A Clever Move Backfires (I)

Tong Haojing had served as a soldier for six years and had transferred out as a reconnaissance officer in the Special Operations Unit. He returned to Tangdu City in 2015. In fact, after returning home from the military to await civilian placement, Tong Haojing had already been at home for three months. During those days, following Uncle Mumu, the village chief, to fish helped pass the lonely, idle hours, but his mother, Wang Xiyue, was growing impatient.

Wang Xiyue finally saw the son she had longed for day and night. He had grown into an adult, standing six feet tall. His once-youthful face now carried sharp, cool contours; his dark, deep-set eyes shone with an enviable resolve. His thick, swordlike brows, high nose, and striking lips all proclaimed his magnanimity and pride. Seeing how greatly her son had changed, Wang Xiyue took his hand, scarcely daring to believe her own eyes. But the red birthmark on Tong Haojing's hand assured her that he truly was her son. Tears of happiness streamed from Wang Xiyue's eyes, the sorrow vanished from her face at once, and she seemed ten years younger.

Members of the Big House Clan came one after another to Tong Haojing's little Western-style house to visit him. The moment they entered, they praised him: "A fine homestead produces fine people. We have Tong Da's blessing to thank for this!"

Tong Haojing had escaped the farming life, and no one from the Big House Clan dared look down on him anymore. Their attitudes had even taken a complete turn. Even Fang Qiong, who had once harbored extreme hatred toward Wang Xiyue, looked at her with envy and spoke some blatantly flattering words.

"Sister Wang has such a fine figure. The child she bore is a treasure. He joined the army seeking achievement and returned a man of renown. When it comes down to it, his roots are upright, and Tong Da deserves the greatest credit. Who knew King Yan was so hateful, taking Old Tong's life! He should have been holding his grandson and enjoying his twilight years, but illness kept him from fulfilling that wish!"

"Tongtong is so outstanding that we all benefit from it. From now on, everyone in our Big House Clan will have to rely on your Tongtong!"

Endless compliments filled every room of the Tong household, and the place was lively for a while before the Big House Clan gradually settled down again. Wang Xiyue's face had glowed brightly, but after everyone left, that glow slowly faded away. She knew other people's blessings might be nothing more than surface pleasantries. Only when her son's placement was truly settled would the heavy stone in her heart finally fall away.

After returning home, what Tong Haojing wanted most was a way to rest quietly and recharge himself. He saw Uncle Mumu fishing by the Tangdu River. Uncle Mumu said there were especially many fish in the river that year, and they were especially plump and delicious. Learning to fish from Uncle Mumu could not have been better, because he would also get to eat Uncle Mumu's pickled-cabbage fish again.

At home, Wang Xiyue busied herself happily with her son. Though tired, her heart was sweet. Fortunately, she had not ruined her son's future through her own shortsightedness. Looking back now, Wang Xiyue secretly regretted her original decision. Her son's stubborn temperament had turned out to be a good thing; otherwise, he would not have achieved even this much today. Smiles had begun to appear on her face more often, but now that her son was transferring out of the military, she felt uneasy. She feared he would follow the path of her elder brother, Wang Xigui, and end up empty-handed, only to be mocked by the Big House Clan again and be unable to hold her head high. Her elder brother Wang Xigui was over fifty, a retired veteran who looked old before his time. A few wrinkles on his sallow face clearly showed the hardships he had endured. Because he had not chosen his placement department well after leaving the military and his work unit had gone bankrupt, he now ran a grocery store in Tangdu City and lived an exceptionally hard life. Fortunately, policies for retired veterans had changed in recent years, and only then had a smile returned to his face.

Seeing that Tong Haojing had spent three months at home doing nothing but reading, playing on his phone, or trailing behind Uncle Mumu to fish in the Tangdu River, Wang Xiyue worried that if this continued, her son would become dispirited and depressed.

Wang Xiyue was frantic with worry, yet she had no good solution. She racked her brains at home. She had considered asking Uncle Mumu for help, but Uncle Mumu was only the village head and had close ties with town officials. When it came to the city, he was powerless. The only person she could think of was her elder brother. She knew that her brother had ended up making his own living only because he had chosen the wrong local work unit after transferring out of the military, and it had gone bankrupt. Seeing him rise before dawn and work until dark to earn money through business pained her beyond words. Her brother had once mentioned that he had a comrade-in-arms, Zheng Benli, who served as director of the Civil Affairs Bureau. She wanted her brother to put aside his pride and seek a way out for his nephew, so her son could have a good future.

This was Wang Xiyue's only path. Come what may, she would treat a donkey like a horse and ride it. Even if there were only a one-percent chance, she would put in one hundred percent effort. Her elder brother was a shortcut right before her; no matter how roundabout the way, she had to ask him for help. If she tried, then even if it failed, she would have no regrets.

A few days earlier, Wang Xiyue had gone into the city to find her elder brother. He was a dull, quiet man who did not talk much and conducted his business honestly. The troubled look on his face nearly drove Wang Xiyue to despair. But for his sister, for his nephew, and so they could look after one another in the future, Wang Xigui stopped worrying about so much. He readily agreed to his sister's request. He would take a gamble, swallow his pride, and personally seek out his old comrade Zheng Benli.

That day, Wang Xigui prepared two bottles of Maotai liquor and packed them tightly in a black cloth bag. He had heard that many people regularly came to ask bureau directors for favors and had to queue up. He wanted to be first in line, so no one would see him. Thus, before office hours had even begun, he arrived outside the Civil Affairs Bureau office building. Two security guards stood stiffly at the entrance, imposing and intimidating. Wang Xigui had also heard that when entering the gates of a government office, one must not act timid or servile. Be bold, keep your back straight, and look ahead, and the guards would not question you. Wang Xigui walked straight in, passing the guards with an air of confidence. Sure enough, the trick worked. The guards let him through without asking a thing.

Wang Xigui asked several people before reaching Director Zheng's office. By chance, the door stood half open.

As it happened, Director Zheng was about to hold a meeting to prepare for an inspection. He said that Wang Dehua, the leader of the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Team, would be coming, with the time set for nine o'clock. That was why Zheng Benli had arrived rather early. He was seated at his desk, clicking through news on his computer with the mouse.