First Elder Yi Zhonghai felt he had suffered a huge loss.
Lin Zhen had merely made two trips between the cafeteria and the workshop and said a few words, yet he had taken away all of his wages.
He gave the apprentice only 9 yuan and pocketed the remaining 90.
That was even more ruthless than Huang Shiren from the old society.
But what frustrated him most was that he could not tell anyone about it.
Once word got out, Lin Zhen would expose his scheme to have Jia Dongxu provide for him in his old age.
By then, his reputation would suffer even greater damage.
Besides, he had been the one who had gone out of his way to pester Lin Zhen today. He had been the one begging Lin Zhen.
He could not blame anyone else.
Taking a step back, as long as this apprentice could fill in for a few months, he would accept having wasted the money!
Yi Zhonghai consoled himself inwardly.
He barely managed to catch his breath.
"Just as expected of you, Lin Zhen. You've really got me by the throat."
"Hey, how can you say that, First Elder? I went through a lot to get Ma Hua to come over and fill in! It wasn't just talk—I even had a cooking contest with Silly Zhu."
Yi Zhonghai said dismissively, "I never knew you were a master chef. This is the first I've heard of it. Fine, let's leave it at that for now!"
It was Saturday, and the entire factory would have the day off tomorrow.
In the 1960s, the whole country followed a one-day weekend system.
Taking advantage of it being Saturday, Lin Zhen arranged a dinner at the cafeteria after work.
He had been promoted to engineer, so he had to thank the leaders for recognizing his talent.
If Jia Dongxu had not gotten into trouble, he would have treated everyone that very evening.
But it was not too late to treat them now.
They were still under the collective system, so people did not casually go out to restaurants.
If someone wanted to host a meal, they did it at the workplace cafeteria.
And they could not use ration coupons; they could only apply to the Finance Section with cash.
Lin Zhen invited Deputy Director Li, the workshop manager, the cafeteria manager, Section Chief Chen of the Security Section, Section Chief Sun of the Propaganda Section, and Section Chief Liu of the Health Section.
Some of them were good leaders who worked hard, while others were petty people everyone avoided.
For now, Lin Zhen treated everyone equally and did not offend anyone.
He would build good relationships with all of them, in preparation for any trouble his wife Lou Xiao'e might face.
Especially Deputy Director Li, Section Chief Chen of the Security Section, and Section Chief Sun of the Propaganda Section.
Once he had them three on his side, he would have nothing to worry about.
Naturally, Lin Zhen had also invited Director Yang.
But Director Yang had to attend a meeting in the district.
He told Lin Zhen, "If you want to thank me, there's no need to treat me to a meal. Work hard and make progress in your work. That's better than anything."
Lin Zhen promised, "Yes, director. I definitely won't let you down."
During the meal, Lin Zhen tentatively brought up the fact that his wife came from a problematic capitalist family background.
He probed Deputy Director Li from the side.
Deputy Director Li was in high spirits from drinking.
He patted his chest and gave his word.
"Little Lin, don't worry about those issues. I'm the one in charge of ideology and production at the factory. I guarantee you won't be affected in the slightest. As for your wife, Lou Xiao'e, she has already cut ties with her parents. I was even planning to promote her as an example, but unfortunately, she isn't a worker at our factory."
Lin Zhen thought, This guy's drunken words can't be trusted.
Still, his attitude was decent enough. For now, they could keep flattering each other on the surface.
He was not Xu Damao from the original story. If he truly wanted to bring Deputy Director Li down, he was confident he could do it.
Of course, as long as Deputy Director Li did not provoke him, that was that.
Lin Zhen smiled drunkenly. "Deputy Director Li, you think too highly of me. I'll strive never to disappoint you."
It was past ten at night when Lin Zhen finally returned home with Silly Zhu.
Along the way, Silly Zhu kept asking him about his cooking skills.
Lin Zhen merely smiled without answering.
Want to learn? No chance!
When he got home, his four sons were already asleep, and Lou Xiao'e was waiting alone.
When she saw her husband return, she first made him a cup of hot tea.
She asked with concern, "You didn't drink too much, did you?"
Lin Zhen smiled. "How could I? I've never gotten drunk from drinking."
"First Elder came looking for you twice. I don't know what it was about."
"He didn't say?"
"No. He was being all mysterious."
"Heh heh, he came to give us money."
"Give us money? What money?"
Lin Zhen told her in detail what had happened during the day.
Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "I didn't expect your cooking to beat Silly Zhu's so easily. But why take First Elder's wages? What if he accuses you of speculation and profiteering?"
Lin Zhen smiled faintly.
"He needs to understand that moral blackmail comes at a price. Otherwise, he'll come looking for us again next time. After all, whether in the courtyard or the factory, our family is doing better than anyone else."
"Aren't you afraid he'll spread it around?"
"Heh heh, not only will he not spread it, he probably won't even let First Aunt or the Jia family find out. He has no choice but to swallow this loss."
"Because of his scheme to have someone provide for him in old age?"
"Of course. If he isn't your biological father, who would be willing to support someone else in their old age? Well, except Silly Zhu."
"Pfft. How do you know so much?"
As they were talking, First Elder Yi Zhonghai came to the front courtyard again.
Lin Zhen went out to greet him with a smile.
The two did not exchange many pleasantries before Yi Zhonghai handed over a paper packet.
"If Qin Huairu can't take over Jia Dongxu's position, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Don't worry, First Elder. If Qin Huairu can't start work, I'll support the Jia family!"
Lin Zhen gave that assurance with confidence.
Because Deputy Director Li had said so while they were eating in the cafeteria.
Even if the position remained vacant for three months, the factory had decided to keep it open for Qin Huairu.
He had even praised Lin Zhen for considering production and finding an apprentice to fill in.
Lin Zhen was simply doing someone a favor while it cost him nothing.
As for Yi Zhonghai, he was worrying too much because he cared too much. He had no one to blame but himself.
Yi Zhonghai returned to the central courtyard.
He saw Qin Huairu coming out of Silly Zhu's home, carrying four large lunchboxes.
He could not help asking with a smile, "Huairu, why did Silly Zhu bring back so much food?"
"I heard Lin Zhen treated people at the cafeteria and spent more than twenty yuan. These are all leftovers he brought back."
Hearing their conversation, Silly Zhu hurriedly came out. "Hey! Engineer Lin is really generous, spending money like it isn't his own. He ordered nothing but meat dishes!"
"Huh? First Elder, what's wrong with you?"
Yi Zhonghai's face turned livid. Clutching his chest, he said, "Nothing. Just a stitch in my side. It's late, so hurry up and get some rest!"
Yi Zhonghai forced an embarrassed smile.
Inside, he was so furious he was about to explode.
Thinking of the 99 yuan he had just handed over, another stabbing pain gripped his chest.
Lin Zhen was being generous with his money!
He should never, ever have gone to Lin Zhen!
But if he had not gone to him, who else could he have gone to? No one in the workshop was free!
And Silly Zhu was no good either. He had an apprentice he could lend out, so why had he not told him?
Sigh!
He could not blame Silly Zhu either. He had not asked him.
If anyone was to blame, it was still Lin Zhen.
That young man was far too underhanded!
He had better keep his distance from him in the future!
"Oh my! Old Yi, what's wrong? You went out for a moment and came back looking so awful?"
First Aunt quickly helped Yi Zhonghai over to a stool, poured him a bowl of hot water, and handed it to him.
Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, his chest hurting too much for him to speak. He took a few sips of hot water before he finally recovered somewhat.
Staring at the ridge of Lin Zhen's roof, he muttered, "That's really unscrupulous!"
"Old Yi, who are you talking about? Little Lin?"
"Sigh! It's nothing. Don't ask."
"Should we go to the hospital and have you checked?"
"Checked for what? We don't have money!" Yi Zhonghai snapped irritably.
First Aunt froze, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Her husband had actually shouted at her!
In all their decades together, they had never even argued.
Yet tonight, for no apparent reason, she had been scolded. First Aunt said aggrievedly, "What's gotten into you? Why are you yelling at me?"
Yi Zhonghai sighed. "Sigh, it's nothing, it's nothing. Don't worry about it. Go get some rest."
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