Return to the City: The Strongest King-Chapter 1916 - 1819: Blooming Cactus

"Miss Zhu, I've told you, I'll give you three days to move out. No matter how much you want, I'll pay, whatever procedure you want to follow, follow it. However, when I come this Friday, if you haven't moved out, don't blame me for being ruthless. You know Fifth Master Zhang, I know some people too. If your cameras, props, or whatever get smashed, don't say I didn't warn you."

Song Xiaodong went home with his wives.

After Feng Rao Company's opening ceremony, the company did not open. Many people who heard of Song Xiaodong appearing there came to support, only to find the doors locked and the company closed.

Li Fengrao went to block Director Li's office early in the morning.

"Fengrao, why are you here again!" Director Li's temples ached as soon as he saw Li Fengrao's face.

"Director Li, how's the processing of my business license going? You see, my company's opening ceremony is over, but the company hasn't opened. I don't know how much the rent and utilities cost per day. I can't afford to drag this on!" Li Fengrao's voice was hoarse, his hair disheveled, eyes dark-ringed, clearly sleep-deprived.

"Fengrao, begging me is useless. I brought your business license up, but Director Liu took it directly. It didn't even enter my office, you understand? You've created a big trouble for yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fengrao felt the world spinning, limbs weak.

"Director Li, please say some good words for me to Director Liu!" Li Fengrao continued to plead.

"I want to help you, but do I look like someone with authority at Director Liu's?" Director Li glanced at Li Fengrao.

"Oh, Mr. Song wasn't wrong. You can only blame yourself for having a good mother!" Director Li shook his head.

"You see, I let Mr. Song go up to cut the ribbon, and your mother couldn't tell, even questioned his identity. You're clever, but what about your mother? Has she gone senile?" Director Li supported his hand on the desk, took off his glasses, pinched his brow, closed his eyes, and sighed.

"You're not foolish. Begging me won't help. You should go beg Mr. Song or your cousin! Off you go!"

Li Fengrao sighed as he walked out of Director Li's office.

Li Fengshuo arrived at the company early in the morning and experienced his first solo visit to Director Zhang's office since starting.

"Director Zhang." Li Fengshuo stood trembling before Director Zhang.

Director Zhang sat askew behind the desk, lightly twisting his body side to side, gently rocking the swivel chair. He saw Li Fengshuo enter but remained silent, glaring at his face.

"Director Zhang, you wanted to see me."

Director Zhang lowered his head, "creak", pulling open the drawer, taking out a document, "slam", throwing it on the desk.

"Have a look yourself." Director Zhang lifted his gaze, glancing sideways at the materials on the desk.

Li Fengshuo picked up the materials to see it's a transfer order.

Director Zhang had actually processed Li Fengshuo's handover to the Religious Affairs Office.

"This..."

"Enough, don't speak, I haven't signed it yet."

"Oh..." Fengshuo exhaled a long breath.

"However, since Mr. Song has spoken, you have to listen to this lecture. Report to Director Wang at the Religious Affairs Office, make a temporary transfer, listen to a few days of lectures at Yiquan Temple. Once Mr. Song calms down, I'll call him to bring you back." Director Zhang said crossly to Li Fengshuo.

"This... Director, you're not joking, right..."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Director Zhang's face immediately darkened.

"Go."

"Then what about my work at the department..."

"The department can work without you."

"Yes, yes..."

Li Fengshuo went to report to Director Wang.

Director Wang, bored and idle, with few ethnic minorities at Minghe, no special affairs, a pure Qingshui Yamen, his main daily task being to check whether his cactus is blooming.

When Li Fengshuo came to report, Director Wang was observing his cactus.

"Director Wang, I'm here to report." Li Fengshuo lightly knocked on the open office door.

"Oh, it's Li Fengshuo, Director Li, right!" Director Wang hadn't seen a new face for half a year, excited to see Li Fengshuo, quickly welcoming him, shaking hands warmly.

"Yes, yes, I've come to report." Li Fengshuo handed over his materials to Director Wang.

"Let's not rush official business, please sit down."

"Xiao Li, hurry, brew a pot of tea."

"Alrighty." A crisp female voice responded from outside.

"Please sit, please sit. How do you like this cactus of mine?" Director Wang pointed at the half-man-high cactus on the floor.

"Director Wang likes to grow flowers?" Li Fengshuo wasn't in the mood to admire the plant.

"Of course, I love growing cacti." Director Wang replied.

"What's so good about cacti, all thorns and doesn't bloom." Li Fengshuo said dismissively.

"Hey—cacti do bloom, but the blooming time is short. Some bloom after three to five years, some after ten years, and some might never bloom in thirty years." Director Wang laughed, tending his cactus.

"Why keep it if it doesn't bloom for such a long time." Li Fengshuo asked.

"Director Li probably hasn't seen a cactus bloom. It's very beautiful, with a very short flowering season, many don't get to see it their whole lives. You're lucky, see? This is a bud, might bloom tonight or tomorrow night."