Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 567 A Feast for the Senses! An Overly Enthusiastic Old Classmate!

"Ok, no problem!"

"I'm boarding the plane right away, and I'll arrive on time tonight!"

"Okay, see you tonight then, sure!"

As soon as Dean Wen hung up the phone, Zhao Ruilong immediately took off his headphones.

As soon as I got up to go to the smoking area, two guards immediately followed me.

"You guys keep eating, you don't need to follow me. I'm going inside for a smoke!"

After taking two steps, I noticed that two guards were still following me.

Zhao Ruilong immediately stopped and said:

"Whether you're an airport staff member or a passenger, everyone who comes in has gone through security. You don't need to be so vigilant. Even if someone were to attack me, do you think I wouldn't be able to beat them?"

"Okay, then please be careful!"

Zhao Ruilong gave a soft "hmm".

I found myself in the smoking area, quite familiar with the place, where many people were already puffing away.

I took out a cigarette and went to the lighter. The heating coil took a while to ignite the cigarette.

As he watched the smoke rise, Zhao Ruilong quickly picked up a cigarette and took a deep drag.

I strolled to the window and leaned on the railing to gaze into the distance.

Why did Dean Wen suddenly invite me to dinner?

Zhao Ruilong had actually anticipated this all along.

A long time ago, when I was reporting a series of major scientific and technological projects to Dean Wen, we discussed the significance of the projects, future trends, and their impact on the national economy.

After the successful maiden flight of the domestically produced large aircraft, Ren Hongguang talked to him a lot at the celebration banquet, and the next day he accompanied him to Luzhou and Jingzhou for inspection and research.

It is often said that technology is the primary productive force!

Having heard their own explanations and witnessed the technological achievements firsthand, they clearly understood that China's entry into the high-tech information age was an inevitable trend that no one could stop.

However, how to go with the flow while ensuring a fair distribution of benefits clearly requires negotiation.

As for how to negotiate?

Zhao Ruilong couldn't help but recall the classic film he had watched before his time travel, which countless netizens jokingly called "Let the Bullets Fly," a film that should be listed as an intangible cultural heritage.

In the movie, Huang Silang, a typical landlord and tyrant who lives in a watchtower and sells opium in Goose Town, only has three tricks up his sleeve to deal with Zhang Mazi, who is actually a bandit leader disguised as the county magistrate Ma Bangde.

Treat him to a meal, behead him, or take him in as a dog!

At the treacherous banquet hosted by Huang Silang, he and Zhang Mazi constantly tested and threatened each other, while Master Tang, a master of feigning ignorance, kept trying to smooth things over throughout...

This treacherous and bloody drama has given rise to many classic lines.

Especially Master Tang, who was particularly good at playing dumb, said many things that Zhao Ruilong still remembers vividly.

When Huang Silang said that his opium had been robbed by Zhang Mazi eight times out of ten, he said that if he dared to fight the bandits, he could have as much money as he wanted.

Master Tang immediately said, "We don't have the guts to suppress bandits, but we do have the guts to use the name of suppressing bandits to make money, and we're quite bold about it!"

Later, Huang Silang said that he was willing to pay money as bait, but no matter how much he paid, the other two major families in Goose City would also have to pay the same amount, and the more he paid, the more he would earn.

Master Tang hurriedly smiled and said he understood, "After the matter is done, the 1.8 million will be returned in full, and we'll split the dollars between the two families..."

This dialogue vividly illustrates what it means to "return the rich and powerful in full, while splitting the poor's money 30/70!"

After reminiscing about the movie plot for a while, I thought about my current situation.

Zhao Ruilong silently raised his hand and took a deep drag on his cigarette.

"Although he is not Huang Silang and I am not Zhang Mazi, the routine has been the same from ancient times to the present."

"If we cannot reach an agreement on the distribution of benefits, there will inevitably be people who will cause trouble, disrupt things, and create problems."

"Even if many of the things I want to accomplish are beneficial to the country and its people, and conducive to long-term development, some people don't care about all that!"

"Just like in the movie, whether it's Huang Silang, Master Tang, or Zhang Mazi's brothers, they only think about making money and don't care about the lives of the people of Goose City at all."

"So in the end, Zhang Mazi seemed to have mobilized the masses to defeat Huang Silang, destroying his five-generation family business, but he only lost a substitute and eventually boarded the train."

"On the contrary, Zhang Mazi, who came to Goose City seeking fairness and wanting to earn the rich's money while standing tall, led the people of Goose City to storm the watchtower and divide up Huang Silang's property, but in the end, he was left all alone..."

Zhao Ruilong silently smoked his cigarette.

He couldn't help but think to himself that he obviously couldn't be an idealist like Zhang Mazi in this very realistic society.

We must fight for what we should fight for, and we must never compromise on our bottom line.

As for petty profits...

What's wrong with letting them earn some money?

Only by winning can a thorough investigation and reckoning be conducted.

Only then could they destroy Huang Silang's watchtower and make Master Tang hang his buttocks on a tree.

Otherwise, the one who will be purged will be themselves.

"Zhao... Zhao Ruilong?"

A surprised voice came from behind.

Zhao Ruilong turned his head at the sound and saw a stylishly dressed, exquisitely made-up young man looking at him with a surprised expression.

"you are?"

"Me? Tang Jiayue! My buddy from college, we shared a dorm for four years. It's only been a few years, and you don't even remember me!"

Zhao Ruilong immediately feigned surprise and said, "Holy crap, it's you! Did you get plastic surgery to become a star? You've become so handsome!"

These words came out of Zhao Ruilong's mouth purely as a conditioned reflex.

Although I couldn't remember who Tang Jiayue was at all, I had no impression of him anymore.

But praising someone for being handsome...

Who wouldn't be happy to hear that?

This also perfectly explains why they weren't recognized immediately.

Sure enough, Tang Jiayue had a big smile on his face.

"What kind of plastic surgery did I have? I just did a little bit of work-related work, but my appearance is definitely much better than when I was in college."

Zhao Ruilong took a puff of his cigarette, leaned against the railing, and looked Tang Jiayue up and down. Tang Jiayue was dressed like a Korean oppa and had a particularly youthful and handsome look.

"Wearing all those luxury designer clothes, you must have made a lot of money over the years!"

"Hey, so-so, just trying to make a living."

As Tang Jiayue spoke, he put a cigarette in his mouth and gestured toward Zhao Ruilong.

Zhao Ruilong immediately understood and handed the cigarette in his hand to Tang Jiayue, asking him to light it.

Judging from their conversation just now, and Tang Jiayue's actions that are about to ignite a fire...

Zhao Ruilong was almost certain that Tang Jiayue clearly did not understand him in the present day.

Otherwise, if he knew his current status and background, how could he dare to do this?

After returning the cigarette, Tang Jiayue immediately asked:

“I had just gone abroad to study when I heard from Lao Li that you had been in a car accident and killed someone. He also said that even your father couldn’t protect you and that you would be sentenced to many years in prison. Is that true?”

"Yes, he was sentenced to seven years."

Zhao Ruilong answered decisively.

This isn't exactly a dark history; anyone who knows me even a little can find out by asking around.

"Seven years! Tsk tsk!"

After taking a drag of his cigarette, Tang Jiayue frowned, looking puzzled, and said:

"I remember your dad was already the vice governor of Handong Province back then, wasn't he? Didn't he try to protect you?"

Zhao Ruilong scoffed, "How can he protect himself? The witnesses and evidence are irrefutable. If he really disregards the law, he won't be able to protect himself either!"

"Too!"

Tang Jiayue nodded and then asked with a smile, "Has your dad retired yet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruilong's suspicions were completely confirmed.

Tang Jiayue clearly doesn't understand himself, or even the current political situation in China.

Judging from his trendy outfit, he probably stayed abroad for a long time after studying abroad and didn't live in China for long.

Otherwise, if they had ever read a news report about their father and knew what position he held, they wouldn't have asked that question.

"No, he's not of retirement age yet!"

Zhao Ruilong replied calmly.

Since Tang Jiayue doesn't understand, why should I show off?

"And what about you? You were sentenced to prison, so your dream of becoming an official certainly didn't come true, right?"

Tang Jiayue's question surprised Zhao Ruilong.

I thought he would ask further about my father's current position and rank.

Unexpectedly, this guy doesn't care whether his father is now in a high position of power; instead, he's curious about why his dream of becoming an official hasn't come true.

"Of course it didn't work out. He was in jail for a full seven years before being released. How could he possibly have a chance to get into the system? And you? You're dressed so fashionably and trendily, you wouldn't happen to be working in the entertainment industry abroad, would you?"

Tang Jiayue laughed and said, "I'm not in the entertainment industry, brother. My girlfriend is more fashion-savvy. She makes all the decisions about my hairstyle and clothes. Dressing young and handsome makes it easier to conduct business!"

Zhao Ruilong frowned and asked, "What kind of business are you discussing that requires you to dress like a celebrity?"

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Jiayue smiled mysteriously and said, "It's just about doing business with wine and cigars. And since I'm staying in fashionable and romantic France for a long time, I naturally have to dress presentably."

"Having stayed in France for a long time? So where are you now?"

"I'm getting ready to transit through Yanjing before flying back to Bari! To be honest, if my grandfather hadn't been saying he wanted to see me one last time before he passed away, I wouldn't have wanted to come back!"

Zhao Ruilong smiled without saying a word.

After studying abroad, I stayed in France for a long time, so it's no wonder I feel very unfamiliar with China.

"By the way, back in college, you really wanted to be a politician like your dad. A car accident ruined your dream of becoming an official. So what are you doing now? You're not going to have your dad arrange a job for you, just sitting around drinking tea and reading newspapers, are you?"

“My second sister didn’t go into politics, right? After I got out of prison, I started hanging out with her.”

Zhao Ruilong, who had no intention of showing off, naturally avoided the main issues.

Anyway, what I said was the truth. Huilong Group was founded by my second sister, and I did work with her after I was released from prison.

Even now, his official position at Huilong Group is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

"Your second sister has been involved in government projects and real estate for many years, right? Plus, your father was already the vice governor of Handong Province many years ago, so I reckon your family has probably made quite a bit of money!"

After saying this with a chuckle, Tang Jiayue turned his head to look around and then chuckled softly:

“When I came back this time, I heard that the domestic regulations are getting stricter and stricter. Not only are they cracking down on corruption, but they are also sweeping up organized crime. Many gang leaders and corrupt officials have been taken down. You... I’m afraid you should also start preparing early!”

Zhao Ruilong couldn't help but laugh.

What does it mean to prepare early?

In your eyes, Tang Jiayue, am I Zhao Ruilong a cunning businessman, and my father Zhao Lichun a corrupt official?

If you knew that the large-scale anti-corruption campaign and crackdown on organized crime were driven by my father and son, would you still say such a thing?

"Hey, what are you laughing at?"

Tang Jiayue glanced around and then said in a serious, low voice:

"In engineering and real estate, everyone knows that you can't get by without connections and background."

"How could you possibly succeed in business without collusion between officials and businessmen, and without power-money transactions?"

"As the old saying goes, if you stand by the river long enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. If you've been doing shady business for too long, you'll have to shut it down!"