Just as the cook was about to go up to see what had happened, Song Heping held him back.
"Let's wait and see," he said.
The swimming pool banquet at the Republic Palace was a well-known gathering place for the elite in Baghdad, and although Yusuf was an official in charge of materials, his presence was not surprising, but a quarrel was indeed rare.
Most of those who played here were involved in power games, whether they were Americans or from Iligo Country, they wouldn't tear face and quarrel on the spot.
Song Heping did not recognize the person opposite Yusuf.
But he could tell at a glance that he was a local official from Iligo Country.
And judging from that pampered look and his clothing, he definitely held a high position.
This was an issue amongst the Iligo people themselves.
Without knowing the specifics, Song Heping didn't plan to intervene.
From a distance, he could see that Yusuf was extremely agitated, a helpless kind of agitation.
It was like a child begging for a toy from his parents, who do not agree, and he has no way to change their mind—that type of agitation.
Perhaps both individuals realized that their argument had attracted the attention of passersby, the official from Iligo glanced around, warned in Arabic with a nasty tone, and then left, leaving behind a frustrated and helpless Yusuf.
The quarrel ended.
The onlookers dispersed as there was no more drama to watch.
Song Heping hurried over to greet Yusuf.
"Good evening, my brother!"
Seeing Song Heping, Yusuf's expression was somewhat dull, and almost as a reflex he performed a greeting, "Good evening, brother."
In Arabic culture, it's very common to call each other brothers.
Song Heping glanced at the departing official's back and asked Yusuf, "Who is that?"
Yusuf glared at the man's retreating figure and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth, "From the Alliance Conference, Muaz."
"A big shot?"
Song Heping intentionally stoked the fire, "He seemed very arrogant."
Yusuf snorted and said, "The deputy director of the United Security Council."
As the name suggests, the United Security Council was mainly responsible for maintaining internal security in Iligo Country in coordination with the allied forces, training, and rebuilding local military forces, such as government armed forces like the ICDC and the police force.
Yusuf belonged to the Temporary Management Committee as an official, but his duties included the allocation and management of materials, including the distribution of weapons.
Could it be a work-related issue that caused the quarrel?
Song Heping asked, "What were you arguing with him about?"
Yusuf glanced at the cook with a purposeful silence.
Sensing something, Song Heping gave the cook a look and said, "Cook, you go ahead inside, don't keep Mr. Turner waiting."
"The person he wants to see is you," the cook protested, "What business is it of mine?"
Song Heping replied, "You are better at socializing than I am, chat with him first, and tell Mr. Turner that I ran into an old brother at the door, and I want to catch up before going in."
He deliberately emphasized the words "old brother."
These words had a double meaning.
The first was to make the cook quickly beat it, not to stick around and get in the way.
The second was for Yusuf to hear.
Turner was the general manager of the Wood Energy Illiggo Branch, a man of considerable status.
Song Heping, for his own sake, had decided to postpone his meeting with Mr. Turner.
That showed he truly considered himself a brother!
With that thought, warmth flooded Yusuf's heart once again.
"Alright then."
The cook was no fool; Song Heping had been clear enough—if he still couldn't understand, then he might as well jump into the Tigris River to drown and quit being a mercenary leader.
"You two talk, I'll go and say hello to Mr. Turner," the cook said.
Once the cook left, Song Heping put his arm around Yusuf's shoulder and walked him outside before saying, "Tell me about any grievances, see if I can help you out?"
Without mentioning it, it would have been fine.
Bringing up the recent event caused Yusuf's eyes to redden.
Song Heping hadn't expected this big fellow to be so emotional.
He quickly comforted him, "Brother, is it the arms trade that's troubling you?"
Yusuf shook his head.
"Song, my good brother, this matter has nothing to do with you. My uncle died today…"
"What?"