"Oh?" Zhou Changke frowned. "There's such a thing?"
"That's right!" Shi Jixing said with a mournful face. "I heard that you are a great collector and have even donated cultural relics to the government, so you have a lot of influence there. Do you think you could..."
Shi Jixing didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already quite clear.
Zhou Changke stroked his beard and pondered for a moment: "I need to find out more about this. What's the deal with the person you're talking about?"
A glint of resentment flashed in Shi Jixing's eyes: "That kid and I have a bit of a grudge, he's just deliberately picking a fight!" He embellished the story, describing Xu Kuo as an arrogant, domineering, and tyrannical bully.
Shi Jixing paused, then put on a pained expression: "Old Zhou, you don't know, this concerns the livelihood of all the vendors in the market! If that kid continues to cause trouble, we'll all starve!"
Zhou Changke was already somewhat soft-hearted, and after Shi Jixing's words, the scales in his heart completely tipped. Having lived most of his life, he couldn't bear to see ordinary people suffer.
"Xiao Shi, don't worry, I'm determined to handle this!" Zhou Changke patted his chest and assured him, "I'll go over first thing tomorrow morning and give you a good talking to."
Shi Jixing was overjoyed, but on his face he pretended to be extremely grateful: "Old Zhou, you are a living bodhisattva! I thank you on behalf of the vendors in the market!" He bowed deeply, offered a few more compliments, and then took his leave.
After Shi Jixing left, Zhou Changke's face showed displeasure.
Although he trusted Shi Jixing, he did not like Shi Jixing's character and way of dealing with people, but he couldn't refuse out of consideration for their feelings.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Xu Kuo and Niu Erbao pushed a cart to the entrance of the market.
As soon as the lively fish were displayed, customers flocked over.
"This fish is really fat, how much is it per pound?"
"Much cheaper than at the market!"
"Young man, bring me one!"
Customers crowded around the stall, eagerly buying things; business was booming.
Xu Kuo was busy weighing and collecting money, while Niu Erbao helped out. The two worked together seamlessly and were having a great time.
With the entire cart of fish about to sell out, Xu Kuo was overjoyed. The fish produced by this system were truly exceptional; not only did they look good, but they were also incredibly popular.
Just as the two were preparing to pack their things and leave, Shi Jixing led a group of men and walked over aggressively, blocking their way.
Xu Kuo frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. What kind of trouble was Shi Jixing up to now?
"Shi Jixing, what do you mean by this?" Xu Kuo asked coldly.
Shi Jixing sneered, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes: "Xu Kuo, let me tell you, from today onwards, you are not allowed to sell vegetables here anymore!"
"Why should I?" Xu Kuo laughed angrily. "This market entrance isn't yours to run. Why can't I sell vegetables here?"
"Just because of this!" Shi Jixing pointed behind him, his tone full of sarcasm. "Let me tell you the truth, I've invited a big shot here today. You're just waiting to be in trouble!"
Xu Kuo's heart skipped a beat. A big shot? Could it be a leader from the county?
But which leader could get rid of him? After all, there are no rules against setting up a stall, and some lower-level leaders simply couldn't get rid of him.
Just as he was wondering, a familiar voice came from outside the crowd: "Xiao Shi, where is that person you were talking about?"
Zhou Changke pushed through the crowd and walked in.
Upon seeing Zhou Changke, Shi Jixing was overjoyed and immediately pointed at Xu Kuo, fiercely complaining, "Old Zhou, it's him! This kid is breaking the rules and disrupting market order. You must teach him a lesson!"
Zhou Changke looked in the direction Shi Jixing was pointing and was immediately stunned.
Xu Kuo? How could it be Xu Kuo?
Xu Kuo was also a little confused. How did Zhou Changke get involved with Shi Jixing?
"Old Zhou, do you know him?" Shi Jixing noticed Zhou Changke's unusual behavior and asked cautiously.
Seeing that Zhou Changke hadn't spoken for a long time, Shi Jixing became even more flustered, and his voice trembled slightly: "Old Zhou, what... what's wrong with you?"
"Shut up! Who gave you the right to yell at Brother Xu like that?"
Shi Jixing was stunned by Zhou Changke's shout, his face filled with disbelief.
"Old Zhou..." Shi Jixing's voice was choked with sobs.
The surrounding crowd was also stunned; the plot twist was too fast!
Zhou Changke completely ignored Shi Jixing and walked straight up to Xu Kuo, asking apologetically, "Brother Xu, are you alright? Why are you setting up a stall at the door?"
Xu Kuo gave a wry smile and briefly recounted the whole story.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Changke's face turned ashen. He turned and glared at Shi Jixing, his anger barely contained: "Shi Jixing! You really have quite the airs of an official! How dare you bully Brother Xu?"
Zhou Changke's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. He sternly questioned, "Do you still have any respect for the law? Do you still have any conscience?"
Shi Jixing was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Old Zhou, I was wrong! I was really wrong! Please forgive me!"
"Give Xu Kuo's stall back!" Zhou Changke said decisively.
Shi Jixing dared not disobey in the slightest and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I'll take care of it right away!"
He was filled with remorse. Had he known that Xu Kuo and Zhou Changke had this relationship, he would never have dared to provoke Xu Kuo!
Looking at Shi Jixing's disheveled appearance, Xu Kuo sneered, "Secretary Shi, you are truly 'sensible'!"
Shi Jixing felt his face burning, wishing he could disappear into the ground. He was now in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Old Zhou, I... I'll go and get the paperwork done for Xu Kuo right away." Shi Jixing made up an excuse and slunk away.
Zhou Changke watched Shi Jixing's retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.
Turning around, Zhou Changke said to Xu Kuo with a face full of apology, "Brother Xu, I'm really sorry, I've made you suffer."
Niu Erbao stood to the side, completely dumbfounded. He never dreamed that Xu Kuo would know such an important person! His admiration for Xu Kuo deepened even further.
"Erbao, you should go back first." Xu Kuo patted Niu Erbao on the shoulder.
Niu Erbao was stunned for a moment, his eyes full of confusion, but he still obediently nodded, pushed the empty cart, and walked away, looking back every few steps. His heart was in turmoil, both worried about Xu Kuo and curious about what would happen next.
Watching Niu Erbao's figure disappear around the street corner, Zhou Changke finally spoke: "Brother Xu, let's go now. There are some things at home that I need your help with."
Xu Kuo nodded and followed Zhou Changke into the car, which sped off towards the Zhou family mansion.
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