Chapter 106 Making an example of someone to scare others: A public declaration of war
Woohoo—
After several days on the old green train, it finally stopped at the Beiwan Station in Northwest China.
As soon as the box door opened, a gust of dry wind carrying sand rushed out.
Instead of the warm welcome they had imagined, they were met with a long, drawn-out face.
Zhang, the farm manager of Beiwan Farm, stood with his hands behind his back, squinting his triangular eyes as he looked Bai Shu and Lu Jingyan up and down as they stepped out of the car.
One of them was unbelievably beautiful; her figure and skin were more eye-catching than any celebrity in a magazine.
The other one was tall and imposing, with eyes like knives, looking like someone you wouldn't want to mess with, and he was pulling a rather heavy-looking suitcase.
Behind him were several officials, all of whom scrutinized her and the man behind her with a look of suspicion, distrust, and even hostility.
"You're that... Comrade Bai Shu from Shanghai?"
Director Zhang stood with his hands behind his back, his chin slightly raised, speaking in a very official tone.
"I am."
Bai Zhu's voice was calm, and he wore a formulaic smile.
"snort,"
The farm manager snorted, his disdain almost overflowing from his triangular eyes.
“Our Beiwan Farm is too small to accommodate you big bodhisattvas from the big city.”
"We know perfectly well what you're here for! You're trying to undermine our socialist system? No way!"
His words were practically an insult directed at his face.
Several cadres behind him also joined in the commotion.
"That's right! We have Comrade Xiaoting, we don't need outsiders like you to point fingers!"
"Trying to cheat us out of our land? No way!"
Their words were harsh and forceful, clearly indicating that Su Yuting's "prediction" had taken effect, prematurely branding them as "capitalist swindlers."
Lu Jingyan frowned, about to step forward.
Bai Shu simply raised his hand and gently pressed Lu Jingyan's arm, signaling him to calm down.
She calmly took out several documents from her briefcase and handed them over.
"Director Zhang, this is a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Light Industry and the Ministry of Commerce, along with handwritten instructions from several senior leaders. Our Tangdi Group is responding to the national call to support the development of Northwest China."
"Look at this official document, and this seal. Can it be faked?"
Director Zhang took the document with suspicion.
His expression changed after just one glance.
The bright red seal, bearing the national emblem, was like a red-hot branding iron, making his hand tremble.
As he looked down, those familiar yet unattainable signatures made his eyelids twitch wildly.
This...this is actually true!
The hostility on Director Zhang's face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost fawning fear.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his previously long face forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Oh dear! Mr. Bai... Mr. Bai! Look at me... this is all a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"
He slapped himself hard on the forehead.
"I was blind to your greatness! We will definitely support the directives from above! Welcome! A warm welcome to Chairman Bai for coming to our farm to guide our work!"
The change in attitude was so rapid it was astonishing.
The surrounding cadres were also dumbfounded, shrinking their necks and not daring to utter another word.
......
The guesthouse was far more basic than I had imagined.
Bai Zhu looked around as soon as he entered: an earthen bed, a table with peeling paint, and the only electrical appliance was a dim pull-cord light bulb.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that there were actually two single beds.
"Boss Bai, please bear with us, the conditions here are tough," Manager Zhang explained with a smile.
"It's alright."
Bai Shu didn't care at all. She opened her heavy leather suitcase, as if she was going to pack her things.
He deliberately let the staff member next to him glimpse stacks of RMB 10,000 and several gleaming cans of imported beef inside.
The clerk's eyes widened instantly.
After Director Zhang and his group left, Lu Jingyan closed the door and asked in a low voice, "Was that on purpose?"
“Hmm,” Su Wantang poured two glasses of water and handed him one.
"If you want to fish, you have to scatter some bait."
She knew very well that in such a poor place, nothing could arouse people's greed more than real gold and silver and rare food.
Lu Jingyan smiled slightly, said nothing, and obediently sat down on the earthen bed, wiping his military dagger that he never parted with.
Night has fallen.
"Squeak—"
The window was pried open from the outside with a wire, and two dark figures crept in furtively.
These two were notorious thugs on the farm, who idled away their time and committed petty theft.
I heard today that a "big fat sheep from the south" has arrived, carrying tens of thousands of yuan in cash, and I've been itching to get involved.
They crept stealthily to the suitcase, and just as they were about to make their move, a dark figure appeared silently behind them.
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
Two sharp, teeth-grinding cracking sounds rang out clearly in the silent night.
With two pig-like screams, Lu Jingyan snapped the wrists of the two thugs cleanly and decisively at an odd angle.
He didn't even give them a chance to resist, dragging them out like dead dogs, one in each hand.
Bai Zhu turned over and went back to sleep.
Early the next morning.
Two thugs, their arms and legs broken, were tied up with rope and thrown under the farm's notice board like dead dogs.
Beside it, there was a piece of wire used to pry open the window.
Everyone gathered around to watch, their faces turning pale with fright.
"My God! Who did this? That's incredibly ruthless!"
"It must be those two from Shanghai from yesterday! That guy, the way he looked at people was like he wanted to kill them!"
"Serves them right! Those two scoundrels, always stealing chickens and dogs, finally ran into a brick wall!"
The discussions were filled with awe and fear.
Use the most direct violence to deter all petty criminals. The effect is immediate.
After slowly finishing his breakfast, Bai Zhu, accompanied carefully by Director Zhang, began his "inspection" of the farm.
Then, she finally "bumped into" Su Yuting.
Su Yuting was wearing a brand-new blue overalls, with two braids and no makeup on her face. She looked simple and pure, like a white lotus flower that rises from the mud unsullied.
"My dear sister!"
When she saw Su Wantang, she immediately showed a look of surprise and joy and ran over quickly.
"It really is you! What are you doing in a place like this?"
She held Su Wantang's hand affectionately, her face full of heartache, her eyes reddening; her acting was so good she could win an Oscar.
"I heard from the manager that there were investors from Shanghai, and I was wondering who it could be. I never expected it to be you!"
Su Yuting looked Su Wantang up and down with a worried expression, but her words were full of barbs.
“Little sister, it’s too harsh here. The wind and sand are too strong. It’s not a place for a delicate girl like you.”
“You should go back quickly. If you’re going to invest, you shouldn’t choose such a poor and remote place.”
This performance was sincere and deeply moving.
If you didn't know better, you'd really think this was some touching story about sisterly love.
In reality, she was telling everyone: Look, she's just an immature rich girl who's only here to cause trouble.
The surrounding employees, seeing Su Yuting's genuine emotions and then looking at Bai Shu's exquisite attire that seemed out of place, felt an even stronger sense of agreement and rejection in their eyes.
Bai Shu's smile was brighter and more intimate than hers.
She reached out and took Su Yuting's arm, pressing herself against her like two long-lost best friends.
She leaned close to Su Yuting's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, her breath sweet as orchids.
"Sister, your face looks like you've aged ten years since you were in the Su family."
Su Yuting's smile froze instantly.
All that could be heard was Su Wantang continuing softly in that sickeningly sweet yet chillingly cold tone:
"It seems the wind in the Northwest isn't good for people."
Su Yuting's smile froze instantly.
She suddenly turned her head and stared intently at Bai Shu.
In those beautiful peach blossom eyes, there was no longer the foolishness and naivety of her memory, only a playful teasing like a cat catching a mouse, and an icy chill that made her feel cold all over.
That was the look of a strong person she had never seen before!
Something's not right with Su Wantang!
"You..." Su Yuting was about to explode.
Bai Shu had already released her grip, her smile flawless, as if those hurtful words from before were just her imagination.
She turned around, faced the bewildered Director Zhang, and announced loudly:
"Director Zhang, to show our Tangdi Group's sincerity in investing, I've decided to donate a brand-new imported 'Dongfanghong' tractor to the farm free of charge!"
The moment he finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in uproar!
An imported tractor! And it's free!
The eyes of all the workers instantly turned red, and their breathing became heavy. That was a treasure that could replace the labor of a hundred people!
Seeing the fervent gazes of the crowd, Su Yuting's heart sank little by little.
Bai Shu glanced around, taking in everyone's expressions. Then, her gaze fell on Su Yuting, whose face was deathly pale, and a graceful yet cruel smile curved her lips.
"However, I have one small condition."
"I've heard that Comrade Su Yuting is a 'prophet' on our farm, able to see the future. I admire her very much."
"For the better development of the farm, and to dispel everyone's doubts."
"I hope to have an open debate with Comrade Su Yuting about the future of the farm."
"What do you all think, is it a good idea?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com