Chapter Seventy: Have I Become Liu Shixun’s Uncle?

Gui'an County. The living room of the Lu family.

As it turned out, nothing works better on unruly children than a good spanking.

If a child is running wild all day, it's probably because they don't have enough homework.

"Sniffle, sniffle~" Second Daughter whimpered.

"Stand at attention, and stand still," Lu Kun was pondering how to discipline the child.

Beep beep beep!

The pager clipped to Lu Kun’s belt went off incessantly.

Who could it be?

Lu Kun checked the number. It wasn’t anyone he knew.

Forget it, he might as well call back from the landline.

He dialed the number.

The wait was brief, as if the person on the other end had known Lu Kun would return the call quickly.

“Who is it?” Lu Kun asked.

“Brother Kun, it’s me! My mom bought me a pager, haha! Surprised? Unexpected, right?” Lu Kun held the receiver away from his ear to avoid being deafened by Liu Shixun’s loud voice.

Of course it’s a surprise, of course it’s unexpected—so much so I feel like giving you a thrashing!

Lu Kun took a deep breath, telling himself not to lose his temper with this idiot child.

If it weren’t for the fact that Liu Shixun was probably calling from home, where others might be present, Lu Kun would have given him a tongue-lashing right then.

“If you’ve got something to say, just call my home phone. Why page me?” Lu Kun asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

“Haha, I just got a pager! I wanted to tell you.”

Lu Kun could picture Liu Shixun’s foolish grin as he said this.

If you wanted to tell me your pager number, couldn’t you just call and say so? Clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed.

“Liu Shixun, if you have time, you should head to the service center and top up your IQ,” Lu Kun shook his head, ready to hang up.

“Wait, Brother Kun, don’t hang up! I have something else to say,” Liu Shixun said anxiously.

“Let me have the phone, I’d like a word with Mr. Lu,” a middle-aged man’s voice came through before Liu Shixun could finish.

Hmm?

Could it be Liu Shixun’s father, Liu Dexin—the infamous “Liu the Skinner”?

As Lu Kun was thinking, the man had already taken the phone and spoke, “Haha, Mr. Lu, forgive my abruptness. Though we’ve never met, I’ve long admired you from afar!”

From the moment Liu Dexin spoke, his overwhelming presence was unmistakable. Even separated by miles and a telephone line, Lu Kun could feel it.

Lu Kun’s expression shifted slightly; he thought to himself, Liu Dexin really is a formidable man!

No wonder he would later rise to such heights—this aura alone was telling.

“Town Chief Liu, you’re too kind. I’m from Ping’an Town myself. Strictly speaking, you’re my local official.”

Lu Kun smiled, appearing relaxed and courteous, though inwardly he remained on guard.

When facing Liu Dexin, Lu Kun’s only advantage was his lack of ambition—those with no desires are invincible.

He had nothing to ask of “Liu the Skinner,” so he had nothing to fear.

In fact—

In a couple of years, when the economy takes center stage, Lu Kun would not only have no reason to fear Liu Dexin, he might be able to crush him entirely!

“Not at all, not at all. Mr. Lu, if you don’t mind, just call me Brother Liu!” Liu Dexin laughed heartily on the other end, brimming with courtesy.

Liu Dexin was a shrewd operator.

Over the past two years, he had sensed a subtle shift in the directives from the central government.

On one hand, reform and opening up must move forward with bigger steps, more liberated thinking, greater daring, more ideas, and quicker pace.

On the other, one must take things one bite at a time, each step advancing steadily.

Clearly, there was a power struggle at the top, two forces locked in contest.

The nation was united in support of reform, but the path forward remained uncertain; everything was still feeling its way across the river, stone by stone.

But this confusion couldn’t last. Ultimately, consensus would be reached. It was just a matter of time.

The more friends, the more avenues. Besides, there was no conflict of interest—his foolish son had received much help from Lu Kun. Building a good relationship with him could only be beneficial.

“Heh, then I won’t stand on ceremony—Brother Liu, let’s have a meal and a few drinks together sometime, how does that sound?” Lu Kun seized the opportunity.

If nothing went wrong, Liu Dexin’s future would at least see him as a top official in the legal and political apparatus of a prefecture-level city. With him around, Lu Kun’s business in Fengyang would be rock-solid.

Between men, friendship is often forged over food and drink.

“Sure! It seems you’re a man of character, Brother Lu! Haha!” Liu Dexin laughed heartily.

Lu Kun: “……”

Liu Dexin, you need a heavy-duty detergent!

All I suggested was a meal and drinks—not going out to those places with pretty girls pouring wine.

Who would have thought you were that kind of person, Liu Dexin!

“Alright, let’s set a date. How about Gui’an Grand Hotel? The service is good, and their specialty dishes aren’t bad.”

Lu Kun quickly steered the conversation back on track, not wanting to give Liu the Skinner any opening for dubious suggestions.

“Uh… sure, Gui’an Grand Hotel? That’s good, that’s good,” Liu Dexin replied after wiping imaginary sweat from his brow, stunned for a moment.

He wasn’t sure if Lu Kun had understood his hint.

With years of experience, there was no way Lu Kun hadn’t caught on.

“Dad, you still haven’t asked Brother Kun to take me to Shenzhen!” Liu Shixun couldn’t help but shout as he saw his father and Lu Kun chatting away.

Growing impatient, Liu Dexin’s broad palm pushed Liu Shixun aside.

“What’s this ‘Brother Kun’ nonsense? That’s your Uncle Lu. If you don’t call him Uncle Lu next time you see him, I’ll deal with you myself!”

As Liu Dexin scolded his son, Lu Kun could only sweat profusely at his end.

So I’ve suddenly become Liu Shixun’s uncle?

I’m only five years older than him!

And I have no desire for such a nephew!

Can I just beat this nephew to death? Asking for advice, urgently!

“Give me the phone—I want to talk to Brother Kun myself. If you keep chatting, I’ll be a whole generation lower. With a bit more of this, I might end up being Brother Kun’s grandnephew!” Liu Shixun, unable to restrain himself, lunged for the phone.

“You little brat, what nonsense are you spewing? See if I don’t teach you a lesson!” Liu Dexin was thoroughly exasperated.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Someone got a solid beating.

“Fine, fine, I’ll let you make your call. Go ahead!” After his outburst, Liu Shixun yanked the telephone cord from the wall.

Beeeeep…

“Hello? Hello?”

Lu Kun: “……”

Let’s hope Liu Shixun survives his beating.

That night.

Liu Shixun sobbed, “Ku… Kugo… I want to go with you to Shenzhen…”

Lu Kun: “What? What are you saying?”

…