69novels Chapter 1104 Li Jianjun's Treat
Chapter 1104 Li Jianjun's Treat
Li Jianjun was about to explode, his voice already rising, but then he thought better of it and held back—he had lost his title as deputy factory director and was now just suspended at home. If he really argued with the security department, it would make him look like a unreasonable scoundrel, implying he was in the wrong. He had come to deal with Gu Nan, and he couldn't afford to lose sight of the bigger picture by getting into a fight with these small fry at the gate.
Besides, his trusted confidants in the steel mill had either been transferred to marginal positions like the warehouse or boiler room, or, seeing his fall from power, had long since distanced themselves, avoiding him on the street. If a fight really broke out, no one would help him. Li Jianjun touched the crumpled piece of paper in his pocket, containing "evidence" he had obtained through connections—actually just some unfounded gossip, but he needed a pretext. He cursed his bad luck inwardly and could only patiently wait under the old locust tree by the entrance, his footsteps leaving shallow marks on the paving stones.
As Gu Nan walked out of the factory gate, the setting sun hung obliquely on the top of the chimney, casting a long shadow. Most of the factory employees had already left, and the gate was empty except for the old man selling popsicles pushing his cart, preparing to pack up. Just as he was about to head towards the bus stop, a figure blocked his way—Li Jianjun emerged from behind the old locust tree, his hands still in his pockets, a malicious smile plastered on his face.
Gu Nan's steps abruptly halted, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly. He recognized the person blocking his way—it was Li Jianjun, the former deputy factory director whom he had recently reported and who had ultimately been suspended and investigated. After being suspended, this guy would avoid him at the factory, but the resentment in his eyes was unmistakable. Now, his sudden blockade was most likely a provocation. Gu Nan subtly took a half-step back, creating a safe distance, his eyes filled with vigilance, like a cheetah poised to pounce, ready to react to any unexpected turn of events.
"I wonder what brings you here, Brother Li?" Gu Nan's tone was flat and indifferent, with a hint of businesslike detachment. "As you know, the matter a while ago was too serious. The factory's decision is set in stone, and I really can't help you." He didn't want to waste any more words with this person and just wanted to get rid of this entanglement as soon as possible.
Li Jianjun's hatred for Gu Nan had been burning fiercely for some time—if it weren't for this kid's stubbornness and insistence on dwelling on those accounts, he might already be the factory director, instead of being suspended and almost going to jail. But for the sake of the plan, he could only suppress his anger and force a look of almost humble pleading on his face: "Gu Nan, I know I was wrong about that matter, I was foolish, and I can't blame anyone else. Actually, I came to see you today for something else, it has nothing to do with work."
Looking at Li Jianjun's deliberately humble attitude, Gu Nan felt even more suspicious—Li Jianjun had always been arrogant, when had he ever been so "polite" to anyone? But he went along with it and said, "Brother Li, just say what you need. We've worked in the same factory before, so we know each other."
Li Jianjun rubbed his hands together, adopting a familiar "we've become friends after a fight" attitude, his tone almost deliberately warm: "Gu Nan, speaking of which, we've become friends after a fight. How about this, tomorrow's Sunday, I'll treat you to a simple meal, as an apology for any past mistakes. Please forgive me. What do you say?"
Gu Nan sneered inwardly—this was clearly a trap. If it weren't for him, Li Jianjun wouldn't have suffered such a huge setback. Now he was inviting him to dinner? There was no such thing as a free lunch. He looked up at Li Jianjun, his tone carrying just the right amount of polite refusal: "Brother Li, there's no need for dinner. We're colleagues, we see each other all the time, no need to be so polite."
Li Jianjun had anticipated his refusal, so he quickly leaned forward, his tone almost pleading, his eyes reddening slightly: "Gu Nan, I was indeed a scoundrel before, and I did a lot of things that wronged you. I've always felt guilty about it. Can't you give your brother a chance to clear up the misunderstanding? We can't keep this up forever; it'll be awkward if we bump into each other in the yard, don't you think?"
Gu Nan knew perfectly well that Li Jianjun was up to no good. But then he thought, if he didn't agree, who knew what other underhanded tricks Li Jianjun might pull? He might be able to dodge the first day, but he wouldn't be able to hide forever. It was better to agree and see what tricks Li Jianjun was up to, so he could deal with them accordingly. So he nodded and said, feigning cheerfulness, "Alright, since Brother Li has said so, then I'll accept. It's good to get together and chat about the past, just to pass the time."
A hint of smugness flashed in Li Jianjun's eyes, like a hunter finally waiting for his prey to take the bait. He quickly replied, "That's great! Tomorrow is the weekend, and you don't have to work. I'll book a private room at the Peace Hotel. It's quiet. How about noon?" He specifically mentioned the Peace Hotel, a respectable place in the city, to help Gu Nan lower his guard.
"No problem." Gu Nan nodded in agreement, his tone frank. "I'll definitely be there. See you then."
Li Jianjun wanted to say something more to try and build rapport, to say things like "I was wrong before" or "Please take care of me in the future," but Gu Nan had already stepped aside and walked straight ahead—everything that needed to be said had been said, and there was no need to waste time being polite with him anymore.
Watching Gu Nan's departing figure, Li Jianjun's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a sinister glint. A venomous glint appeared in the corner of his mouth: "Gu Nan, don't be so arrogant. Tomorrow, after we've had our drinks, that'll be the time to deal with you. Then we'll see how you explain yourself to the factory, how you explain yourself to the leaders! If I don't bring you down, I'm not Li!"
Gu Nan naturally guessed his intentions but didn't take it to heart. The old saying goes, "One should always be wary of others," but against this kind of trick, mere precautions are useless; you have to seize the opportunity to make him reap what he sows. He sneered inwardly—Li Jianjun's scheme was nothing more than the old tricks of getting him drunk, setting a trap, and then having someone frame him. He probably wanted to tamper with the drink, and when he was incoherent, he'd arrange for someone to put on a "show," leaving him unable to clear his name even if he tried. But he forgot that he was no longer the naive young man he once was. He'd let him hoist himself by his own petard and see who could protect him then.
Gu Nan hummed a little tune as he walked home, his steps light and cheerful, his mood seemingly unaffected by Li Jianjun's affair. But as soon as he reached his doorstep, he saw Qin Huairu standing under the old locust tree beside the gate, her face ashen and pale as if covered in dust, the dark circles under her eyes as if she had been punched. Seeing him, she seemed to suddenly lose all her strength; her legs went weak, and she knelt down with a thud, startling Gu Nan into stopping immediately.