r18novel Chapter 1131 I can't control it.
Chapter 1131 I can't control it.
As dusk crept over the windowpane, Gu Nan was taking off his work jacket when Ran Qiuye emerged from the kitchen carrying the last plate of stir-fried vegetables, her apron still stained with oil. On the table sat two dishes and a soup; the scallions and eggs glistened with golden oil, and the cabbage and tofu soup steamed, mingling with the aroma of rice, making the small room cozy and inviting.
"The courtyard was quite lively today." Ran Qiuye took off her apron and served Gu Nan a bowl of rice. "You didn't see it. When the people from the neighborhood committee read out the list this afternoon, the Liu family in the backyard was like a pot boiling over. That kid Liu Guangtian collapsed on the spot. His parents were crying and wiping away tears. They refused to believe it no matter what."
Gu Nan paused, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he picked up his chopsticks. "The policy of sending people to the countryside has been announced for a long time. Doesn't he know it? He's always idle and his class background is problematic. It's no wonder he's in trouble."
"That's true, but it's still suffering in the countryside after all." Ran Qiuye sighed. "I heard that Liu Guangtian's father is trying to find someone to pull strings to get his name removed. But I heard from Auntie that the policy is being strictly enforced this time, so it might be difficult."
Gu Nan picked up a piece of egg and chewed slowly: "It's going to be tough. At this critical juncture, no one can take advantage of any loopholes. Qiu Ye, remember, tough times are coming soon. Don't get involved in the gossip in the courtyard. Let's just take care of ourselves."
Ran Qiuye nodded. She knew Gu Nan was meticulous, and there must be a reason why he said that. Just as she was about to ask about the factory, Liu Haizhong's voice suddenly came from the gate, his deliberate warmth even through the door: "Deputy Factory Director Gu Nan, are you home? I need to talk to you about something!"
Ran Qiuye looked up at Gu Nan, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion: "You're here at this hour? Is it because of Liu Guangtian?" Liu Haizhong is Liu Guangtian's father, and he values his reputation above all else. If he comes to our door now, he most likely wants Gu Nan to help him out.
Gu Nan put down his chopsticks, wiped his hands, and a knowing glint flashed in his eyes: "Most likely. But this has nothing to do with us, I don't care." He stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "You keep the food warm, I'll be right back."
"Okay, go ahead." Ran Qiuye took the dishes into the kitchen, turned on the stove to reheat them, but in her heart she was thinking - Liu Haizhong is always concerned about his reputation, and he can actually lower himself to ask for help, so it seems that Liu Guangtian's matter is really urgent.
Gu Nan had just pushed open the mottled wooden door when he saw Liu Haizhong pacing back and forth in the doorway, his shiny black cloth shoes grinding against the bluestone pavement, leaving several shallow white marks. His blue overalls were faded from washing, the frayed edges of the collar resembling fluffy cotton wool, and the rolled-up cuffs revealed several old scars of varying depths on his forearms—scars left from years of wielding a sledgehammer at the steel mill. Hearing the door open, Liu Haizhong whirled around, a smile plastered on his face, but the curve of his lips was somewhat stiff from his haste, and a hint of barely concealed unease lingered in his eyes.
"It's...it's Deputy Factory Director Gu." He took a small step forward, rubbed his hand on his trouser seam, and lowered his voice by eight octaves. "Just got back? I was wondering if you have some free time right now. I wanted to...I wanted to talk to you about something." As he spoke, he glanced into the yard and saw several potted plants on the windowsill of the main house, with fresh water droplets still clinging to their leaves, clearly indicating that they had just been watered.
Gu Nan stepped aside, his tone completely calm: "Uncle, if you have something to say, come inside. It's windy outside."
Liu Haizhong stopped abruptly, as if his feet were nailed to the ground. He knew perfectly well that although he was a "big shot" in the compound and had worked his way up to the seventh-level forging worker in the steel rolling mill, in terms of status, he was no match for Deputy Director Gu Nan. If he were to sneak into someone's house now and disturb their peace, wouldn't that be counterproductive? He swallowed hard and chuckled dryly, "No, no, Deputy Director Gu, let's talk here. It'll only take a few words, it won't take up your time."
Seeing his hesitant expression, Gu Nan already guessed what was going on, but his face remained expressionless. He simply smiled and said, "Alright, let's talk here then." As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of a small black dog crouching by the wall. It was the stray dog he had picked up from the alleyway a while ago. It was tilting its head, its bright black eyes darting back and forth between the two of them, its tail swishing softly on the ground. "Heizi, go back to your kennel."
Hei Zi seemed to understand human nature, barking softly at Gu Nan. Then it turned its head to look at Liu Haizhong, probably thinking that this person's tense appearance was not interesting. It wagged its tail and strolled back to the doghouse in the corner of the yard, curling up into a black fur ball with only its two ears sticking out.
The courtyard gate fell silent instantly, save for the rustling of the leaves of the old elm tree atop the wall in the wind. Gu Nan then looked up at Liu Haizhong: "Uncle, what brings you here?"
Liu Haizhong leaned forward half a step, almost touching the doorframe, his voice lowered, filled with a burning urgency: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, you've just returned and might not know yet—there's been a problem with the list of people going to the countryside!" He paused, and seeing that Gu Nan didn't respond, he quickly added, his tone pleading, "Originally, it was Bang Geng and Yan Jiefang who were chosen, but I don't know where things went wrong, my Guangtian's name... was added! You know, that kid has never suffered hardship since he was little, he can't lift a finger, if he really goes to the countryside, facing the loess soil with his back to the sky, won't he break his little bones?"
Gu Nan raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise, his brows furrowing slightly, and a perfectly timed look of doubt in his eyes: "Oh? Is that so? I heard a colleague from the neighborhood office mention it a couple of days ago, saying there were only two spots available. How come Guangtian was suddenly added?" His completely unaware expression, even the curve of his raised eyebrows, was genuine, showing no sign of being fake.
Seeing this, Liu Haizhong felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders—it seemed Gu Nan genuinely didn't know about this, which made things much easier! He quickly moved forward, bending even lower, his tone almost pleading: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, you're a leader at the steel rolling mill, you have a wide network of connections and influence, could you… could you help this kid Guangtian out? We all live in the same compound, we see each other all the time, please have pity on him. Guangtian is young and doesn't understand things, if he really goes to the countryside and encounters those rough people, who knows how much suffering he'll endure…"
Gu Nan had already anticipated this; he knew the man had come for this reason. But the rural assignments were mandated by policy, and the street office had already submitted the list. How could he, a deputy director of a steel rolling mill, interfere? Besides, Liu Guangtian was lazy, loved to cause trouble, and going to the countryside to toughen him up might not be a bad thing. He deliberately feigned difficulty and sighed, "Uncle, it's not that I don't want to help you, but as you know, this rural assignment is a national policy, and it's all about obeying organizational orders. I'm just in charge of the factory; how can I interfere? I really can't help you."