“My wife has been advising you on this as well, and I think you know that.”

"..." Xiao Hongmei did not speak.

“I remember back then, my dad said if you couldn’t make ends meet, you could go help out at our pig farm and the mushroom shed. It was really tiring, but I would pay you. If you worked hard, you could earn two or three yuan a day.”

"But you didn't go; you didn't want to become that kind of person."

"You eventually got involved with the commune clerk, right? And that's how you climbed the ranks step by step."

"Now, there's nothing left."

Xiao Hongmei's tears fell drop by drop.

"I was wrong... What could I do as a woman? You know how miserable it is for women these days..."

"This is my only option."

“I thought there was no future in working with you on these lands, and I even thought you were just wasting your time. I never expected that you, Chen Yifei, were so capable. If I weren’t at the Rural Credit Cooperative, I wouldn’t have known you were making so much money.”

“You’re in agriculture, and I spent all night looking for evidence against you. I’m just trying to drag you down with me.”

Xiao Hongmei said helplessly, "But I can't find it. There's nothing wrong with your accounts."

"I earn a lot, but it's no problem, haha."

Xiao Chunmei was a little angry.

Chen Yifei crossed his arms and said, "Then I'll have my wife come over and tell you that you almost became someone who dragged others down with you."

"I'm sure I'll be fine. Honesty is the foundation of my business."

"I am a person who never lies."

When Chen Yifei said these words, his conviction was unwavering.

Xiao Chunmei: "..."

They've blown their own horn to the heavens.

She was well aware of how arrogant Chen Yifei had been.

There was also the story of him going to Shanghai to scam the Tongrentang project, and when he was at the Grain Bureau, he pretended to be a Hong Kong businessman.

She had been paying attention to this matter, and after much guessing, she finally realized that it was true.

He's the biggest liar ever.

But he deceived people perfectly, and now he has even become the director of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Thinking about the gap between herself and others filled Xiao Hongmei with resentment.

Chen Yifei crossed his arms and said, "Sister-in-law, I don't think we have much of a connection. Why do you always have to compare yourself to me?"

"So you're saying that because I've achieved something and made money, I'm in your way?"

Chen Yifei found this a bit strange.

"yes."

Xiao Hongmei nodded: "That's right."

"Chen Yifei, you've become such a successful hoodlum. If you were still a hoodlum, I would definitely be willing to take care of you."

"I just can't stand seeing others do better than me, is that wrong?"

"...Come on!"

Chen Yifei's stereotypes about these people deepened.

In any case, every pitiful person has their own hateful aspects.

One shouldn't be too kind.

The village's reminder is already more than enough.

Even if he helps them, they might not necessarily consider him one of their own and could even try to drag him down with them.

The business world is like a battlefield; after seeing this so many times, it's nothing new.

Chen Yifei came out of Xiao Hongmei's place and stretched.

Seeing everyone in Yongquan Village lining up to receive subsidies and other items that hadn't been distributed before, he felt a surge of joy.

"Look, it's Yifei!"

"It was Yifei who reminded us to come here, that's why everyone said it was difficult! This corrupt female comrade has been arrested."

"Thank you, Yifei!"

"..."

Chen Yifei spoke to everyone in turn, and then went to the state-run restaurant, where Zhao Zhao was already waiting.

Looking at Chen Yifei, he smiled and said, "Comrade Chen Yifei, I'm done. Thank you this time."

No, it's mainly your own choice.

In his past life, Zhao Zhao chose to protect Xiao Hongmei, which led to their downfall. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment.

"What is your verdict now?"

"I was removed from my post, but because of my good performance, my voluntary reporting of crimes, and my surrender to the authorities, my punishment was relatively lenient—I was expelled from both the Party and public office."

"Nothing else is a problem, but I definitely can't work in the banking industry anymore."

I've dedicated most of my life to the bank.

“I was a college student in the 1970s. Back then, college was tough, and there were all sorts of things going on. I studied accounting.”

"I was assigned here after that. I feel it suits me quite well; I just love doing accounting."

Yes, Tilanqiao Prison is the cradle of accountants.

This has remained the case for many years to come; nothing has changed.

Accountants are prone to problems no matter what career they pursue.

Chen Yifei looked at him and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

"I'm planning to start my own business, or do some kind of business. I envy your business, which is thriving. But at the same time, I know I'm not cut out for it."

He shook his head helplessly and said, "I plan to think about this later."

Chen Yifei tapped the table rhythmically: "Actually, when you haven't thought it through, you can think about working with me."