"Sorry, I'm busy and don't have time. You should find someone else."
quiet.
A deathly silence.
Everyone doubted they had heard correctly.
Xu Kuo actually refused a job at the Xu Daily, a coveted "iron rice bowl" that many people dream of.
Wang Wenchang was also stunned. He had thought Xu Kuo would agree with great joy, but this was the unexpected outcome. He quickly pressed, "Comrade Xu Kuo, are you dissatisfied with the payment? It's alright, everything is negotiable!"
Xu Kuo shook his head slightly, his tone calm: "Remuneration is not a problem, it's just that I've been quite busy lately and really can't find the time."
He paused, then added, "However, for the sake of your father, Captain Wang, if you need any help in the future, feel free to come to me."
This statement not only expressed his attitude but also did Wang Wenchang a favor, achieving two goals at once.
Tan Wang snapped out of his daze and couldn't help but sneer, "Ha, you really don't know what's good for you! The Xu Daily thinks highly of you, that's your good fortune, and you actually think you're someone important?"
He secretly rejoiced, thinking that Xu Kuo had really offended someone this time, and now he would see how arrogant he could be.
Wang Wenchang was not angry at all; on the contrary, he admired Xu Kuo even more.
He could hear the sincerity in Xu Kuo's words and knew that Xu Kuo was not the kind of person who was arrogant because of his talent.
He quickly pulled a fine watch from his pocket and presented it to Xu Kuo with both hands: "Comrade Xu Kuo, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it. I hope you will take good care of me in the future!"
This watch is a Swiss-made Omega, a rare and valuable item at the time. Wang Wenchang spared no expense in his attempt to befriend Xu Kuo.
[Ding! Omega watch detected, valued at 300 points.]
The system notification suddenly rang in Xu Kuo's mind.
Three hundred points!
Xu Kuo was overjoyed; this was an unexpected windfall. He didn't refuse any longer, reached out and took the watch, smiling as he said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll remember this favor."
The surrounding villagers were shocked once again.
"My goodness, that's an Omega watch! I heard it costs several hundred dollars!"
"Wang Wenchang is too generous! He actually gave such an expensive gift!"
"What incredible luck did Xu Kuo have to get people in the city to fawn over him like this!"
...
The crowd discussed among themselves, their gazes towards Xu Kuo filled not only with envy but also with a hint of awe.
Tan Wang was so jealous his eyes turned red; he wished he could snatch the watch away. He couldn't understand why Xu Kuo, this country bumpkin, could be so highly regarded by Wang Wenchang.
Wang Wenchang was satisfied and thanked him repeatedly before taking his leave.
Xu Kuo fiddled with the watch in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, and turned his gaze to Tan Wang.
"Hehe, don't try to put on a show of wealth when you're not. It'll only bring shame to our village."
"you……"
Before Tan Wang could speak, Xu Kuo turned and left, walking towards the county committee.
Tan Wang was left standing there, his face ashen, looking like a clown, being pointed at and ridiculed by the crowd.
He was unwilling to accept defeat; he couldn't believe he had lost to Xu Kuo so easily. He gritted his teeth, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes, and turned to run towards the village chief's house.
He was going to find the village chief and ask him to give him a superior job, because he was determined to outdo Xu Kuo.
"Uncle! Uncle! You have to stand up for me!" Tan Wang rushed into the village chief's house in a panic.
The village chief was sitting in the courtyard, puffing on his pipe. Seeing Tan Wang's disheveled appearance, he frowned and scolded him unhappily, "What's wrong with you all in such a panic! What happened?"
Tan Wang knelt down in front of the village chief with a thud, sobbing and crying, "You have to find me a more respectable job than that Xu Kuo! He's a translator now, he wears a watch, and he's on friendly terms with city people!"
"Not only that, he just humiliated me in public. I... I just can't swallow this!"
The village chief exhaled a smoke ring and slowly retorted, "What do you want? Xu Kuo was capable, but he earned it himself. What about you? Besides stealing chickens and causing trouble, what else can you do?"
"I..." Tan Wang was speechless, but the flames of jealousy in his heart burned even brighter. He stubbornly argued, "I...I can do great things too! As long as you give me a chance!"
The village chief sighed helplessly. His nephew had been a bad student since childhood, lazy, and ambitious but incompetent.
But after all, he was his younger sister's only son, so he couldn't just ignore him. He pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and revealed, "I have an old friend in the county. He gave me some information, saying that the county is going to renovate the vegetable market, and this matter is under the jurisdiction of Deputy Secretary Yi Guanlin."
Tan Wang's eyes lit up as if he had grasped a lifeline, and he asked eagerly, "Then... how can I get in touch with Deputy Secretary Yi?"
The village chief pulled out a pack of "Daqianmen" cigarettes and two stacks of banknotes from the cabinet, stuffed them into Tan Wang's hand, and instructed him: "This is my savings. Use it to bribe people. Remember, be polite and humble. Don't act like you do in the village! Whether it works out or not depends on your own fate."
Tan Wang took the cigarettes and money, trembling with excitement, and repeatedly assured them, "Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter perfectly and make you proud!"
Tan Wang's eyes lit up, and he had already begun to plan how to make Xu Kuo look bad.
Then, he dashed out and headed straight for the county town.
At the same time, Xu Kuo arrived at the county committee.
He walked straight to the door of Secretary Wen's office and knocked gently.
"Please come in," came Secretary Wen's gentle voice from inside the room.
Xu Kuo pushed open the door and entered, only to see Secretary Wen engrossed in reviewing documents. He greeted him respectfully, "Secretary Wen, we meet again."
Secretary Wen looked up and, seeing it was Xu Kuo, exclaimed in surprise, "Xu Kuo? What brings you here?"
Xu Kuo got straight to the point, asking, "I heard that the county is going to reform the vegetable market. I'd like to ask if this is true? If it is, I'd like to set up a couple of stalls to try it out."
Secretary Wen was taken aback, then laughed and asked, "Your information network is really impressive! You already knew about it before I even announced it?"
Xu Kuo scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "I heard about it from someone else, so I came to ask you about it as soon as possible." As he spoke, he took out some small items from his pocket, preparing to hand them to Secretary Wen.
Secretary Wen waved his hand, pushing Xu Kuo's gift back, and said seriously, "Xiao Xu, what are you doing? Do we need this between us? Just tell me what's going on, there's no need for this."
"If you're here for a stall in the market, then I definitely can't accept your offer."
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