Chapter 77: Everything I Do Is For Your Own Good

The young man who had the conflict with Chai Jin yesterday was named Guo Minghao, and the person standing beside him was his cousin, He Kai.

After the turmoil erupted in the factory yesterday, Guo Minghao was immediately summoned for a talk by his superiors. This was under Chen Ni’s instruction; he had already been persuaded to leave, but his departure would only take place at the end of the month.

But Guo Minghao dared to act so arrogantly in the factory for a reason—the reason was his cousin, He Kai. Guo Minghao’s family was very ordinary, poor farmers from the countryside. However, his uncle, He Kai’s father, had made a name for himself in the city, and was now one of the factory’s shareholders.

After graduating from middle school, Guo Minghao came to seek his cousin, thinking he would enjoy a life of comfort and luxury. Instead, he ended up getting fired, and he was furious about it.

At this moment, He Kai’s brow was furrowed. “How could Ni Ni know someone like that?”

Guo Minghao thought for a moment, a trace of malice flickering through his heart. He leaned in and said, “Brother, I think that guy definitely has intentions toward Chen Ni. He must have some purpose for coming here.”

“Yesterday, I saw them chatting outside the factory. Their relationship seemed anything but ordinary.”

Sure enough, He Kai’s anger flared instantly. “What do you mean, anything but ordinary? Is he worthy?”

“How could Ni Ni be interested in a laborer like that?”

Guo Minghao hastily put on a sycophantic smile. “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

“Brother, what am I supposed to do now? Is there really no way with Chen Ni?”

Guo Minghao was troubled and restless, and He Kai pulled two hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to him. “Use it sparingly. I’ll make other arrangements for you.”

“Uh, alright, haha, brothers are brothers. Thanks, bro.” Guo Minghao took the money without hesitation.

Clearly, this wasn’t the first time he had exploited his wealthy cousin.

From their brief conversation, it was evident that when it came to scheming, He Kai was no match for his cousin.

After they parted ways, He Kai couldn’t shake the unpleasant feeling in his heart.

His father and Chen Ni’s father had been comrades in the army. After leaving the military, they caught the wave of economic reform. Both were bold—when others feared being labeled capitalists and hesitated to do business, they dared to try.

They started their businesses in the eighties, gradually building themselves up to their current status.

The two families were as close as brothers, and the relationship between their generation was equally strong. They were the typical childhood companions in the city, and by the elders’ plans, it wouldn’t be long before they formally established their relationship.

But Chen Ni seemed uninterested, always politely refusing, leaving He Kai in an awkward position.

Now, his cousin claimed Chen Ni was unclear in her relationship with a factory worker?

He Kai’s heart was uneasy; he had to get to the bottom of it.

So he made his way to Chen Ni’s office.

Chen Ni was the kind of girl whose sweetness radiated at all times, always appearing as if she were smiling gently, and she was always impeccably neat.

She was sitting by the window, scribbling notes on some documents. Sunlight streamed in from outside, casting a hazy, sacred glow.

“This girl can only be mine!” Although they had grown up together, every time He Kai saw Chen Ni, this thought would arise in his heart.

He tried to calm himself as he walked over, maintaining his warm demeanor.

“Ni Ni, why did you come to the factory so early? Don’t overwork yourself. It’s your first day here—you don’t need to rush.”

Chen Ni looked up, her smile appearing warm and close, but in reality, keeping a certain distance.

“I’m fine.”

“Good morning, Brother Kai.”

“Morning.” He Kai felt much better, now convinced that Ni Ni couldn’t possibly be interested in that laborer. The gap in status was too great—unless she’d lost her mind. But since he was here, he had to clear things up.

He swallowed and sat beside her. “I’m sorry about my cousin yesterday. Your first day taking over the factory and such a big incident occurred. I’ve already spoken to him.”

Chen Ni’s expression darkened. Wasn’t he just here to plead on his cousin’s behalf?

She immediately spoke, “Brother Kai, I know he’s your cousin, but his behavior was deeply disrespectful. If word gets out, who would want to work at our factory?”

He Kai played the role of the elder brother. “Ni Ni, it’s your first day; you don’t know the staffing situation here.”

“Honestly, we may have overreacted. So many state-owned factories are closing, so many workers are laid off, so many people are unemployed—you really don’t need to worry about hiring.”

“You’ll understand in time.”

“Oh, of course, rules are rules. My cousin definitely isn’t suited for that position. I’ll handle it, don’t worry.”

Chen Ni felt a thousand aversions to his words, but couldn’t say anything.

After all, their parents had high hopes for the two of them, hoping they could work together to manage the factory, gradually transition, and take over.

Suppressing her displeasure, she said, “You take care of it then. Is there anything else?”

He Kai found himself embarrassed but pressed on, “Ni Ni, how do you know that person?”

“Which one?”

“That factory worker.”

“Don’t call him that.” Chen Ni buried her head in her documents. “I saw him under the overpass in Zhonghai. I thought he was a vagrant, so I spoke a few words…”

“Ni Ni, you’re still so soft-hearted. Haven’t you learned from previous incidents?” He Kai couldn’t help but lecture her.

Chen Ni was a very kind-hearted girl. Whenever she saw beggars or vagrants on the street, she would give them money.

But the city was chaotic now, full of all kinds of people.

Some even turned begging into a business, so the vagrants you saw might not be beggars at all.

Previously, Chen Ni had given five yuan to a vagrant, which set off a chain reaction—a whole group of beggars suddenly ran up and chased after her for more.

A girl in her twenties had never seen such a scene, so she hurried back to her car, frightened.

But the fake beggars weren’t satisfied; they chased her all the way, cursing her for being rich and lacking virtue, saying every sort of thing imaginable.

Her father scolded her plenty afterward.

He Kai knew about this, and now hearing that Chen Ni had given money to a beggar, he launched into a relentless lecture.

A trivial matter, blown up to the scale of a life-threatening situation.

Chen Ni hated this about him most—he always pretended to care deeply, but in reality, he was profoundly chauvinistic.

He was always trying to force his beliefs upon her.

At last, she couldn’t help but say, “Brother Kai, maybe you should go back to your office. Don’t you remember there’s a board meeting this morning?”

He Kai failed to pick up on the implication in her words and continued, “Ni Ni, I know you don’t like hearing this, but it’s all for your own good, you know?”