The bearded man suddenly parted the crowd and rushed forward. He wasn’t attacking Xu Chunliang; he stood in front of Xu Chunliang, clasped his hands together, and pleaded, "Big brother, please spare . You can save , you must know a way to save ..."
At this mont, an exclamation ca from behind. It was the dog that had just jumped in, now floating upright on the water’s surface.
The bearded man’s knees went weak, and he knelt down to Xu Chunliang with a thud, pulling out his phone. "Big brother, I’ll delete it, I’ll delete it, won’t that do? It was all Huang Yongjun who made do it. I hold no grudge against you, please spare , please spare ..."
Xu Chunliang turned around, smiling as he looked at Huang Yongjun. Huang Yongjun now felt chills from the bottom of his heart. If the first mass death of fish in the pond was a coincidence, how do you explain this? How do you explain the dog’s death? What kind of person is this guy? Is he really a fortune teller? Did sothing really sinister happen at my place?
Xu Chunliang took the phone from the bearded man’s hand and unlocked it with the password provided. This guy’s phone had good waterproof features; it didn’t get damaged after falling into the fish pond. He opened the album and saw photos of Fan Lidada. The pictures of the birds erging from the water were quite clear.
Xu Chunliang took a few screenshots and then watched him delete the photos.
Xu Chunliang took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and asked the bearded man to help light one. The few n were scared of him; no one dared to lay a hand on him. The one most afraid was the bearded man, who, seeing the pond full of dead fish, believed he too might be poisoned.
Xu Chunliang took a few deep drags on the cigarette and blew smoke at the bearded man. The bearded man dared not move, standing before Xu Chunliang like an obedient grandson, letting him do as he pleased. Even if Xu Chunliang spat in his face, he would have to endure it.
Xu Chunliang patted the bearded man on the shoulder. "There are a few water ghosts clinging to you."
"What do I do? What do I do?" The bearded man’s teeth chattered, unsure if it was from the cold or fear.
Xu Chunliang flicked the cigarette ash on his head. "Go ahead, take a swim in the water, and send the water ghosts ho."
The bearded man gritted his teeth and jumped into the water with a splash, enduring the bone-chilling cold. As he swam a lap in the fish pond, unexpectedly, as soon as he hit the water, the dog ca back to life, climbed up the shore, wet and with its tail between its legs, and ran away.
Next to wake up was the large turtle, and finally, the fish that were floating belly-up in the water. In just a short while, everything returned to normal.
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed it, yet it all truly happened.
The bearded man was a good swimr, circling the pond until Xu Chunliang called him, and he dared climb ashore, his lips frozen blue.
Xu Chunliang said, "From now on, place incense burners at the four corners of the fish pond, lighting incense for forty-nine days without letting it go out, and everything might return to normal, otherwise... hehe..."
Xu Chunliang didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone understood; they had t an expert tonight.
Huang Yongjun felt as if his heart was being cut. Forty-nine days, how much business would that delay, not to ntion the energy expended. He regretted it now; he should never have provoked this person; this guy was too powerful. With an old face, he sheepishly approached Xu Chunliang. "Master, is there any other way? I’m running a business, and forty-nine days would lose a lot of money."
Xu Chunliang said, "If you had been amicable to begin with, there wouldn’t be so many troubles. That’s why one shouldn’t be arrogant. You’re lucky it was you encountered, repaying good with evil. Would anyone else save you?"
Huang Yongjun nodded repeatedly; now he dared not argue at all.
Xu Chunliang said, "The person you beat up is my friend. How about the dical expenses and nutritional fees?"
"I’ll pay! I’ll pay! Is ten thousand okay?"
Xu Chunliang sneered. Huang Yongjun said, "Twenty thousand, I’ll transfer it to you right away."
Xu Chunliang said, "Are you trying to send a beggar off? I’m not blackmailing you; you did bad deeds, and to dissolve your misfortune, you need to spend money. Ten thousand a day, and it has to be in cash; it’s up to you."
Huang Yongjun gritted his teeth, thinking that if he had to close for forty-nine days, he really couldn’t afford it. He whispered, "Fifty thousand, I only have fifty thousand in cash. Is that okay? I was wrong, I’ll never dare again. Master, you’re a bigger person, don’t hold it against . Please let it slide this ti, okay?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Oh, like this... Well, the incense must burn continuously for seven days and seven nights."
Huang Yongjun thought to himself, seven days and nights are much better than forty-nine days; this guy is like a plague god. I’ll try to get rid of him by all ans, and in the future, if I see you, I’ll hide far away.
He went to grab a small black bag and handed fifty thousand to Xu Chunliang, all of this done privately between the two.
Xu Chunliang had no trouble dealing with a small-ti boss who wasn’t even a village bully. If Huang Yongjun dared to make trouble again, Blue Bay Fishing Village would never regain its standing. Before leaving, he had the thugs make an apology video, one to show Fan Lidada, and the other to keep as evidence, to hold over these guys in the future.
Fan Lidada wasn’t seriously injured. After a hospital check-up, nothing major was found. He and Fu Guomin agreed to keep the matter quiet. If the event organizers found out, even if they could catch the culprits, his reputation and even the image of Dongzhou would be damaged and could beco the subject of ridicule.
The biggest worry now was that the photos might leak, but on the way back, he received a ssage from Xu Chunliang. Xu Chunliang sent him a few "birds coming out of the water" photos. Although Fan Lidada felt awkward, he was also relieved to learn that Xu Chunliang had gone to extinguish the flas for him, making him a brother worth keeping.
Returning to the hotel, Xu Chunliang went alone to Fan Lidada’s room and handed him twenty thousand yuan. This was the dical and nutritional expenses he had managed to claim on his behalf; the other thirty thousand was his own hard-earned fee. He also showed Fan Lidada the apology video from those guys.
Fan Lidada absolutely refused to keep so much money, leaving ten thousand for himself and giving the remaining ten thousand to Xu Chunliang, already overwheld with gratitude. Xu Chunliang not only stood up for him but also saved his political career. If the bird-watching photos got out, even Fu Guomin couldn’t protect him.
The invitation extended to Xing Wenhua to participate in Dongzhou Culture and Tourism performances surprised the representatives from all over Pinghai, but they quickly understood why. Secretary Xing must have realized that Dongzhou was being ostracized, so he chose this thod to restore balance. But what kind of tricks could Dongzhou pull off with that lineup?
The afternoon gala was held in the hotel’s grand conference hall.
When Xu Chunliang and his team arrived at the venue, they found that dozens of TV stations were present, making it a sowhat over-the-top scene. The six other cities in Pinghai combined to perform "Sha Jia Bang," predominantly led by Gusu, with props and costus brought over from Gusu TV.
Their program was the opening act, with Qi Hongyan from Jiangdu City Culture and Tourism Bureau playing Ah Qing Sao, Yang Jianwu, the Nanjiang Cultural and Tourism Bureau Director, playing Hu Chuan’kui, and Zhang Xuedong, the Gusu Culture and Tourism Bureau Director, playing Diao Deyi, while other directors played Commander Hu’s followers. It must be said that these cities were quite united.
Qi Hongyan was remarkable, having been a professional Peking Opera actor. Her first appearance was t with thunderous applause. However, Yang Jianwu and Zhang Xuedong still fell short, their performance rather weak, singing Peking Opera with accents. During their parts, the laughter from the audience clearly outweighed the applause.
As an amateur show, their performance was passable. But imdiately following was the collective dance "Great Tang Splendor" by the Chang’an Culture and Tourism Bureau, which was an instant hit, with superior visuals, costus, and performance. No wonder, since they brought the provincial song and dance troupe with them.
Fu Guomin felt a bit schadenfreude, thinking that although Dongzhou wasn’t invited to play, they couldn’t co up with anything impressive either—experts in civil war but amateurs in foreign ones. It’s not that they can’t recognize talent—It’s just that comparison is harsh.
But after laughing at them, Fu Guomin quickly rembered their own situation, realizing that even the six-city alliance could pull off a professional actor. Qi Hongyan’s portrayal of Ah Qing Sao was quite authentic. What could they do? Their hope was pinned on Su Qing, the professional host; Xu Chunliang definitely wouldn’t cut it, not being a professional actor.
Initially, it seed like Chang’an’s "Great Tang Splendor" was the pinnacle performance of the day, but then the Greater Bay Area ca in with a lion dance, further heating up the atmosphere.
Jinn Culture and Tourism Bureau’s cross talk and the skit from the Northeast Culture and Tourism Bureau were all equally outstanding.
Though the audience was doubling over with laughter, the expression on Pinghai Culture and Tourism Bureau head Xing Wenhua beca unprecedentedly grim. They’d been too hasty, not expecting such competition within the national culture and tourism system—not just cultural circles, but more like artistic circles, mainly because others were better prepared. Pinghai’s lineup was at least from the cultural and tourism bureau, while most other provinces and cities brought in outside help.
Xing Wenhua started to reflect. It seed that it wasn’t just Dongzhou’s cultural awareness that was behind; the whole of Pinghai was sowhat lagging, which didn’t match their status as a major economic province.
The opening act, "Sha Jia Bang," was already overshadowed by other provinces’ culture and tourism performances. Pinghai, being both a cultural and economic powerhouse, couldn’t present such a diocre program; the conference had specially given them two slots. Now, their hopes to regain face for Pinghai all depended on Dongzhou’s program.
Conference organizers reminded them to get ready, and Xing Wenhua left with Xu Chunliang.
Fu Guomin took the opportunity to encourage Xing Wenhua: "Go Xing Secretary!"
Xing Wenhua smiled lightly.
Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau’s "Farewell My Concubine" took the stage after the Huangi opera "The Fairy Couple" from Nanwan Culture and Tourism Bureau. Everyone thought this was another case of being outshined by a jewel-like predecessor, as Nanwan had sent a professional troupe, their performance receiving trendous applause.
Next, Pinghai Culture and Tourism Bureau head Xing Wenhua took the stage.
The lights ca on, a spotlight hit the stage, and Xing Wenhua, playing a professional archaeologist, was digging for sothing on stage. He discovered a sword, took off his reading glasses, and gravely said, "What’s this?"
Begging for monthly tickets.
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