Chapter 83: An Unexpected New Year’s Call

Jiang Xiwen sat with a cup of tea in hand, exchanging pleasantries with Tian Weidong. Although he was not particularly fond of such social interactions, he knew he did not yet have the standing to act however he pleased in any situation.

Before long, Zhang Yong arrived, dressed in casual clothes and led in by the waiter. His voice preceded him, booming through the hallway: “Old Tian, you rascal, you barely set foot in Yangjiang and already such a big incident happens! I’ve been trying to find you these past days to apologize in person, but you’re nowhere to be found. If you’d told me earlier you were meeting Liu Dashan, I never would have let you go.”

His tone brimmed with reproach. As soon as he stepped into the private room, he realized there was someone else present. Fixing his gaze, he saw it was Jiang Xiwen. He paused in surprise, then exclaimed, “Xiwen, so you two have already met…”

Before he could finish, Tian Weidong chuckled, “Of course. This young man is my benefactor. If I’d relied on you, I’d probably be feeding the fish in the Yangtze by now.”

“A benefactor?” Zhang Yong repeated, astonished.

Tian Weidong had assumed Zhang Yong already knew, but from his reaction, it became clear the police had kept Jiang Xiwen’s involvement under wraps, likely at the boy’s own request to avoid publicity. Even the deputy mayor hadn’t been informed. He glanced at Jiang Xiwen, uncertain whether to speak.

Jiang Xiwen nodded and said, “It’s all right. Uncle Zhang has every right to know.” Zhang Yong was well-versed in the matter and aware of Jiang Xiwen’s abilities, so there was no harm in recounting what had happened a few days prior.

Naturally, Jiang Xiwen did not allow Tian Weidong to speak for him. He proceeded to give Zhang Yong a brief account of the events.

With Zhang Yong present, Tian Weidong no longer bothered to mask his deep-seated gravity. No sooner had Jiang Xiwen finished than he interjected, “I thought you already knew about Jiang Xiwen saving me, and that’s why you brought him along. Turns out, even the deputy mayor is out of the loop.”

“That just means our Yangjiang police know how to keep a secret!” Zhang Yong retorted. There was no pretense between him and Tian Weidong, even with Jiang Xiwen present. He had long since shed any airs of office, bantering as freely as he had in their university days.

Before Tian Weidong could respond, Zhang Yong turned to Jiang Xiwen and said, “Xiwen, you really are something. Today’s meal is on me, as thanks for helping our city catch the notorious Liu Dashan and for saving my old friend here.”

“Cut it out, Yongzi, you’re just like in the old days—always trying to piggyback on my coattails!” Tian Weidong laughed.

“Oh? So back in the day, Uncle Zhang…” Jiang Xiwen picked up the thread, intentionally playing along. He wanted Tian Weidong to notice the easy rapport he had with Zhang Yong, a relationship close enough for such teasing. He had also gleaned something of Zhang Yong’s character and was confident that, in this setting, his jest would not offend.

Zhang Yong replied, “You old fox, always exposing my past! This meal is definitely on me today—I’ll pay. Besides, we’ve finally turned things around.”

“To think you talk like this and still manage to command respect from your subordinates. I really wonder how you manage to maintain your authority,” Tian Weidong said, half in jest, half in earnest. Though more relaxed than usual, his temperament remained steadier than Zhang Yong’s, unlikely to become careless with age.

There was nothing to be done—old habits die hard. Zhang Yong pursed his lips, recalling how his father had often admonished him for his temperament. Fortunately, those reminders had taught him enough of an official’s bearing to muddle through his duties.

“Let’s not dwell on this. Xiwen is the star of today,” Tian Weidong said, steering the conversation. “Yongzi, didn’t you recommend a software expert to me? I’m curious if he’s as talented as our Xiwen here. My subordinate, Fan Qiang, recommended his candidate, and I’ve tried the software—the quality is excellent.”

The words immediately made Jiang Xiwen realize that this shrewd businessman had no idea the person Zhang Yong had recommended was actually himself. In Tian Weidong’s eyes, Zhang Yong’s familiarity with Jiang Xiwen was simply because Jiang Xiwen had once saved his daughter. As one of the key parties, the police had already informed Tian Weidong of some of Jiang Xiwen’s deeds.

Tian Weidong had planned to compare the candidates after Zhang Yong arrived, weighing quality and cost. Although Jiang Xiwen had recently saved him and offered a lower price with better results than major software companies, as a businessman, Tian Weidong felt obliged to compare all his options before making a decision.

The timing and manner of his words left no room for resentment.

Jiang Xiwen understood and took note—he would face more and more business negotiations in the future, which was not his strong suit. He was happy to learn from the experience.

Zhang Yong burst into laughter after Tian Weidong spoke. “You really are an out-of-touch businessman. The person I recommended is Jiang Xiwen himself.” His tone carried a hint of revenge for Tian Weidong’s earlier jab about his own ignorance.

“Is that so?” Tian Weidong turned to Jiang Xiwen, paused, and then laughed heartily. “I thought it odd Yangjiang would suddenly have such an IT prodigy. Creating a system for our Tianxing School is no simple task.”

Jiang Xiwen replied, “My teacher Qi Huanchang guided me a great deal, but I’m confident this software is far better than the one Principal Fan Qiang mentioned from Qingruan.”

There was no need for humility at such times. This was the moment to sell his product, not to downplay his skills or suggest he still had much to learn.

Tian Weidong’s appreciation for Jiang Xiwen grew. He couldn’t help but ask, “What do you think of Fan Qiang?”

Jiang Xiwen paused briefly, understanding that Tian Weidong was testing him, and answered, “He’s all right, but I hear he was too self-serving in the Liu Dashan matter.”

Jiang Xiwen refrained from airing his personal grievances with Fan Qiang. Had the Liu Dashan affair never happened, and if he’d exposed Fan Qiang’s tricks earlier, he would have been helping Tian Weidong’s business. But at this point, there was no need. Saying more would only make him seem calculating, which would make Tian Weidong wary of doing business with him in the future. Losing out on business with Tianxing was one thing, but losing such a valuable connection would significantly diminish his prospects of building other partnerships.

Besides, Fan Qiang had already received his due punishment. One should be magnanimous—this was something Jiang Xiwen had resolved only days before. There was no need to drive a man into a corner.

Having heard Jiang Xiwen’s words, Tian Weidong had already decided to purchase his software. He raised his voice slightly, “Xiwen, when shall we sign the contract? You’ll need a lawyer to sign on your behalf since you’re not yet of age—the contract wouldn’t be legally binding otherwise.”

Integrity was a cornerstone of Tian Weidong’s business philosophy. No matter what means he employed before, once it came to signing, he insisted on sincerity—this was the key to his growing business and the ever-improving reputation of Tianxing School.

Qi the Fatty had returned at some point, and the sooner he got paid, the better. After two months of negotiations, this was not a deal to let slip. Jiang Xiwen immediately agreed to Tian Weidong’s proposal.

As they discussed the software, Zhang Yong finished ordering the food. Buoyed by good spirits, Jiang Xiwen feigned surprise and said, “To have the mayor himself order for me—I must truly be honored.”

“You rascal, just eat. Next time we meet, it won’t be so informal—at least not in public,” Zhang Yong replied, true to his easy nature. With the Liu Dashan case resolved, he no longer regarded Jiang Xiwen as an ordinary child or felt the need to assume the stern demeanor his father had taught him. Little did he know that his father’s official airs were merely a product of habit, and he was even more relaxed in Jiang Xiwen’s presence.

After a hearty meal, everyone went home to rest. The next day, Tian Weidong arranged for Jiang Xiwen to visit a law firm and sign the contract. His decisive style not only won Jiang Xiwen’s respect but also ensured a steady stream of business partners who valued long-term cooperation.

With 1.6 million yuan in hand, Jiang Xiwen hummed a carefree tune, dreaming of the day when counting money would make his hands cramp.

In the days before Lunar New Year, Jiang Hong was puzzled. Supervisors and even higher-ups who had no direct authority over him sought him out for private conversations. Their words suggested they wanted to support him as the next county magistrate of Yangning.

Back when he’d first learned he was a candidate, his superiors had hinted he was just there as a placeholder for the office director, Ma Guoming. Now, barely two months later, the political winds had shifted completely.

He tried asking directly, but his supervisor only offered the standard platitudes: “You’re outstanding and capable, and we must cultivate good cadres like you for the Party and the people of Yangjiang. But it’s too early to say—there are other strong candidates. Keep your mind open and prepare for any post. Wherever you serve, it’s all for the Party and the people.”

Though he was baffled, Jiang Hong was nonetheless pleased. At last, he had the chance to realize his ambitions and serve in the impoverished county of Yangning. Yet, after years in the bureaucracy, he knew all too well that nothing was certain until finalized—anything could change at the last moment.

Time slipped quickly toward New Year’s Eve. For the young Jiang Xiwen, nothing brought more joy than setting off fireworks, donning new clothes, and collecting lucky money.

His mother would slip two yuan under his pillow for good fortune, and tuck another two into the pocket of his undershirt to “protect his waist.” These charming traditions, old and new, filled Jiang Xiwen with nostalgia. Though the thrill of childhood had faded, revisiting these memories allowed him to let go of everything and relive the experience with his whole heart.