Moral Kidnapping? Bring Actual Benefits!

Yi Zhonghai sighed softly, "We're all neighbors, we can't be too strict about these things. You're the only one with free time in the workshop, helping out will earn you a good reputation, it won't hurt you."

Lin Zhen couldn't help but laugh at Yi Zhonghai's bizarre logic.

"Heh, it's more likely I'd earn Silly Zhu's reputation. First Elder, you don't need to guilt-trip me. Helping the Jia family for no reason is impossible, especially since old Mrs. Jia curses at everyone."

"Sigh, you can't stoop to her level. She doesn't just target you; she's cursed everyone in the courtyard except the Deaf Old Lady."

"Save it. I'm not as noble as you. If you want to secure Jia Dongxu's job, go do it yourself, don't come to me."

"If I could do two jobs myself, why would I need you? Just think of it as helping the old and infirm!"

"Hiss~"

Lin Zhen couldn't help but gasp. The moral blackmail was coming in fast.

"First Elder, you want to secure Qin Huairu's job to ensure your own old age, right?"

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened. "As I said, we're both sensible people, no need to be so blunt."

"Heh, but your actions are very direct. You want me to work in Jia Dongxu's place, secure a job for Qin Huairu, and then keep the Jia family fed so they can take care of you in your old age. What's in it for me? Since you've chosen me to do this thankless work, you can't just rely on a few words, can you?"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes narrowed, and he smiled slightly, "Don't you gain a good reputation? Reputation is priceless."

In Yi Zhonghai's eyes, a good reputation was indeed better than anything.

He had also been doing his best to maintain his image as a selfless and upright person.

In the original story, Yi Zhonghai only revealed his hypocritical and villainous true colors at the very end.

But it was also him who treated Silly Zhu as a sucker.

To ensure Silly Zhu would take care of him in his old age, he had tied Silly Zhu to Qin Huairu, preventing Silly Zhu from reuniting with his own son.

Lin Zhen knew the original plot better than anyone.

He had hinted at it more than once, reminding Yi Zhonghai.

I know your true nature.

You don't need to pretend to be a gentleman with me.

Therefore, when Yi Zhonghai and Lin Zhen were alone, their hearts were as clear as mirrors.

All the perfunctory pleasantries could not be taken seriously.

Lin Zhen said with a faint smile, "Actually, I don't mind helping, but I'm not like you. I don't care about a good reputation; I only care about tangible rewards."

"What do you want?"

"Your salary is 99 yuan a month, right? Give it all to me."

"99? No problem, I can give you 100."

"I mean you give it to me every month, not just once. When Qin Huairu starts working, you stop giving it to me."

"Xiao Lin, are you robbing me?"

"Don't say that. No one is forcing anyone; it's all voluntary. If you want to secure someone to take care of you in your old age, you have to be willing to bleed a little. Otherwise, find someone else. However, I am indeed the one with the most free time in the workshop."

Yi Zhonghai's expression was unsightly.

After thinking about it, he realized he couldn't catch the wolf without sacrificing his cubs.

If he was unwilling to spend three months' salary, Qin Huairu wouldn't be able to replace Jia Dongxu.

At that time, the Jia family would lose their source of income, and the matter of them taking care of him in his old age would truly fall through.

And as the First Elder of the courtyard, he would inevitably have to help the Jia family.

Calculating it this way, it was even more of a loss.

It was more cost-effective to sacrifice three months' salary.

He'd just consider it sacrificing a pawn to save the king.

"Alright, it's settled! I'll go and report this to the workshop director."

Lin Zhen smiled, "No need. I'll go directly to him; it'll be more effective than you."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, "You're an engineer, a key talent the factory is cultivating, so your words do carry more weight than mine. Let's start next Monday. You'll take over Jia Dongxu's position, doing both engineer and fitter work."

"Don't worry, I'll arrange everything this afternoon. But you need to advance the salary first."

I don't have that much cash on me. I'll send it to you tonight.

"Okay! It's settled then!"

After Yi Zhonghai left, Lin Zhen revealed a sly smile.

Since you've come to me, I'll definitely arrange things.

But it's impossible for me to work in Jia Dongxu's place.

Lin Zhen's job nature was very flexible.

Usually, he just guided processes, improved machinery, and so on.

He could move freely between the various workshops.

Yi Zhonghai was right to come to him for help with Jia Dongxu's work; he was the only one free in the entire workshop.

After finishing his current tasks, Lin Zhen headed to the unit's cafeteria.

He had a target there.

Ma Hua, who had just reported for duty a couple of days ago and was assisting Silly Zhu with vegetable prep.

Ma Hua had no other notable strengths besides one: absolute loyalty to his master.

In the original story, Ma Hua was Silly Zhu's disciple, running errands for him.

As soon as Silly Zhu was demoted to the workshop by Deputy Director Li, Ma Hua immediately went on strike.

That's how loyal he was.

But honestly, Silly Zhu hadn't treated Ma Hua very well.

Setting aside how well he taught cooking.

Silly Zhu took his new apprentice with him when he went out for private jobs, but he didn't bring Ma Hua.

When he opened his large restaurant, he didn't bring Ma Hua in as his second-in-command in the kitchen.

After getting rich, he took care of the "beasts" in the courtyard first, but he didn't think of Ma Hua, who had been so loyal to him.

Now, Ma Hua had just reported as a cafeteria apprentice and hadn't officially become Silly Zhu's disciple yet.

Lin Zhen was here to poach him.

Ma Hua could take over Jia Dongxu's position for now.

Besides, Ma Hua only loved cooking and wouldn't cling to his workshop position.

This way, Yi Zhonghai's request would be easily resolved.

"Oh, Master Lin is here?"

Liu Lan, who was mopping the floor, greeted Lin Zhen warmly when she saw him enter the cafeteria.

"Busy, Liu Lan? I'm looking for Silly Zhu."

"He's stir-frying. Go ahead yourself."

Upon entering the kitchen, Lin Zhen heard the clatter of pots and pans.

Silly Zhu was scolding Ma Hua.

"Are you cutting potato shreds or potato sticks? They're thicker than your fingers, and you call them shreds?"

Ma Hua nodded nervously, not daring to speak, his hands trembling.

Lin Zhen smiled slightly and walked over.

He reached out and took Ma Hua's cleaver.

He said kindly, "Young man, watch closely. Bend your left hand to press the potato slice down firmly. In your right hand, hold the knife by the wrist and use a quick, forceful motion. Focus your eyes on the knife, not beyond it. Advance the blade an inch with each cut, and keep the rhythm steady."

Clang, clang, clang, clang...

Lin Zhen gave a live demonstration.

His knife speed was so fast it created afterimages.

The potato shreds fell into the basin beside him, perfectly uniform in thickness, even more so than if they had been cut with a shredder.

Most importantly, only Lin Zhen's two hands were moving.

Other than his hands, not even a strand of his hair moved.

The scene stunned Ma Hua; he had never dreamed that cutting vegetables could be practiced to such a level.

It was simply miraculous!

The chefs in the kitchen were also dumbfounded.

When it came to knife skills, none of them dared to claim they could reach this level.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Engineer Lin, what are you doing! You're delaying me teaching my disciple! I know you're talented at everything, but don't show off!"

Silly Zhu felt a bit embarrassed.

His own cooking skills were superb, but he hadn't specifically honed his knife skills.

Just as he was scolding his apprentice about knife skills, Lin Zhen came over and showed off.

If he were to do it himself, he really couldn't cut that crisply.

Lin Zhen smiled faintly and said, "Ma Hua is your disciple? Did he kowtow and officially become your disciple? Silly Zhu, don't mislead your student. This apprentice is mine now."