Chapter 131: The Blunderer

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However, Chen Liang’s request happened to fall well within his principles, so he said without the slightest hesitation, “This matter of mine, Director Li, is certainly something you can help with.”

Calm and unhurried, Chen Liang explained what he needed.

“Director Li, here’s the situation. I still have an unused housing allocation, so I wanted to ask you for a favor—could you assign me a house?”

“That’s all? With Section Chief Chen’s standing, you could simply go to the Housing Administration Section. Why would you need my help?”

Director Li was speechless. Chen Liang had come to him over such a trivial matter as being assigned a house? Wasn’t that making far too much of his position?

The Great Luo Across All Worlds

At the very least, he could have asked for something more demanding! Otherwise, how was Director Li supposed to demonstrate his capabilities?

“Heh, Director Li, don’t rush me. Let me finish, will you?”

“The house I’m looking for has several requirements. First, it must be a private courtyard residence. Second, it should be of moderate size—not too small. And third, it must be within the western district of the city.”

Only after hearing this did Director Li understand why Chen Liang had given him such a lavish gift. A private courtyard residence was absolutely worth that price.

Housing in those days was different from the later era, when homes could be freely bought and sold. All housing was allocated by the state, and individuals had no right to purchase property.

Private homes with their own courtyards were the most coveted prizes in any work unit. For an ordinary person to be assigned one was about as likely as winning the grand prize in a lottery decades later—practically impossible.

“I see. I’m not sure whether our factory still has the kind of house you’re asking for. Why don’t we go together and ask the Housing Administration Section?”

Chen Liang gave an inward sneer. They were both old foxes—why bother putting on a show? As for whether any houses remained, could Director Li really be unaware?

A private courtyard residence was a resource comparable to a trump card, no matter whose hands it was in. As the deputy factory director in charge of logistics, Director Li certainly knew exactly how many such houses were left in the factory.

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But the fact that Director Li suggested going together to the Housing Administration Section proved that there was hope. So although Chen Liang was sneering inwardly, he followed beside Director Li with a smiling face, chatting along the way and showing no trace of dissatisfaction.

When they arrived at the office of the Housing Administration Section, the section chief immediately began fawning over Chen Liang and Director Li. Once Chen Liang explained the purpose of their visit, the section chief first stole a discreet glance at his immediate superior.

Then, after seeing Director Li give a slight nod, he immediately thumped his chest and promised, “Rest assured, Section Chief Chen. Leave this matter to Old Xie. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

Old Xie was no fool. As Director Li’s staunchest subordinate, he would never have made such a sweeping promise without Director Li’s approval—not even if the visitor had been from the Security Department.

It was true that he could not afford to offend the people from the Security Department, but no one said he could not resist them passively. If Director Li had not come personally, he would probably have treated Chen Liang the same way, but the houses he offered would certainly have been far from satisfactory.

Take them or leave them. The Red Star Steel Mill had only so many vacant houses, after all. He could not conjure up more out of thin air.

But now that Director Li had personally brought someone over and nodded his approval to reveal the factory’s reserves, Old Xie pulled a file folder from an inconspicuous drawer in his desk.

He handed it to Chen Liang. “Section Chief Chen, have a look and see whether anything suits you.”

Chen Liang had no idea what he was about to see. The moment he opened the folder, he was startled. Every document inside described a private house with its own courtyard. After a quick glance, he realized there were several dozen properties listed.

He knew that Director Li was showing off his influence, making it clear that when it came to logistics, he had everything firmly under control.

Chen Liang did not stand on ceremony. He emptied the entire folder onto the desk, first setting aside every property outside the western district, then carefully examining the remaining choices.

There were not many private courtyard homes in the western district. Chen Liang ran through them all in his mind before selecting the one he liked best.

The house was of moderate size, neither too large nor too small, with a total floor area of just under two hundred square meters. It had three main rooms and two side rooms—perfect for a family of three to five.

Most importantly, it was only two streets away from the Chen family home. It would take five minutes by bicycle or ten minutes on foot to reach his parents’ house. That was wonderfully convenient. In the future, he would not have to travel half the city just to eat a meal.

Chen Liang pulled out the file containing the property details. “Director Li, I’ll take this one.”

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He handed it to Director Li for a look, only to hear the latter say with a trace of regret, “Section Chief Chen, this house really isn’t the best one. Why don’t you look at a few others? Personally, I think this one would be quite suitable.”

Chen Liang glanced at the file Director Li was pointing to and smiled. “Director Li, you’re too kind. This house isn’t suitable for me.”

After a pause, he explained, “The house is a little too large. If it were just my wife and me living there, it would attract too much attention and invite trouble.”

Those words made Director Li regard Chen Liang with newfound respect. Human greed was boundless. When ordinary people chose a house, bigger was always better. That was human nature, and it could not easily be changed.

But Chen Liang was different. He was capable of restraining his desires. A man like that was clearly destined to accomplish great things.

Seeing that Chen Liang had made his choice, Director Li said nothing more. He handed the file in his hand to Old Xie from the Housing Administration Section.

“Old Xie, register it, then give Section Chief Chen the keys…”

After the housing assignment process was completed, Chen Liang accepted the keys and a paper certificate from Old Xie. He handed him a pack of Pinnacle cigarettes, thanked him, and left with Director Li.

Back in the office, Chen Liang and Director Li engaged in another round of extreme verbal sparring, spending more than half a day exchanging vague pleasantries and meaningless chatter. Just as Chen Liang finished the cup of premium green tea Director Li had brewed and was preparing to take his leave, a reckless man pushed the door open without knocking and barged in.

The moment he entered, without even looking to see who was in the room, he blurted out, “Something terrible has happened!”

Chen Liang, who was sitting in front of the desk, was left in an awkward position. Now he could not leave even if he wanted to.

Chen Liang knew this reckless fellow as well. He was the head of the logistics department at the Red Star Steel Mill and, without question, Director Li’s foremost subordinate.

After seeing Chen Liang, the head of logistics realized that he had spoken out of turn and stood awkwardly in the doorway as well.

“Why are you acting so rashly? What do you mean, something terrible has happened? Even if the sky fell, there would still be someone tall enough to hold it up. What are you panicking about?”

Director Li reprimanded the head of logistics irritably for a few moments. Seizing the opportunity, Chen Liang stood up and said goodbye.

“Director Li, you have business to attend to. I won’t disturb you any longer!”

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