That afternoon, Su Jin went home early to put away the pig feed, then headed out again to research the market and buy supplies. By the time he dragged himself home, exhausted, dusk was falling.
He showered, changed his clothes, and knocked on Fu Qingdai's front door.
Fu Hu answered. The moment he saw Su Jin, he broke into a smile and gestured for him to come in.
"Director Li, come on in! Have you eaten? Perfect timing-we've just finished cooking."
Su Jin smiled. "Oh, I really couldn't impose, Old Fu."
After eating and drinking their fill, the two men settled onto the sofa.
Su Jin picked his teeth while Zhang Wan brought over two cups of hot tea, then went back to work in the kitchen.
Fu Qingdai had already gone to her room to do her homework.
Half a cup of hot tea later, Su Jin shifted in his seat and looked at Fu Hu. "Old Fu, I asked around about that job for you."
"Oh?" Fu Hu leaned forward slightly, edging his head toward Su Jin.
After a moment's consideration, Su Jin gave a light cough and took another sip of tea. "Your situation is a little more complicated than I expected."
"Well..."
"Hey, don't worry." Su Jin raised a hand to stop him. "I mean complicated for you. For me, it's a piece of cake."
"Ah..." Fu Hu relaxed and continued listening closely.
"Here's the situation. There are openings at the bureau. But you know how these things work-good positions don't stay vacant for long, and the National Strategic Risk Bureau is no exception. With my bid for deputy director in the mix, I can't step forward and handle this for you personally just yet. So I'll need your cooperation to sort out the job, though you may have to spend a little money..."
Zhang Wan, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, suddenly pricked up her ears and leaned back slightly.
"Just tell me what you need, Director Li. How can I help?" Fu Hu asked at once.
"The director of our National Strategic Risk Bureau is named Zhang Zhao, and he has a son. The boy isn't all that young anymore-he's older than your daughter-and he likes weapons. My subordinates are being watched, and the people around the director all belong to my rivals' camp, so I'm planning to make an opening through his son. While I'm at it, I can have him take care of your situation too and secure your position in advance."
"I've met the boy once. I know he likes bows and arrows, but our director never dared let him play with them before. Now he's older and getting restless. He's at just the right age to want to play with weapons!"
"Get me three powerful bows. Compound bows with fifty-, seventy-, and ninety-pound draw weights. Get as many arrows as you can for each, the hunting kind with the best penetration. Add whatever archery accessories they have too-laser sights, repeating mechanisms, things like that. But remember, buy each type of bow in a different color. Same goes for the arrows."
"Th-that...!" Fu Hu was startled by the instructions. "Three bows, all with arrows, and you want the best penetration? Is he going to war? Besides, I can't even draw a ninety-pound bow these days. Is that really necessary, Director Li?"
"Tsk, come on..." Su Jin turned his head aside, then quickly turned back. "Old Fu, I hate to say it, but even though you're older than me, you've still got a lot to learn in this department."
"Obviously, I'm not going to give him all of it. Once you buy everything, I'll need to pick something out, won't I? You don't put any thought into your child, and now you're not putting any thought into finding a job either. Do you think giving gifts is that simple?"
"Why did I tell you to buy different colors, and so many of them? I can't exactly go out and buy the bows and arrows myself. You cover all the options, then I'll put together the right combination once you've bought them. This is all psychology, I'm telling you... Keep the receipts. Once I've made my selection, return the rest, and we're done."
In the kitchen, Zhang Wan's expression eased, and she straightened up again.
"Ah... oh... ah... Psychology! I really am learning a lot from you, Director!" Fu Hu looked utterly amazed.
Su Jin took a sip of tea, then continued, "That covers your business. Now for mine. Going through the director's son is a good route, and getting your job sorted out should be easy, but I've been out of the country too long. I don't have a clear picture of the situation, so I'm only seventy percent confident. The remaining thirty percent is up to you."
Fu Hu's expression gradually grew solemn.
He had served in the military, but he had only been an ordinary soldier. Now he was just an ordinary civilian.
There was no way he wouldn't worry about being dragged into a struggle for power.
"Don't be nervous. Your task is actually very simple. Every time I go on an overseas mission, I leave two trusted men behind and arrange several secret ways to contact them in advance. Go to the specialist solar power parts shop in Erdaowan and buy me a solar panel, along with a storage battery, a controller, and an inverter."
"Not long after you buy the equipment, my men will find out. They'll understand my intentions and my situation. Leave everything else to me. All you have to do is wait to start your new job!"
"A solar panel? How much will that cost, Director?" Fu Hu had just picked up his teacup, but hurriedly put it down again.
After a moment's thought, Su Jin said, "Someone there will have the whole set ready for you. It'll come to about fourteen thousand."
"Fourteen thousand!" Fu Hu's eyes widened. "That's far too much, Director. And I still have to buy the bows and arrows. My family doesn't have that much..."
"What's the rush? Keep the receipts once you've bought your things. You'll return them in a couple of days too. That equipment is just a signal to my men, and it has to be exactly right. Don't ask any more about the specifics." Su Jin tapped the table, feeling rather helpless himself.
He had looked into solar power that afternoon... This world's photovoltaic industry wasn't very developed. The prices were outrageous, expensive beyond belief.
But he had spoken to the shop beforehand, and returns were allowed. He figured Fu Hu wouldn't refuse.
"All right!"
Sure enough, Fu Hu set his teacup down with a thump and asked plainly, "Then when should I buy everything, Director?"
"Tomorrow. The day after tomorrow at the absolute latest. Make sure you get everything. Just get over this last hurdle, and then we can both rest easy."
"Understood. I'll take tomorrow off and get it all done for you."
Su Jin smiled and reached out to pat his arm.
"Don't be nervous, Old Fu. Everything's falling into place... We've pretty much covered it all. I'll go check on Qing Dai."
"Of course, of course. Sorry for the trouble, Director Li." Fu Hu hurriedly rose and accompanied Su Jin to Fu Qingdai's bedroom door.
When he opened the door, Fu Qingdai was sitting at her desk in plain white pajamas, idly scribbling in a workbook, her smooth, pale calves swinging back and forth in turn.
Seeing her father appear with Su Jin, she glanced at them helplessly, then immediately lowered her eyes.
"Qing Dai, pay attention to Uncle Li's lesson! Take it to heart, okay?" Fu Hu gave her that reminder, then reached out and closed the door.
As soon as the door shut, Fu Qingdai rose lightly to her feet and sat obediently on the edge of the bed.
Su Jin surveyed the girl's bedroom. Little dolls were arranged throughout it, and a faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Then he strode over and sat in the chair, facing Fu Qingdai. "The soundproofing's decent in here, right?" he asked quietly.
"Mm... They won't hear if we keep our voices down," Fu Qingdai replied softly.
"Where's the money? How much did you steal today? Give it to me." Su Jin held out his hand.
Fu Qingdai fumbled beneath the mattress for a moment, then pulled out a handful of small-denomination notes and placed them in his palm.
When Su Jin took a closer look, his expression soured!
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