Noble Assistance (Part II)

The work of your management office is also subject to market oversight..."

The elderly voice continued to resonate, "Moreover, the young comrade is correct; the management office is merely a service department for vendors and lacks enforcement authority. Even if they are in the wrong, you cannot impose penalties..."

"Indeed, this esteemed elder speaks the truth..."

"Yes, imposing fines at every turn makes it impossible to conduct business..."

"Director Gu is being excessively tyrannical; the other day, I slightly extended my stall and was fined ten yuan..."

The elder's words struck a chord with the vendors present, who began to voice their grievances against the management office. They were all small-scale operators, and the frequent fines imposed upon them had already incited widespread resentment toward Director Gu.

Previously, the vendors had been somewhat disorganized and lacked a collective voice to confront the management office. However, now that someone had dared to lift the veil, those who had long harbored discontent could no longer contain themselves and began to share their own experiences.

"I say, old man, it seems you are meddling in matters that don't concern you. What gives you the right to comment on the management office's work?"

Seeing the usually submissive vendors roused to action, Director Gu felt a surge of panic and shouted, "Are you all plotting a rebellion? If you don't want to work here, then get lost! I want to see who dares to speak out!"

Regardless, Director Gu was effectively the head of the management office. His outburst momentarily silenced the vendors; they could grumble all they wanted, but no one wished to jeopardize their livelihoods, as they were still able to earn a modest income here.

"What an overbearing display of authority..." The elder's voice rang out again, cutting through the sudden silence and striking a jarring note in Director Gu's ears.

"Who are you? Step forward and speak!" Director Gu, not particularly tall and surrounded by people, could only discern the direction from which the elder's voice emanated, but he could not see the individual among the crowd.

"I would like to step forward, but I cannot squeeze through..." The elder chuckled, and as he spoke, the tourists and vendors crowded around him parted, revealing the three individuals standing together.

"Is it you who has been spouting nonsense here?"

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Director Gu replied coldly, "The market has its regulations, which do not concern you. Out of respect for your age, I shall not hold this against you, but refrain from spreading unfounded claims here..."

A ray of sunlight filtered through the dense foliage above, illuminating Director Gu's face. Squinting, he failed to recognize the elderly man's features, merely inferring from the cane that the elder was quite advanced in age.

"Gu Guo Guang, how dare you speak to Elder Sun like that?"

Before Director Gu could finish his sentence, a middle-aged man standing beside the elder could no longer contain himself and stepped forward, saying, "Open your eyes and see who stands before you!"

"Wu... Director Wu?"

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, Director Gu visibly jolted. He didn't need to strain his eyes to recognize that voice; it belonged to the head of the museum's director's office, who also oversaw the logistics department—his direct superior.

Director Wu held a proper rank, unlike Director Gu, who merely bore the title due to his position in the management office, despite being just a section-level official.

"Director Wu, welcome to our inspection!"

Once he recognized the voice of the arriving individual, the previously sullen Gu Guo Guang's face instantly brightened with a smile. He hurried to greet him, bending slightly at the waist and extending his hands as he approached within two or three meters.

"Gu Guo Guang, if I hadn't come today, I would have been unaware of your impressive authority!" Director Wu did not take Gu Guo Guang's outstretched hands but instead said coolly, "Today, I am accompanying the elder leader; any matters should be addressed to him..."

Director Wu felt a sense of shame regarding Gu Guo Guang's earlier demeanor, as this department fell under his purview. He believed that if Gu Guo Guang merely apologized to the elder leader, the situation could be easily resolved.

"Elder leader?" Gu Guo Guang was momentarily taken aback. As his gaze swept over the two individuals beside Director Wu, he stiffened and stammered, "Elder... Elder Director? Deputy... Deputy Director Zhao?"

Having worked at the museum for over a decade, Gu Guo Guang had little interaction with the former elder director, Sun Lianda, due to his lower rank. However, he always attended the annual staff meetings, and now standing beside him was the current Deputy Director Zhao, whom he could not afford to ignore.

Yet, as soon as he uttered the title "Deputy Director Zhao," Gu Guo Guang wished he could slap himself. Despite having worked for twenty years, he had momentarily forgotten that deputy positions also held authority; by convention, he should have addressed Zhao as Director.

"Gu Section Chief, you have greatly disappointed me..." Deputy Director Zhao looked at Gu Guo Guang disapprovingly and remarked, "How can you not distinguish between brawling and acts of heroism? What kind of Section Chief are you?"

Although Deputy Director Zhao had not witnessed the entire incident, he had been present with Elder Sun long enough to grasp the situation from the accounts of bystanders. Gu Guo Guang's performance was simply too inadequate.

"Deputy Director Zhao, I... I intended to understand the situation first before taking action..."

As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, Gu Guo Guang cautiously replied, "Rest assured, Deputy Director Zhao, if they truly acted heroically, the management office will certainly commend and reward them..."

At that moment, Gu Guo Guang merely hoped to send these leaders away without incident. As for causing trouble for Fang Yi and the others, he believed he would eventually find an opportunity, as long as they continued to frequent the market.

"I believe your management office needs a thorough rectification..." Deputy Director Zhao glared at Gu Guo Guang and turned back to the elder, smiling, "Teacher, it's quite hot today; shall we return? I will handle this matter properly..."

Deputy Director Zhao, named Zhao Hongtao, graduated from the Museum Department of Jinling University and was once a graduate student under Sun Lianda. When Sun Lianda was the director, he was addressed by his title, but now that Elder Sun had retired, Zhao Hongtao regarded himself as a former student.

"Wait a moment..." Elder Sun waved his hand, leaning on his cane as he approached Fang Yi. Once close, he smiled and said, "Little Fang, it seems we meet again..."

"Elder Sun, you've been discharged from the hospital?" Fang Yi, along with the others, had recognized Sun Lianda long ago. However, since Elder Sun had not greeted them, they refrained from approaching, especially given that Gu Guo Guang's situation remained unresolved.

"Yes, I've been discharged. I must say, Little Fang, we became friends in the hospital, yet you haven't called me these past few days..." Elder Sun feigned annoyance as he paused with his cane, though his face was beaming with joy. He had come to the antique market on the very first day after his discharge, partly motivated by a desire to see Fang Yi.

"Teacher, do you know each other?"

Seeing his teacher conversing comfortably with the young man, Zhao Hongtao felt perplexed. He was aware that his teacher despised dealing with antique dealers, often showing no leniency toward them.

"Hongtao, this is Fang Yi, a remarkably interesting young man..."

Elder Sun smiled as he introduced Fang Yi to his student. Before Zhao Hongtao could respond, he continued, "Little Fang possesses great talent; while you're here, please look out for him, provided it doesn't conflict with principles..."

"Ah? Yes, Teacher, I understand..."

Upon hearing his teacher directly instruct him to care for Fang Yi, Zhao Hongtao momentarily thought he might be imagining things. After several years of graduate studies, he had never seen his teacher take such an interest in any young person.

"By the way, Hongtao, I recall that you are quite knowledgeable about miscellaneous items, right?" Elder Sun suddenly remembered something and asked.

"In front of the teacher, how could I claim to be knowledgeable..." Zhao Hongtao chuckled at Elder Sun's words, saying, "I merely have a fondness for objects in the miscellaneous category and have done a bit of research, but I hardly consider myself an expert..."

"You, having just assumed a leadership role, have already become bureaucratic..." Elder Sun shook his head and remarked, "Fang Yi is a talented child; if you have the time, please guide him on miscellaneous knowledge to help him avoid unnecessary detours..."

"Teacher, I understand. You can rest assured..."

With Elder Sun's words, Zhao Hongtao realized that his teacher intended to mentor Fang Yi. After all, why would he send a somewhat reputable expert in miscellaneous items to guide such a young individual?

"Hmm? Why are you still standing there?"

Noticing Gu Guo Guang standing awkwardly to the side, Elder Sun frowned. As an elder, he believed in prioritizing character before work, and Gu Guo Guang's earlier remarks clearly indicated a lack of integrity.

"Gu Section Chief, please draft a report and submit it to me first thing tomorrow..." Zhao Hongtao did not spare Gu Guo Guang a friendly expression. Why must he offend someone his teacher valued? Was he deliberately sabotaging himself?

It was worth noting that despite having retired for several years, Elder Sun still held the position of Director of the National Museum Management Committee, and his reputation in the museum community surpassed even that in the antique trade. If Zhao Hongtao wished to advance further, his teacher's words would carry significant weight.

"Hongtao, as a leader, you must be diligent in your personnel decisions..." Elder Sun spoke pointedly.

"Teacher, your guidance is invaluable; I will certainly take heed..." 

Not angered by his teacher's public admonishment, Zhao Hongtao grew increasingly curious about Fang Yi, wondering what kind of person could elicit such concern from Elder Sun.

"Little Fang, do you have any plans for the evening? Would you like to join this old man for a drink?"

Elder Sun smiled warmly at Fang Yi. Since returning from the capital, his daily life had grown somewhat too leisurely. Although his son was dutiful, work kept him busy and often away. Thus, meeting Fang Yi sparked a desire to take on a disciple.

"Elder Sun, why not come to my place tonight? I can prepare a few dishes..." Noticing Man Jun giving him a knowing look, Fang Yi understood immediately and readily agreed.

"Very well, I shall wait for you at the market entrance at five-thirty..." Elder Sun nodded with a smile. Given his recent recovery, prolonged exposure to the sun was not advisable. After arranging with Fang Yi, he departed for the museum accompanied by Director Zhao and Director Wu.

As Elder Sun and Director Zhao left, Gu Guo Guang returned in a daze to write his report. With Elder Sun's recent remark, he realized his position was likely in jeopardy, leaving him no inclination to trouble Fang Yi and the others.

With the excitement dissipated, the tourists who had gathered began to disperse. However, the vendors looked at Fang Yi and his companions with newfound respect. Those who had earlier defended Fang Yi immediately set up their stalls adjacent to his.

"Indeed, we truly have noble assistance..." 

Once Elder Sun and the others had left, Man Jun exclaimed with gleaming eyes. He had clearly witnessed how Director Gu Guo Guang had not dared to utter a word in Elder Sun's presence. With such a formidable figure backing him, he believed he could thrive in this antique market.

"Fang Yi, thank you, Brother Man!" 

Man Jun looked at Fang Yi with heartfelt gratitude. Since Fang Yi was staying at his home, inviting him for dinner provided a golden opportunity to connect with Elder Sun. After all, once Elder Sun expressed his approval, many would line up to invite him for meals in the antique industry.

"Brother Man, why speak so formally? Aren't we family?" 

Hearing Man Jun's words, Fang Yi chuckled. He understood the art of face-reading and could tell from Man Jun's expression that he was an upright person who conducted business without deceit—someone worth assisting.

"Alright, I'll head out to buy ingredients now..." Man Jun, brimming with excitement, stood up without any pretense and said, "Fang Yi, whatever dishes you fancy, I'll procure everything; you just need to cook tonight."

Though he was in his forties, the thought of hosting Elder Sun filled Man Jun with uncontainable excitement. Regardless of whether Elder Sun visited because of him, the mere act would be enough for him to boast in his circle.

Fang Yi pondered for a moment before replying, "Brother Man, let's get some fish, meat, and greens. Oh, and buy a big bone; I'll make soup for Elder Sun to help him recover..."

Fang Yi was aware that Elder Sun had been hospitalized due to a fracture. As the saying goes, it takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone. Although Elder Sun had been discharged, the bones of elderly individuals were naturally more fragile, necessitating regular care.