993 The Trees Are Still Rustling (1/2)
”That's for the best,” Wang Yao said.
”I'm sorry for getting you into so much trouble.” Guo Zhenghe apologized again, and he seemed very sincere. At the very least, he looked sincere.
A thousand cups were too few if one drank with a bosom friend, yet half a sentence was wasted on someone unable to see eye to eye.
Those two people were unable to see eye to eye. Guo Zhenghe knew that all too well. As such, he did not stay at Wang Yao's place for too long. He had gone there and said all there was there to say. His words had gotten across to the other man. That was more than enough for him.
”Let me know if you need anything,” he said. ”I'll be leaving now.”
”Have a safe trip,” Wang Yao said.
Guo Zhenghe got into his car and left the mountain village. He returned to Haiqu about 30 minutes later.
”You're back, Sir,” Xu Xinyuan said.
”Uncle Xu, stop going calling me that,” Guo Zhenghe said. ”It's awkward, and it's not like the times demand you to call me that anyway.”
”Just call me Zhenghe.”
”Aye.” Xu Xinyuan nodded and paid lip service to what was asked of him.
”Have a seat.”
”I've just been to the clinic in the village for a bit,” Guo Zhenghe said. ”Our men are there. The man from the Valley of Thousands of Medicine was there. He has been captured.”
”Is that so?” Xu Xinyuan asked. ”They're fast.”
”Wang Yao is getting irritated about what is going on,” Guo Zhenghe said as he took a sip of tea.
”What do you mean?” Xu Xinyuan asked.
”While he has been holed up in that tiny village this whole time, he would have been able to get things done if he wanted to. I know of at least three powerful families that owe him favors in just Jing alone. As long as his requests remain within reason, those people would be more than willing to help if he asked.”
”Have some tea.”
”Yeah, thanks,” Xu Xinyuan said.
”Let's get on with the second phase,” Guo Zhenghe said.
”Sure, but what about things on your side?” Xu Xinyuan asked.
”It's alright,” Guo Zhenghe said. ”Despite having been poisoned, I've still seen to all the arrangements. I'll get myself transferred to somewhere in Jing. Consider it a sabbatical and a time for me to rest up a bit.”
”Fair enough,” Xu Xinyuan said. ”It's best to leave the war zone.”
He had always thought the young man standing before him was a cut above the rest. Coupled with his family background, he had a bright future. As such, Xu Xinyuan thought having Guo Zhenghe holed up in dingy He County of southern Yunnan was an utter waste of talent.
”Yeah.” Guo Zhenghe nodded.
At the village clinic…
”He's alright.” Wang Yao looked over Wang Yilong for a bit.
”He's alright? Are you sure about that?” Wang Zecheng was shocked.
”Of course, he is,” Wang Yao said with a smile. ”Why would I bother lying to you?”
”This is great, this is great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much!” Wang Zecheng was so happy that he began to look and sound rather ridiculous. He felt that all his hard work had finally paid off.
”Right, we should go home and celebrate,” he said.
”Sure, sure.”
Wang Zecheng was very happy, yet Wang Yilong looked rather exasperated.
”Let's go.”
”Yeah.”
After they left the clinic, Wang Yilong asked his son, ”By the way, why are you so happy?”
”You're cured, Dad!”
”I know that,” Wang Yilong said. ”My body has had no problems lately. Didn't I tell you before that those were just minor hiccups and nothing to worry about?”
”Minor hiccups still meant you were ill,” Wang Zecheng said. ”With those minor hiccups out of the way, we should celebrate. How about we get more dishes on the table and drink for a bit?”
”Well sure,” Wang Yilong said as he clapped his hands.
His son had changed and gotten a new job. His grandson had also gotten two perfect scores in a test a few days ago. The family was practically being flooded with good news.
Wang Yao informed his parents about the matter when he got home.
”That's good to hear! Yilong has finally gotten out of the ditch!” Zhang Xiuying was relieved to hear that.
”He has indeed,” Wang Fenghua added as he happily lit a cigarette.