Chapter 336: 336: Unexpected Maneuver

Zhou Xiaotong was so stumped that she couldn’t speak for a while, and it was only after a long pause that she sullenly said, “Reason? Fine, I made a special trip to your hometown to please your parents and got someone to approve the building addition permit for your family’s house… Is that a good reason?”

“Building addition?” Feng Jun blinked, surprised, and said, “You’ve taken care of this?”

He knew all too well how difficult that matter was: the dispute over his family’s house went back thirty or forty years, from grandpa to dad, starting with unclear property rights. After winning the lawsuit, the issue was enforcement; eventually, the county wanted to develop the area uniformly, and there were too many complications involved.

One could say that Feng Jun had heard about this problem countless times since childhood, and it had become a constant worry for both his parents and his uncle.

Strictly speaking, resolving this issue wouldn’t significantly increase the Feng family’s wealth—at least in Feng Jun’s current view, just three or four hundred thousand, is that even considered money?

But before he found his fortune, that was indeed a significant sum.

This year, when he went home for the New Year, his family didn’t mention it, and in fact, Feng Jun had already let go. The issue didn’t just involve the Feng family, and if he were to handle it, the difficulty would be no less significant. Spending a bit of money was nothing; the key was the involved relationships, which couldn’t be measured in monetary terms.

That’s why he had already given up on dealing with the issue in his heart, at least until there was an appropriate opportunity to intervene. As the saying goes, if money can solve a problem, then it isn’t a problem.

To him now, that sum of money was affordable even at a loss.

But Feng Jun was also aware that while he could approach the matter with detachment, for his parents and uncle, there was nothing more important than this issue—money was only one aspect; more importantly, they had relieved their frustrations.

For the sake of his late grandfather and even great-grandfather, they had fulfilled a promise.

The elderly are often nostalgic; for example, Feng Jun could now easily buy his parents a villa or a large storefront for them to run—money really wasn’t the issue.

But would they be happy? Leaving behind their neighbors and familiar living environment, could they adapt?

The most crucial thing was, he had already achieved success in his career, so his parents didn’t need to worry about his future anymore. With that burden gone, they truly could live their remaining years however they wanted.

What Feng Jun wanted was to make them happy and let them take pride in their son—that’s what a child should do.

But he really hadn’t expected that Zhou Xiaotong would actually take care of this matter…

Seeing his surprised expression, Zhou Xiaotong couldn’t help but laugh, full of pride as she said, “Is that a good reason?”

Feng Jun pondered for a moment, furrowed his brows, and asked doubtfully, “They haven’t called to tell me about it.”

“They don’t know it was me who did it,” Zhou Xiaotong replied straightforwardly. “I had someone send a message to Yunyuan City, asking them to properly handle the planning for the Chaoyang Old City District, specifically pointing out your house… otherwise, some projects wouldn’t go smoothly.”

Feng Jun blinked and started to realize, “So… my parents don’t know it was thanks to you?”

If Zhou Xiaotong hadn’t boasted to his parents about it, it wouldn’t be strange that he hadn’t received a call from them.

The Feng family had been concerned about this issue for decades. It was normal to keep dragging on, but for it to suddenly start making progress was also normal.

This was certainly good news, but for Feng Wenhui and Zhang Junyi, with their son making his own way outside, whether the home situation was discussed sooner or later didn’t matter to them.

“Why should I let them know?” Zhou Xiaotong smiled as she looked at him. “As long as you understand in your heart, that’s enough… isn’t it?”

Feng Jun gave a wry smile and nodded. Being a man of principle, he had to admit, this was indeed a favor.

Though not a large favor when converted to money—just three or four hundred thousand, to be split between Feng Wenhui and his brother Feng Wencheng—it wasn’t insignificant either; it mattered most that his parents were happy.

Most importantly, the favor Zhou Xiaotong gave was done quietly, so his parents would still believe it was the result of their efforts. That sense of triumphant relief was what could bring them the most happiness.

Feng Jun had to admit that Zhou Xiaotong really hit him where it hurt.

Cunning folk in the capital are plenty, and this sort of maneuver and tactic is seriously impressive.

As long as he intended to be a man of principle, he had to acknowledge this debt.

Of course, if he chose not to be such a man, no one could compel him, but that went against his nature.

When he nodded, Zhou Xiaotong couldn’t help feeling a sense of triumph: Just as I thought, who can escape from the palm of my hand?

You seek neither fame nor profit, so isn’t a clear conscience what you desire?

Naturally, she also understood the principle of moderation, and seeing that he didn’t react, she couldn’t help but smile slightly, “This was just a gesture of my heart, you don’t have to take it too seriously.”

“Enough,” Feng Jun cut her off from continuing. This woman was really terrifying, too adept at reading people’s minds.

To collect such people in Beijing, having a good family background alone isn’t enough; personal shortcomings are not an option.

So he spoke with displeasure, “I can help you out this one time, and only once… Are you sure it’s now?”

Zhou Xiaotong nodded with a smile, “Of course, right now, I’m absolutely certain.”

“I suggest you consider it seriously,” Feng Jun glanced at her coldly, now truly recognizing the persistency of this woman, so he had to seriously warn the other.

“Don’t think that just because I help you once means there will be a second time, that’s impossible… Don’t be overconfident.”

Zhou Xiaotong’s expression slightly changed, indeed, this was what she had thought, she believed she had found his weakness—since he cared about his parents, if she could persuade him to help out once, she could do it a second time.

However, much to her regret, she was smart, but Feng Jun wasn’t foolish either, and he directly issued a stern warning.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaotong’s adaptability came into play, after a slight pause, she decisively changed her mind, “Okay, I take back what I just said… I’ll hold onto that one opportunity for now.”

Feng Jun gave her a look, half smiling, “A man who doesn’t keep his word is worthless, you really turn around quickly.”

Now he was starting to have some regrets; Zhou Xiaotong was not your average difficult problem, if he could repay the favor, aiding in treating another person wasn’t unacceptable, certainly better than her coming up with even weirder conditions.

“It is said that ‘women and small-minded men are difficult to sustain,'” Zhou Xiaotong didn’t feel ashamed, instead she was proudly self-deprecating, “I’m a woman, I can’t say I have the right to go back on my word, but changing my mind before any outcome has formed, that’s nothing, right?”

Feng Jun gave her a thumbs-up, “Truly, I admire you.”

“There’s no need to provoke me, it won’t work,” Zhou Xiaotong shook her head dismissively, not the least bit embarrassed.

The next moment, she looked at Feng Jun oddly, “Ha, having regrets? Regretting the reminder? Then let me think, why would you regret it…”

Then her eyes lit up, she spoke with pride, “I’ve got it, you must feel that you’re capable of much more challenging tasks, meaning, treating a vegetative patient really isn’t your limit, probably just a small effort for you.”

She sized Feng Jun up and down, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, “I’m getting… more and more curious about you.”

Feng Jun, realizing his thoughts had been guessed, looked at her displeasedly, “To be honest, being too smart is… not good.”

“Haha,” Zhou Xiaotong pointed at him triumphantly and laughed, “See, got it right, now you’re annoyed into a rage.”

Feng Jun’s face darkened further; dealing with such people could be quite a headache—he could neither take them seriously nor ignore them without feeling stifled.

During this awkward moment, there came a loud “caw,” and the two turned their heads to see that it was Wu Ya fluttering its wings and flying up.

It circled incessantly in the air, with its sights set on a black dog on the ground, which was leashed to an old man with white hair.

Wu Ya constantly feinted dives at the dog, which barked furiously at the sky; you could tell they hadn’t started getting on each other’s nerves just that day.

The old man was short, but his face was stern; he pointed at Wu Ya and snarled, “If you keep up that death knell, believe it or not, I’ll get an air rifle and shoot you dead?”

Wu Ya cawed twice more, clearly sensing the unfriendly tone of the man, but it didn’t dare provoke a human and so flew a bit higher after cursing a few times.

Seeing it rise, the black dog barked twice before running towards Feng Jun’s courtyard. Although it wasn’t a rapid pace, the dog’s movements were sprightly, clearly in a good mood.

Feng Jun was somewhat speechless about this outcome, but before he could react, Zhou Xiaotong patted his shoulder with a chuckle, “Hey, Great Master.”

Feng Jun looked at her helplessly, “I mean, considering you’re a goddess-level beauty, can’t you speak in a less ruffian-like manner?”

Zhou Xiaotong gave him a look and said, half-smiling, “Your mind really is complicated, isn’t Wu Ya your bird?”

Feng Jun glanced at her coldly and said in a low voice, “I have nothing to say to you, you foul bully.”

Once upon a time, he, too, was a charmer of women everywhere, but facing Zhou Xiaotong, he really was at a disadvantage—not that he lacked the linguistic skill, but this woman… he just couldn’t charm her.

Just then, the white-haired old man spoke up; his voice was quite loud, “Hey lad, is that bird yours?”

Feng Jun glanced at him, feeling truly annoyed by the man’s tone, “Its nest is in my yard, what do you think?”

“Are you on edge?” the white-haired old man snapped, “Do any of the young people nowadays know how to speak properly?”

Feng Jun gave him a look and couldn’t even be bothered to respond—he had seen people act entitled because of their age before, but never someone so self-righteous.

The old man got even more carried away when Feng Jun remained silent, “I’m telling you, if it’s yours then put it on a leash. If you don’t, I’ll get an air rifle and kill it!”

Before Feng Jun could speak up, Zhou Xiaotong did, her voice cold, “Old sir, you’re quite fiery, huh?”

(Update here, calling for monthly tickets.)