Chapter 399: I guess I'll just get by

Due to the addition of one Xu Damào.

Originally it was agreed that two people would share a bottle of baijiu, but it turned into three people drinking two bottles of baijiu.

After three rounds of drinks.

After the dishes have been through five flavors.

Shazhu and the three of them all became excited.

They seemed to have returned to that restrained era.

One works at a scrap yard as a purchaser, one works in the publicity department as his apprentice, and one lives in a siheyuan as his scheming, miserly San Daye.

Perhaps it's because the conversation got lively.

It might also be relying on the alcohol's effect.

Shazhu and Yan Fugui spontaneously advised Xu Damào, using Liu Haizhong as an example, and offered some frank suggestions.

"Damào, San Daye had a little drink; no matter right or wrong, don't take it to heart, just consider it drunk talk. Upon learning you became team captain, San Daye was quite pleased. If it weren't for your help, Xu Damào, San Daye's family would probably have to go sightseeing down below. This kindness, San Daye has always kept in mind. Precisely because our relationship is solid, I can't bear to see you, like Liu Haizhong, turn a blind eye when trouble arises; we'll just give them an appropriate break. Liu Haizhong went to the toilet today and was hit from behind with a brick."

"San Daye won't say it, but I'll say a few words, whether you listen, Xu Damào, or whether I speak. In this current situation, we all see clearly: who can guarantee you'll stay on top forever? Liu Haizhong was recently very prosperous, I avoided him; now what's become of him? Being scolded nose-to-nose by his son Liu Guangtian. Xu Damào, when you're prosperous we're happy for you and don't cause you trouble; when you're not, if someone seeks trouble, a simple acknowledgment will do the job."

If Xu Damào is fine, they are fine too.

If Xu Damào is not fine, they might also end up not fine.

Like a few grasshoppers tied to a rope.

Something happened.

Nobody can escape.

Just consider it for oneself.

Doing our best to persuade Xu Damào, we can act, but must not commit wrongdoing like Liu Haizhong.

Xu Damào knows Shazhu and Yan Fugui mean well, worries he'll follow in Liu Haizhong's footsteps, pats his chest in assurance, letting Shazhu and Yan Fugui relax.

He frankly says he's not as foolish as Liu Haizhong.

He doesn't even understand the principle of a cunning rabbit having three burrows.

He has offended tens of thousands of workers at Yagangchang; from now on there truly won't be any good days like Liu Haizhong's, and everyone wants to deal with Liu Haizhong. Especially during Liu Haizhong's tenure, those who fawned over him, the wall‑grass, are most obvious; to distance themselves from him, they will use harsher means against Liu Haizhong.

Such matters.

They have already happened.

Xu Damào came back late because some people, regardless of consequences, directed accusations at Xu Damào and at Liu Haizhong—whether Liu Haizhong did it or not, they wanted to pin charges on Liu Haizhong's head: bullying eighty‑year‑old elders, bullying six‑ or seven‑year‑old children, even fabricating the tearing of children's homework books, claiming Liu Haizhong snatched a three‑year‑old's milk to drink.

Bloody facts.

He gave Xu Damào a wake‑up call; even without Shazhu and Yan Fugui's reminders, he would know what to do, but now that they have reminded him, this kindness naturally should be kept in mind.

Xu Damào gave Shazhu and Yan Fugui a steady gaze that said I know what to do.

Shazhu and Yan Fugui know Xu Damào's nature; seeing his confidence, they also dispelled some unrealistic thoughts.

As long as Xu Damào has a plan in mind, it's fine.

What they worry about is not that Xu Damào, in a fit of hot‑blooded zeal, will do something without regard for consequences.

Xu Damào hasn't had his head turned by joy.

This is good.

The two raised their cups and clinked with Xu Damào.

After Xu Damào drained his cup, he set it down and chatted casually with Shazhu and Yan Fugui.

Actually, it's just the future work direction of Yagangchang.

Xu Damào now essentially reaps Liu Haizhong's dividends, because during Liu Haizhong's tenure his crazy antics cleaned out anyone in Yagangchang who had even slight problems, and even those without problems were put through a tough ordeal by him.

In other words.

Xu Damào wants to find something to do for himself.

But there's nothing he can do about it.

They're all clean‑handed; how could they seek others' misfortune?

Although his status isn't as overbearing as Guo Xiaosi's, he is also someone Xu Damào shouldn't provoke; today, as the newly appointed team captain, he corrects the petty things Liu Haizhong previously did.

So busy he didn't even eat.

Returned to the siheyuan.

Seeing Shazhu's home transmitting Yan Fugui's voice.

He walked over for a look.

What a fine bunch.

The two were drinking behind his back, then pushed the door and entered.

This drink.

It wasn't that Xu Damào deliberately came to drink; he came to find Shazhu, happened upon the drinking, and didn't consider himself an outsider.

"Shazhu, do you know what the most complaints I received today are?"

Xu Damào, holding an empty cup in his hand.

His gaze directed toward Shazhu.

Shazhu's mind stirred.

He smiled.

He reached out and filled Xu Damào's empty cup with baijiu.

He chimed in with a sentence.

"It's not related to me, is it? They say I've been relegated to custodian at Sihuocangku, yet I could pull the now‑prominent Liu Haizhong off his pedestal at Yagangchang—frankly, it's not my achievement; my mind is all muddled right now."

Upon hearing about Shazhu's matter, Yan Fugui still trembles even now, feeling a lingering fear for Shazhu.

Fortunately, at that moment he was holding a copy of Yagangchang's safety production regulations and had also written some production precautions; otherwise, even if he were just sitting dozing or smoking, Liu Haizhong would have caught him and not let go, making a big deal out of it, until Shazhu ended up following in Yan Jiecheng's footsteps.

Perhaps it really was Heaven opening its eyes.

Saved Shazhu's life.

"Shazhu, you really have a big life; San Daye toasts you a cup."

"You are older than me."

"Your cooking skills are better than mine."

"Xu Daming, join me for a drink."

"If I'm joining for a drink, then I'll join for a drink."

Three shot glasses clinked together, then each owner immediately brought them to his mouth.

He lifted his neck.

The baijiu went into their stomachs.

"Shazhu, let me be frank: the most suggestions I've received are that you should hurry back to the cafeteria to take charge of work; over the years you've been cafeteria head, you've spoiled the palates of our Yagangchang workers, saying the food made by the current head chef is not to their taste, and they strongly demand you return to the cafeteria."

Xu Daming's meaning.

Shazhu understood; as long as he nods or says okay, Xu Daming can transfer him from Sihuocangku back to the cafeteria as its head.

Don't underestimate Xu Daming; as the Team Captain of Yagangchang's assault team, a single word from him can reinstate Shazhu to his former position.

But Shazhu doesn't think that way.

Now it seems glamorous, but limited.

But what about the future?

He had just been persuading Xu Daming, saying a person cannot stay in a high position for a lifetime; eventually...

What to do in the future?

These problems.

Shazhu needs to consider them thoroughly.

Moreover, during this time he found Sihuocangku quite good—no one bothered him, no one thought of him; if it weren't for Liu Haizhong constantly wanting to deal with Shazhu, Yagangchang might have forgotten him altogether.

Regarding Xu Daming's suggestion.

Naturally he would not agree.

Even if Xu Daming means well, he must still ruthlessly refuse him.

Because there are some things Xu Daming is unaware of, Shazhu cannot openly tell him.

"I need to give the other head cooks a way to survive; otherwise they'll surely curse me behind my back— they're all cooks, Shazhu, why are you so domineering? Forget it, I don't want to end up like Liu Haizhong, getting bricks thrown at me even when I go to the toilet."

Shazhu did so in a joking manner.

He gave his answer.

Actually it was just a refusal.

Xu Daming seemed to have already guessed that Shazhu would answer that way; a hint of conflicted resignation flashed across his face, and he suddenly shifted the topic to Deputy Factory Director Li.

After Xu Daming said that.

Only then did Shazhu realize that his decision not to return to the cafeteria as head had been anticipated in advance by Deputy Factory Director Li.

Deputy Factory Director Li told Xu Daming that Shazhu is someone who can see far ahead; in the tumultuous Yagangchang, it's not the best opportunity to be a standout.

Smart people will try to conceal themselves as much as possible.

Shazhu is exactly the smart person in Deputy Factory Director Li's eyes; he says Shazhu has finally managed to extricate himself and will not lightly step into that vortex again.

Xu Daming doesn't believe it.

Deputy Factory Director Li even made a bet with Xu Daming.

A small yellow croaker.

If Shazhu goes to the cafeteria as head, Deputy Factory Director Li compensates Xu Daming with a small yellow croaker; if Shazhu stays in Sihuocangku as custodian, Deputy Factory Director Li compensates Xu Daming with a small yellow croaker.

This bet.

Deputy Factory Director Li won.

If Shazhu is used as the bet, Xu Daming won't talk to Shazhu; he said some of Deputy Factory Director Li's views on Shazhu.

Hearing Xu Daming relay Deputy Factory Director Li's perception of him, Shazhu didn't know what to say; he never expected to occupy such an important position in Deputy Factory Director Li's heart.

Just think about it.

Deputy Factory Director Li is truly a natural tide‑rider.

In his previous life.

Deputy Factory Director Li's word carried great weight in Yagangchang.

Afterward.

Those people all met with retribution.

Only Deputy Factory Director Li suffered no ill effects; not only did he land safely, he also took advantage of the favorable conditions at the time to become one of the first to rise.

Xu Daming's previous life was also not bad.

In an era when average monthly wages were under a hundred yuan, Xu Daming wore a suit, tie, gold chain, and held a big‑brother‑style mobile phone, appearing as a wealthy man.

Partnering with Deputy Factory Director Li to deal in televisions, Liu Haizhong's family participated, Yan Fugui's family participated, only Xu Daming was left out of the middleman's cut.

Xu Daming, who had earned a ten‑thousand‑yuan commission, unwilling to keep such a small profit, placed a whistle‑blower call, pouring the savings of Liu Haizhong's family and Yan Fugui's family into it; afterward he also gained a reputation as a benefactor.

Shazhu is not envious.

But from these matters he saw the difference between Deputy Factory Director Li and Xu Daming.

Both of them said he was not bad.

Thus it's clear that Shazhu truly is a decent person.

Shazhu just wants to rush over and knock his head against his reflection in the mirror.

"Xu Daming, this matter is settled like that; I'll just be the custodian at Sihuocangku to avoid trouble."

"I think Shazhu's suggestion is not bad; it's best to avoid being noticed if possible." Yan Fugui, face full of resentment: "San Daye ended up like this because he was noticed."

"Alright, alright, alright, listen to you two, but Shazhu, don't worry, from today on, no one will bully you."

"With Xu Daming blocking the front, who would dare? Provoke me and you're not giving Team Captain Xu any face."

"Shazhu, I just don't like your smug face, taking advantage and acting innocent, and I don't know how your sister-in-law ever fell for you."

"Anyway, I'm still a promising young man, right?"

"Stop bragging, let's drink."

The wine cup in his hand.

Just lifted.

Then a crisp "ka-cha" sound came from outside.

That sound.

Too damn familiar.

Smashing the glass!

No one needed to shout; the courtyard instantly filled with onlookers, and the voices flying from their mouths confirmed the guess of Shazhu and the two others drinking inside.

It's highly likely that someone from the Siheyuan smashed Liu Haizhong's glass under the cover of night.

This is the retribution.

This is the true retribution.

Shazhu looked at the wine cup before him and let out another soft sigh.

People cannot do evil.

Heaven will not collect you.

People will also collect you.

Remember, in the previous life, Liu Haizhong had Shazhu arrested, locked him in the Security Section of Yagangchang, and insisted he explain things, like why he helped Qin Huairu, what he used to help her every day, and so on.

Because back then Shazhu was single‑minded and still Qin Huairu's sycophant, worried that telling the truth would drag her in, he stubbornly refused to confess.

It was Long Laotaitai who, in the middle of the night, smashed Liu Haizhong's window with her one‑foot‑in‑the‑coffin body, ordering Liu Haizhong to release Shazhu; if not for Long Laotaitai stepping in, even if Shazhu didn't confess, he would have gotten a beating.

Two lifetimes as a person.

Many changes have occurred.

Long Laotaitai died.

Yi Zhonghai died.

Eldest Aunt went far away.

The only thing that hasn't changed is that Liu Haizhong's glass still gets smashed.

"Xu Daming, see this? If you do evil, Liu Haizhong's fate will be yours."

Shazhu's joking warning.

But it made Xu Daming become serious.

He looked at Shazhu.

He looked at Yan Fugui.

"Shazhu, San Daye, I know what to do; rest assured, I will definitely not let you worry."

The three of them started drinking again.

Only after Xu Daming and Yan Fugui finished the last bottle of baijiu and staggered out of Shazhu's house did Shazhu stand at the door, watching Yan Fugui walk toward the Qian Yuan and Xu Daming toward the Hou Yuan, and only when he could no longer see their figures did he boldly return home.

The wine stall.

Tidied up neatly by Yu Li.

This shows the importance of having a virtuous daughter‑in‑law in the family.

Shazhu took the chance while the two kids were asleep, hugged Yu Li, and wanted to express his greeting as a husband to his wife.

Wei Guo woke up, rubbed his sleepy eyes, looked at Shazhu standing there, and called out.

Mom!

Shazhu looked at his wife standing behind him, then glanced at Wei Guo calling 'Mom' from the bed; this child, clearly only able to see his father, yet insists on calling out 'Mom'.

Yu Li pulled Shazhu aside, stepped up to Wei Guo, hugged the son and soothed him a bit, and the little rascal then obediently went off to see Zhou Gong.