Not Everyone Can Morally Blackmail You

First Elder Yi Zhonghai felt he had taken a huge loss.

Lin Zhen had only gone to the cafeteria and workshop twice, said a few words, and was about to take his salary.

Furthermore, he only gave the junior apprentice 9 yuan, deducting the remaining 90.

This was truly blacker than Huang Shiren in the old society.

But what made him most frustrated was that he couldn't speak about this matter.

Once it got out, Lin Zhen would expose his plan to rely on Jia Dongxu for his old age.

His reputation would be even more severely damaged.

Moreover, this matter today was something he had eagerly pushed for, something he had forced upon Lin Zhen.

He couldn't blame the other party.

To take a step back, as long as this junior apprentice could fill in for a few months, he would accept spending the money unnecessarily!

Yi Zhonghai comforted himself.

He managed to catch his breath.

"As expected of you, Lin Zhen. I'm completely in your grasp."

"Hey~ Why would you say that, First Elder? I went through a lot to get Ma Hua to fill in! It wasn't just talk; I even had a cooking competition with Silly Zhu." Yi Zhonghai said dismissively, "I didn't know you were a master chef. This is the first time I've heard of it. Alright, let's leave it at that for now!"

Today was Saturday, and the entire factory would be off tomorrow.

In the 1960s, the country implemented a single day off per week system.

Taking advantage of Saturday, Lin Zhen organized a dinner party at the cafeteria after work.

Having been promoted to engineer, he had to thank the leadership for their appreciation.

If Jia Dongxu hadn't had the accident, he would have prepared to treat them that same evening.

However, it wasn't too late to treat them now.

It was still a collective system, and people didn't go to restaurants on a whim.

If you wanted to treat someone, you did it at the unit's cafeteria.

And you couldn't exchange tickets for it; you had to apply to the finance department with cash.

Lin Zhen invited Deputy Director Li, the Workshop Director, the Cafeteria Director, Section Chief Chen of the Security Section, Section Chief Sun of the Propaganda Section, and Section Chief Liu of the Health Section.

Among these people were good leaders who were practical and some scoundrels to be avoided.

Lin Zhen treated them all equally now, offending no one.

He wanted to build good relationships with all of them, just in case his wife, Lou Xiao'e, ran into trouble.

Especially Deputy Director Li, Section Chief Chen of the Security Section, and Section Chief Sun of the Propaganda Section.

If he could handle those three, he wouldn't have to worry about anything.

Of course, Lin Zhen also invited Director Yang.

But Director Yang had to attend a meeting in the district.

He instructed Lin Zhen, "You don't need to treat me to express your gratitude. Working hard and making progress at work is more important than anything else."

Lin Zhen promised, "Yes, Director. I will not let you down."

At the banquet, Lin Zhen tentatively brought up the issue of his wife's poor family background.

He subtly nudged Deputy Director Li.

Deputy Director Li, who was in high spirits from drinking, patted his chest and guaranteed, "Little Lin, don't worry about those issues. I'm in charge of ideology and production here. I guarantee you won't be affected in the slightest. As for your wife, Lou Xiao'e, she has already severed ties with her parents. I was even planning to use her as a role model for publicity, but it's a pity she's not a worker in our factory."

Lin Zhen thought to himself: I can't trust this guy's drunken ramblings.

But his attitude was acceptable. Let's maintain this superficial mutual praise for now.

I'm not the Xu Damao from the original novel. If I really wanted to bring you down, I'd have the means.

Of course, it's best if you don't provoke me.

Lin Zhen said with a drunken smile, "Deputy Director Li, you flatter me. I'll strive never to disappoint you."

It was past ten o'clock in the evening when Lin Zhen returned home with Silly Zhu.

Along the way, Silly Zhu asked him about his cooking skills.

Lin Zhen just smiled without saying a word.

Want to learn? No way!

When they returned home, their four sons were already asleep, and Lou Xiao'e was waiting alone.

Seeing her husband return, she first made him a cup of hot tea.

He asked with concern, "Did you drink too much?"

Lin Zhen smiled and said, "How could I? I never get drunk."

"The First Elder came to find you twice, I wonder what it's about."

"Didn't he say?"

"No, he was very mysterious."

"Heh heh, he's bringing us money."

"Bringing money? What money?"

Lin Zhen explained in detail what happened during the day.

Lou Xiao'e chuckled, "I didn't expect your cooking skills to so easily beat Silly Zhu, but why did you take the First Elder's money? What if he accuses you of speculation and profiteering?"

Lin Zhen smiled slightly.

"He needs to understand that moral blackmail has a price. Otherwise, he'll come to us again. After all, whether it's the courtyard or the factory, we're the ones doing the best."

"Aren't you afraid he'll spread it around?"

"Heh heh, not only will he not spread it around, he probably won't even let the First Aunt or the Jia family know. This loss has to be swallowed."

"Just because he was scheming about someone's retirement?"

"Of course. If it's not your own father, who would be willing to support someone else's family? Of course, Silly Zhu is an exception."

"Pfft~ How do you know so much?"

As they were talking, the First Elder, Yi Zhonghai, arrived at the front yard again.

Lin Zhen greeted him with a smile.

Without much pleasantry, Yi Zhonghai handed over a paper package.

"If Qin Huairu can't replace Jia Dongxu, I'll hold you accountable!"

"Don't worry, First Elder. Qin Huairu won't be able to work, and I'll support the Jia family!"

Lin Zhen's guarantee was confident.

This was because Deputy Director Li had told him during lunch at the cafeteria.

Even if the position remained vacant for three months, the factory had decided to keep it for Qin Huairu.

He had also praised Lin Zhen for thinking of production by finding an apprentice to fill the spot.

What Lin Zhen was doing now was a favor done with the flow.

As for Yi Zhonghai, he was worried out of concern and needlessly anxious. It was no one else's fault.

Yi Zhonghai returned to the middle courtyard.

Seeing Qin Huairu coming out of Silly Zhu's house, holding four large lunchboxes, he couldn't help but smile and ask, "Huairu, why did Zhu bring back so much food?"

"He said Lin Zhen treated everyone at the cafeteria, spending over twenty yuan. This is all leftover food."

Silly Zhu, overhearing their conversation, quickly came out and said, "Hey! Engineer Lin is really generous, acting like it's not his own money he's spending. He ordered all the good dishes!"

"Huh? First Elder, what's wrong with you?"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen. He clutched his chest and said, "It's nothing, just a bit of a stitch. It's getting late, you should rest!"

Yi Zhonghai forced an awkward smile.

Inside, he was furious enough to explode.

Thinking of the 99 yuan he had just given, his chest ached again.

Lin Zhen was spending his money so lavishly!

Why did he have to go to him?

But who else could he go to? No one in the workshop was idle!

And Silly Zhu wouldn't do either. If you had an apprentice who could be lent out, why didn't you tell me?

Alas!

It's not Silly Zhu's fault, I didn't ask him.

The blame lies with Lin Zhen.

This young man is too devious!

I should stay away from him in the future!

"Oh! Old Yi, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so unwell after going out?"

The First Aunt quickly helped Yi Zhonghai to a stool and handed him a bowl of hot water.

Yi Zhonghai, with chest pain, waved his hand, unable to speak. After drinking a few mouthfuls of hot water, he finally felt better.

Staring at the roof ridge of Lin Zhen's house, he muttered, "So unprincipled!"

"Old Yi, who are you talking about? Little Lin?"

"Sigh! It's nothing, don't ask."

"Should we go to the hospital to get it checked out?"

"Checked out for what? I don't have money!" Yi Zhonghai roared irritably.

The First Aunt froze for a moment, her eyes instantly reddening.

Her husband had just yelled at her!

They had never even argued in all the years they'd been together.

Tonight, for no reason, she had been scolded. The First Aunt said aggrievedly, "What's wrong with you? Why are you yelling at me?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed, "Sigh, it's nothing, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, just go get some rest."