The First Volume of Natural Beauty Chapter 22: A Few Bad Waters Make Good Fish

  It's been another week, Saturday afternoon, in the town government office, Tang Yi sat behind his desk, listening to Chen, the factory director of the paper box factory, complaining. Tang Yi got a headache, being an official isn't easy, not only do you have to smooth out all sorts of relationships, but even if you manage that, actually getting things done is even harder. A small paper box factory has already given him a headache, will it really end up like history, with everything being sold off in the end? Maybe history really can't be reversed?

  But looking at the thick lens behind Director Chen's eyes, Tang Yi was slightly disheartened and suddenly regained his spirit. Since the canning factory received benefits, many people in the town have trusted themselves, and the workers of the carton factory have regarded themselves as a guiding light. At that time, when the on-site meeting was held, those pairs of eyes were full of expectation and trust. Now that Tang Yi thinks about it, his heart is still warm, he can't let them down!

  "The problem of funds, I'll think of a way again. However, Director Chen, I think that even if we change to new equipment, the paper box factory must also transform its business model and cannot continue to operate with old thinking. We can't limit our vision to just providing packaging for the factories in Yanshan. We need to expand outwards. After all, we're right next to the forest farm, and wood pulp is much cheaper. Our product costs must come down!" Tang Yi said a sentence, Director Chen nodded once, then took out a small notebook and wrote down Tang Yi's words, saying he would go back and study Tang Yi's spirit. Tang Yi was somewhat at a loss for words, but that's just how party members were used to speaking, and Tang Yi had no choice.

  "Knock, knock, knock!" Someone was knocking on the office door from outside. The door creaked open and a person that Tang Yi didn't expect walked in - Xue Zhengyang, carrying a black briefcase, walking carefully into the room. Seeing Tang Yi's apologetic smile, he said: "Ah, Secretary Tang, it's been a few days! You're looking more spirited than ever!"

  "Are you two having a meeting? Or should I wait outside?" Xu Zhengyang made a gesture to pull the door, Tang Yi said: "I still have half a day to talk about this, let's talk about yours first, come and sit!" Tang Yi pointed to another chair in front of the office desk, Xu Zhengyang smiled and sat down, looking at Tang Yi's black Zhongshan suit, full of youthful spirit and talent, making Xu Zhengyang feel so resentful that his teeth ached, but he accompanied with a smile: "Secretary Tang, I came to apologize to you, and also have some private matters to discuss with you alone, do you have time?"

  Tang Yi nodded slightly, also wanting to hear him say something. Just as he was about to temporarily send Director Chen away, he saw a flash of joy in Xu Zhengyang's eyes. Tang Yi was taken aback for a moment, and he could sense that Xu Zhengyang had not truly submitted. Could it be that he still wanted to fight with himself?

  Tang Yi smiled and leaned back in his chair, wanting to see what he would sing next. He waved his hand to stop Chen Changzhang, who was about to leave, and said with a smile: "Zhengyang, we're not outsiders, let's just talk."

  Xu Zhengyang hesitated for a moment, and Tang Yi's guess was correct. Xu Zhengyang was indeed not convinced. He had made some money doing business over the years and had seen some of the world, so he wasn't afraid of the town leaders at all. After being brutally beaten by Zhang Ziqiang, he didn't willingly admit defeat, but instead thought of ways to take down Tang Yi.

  He thought for a while and came up with an idea, which was to send money to Tang Yi as his own compensation. If Tang Yi didn't accept it, he would think of another way. If he accepted it, that would be easy to handle. He would keep the evidence and then try to get close to Tang Yi again, flattering him and making him believe that he was really afraid of him. When Tang Yi let his guard down, he would take the opportunity to report him and tarnish his reputation.

  Xu Zhengyang looked at Director Chen with a moment of hesitation, and stammered: "I... I have something to say to you in private." He deliberately stuttered, just to make Director Chen have a deeper impression of himself, to make Director Chen suspect the relationship between him and Tang Yi, maybe he would be a witness in the future.

  Tang Yit looked at Xu Zhengyang deeply and smiled: "It's okay, Director Chen is one of us. No matter what happens, you can say it in front of him. What's the matter?"

  Director Chen felt that this young man was here to ask Tang Yi for a favor, and thought to himself when would he become one of Tang's own people. Seeing Tang Yi giving him a signal, he had no choice but to pretend to listen seriously.

  Xu Zhengyang hesitated, "Really?" Looking at Director Chen, he thought to himself, could it be that this director really has a money-for-power relationship with Tang Yi? Just as he was wondering, he heard Tang Yi laugh and say, "Director Chen, I received the money you sent last time, well done!"

  Director Chen was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly remembered that he had given Tang Yi some money, which was the money from selling old equipment at the paper box factory, and also the arrears owed to the municipal finance department. However, those were all things of the past, why did Secretary Tang mention it again? But since Tang Yi said so, he could only laugh and say: "Yes, yes..."

  Xu Zhengyang was stunned, thinking to himself: "This kid can't be so arrogant, can he? Bringing up the topic of giving money or not in front of me?" He looked up and saw Tang Yi winking at him, then pointing to his own briefcase. Xu Zhengyang's heart settled down, thinking that Tang Yi had figured out that he was there to give money, and this was a way of reassuring himself.

  Come to think of it, a young leader like him, how can he not be tempted by money and women? And why did Qijie suddenly have the money to buy an apartment? He must have taken bribes!

  The more she thought about Xu Zhengyang, the more she felt that her analysis was correct. After some deliberation, even if she had misinterpreted Tang Yi's meaning, Chen Changzhang wasn't Tang Yi's person, and at most, she would be scolded by Tang Yi for paying out of her own pocket. Moreover, she could find another time when no one was around to give it to him, and then Chen Changzhang could serve as an indirect witness.

  Xu Zhengyang thought he had already won, so he pretended to be hesitant and fumbled around for half a day before pulling out a large paper bag from his briefcase and saying, "This, this is for you, consider it my apology."

  The paper bag was bulging with money, and anyone could tell at a glance that it was cash. Tang Yi took it best, and if he didn't take it, he would scold himself, at least Director Chen had this in mind.

  Director Chen's face changed in an instant, thinking to himself that he was done for, how did he get himself into this situation. At this moment, getting up and leaving would be too conspicuous, even more inappropriate.

  Tang Yi burst out laughing: "Haha, good! You really are something, Little Xu!" He reached out to take the paper bag, and Xiang Zhengyang felt a sense of relief wash over him. Ah, Tang Yi, just you wait and see how you fall into my trap.

  Director Chen's face changed color, he couldn't have imagined that Tang Secretary, who was highly praised by the leaders and loved by his subordinates, would be such a person. Should he go report him? Director Chen was calculating in his heart.

  Tang Yi smiled all over his face and said to Director Chen, "Old Chen, I was originally going to wait until things were settled before telling you, so as not to get your hopes up for nothing. This young Xu, I met him a few days ago, he said he's the god of wealth from the county town, loves to invest in local construction projects. At first, I thought he was just bragging, but it turns out he really brought the money!"

  "Xiao Xu, how much is this? Is it the 30,000 you mentioned?" Tang Yi smiled and turned to Xu Zhengyang.

  Xu Zhengyang was stunned and muttered: "This is ten thousand..." Dazed and confused, he didn't know what Tang Yi was saying, but he vaguely felt that something was off.

  "Haha, that's fine too. The other 20,000 will be delivered in a few days." Tang Yi turned back to Chen Changzhang, who was staring blankly: "Old Chen, aren't you going to thank Comrade Xu? People like him are hard to come by these days! The other 20,000 will be sent over by Comrade Xu in a few days too."

  Director Chen stood up excitedly, grasped Xu Zhengyang's hand tightly, and his eyes sparkled with tears: "Thank you, Comrade Xiao Xu, thank you, Comrade Xiao Xu! You really helped us a lot. I represent all the workers of the carton factory to thank you!" A wave of shame in his heart, what did he take Secretary Tang for? He was really old and muddled!

  Xu Zhengyang was speechless, and Tang Yi said: "Old Chen, from now on, you can contact Little Xu directly. It's not good for me to get involved in financial matters too much." He smiled and said: "Also, although Comrade Little Xu is only supporting the country's construction and not seeking fame or fortune, we can't let him lose out too much. Let's ask the county TV station to do an interview with him, this is truly enriching without forgetting one's hometown."

  "No... it's not that, the money..." Xu Zhengyang was anxious and stuttered, but was interrupted by Tang Yi with a forceful gesture: "Xiao Xu! I know you don't seek fame, but after doing a good deed, you should receive praise! Just stop talking!"

  "Lao Chen, you must make it clear to the county TV station reporter that Little Xu donated 30,000 yuan to a state-owned enterprise without compensation. 30,000 yuan! How many people can take out 30,000 yuan to support national construction in this era? It must be highly praised!"

  Xu Zhengyang almost fainted, thinking to himself: "Where am I going to find another 20,000 yuan?" Although he had made some money in recent years, his expenses were even greater. This 10,000 yuan was squeezed out with difficulty, did they want him to sell his house?

  Just as he was about to speak again, Tang Yi leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "This matter is settled, if you dare to play any more tricks on me, don't blame me for not warning you, I'm actually quite vengeful."

  The voice was very low, and there was no gloomy tone, it was still the same as Tang Yi's usual tone when speaking, but for some reason, Xu Zhengyang only felt that the hairs on his back suddenly stood up.

  "Comrade Little Xu, apart from asking the TV station to publicize you, I also plan to present you with a banner on behalf of the paper box factory. At that time, we'll have to trouble Secretary Tang for his calligraphy." Old Chen's heartfelt gratitude was evident, but the more he expressed it, the more depressed Xu Zhengyang became, feeling dizzy and like his heart was about to jump out of his chest...

  Tang Yi laughed and said: "Old Chen, the brocade flag must be made a bit bigger!" Xu Zhengyang felt a sudden darkness in front of his eyes and almost fainted.

  Also don't know how to get out of the town government, a gentle breeze blows, Xu Zhengyang's mind clears up, and the children playing on the street sing in their childish voices "You clap one, I clap one, a child gets angry... You clap two, I clap two, a child sheds tears..."

  Xu Zhengyang took out the small recorder from his briefcase and slammed it to the ground, then trampled on it several times in a fit of rage, seething with anger, wiping away tears as he walked towards the bus station.

  A few days later, when Tang Yi and Qi Jie saw Xu Zhengyang's smile on TV, which was uglier than crying, the two of them almost laughed to death. Qi Jie laughed so hard that she was shaking all over, and pinched Tang Yi, saying: "How can you be so bad? You won't even let people chase me?"