Chapter 22: The Dagger is Revealed

Ning Weidong was cautious, even though in the original owner's memories, Wu Bingzhong was a "good person" who was quite decent.

But in Ning Weidong's view, the original owner's evaluations of this sort had no reference value at all.

Because the original owner simply lacked the ability to distinguish between "good people" and "bad people," or more accurately, good and bad were not important; what mattered was where one stood.

"Where you sit determines what you think"—it sounds a bit ironic, but it is a crude saying that hits the nail on the head.

Returning to Wu Bingzhong, although he was a State-owned Worker, his conditions could not be called very good.

His wife had been chronically ill for years, and it took over a decade of suffering before she passed away.

Although there was a factory hospital, it could not withstand the long years; money had to be spent regardless.

On top of that, Wu Bingzhong was not particularly frugal in his daily life; the cheapest cigarettes he smoked were Great Front Gate at thirty-five cents, he had to treat himself to a good meal every few days, and his daughter still had to go to school... all in all, he simply couldn't save any money.

Then again, if Wu Bingzhong really had money, he wouldn't have joined in the fun with Ning Weidong and the others to form the Black Signature Society.

Among the few people here, he was the oldest.

Yet now he was suddenly taking the initiative to offer money to help; anyone with a brain would be suspicious.

Wu Bingzhong did not notice Ning Weidong's guard and continued, "It just so happens I have some money on hand, let's not delay things for Dayong..."

Ning Weidong feigned hesitation: "This... Brother Wu, I know your family situation. I do have some difficulties here, but I can't implicate you. Isn't there still a few days left? I'll think of another way; it won't be delayed."

Wu Bingzhong was stunned, not expecting this result.

After more than a year of getting along, he was confident he had figured out Ning Weidong's personality—to put it bluntly, he was all brawn and no brain.

He had also found out that Ning Weidong's relationship with his brother and sister-in-law was not harmonious.

"Uh..." Wu Bingzhong choked; the draft he had prepared could no longer be spoken, which made him feel quite uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Ning Weidong couldn't help but laugh inwardly, but since he didn't know what the other party was plotting, he didn't shut the door on the conversation either, continuing: "If it really doesn't work out, I'll come to you for help again."

Wu Bingzhong's mouth twitched; he was just an ordinary worker, and his thinking, reactions, and eloquence were only marginally better than average.

The matter had exceeded his expectations, and he suddenly didn't know what to say, so he could only smile unnaturally.

Ning Weidong, however, was an old hand; just as Wu Bingzhong's mind was in chaos and he was dazed, he caught him off guard and asked, "Brother Wu, is there something on your mind?"

Wu Bingzhong's expression stiffened, not knowing what to do.

If he said no, it would be hard to bring it up later.

But if he said yes, according to his original plan, he was supposed to lend Ning Weidong fifty yuan first to help him out of his predicament, earn a favor, and only then would it be easy to speak.

But now...

Wu Bingzhong was in a dilemma and couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

Ning Weidong wore a sincere face, as if he were truly simple-minded and hadn't noticed his awkwardness at all.

At this moment, Wu Bingzhong felt as if time had become exceptionally slow, and Ning Weidong's "sincere" gaze made him feel particularly uncomfortable.

The two stared at each other, and after only a few seconds, Wu Bingzhong couldn't take it anymore.

He looked away, let out a long breath, and laughed dryly: "That... tsk... I... I do indeed have a little something."

Ning Weidong said: "I knew it~ Brother Wu, with our relationship, if you have something, just say it."

Wu Bingzhong licked his lips, glanced outside the window, and simply hardened his heart, pulling a roll of Big Unity notes from his pocket and stuffing them into Ning Weidong's hand.

"Brother Wu, this is..." Ning Weidong looked surprised on the surface, but in his heart, he knew Wu Bingzhong had lost his patience and was about to reveal his true intentions.

Wu Bingzhong whispered: "Dongzi, listen to me first... this is fifty yuan..."

Ning Weidong hurriedly said: "Brother Wu, didn't we just say—"

"You don't have to pay it back!" Wu Bingzhong's one sentence left Ning Weidong stunned; "giving" and "lending" fifty yuan were not the same thing at all.

Ning Weidong's movements paused, and Wu Bingzhong took the opportunity to stuff the money into his hand: "Take it first, listen to me!"

Ning Weidong frowned, glanced at the money in his hand, and didn't decline again. He had already guessed the outline of this matter in his heart.

If it were just lending him money for an emergency, what Wu Bingzhong sought would be limited.

But now, letting go of fifty yuan just like that, the nature of the matter was different.

Ning Weidong was certain that Wu Bingzhong absolutely did not have such boldness, nor was there any need for it.

Behind him, there must be someone else.

Before this, the man surnamed Wu had been dishonest, treating Ning Weidong like a fool.

If there was someone behind him, whatever he was asked to do would surely come with funding, and it would certainly be more than fifty yuan.

Yet this guy was only willing to take out fifty, and was even reluctant to give away fifty yuan, wanting to find an opportunity to lend it to Ning Weidong to earn a favor, so he could get the job done without spending a single cent.

Unfortunately, he didn't expect that Ning Weidong was no longer the original Ning Weidong; after some back-and-forth, discovering the situation wasn't right, he had to temporarily increase the stakes, no longer mentioning "lending," but changing it directly to "giving."

Wu Bingzhong glanced at the direction of the door again and whispered: "Dongzi, you are on duty at the West Gate..."

A few minutes later, Ning Weidong came out of the dormitory, his mind still thinking about what Wu Bingzhong had just told him.

It wasn't that complicated; it was just a hope that after taking the money, he could secretly keep an eye on things over at the West Gate.

If he discovered any situation, he was to tell Wu Bingzhong immediately.

Once Ning Weidong heard this, he realized instantly that there was likely someone above playing a power game.

As for which level it reached, Ning Weidong didn't know, and he didn't ask Wu Bingzhong; given Wu Bingzhong's situation, he was likely just as clueless, and asking would be a waste of time.

Why they had sought him out was probably thanks to the original owner, who had given people the impression of being simple-minded and easy to use.

From Ning Weidong's perspective, getting involved in this kind of thing was not wise.

As the old saying goes, when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer.

Ning Weidong had absolutely no concept of the power landscape and interest factions of the Red Star Factory's upper management; getting involved rashly would make it easy to drown.

Yet, he couldn't refuse.

Wu Bingzhong had approached him and even revealed these circumstances; to refuse now would be to not know what was good for him.

Although Ning Weidong wasn't afraid of Wu Bingzhong as a person, the problem was that he didn't know what the situation was behind him.

Refusing was definitely not an option; at the very least, he had to play along for now.

Thinking of this, Ning Weidong could not help but touch his pants pocket.

This money really came just when it was needed.

Immediately, he thought of their Squad Leader, Xu Jinshan.

One thing was certain: Wu Bingzhong and Xu Jinshan were not on the same side.

Wu Bingzhong having him watch the West Gate was, in reality, watching Xu Jinshan.

The various squads at the guard room were fixed.

It was impossible for a small West Gate Squad Leader like Xu Jinshan to smoke Peony Cigarettes all year round on just a fixed salary; he definitely had extra income.

As for what that extra income was, it was actually not hard to guess.

Throughout history, the things that could be turned into cash were nothing more than those few types.

What did Xu Jinshan rely on to exchange for money? Ning Weidong estimated that Wang Yong, who was in the same squad as him and appeared to be a good-natured person, also benefited from it.

Only the original owner, with his lack of common sense, was excluded without even realizing it.

(End of this chapter)