Reborn as a Noble's Son

“Zhenbang, did you finish your business in Urumqi? What is this secret job you have, you won’t tell us? Don’t tell me you’re going to say ‘brothers are like hands and feet, women are like clothes’, are you?” Dong Wan said with a stern face as soon as they met.

It was only after they really got together that Nie Zhenbang discovered that Dong Wan was not as cold as she appeared on the surface. In fact, she was quite fiery.

Li Lixue, who was standing next to her, cast him a slightly blaming glance, saying, “Third Brother, if you need money, do you really need to humbly beg others for it? This time, Wan and I have decided to stay permanently in Lixian. When the time comes, I will fully fund the infrastructure construction needed by Lixian. All you need to do is divide a piece of land to compensate me.”

Listening to this, Nie Zhenbang felt even more of a headache. After just half a year apart, even Li Lixue had become so fierce. Li Lixue was rich, a true nation’s rival in wealth. This, Nie Zhenbang knew. Just the money she earned from the Soviet Union was enough to make her stand atop the world. However, the distinction between public and private needed to be clear.

Shortly thereafter, Nie Zhenbang laughed and said, “Lixue, how come you’ve also adopted Wan’s personality? Can private and public matters be mixed? Besides, do you have any use for this land? Lixian doesn’t need to develop real estate properties, right?”

Li Lixue laughed and said, “Third Brother, it seems like you’ve lost confidence in yourself. If you’re going to develop an industrial park, it means you’re confident in your ability to attract investment. If we have factories, we won’t lack personnel, and if we have people, I’m not afraid of not being able to sell houses. I’m serious about this, let’s officially negotiate about it once the situation in Lixian is settled. You should know, I never make a loss in business.”

Over here, the staff from the Xibei branch of Walmart had already come over with a sign. Seeing Li Lixue and Dong Wan, the man showed great respect and courtesy, saying, “Excuse me, are you Miss Dong Wan and Miss Li Lixue from the headquarters in Jingcheng? I’m the manager of the Xibei branch of Walmart. As per Mr. Yang’s instructions, the car you require has already been prepared. It’s just outside in parking area A. This is my phone number, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I’ll excuse myself.”

Seeing Li Lixue accept the key, Nie Zhenbang was startled. It seemed like these two were really here to open supermarkets, they’d even made contact with Yang Anbang.

The car was a brand new Land Rover Discovery, a model that was only launched in 1989 and still relatively rare in China. It was certainly suitable for use in Xibei.

Led by Nie Zhenbang’s car, they didn’t even stop in Urumqi, heading directly for Lixian. Finally, after 8 PM, they arrived in Lixian City.

Compared to a few months ago, the nightlife in Lixian had gradually livened up. Under Chen Le’s leadership, there had been a significant improvement in the overall public order of Lixian. Furthermore, the Farmer Welfare Company and Longhua Mining had started operations, adding richness to Lixian’s nightlife.

The car went directly to the Li County Hotel. After they booked two rooms, Dong Wan suddenly said, “Zhenbang, let’s go out and have a walk. The last time we came, you went off to that nonsense foundation-laying ceremony for Liu Kun. You left us ladies out in the cold with all those people. This time, accompany Lixue and me. Let’s take a good look at Lixian, let us see the city that our Zhenbang governs.”

Compared to before, Li Lixue had changed a lot. Her burdens had lifted. Now that her younger brother was cared for back at home, Li Lixue had become much more cheerful. Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s furrowed brow, she also laughed and said, “That’s right, it is said that a government official who doesn’t act for the people might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes. Wan, look, I have more experience than you. All of you pampered princes and princesses only look at the surface. We, the common people, look at the faces of the residents here, and we know what’s what.”

Nie Zhenbang also laughed, feeling as though his status was increasingly diminishing. However, since he loved them both, he was willing to be accommodating. “So be it then, leaders. Please, lead the way,” he said in jest.

Although there were more businesses that stayed open late at night on the streets of Lixian, it was still somewhat empty overall. Besides a few dance halls, most places on the main street were rather quiet. Moreover, the county town was not that big. Half an hour was enough to walk a full circle around Lixian.

Looking at a small stand nearby, it was something that had only appeared recently, a makeshift tent. They sold some characteristic grilled mutton from the northwest region.

Seeing new customers approaching, the owner courteously welcomed them, “Sir, are you coming for a late-night snack? Please, take a seat.”

The simplistic food stall was gaining popularity in the coastal areas of eastern China, but in Xibei, in Lixian, it was something new. The stand’s business was doing quite well. Although Nie Zhenbang had appeared frequently on Lixian television and in newspapers, it was nighttime, and under the dim light, no one noticed him.

The stall was doing fairly well, marked by simple tables that, although somewhat greasy, were neat. It was Dong Wan’s first time dining at such a simple set up and she was somewhat excited. After sitting down, Dong Wan, took the lead and said, “Boss, what are some of your featured dishes here?”

Nowadays, with the development of Li County, there were more and more outsiders here. The owner didn’t mind Dong Wan’s Mandarin and immediately replied with a smile: “Our special dishes include roasted lamb, pilaf, and big-plate chicken – feel like having a bit of everything? Enjoy lamb soup?”

The owner seemed to be very good at doing business – from Nie Zhenbang and his companions’ attire, it wasn’t hard to tell they weren’t common folk. The owner, chuckling, said: “Our lamb soup has Angelica and Lycium added. It is a nourishing delicacy that can promote blood circulation – perfect for ladies.”

Li Lixue laughed at this point and waved her hand, “Boss, stop blowing your trumpet. Let’s have a little of everything as you suggested.”

With Li Lixue’s outstanding features and exquisite beauty, her typical Russian face would attract attention anywhere, and complemented with Dong Wan, an equally stunning woman who was sitting next to her, they became the center of attention.

Inside the stall, a voice rang out, “Boss, bill please. Don’t lose your focus because of these beauties. Are these types of beauties really going to drink your nourishing lamb soup?”

Dong Wan’s eyebrows furrowed at this, while Li Lixue just laughed, “Don’t frown, sister Wan. Ignore these people and just enjoy your meal.”

Having traveled all over the place for so many years, Li Lixue was used to such comments. No matter where, some people seemed to feel uncomfortable without uttering a few playful words when they saw pretty women – to the point of blatant disregard. The angrier you are, the more gratified they are – there is no winning.

Dong Wan understood what Li Lixue meant and sat back down huffily, muttering under her breath: “Hmph, Lixue, you’re too tolerant! I would’ve slapped him if it were me.”

At this time, the owner approached the men, reminding them the important principle of business: harmony brings wealth. Even if they were to tease him, the owner would just take it in stride because if he was petulant, then he wouldn’t be able to do business. With a look at the things on the table, the owner immediately said: “Big Brother Yang, it’s forty-eight yuan and fifty cents in total. I’ll give you a discount and make it forty-five yuan.”

As soon as his words fell, the leading man referred to as Yang Ge said: “Forty-five yuan, um, just add it to my tab, and I’ll clear it with you at the end of the month.”

The owner was taken aback at this moment. The two hundred and over from last month was still unsettled, and this month, this was already the second time. In total, not counting the waived fees, it would have reached three to four hundred. As a small business owner, three to four hundred was not a small piece of change.

Before the owner could say anything, his wife, not willing to tolerate the situation, stepped up and said with a smile: “Big Brother Yang, look, you still owe over two hundred sixty from last month, and another a hundred thirty this month, making it a total of four hundred. How about you settle today’s bill, and we will clear the rest by the end of the month? We run a small business, the money we’re using is borrowed from my mother’s house. We really can’t afford this.”

As soon as her words fell, Yang Ge’s face darkened, and another man beside him scolded: “The fuck? What’s your wife trying to say, Xiao Sheng? We can’t afford to pay you back? Do you know what Yang Ge does for a living? Do you think the staff from the West City Police Station can’t afford to pay you? You don’t want to run your stall anymore, do you?”

Nie Zhenbang and Dong Wan, who heard this, frowned. Nie Zhenbang was familiar with the West City Police Station. When Chen Le took office, she divided the original Chengguan Town Police Station into two: the Old Chengguan Town Police Station and the West City Police Station. This division was Chen Le’s way of gradually gaining control of the power from the public security brigade. Who knew that the West City Police Station would stoop to this level?

At this moment, Dong Wan couldn’t suppress her anger anymore and coldly said: “What police station or not, you guys are practically announcing that you dine and dash, isn’t it just face-losing? You’re even losing face for the Li County Party Committee.”

PS: So touched, 154 votes for a single chapter. This is the powerful strength of you, my brothers and sisters. It seems that all Old Cai can do is keep typing. Update, typing again! That’s it for this second update, and the third update is coming up.