Chapter 44: Truly Stifling

Liu Changsheng was stunned when he saw Liu Dazhao come out, and hurried over. “Dazhao! This time, you must help your brother-in-law. If I lose my job, the whole family will starve to death.”

This wasn’t an exaggeration, but a simple truth.

He had an urban household registration and no farmland. Without a job, they would surely just eat away at their savings. Even if he managed to find new work, it would never be as lucrative as the Hengshui Distillery. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be working so diligently just for a temporary position at the distillery.

“Pah! What business is it of Dazhao’s if your whole family starves?” Zhou Qiuxiang spat, unable to restrain herself.

She didn’t know what trick Liu Xing had used to get Director Li of Hengshui Distillery to come to his house, but one thing was certain: the once arrogant, domineering brother-in-law and elder sister had finally lost their swagger.

Because Liu Xing was now the ‘Buddha’ who could suppress the couple.

Seeing Zhou Qiuxiang’s brazen attitude, Liu Wanqiu rolled up her sleeves, ready to strike. But before she could, Liu Changsheng slapped her across the face. “Can’t you calm down? Do you really want to see Director Li fire me?”

Liu Wanqiu held her face, overwhelmed with anger and grief. She wanted to lash out but didn’t dare. In that moment, she truly tasted humiliation—a feeling so bitter she wished she could just die.

Zhou Qiuxiang sneered at the scene, took Liu Dazhao’s hand, and left.

Leaving Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu in the wind, utterly bewildered.

...

Inside the main room.

Li Dawei sighed softly. “Your uncle joined Hengshui Distillery in 1980. Though he’s a college graduate, his character leaves much to be desired. I’ve caught him several times sleeping or playing cards during work hours, and he’s had ambiguous relationships with some women at the plant.”

“Really? Someone like that and you still keep him around? Aren’t you worried he’ll ruin the distillery’s reputation?” Liu Xing chuckled.

“I’d like to fire him, too, but he was recommended by Director Zhang. Plus, he has a classmate in city leadership. So... you understand.” Li Dawei replied quietly.

“I see.” Liu Xing nodded slowly.

Liu Changsheng did indeed have a classmate working as an official in the city. His parents had mentioned it before, though their family never benefited from it, nor did they need to.

Li Dawei continued, “This time, Liu Changsheng came to Xiaoshi Village to recruit temporary workers, likely at Director Zhang’s behest. It’s hard to recruit urban temp workers—they don’t listen. Unlike rural folks, who are hardworking and practical, diligent and grounded.”

There was another thing Li Dawei didn’t say: many villagers were illiterate and didn’t know what to do when trouble arose, some timid enough to just endure it. That was the temperament factories loved.

Such temps were easy to manage, unlike urban temps who stirred up trouble at the drop of a hat, leaving him at a loss.

“I don’t think that’s all. The most important thing is that the distillery’s production line has a notorious reputation—no one wants to work there. Even those who do leave within days. The toxicity of alcohol isn’t trivial,” Liu Xing exposed Li Dawei’s falsehood without hesitation.

Li Dawei was embarrassed. “Since you already know, let’s skip the preamble. Let’s head to Hengshui Distillery and use your membrane overlay method to solve their practical problems, shall we?”

“I can, but I have three conditions,” Liu Xing said.

“Go ahead,” Li Dawei listened.

“First, since Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu came here to trouble me over the distillery’s issues and now want my help, I need them to be punished. Otherwise, I won’t feel right about it,” Liu Xing stated his first demand.

This was also a reckoning for their past quarrels with his parents, and a way to settle things with his second sister. He had been reborn, and wanted to resolve his lingering regrets.

“Agreed!” Li Dawei thought it over and nodded.

He didn’t know what grudges Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu had with Liu Xing’s family, but it was clear their kinship had long since ended—otherwise Liu Xing wouldn’t raise such a request.

“Second, although I call you uncle, there’s no real kinship between us—at best, we’re friends. So I won’t help for free. You’ve seen my family’s situation; we need money. If I can fix the distillery’s aging bottling equipment and its severe alcohol evaporation, I want payment, and it must be paid in advance. Otherwise, I don’t want to be left hanging.” Liu Xing smiled.

It wasn’t about being greedy, but his family truly needed money to change their circumstances.

Of course, most importantly, Li Dawei was a shrewd man. If not for his extraordinary abilities, would he have come personally to Xiaoshi Village? Frankly, he probably wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

Li Dawei was surprised by this demand, then quickly composed himself. “If you really deliver, I can pay you between one and three thousand as the factory director—no more, since you can’t guarantee results.”

In other words, Liu Xing would get paid regardless of the outcome.

But with this, their friendship was finished.

Liu Xing wasn’t foolish; he immediately caught the implication. “Alright, let’s not waste time. Let’s go to Hengshui Distillery and see for ourselves.”

If you wanted to talk about friendship with someone like Li Dawei, you needed the capital to do so. Without it, you were nothing.

This was a truth he’d realized over decades of rebirth.

So now, Liu Xing’s stance was to skip the sentiment—genuine friendship only exists when interests align. Otherwise, it’s just wishful thinking. Only family is worth unconditional effort.

Li Dawei had no idea what Liu Xing was thinking, nor did he realize Liu Xing was an old fox. After checking the time, he took the lead and walked out.

Liu Xing followed, seeing his parents at the door, and quietly told them, “I’m going to Hengshui Distillery. I won’t be back for lunch, but I’ll definitely return before dinner.”

“What are you going for?” Zhou Qiuxiang asked anxiously.

Liu Dazhao was also puzzled.

He found his son more inscrutable than ever.

Liu Xing smiled. “I’m fixing something for Director Li. Don’t ask, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

“Let’s go!” Liu Xing said to Li Dawei, waiting nearby, and walked straight to the black sedan on the country road.

Li Dawei saw Li Weiwei and Gua Zi had returned and followed.

Zhou Qiuxiang originally didn’t want Gua Zi to go along, but Liu Dazhao stopped her. “Our daughter and son are clearly keeping something from us. Since they have the ability to talk with Director Li, let’s not interfere. Don’t worry—Director Li is the one asking our son for help, he wouldn’t dare do anything reckless.”

“Alright,” Zhou Qiuxiang nodded, watching the black sedan slowly disappear from view.

Ma Lei had wanted to go with them, but seeing Liu Xing say nothing, he stood rooted to the spot. Only when they were out of sight did he chase after them by bike.

For him, this was a job he had to fight for.

With his relationship with Liu Xing, it shouldn’t be a problem.

...

But thinking of his earlier hesitation and actions, he felt deeply ashamed.

...

Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu also left.

The couple knew there was no point in staying.

As for the dozen young men they’d recruited, they just sent them home without explanation.

In other words, the plan to work as temps at Hengshui Distillery was completely ruined.

It wasn’t that the couple didn’t want to help, but now they could barely help themselves. They’d have to go back and reassess their situation.

Seeing the farce finally end, Liu Dazhao let out a long sigh of relief.

Zhou Qiuxiang, however, glared at him angrily. “Let me warn you—now that our family has finally gained respect because of Liu Xing, you can’t just forgive your sister’s apology. If you don’t listen, we’ll divorce.”

“Wife, why bring up divorce over this?” Liu Dazhao forced a smile.

“I don’t want to, either. But have you forgotten how your sister and brother-in-law cursed me and our second child when our second was admitted to No. 8 High and we held a banquet?” Zhou Qiuxiang asked with reddened eyes.

“Of course I remember. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.” Liu Dazhao held his head, so pained he didn’t know what to say.

Seeing this, Zhou Qiuxiang softened. “Are you alright? Should you go inside and rest?”

“I’m fine. Just, can you stop bringing up unhappy memories?” Liu Dazhao replied gently.

“Mm!” Zhou Qiuxiang eventually broke down in tears.

It wasn’t that she was prone to crying, but the events from three years ago haunted her every time she remembered them.

If Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu weren’t relatives, she would’ve shrugged off their insults after a night’s sleep—quarreling was normal in the countryside.

But they were her husband’s close kin, and when the family was at its most desperate, they not only refused to help but kicked them when they were down.

Such people—there couldn’t be many like them in the whole township.

She just couldn’t understand why fate had burdened her with such relatives.

Liu Dongju and Zhao Dongkui, returning from gathering river snails, saw the scene and were baffled.

But they didn’t ask, and took the little one to the kitchen to cook.

Zhou Qiuxiang wiped her tears, gazing toward Hengshui Distillery, the worry in her heart rising unconsciously.

She didn’t wish for Liu Xing’s wealth and glory, only that he be safe all his life.

This child had borne so much... so much... for this family.

...

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