Although this auto repair shop was inconspicuous, the people it knew in the county were all well-known. One afternoon, a man came over, who looked like he was from a government agency. He came up to Qin Huai and said, "Master Qin, can I ask you for a favor?"
Qin Huai didn't recognize him and said curiously, "I'm just a car mechanic. How can I help you?"
The man handed over a paper bag and said, "You can do it. Take this little gift first. I won't make you come here in vain."
Qin Huai took it and looked at it. There were actually two packs of Mudan cigarettes and two red scarves inside. Mudan cigarettes cost 50 cents a pack, which was the standard issue for county-level cadres, and Daqianmen cigarettes cost 35 cents a pack, which was the standard issue for commune cadres.
Qin Huai held the paper bag tightly but refused, saying, "It's better to explain clearly. If I can't help you and then ask for it back, it will be embarrassing for me."
The man laughed and said, "I'm the manager of an agricultural machinery company after all, so I'm not that uncultured. Do you know Director Sun from the Materials Bureau?"
Qin Huai actually knew Director Sun of the Materials Bureau. His car was in poor condition and he had come to repair it several times. He and Qin Huai got along very well, and Qin Huai seemed to understand what this person was going to do.
"I know him, but that's just an acquaintance. I'm a car mechanic, and he's a high-ranking official. How can I help you?"
"Our unit wants to build a dormitory building, but the application for cement, yellow sand, and red bricks we submitted has been blocked by Director Sun. I'd like you to tell him to have a meal with us whenever he's available."
Qin Huai said, "You're making things difficult for me. I can take the lead, but I don't know if the leader is willing to do so."
The farm machinery manager said, "It's not your fault whether it succeeds or not."
I've been waiting for you to say this.
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