This novel revolves around the tortuous experience of Xitou, a small contractor in Neikeng Town, contracting the pedestrian bridge project. In order to open up the joints, Xitou, through the help of CPPCC members, sent gifts and submitted a quotation to the director of the Guanqiao Municipal Affairs Bureau. The initial quotation of 130,000 yuan was rejected, and then it was adjusted to 200,000 yuan but was still returned. Finally, the quotation was increased to 1.3 Million yuan after tilting the head to get approval. After the project was completed, Xitou sent "tea leaves" to Director Lu as promised to express his gratitude. Through Xitou's process from confusion to compromise, the novel reveals the unspoken rule of "inflated quotations" in project contracting, and shows the gray area of rent-seeking by grassroots power. The ending ends with a "tossing" point, implying that in the game of interests, rules often give way to favors and hidden rules.
Purpose: A record of social ups and downs under hidden rules.