Chapter 37: Not a Penny to Spare

Deng Tao’s words immediately quelled the argument between the two.
Guo Rufeng asked, “Tao Tao, how would we sue him?”
“He’s your biological son. By law, a mother has a share in her son’s property.”
“Aunt Guo, you must sue him for child support, but instead of asking for money, ask for shares in the factory.”
Guo Tao, relying on his meager understanding of the law, assumed the role of a cunning advisor.
He thought the idea of getting shares was brilliant.
If the shares came to our family, wouldn’t we be shareholders in the factory?
Then I’d be one of the owners of the distillery, too.
This would solve my housing problem for marriage, and my future employment as well.
With the distillery doing so well, our whole family wouldn’t have to work elsewhere; we could live comfortably just from the factory dividends.
Guo Tao’s suggestion was like a dawn of hope for this idle, greedy family.
Even little Han Han, only a few years old, didn’t understand the adults’ talk, but he sensed that their family might soon be rich.
He piped up, “Mommy, can we buy a color TV then?”
Guo Rufeng covered her mouth and laughed, “Yes, yes, a color TV, twenty-five inches.”
“We might even buy a car.”
Deng Anzhi was delighted with this outcome, initially expecting just ten thousand yuan and a small apartment at most.
Now, with his son’s calculations, it was clear they could get rich without lifting a finger.
He laughed boisterously, “Our hard days are finally over. Tao Tao, you’ll represent our family. You’re young and know the law. Go find a lawyer.”
“We have some savings left; we’ll use them to fight for our rights!”
“Alright, Dad, don’t worry!”
The whole family, revolting in their greed, left the restaurant.
…
Chai Jin’s mood was turbulent.
He’d thought that after being reborn, perhaps Guo Rufeng would feel a trace of guilt, that even a sliver of remorse would temper her attitude.
But the script unfolded just as it had in his previous life.
Utterly disgusting and selfish to the extreme.
He simply couldn’t understand how a mother could be so selfish.
Chai Fang was equally disappointed. Returning to the office, she found Chai Jin still burning with anger.
She patted his shoulder. “Let it go, little brother. Let’s just live our own lives well.”
“No need to get so angry over her.”
Chai Jin scowled, “After I leave, none of you are allowed to have anything to do with that shameless family.”
“Not a single cent from the factory goes to them, understood?”
Chai Fang nodded, “I know. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t tell Dad about this. He’ll get angry—you know his stubborn temper.”
Chai Jin nodded, “I got it.”
Chai Fang suddenly changed the subject, “Brother, when are you leaving town?”
Tap.
Calmed down, Chai Jin lit a cigarette, took a few drags, and pushed thoughts of Guo Rufeng’s disgusting family out of his mind.
His tone softened, “Probably around the seventh day of the first month. Monkey is coming with me.”
“What’s up?”
Chai Fang smiled gently, “Have you seriously talked to Xiao Li about this?”
“What should I talk to her about?”
“You really don’t understand other people’s feelings.”
So Chai Fang took the opportunity to share her suspicions about Wang Xiaoli.
Chai Jin wasn’t a fool.
Sometimes he sensed Wang Xiaoli’s special closeness toward him.
He just didn’t want to waste time on romance.
So he pretended not to notice.
Now that his sister brought it up face-to-face, he felt awkward.
He finally said, “Don’t worry about it. There are more pressing things right now.”
“I have no plans for the moment.”
Seeing her brother’s firm stance, Chai Fang didn’t press further and just sighed softly.
She truly hoped Wang Xiaoli and her brother would be together.
Although Wang Xiaoli was two months older than her brother, that shouldn’t matter.
The key was that Wang Xiaoli was beautiful, sweet-talking, capable, and definitely not lazy or greedy.
Her parents got along well with theirs, and she herself was close to her.
It was, in fact, the best possible marriage, with no grounds for objection.
Chai Jin wasn’t cold-hearted, but he was deeply aware of local customs.
If they went public, their parents would soon meet and arrange the engagement.
Especially with their families so close, it would take just one phone call to settle the marriage.
In these turbulent times, Chai Jin’s mind was on his work, not relationships.
At least for now, that was how it stood.
…
The festive atmosphere in the countryside was always stronger than in the city.
The more scarce material comforts became, the more intense the New Year spirit grew.
The factory closed for three days.
Some workers caused a stir over this, accusing Chai Jin of being a capitalist.
Only three days off for the New Year, how outrageous.
They claimed their previous factory was far more comfortable.
Chai Jin didn’t bother arguing—he simply dismissed all of them.
At the same time, he introduced a reward system for the workers.
Anyone willing to come back and work overtime would be paid generously.
Thus, the overtime dispute was quickly resolved.
Afterwards, the family returned to their old house in Daohua Village.
Next door, Liu Fengxian’s house was tightly shut. After being taught a lesson by Chai Jin, Liu Fengxian was now thoroughly afraid of him.
Her nephew Liu Jun had been arrested; for his hooliganism, he was sure to spend several years in prison.
Liu Fengxian had only been an accomplice, so she was soon released.
Word was she wasn’t at home this year, having gone to her mother’s.
Everyone in the village knew she was avoiding the Chai family.
On the third day of the New Year, villagers began visiting each other.
The usually quiet Chai household became the liveliest in the village.
Most of the visitors were factory employees coming to pay New Year’s respects.
Chai Jin was in high spirits, giving generous red envelopes to everyone who came.
Chai Mingguo’s face even sported a rare smile, with several tables set up in front of his house.
Faces flushed from drinking, the tables were lively.
Chai Jin watched his father quietly; since that muddled debt had been incurred, he hadn’t seen a smile on his father’s face for five or six years.
Now, as the family enjoyed harmonious times together,
the old village chief Liu Yujiang arrived at the Chai house, hands behind his back.
He sought out Chai Mingguo first.
In the crowd, Chai Mingguo spoke with difficulty, “Old Liu, you know the factory belongs to my son. I only earn a wage there.”
“I don’t have authority, you’ll have to ask my son. I can’t agree to your request.”
Liu Yujiang glanced at Chai Jin, who was chatting with Liu Qingwen by the pond in front of the house.
He sighed, “Well, what about you? Do you still hold a grudge? The key is you.”