Siheyuan: A master brewer starts with a jar of bone-strengthening wine!

However, Chen Xueru twisted her body, hugged him, and began to whine, "No~ I just want to stay with my husband, we still want to have a baby..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dong's heart softened, and he was completely at a loss.

Okay, okay!

With me here, I definitely won't let her suffer any injustice.

So the two of them stayed.

That night, all the staff at Quanjude were busy, working non-stop. Liu Dong bought nearly 160 ducks at once.

The next morning, he went to class as usual.

With nothing else to do, Chen Xueru went to the tavern to help Xu Huizhen.

At this time of day, the tavern is usually deserted, with hardly a soul in sight.

But today was completely different—the sound of gongs and drums at the entrance was deafening, as lively as during the Chinese New Year.

A dozen or so members of the performing arts troupe stood in front of the door, beating drums and gongs. A bright red flower was hung directly in the center of the signboard, making it exceptionally eye-catching with its festive atmosphere.

Aunt Zhang from the neighborhood committee held Xu Huizhen's hand tightly, her eyes reddening: "Huizhen, thank you so much... I... I don't know what to say..."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but sob.

For over a week, she had been running around trying to persuade merchants to participate in the public-private partnership, but not a single one was willing to agree. Then, a strict target was set: the entire Qianmen commercial street must complete the partnership by the end of the year.

The burden on her shoulders was so heavy that she could hardly breathe.

Today, finally someone took the lead in responding!

Once you get the first one, there's hope for the rest!

Xu Huizhen was very sensible. She took Zhang Da Niang's hand and said, "The country's policies are all for our own good. Now that life is stable, we can't forget our roots, right?"

"I've figured it out!"

She paused briefly, then lowered her voice and added, "Actually, Liu Dong talked to me for a long time last night, urging me to respond to the policy and seize this opportunity."

"Who?" Aunt Zhang asked, puzzled. "Liu Dong? Who's that?"

Xu Huizhen smiled and explained, "You don't recognize him? He's that young apprentice from our old shop. He's very conscientious and now he's a full-time worker at the steel rolling mill!"

"Oh, oh, oh..." Aunt Zhang nodded repeatedly, "That's indeed a very progressive idea!"

Just then, Fan Jinyou walked over.

"Oh?" He saw the lively scene at the door and his eyes widened instantly. "Xu Huizhen, you... you agreed to the joint venture? You really signed the agreement?"

His expression was priceless—half surprise, half resentment.

"That's right!" Xu Huizhen answered crisply, "We're preparing to sign a contract with the neighborhood committee!"

"Great! That's fantastic!" Fan Jinyou turned to Aunt Zhang and smiled, "Director Zhang, why didn't you report such an important matter to the neighborhood committee?"

Aunt Zhang helplessly spread her hands: "I just haven't had time yet."

Fan Jinyou pointed at Xu Huizhen and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "I've come here so many times these past few days, I've practically worn my lips out, but you wouldn't budge. Now you've finally come to your senses, that's great! It seems all my efforts, Fan Jinyou, haven't been in vain!"

He slapped his thigh suddenly: "This must be reported! I'm going to find Director Li right now!"

After saying that, he turned and walked away in a hurry.

The neighborhood committee office, Director Li's office.

"What?!" Director Li jumped up from his chair. "Fan Jinyou, say that again? Who agreed to the joint venture? Where is it?"

"Director Li, please have a seat!"

Fan Jinyou grinned, "That's how it is. I've been working on her these past few days, putting in a lot of effort, and finally convinced Xu Huizhen! She was really moved by me!"

"Oh?" Director Li smiled slightly. "Not bad, Xiao Fan. You're the first person in our subdistrict office to achieve this goal. Well done! I have high hopes for you!"

"Come on, take me to see the scene!"

The driver started the jeep, and the group sped towards the tavern.

As soon as the car came to a stop, everyone saw that it was Director Li who had arrived, and there was an immediate commotion.

Director Li is a key figure in this area, in charge of all matters around Daqianmen. In the eyes of the common people, he is a high-ranking official!

Although he wasn't a big shot in the city, he was definitely worthy of the title of "leader" to Xu Huizhen and her colleagues.

"Oh, Director Li, you've arrived!" Everyone rushed forward to greet you.

Director Li stood outside the shop, looked around, and exclaimed in praise, "Xu Huizhen is a woman of great integrity and considers the bigger picture. We must make this small tavern a model of public-private partnership!"

He turned around and called out, "Aunt Zhang!"

"Hey! Director, what can I do for you?" Aunt Zhang hurriedly ran over.

Despite having the title of "director," she is nowhere near as powerful as Director Li of the subdistrict office—it's like a village chief meeting a town mayor, where the village chief's presence is immediately diminished.

Director Li said solemnly, "This is a pilot program, and it must be implemented to a high standard. All preferential policies should be prioritized for Xu Huizhen!"

He paused for a moment, then looked at the vacant storefront next to the tavern and asked, "What's this building used for?"

Aunt Zhang replied, "It used to be a shop run by criminals. After they ran away, it was nationalized and has been empty ever since."

"So now it's under public management?"

"That's right!" Aunt Zhang nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Director Li waved his hand dismissively: "Give it to Xu Huizhen, let her expand the tavern! Also, her salary will be paid at the highest standard! And..." Director Li paused, his gaze shifting, suddenly landing on Fan Jinyou, "This time Xu Huizhen was the first to agree to the public-private partnership, and you, Fan, contributed a lot. How about this, you become the public manager of this tavern!"

Fan Jin was stunned when he heard this.

What? !

You want me to be the manager?

Are you kidding me? I'm a full-fledged cadre in the neighborhood committee, and now you want me to manage a small tavern?

This is as absurd as a key member of the current civil service being suddenly assigned to manage a mala tang (spicy hot pot) shop on a street corner.

"Director Li...Director Li, please wait a moment...I...I..."

His mouth was agape, wide enough to fit an egg. Before he could finish speaking, Director Li had already stepped into the jeep, the door slammed shut, and the car sped away, kicking up dust.

Can you believe it?

puff--

Fan Jinyou almost couldn't catch his breath, feeling like he was seeing stars.

What kind of mess is this?!

Company manager?

This isn't a promotion, it's not a demotion at all. It's like they've dragged him out of the system and kicked him to the very bottom, leaving him with nothing.

Why is this happening?

There are two obvious reasons.

Firstly, Fan Jinyou's character had long been seen through by his superiors.

The people in charge are very shrewd. How could they ever miss his little tricks and schemes?