Chapter 463 We've Been Set Up
"Left hand?"
"Hey, you surnamed Song, who do you think you are?"
"He's a retired soldier. Didn't the military teach him how to respect others?!"
"Are you sick?"
When Captain Zhu saw the outstretched left hand, his brows furrowed and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
But he immediately stopped his men, saying, "Say less, and don't be disrespectful in front of Deputy Director Song."
"...This is so unruly."
Lu, standing to the side, cursed and pointed at Zhu's name, "Zhu Jialiang, how do you usually manage your subordinates? Are you so welcoming of the new deputy director? Can you even keep your job as captain? If you can't, you should step down and get out of here!"
"Damn!"
"Old Lu, stop making a fuss. Is it our boss's fault? It's the new guy who doesn't know the rules."
"Exactly! Who shakes hands with their left hand? Who does he think he is!"
Seeing the meeting about to explode at the slightest provocation, Song Yuanzhi glanced at Director Lü, his eyes narrowing slightly, and sighed.
Then, he withdrew his left hand and lifted his right hand.
He said, “Gentlemen, I don’t mean to look down on Captain Zhu. It’s just that my hand… was destroyed in the battle with the enemy. Now it’s just for show, and I can’t shake hands with Captain Zhu.”
The tense situation instantly calmed down.
Seeing Song Yuanzhi's limp and powerless right hand, the men who had just been red-faced and furious instantly fell silent.
Someone opened their mouth and muttered, "Who knows if it's true or false?"
"Smack."
Captain Zhu slapped him across the face, his expression turning cold. "Apologize!"
"Boss." The man covered his face, somewhat unconvinced.
Captain Zhu stared at him. "I'll make you apologize."
The man pursed his lips, lowered his head, and said to Song Yuanzhi, "I'm sorry."
Song Yuanzhi smiled and nodded.
"I heard from Director Lü that some people have reservations about my being parachuted in as your deputy director. I need to clarify one point: I selected my post according to the available placement positions provided by the military. Director Lü can testify to this. I spoke with Director Lü on the phone beforehand, Director Lü?"
Song Yuanzhi looked at Lü Suo.
Lu's face was somewhat unpleasant. Under everyone's gaze, he forced a nod and said, "Yes, Deputy Director Song is a hero. He felt that our position as deputy director was suitable for him, which is why he chose to be our deputy director."
This statement, seemingly an explanation, is more like an attempt to incite conflict between the two.
Song Yuanzhi glanced at Lü again, and Captain Zhu also glanced over.
Lu Suo suddenly felt attacked from both sides, and his face turned even worse. He forced a smile and said, "From now on, we're all colleagues. Zhu Jialiang, you need to be more sensible. Don't bring people to cause me any more trouble. This station isn't run by me alone. If this continues, I might not be able to protect you."
Team Leader Zhu gritted his teeth and let out a soft hiss.
Director Lü just wanted to end this quickly, so he pretended not to hear and waved his hand. "Alright, you've already met. If there's anything, Deputy Director Song, you can directly assign it to Zhu Jialiang and his men. If his men are disobedient, just go to Zhu Jialiang. His men only listen to him. I have some things to do. You should all go home when it's time to leave. Go on, go on..."
Team Leader Zhu and his men turned and left the office, heading downstairs.
Song Yuanzhi glanced at the time and decided to buy some things before going to Li Banxia's house. He hadn't seen her for so long, and he felt a mix of homesickness and trepidation.
After going downstairs, he ran into Captain Zhu and his group who were waiting for him.
Upon seeing him come down, Captain Zhu stepped forward and said, "Deputy Director Song, we were wrong just now. We shouldn't have questioned you like that. I'll bring them to apologize to you. We're sorry."
"Deputy Director Song, we're sorry," a group of people behind him said in unison.
Song Yuanzhi quickly helped Captain Zhu up, saying, "It's not that serious, Captain Zhu, you're being too formal."
Team Leader Zhu shook his head.
He said, "I knew you were a hero, but I didn't expect your hands... It's my fault for not managing my men well, I should apologize."
Song Yuanzhi smiled.
"We're all serving the country, just in different ways. I've seen your file; you've protected this area very well. I was curious why you weren't promoted with your qualifications. Chief Lu explained to me that you felt uncomfortable as a deputy chief and preferred being a team leader, patrolling the streets every day and doing practical things for the people. Now it seems..."
He looked up at the office on the second floor and shook his head. "I've been set up."
Captain Zhu's face darkened; he could no longer hold back his anger after holding it in all day.
"He's talking nonsense!"
Captain Zhu sneered, "He promised me that he would help me apply to the higher-ups to make me the deputy director, but he kept putting it off until you were parachuted in. He said that the military wanted this position, and that the person who was parachuted in was outstanding. I am no match for him. He has no face and there is nothing he can do!"
As he spoke, he looked up at the second floor and cursed, "Old bastard!"
Song Yuanzhi responded with an "oh," seemingly lost in thought.
"Did he tell you that? That's easy to handle. Whether he endorsed you or not, you can find out by asking at the higher-ups. Do you need my help?"
Captain Zhu glanced at him and shook his head. "I will find a way to verify it. Thank you for telling me the truth."
Song Yuanzhi hummed in agreement and said he had other things to do, and would see him tomorrow.
After watching Song Yuanzhi leave, Zhu's men started chattering amongst themselves.
"Boss, can we trust this man?"
"Don't believe it. The new guy is obviously trying to start a fight against Lao Lü so he can reap the benefits."
"Although Lao Lü likes to take credit, he didn't target our leader..."
Someone blurted out this remark and was slapped across the face by the person next to him, who cursed, "They've already stolen all the credit, and they haven't even targeted them? Have you lost your mind? I don't believe that if Lao Lü promotes all of Captain Zhu's credit, the higher-ups won't react or give the deputy director position to the military! This is disgusting no matter how you look at it."
“Boss, who do you believe? Whoever you believe, we’ll believe too!” someone said.
The others chimed in, "Yeah, let them make a scene. We only listen to the boss!"
"Boss, how about we go and ask around?"
As Captain Zhu watched Song Yuanzhi walk away, he noticed his limp, powerless hand hanging down. Thinking about the information that Lao Lü and Song Yuanzhi had just revealed, he felt inexplicably irritated.
"Everyone except those on duty, please leave. We can talk about it tomorrow."
The man surnamed Lü had ulterior motives and couldn't stand to see him climb up. He knew that the man surnamed Lü was afraid that he would be out of his control, and he was aware of that.
This newcomer said those things right in front of Lao Lü. Isn't he afraid that Lao Lü will turn around and gang up on him?!
Song Yuanzhi was truly unafraid.
He also disdained such bullies who only act within their own community.
After Li Banxia moved to this neighborhood, he had been keeping an eye on things. He had noticed the superficial harmony between Zhu Jialiang and Lao Lü, and Lao Lü had been lying to his superiors and subordinates for more than a day or two.
Zhu Jialiang is good at getting things done, and he's actually a very useful tool.
Old Lu was just too shrewd and cunning, and he suppressed Zhu Jialiang's strength too much.
Once it hits bottom, it will bounce back.
A knife can hurt people.
Moreover, the position he's really going to hold isn't the deputy director position he's currently in; it's just a temporary step. He'll naturally be promoted after Lao Lü retires due to illness, and then he'll bring Zhu Jialiang up with him.
In this way, he could truly claim the favor of being helped.
We're not three-year-olds anymore; we should know that when judging someone, we shouldn't just look at what they say, but also what they do.
After buying the goods, Song Yuanzhi went to find Li Banxia. When the door was knocked on, Song Yuanzhi felt an indescribable flutter in his heart.
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