2001 Media Godfather

Chapter 4 Killing and Punishing the Heart

Chu Ning said he would give Chu An an answer tomorrow, but in reality, it was not even "tomorrow" yet.

As soon as Chu An left, Chu Ning couldn't wait to find paper and pen and started doing the accounting on the counter.

After calculating it several times, according to Chu An, the store could indeed be opened.

He hurriedly took half a day off and went back to the agricultural machinery factory.

To be fair, Chu An's older sister wasn't usually indecisive. On the contrary, she was more ruthless than most people. Otherwise, she wouldn't have done something like skipping university to work and earn money.

Whether it's the desire for money or the decisiveness in the face of adversity and opportunity, Chu Ning is second to none.

What Chu An didn't know was that Chu Ning's part-time job wasn't solely to earn tuition fees for him.

In fact, before the college entrance examination last year, Chu Ning found a diagnosis in Chu Jianjun's drawer: [Ankylosing spondylitis, spinal deformity]. In addition to immediate treatment, the doctor advised avoiding physical labor and long-term rest.

It was from that moment that Chu Ning knew she couldn't go to university. This family needed her help.

Back at the agricultural machinery factory, Chu Ning didn't go home, but went straight to the factory office to find Ma Guoyou to rent a shop.

Actually, when she said that renting a storefront wasn't that easy, she was just making excuses for Chu An. Chu An's statement that she wouldn't know if she didn't try was also based on some truth.

In short, renting a storefront is possible.

The reason is simple: it's about the person Chu An specifically asked her to find—Ma Guoyou.

Chu Jianjun and Ma Guoyou were both originally from the final assembly workshop. Chu Jianjun was the workshop director, and Ma Guoyou was the party branch group leader.

The two are not only partners at work, but also have a good personal relationship.

The safety accident was originally caused by the new factory manager's illegal operation order. In order to meet the workshop's targets ahead of schedule, Ma Guoyou cooperated with the new factory manager, which ultimately led to the accident.

In the end, it was Chu Jianjun, the workshop manager in charge of production, who took the blame and saved Ma Guoyou and the factory director.

Ma Guoyou has now been promoted to the position of director of the logistics department of the agricultural machinery factory, and is now in charge of this matter.

Given their past relationship, Chu Ning would most likely be willing to help him if she went to him.

However, what Chu Ning didn't expect was...
“Xiao Ning, I’ll do everything I can to help you with anything else, but the storefront, it’s really impossible!” Ma Guoyou’s troubled expression was written all over his face. “Those few shops aren’t just for your family to rent. Over the years, countless people have been asking the factory and even the county leaders for help. It’s not something I can decide on my own!”

The location of the store is undeniably excellent. As for why the factory has kept it idle for so many years, it's simply because they don't want to create trouble or offend anyone.

After all, no matter who you rent to, there will always be someone who is dissatisfied.

"Why don't you look at other places?"

Having said all that, Chu Ning wouldn't mince words. After a moment's hesitation, he finally shook his head. "Forget about the North Gate. It's alright, Uncle Ma, we'll figure something out ourselves. We won't trouble you any further."

"Hey!" Ma Guoyou laughed. "What trouble is this? It's your family's business, I'll do my part!"

Chu Ning smiled gratefully, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Ma Guoyou, and talked about the details of Chu Jianjun's work away from home. Then Chu Ning took his leave and left the factory office.

The glimmer of hope that had just been ignited was extinguished again, leaving him feeling utterly disheartened. He stood frozen in front of the factory's office building for a long time, unable to move.

People are strange sometimes. When they're undecided, they're plagued by indecisiveness and hesitate no matter how others try to persuade them. But once they've made up their minds, they encounter difficulties and feel reluctant to give up the opportunity.

After much hesitation, Chu Ning still went home with a sliver of hope, wanting to talk to Chu An about the matter.

As soon as they got downstairs, they saw Chu An returning in a pedicab.

It turned out that after leaving the Second Store, Chu An didn't rush home but went to the South City Vegetable Market. His car was loaded with one hundred eggs, ten pounds of dried bellflower root, and ten pounds of dried small fish.

"Why did you buy so much stuff?" Chu Ning went up to him, looking at the things in the car with a puzzled expression, secretly calculating that it must have cost a lot of money!
Chu An said with a grin, "We're about to open a shop, so we have to please our big clients, right? These are all for the film crew."

Chu Ning pouted, still feeling a little sorry for him, and muttered, "You think it's a good thing, but the big production crew might not even look at it. It's just a bunch of eggs and rotten pickled vegetables, who would want it!"

Chu An said, "You wouldn't understand." He didn't explain further; his older sister had no idea how tough life on a film set was.

Changing the subject, he teased Chu Ning playfully, "What's wrong? Can't wait until tomorrow? Did you go to the factory office?"

Chu Ning was taken aback; this younger brother was really getting more and more impressive.

I wasn't in the mood to argue with him. "Uncle Ma can't help if we can't rent the storefront."

He then recounted his trip to the factory office to Chu An.

To Chu Ning's surprise, Chu An listened while unloading the truck, showing no disappointment or even surprise on his face.

Anxious, Chu Ning started nagging her younger brother again, "Why aren't you worried? This is going to fall through."

Chu An said, "That's normal. It would be strange if you could get Ma Guoyou to help you."

Chu Ning was confused. "What do you mean?"

Chu An said speechlessly, "What else do you mean?"

Her younger brother looked at her speechlessly, with a hint of reluctance in his expression.

Well, Chu An really didn't want to discourage his older sister.

There are some things that Chu Ning doesn't understand.

If Ma Guoyou were truly loyal and righteous, he wouldn't have risen through the ranks so many years ago, yet he has left the benefactor who helped him take the fall without even a place to stand in the factory.

That's an ingrate!
Why hasn't Chu Jianjun asked him for help all these years? Is it really because his father is too proud?

No! Chu Jianjun is by no means a conservative person. His daughter has already dropped out of school, how could he be so ashamed?

That's because Chu Jianjun saw through this person and knew that begging him was useless, so he didn't want to risk offending him.

So here's the question: why did Chu An still ask his older sister to go find him?

It wasn't that Chu An was naive or harboring wishful thinking, but rather that he was considering things from Chu Ning's perspective.

You have to give her a way out, make her feel that it's feasible, before she dares to take the first step.

Only by taking the first step can we remain so fearful and unwilling to give up, and proactively seek solutions.

This is a weakness of human nature.

Moreover, there are some things that Chu Ning simply doesn't know.

"Do you know Ma Guoyou's brother-in-law?" Chu An didn't keep them in suspense any longer.

Chu Ning nodded, "I know! It's Sun Lianqiao from the motor transport unit, the one who drives the factory director's car."

Chu An: "He wants to rent a storefront; the factory office is already going through the procedures."

"What?" Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously thought of Ma Guo's sincere friendship and his righteous words. How could he not know that he had been fooled by the man surnamed Ma?

As luck would have it, the factory director's Hongqi 100 was seen driving from the main road of the residential compound in the distance. The driver was Sun Lianqiao, Ma Guoyou's brother-in-law, and the passenger was Ma Guoyou.

Although Chu Ning couldn't see the people inside the car, he recognized it and was in a fit of anger, so his fierce spirit came out, and he rushed over and stopped the car.

He originally wanted to vent his anger on Sun Lianqiao, but seeing that Ma Guoyou was also in the car, that was perfect.

"Ma Guoyou! Get down here right now!"

Chu An originally wanted to comfort his older sister, saying that everything was within her brother's expectations and under his control.

As a result, his older sister rushed forward, and Chu An didn't stop her.

He could be rational, but his own sister couldn't. She needed to vent her anger, otherwise she'd wasted her time-traveling experience.

Besides, Ma Guoyou already owed the Chu family.

At this moment, Ma Guoyou got out of the passenger seat, still smiling obsequiously, "Xiao Ning, why did you stop the car? If I hit you, how am I supposed to explain to your dad?"

Chu Ning felt disgusted just looking at Ma Guoyou's hypocritical face. Her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled with tears, "If you don't want to rent the storefront, then don't rent it! Why did you lie to me?!"

She wasn't angry that Sun Lianqiao had taken over her shop; she was angry that she'd been made a fool of. And the person who had made her that fool was the same person Chu Jianjun had protected by sacrificing his own future back then.

"And I thought you were my uncle!"

Ma Guoyou's smile froze for a moment. He noticed that the neighbors who were cooling off were looking at them curiously, so he quickly regained his good-natured smile and replied with a hint of reproach, "This child, why are you taking your anger out on your Uncle Ma?"

Ignoring Chu Ning for the moment, he quickly explained to a middle-aged man under a tree by the roadside, "Xiao Ning just came to see me, saying his family wants to open a shop in the storefront. I didn't agree, and that's why he got so upset!"

Seeing that the man seemed to understand, he turned his gaze to Chu Ning, then immediately turned back to her, speaking earnestly, "Xiao Ning, the store is factory property, and I really can't make the decision. If your family really has any difficulties, come to my house and tell me later. I'll definitely help if I can. I have other things to do right now!"

As he spoke, he tried to get in the car and leave quickly.

Chu Ning was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder. She had finally seen what it meant to lie through one's teeth, and she stubbornly refused to let him leave.

"You shameless person!"

"Hey, hey, hey!" This time, the middle-aged man who had been watching the commotion couldn't stand it anymore. "Old Chu girl, how can you talk to your elders like that?!" He adopted a righteous and awe-inspiring posture. "How come your Uncle Ma is an elder and doesn't even have any respect?"

Staring at him, he said, "Besides, so what if you're the factory manager? You can't just rent a storefront whenever you want! That requires a vote at the workers' congress. Your Uncle Ma can't make that decision; he doesn't know anything about it!"

"That's right!" Ma Guoyou said with a wronged expression, forcing a bitter laugh. "Brother Li, please speak up for us, or we'll be wronged to death!"

Seeing that the neighbors had gathered to watch the commotion and he was no longer able to leave, Ma Guoyou simply spoke to them again, "Everyone, please be the judge!"

Before long, Chu Ning was covered in spittle.

"What? Chu Jianjun wants to rent a storefront? Not just anyone can rent that."

"How can you blame it on Old Ma?"

"Kids these days are getting more and more unruly!"

The commotion was chaotic, interspersed with the pronouncements of a self-righteous middle-aged man and the "victim" Ma Guoyou, who presented himself as a "rational and objective" person.

Ma Guoyou's brother-in-law, with his pointed face and monkey-like features, also got out of the car and joined the others in judging the matter. Everyone's opinions were aligned, and the blame was all directed at Chu Ning.

Chu Ning was so anxious. She wasn't a quick-witted person to begin with, and she just couldn't understand how her two sentences had turned out like this.
"I'm not me!" Chu Ning tried to explain, "It's Ma Guoyou. He's bullying people; he rented it to his brother-in-law!"

She couldn't get to the point for a long time, and even when she did, no one listened to her; she kept getting interrupted, leaving her frustrated.

But the people here weren't going to stop. "They're following proper procedures to connect the bridge."

"Isn't that right? This girl doesn't understand anything."

“What’s wrong with following the proper procedures? It’s Xiao Ning who’s thinking of using back channels; that’s wrong of her, her intentions are dishonest!”

Chu Ning even wanted to go up and scratch him.

Completely at her wit's end, tears streaming down her face, she could only manage to utter, "I'm going to the factory office to report you!"

These words were like lighting a powder keg; Ma Guoyou's brow furrowed, and his expression turned hostile.

Sun Lianqiao's temper flared up, and he dropped the pretense, sneering, "Sue us? Go ahead! If you don't, I'll look down on you!"

He cursed loudly, "You fucking bastard, don't you even know what your Chu family is? Trying to take it from me?!"

"Let me tell you, I've already rented this storefront. I'd like to see who can take it from me!"

"You little brat, you think you're so great, huh!?"

Seeing the situation, the others started to break up the fight, advising Sun Lianqiao to calm down, saying that the child was ignorant and shouldn't be bothered with her.

While scolding Chu Ning, he told her not to complain about this and that all the time.

Chu Ning was clearly startled and didn't know how to react for a moment. Just then, a large, warm hand pressed down on her.

Looking back, it was Chu An.

"Sister," she said, seeing only pity in her brother's eyes, "so you have absolutely no fighting ability? Then why did you charge in?"

Chu Ning was already feeling wronged, and being scolded by her younger brother made her even angrier. "You!"

Chu An patted her on the shoulder, "You're here to vent your anger, not to suffer. Just watch from the sidelines."

Chu Ning thought to herself, "You're not much better than me!" He looked intimidated by Chu Ning's stance of standing up for his older sister.
Then he looked at the old Jetta and said in a low voice and casual tone, "Uncle Ma has been promoted to factory manager."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. Some stared intently at Chu An, while others stared blankly at the Jetta alongside him.

Ma Guoyou was stunned, a little flustered, and said awkwardly, "What nonsense are you talking about, Xiao An? I don't have the ability to be a factory manager."

Chu An looked unconvinced. "Uncle, don't be modest. You're even riding in the factory manager's car!" He pointed at Sun Lianqiao. "Look everyone, he's got a driver. And you still say he hasn't been promoted?"

"Me!!" This little brat, he can kill without a knife.

Ma Guoyou panicked completely, his expression horrified. "You, you're talking nonsense!"

It's true that he rode in the factory manager's car, but that was when he went out on business with his brother-in-law. What does that have to do with his promotion?

Besides, he can ride in the car, but you can't say anything! What will people think if word gets out?
If Chu Ning could understand this, then who wouldn't? Looking at Ma Guoyou's flustered appearance, I suddenly wanted to laugh. Chu An is quite capable after all!
Ma Guoyou was getting really anxious. "Chu An! Don't talk nonsense! I'm going to Nancheng with Lian Qiao on business! What factory director or anything like that?"

Chu An clicked his tongue in amazement. "Listen to this! Listen to this! It's only a short walk to the South City, and the factory has to send out trucks. And he still says he hasn't been promoted! Uncle Ma has made it big. Don't forget about us old neighbors!"

"Go to hell!" This time, Ma Guoyou really cursed!

That's really harsh; it's like killing someone by attacking their spirit!
After Chu An's reminder, the neighbors obviously realized what was going on. They thought, "Hasn't Ma Guoyou already made it big? He's been the head of logistics for so many years."

So, the question is, who benefited from his help?

not a single one!

Even Chu Jianjun, who protected him back then, didn't escape unscathed.
Chu An wasn't finished yet. "Is it convenient to ask, whether it's business or personal?"

"not talking?"

"That's a private matter; it's misuse of a public vehicle!"

"Director Ma, you've broken the rules!"

"Pfft!!" Chu Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud, as could everyone else.

Look, they've even called him the factory manager.

Our factory director isn't very magnanimous.

What Chu Ning couldn't understand even more was where Chu An had learned all this? It was infuriating!
After making fun of Ma Guoyou, this guy completely ignored him. Chu An ignored him too!
He blatantly turned around and lectured Chu Ning, "When it comes to arguing, how can you just follow the other person's lead?"

"You have to poke his lungs."

"We have to kick that cripple's bad leg hard!"

"If we're just reasoning and presenting facts, is that still considered arguing?"

Got it!
Ma Guoyou was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode!
In particular, Chu An casually added at the end, "Come on, didn't our uncle say we should sue him? Let's talk to the production team and see if we can write it into the TV series."

"What a great realistic subject matter."

Is he really going to sue?
And instead of going to the factory or the county, they went to some damn film crew.
How did such a trivial matter escalate to the point of being on television?

Ma Guoyou's heart was ice-cold.

.

(End of this chapter)