Chapter 8 Lift Up My Veil

  After returning from Xian County, Tang Yi began to take charge of the economic work in Chenjiatun Town. At that time, Eastern Europe was undergoing tremendous changes, and the original socialist countries were turning to the Western camp one after another. The party's ideology was in a state of great turmoil. The conservative faction and the reform faction were at odds with each other, and even in a small county like Yanshan County, there were two completely different viewpoints in opposition. The conservative faction was led by County Secretary Xiao Ri, while the reform faction was led by County Magistrate Cheng Jianjun. Of course, to ordinary people, this political struggle was invisible.

  Tang Yi, however, clearly knew that the impending major event would escalate the struggle in this ideological sphere to a white-hot stage. Because several months later, in August, Yeltsin, the president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union, would engage in a showdown with Gorbachev, the incumbent General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the vast Soviet Empire would soon disintegrate, bringing the republic to its most severe test in history.

  How to seize this last great ideological collision in the history of the Republic has become a problem that Tang Yi thinks about every day, it is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years, and if used well, it will be a major turning point for his own career.

  These days, Tang Yi was busy flipping through materials and inspecting the town's few small factories, preparing to do some practical things for Chenjiadun. Just after he proposed a pilot reform of the town's canning factory at the meeting, he received a call from Chen Dahong. Chen Dahong had just taken office as the head of the criminal police brigade of Yanshan County Public Security Bureau. He complained on the phone that he had been promoted and Tang Yi didn't even invite him to dinner. After thinking for a moment, Tang Yi readily agreed to send over the discussion materials from this meeting to the county committee.

  At noon, Chen Dahe and I had a drink at Chengqi Tavern. When I thought of Xiao Ri's lukewarm attitude during the work report, it was clear that he didn't quite agree with my reform suggestions. Tang Yi felt somewhat depressed. He clearly knew that the tide of history made reform inevitable, but for now, at least in Yanshan County, conservative views held sway. It seemed likely that several months later, when the Soviet Union collapsed, Yanshan County would stir up a wave of opposition to reform.

  Feeling depressed, he drank a few more cups and fell asleep in the county committee's reception house in the afternoon. When he woke up, it was already dark outside. He had just sobered up and his head was throbbing with pain. Tang Yi didn't like the food at the reception house, so he walked out of there aimlessly and ended up back at Qi Jie's small restaurant again.

  As soon as he entered the store, he saw Qi Jie's beautiful figure standing next to the bar, her snow-white face with a hint of blush, and when she saw Tang Yi, she floated over with a faint scent of wine, obviously having drunk again.

  Her slender fingers pointed at Tang Yi as she walked over, saying: "You little scamp, how come you haven't been seen for days? Where did you go to die? Are you busy dating? You're ignoring your sister!...... Ah……" But her foot slipped and she almost fell.

  Tang Yi was even more depressed, came out to clear his mind and met a drunkard again, sat down at the window seat and shouted to the waiter: "Bring me a bowl of porridge!"

  "Wow! You're awesome, ignoring me?" Qi Jie sat down opposite Tang Yi, staring at him with her almond-shaped eyes.

  Tang Yi frowned and said, "Don't bother me, I'm busy!"

  "Huh?" For the first time, Qi Jie saw Tang Yi with a worried expression, and she was taken aback for a moment before bursting into giggles: "What's wrong? Lost your love?" Qi Jie thought that at Tang Yi's age, what could he possibly be worried about, except for studying or those vague feelings. And Tang Yi clearly wasn't the type to worry about studying.

  "Whatever you say," Tang Yi lazily replied, although it seemed like Qi Jie hadn't drunk much, but towards women who liked to drink, Tang Yi had a few points of resistance in his heart.

  "Hey, I've got some good news to share with you. These past few days, I've been doing things your way, and guess how many boxed lunches I sold today?" Qi Jie saw that Tang Yi was really in a bad mood, so she quickly restrained herself and carefully tried to comfort him. However, he completely ignored her attempts at conversation and only continued to sulkily say: "Sister is telling you quietly, business has been getting better day by day. Today alone, I made over 200 yuan from selling boxed lunches! I really didn't expect that you'd have some tricks up your sleeve? How about it, aren't you happy to hear this good news?"

  Tang Yi nodded and slowly started drinking the white porridge served by the waiter. Qi Jie made a face, pouted, and was about to storm off in a huff, but seeing Tang Yi's unhappy expression, she couldn't bear it and sat back down quietly, watching him drink his porridge.

  Tang Yi slowly finished his porridge, but saw Qi Jie looking at him with a careful expression, her beautiful big eyes full of concern. Tang Yi's heart warmed up, and he couldn't help but smile, unable to tell that this little woman was actually very emotional and righteous. She didn't even know that she had helped him before, just that one night when he consoled her, yet she really took him as a good friend or brother.

  "Hey, sis, how about watching a video with me?" Qijie's big eyes rolled around and she had an idea to tease Tang Yi.

  Tang Yi didn't have much interest in watching the video, but seeing Qi Jie's expectant eyes, he couldn't refuse her kindness, so he nodded. Qi Jie was overjoyed and pulled Tang Yi up, seeing her so happy, Tang Yi felt a warmth in his heart again.

  Today's movie is Chow Yun-fat's "A Better Tomorrow", Tang Yi and Qi Jie are sitting in the corner of that day, because the screen looks slanted from here, so usually no one sits here, but today a couple sat there, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

  Tang Yi watched the intense gun battle on the video, but his mind began to think about how to move forward with his reform plan and the complex interpersonal relationships within the county committee. He was so absorbed in thought that he suddenly felt a soft arm slowly wrapping around his neck, and the sweet fragrance wafted up to his nostrils, even feeling the smoothness of Qi Jie's body close to his own. Just then, Qi Jie spoke softly, "Silly child, stop thinking, is this your first love?" She thought Tang Yi was still suffering from the pain of a lost love because he had been silent for so long.

  Tang Yi could only nod helplessly and continue with the act.

  Qijie said with a hint of annoyance, "Hey, why are you staring at them? Haven't you ever kissed your girlfriend?" But in fact, Tang Yi's eyes were not fixed on the screen when he was thinking about something, and his gaze fell on that young couple who were being affectionate.

  Tang Yi helplessly shook his head, just about to put Qi Jie's arm down, but suddenly saw Qi Jie's stunning face appear in front of him. Her bright red lips got closer and closer, slowly pressing against his own lips, soft and fragrant. Before Tang Yi could react, Qi Jie's red lips quickly left his mouth, chuckling softly: "This is what a kiss is like, what's so mysterious about it? Women! If you're done with the old one, don't come looking for a new one. But if you want to, next time you get dumped, come find sister."

  Tang Yi finally came back to his senses, feeling both angry and amused at the same time. What was this kiss again? Their tongues hadn't even touched once. He turned his face to speak, but suddenly found himself staring at Qi Jie's stunning face, her bright red lips inches from his own. In the darkness, this charming woman seemed to possess an irresistible allure that couldn't be put into words. Tang Yi's heart began racing rapidly as he gazed at her. Qi Jie's red lips parted slightly, as if she was saying something, but Tang Yi couldn't hear a thing. Suddenly, he reached out and cradled her delicate face in his hands, the smooth sensation sending shivers down his spine. With a swift motion, Tang Yi lowered his head and pressed his lips firmly onto Qi Jie's red lips. Before she could react, Tang Yi's tongue had already slipped into her mouth, entwining with her small tongue as he sucked forcefully.

  "Uuuu..." After reacting, Qijie started to struggle with force, wanting to push away Tang Yi, but her body became softer and softer, as if she was leaning on Tang Yi like water, and her tongue also gradually responded.

  After a long time, Tang Yi finally slowly let go of her. Qi Jie was panting heavily, staring at Tang Yi in shock, and suddenly stretched out her slender hand to grab Tang Yi's ear, glaring with her big, shining eyes: "Well done, you little scoundrel! So you're not a good person either! You even took advantage of me!"

  Tang Yi realized that he had indeed acted rashly, and Qiao Jie was just trying to comfort his "broken heart" in various ways. Instead, he had taken advantage of her, feeling a bit ashamed, he lowered his head, not knowing what to say.

  The pain in her ears gradually disappeared, and Qijie suddenly giggled: "Okay, okay! Don't be too hard on yourself, at your age it's normal to be impulsive, it's not your fault!" Apparently, Qijie was still taking care of Tang Yi's emotions. Tang Yi felt even more ashamed, what was he doing?!

  "But don't think you can get away with this in the future! Unless you want me to be your girlfriend!" Qi Jie said with a smile, ruffling Tang Yi's hair.

  After the party, on the way back to the small restaurant, Qi Jie fell silent, her face flushed red, obviously recalling the scene in the video room and feeling a bit embarrassed. Originally, she had comforted Tang Yi with a kiss while drunk, but unexpectedly, the two really kissed once.

  Silently returned to the small restaurant, it was already after 9 o'clock, the waiter was collecting tables and chairs, preparing to close.

  Tang Yi smiled at Qian Jie and said: "It's late, I'm going back to school. Next time I'll invite you to watch the video."

  It was originally a casual remark, but after saying it, I realized that there were some grammatical errors. Qijie heard "watch the video" and her pretty face turned red, she gave Tang Yi a white eye and turned into the house.

  ……

  Tang Yi stayed at the reception house for one night, and the next afternoon he reported to County Mayor Cheng Jianjun again. Cheng Jianjun was quite supportive of his proposal, but after all, it had to be decided by Xiao Ri, so the reply given to Tang Yi was that they would discuss it in a few days' county committee meeting.

  The whole morning passed in a flash, and Tang Yi went to the small restaurant to bid farewell to Qi Jie before going back, and also to ease the awkwardness of yesterday. When he arrived at the small restaurant, he found that it was tightly closed and not open for business. Qi Jie and two waiters looked worried and unhappy. Seeing Tang Yi, Qi Jie forced a smile and asked: "What would you like to eat? I'll ask the chef to prepare it!"

  Tang Yiqi said: "Why are there no guests and no boxed meals?"

  "Never mind! What's the point of getting all worked up about it?"

  The waitress, Xiaoli, spoke quickly: "It's that Zhang Ziqiang again, I don't know how he can't get along with us. This morning, people from the City Industrial and Commercial Bureau came to inspect us, saying we were selling boxed lunches in violation of commercial regulations. Zhang Ziqiang also came, he must be behind this!"

  Tang Yilei was taken aback, Zhang Ziqiang? He dares to come here and cause trouble? His guts are quite big!

  At this time, the glass door outside "beep" horn sounded, a jeep stopped at the door, and three or four people wearing uniforms got off from above, and finally, a fat figure jumped out of the car, who was none other than Zhang Ziqiang.

  Several people entered the small shop, and before anyone else could speak, Zhang Ziqiang sneered with a strange smile: "Hey, isn't this Qi Dajie? How come you don't recognize your brother Zhang after not seeing him for a few days?"

  Qijie was still a little afraid of him. At this time, smiling and welcoming him again would be inappropriate. Her pretty face turned pale, silently looking at him.

  "I thought you and our team leader had a good relationship! It turned out that the team leader just pretended to be a good person to pull you up, but you really thought you were something special!" Zhang Ziqiang chuckled, he only found out in the past few days that Chen Dahe and Qi Jie didn't have any special relationship. According to Sanzi's words, they had just eaten together that day. Originally, Zhang Ziqiang thought Chen Dahe had taken a liking to Qi Jie, but after not seeing him come to the small restaurant for several days, he finally felt at ease, thinking that it was definitely because of something Qi Jie said that day, and Chen Dahe was just pretending to be strict as a new official. Since there wasn't any close relationship between them, Zhang Ziqiang naturally wanted to regain face, deciding to give Qi Jie another look. However, he didn't dare to move against Qi Jie through the public security system again, so he found some old friends from the Industry and Commerce Department to help him teach Qi Jie a lesson.

  "How much should be fined?" Zhang Ziqiang turned back and asked a bespectacled staff member of the Administration for Industry and Commerce.

  He took out a book and pretended to read it, saying: "According to Article 73 of the Industrial and Commercial Regulations, the fine should be no less than 3,000 yuan!"

  "Ah?" Qi Jie's face turned pale in an instant. Three thousand yuan? This was several months' worth of her own income!

  "This being your first time, I'll let you off with a fine of 3,000 this time. If you do it again next time, the punishment will be severe!" The tone of the glasses seemed to have sold a great favor.

  Zhang Ziqiang chuckled and said: "Qī dà jiě zi, this time brother can't help you, who told you not to discuss with brother before doing things?"

  Tang Yi sighed in his heart, is this a socialist society? It's even worse than the feudal society. No wonder "Justice Bao" was so popular back then, it's because there are too many scoundrels like Zhang Ziqiang who harm the community.

  "Hey big sister, are you going to pay up? Do you want me to lend you some money first?" Zhang Ziqiang smiled with his yellow teeth gleaming.

  Tang Yi let out a sigh and muttered to himself: "Why does it feel like we've gone back to the old society?"

  Zhang Ziqiang's ears were still quite sharp, he looked up and down at Tang Yi, coldly saying: "What kind of person are you?"

  Tang Yi smiled: "Don't ask what kind of person I am. What kind of person are you? On what basis does the Industrial and Commercial Bureau inspect you to point fingers?"

  Zhang Ziqiang was taken aback, not expecting this young whippersnapper to be so arrogant and dare to speak to him like that. He glared at him with his triangular eyes and growled: "What did you say? We're conducting a joint inspection, you're obstructing official business, do you want to go to jail?"

  Tang Yi snorted: "I've never heard of sending a mere grasshead king for a joint inspection!"

  "You're really asking for it!" Zhang Ziqiang strode towards Tang Yi, his face dark with anger. Qi Jie's face turned pale with fear as she hastily stepped forward to block Tang Yi, speaking in a low and conciliatory tone to Zhang Ziqiang: "Don't, Big Brother Zhang, he doesn't understand! Can't we just pay the money?" Turning back to Tang Yi, she whispered urgently: "Don't say anything else! We can't afford to provoke them!"

  Tang Yi suddenly pulled Qi Jie behind him and said coldly, "I haven't heard of any regulation that prohibits restaurants from selling boxed meals! You!" He pointed at the several industrial and commercial law enforcement personnel and shouted, "Call your leader here, I want to see which article of the industrial and commercial regulations states that restaurants are not allowed to sell take-out boxed meals!"

  "Ah, you little scoundrel really owes a beating!" Zhang Ziqiang came over and wanted to grab Tang Yi's collar, but was held back by the thin man who had been staring at Tang Yi. The thin man persuaded Zhang Ziqiang while sizing up Tang Yi from head to toe, hesitantly saying: "You... are you Secretary Tang of Chenjiadun?"

  Xiao Shouzi and the director had a good relationship, and when they went to the county committee to handle affairs, Xiao Shouzi saw Tang Yi from afar. At that time, the director told him about Tang Yi's identity, and the expression on Pei Yanxiang's face was still fresh in Xiao Shouzi's memory. He remembered his words: "This batch of central party school graduates who were sent to various grassroots levels across the province are a group of key cadres being cultivated by the country. Who knows if there might be some royal relatives among them? Little Hou, you must remember this clearly for me. If, I mean if, he needs help with something in the future, you must handle it well for me. I'm still young and have a bright future ahead of me. It's not worth offending people like him!"

  Tang Yi didn't think anyone would recognize him. At this time, it wasn't the moment to conceal his identity either. He slightly nodded: "Yes, I am Tang Yi!"

  Zhang Ziqiang's eyes widened and he almost fainted on the spot, his head buzzing. Tang Yi? But wasn't he the iron brother of his superior, Chen Dadao, who had been framed together with him in the Li Wenhe case and had turned over a new leaf together? How could their friendship go wrong? Moreover, when Chen Da and Jie Feng were drinking together, Chen Da had said with his own mouth: "Tang Yi from Chenjia Village is my iron son! Without him, there would be no me!"

  His whole body was covered in cold sweat, and Zhang Ziqiang suddenly realized why Chen Dahe was so concerned about Qi Jie's case. Needless to say, it was the young man in front of him, he was Qi Jie's backing.

  The thin monkey immediately put on a humble smile and said in a low voice: "Secretary Tang, it's really you, then let's go, let's go!"

  Tang Yi was furious, and said in a low voice: "Leave? Don't even think about leaving today! I also want to learn about the new business regulations! You, quickly call your leader over, I'll study with him!"

  "Wait, Secretary Tang, this... uh... we..."

  "Don't give me that smirk! Is what I'm saying funny?" Tang Yi furrowed his brow.

  "Not at all!" The thin monkey's face turned yellow, and that expression was simply pitiful to look at.

  "And you!" Tang Yi pointed at Zhang Ziqiang, scaring him so much that he almost fell to the ground. "You're Zhang Ziqiang, I've heard of your great name! So, it was you who handled the Qi Jun case? Twisting black and white, oppressing good people - is this your usual style? Originally, I wanted to report it to Liu Secretary, who's in charge of politics and law, but Captain Chen pleaded for you again and again, saying that he would give you another chance. I didn't pursue it then, but it seems like you're still up to no good! It looks like this time I must report it to the County Committee and the County Bureau!"

  "Stop, Secretary Tang, I know I was wrong! I apologize to you... no... not to you... Qi Dajie... Qi Jie, it's me who was wrong, I apologize to you. Please forgive me, don't hold my mistakes against me!" Zhang Ziqiang begged pitifully in front of Tang Yiqi and Qi Jie, his ugly appearance exposed, with snot and tears all over his face. It seemed like he had the intention of kneeling down to Qi Jie.

  "This isn't about apologizing to me or her, your actions are slandering the government and the party! Not that you've offended me, Tang Yi!" Tang Yi's voice was stern, Zhang Ziqiang's face was covered in sweat, his body went soft and he sat down, as if he didn't even have the strength to stand.

  Qijie seemed to be in a dream, staring blankly at Tang Yi who was severely scolding Zhang Ziqiang and his gang. These people who were usually high above her head now looked like children in front of Tang Yi, no, more like mangy dogs, each one as quiet as a cicada in winter. It seemed that even if they were asked to kneel down now, they would still rush to come and lick her toes.

  What secretary is he again?

  Qiji looked at this big boy in her eyes, and at this moment, he had an inexplicable feeling on him, which was a kind of aura, the aura of a superior. At this moment, he seemed like a towering mountain, carefully placing himself under his wings to protect her. This feeling of being protected really felt good.

  Tang Yi severely scolded them with a stern expression, and the few people didn't even dare to breathe loudly. One by one, they wiped the sweat from their foreheads, while Zhang Ziqiang was so frightened that he became somewhat stunned, sitting there motionless. His anger subsided slightly.

  "Alright, I'll consider your matter later, first tell me how you plan to deal with the Longjing Restaurant."

  "Secretary Tang, Longjing Restaurant can operate as usual, and we will study how to give preferential policies to Longjing Restaurant when we return to the office."

  Tang Yi glared at him and said in a low voice, "You think I'm very familiar with the owner of this restaurant, is it because you want to take care of me?"

  The thin monkey was so scared that it kept shaking its head, and this flattery had reached the horse's hoof.

  "Your affairs are handled impartially, with your leaders present, and have nothing to do with me! Also, let me tell you that Qijie is a close friend of mine, we're good friends! There's no need to be evasive about anything!" Tang Yi knew that if he pretended not to know Qijie well today, all sorts of rumors would spread afterwards. By speaking out straightforwardly, he took the initiative.

  "Alright, you guys go ahead! I still have a lot of things to take care of, no time to chat with you!"

  A few people murmured, and someone helped the unsteady Zhang Ziqiang out the door. As he left, Tang Yi turned back to look at Qi Jie, who was also watching him with a very complex expression.

  The two waiters exchanged a glance and slipped into the kitchen in the back hall, leaving only Tang Yi and Qi Jie in the restaurant.

  "Was it you who helped with my brother's matter too?" Qijie said with a faint smile: "It must have been you."

  Tang Yi nodded slightly and said: "Sorry, I've been keeping it from you for so long. But as a student, everything is what you think it is, I never said anything on my own initiative."

  Qijie nodded slightly and suddenly burst out laughing: "Secretary Tang, do you think I should be afraid of you now? Humph, just because you're the secretary, what's so special about that? You still have to call me sister!"

  Tang Yi felt a sense of relief in his heart, but he was afraid that Qiao Jie would suddenly become overly polite to him, and the friendship that Tang Yi cherished might also change.

  "But Secretary Tang, how old are you exactly? You're not older than me, are you?" Qijie stared at Tang Yi's face and asked suspiciously.

  "Just call me Tang Yi, I'm the same age as you, August!"

  "You still have to call me sister! I'm three months older!" Qi Jie smiled complacently, but in fact she was far from calm inside. Now that she knew Tang Yi's true identity, how could she not be affected? She just knew how to get along with Tang Yi to make him comfortable, so as not to slowly drift apart from him. In her heart, she couldn't help but have a little more reverence for Tang Yi.