’re a man of great insight, Mr. Cheng!"
Gao Guangbo gave him a thumbs-up and then gestured for him to proceed. "Mr. Cheng, the Director is expecting you. This way, please."
Cheng Yuan nodded slightly, following Gao Guangbo towards the director’s office.
"Director, I’ve brought Mr. Cheng."
Wan Liang gave a slight nod. Gao Guangbo retreated cautiously, gently closing the office door behind him.
Wan Liang didn’t underestimate Cheng Yuan because of his age. He stood up enthusiastically, strode forward, and grasped his hand firmly. "Mr. Cheng, Secretary Wu has already filled me in on your situation. Don’t worry, with me here, I guarantee it’ll be smooth sailing. The adoption paperwork will be approved within three days!"
Cheng Yuan appreciated Wan Liang’s directness. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Director Wan."
"Don’t thank me! Any friend of Secretary Wu is a friend of Wan Liang! If you don’t mind, Mr. Cheng, just call me Brother."
"Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Brother Wan, you can just call me Xiaocheng or Xiaoyuan. I owe you a favor for this. If you ever run into trouble, feel free to come to me. I have some pull in both Luocheng and the Provincial City."
Wan Liang’s eyes lit up. He had already gotten a taste of Cheng Yuan’s influence in Luocheng, but he had influence in the Provincial City as well? ’No wonder Secretary Wu was putting in so much effort on his behalf!’
’That’s right, according to the file I just pulled, Cheng Yuan was sentenced to five years but got out in two. There must be some serious power behind him.’
’This is a powerful backer. I have to hold on tight.’
Of course, Wan Liang couldn’t be presumptuous enough to call him Xiaocheng or Xiaoyuan. He smiled and said, "Since Younger Brother Cheng is so forthright, I can’t be stingy myself. I’ll approve the adoption paperwork for you today! Just a moment, Younger Brother Cheng!"
With that, Wan Liang returned to his desk, opened the internal work system he hadn’t used in ages, and began processing Cheng Yuan’s adoption application himself.
With Director Wan handling it himself, the Civil Affairs Bureau’s efficiency shot up dramatically. In less than fifteen minutes, Cheng Yuan’s adoption paperwork was approved!
"Younger Brother Cheng, the adoption papers are approved. Once you and the young lady sign your names, the adoption will be legally recognized."
"Youchu, hurry and thank Uncle Wan."
Shen Youchu bowed obediently. "Thank you, Uncle Wan!"
After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Youchu mimicked Cheng Yuan’s tone. "Uncle Wan, I, Shen Youchu, also owe you a favor. One day, I will repay it twofold!"
"Hahaha! No wonder Younger Brother Cheng wanted to adopt you, Youchu. You’re a good kid!"
Wan Liang laughed, amused by Shen Youchu. He had no idea that this seemingly playful promise would one day save his life.
"Brother Wan, thank you so much for today. I’ll treat you to a meal some other time to show my gratitude!"
"Great, I’ll be sure to take you up on that."
After a few more pleasantries, Cheng Yuan and Wan Liang took their leave.
Wan Liang enthusiastically escorted Cheng Yuan out of his office.
Seeing this, Gao Guangbo was on pins and needles. ’I can’t believe I failed to read the situation. This Mr. Cheng’s background is so formidable that even the Director has to treat him with such deference!’
’If Mr. Cheng filed a complaint against him, he’d be finished!’
Gao Guangbo once again put up the "Service Suspended" sign and hurried to catch up with Cheng Yuan, apologizing profusely. "Mr. Cheng, what happened earlier was my mistake. I hope you won’t hold it against me."
Cheng Yuan smiled slightly. "Mr. Gao, you weren’t wrong, and neither was I. The world is what’s wrong. I hope you can continue to hold onto your principles and serve the people."