Chapter 21: Come Again, Break the Cur’s Leg!

These were the two dozen people who had long oppressed the village and held sway over them. Just now, they truly had been intimidated by the overwhelming aura radiating from Chai Jin. But once they recognized it was Chai Jin, that old sense of superiority, cultivated for years in front of the Chai family, surged forth. Faces darkening, they stepped closer.

Sensing a fight brewing, Zhang Aiming hurriedly stepped forward and shouted, “What, do you really intend to cause trouble here?” Then he turned to the fifty or sixty other workers and bellowed, “They want to destroy the factory that is your livelihood—are you just going to stand by and watch?”

The fifty or sixty workers paused, realizing that if the factory was destroyed, so was their means of living. No longer passive bystanders, they stepped forward to confront the troublemakers. Instantly, the former’s momentum faltered.

One of the two dozen men stepped out and sneered, “Zhang Aiming, are you blind?”

“This bastard beat someone half to death—you’re really going to shield a worker like that?”

“Worker?” Zhang Aiming blocked Chai Jin, afraid he might lose his temper again. “Haven’t you all been whining about who the new factory owner is? Well, let me tell you. It’s the youngest son of the Chai family you used to trample on—Chai Jin!”

His words caused an uproar. All seventy or eighty pairs of eyes snapped to Chai Jin. The two dozen men were utterly dumbfounded. Even the aunt and nephew lying on the ground were left blank-minded.

How could the Chai family possibly have the money to take over the factory? Business had been booming these days—how much had this little bastard earned? Jealousy and envy swallowed the aunt and nephew whole; they simply could not accept what they’d heard.

Chai Jin, his composure regained, fixed the two dozen men with a steely glare. “From today on, if any of you set foot in this factory—even half a step—I’ll break your damn legs, no matter who you are! Without my permission, none of you may enter. Director Zhang, settle their wages and get them out!”

Another among the two dozen stepped forward. “Chai Jin, you think you can just walk away after beating someone this bad? How do you plan to settle this?”

Chai Jin’s eyes, cold as ice, locked onto him. “Settle it? Sorry, I have no intention of settling it. You know very well what you did last night. Think I’ll pay you? Think I’ll apologize? Go home and wait—this won’t be resolved so easily. Now get out!”

With that, Chai Jin turned and strode back to his office, leaving Zhang Aiming to handle the aftermath. The shouting outside grew loud. In the end, even Liu Jun and his aunt were carried out of the factory.

Inside the office, Chai Fang gazed silently at Chai Jin, uncertain whether to sit or stand. After a long pause, her gentle voice could no longer restrain itself. “Brother, did you really break Liu Jun’s leg?”

Chai Jin answered coolly, “Yes.”

“Oh. Should we send him some money, just in case he reports it?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not your concern.”

“But, Jin…”

“Sis,” Chai Jin cut in, looking up. “Do you remember what I told you not long ago? When someone is vicious to you, you must show greater ferocity. These are mad dogs; only when they’re hurt badly will they understand not to provoke you. Understand?”

He sighed. “But that’s not your nature. Go finish sorting the accounts—Spring Festival is only a month or two away. You need to get the hang of things here as soon as possible.”

Chai Fang was puzzled. “Why the rush?”

Chai Jin lit a cigarette and stood by the window, gazing at the bustling factory outside. After a moment’s silence, he said, “This factory is for you. After the New Year, I’ll be leaving Yuanli County.”

“Why? Isn’t everything finally going well?” Chai Fang felt an unexpected pang of sorrow at the thought of Chai Jin leaving. After all these years, they’d never truly been apart, except for that brief time he’d left before.

Chai Jin didn’t offer much explanation. He simply said, “Next year, beyond these borders, thunder will roll in the spring.”

…

Liu Fengxian and her nephew had indeed intended to call the police. After all, Chai Jin had been merciless. But guilt gnawed at them—especially Liu Jun, whose act of harassment was considered a serious crime in these times. Jail would be the least of his worries—if word got out, he’d never find a wife in Yuanli County.

Chai Jin’s initial thought had been to go to the police and have Liu Jun locked up. But Chai Fang had stopped him, fearing gossip about the Chai family. In these times, girls were so naively pure that even when wronged, they would endure it for the sake of their reputation, terrified of whispers behind their backs.

In the end, Chai Jin could only let it go.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoli began visiting Daohua Village more and more often. Before, she’d just come back to fish for crayfish, but now she spent every visit at the distillery, claiming she wanted to accompany Fangfang to and from work in case she was bullied again. She’d learned of the incident that night, and guilt weighed on her—if Chai Jin hadn’t been out delivering her that evening, none of this would have happened.

Wang Xiaoli was Chai Fang’s only close friend, and Chai Fang, eager to pair her brother with Xiaoli, naturally didn’t mind her frequent visits. But lately, Wang Xiaoli always left the factory in low spirits—Chai Jin had rarely come by, saying he was off in Yuanli County town, opening up new markets. But in these days without cell phones, once someone vanished into the city, they were almost impossible to find.

Worried, Wang Xiaoli often sat in silence, her pretty face watching the lively activity in the factory yard. December had arrived, and it was bitterly cold outside. Brow furrowed, Wang Xiaoli suddenly spoke. “Fangfang, do you think I should just quit the lighter factory?”

“What?” Chai Fang looked up, startled. “Are you crazy? Why would you leave such a good job?”

Wang Xiaoli pouted and puffed out her cheeks. “It’s no fun anymore. The factory’s about to be contracted out—lots of people will lose their jobs, and my name’s on the list.”

She was lying. She was the factory beauty—cheerful, eager to learn, and highly capable at work. The lighter factory was indeed about to be privatized, but the internal list was out: Wang Xiaoli was slated for the management team, with a position as secretary to the chairman—her salary would be ten times what it was now. Such was the opportunity brought by privatization: while many would lose their jobs, those with talent would find their springtime, no longer stewing away in lukewarm mediocrity.

Chai Fang didn’t think much of it—she instinctively worried at the mention of Wang Xiaoli being laid off. “Then…why don’t you come work at the distillery? I’ll talk to Jin.”

“Yes, yes!” Wang Xiaoli had clearly been waiting for this, and quickly hooked her arm through Chai Fang’s. “Hee hee, go talk to Chai Jin. I can do anything—even if I don’t know how to brew, I can sweep floors, cook in the kitchen, anything!”