My Terrible Life in Those Years

That evening, I took Lao Liu to a barbecue stall.

Before I went, I solemnly warned him not to flirt with Wan Ning, or I would make him sleep on the streets.

Then, he berated me all the way, calling me heartless, saying I forgot my brothers for having a girl, and that I hid my girlfriend from him.

I used three chokeholds in a row before I could barely shut him up.

But the excitement and longing emanating from his entire body were almost overflowing.

But he was disappointed; when we arrived, we didn't see Wan Ning.

Only Kang Ning, Uncle Ye, and Xiao Luo, who ran away as soon as he saw me.

Old Liu looked around frantically, shouting at me, "Where's Sister Jiang? Where's the Sister Jiang we were promised?"

I almost fainted. This guy is like someone who's courting death but just can't seem to die.

What "Sister Jiang"? It's awful to hear.

I got a table and a chair for him to sit on, and when I had some free time, I cooked him some food myself.

But he still acted as if I had deliberately hidden Wan Ning from him, clearly treating him like a bastard who would steal his girlfriend!

Kang Ning still acted as if he didn't care about me, and his expression wasn't very pleasant either, so I didn't bother to ask him anything.

It was past nine or almost ten o'clock, and Wan Ning still hadn't come over.

While lighting Uncle Ye's cigarette, I casually asked, "Why haven't I seen Wan Ning today? Hasn't she arrived yet?"

Uncle Ye thought for a moment: "I haven't seen Ning girl all day."

Ok?

These past few days, whenever I've been here, she's always arrived very early, never later than nine o'clock.

What happened? Did I intimidate her yesterday?

I knew she was easily embarrassed, but with so many people around, even if I were thick-skinned, I could only gain some verbal advantage at most. At this stage, I couldn't do anything to her.

"Jiang boy, the reform you mentioned yesterday seems to have really changed."

I was startled and quickly asked, "What's wrong? What happened before I arrived today?"

"Around four or five in the afternoon, just as we opened our stall, a group of village officials, both senior and junior, came over here, pointing and gesturing, and even called the young owner over. They had a long talk with him."

My face immediately fell.

"Is Chengzai's uncle inside too?"

Uncle Ye took a deep drag on his cigarette and flicked the ash onto the ground behind him.

"That's right, he's the one who started it, and that kid's involved too. He's always been coldly watching the boss and the stall."

My heart sank slightly.

So, does that mean they're already accelerating the street's renovation plan?

Yesterday, Wu Bo asked Cheng Juan to produce blueprints, and today they rushed over to inspect the terrain?

When did these people become so strong in terms of action and execution?

Has the efficiency of building a floor every three days, common in developed coastal areas, spread to the village?

Did you hear what they were saying specifically?

"I didn't have time to go listen, but the young boss looked really unhappy the whole time!"

No wonder the young boss looked even more pale than before.

"Didn't the boss mention it to you?"

Logically speaking, Uncle Ye must have considered him more reliable than me. If something big happened, he would surely consult with him, right?

Besides, with Uncle Ye, a seasoned veteran who keeps his abilities hidden, around, even if he can't directly help, offering some advice shouldn't be a problem.

"Later, Chengzai said something to him, and after they left, the little boss looked very unhappy."

At this moment, Old Liu, who always loves to join in the fun, squeezed in.

"Hey, barbecue? Let me try it, let me try it!"

There weren't many customers during that time.

Uncle Ye told him to grill something himself, since he would eat it himself, no matter how good or bad it was.

Uncle Ye and I found a stool and sat down.

He stomped out the cigarette butt, which was almost down to his buttocks, and then lit a second one.

I could tell he was feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Sigh, it looks like this stall is going to fail!"

Old Liu was thrilled with himself baking, shouting, "Peach Blossom River, do you want me to make you some? Try my cooking!"

"Uncle Ye, can't you think of a solution?"

Regarding the recording, I don't think I have much confidence that I can handle it well enough to bring the project on this street to a halt.

If Uncle Ye could come up with a solution together, and we could work on both fronts, the success rate would probably be higher.

Uncle Ye remained silent for a long time.

"It's difficult; you can't fight city hall!"

Listening to those words under the dim streetlights after he exhaled a puff of smoke, there was a strong sense of helpless reality!

I can understand how he feels.

Uncle Ye's background remains a mystery, though he has never revealed a word about it.

I could sense that he must not have been an ordinary person before. I have no idea why he ended up helping out at this stall.

His concerns were not unfounded.

"Uncle Ye, is there really no way at all?"

I cannot give up, nor will I give up; it's not feasible from any perspective.

"It's not that there's no way out. However, the small business owner and his family are trapped in this situation, which is very difficult to resolve."

I had a sudden inspiration: "You mean to make a scene? But the small business owner lives in the village, and with such a family matter, it's impossible for him to make a scene there. Even if he could, given his personality, he wouldn't be able to."

Uncle Ye was extremely surprised and nodded at my quick reaction.

"In that case, we can only approach it from the planning perspective!"

Uncle Ye's hand trembled slightly: "Young Jiang, are you talking nonsense? That department—does someone like you, a migrant worker who's only been here a few days, have any say in it?"

I stood under the streetlights, my face held high, and declared fearlessly to the night sky, "Uncle Ye, don't worry, I've roughly figured out how to handle this from above. I won't watch this business fall apart, nor will I stand by and watch Wan Ning be harassed by that bastard!"

After I finished speaking, I paused for a few seconds looking up at the night sky. At that moment, I suddenly remembered that rich and beautiful woman.

If Hong Panpan were here, she could take a picture of this part, or better yet, record the whole thing on video.

Then, if I show it to Wan Ning, won't it feel like a hero saving a damsel in distress?

Uncle Ye couldn't help but laugh when he heard my words, which sounded like a confession.

He turned his head to look behind me and made a small gesture.

Then he said to me, "Jiang kid, you're just bragging in front of me. Would you dare to say something so arrogant in front of Wan Ning?"

I'm not happy with that.

He said with considerable dissatisfaction, "What wouldn't I, Jiang Ning, dare to say? Even if Wan Ning were here today, I would still dare to speak loudly!"

"Really? What did you dare say? I didn't hear you!"

Why is Uncle Ye being so gossipy today? Did he actually like my confession?

I didn't think that much about it. Besides, Uncle Ye has always been a rather serious, earnest, and calm person.

He shouted repeatedly, "Don't worry, I will do everything I can to handle this. I won't let that bastard have the chance to keep bothering Wan Ning!"

At that moment, I saw Old Liu, who was grilling something not far away, staring blankly behind me, while Uncle Ye was also trying hard to suppress a smile.

I suddenly realized something.

That familiar, faint fragrance is right behind me!

Uncle Ye, why are you being cheeky too?

He deliberately made me repeat that sentence in front of Wan Ning!

Isn't this an assist?

What could I do? Of course, I pretended she didn't exist and confessed my feelings with my back to her.

Do you think Taohuajiang would easily give up such a great opportunity?

Is my level six mastery of romance just an empty title?