Chapter 0423: Corrupt Official

Zhou Wei looked at Zhao Fusheng and said with a smile, “Xiao Zhao, I see that your arcade seems to be quite large in scale.”

Ah?

Zhao Fusheng was a bit puzzled and nodded: “It’s okay, mainly because it’s educational games, entertainment projects aimed at teenagers. Of course, please rest assured, leaders, we definitely haven’t gotten involved in gambling or anything like that.”

Although he didn’t know what Zhou Wei was up to, Zhao Fusheng was quite looking forward to seeing what drama the other party would put on in front of him.

“Mm-hmm, you must pay attention to that.” Zhou Wei said with a smile. “By the way, have you found your financial staff yet? I know an accountant who is very capable and has been working as an accountant for over ten years…”

Zhao Fusheng blinked and finally understood what this guy meant.

After all this fuss, he wanted Zhao Fusheng to reserve a position for him in the arcade.

After thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said, “Then thank you, Section Chief Zhou. As long as they’re capable, they can come to work anytime.”

No matter what, even if it was a connection, Zhao Fusheng would accept it. After all, there was really no one available for the financial side. Although an arcade didn’t actually need much financial work, Zhao Fusheng felt it was better to run things more formally.

But when Zhou Wei heard Zhao Fusheng’s words, his expression turned slightly awkward. He hesitated and said, “Well, that friend of mine just got pregnant, and she probably won’t be able to work for two years. How about this: you keep her position reserved. After all, we’re a socialist country, so we need to emphasize humane management. In two years, when her child is a bit older, she can naturally come to work.”

As he spoke, he smiled lightly and said, “As for the salary, you decide. Two or three thousand a month is fine.”

At that moment, Zhao Fusheng finally understood what was going on.

Looking coldly at Zhou Wei, Zhao Fusheng said word by word, “Section Chief Zhou, are you joking with me?”

Zhou Wei seemed to sense the change in Zhao Fusheng’s attitude, but he remained oblivious. He leaned forward slightly, wiped the smile off his face, and looked at Zhao Fusheng. “Do you think I’m the kind of person who jokes around casually?”

Clearly, both he and Zhao Fusheng had understood each other’s intentions.

What Zhao Fusheng understood was that Zhou Wei had never cared about the so-called small gifts; his appetite was much bigger.

Simply put, the so-called financial person he mentioned either didn’t exist or was simply a relative of his own. The purpose was also simple: to install them in the Glory Arcade to draw a salary without working.

Maybe that person had no experience in financial work at all and was just there to make up the numbers.

“Section Chief Zhou, I think you must have misunderstood something.” Zhao Fusheng looked seriously at Zhou Wei. “Our Glory Arcade is a legitimate business; we don’t support freeloaders.”

In his view, he might be able to give Zhou Wei a couple of cartons of cigarettes or even two bottles of good wine, but those were small favors, a way to thank him for his help.

But if he let the other party draw a salary without working in his store, the nature of the matter would change.

Not to mention whether it constituted bribery, but Zhao Fusheng simply couldn’t tolerate such behavior.

He could invest that money in the store, or give it to the children in the welfare home, but Zhao Fusheng would never give it to a corrupt official.

Even if choosing to do so might make things easier.

But Zhao Fusheng was even more aware that if he compromised this time, he might have to compromise many more times in the future, and eventually, his principles and bottom line would be lost through repeated compromises.

If that situation ever came to pass, his future would probably be hopeless.

“Heh, since that’s the case, Manager Zhao, go back and think it over. We’ll review your arcade’s license as soon as possible.” Zhou Wei gave Zhao Fusheng a deep look, smiled faintly, and said lightly.

Obviously, he was being bureaucratic again, or to be more precise, he was threatening Zhao Fusheng.

After all, Zhao Fusheng’s words had just made his stance clear, and in Zhou Wei’s eyes, there were many young people like this, the kind whose edges hadn’t been worn down yet.

Such people needed to be taught a harsh lesson by reality before they understood what life was.

Once his license was held up for a year or two, he would know to yield.

Hearing Zhou Wei’s words, Zhao Fusheng didn’t get angry. He just gave Zhou Wei a cold look, stood up, picked up the plastic bag he had just placed on the table, and without saying a word, turned and walked out the door.

Since they had nothing in common, there was no need to continue the conversation. He wasn’t running a charity. Since the other party was intent on extortion and taking advantage, Zhao Fusheng wouldn’t give him even half a matchstick, let alone two cartons of cigarettes.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng pushed open the door and waved at Zhang Qian and Qian Dongliu, who were standing outside. “Let’s go.”

“What’s wrong?” Qian Dongliu and Zhang Qian looked at each other, puzzled as to why Zhao Fusheng had come out so quickly after going in, and with such a serious expression. Had something happened?

Zhao Fusheng couldn’t explain to them there. After leaving the Industry and Commerce Bureau, the three of them drove back to Wanda Mall. Going up to the fifth floor, Zhao Fusheng waved for Qian Dongliu to go supervise the work, then told Zhang Qian what had happened.

After finishing, he looked at Zhang Qian and said, “It seems someone doesn’t want us to have a peaceful life.”

Zhang Qian’s expression was very grim. Clearly, in his worldview, Zhou Wei’s behavior was extremely shameful. Or rather, Zhou Wei’s actions had touched Zhang Qian’s bottom line.

If it were just a matter of his own livelihood, Zhang Qian might have let it slide. But now it involved the welfare home and the livelihoods of his comrades; Zhang Qian simply couldn’t turn a blind eye.

With that thought, Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Fusheng and said in a low voice, “I’ll go teach him a lesson.”

The “him” naturally referred to Zhou Wei.

In Zhang Qian’s view, if he broke one of Zhou Wei’s legs, that bastard probably wouldn’t dare to open his mouth recklessly anymore.

Zhao Fusheng burst out laughing and looked at Zhang Qian speechlessly. “You, you only know how to use force. As our business grows bigger and more young people come to play at the arcade, you can’t just break the legs of every troublemaker, can you?”

Zhang Qian’s face reddened, and he lowered his head sheepishly. After saying that, he knew his suggestion was indeed impulsive, but being used to using force, he really couldn’t think of a good solution.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly and waved his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll go back and think it over. Since that Zhou is asking for trouble, I’ll grant his wish. It’ll also serve as a warning to others, to make them give up any improper ideas.”