Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 249 Initial Investigation

He showed no impatience, nor did he offer any further explanation, as if it were merely a routine question-and-answer session.

Xu Xiaoyan listened patiently, nodding occasionally to show that she understood, her face always bearing that humble and eager-to-learn expression.

After Director Wang finished speaking, she interjected at the opportune moment, her tone carrying a hint of cautious probing:

"I've noted down everything you said, Director. So... it seems like some of them are more mobile."

For example, temporary, convenient service points, or... pushing a cart to sell breakfast or late-night snacks, what's the current terminology for this kind of place in the base?

I've seen some people doing this recently, but I'm not confident and I'm afraid it might not be compliant.

She casually tossed out keywords like "mobility" and "trolley" among a bunch of questions, but her eyes carefully watched the other person's reaction.

Wang Jianguo picked up the thermos on the table, blew on it, and took a sip of tea.

Only after setting down the cup did he slowly say:

"Mobile services...the management of these services does need to be more standardized. We need to consider the needs of the local residents, as well as the city's appearance, order, and food safety. It's not something you can just push a cart around on the street."

His tone shifted subtly here, as if he had remembered something, and he turned to look at the female staff member who had been silent until now. "Xiao Li, I remember you were piloting that 'convenience food cart' project?"

Li Xiaoli, who had been pretending to be busy, immediately looked up, adjusted her glasses, and reacted quickly:

"Yes, Director, there is a pilot application for 'Special Convenience Catering Service Vehicles,' and the preliminary material review is handled by our department."

"The main purpose is to address the shortage of breakfast and late-night snacks in some areas, while also unifying the image and standardizing management," she said in a formal and methodical manner, as if she were reporting on a task.

"Oh, right," Wang Jianguo seemed to suddenly remember, and looked at Xu Xiaoyan again:

"That's probably what you're talking about. There are thresholds to this; you need to apply and be approved. There are clear requirements for the business scope, vehicle standards, placement area, and time. It's not something anyone can do just because they want to."

His meaning was clear: the road exists, but it's not easy to walk.

The conversation has finally steered to this point, and it was initiated by the other party.

The confusion on her face faded somewhat, replaced by a complex expression that mixed hope and worry:

"So this policy really exists... Well, Director, in my situation, if I want to try this... how do I apply? What do I need to prepare?"

She lowered her posture even further, her tone filled with dependence, as if saying, "I'm counting on your guidance."

Wang Jianguo didn't answer immediately, but picked up his cup and took another sip of tea, as if he was considering his answer.

The office was silent for a few seconds, then, as if he had finally made a decision that went with the flow, he gestured with his chin towards Li Xiaoli:

"Xiaoli, take a copy of the application instructions and form to this person..." He looked at Xu Xiaoyan.

My surname is Xu, and my given name is Xu Xiaoyan.

"Okay, show it to Ms. Xu and explain the basic requirements to her."

His tone was businesslike, but a barely perceptible, knowing glint seemed to flash in his eyes.

He had probably seen many people like Xu Xiaoyan who had to be "guided" to find their way to this office. He would first ask about the general policies, then lead them to specific projects, proceeding step by step.

"Okay, Director," Li Xiaoli replied, quickly printing out a brand-new form and a single-page "Application Instructions."

She stood up, walked around the table, and handed the two pieces of paper to Xu Xiaoyan.

"Ms. Xu, this is the 'Application Form for Operating a Special Convenience Catering Service Vehicle in Area C' and related information. Please take a look."

The application requires a list of materials, vehicle and equipment requirements, and a map showing the permitted operating areas and times. The instructions also include guidelines for filling out the application form and important notes.

Under Li Xiaoli's guidance, Xu Xiaoyan sat down in an empty chair next to her desk.

She thanked Li Li for the pen, laid the brand-new application form flat on the table, took a deep breath, and began to fill it out.

The office was quiet, with only the occasional soft rustling of Director Wang turning over papers and the rhythmic tapping of Li Xiaoli's keyboard.

After filling out the form, she carefully checked it twice from beginning to end to make sure it was correct.

Then she stopped, her gaze falling on a stack of discarded printing paper scraps on the corner of the table.

She looked up and glanced quickly at Director Wang—he was intently looking at a document, his brows slightly furrowed.

I glanced at Li Xiaoli again—she was facing the screen, seemingly processing some form, her expression indifferent.

An idea quickly took shape in Xu Xiaoyan's mind.

She reached out and very naturally pulled out a mostly blank sheet from the stack of scrap paper.

Picking up a pen, she quickly wrote a few words on the blank space on the back of the paper: "Ms. Li, I would like to have 20 minutes to talk to the director alone. Thank you for your help."

After finishing writing, she didn't move immediately. Instead, she turned slightly to the side, as if looking for something in her backpack, but in reality, she took out two rather exquisite chocolates from her backpack.

The timing is perfect.

She turned around and, using her body as cover, gently pushed the note and two chocolates to the edge of the table next to Li Xiaoli, almost touching her arm.

Li Xiaoli stopped typing. She didn't look at Xu Xiaoyan; her gaze was lowered, falling on the note and the chocolate. She paused for about two seconds.

Then, she reached out her left hand and naturally gathered the note and chocolate into her palm, before slipping it into the large pocket of her coat.

The entire process was silent, without even a brief exchange of glances.

After finishing all this, Li Xiaoli seemed to have just finished her work. She saved the document, stood up, picked up an unimportant folder from the table, and said to Director Wang:

"Director, this document needs to be sent to the office next door for filing. I'll be right there." The voice was calm, with no hint of anything amiss.

Director Wang didn't even look up, just grunted in acknowledgment.

Li Xiaoli picked up the folder, walked straight to the door, opened it, went out, and then gently closed the door behind her.

With a soft click, the door locked, leaving only Xu Xiaoyan and Wang Jianguo in the office.

Without hesitation, Xu Xiaoyan reached into her backpack again, this time taking out two intact, unopened packs of well-known brand cigarettes.

The gold-plated logo on the cigarette pack gleamed with a subtle yet substantial luster under indoor lighting.

She stood up, took the completed application form and the two packs of cigarettes, and walked to Director Wang's large desk.

She didn't put it down immediately. Instead, she bowed slightly and, with a gesture that was a mixture of earnestness, helplessness, and humility, gently placed the cigarette on top of the application form and pushed it towards Director Wang.

"Director Wang," she began, her voice lower and more direct than before:

"To be honest, my family is really struggling financially, and this service vehicle is our only way to make a living."

I really need this spot for the mobile food service, and I wonder if you could... make an exception for me?

Wang Jianguo's gaze shifted from the documents, first landing on the neatly filled application form, and then settling on the two packs of cigarettes.

His face showed no surprise, only a calm acceptance of such an occurrence.

He didn't touch it immediately, nor did he speak. He just watched, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop, making an almost inaudible "tap-tap" sound.

Time ticked by, and the air in the office seemed to freeze. The two packs of cigarettes lay there, waiting to be weighed.

About two minutes later, Wang Jianguo took a deep, almost imperceptible breath and then slowly exhaled.

He finally raised his eyes and looked at Xu Xiaoyan, his gaze complex, containing something Xu Xiaoyan couldn't immediately understand.

"Ms. Xu," his voice was a little hoarse than before, and he spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully, "I understand your situation. It's good that you want to make a living properly."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two packs of cigarettes again, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, as if he were weighing his options, or perhaps trying to find the words he found hardest to say.

"But it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that my authority... is limited." He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:

"At most, my job is to collect this application form according to the compliant process, conduct a preliminary formal review, and then the form will be sent up and placed..."

He paused briefly, then pointed upwards with his index finger to "place it on the desk of the leader who 'handles this matter,' waiting in line for him to see it and approve it."

He looked at Xu Xiaoyan's suddenly tense eyes, and his tone carried a hint of helpless sigh:

"My side is just the first hurdle, checking if the materials are complete and in the correct format. The one who actually makes the final decision, deciding who gets the spot and when, is the person above me. He..."

Wang Jianguo shook his head and didn't say anything more, but his meaning was already crystal clear.

His "accommodation" here means at most allowing the form to smoothly proceed to the next stage, so that it is not unjustifiably blocked or delayed at the starting point.

But the final pass lies in another, higher, and more inaccessible office.

His gaze returned to the two packs of cigarettes once again, this time lingering for even longer.

Then he sighed deeply, a sigh with a complex meaning, as if he was regretting not being able to get what he wanted.

He didn't touch the cigarette, but simply used his fingertips to pull the application form closer to himself, as if that was something within his job responsibilities.

The cigarettes remained untouched beside the form.

Xu Xiaoyan did not show any dejection because of Director Wang's refusal and sigh. On the contrary, a very faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Director Wang," she shook her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the two packs of cigarettes before returning to Director Wang's face:

"Please don't misunderstand, this is just a small 'information fee.' Thank you for being so open with me and telling me which way the door opens."

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of the table, and the deliberate politeness in her eyes completely vanished.

"I know this is a difficult matter, with many rules and high barriers to entry. But because it's difficult, I have to find a way. If it were easy, I wouldn't be here asking you for help."