"Li Zhen, Director Lei, it's just some home-style dishes, please don't mind them, leaders," Zhou Jianzhong said as he sat down to chat.
Li Xiuyuan shook his head: "Director Zhou, you're too kind. We always ask you to entertain us when we come here. Here's what we'll do: write a note for the entertainment expenses and submit it to the project funds so we can reimburse you."
"Mayor Li, no need. The project is currently facing a funding shortage. As the director, even though I'm just an agent, I still have that much awareness," Zhou Jianzhong waved his hand repeatedly.
Li Xiuyuan laughed and said, "Haha, Director Lei, look at this, the director has a higher level of awareness than the boss, right? He's all about dedication, isn't he?"
"Yes, Director Zhou is indeed highly ideologically aware," Lei Yi said with a smile.
Zhou Jianzhong's smile widened, and he said modestly, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."
“How could you not accept such an honor? Your awareness is far superior to that of General Manager Wang. He only cares about his own interests, but Director Zhou, you are different. You consider the interests of everyone. Half of the workers on this construction site are assigned to people with the surname Zhou. I heard that villagers with other surnames are immediately penalized for being late, but there are exceptions for villagers with the surname Zhou. You are considering the greater good of the Zhou people…”
Although Li Xiuyuan spoke in a relatively calm tone, Zhou Jianzhong could easily tell that Li Xiuyuan was dissatisfied. His face immediately turned ugly, and he opened his mouth to explain.
“Li Zhen, I…”
"No need to explain, who wouldn't take care of their own people when they come up here? It's normal. But when you take care of them, Director Zhou needs to be careful. If you don't make a big deal out of it, nothing will happen. But if you make a big deal out of it, especially if the villagers cause a fuss, then things will get serious and hard to say. After all, your predecessor, Director Tian, is still in jail."
Of course, your predecessor, Director Tian, was younger and his body could handle it, but Director Zhou, at your age, if you really go in, I've heard it's very cold in there, and the food is cold too. I don't know if you can withstand it..."
Thud!
Zhou Jianzhong dropped his chopsticks on the ground. If Li Xiuyuan had spoken in a sarcastic tone, he could have taken it as Li Xiuyuan trying to scare him. But Li Xiuyuan spoke as if he were seriously considering his feelings, and his tone was as calm as if he were stating a fact. This made him uneasy.
Li Xiuyuan bent down to pick up the chopsticks for Zhou Jianzhong, wiped them with a tissue from the table, and handed them back to Zhou Jianzhong.
“Director Zhou, if the chopsticks fall, you can pick them up, wipe them, and they’re still usable. But if the bowl is broken, then we can’t eat it,” Li Xiuyuan said to Zhou Jianzhong meaningfully.
Zhou Jianzhong's back was soaked with cold sweat.
"Come on, let's eat. Let's chat for a bit, don't let the food get cold. Start eating, I love this free-range rooster from the countryside the most." Li Xiuyuan chuckled and urged everyone to start eating. Lei Yi and the others followed suit.
Li Xiuyuan called to Zhou Jianzhong again, "Director Zhou, eat quickly, it's getting cold."
“Hey…” As Zhou Jianzhong reached for his chopsticks, Li Xiuyuan continued, “From now on, the food in the cell will all be cold.”
Zhou Jianzhong paused, his face full of confusion. Should he be allowed to eat or not?
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