In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 46. The Green Tea Appointment
And what about Li Weidong?
Regardless of whether Director Han pursues the matter, his image has completely collapsed in Director Han's eyes, and perhaps even in the eyes of Sister Zhang and Lao Zhou who know the inside story.

How can someone who is willing to use any means to achieve their goals, even at the expense of the collective interest, be entrusted with the important task of being a full-time secretary to a leader?

Once the foundation of trust is broken, it is difficult to rebuild!
Li Weidong has already eliminated himself in this silent competition.

In that case, Yang Guangming doesn't need to do anything more.

Any counterattack, exposure, or opportunistic attack against Li Weidong will only make him appear petty and narrow-minded.

What he needs to do is continue to do his job well, and do it even better, even more impeccably.

This allowed Deputy Factory Director Zhao Guodong to see his abilities, composure, and ability to consider the overall situation, which made Director Han trust and rely on him even more.

Time will tell, and the leader's eyes are discerning. What he needs most now is Zhao Guodong's approval, not the fleeting pleasure of a so-called "victory."

Adding legs to a snake is something a wise person would not do.

Yang Guangming slightly adjusted his posture, his gaze becoming more focused on the manuscript paper.

The Shikumen (stone gate) area was unusually quiet on Sunday.

Yang Ming slept in late, only waking up when the smoke from the coal stove in the courtyard, mixed with the aroma of breakfast from various families, drifted into the room.

He stretched comfortably, his bones cracking slightly.

All the hard work and effort I put into the Hongxing Factory Office over the past week has turned into this feeling of lazy satisfaction.

He slowly got up, put on his faded but crisp cotton vest, and shuffled downstairs in his plastic sandals.

Downstairs in the courtyard, Zhang Xiuying was engrossed in washing clothes in a large basin of soapy water, her forehead beaded with sweat, but her face beaming with an undisguised smile.

Her son has become successful and a cadre working in an office, which makes her stand a little straighter when walking in the alley.

Sister-in-law Li Guihua was holding Zhuangzhuang and coaxing him. Seeing the sunlight coming in, she forced a smile and said, "Mingming, you're up? It's Sunday today, have a good rest."

"Hmm, where's Dad?" Yang Guangming picked up his enamel mug to brush his teeth.

“Your father went to the factory to work overtime.” Zhang Xiuying straightened up and shook the water droplets off her hands. “The rice porridge is keeping warm in the pot, and the pickled vegetables are chopped too. You can serve yourselves when you get a break.” She looked at her son with satisfaction in her eyes.

Yang Guangming smiled and agreed. Just as he walked to the water tap in the courtyard, he heard a series of hurried footsteps.

"The sun shines brightly! The sun shines brightly!"

Chen Weihong's voice was breathless; before she even reached the courtyard, her voice had already burst in.

She was wearing a slightly worn floral short-sleeved shirt, with two thick braids hanging down her back, her face showing a mixture of embarrassment and barely perceptible eagerness.

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Judging from Chen Weihong's demeanor, could it be related to that person?

"Wei Hong, good morning." Yang Guangming smiled politely, turned on the tap, and the sound of running water softened the wariness in his voice.

Chen Weihong strode down the stairs and stood in the courtyard. Her gaze swept quickly over Granny Chen, who was lighting the stove, and Mrs. Feng, who was washing vegetables nearby. She lowered her voice and said, "Mingming, Meiyu asked me to find you." Sure enough. Yang Guangming sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he continued brushing his teeth leisurely. "Oh? Shen Meiyu? What does she want?" he asked, his tone as indifferent as if he were asking about the weather.

Chen Weihong was taken aback by his calmness, her prepared words caught in her throat, and she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:
"She said... she's waiting for you in the little park she used to frequent, and she has something to tell you in person."

She paused, looking at Yang Guangming's expressionless face, and added, "She's been waiting for you for ages, you...you should still go see her, shouldn't you?"

In the courtyard, Granny Chen's tattered palm-leaf fan slowed down, and the sound of Mrs. Feng washing vegetables also stopped.

Several faint gazes, like searchlights, focused on Yang Guangming.

What secrets could there be inside a shikumen? Last time, when Shen Meiyu cried and cursed at the door, all the neighbors heard it clearly.

After rinsing his mouth, Yang Ming wiped his face with a towel, his movements still steady.

He understood what Chen Weihong meant by not finishing her sentence, and he also sensed the silent inquiry from his neighbors.

Being a cadre is both a halo and a shackle. It's understandable that he could break off his relationship with Shen Meiyu and refuse her request to go to the countryside with him.

However, if he immediately avoids his "partner" or even completely cuts ties with her after getting a decent job, then he will likely be branded a "traitor" in the long run.

In this day and age, a person's conduct can destroy everything that has been painstakingly built.

"Okay, got it." Yang Guangming draped the towel back over his shoulder, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear. "Thank you for making the trip, Wei Hong. I'll go over after I finish breakfast."

His quick agreement surprised Chen Weihong. She had expected to have to persuade him further, and might even be met with a rebuff.

She glanced at Yang Guangming suspiciously, then nodded: "Then...then hurry up." After saying that, as if she had completed her task, she quickly turned and left.

Zhang Xiuying dried her hands and walked over from the courtyard, her smile gone, replaced by worry.

"Mingming, are you really going to look for her? This Shen Meiyu..." She hesitated, remembering the scene of Shen Meiyu blocking the door and cursing in the street last time.

Li Guihua, holding Zhuangzhuang, also came over, pouted, and muttered in a not-too-loud voice:
"Exactly! You know what's going on in her life. Now that you have a job, she's definitely going to cling to you! Don't be soft-hearted, or she'll become your sugar daddy!"

Yang Guangming served himself a bowl of rice porridge, added some pickled vegetables, and sat down at the small square table, his tone carrying a comforting quality:
"Mom, sister-in-law, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I just want to make things clear so she won't come looking for me in the alley again, which would be awkward for everyone."

She'll have to go to the countryside sooner or later; once she leaves, things will naturally be much easier.

He shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth, his eyes calm. "I'm a factory cadre now. I have to be careful in my actions, lest I give others something to criticize."

These words struck a chord with Zhang Xiuying. Her son's status was different now; his reputation was precious. She sighed, "Be careful with your own family. Just be clear and straightforward. Don't be soft-hearted, and don't offend anyone."

"I understand, Mom," Yang Guangming replied, speeding up his eating.

The small park is located in a corner of the old town. Several tall plane trees provide a dense shade, and there are a few benches with peeling paint under the trees.

(End of this chapter)