Chapter 373: Problem

Just as he was chatting with Gu Anran, he received a call from Mei Donghai; the Elder called, and there was nothing else—just that Mei Wu had gone home and brought back a hundred thousand yuan.

That much money scared the old couple quite a bit.

Wu Anle was relieved, quickly soothed the Elder, saying, "Don't worry, this is the money I gave to A Wu Ge—no, to be precise, it's the money A Wu Ge earned."

Mei Donghai asked, "Really? He only went out for two days; how could he have earned so much…?"

They chatted a few more sentences.

Mei Wu answered the phone.

Wu An was startled: "Why are you at home at this hour?"

Mei Wu's voice was low as he said, "I've already handled my resignation."

Wu An, surprised, asked, "That fast?"

"I went to the factory first, took care of it, and only then returned home," Mei Wu said, then let out a sigh.

Wu An sensed something was off: "What happened at the factory?"

"Nothing much," Mei Wu chuckled wryly. "Just the right timing to quit on the spot."

Wu An asked, "What's the matter? Tell me."

Mei Wu didn't speak right away; after a while, he stepped out of the room and said, "Here's what happened: when I got to the factory, the squad leader falsely accused me of not taking leave and insisted I be counted as absent without leave."

"The squad leader and I almost came to blows."

"But Uncle Chen Shui intervened and let me go back first."

"So I just didn't go back."

Wu An furrowed his brow: "Why would he frame you? Do you have a problem with the squad leader?"

"There's been some tension these past few days… I don't know why, maybe the squad leader just wants to push me out," Mei Wu said offhand, though he himself was a bit confused.

Wu An said, "Talk to me properly."

Noon.

Mei Wu first went to the dormitory, intending to go to the factory to handle his resignation paperwork; the factory isn't short of workers now, so he guessed that submitting his resignation should get it processed.

Result:

As soon as he arrived at the dormitory, the squad leader harshly scolded him.

He accused him of being absent without leave.

Mei Wu had clearly called him and already got permission, but while they were arguing, Manager Chen Shui happened to pass by and rebuked both of them.

Mei Wu said, "Uncle Shui…"

Chen Shui glared, "In the factory, call me by my title, not 'Uncle.'"

"…," Mei Wu was left speechless by the scolding.

Seizing the chance, the squad leader said, "Manager, the thing is, Mei Wu may be relying on the fact that we're from the same village, being perfunctory in his work, and today he outright skipped half a day."

Chen Shui asked, "Is that so?"

Mei Wu hurried to explain, "Manager, that's not the case; I called…"

Chen Shui waved his hand, "Tell me, when did you arrive at the factory?"

"Um… just now."

"Did you request leave before that?"

"No."

"Then if he says you're absent without leave, I see no problem with that," Chen Shui said with a stern face, his voice low: "Even though we're from the same village and you call me 'Uncle,' I can't shield you because of that."

"Is that the reasoning?"

Mei Wu shouted, "I called this morning to request leave!"

Chen Shui asked.

The squad leader shook his head: "That's not true. I answered his call this morning, but he only said a couple of words and hung up; I never gave my consent."

"Bullshit, you did consent!"

"Mei Wu, watch your tone. I ask you, do you have any evidence that can prove the squad leader is lying?"

"I… I have no evidence."

Chen Shui retorted, "Then he does have evidence that you were absent without leave."

The squad leader pointed at Mei Wu, shouting, "You're absent without leave and won't even admit it, then you turn it around and accuse me of slandering you. Don't think you can be arrogant just because we're from the same village as the manager."

"Manager, you need to side with me."

Mei Wu could hardly endure such grievance; he was so angry he was about to throw a few punches at the squad leader.

Chen Shui blocked him.

He ordered security to drive Mei Wu out first; having no choice, Mei Wu returned home from the dormitory. He only shared the good news, not the setbacks, not mentioning being expelled from the factory, only saying that the past two days he rested and went out to sea with Wu An to earn money.

Wu An listened, thought it over, and said, "That's very suspicious."

"I think they're deliberately trying to make you leave."

"Then you shouldn't leave yet; we need to see what that squad leader is up to."

Mei Wu responded, and after such an incident, he was furious and reckless; now that he's calmed down, he still feels something's off and certainly doesn't want that bastard squad leader to get his way.

After hanging up, he composed himself; seeing his family's happy faces, his mood lightened considerably.

Being slandered is indeed infuriating, but it can't outweigh the joy of earning so much money.

Moreover,

He was already planning to quit that job, so losing it doesn't hurt.

He just needs to get to the bottom of the situation; he can't be wronged like this.

Mei Wen stepped out of the house; the boss had just called, saying the cafeteria for the new project's construction site had been finalized, workers were already arriving, and as the cook he needed to get into position quickly.

Mei Donghai asked, "When will we leave?"

"As soon as possible, these two days." Mei Wen paused, then said, "I can go ahead first; Xiaoxiao and her mother can leave later, and we still need to go to Xiaoxiao's maternal grandmother's house."

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed.

Mei Wen's departure will be for a year and a half; although it's just in the market, saying it's not far, in reality over a year they won't come back twice.

Mei Wu's mind stirred: "Brother, earlier A An mentioned the fast-food place—you really aren't considering it?"

"I'm not just making money."

"Should be enough to start the shop, right?"

Mei Wen startled: "This… this won't do, will it?"

Mei Wu said: "If you don't try, you won't know if it works; anyway I think A An's idea is pretty good, and he also said that if you do it, he'd be willing to help."

"If it works out, you won't need to run around outside."

"Xiaoxiao won't have to worry about school either."

Mei Wen hesitated; this is good, home is naturally all good, but if we don't make a name for ourselves, not only will we lose money, we'll also drag the family into embarrassment.

Mei Wu went back to the room, took out a stack of money, and said: "Brother, I'll provide the money, you provide the manpower."

"Count me in for half the shares."

"We brothers will definitely make a name for ourselves."

Mei Wen looked at the pile of red bills on the table, his eyes gradually reddening: "A Wu, you… you this… what if…"

Mei Wu laughed heartily, saying: "Brother, even if we lose, it's fine."

"As long as the weather cooperates, we can go out to sea to fish; I'm not bragging—making money is as easy as play."

"I'm being serious."

"If it weren't for your severe seasickness, I'd want to talk to A An and also bring you out to sea."

Mei Wen is unlike him; since childhood he's gotten seasick, on the boat he vomits until dark, takes medicine, applies plasters—none of it helps.

Mei Wen hearing his confident words, his hesitation faded, he gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, I'll tell the boss to find someone else."

Mei Wu grinned.

Mei Donghai also laughed; the old woman beside him turned away to wipe tears, the daughter-in-law also had red rims, overjoyed.

Mei Xiaoxiao ran around the courtyard with a windmill; during this time at home, this little rascal got a bit darker, but looks much happier than when he first came home.

The city is good, but nothing compares to home.

Mei Donghai took two puffs of smoke, saying: "Then it's decided; you weren't looking to consult A An, so like this, catch the two geese we've raised and bring them along."

Mei Wu said: "Dad, those aren't the precious geese you've raised for years?"

"Precious what precious—we originally planned to kill them for the New Year's meal." Mei Donghai paused, then said: "Mainly because we don't have anything else to offer; just these two geese we've raised for a while can represent our sentiment."

Mei Wu bluntly: "Dad, bringing the geese over, I have no objection, but I think… A An isn't an outsider."

Mei Donghai chuckled: "No need for you to say that; we're not being formal, wouldn't want to seem distant."

"But even close brothers need to settle accounts clearly; A An bringing you to make money is them caring about sentiment—we can't shamelessly think it's owed."

Mei Wu suddenly understood, nodding: "Dad, I get it."

He knew that Mei Donghai's words were also a hint at him.