Back To The 80s-Chapter 428 - 438: Inquiry_1

Mo Wang nodded solemnly, his mouth mouthing, "Door..." but the words were still unclear. When Wen Xiuqing prompted him, he found that the two words were indeed being uttered.

Gu Xiaobei hugged Mo Wang with joy, kissing his little face fiercely, "My good Mo Wang, finally started to speak."

Wen Xiuqing, while flipping pancakes, laughed and said, "I told you, even if a child doesn’t speak, they are keeping count in their hearts. Our Mo Wang has a great memory, he even remembers that his sister didn’t say ’doorstep’."

Bai Xiaolan cheerfully recited a nursery rhyme to Mo Wang and Xiaopang, "Little, little boy, sitting on the doorstep..."

Xiaopang cooperated by reciting each sentence. Mo Wang, however, continued to stare wide-eyed, watching Bai Xiaolan silently, his small mouth tightly closed, refusing to speak.

Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but coax, "Mo Wang, you recite it too, ’little, little boy...’" She intentionally said each word very slowly.

Mo Wang moved his mouth slightly but still didn’t speak.

Wen Xiuqing said, "If he doesn’t want to say it, don’t force him. He’ll do it in his own time. This isn’t something that can be rushed."

Because of Mo Wang’s sudden speech, Lu Songyuan could not resist having an extra drink or two that night to celebrate.

The next morning arrived, and although it was already March, it started snowing again, with no signs of a warming trend.

Seeing the snow, Gu Xiaobei decided to take the bus to the municipal government to find Zhan Hezhi.

Because of the snowy weather, the bus was running slowly, creating long intervals between each one.

By the time Gu Xiaobei reached the municipal government on the shaky bus, it was already past ten.

Zhan Hezhi was in a meeting and not in his office. Gu Xiaobei waited outside his office door, her initial anger calming as she stared blankly at the tightly closed door painted in green.

Zhan Hezhi came down from the meeting room upstairs and saw Gu Xiaobei standing outside his office. He sneered inwardly. This woman was like a thorn in his side – her mere presence made him uncomfortable.

Hearing footsteps, Gu Xiaobei composed herself, put on a fake smile and turned around, "Director Zhan, Happy belated New Year."

Zhan Hezhi’s eyes twitched, he laughed insincerely, "Comrade Xiao Gu, how do you find the time to come here? Not busy with business?"

Gu Xiaobei, who was adept at diplomatic language, responded with a smile, "No matter how busy I am, I’ll always make time to pay a New Year visit to Director Zhan, to stay in your good books, right?"

Zhan Hezhi laughed hollowly and let Gu Xiaobei into his office. He walked directly to his desk, tidied up the files, fetched the thermos from the window sill and poured hot water into his cup first before he spoke slowly, "Comrade Xiao Gu, just tell me what’s on your mind, we’re not strangers."

Gu Xiaobei unceremoniously sat across from Zhan Hezhi, watching him bustling around. Now hearing his casual words, she scoffed inwardly. Not a stranger indeed, nor a friend, but soon to become enemies.

She feigned a smile and said, "Director Zhan, I’m just curious. When the government is promoting market-oriented economy, what kind of policy support do we merchants get?"

Zhan Hezhi was stunned and then laughed, "Hasn’t a year’s rent been exempted?"

Gu Xiaobei continued with a smile, "Director Zhan, while that policy alleviates financial pressure on merchants, there should also be policies protecting our interests, right? The macro-regulatory department, while studying market economies, has prepared strategies for loss prevention and damage control, right?"

She had been reading People’s Daily and knew that under macro-control, the economy was steadily growing. Every province had even established a special macro-regulation department.

A flicker of annoyance and distaste crossed Zhan Hezhi’s face. He responded in bureaucratic language, "You seem to be well-informed, Xiao Gu. Indeed, we are protecting your interests. Isn’t controlling market prices a way to protect you all?"

Gu Xiaobei didn’t feel like beating around the bush and decided to tackle the issue head-on with a laugh, "Director Zhan, when the agricultural and sideline products wholesale market first opened, you verbally agreed that no more than two businesses selling the same product would be allowed in one market. Now there are three side by side. Does this seem fair?"

Zhan Hezhi did not answer. He picked up his tea cup and took a small sip of tea, contemplating how to handle this quick-tongued woman. He drank several more sips before finally putting down his cup and saying, "Xiao Gu, allowing three food wholesalers in your market was a consensus of our meeting, it encourages competition and mutual supervision. It prevents you from manipulating the prices, thus protecting the interests of the public. It’s survival of the fittest."

Gu Xiaobei was so angry she wanted to smash the tea cup on the table into Zhan Hezhi’s smug face. No need to ask – he must have received some benefits from the newly established shop. Presenting a polished smile, she suppressed the anger in her heart, "The government is indeed far-sighted. It’s just that sometimes the personnel they choose is questionable."

Zhan Hezhi, choked by Gu Xiaobei’s words, lost face. He slapped the table and reprimanded, "Comrade Xiao Gu, watch your words. If this was years ago, you could have been taken out for public criticism for talking like that."

Gu Xiaobei feigned fear and said, "Director Zhan, don’t get angry. I was just casually commenting on yesterday’s newspaper. Besides, would I dare badmouth you on your territory? I wouldn’t want trouble."

Zhan Hezhi almost choked on his own words in anger. He tried to control the anger in his heart, put on a serious face, and reprimanded, "Xiao Gu, you can’t say such things casually. If the wrong person hears it, it may not end well for you."

Gu Xiaobei didn’t say more. She took out an envelope made of kraft paper from her bag, threw it on the table, and turned around to leave. She knew that Zhan Hezhi was sure she couldn’t harm him, so she decided to simply annoy him.

Leaving the municipal government building, Gu Xiaobei got on the bus and realized it was the route going to Li Fengmei’s convenience store. So she got off midway and decided to have a chat at Li Fengmei’s place to kill some time.

At that moment, it was school dismissal time, and the students buying snacks were crowding the store. "Aunty, I want two bubble gums."

"I want a packet of instant noodles, hurry up and get it for me."

"I want a pencil."

"I need a notebook, ink..."

Li Fengmei was busy getting the products from the shelf and didn’t have time to greet Gu Xiaobei. Dadong was handling the payments while Xiaodong helped distribute the goods.

Gu Xiaobei stood at the door, laughing at the sight of the little shop being filled with students while others were still filing in.

This bustling scene lasted for more than half an hour. Finally, the number of students started to decrease. A sweaty Li Fengmei managed to get a moment to speak to Gu Xiaobei, "Sister-in-law, could you wait a little longer? We’ll be free soon."