Song Guanchao paid the money, and the old man gave him a quilt.

Seeing it was lunchtime, the old man said, "Why not join an old man like me for lunch, if you don't mind?"

"Just as long as you don't mind me taking advantage of the situation."

"One meal won't ruin me."

The old man said, "We're having hotpot for lunch, come lend a hand."

Song Guanchao followed him into the kitchen, carried a small table, and brought out a small clay stove.

They set the table in the yard, placed the small clay stove properly, and put an aluminum pot on top of it.

The old man added water, and while waiting for it to boil, all the vegetables and meat were ready.

"Do you drink?"

"I do!"

The old man brought out a bottle of local wine and two small wine glasses.

As the temperature dropped, the two huddled around the small stove, basking in the steam.

The old man poured for him, and they each took a shot, warming up immediately.

"Sir, I haven't asked your name yet?"

"Zhong Aimin."

"Nice name."

"Nice, my ass." The old man laughed and cursed.

Song Guanchao chuckled, "Zhong, sounds like 'China,' love the people, isn't that a good name?"

The old man sipped his wine and said, "If you say it's good, it is. After all, it's a name the country gave me."

"The country gave you a name?" Song Guanchao was taken aback.

"Yes." The old man said, "I was an orphan. At the time, during the Korean War support efforts, names like Aimin, Yuanchao, Kangmei, and Bayi were everywhere."

Song Guanchao suddenly understood.

This pair of old and young are interesting; they didn't even know each other's names, yet a house was rented.

The old man asked, "Have you served in the army?"

"I have."

"I thought so, you look the part."

The old man continued, "You're an official in the government now, aren't you?"

Song Guanchao was shocked, "You can tell that too?"

The old man laughed, "I not only know you're an official, but I also know your name is Song Guanchao."

Song Guanchao's eyes widened, "Are you a fortune-teller, old man?"

The old man said, "Your ID card is about to fall out of your pocket."

Looking down, he saw the ID card was half-exposed.

Song Guanchao awkwardly put it back, almost believing the old man had an eagle eye.

"You rented my place because of the urban redevelopment, right?"

"Wow!" This time, Song Guanchao was truly amazed, "Mister, how could you tell?"

"I may be old, but I'm not blind."

Song Guanchao nodded, "Yes, that's why I'm here."

"But I'm not in charge of this project."

"Nonsense. As if you'd be in charge. Clearly, you're going against someone."

Song Guanchao fell silent. This old man is something else. He deduced so much from just an ID card.

The old man said, "But, you're on a wasted trip this time."

"Why do you say that?"

"Are you aware of the demolition price here?"

"I know."

"Isn't it low?"

"It is."

"Exactly."

"???"

Song Guanchao was puzzled, how is that exactly?

The old man said, "The market price here is ten thousand, I've heard they've pressured the demolition price down to five thousand."

"As a leader, wouldn't you know these prices are low?"

"They know, but they still act this way. What does that suggest?"

Song Guanchao instinctively asked, "What does it suggest?"

"It suggests they act recklessly because they have nothing to fear."

"But if the price is too low, there will be trouble."

"There won't be."

The old man rarely sighed.

Song Guanchao drank a cup of wine, "Sir, are you willing to have your house demolished?"

"Not willing."

"Then will you protest?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

"If they demolish my house without compensating me, I'd surely protest."

"But as I said, protesting won't work."

"I'm just protesting for the sake of protesting, knowing it's useless but still doing it, mainly for my own psychological comfort."

Song Guanchao suddenly didn't know what to say.

This old man has a clear mind.

Song Guanchao said, "If you protest, so will I!"

"You?" The old man looked him up and down, "Did your leader tell you to protest?"

This question stumped Song Guanchao: "No, they didn't."

"If they didn't, why would you protest? If it escalates, you might drag your leader down with you."

"Moreover, have you thought about what happens if the city backs out on the demolition because of the protest?"

The old man said, "The city pressed the prices so low for one of two reasons."

"Either they're out of money, or someone wants to embezzle."

Song Guanchao said, "Both, actually."

The old man said, "Yes, both. So why protest then?"

"We ordinary people can raise questions. But leaders can't cause chaos by recklessly raising them."

"Without providing corresponding solutions, merely raising problems is just creating trouble."

Song Guanchao mumbled, "That's what my leader says too."

"Then your leader is smarter than you, knowing that making a big deal is useless and doesn't help anyone. Otherwise, he wouldn't be your leader."

"So you'd better listen to your leader and stop protesting."

Song Guanchao didn't speak, quietly drinking and voraciously eating.

"Hey, with such a big appetite when feeling down."

"Precisely because I'm feeling down, my appetite is huge."

After eating and drinking his fill, Song Guanchao burped.

Helping the old man tidy up the table, Liang Jiajia called.

"What are you doing?"

"Just finished eating."

"Come over and shop with me."

Song Guanchao stood up, "Sir, I'm heading out."

"Coming back tonight?"

"Not sure."

"Keep the key, if you come back late, use the side door. You know where it is?"

"I know."

Song Guanchao pocketed the key.

Unable to drive after drinking, he took a taxi to the mall.

As soon as they met, Liang Jiajia smelled the alcohol, "Been drinking?"

"Yes."

"Not in a good mood?"

"Yes."

"Breakup?"

"..." Song Guanchao was speechless.

Liang Jiajia hugged his arm, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "My period's over."

Song Guanchao responded with an "Oh."

Liang Jiajia frowned, "Is it that bad? Did you really have a breakup?"

"Nothing like that."

Song Guanchao forced a smile.

"Work issues?"

"Yes."

"Alright then."

There wasn't much Liang Jiajia could do to help on that front.

"Let's go, I'll go clothing shopping with you."

"I have clothes."

"It's getting cooler, you need to buy autumn clothes and leggings."

"I don't wear those things."

"Then get tights; it's cold, add a layer."

After shopping for a few hours, they carried bags into a car.

Liang Jiajia said, "My dad's heading to the Provincial City tomorrow afternoon, he wants me to bring you home for dinner tonight."

"Okay."

"Don't be like this, smile a bit, or my mom will think I bullied you."

Song Guanchao forced a grin.

Liang Jiajia rolled her eyes, "Better not smile, it's worse than crying."

She pondered, what was wrong with Song Guanchao? He hadn't been like this before when faced with problems.

Back home, Hu Xing was cooking, and Liang Jianfeng was in the living room on the phone.

Liang Jiajia went into the kitchen to help, and after Liang Jianfeng finished his call, he tossed a cigarette to Song Guanchao.

"I'll be going to the Provincial City with your aunt tomorrow, and formally take up the post the day after."

"Congratulations, Uncle Liang."

"Got something on your mind?"

"..." Was it that obvious?

Song Guanchao thought he had adjusted his emotions well on the way, yet he was still seen through in one glance.

Liang Jianfeng frowned, paused for a few seconds, and asked, "Heartbreak?"

"..." Song Guanchao's mouth twitched, truly like father, like daughter.

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