When Sheng Xiping arrived at the local products company today, it was already past 10:30. He spent more than an hour just queuing to sell his goods at the company, and then wasted a little more time in the alley.

By the time Sheng Xiping reached the bus station, it was already past midnight. At this hour, Sheng Xiping didn't dare to eat anything or wander around aimlessly.

One concern was that the two men might seek revenge by bringing in reinforcements, as these were local bullies and likely had powerful connections.

After all, I'm all alone. If something really happens, and I'm far from home, it won't be easy to handle.

Secondly, they were also worried about not having enough time and missing their train.

Sheng Xiping squatted in an inconspicuous corner of the bus station, his right hand always in his coat pocket, the knife in his hand never leaving his hand, his eyes always warily fixed on the entrance of the bus station.

Fortunately, no one came after them until they called for tickets, so Sheng Xiping breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got his ticket checked and boarded the train.

Sheng Xiping found a seat inside the train, and as soon as he got on, he covered his head with his coat and leaned back in his seat to sleep.

Seeing this, no one around Sheng Xiping bothered to talk to him, and Sheng Xiping just stayed there with his eyes closed, half asleep the whole way.

Fortunately, the journey was relatively peaceful, with no one stopping the bus or robbing passengers. The bus returned to Songjianghe smoothly.

As he got off the bus, Sheng Xiping touched the bulging pouch at his waist and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After this, it seems I won't be able to easily go to the county anymore. Damn, this is really bad luck.

It's almost four o'clock, and I wonder how things are going with Chen Weimin.

When the two parted in the morning, Sheng Xiping instructed Chen Weimin that no matter how things went, they should go back to the hotel on Donglin Street.

Therefore, Sheng Xiping did not go to the Zhou family first, but walked back to Donglin Street.

When they returned to the hostel, they found Chen Weimin lying on the large communal bed, unsure whether he was asleep or not.

"Xiaomin, how did things go today? Did you get it done?"

Sheng Xiping sat down next to Chen Weimin, gently patted Chen Weimin's shoulder, and asked.

"Brother, you're back?" Chen Weimin sat up immediately upon hearing the noise.

"My matter is probably not that easy. The bureau just told me to go back and wait for news."

Chen Weimin looked dejected and forlorn as he briefly recounted his experience of looking for a job at the bureau that day.

In the morning, following Sheng Xiping's instructions, Chen Weimin went to Zhao Yongsheng's house, only to find that there were others who had gone to Zhao Yongsheng's house even earlier to resolve their problems.

Two middle-aged women were already sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in the Zhao family's house, waiting.

It seems the Zhao family was already used to this situation, as no one uttered a sound. Zhao Yongsheng invited Chen Weimin to eat, but Chen Weimin said he had already eaten.

After breakfast, Zhao Yongsheng led Chen Weimin and the two middle-aged women to the bureau.

Someone was specifically assigned to understand Chen Weimin and his group's needs and made a record of them.

"They said my situation was difficult to resolve, that it needed to be reported to higher authorities, and that there would be meetings and discussions, so they told me to go home and wait for news," Chen Weimin sighed.

"Director Yang, who was in charge of receiving us, originally said that I should stay at the Forestry Bureau's guesthouse, but I said I had to come back to wait for someone, so they arranged a car to take me back."

They even gave me ten days' accommodation allowance, saying it included all my travel expenses, as a form of reimbursement.

"Yes, I told you on the way here that this isn't something that can be accomplished in one or two tries."

Since this is your first time here, you won't be familiar with the area. Just follow the rules.

They told me to go back and wait for news, so I went back and waited. There's no rush; that's how official matters are—they need to be discussed in meetings and reported upwards.

Sheng Xiping nodded upon hearing this; it was indeed much as he had guessed. This matter couldn't be resolved in one go; there would be a long road ahead.

"Don't worry, at least you've made an appointment with the bureau. Whether the bureau takes it seriously or not, they'll give you an answer."

If you don't hear from us after a while, come back again. Then you can cry and make a scene as you please.

Being thin-skinned won't work; you need to learn to be thick-skinned, understand? "I've taught him everything I can, but whether it's useful or not, I don't know."

"Hey, have you eaten yet? I'm going to your sister-in-law's parents' house later, why don't you come with me?"

Sheng Xiping glanced at the time; it was getting late, and he should go to the Zhou family's house. He had promised last night, and besides, the basket was still there.

"Brother, I'm not going. I just ate some dry food, so I'm not hungry."

Chen Weimin shook his head. How could he possibly go to the Zhou family's house for a free meal with Sheng Xiping?

"Alright then, I'll go by myself. You must be tired after a long day, so take a good rest." Sheng Xiping nodded and didn't say anything more.

The child seems a bit down; let him process it on his own.

Setbacks are a necessary part of growth; others can't help you with that, you can only rely on yourself.

After offering Chen Weimin a few words of comfort, Sheng Xiping turned and left the hotel, heading straight for the Zhou family's home.

On the Zhou family's side, Zhou Mingyuan called his wife this morning before going to work. After get off work, he went to the grocery store and bought meat, cooked food, and other things before going home.

Wang Chunxiu wasn't on duty today, and upon learning that her son-in-law was coming, she left work early and went home. The couple busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing six dishes.

The Zhou couple were overjoyed at Sheng Xiping's arrival and warmly invited him to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed), then served him food and a bottle of wine.

Zhou Mingyuan accompanied Sheng Xiping, and the two of them drank and chatted.

"Oh, by the way, I heard that a young man came to the bureau today. He's from your Qianchuan Forestry Farm and said he came to see the leaders to resolve some work-related issues."

"Xiping, you didn't come here with the young man, did you?" As they drank, Zhou Mingyuan suddenly remembered this and asked casually.

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