Chapter 131 Cousin, Cousin Sister The young man frowned and looked a little dazed. He subconsciously reached out to pull his collar, but found that he was wearing a Zhongshan suit, not an ordinary suit, and there was no tie. He unhooked the top hook of his Zhongshan suit and confirmed, "You mean... he looked at the house across the street and didn't like it?" An Ning saw his strange expression and felt inexplicably happy. Although they are cousins, they haven't been in touch for more than 20 years, so there is no relationship between the two sides. Coming here this time is no different from being strangers. More importantly, the identities of the two parties have been reversed. Originally, the An Ning branch was the head of the An family and the eldest branch. The branch of the family that settled in Hong Kong back then was only the second branch. But now, this cousin named An Zhiyuan appeared in front of An Ning with an arrogant attitude. When they first went to Hong Kong, they encountered some problems, and more than half of the family's property was swallowed up by local Hong Kong tycoons and British people. But by paying these tokens of allegiance, he was able to retain some capital.

Today, it can be considered a third-rate family in Hong Kong. Although it cannot be compared with the glory of the An family in Beijing in the past, from the perspective of life, it is much better than An Ning, the eldest daughter of the eldest son. After seeing his cousin who had stayed in the country and suffered, An Zhiyuan naturally showed a superior attitude. This made An Ning very unhappy, but she was also flexible and did not show it. Seeing An Zhiyuan's frustrated expression, he felt relieved in his heart and said calmly, "Why? Is it hard to understand? You have to understand that this is the mainland, and it has its own situation. Throwing money can solve many problems, but it can't solve all problems." An Zhiyuan frowned and said, "Are you saying that Ning Weidong doesn't like money?" An Ning said: "Of course not. Money is a good thing, and everyone likes it. But some money cannot be taken. If you take it, it will burn your hands, or even cost you your life." He said with a meaningful smile: "If it were me, I wouldn't dare to take your house." An Zhiyuan pursed his lips and said, "Then what do you say we should do?" An Ning said, "If you believe me, find an opportunity to have a face-to-face meeting and make things clear to each other. Don't act superior. You have to know that this is Beijing, not Hong Kong! Capitalists are not welcome here." …… On the other side, Ning Weidong came out of the Overseas Chinese Apartment and pedaled his bicycle in the cool night breeze. Looking at his watch, Ning Weidong did not go home directly, but went straight to Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen's new home. In the cadre building of the Machinery Bureau, Ning Weidong parked his bicycle, ran upstairs and knocked on the door. "Weidong, what happened so late at night?" Ning Weiguo asked in surprise after opening the door. If it wasn't something important, Ning Weidong wouldn't come here at this time. Wang Yuzhen, who was in the bedroom, also came out. So did the naughty kid Ning Lei, who was holding a pencil in his hand, probably doing his homework. He stretched his neck to reveal a big head, and called out "Third Uncle" with a chuckle. Ning Weidong responded and turned to tell Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen about what happened when he went to An Ning's place just now. Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen didn’t know much about An Ning before, so their expressions became serious after hearing this. When it comes to overseas relations, it is still quite sensitive. Ning Weiguo pondered and said, "Weidong, what do you think the other party means?"

Ning Weidong said, "Brother, sister-in-law, these capitalists in Hong Kong never get up early without profit. Since he found me, he also wants to get in touch with the Zhao family through me. This is very interesting." Then he looked at Wang Yuzhen and said, "Logically speaking, in terms of background and power, my sister-in-law's family is stronger than the Zhao family, and the relationship is closer. After all, Zhao Ruyi and I are not married yet~" Ning Weidong paused at this point and said, "But why would he go to such a distant place instead of the one near by? The Zhao family must have something that we don't have." Ning Weiguo narrowed his eyes slightly, and suddenly an idea came to his mind: "Are you talking about the second uncle of the Zhao family?" Wang Yuzhen frowned and said, "Uncle Zhao? I remember he seemed to be in Handong Province. Which department was he in?" Ning Weidong said: "The coast guard of Handong Province!" Ever since he started dating Zhao Ruyu, Ning Weidong has spent a lot of time trying to understand the Zhao family's situation. In Zhao Ruyi's previous generation, the Zhao family had a total of five brothers and sisters. The eldest was Zhao Lichun, Zhao Yushui, and Zhao Ruyi's father, and he was also the core of the entire family. As for the rest, apart from a sister who died young and a brother who died before liberation, there are two others, both in Handong Province. Wang Yuzhen reacted quickly. When Ning Weidong pointed her out, she was immediately startled: "What do they want to do!" In fact, the three people in the room already had the answer in their hearts. Ning Weiguo frowned, walked around the room, and said in a deep voice: "The An family wants to get rid of S!" Ning Weidong remained silent. He thought of this when he came out of An Ning's house just now. Otherwise, An Ning's cousin would not have contacted the Zhao family through him. But then again, this incident also shows from the side that the An family is not doing very well in Hong Kong. If anyone could make a name for himself, he wouldn't have to travel all the way from Hong Kong to Handong in the north to find a way. There is only one possibility for this situation, that is, the An family could not afford food or drink in the south, and was completely excluded from the circle, but they were jealous of others making money, so they had to find another way out. Moreover, this time we came very hastily, completely at the last minute, without any preparation at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to find Ning Weidong through An Ning, and then connect with the Zhao family through Ning Weidong's relationship with Zhao Ruyu. This kind of indirect relationship is very prone to mistakes. It is not unfair for the An family to have developed to this point. It can be seen from the fact that the other party directly took the house of the Overseas Chinese Apartment and smashed it that the people in the An family who handled this matter were arrogant from the bottom of their hearts. He just thought that as long as he offered some benefits, a country bumpkin like Ning Weidong who had never seen the world would be grateful to him. Ning Weidong was speechless. How bad had the family declined to send such a person to settle down? As for An Ning, through previous contacts, Ning Weidong knew that this woman was definitely more than just this level. This woman probably had evil intentions in mind and had no intention of letting this thing get done at all. This is easy to understand. Only when things fail can her value be greater and she can gain more benefits. If An Ning really wanted to do something, there would definitely be a more appropriate way to send the Overseas Chinese Apartment to Ning Weidong without making Ning Weidong feel disgusted. Ning Weiguo looked at Ning Weidong, then glanced at Wang Yuzhen beside him, and continued: "According to the current situation, some places in the south, especially Guangdong and Fujian, the situation... is quite serious."

Ning Weiguo didn't say anything else, but his meaning was very clear. Wang Yuzhen frowned. She taught at a school and didn't know much about this situation. Ning Weidong, on the other hand, was more aware of the current situation and said calmly, "Brother, this is inevitable. We must go through this step if we want to transform our economy and connect with external resources." Ning Weiguo frowned and didn't quite agree. Ning Weidong said, "Brother, we can't look at this matter with emotion. Going S is just a method. In fact, it has never stopped in the southeast from the late Ming Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China. This is a way to quickly concentrate resources and mobilize them. It is the most effective way..." Ning Weiguo sighed. Ning Weidong continued, "Now that our economy is transforming, we need to mobilize the corresponding resources to receive funds and technology from America, Japan, and Europe. But this action cannot be done in the open. It conflicts with our propaganda and is unfair. It must be done in the dark. If it is done in the open, it will cause chaos..." Ning Weiguo sighed, feeling mixed emotions. Ning Weidong’s story is equally complicated. He had read about this period of history before traveling through time, and there were many things he didn’t understand. But now, putting myself in their shoes, I suddenly realized that some things have to be done against one's will. I just didn't expect that I might be involved so soon. Ning Weiguo thought for a moment and said, "Do you think it's possible?" Ning Weidong understood what he meant, pursed his lips and shook his head, saying, "You can do it, but I don't recommend it. This is not the right way. Although you can make money quickly in the early stage, it won't last long. In the later stage, there will be serious side effects, and it will be difficult to land safely." Ning Weiguo nodded, thought for a moment and said, "Don't do anything about this matter yet. I'll go ask about it tomorrow." Ning Weidong responded and then told Chu Zhongxin about his meeting with him in the evening before leaving. Coming down from upstairs, Ning Weidong held the cold handlebars of the bicycle. It was still a bit chilly in the middle of the night in early May. Ning Weidong took a deep breath, got on his bike and quickly went home. It was almost ten o'clock when we returned to the slum. The yard was quiet and most people had turned off the lights and gone to bed. Ning Weidong went through the Moon Gate to the East Courtyard. Just as he put his bicycle away, someone came up from behind and said, "Brother Weidong~" Ning Weidong turned around and saw Wang Zipeng jogging towards him from behind. "Brother Wang!" Ning Weidong greeted him with a smile. It was obvious that he came here at this time just to wait for him. The two of them came into the house, Ning Weidong turned on the light cord and said, "Sit down first, I'll pour you a glass of water." Wang Zipeng waved his hand quickly and said, "No, no, I'll just say a few words and leave. It's almost ten o'clock, so I won't disturb you to rest." Ning Weidong stopped when he heard this, and sat down with Wang Zipeng and asked, "Brother Wang, what's the important matter?" Wang Zipeng smiled and said, "Brother, how can I put this~" Ning Weidong said: "If you have something to say, just say it. We have been neighbors for so many years, there is nothing wrong with saying it." Wang Zipeng said, "Well, I have an older cousin. I don't know if you still remember her. She lived in our courtyard for several years when she was a child."

Ning Weidong thought carefully and searched the original owner's memory, and found that there really was such a person. In the original owner's memory, Wang Zipeng, the eldest cousin, was probably in her twenties at the time. It has been more than ten years now, and she should be almost forty. Ning Weidong motioned for him to continue. Wang Zipeng laughed dryly, "Isn't it true? My eldest cousin has a son, who is my nephew. He is eighteen years old this year and just came back from the countryside. He is a big boy who is unemployed at home..." Ning Weidong understood as soon as he heard it. Wang Zipeng wanted him to help with the resettlement. But he was not very happy in his heart. This matter was nothing to Ning Weidong, but some things were hard to talk about. We all live in the same courtyard. Since you helped Wang Zipeng this time, will you help others in need next time? If you help, you will never have a peaceful life in the future; if you don’t help, people will poke you in the back. Ning Weidong frowned. Given Wang Zipeng's intelligence, he shouldn't be given this difficult problem. Ning Weidong smiled and said, "You have connections in the factory. You can just go to the personnel department for this matter. Why do you need to come to me?" Wang Zipeng heard the excuse and said quickly, "Weidong, brother, if there is something useful, I will definitely come first before our brothers." Ning Weidong was stunned. From what he heard, it seemed that this was not a request to him, but an offer of benefit to him. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "What do you mean?" Wang Zipeng said: "Weidong, you don't know the background of my eldest cousin's husband." At this point, Wang Zipeng deliberately moved closer and lowered his voice, "The father of my eldest cousin's husband was the godson of a great eunuch in the former Qing Palace..." Ning Weidong understood what he meant as soon as he heard it. Regardless of whether this eunuch's godson is real or fake, since he mentioned it, it means he has something in hand and is prepared to spend a lot of money. Ning Weidong smiled and said, "From what you said, they are ready to spend a lot of money?" Wang Zipeng nodded quickly and said with a chuckle: "If it's just a few things, I can't find you~" Ning Weidong sighed, "Brother Wang, let me say the same thing again. You can handle this matter by yourself. Why do you have to ask me for help? Are you too embarrassed to ask your cousin?" Wang Zipeng slapped his thigh and said, "Oh~ You are really not a good person. Brother, I am not afraid of you laughing at me. Don't look at me making a fuss in the factory every day. That is just for face. When it comes to doing things seriously, who will give me face? You talk nicely but drag your feet. You are all acting like grandsons." Ning Weidong listened and knew that Wang Zipeng must have been fooled before, which was why he was full of resentment. However, Ning Weidong did not expose his shortcomings in person. Wang Zipeng added: "Besides, this time my cousin's family is determined to set up a state-owned enterprise. If I work hard for a large collective, there may be some hope, but this state-owned enterprise..." Ning Weidong understood that what Wang Zipeng said was true. Although the Red Star Factory has more than 10,000 workers, all state-owned workers are assigned their own jobs, which makes it really difficult to deal with them. Up to now, even Ning Weidong is not a regular state-owned employee. He has to wait until he gets his technical secondary school diploma before he can become a cadre. Ning Weidong said in embarrassment: "You also know that state-owned enterprises are not easy to run~"

To be honest, Ning Weidong didn't really want to get involved in this matter, but he didn't refuse it outright. Firstly, Wang Zipeng was well-informed in the factory and was good at networking. Moreover, they lived in the same courtyard and the relationship needed to be maintained. Secondly, just because Ning Weidong finds it troublesome doesn’t mean others will find it troublesome too. As long as the other party is really willing to spend the money, they can just transfer it to Li Peihang. Since Li Peihang got the benefit, he naturally owed Ning Weidong a favor. Wang Zipeng said hurriedly, "This is a pair of vases made by Emperor Qianlong. They are so tall..." He gestured with his hands, and it was nearly one meter tall. "They must have come from the palace." Ning Weidong shook his head: "Why would I need that thing? Where in my room do you think is suitable to put that bottle?" Wang Zipeng choked and looked around. It really didn't look right no matter where it was placed. He couldn't help but chuckle and scratched the back of his head: "This... how about changing it?" Although Ning Weidong didn't like the pair of vases, he could see that Wang Zipeng's eldest cousin did have some assets, so it just depended on how much she was willing to spend. (End of this chapter)