Chapter 852

“Auntie Wang, I’m not the deputy factory director of the Light Vehicle Company—I’m just a deputy director at a subordinate plant. Don’t go spreading rumors about me, or people will laugh.”

“Hey, why would I spread rumors about that?”

Auntie Wang smiled and said: “It’s like this—our neighborhood has more and more unemployed youth every year, and every unit’s performance keeps getting worse.”

Our neighborhood leaders are desperate! So they’ve assigned us tasks: if you know anyone with even a shred of influence, you must bow to them, burn incense—even if you solve just one case, it’s a great merit.”

“You don’t know, Factory Director Li! These kids have no proper jobs now—they just wander the streets all day. If they turn bad like they did a few years ago, it’ll break your heart.”

“.”

“Auntie Wang, we’re a state-owned unit—hiring has to go through the Labor Bureau. We’re not even in the same district; the difficulties are considerable.”

Li Ye didn’t immediately agree to Auntie Wang, but he didn’t refuse outright either, because if he were in the position of a neighborhood leader, he’d do the same.

Imagine facing more and more unemployed youth in your jurisdiction, more and more fights and brawls—wouldn’t you use every connection you have to shove those idle kids into factories and units?

Think of the kids who died in ’84—if they’d had a job back then, they wouldn’t have gone down the wrong path.

Auntie Wang was sharp; hearing Li Ye’s words, she knew there was hope.

“Factory Director Li, don’t worry about that—just get your unit to agree, and our director will handle the Labor Bureau.”

“Alright then, Auntie Wang, tell your director we’re planning to expand production next year. More than that isn’t realistic—I’ll try my best to secure three or five slots, okay?”

“Three or five slots?”

Auntie Wang’s eyes lit up. “Is that really true, Young Master Li? I’ll really report this to our director then!”

It’s no wonder she pressed again—some Beijing folks love to brag, claiming connections everywhere, waving their hands and promising to arrange anything for you. But if you believe them, you’ll waste your time.

Li Ye chuckled. “Do you think I’m lying? Around March or April next year—if you’re not too late, I’ll let you know ahead of time.”

“But I’ve got to ask—what kind of people does your neighborhood prioritize? That guy in the front alley, Da Liangzi—he’s got a really hard family situation, right?”

Auntie Wang raised an eyebrow and immediately replied: “Da Liangzi’s family is indeed struggling. If your factory gives us slots, we’ll give him priority.”

“Then good—if that’s the case, I’ll aim for five, and try to squeeze in a few more.”

“Young Master Li, I believe you!”

“You believing me is enough—but I won’t take any misfits. At least high school graduate, no bad habits.”

“Don’t worry—they’re all decent, hardworking boys and girls.”

Auntie Wang beamed, almost patted her chest to guarantee it to Li Ye.

Someone like Li Ye—who could actually get things done—was rare. She didn’t know how many places she’d have to visit before finding one. If she could secure five slots, the director would surely name her an advanced worker this year.

Li Ye, too, got a satisfactory reply. If kids like Da Liangzi—who desperately needed work—could be placed, he’d gladly give one or two extra slots. He could even handle the Labor Bureau’s side of things.

In the past six months alone, the Labor Bureau had sent people to his first plant eight times a month.

“Your first plant is doing so well—you’ve got to support our work! So many young people are lined up waiting for jobs. Even if you can’t take five hundred, take a hundred!”

But how many hidden deals were in that hundred-worker quota?

So if Li Ye offered to solve a hundred slots, he didn’t care how they were distributed—but he could still guarantee a few slots for people like Da Liangzi.

In this era, getting a formal job was heavily restricted—it wasn’t like the future, where you could openly recruit and select the best.

When the snow at the gate was cleared, Auntie Wang smiled and took her leave: “I’ll tell our director the good news—he’ll come personally to thank you. If your family needs anything, just say the word. We can’t handle big things, but small favors—we’ll definitely help.”

“Hmm?”

Li Ye paused, then smiled: “Actually, I do have a small favor to ask—could I get your opinion, Auntie Wang?”

Auntie Wang instantly said: “Speak up—as long as I can do it, I’ll arrange it for you.”

Li Ye pointed to his back house: “We want to cut a door through this wall—so we can drive the car inside during snowstorms. I’m not sure what procedures we need to follow for such a modification.”

“Easy. Mr. Hong’s house did the same—just cut the opening. I’ll handle the paperwork for you.”

“Great, thanks a lot, Auntie Wang.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Auntie Wang glanced around, then whispered to Li Ye: “Young Master Li, you’re too rule-abiding. Next time, just ask me first—some troubles can be avoided.”

So you’re telling me to just build illegally, are you?

True—Li Ye knew many Beijing folks built haphazardly in their alleys; opening a door like this was child’s play.

But wasn’t Feng Gong’s xiangsheng saying: “If you say you can’t, you can’t—you have to accept it”?

That applies to people—and it applies to matters too.

The more capable you are, the less you should give people such leverage. Didn’t that guy across the strait get endlessly attacked because of illegal construction?

……………….

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month in 1987, which was a Sunday, Li Ye and his grandmother Wu Juying, along with his sisters Li Juan and Li Ying, boarded a train to Dongshan, preparing to return to Qingshui County to honor their ancestors.

According to Qingshui County customs, women didn’t need to go to the graves during the Spring Festival ancestral rites—but the family’s matriarch was responsible for preparing all the offerings, so her role was “crucial.”

As for Li Juan and Li Ying returning to Qingshui, it was Han Chunmei’s order—they were to bring their father, Li Kaibian, back to Beijing for the New Year.

This year, the Li family wouldn’t spend the New Year in Qingshui—they’d reunite in Beijing, avoiding unnecessary social obligations.

When they arrived at Dongshan’s provincial capital and got off the train, Li Kaibian was already waiting with a brand-new 213.

Li Ye looked at the new Cherokee and said: “Dad, you got a new car again—does this exceed the quota?”

Li Kaibian frowned: “Exceed the quota? I’m being frugal! You don’t know how good our factory’s performance is this year—everyone wanted to upgrade to luxury sedans. I held them back.”

Li Ye smiled: “Actually, this car’s fine. In weather like this snowstorm, it’s far better than any Audi or Hongqi. If I drove this, I wouldn’t have had to take the train back.”

“Of course. This six-cylinder 213 is much better than our old 212—but still not as good as the Japanese car you drove here last year.”

The Cherokee came in four-cylinder and six-cylinder versions; the six-cylinder was nicknamed “six pockets” and had decent off-road ability, but still lagged several tiers behind the Land Cruiser.

Hearing Li Kaibian mention the Land Cruiser, Li Ye casually asked: “Dad, isn’t Qi Muyuan supposed to be released this year? Has he caused you trouble?”

Qi Muyuan was Qi Dazhong’s son. Out of jealousy, he’d smashed Li Dayong’s Land Cruiser in the middle of the night. Eventually, everyone turned on him—he was exposed for economic crimes and sent to prison.

Li Kaibian sighed: “He’s out. I ran into him the day before yesterday. He doesn’t even dare look at me anymore—his spirit’s completely broken.”

“Oh, that’s normal.”

Not just in the eighties—even decades later, those flashy “Dragon Brothers” and “Tiger Brothers” who spent years in prison came out as different people.

An old cop once said: after decades of handling cases, he’d never seen a hardened criminal who came out of prison and sought revenge on his old enemies. They were used to bullying the weak; once they became the victims, they collapsed quickly.

But those who’d always been honest and humble—after being pushed by prison—could become terrifying.

So—is Cui Aiguo a hardened criminal, or an honest man?