Chapter 844

On December 30, 1987, the new dormitory complex next to Plant One was filled with continuous firecracker sounds.

At the end of December, Plant One’s new staff building was officially delivered; since today was an auspicious day for moving in, relocating, and setting up beds, many eager staff either took leave or swapped shifts to rush into their new homes.

The unit’s logistics vehicles were insufficient, so they paid for tricycles to haul their belongings—just get inside first, no matter what.

After all, moving in a day earlier meant peace of mind a day sooner.

Li Ye’s senior brother Ding Jiuchang had been allocated a unit, so Li Ye brought a gift over to congratulate him on his move.

But Li Ye hadn’t expected that even after arriving at the dormitory area for a long time, he still couldn’t get past Ding Jiuchang’s front door.

“Director Li, you absolutely must come for drinks at lunch today—I bought Maotai, you’ve got to come!”

“Director Li, we truly thank you. My mother has nagged me since the day I came to the city to work hard and strive to live in an apartment building.”

“But how could an apartment building be for workers like us? Yet today, my mother lives in this apartment—and it’s all thanks to you, all thanks to you!”

“.”

Whoever saw Li Ye warmly invited him over for drinks; many workers’ parents were elderly and pulled him into their homes with force, leaving Li Ye both amused and touched.

【So this is what it feels like to “go among the masses”!】

“Sorry! My senior brother is moving today too! I haven’t visited my master in a long time—I need to have a drink with him. Let’s do it another day, another day!”

“.”

Ding Jiuchang used to work at the rolling mill; after being transferred to Plant One, his former unit pressured him to return his old housing, so Li Ye naturally helped him secure a new apartment—on the third floor.

By the time Li Ye finally escaped the enthusiastic workers and entered Ding Jiuchang’s home, Master Ding had already poured the wine.

Li Ye teased, “Oh, Master, you’ve even laid out Maotai? Then I’ll definitely have to drink more today.”

“How much you can drink? I know better than anyone. A few cups won’t do—here, I bought six bottles. All for you.”

“.”

Li Ye glanced at the five bottles of Maotai Ding Jiuchang had brought over and asked with a smile, “Master, who’s treating you like a mere clerk now? If you want Maotai, you have to buy it yourself?”

“I never bought wine before, but since the headquarters’ procurement reforms, I haven’t accepted a single bottle from anyone—not a single gift.”

“.”

Master Ding spoke calmly; after all, he’d been deputy head of supply for years, and no one would believe he’d never taken a single gift.

But now that he was head of supply, holding firm against gifts was truly remarkable.

After drinking with Master Ding, Li Ye asked, “Master, the other day, Director Wan from Finance came to Plant One, saying that to distribute Spring Festival benefits and bonuses, we need to pre-advance a month’s profit. Do you think this pre-advanced profit is really for the staff?”

Master Ding immediately replied, “Of course not. I suspect this money is meant for the spare parts suppliers—we promised them payment in three months, and it’s already been over two.”

Li Ye exclaimed, “Suppliers with three-month terms only make up a quarter! Can’t the headquarters even afford that?”

After returning from Japan, the chief factory director had ordered the headquarters to revise its procurement plan, cutting back on private trading companies and reviving old relationships with three-month payment terms.

But those trading companies were all connected; no one wanted to lose profit. After all the adjustments, little was actually cut—only a few old partners were revived, just enough to buy spare parts as a show.

But even this show—couldn’t they even manage that?

Master Ding lowered his voice: “Though Director Wan keeps a tight mouth, he’s a veteran in finance—he wouldn’t dare touch the money meant for workers’ Spring Festival. He must’ve set it aside long ago. If workers can’t even eat dumplings, won’t they revolt?”

“So the current funding gap must be for the spare parts suppliers. Guan Liang’s money can’t be owed—if the accounts had funds, Guan Liang would show up the next day with gifts. So who’s been left unpaid? It’s obvious.”

It was laughable: private suppliers demanded monthly payment and came for money before the month ended, while those promised three-month terms were left unpaid.

“Ah~”

Master Ding sighed, “The headquarters’ credibility is sinking lower and lower. If we cheat them again this time, there won’t be a next time.”

“Hm?”

Li Ye smiled and asked, “Master, are you suggesting I pre-advance the profit to Director Wan?”

Master Ding shook his head seriously, “No. I’ve spent my life as a department head—I’ve never stood high enough to see far. You must judge this yourself.”

Li Ye paused, then slowly nodded.

Master Ding’s meaning was clear: from the perspective of power struggles, Li Ye absolutely shouldn’t pre-advance profit to headquarters. Everyone competes—no one sabotaging you is already a favor, let alone rescuing you?

But if they don’t inject capital into headquarters, decades of credibility could vanish.

Master Ding drank another toast with Li Ye, then added, “Also, I heard Zheng Jiemin has submitted a transfer request.”

Li Ye was surprised. “Zheng Jiemin was just promoted to deputy department head. Is he giving up now, seeing procurement reform failing, and wanting to start fresh elsewhere?”

Master Ding sighed, “Smart people aren’t few. He must sense something’s coming—Guan Liang and others are playing with fire. It’s bound to explode.”

Li Ye nodded. “When there are too many termites in the house, you want to move. But he himself is a termite—what good does moving do?”

“.”

Master Ding fell silent, only pouring more wine for Li Ye. The master and disciple had been cheerful moments ago, but now both felt a quiet gloom.

Then Ding Jiuchang looked at Li Ye and asked, “Li Ye, do you think Chief Director will apply for a transfer too?”

Li Ye froze. Just as he was about to answer Ding Jiuchang, Master Ding cut in sharply.

“Whether Chief Director transfers or not has nothing to do with you. Just do your job properly. Don’t meddle in irrelevant things.”

“.”

Li Ye couldn’t help but smile.

Ding Jiuchang was diligent and competent, but compared to Master Ding, he lacked composure.

Plant One was thriving, while headquarters struggled more each day. Some were already whispering: if Ma Zhao took over, could headquarters become as prosperous as Plant One?

But no matter whether Chief Director transfers or not, Ding Jiuchang is Li Ye’s man—Li Ye wins, his benefits follow.

If Chief Director wins, can you really turn around and “abandon the dark for the light”?