Apparently, over the years, Zhang Wei'an must have endured countless hardships in life.
"Is this your place?"
Chen Fang asked.
Zhang Wei'an wiped the beer from his mouth, nodded, and said, "I've been running it for a few years now, just making a living."
"Not bad, it's quite good."
Chen Fang nodded in agreent.
"Chen Fang, about what happened back then..."
Zhang Wei'an suddenly started to speak, but before he could finish, Chen Fang grabbed his hand and said, "It's been over ten years since that happened, let's not talk about it. It wasn't so deep-seated hatred, no need to bring it up again."
Upon hearing this.
Tears welled up in Zhang Wei'an's eyes.
He quivered as he spoke, "Actually... I've been following news about you over the years, heard... heard that you're now... you're now a secretary of the Provincial Committee."
Chen Fang smiled slightly and said, "Surprising, isn't it?"
Zhang Wei'an shook his head with a bitter smile, "If I had known you were so formidable now, I wouldn't have done such a foolish thing back then."
"Hahaha..."
Chen Fang burst into laughter.
He took a deep breath and said, "It's all in the past now, eting you again ans we're quite destined, as they say, one laugh can dissolve grievances. I'll drink to that, let's consider ourselves reintroduced."
After finishing.
Chen Fang filled a cup, drank it down, and then stood up to leave.
By the door.
Zhang Wei'an watched as Chen Fang disappeared into the night.
For so reason, the mories of those days still played fra by fra like old film reels in his mind...
The next day at 9 AM.
Chen Fang arrived by car at the entrance of the Changming County Health Bureau.
The old courtyard from the past was long gone.
In its place stood an impressive new building.
Six stories high, painted white; it seed to have been built in recent years.
"Young man, who are you looking for?"
The gatekeeper was an old man.
Seeing Chen Fang look around at the entrance, he stepped up and asked.
"Hello, sir, may I go in for a look?"
Chen Fang politely replied.
The old man frowned, "A tour? This isn't a museum, what's there to see?"
Chen Fang smiled, "I used to work here, then was transferred elsewhere. Now that I'm back ho, I thought I'd take a look around."
He thought the old man would stop him.
Unexpectedly, the old man thought for a mont, then leaned closer to Chen Fang and quietly said, "So leaders are coming for inspection soon, so take a quick look and get out. If the director finds out, I'll be in trouble."
"Sure, sir, I'll just take a quick look and be out."
Chen Fang was delighted.
Once the old man opened the gate, he quickly slipped inside.
Today's Changming County Health Bureau had much improved conditions compared to when he worked there; the parking lot was more spacious, and the office area much brighter.
Since it was working hours, people ca and went frequently.
Yet none of the familiar faces from back then were to be seen now.
It was inevitably a bit disheartening.
"Hello comrade, may I ask what business you have here?"
Suddenly.
A clear voice chid from behind.
Chen Fang turned around to see.
Behind him stood a girl in her twenties.
Her posture straight and youthful smile brightened her face, her appearance both sunny and adorable.
"Oh, um... I'm not here for any business, I... I used to work at the Changming County Health Bureau..."
Chen Fang repeated what he had told the old gatekeeper.
Upon hearing this, the young lady instantly beca excited, "Ah! So you're a veteran, nice to et you! Where would you like to see? I'll take you for a tour?"
"Miss, are you working at the Health Bureau too?"
Chen Fang asked.
The young girl blushed.
Bashfully replied, "I just joined a few days ago, still in my internship period, not sure if I can stay."
"Which departnt do you work in?"
Chen Fang continued.
She was about to answer.
When suddenly they heard a woman's reprimanding voice, "Han Xin, what's going on? Just a few minutes out of sight and you're off loafing around?"
At the hallway entrance.
A burly woman appeared.
One hand on her hip, she pointed towards the young girl, shouting.
Apparently.
The girl in front was Han Xin.
She stuck out her tongue at Chen Fang and quickly turned around, "Sister Li, I wasn't loafing, I went to the bathroom and happened upon a veteran..."
"Still making excuses? I say you're loafing, so you are. If you dare talk back, believe I'll report to the director imdiately."
The woman didn't want to hear Han Xin's defense.
Spitting words angrily as she rebuked.
Helplessly, Han Xin turned back to Chen Fang and said, "Veteran, um... I should get back to work, maybe you could take a look yourself?"
"Sure, sure, you go ahead with your work."
After all, Chen Fang had interrupted her duties.
He quickly apologized.
Han Xin gave a polite smile.
And hurried off with quick steps.
Once she had left.
The middle-aged woman who had scolded earlier ca trotting to Chen Fang's side, looking him up and down, and asked, "Who are you? How did you get in here?"
"Oh, comrade, um... I'm just taking a tour; I'll be leaving soon."
Chen Fang said.
The middle-aged woman's face darkened imdiately, "Touring? Do you know what this place is? This is a national organization, not sowhere you can just wander in. Han Xin, get back here!"
She turned and called.
Han Xin paused her steps, timidly asking, "Sister Li, what is it?"
"Did you let this person in? Now get them out and write a five-thousand-word self-criticism for . If it's not done today, you won't be leaving work."
Sister Li commanded arrogantly.
At these words, Chen Fang.
Finally couldn't hold it in.
"Sister, isn't this a bit unreasonable? First, this is indeed a national organization, but where's the rule saying regular citizens can't co in? Plus, you didn't verify the situation yet unjustly accused this young lady, is there a need for that? What authority or position entitles you to boss people around like this?"
Once Chen Fang finished speaking.
Sister Li's face turned red.
She stomped her foot and said, "Whatever authority or position I have is better than yours, at least I'm a national employee; what are you? You're nothing. Keep talking and I'll call security now."
"Is this how you use the power given to you by the state? Besides, you wouldn't qualify as a leadership role, if people like you were leaders, wouldn't that be a disaster?"
Chen Fang retorted.
A single sentence, and Sister Li was on the defensive.
She shouted towards the entrance, "Security, where's the security, get over here!"
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