“Guangsheng, could you ask your brother-in-law to set up a meeting tonight with that classmate of his?”

They were all on familiar terms, so Lu Baoguo, a former superior, didn’t bother with formalities and went straight to asking for help in setting up a meeting.

“Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll go find my brother-in-law right away and make sure he gets that person to come out.”

Guangsheng stood up without hesitation. He knew that if the old boss wanted to contact someone from the Revolutionary Committee, it had to be something big—probably involving someone important.

He definitely couldn’t afford to drag his feet.

“The location can be set by the other party. It’s urgent, Guangsheng. We must meet him tonight.”

Lu Baoguo still had to get back to work at the machinery factory, so he kept it brief but emphasized how important this matter was.

Guangsheng understood, nodded solemnly, and after bidding farewell to his old superior, immediately took leave and left.

One and a half hours later.

Machinery Factory, Director’s Office.

“Boss, the meeting is arranged. It’s set for 6:30 tonight at a privately run restaurant over in Bada Hutong. I know the place, and I’ll come pick you up later.”

Not only did Guangsheng take care of the task, he even came personally to report it at the factory, fearing his old boss might worry.

“My brother-in-law will come along too. He and this person go way back and have helped each other out many times. If it’s something within his power, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good, good. Guangsheng, thank you so much.”

Lu Baoguo patted his old subordinate on the shoulder with gratitude.

If things went well, he would make sure to properly thank them.

“Thank me for what? Boss, if it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t have gotten into the textile factory or be where I am now. This little favor is nothing.”

Guangsheng waved his hands, shaking his head.

He hadn’t even had a chance to repay the old boss for all his help.

Just acting as a go-between was no big deal.

Lu Baoguo gave his shoulder another firm pat and nodded deeply at him.

6:00 PM, Factory Entrance

Guangsheng was already there waiting on time.

Lu Baoguo also arrived punctually, riding his bicycle out of the factory. The two met at the gate and headed off together.

Shitou Hutong.

“Director Lu.”

When Tan Shuwei saw who had asked to meet him, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

He knew the factory director’s name well—it was widely known.

Though they had never interacted before, he hadn’t expected to meet in such a place.

“Director Tan, a pleasure.”

Though Lu Baoguo came from a military background and was transferred to the machinery factory as a director, he wasn’t the rigid or out-of-touch type.

Even though he disliked and distrusted the Revolutionary Committee, he didn’t show any of it on the surface.

Guangsheng and his brother-in-law worked to lighten the mood by chatting and ordering dishes.

Everyone was well aware of the real reason for the dinner.

They engaged in small talk while waiting for the food.

Once all the dishes were served and no outsiders were around—

“Director Tan, there are no outsiders here, so I’ll get straight to the point. I hope you’ll accept this and do us a favor.”

Lu Baoguo pulled out the three house ownership deeds that Qiao Jiuru had given him at noon and pushed them directly toward the other party without hesitation.

He hadn’t planned to test the waters by offering one or two first—that would only show a lack of sincerity.

It was better to lay all his cards on the table.

Tan Shuwei picked up the three deeds and looked through each one.

The more he saw, the more surprised he looked.

But he soon put them down, showing no hint of greed or impropriety.

“Director Lu, it seems what you want me to do isn’t a small matter.”