Volume One, Chapter 17: Revenge Without Mercy

Long-distance travel is indeed quite exhausting.

Zhang Weimin thought to himself and unknowingly fell asleep.

When he woke up, it was already dark.

Zhang Weimin opened his eyes and saw the newspapers pasted on the ceiling. Turning his head, he saw Zhang Yingying leaning over the old desk, diligently doing her homework.

It was exactly the same scene as when he had first come to Zhang Weimin’s body, yet it felt different in many ways.

Zhang Weimin sat up and took a few sips of tea from the edge of the kang.

Hearing the movement, Zhang Yingying looked up at Zhang Weimin.

“Dad, you’re awake?”

With joy, Zhang Yingying threw herself onto Zhang Weimin, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Dad, was Shanghai fun?”

Zhang Weimin replied, “Shanghai was very fun. It’s a huge place with lots of people and many interesting things.”

A gleam of longing sparkled in Zhang Yingying’s eyes.

“Dad, can you take me with you next time you go on a business trip?”

Zhang Weimin smiled and patted her head. “Sure, but only during your school holidays.”

“Dad, tell me what fun things there are in Shanghai.”

“Daddy went to a university there, met professors and doctors, and even had a Western meal on campus. That university is excellent. You study hard and get admitted there one day, and then you can live in Shanghai.”

Yingying listened with a heart full of joy.

“Yingying, go get Dad’s bag; he brought you some gifts.”

Zhang Yingying handed over the bag to Zhang Weimin.

Zhang Weimin took out the contents one by one: various snacks, beautiful hair clips and hair ties, and all kinds of exquisite stationery...

Zhang Yingying was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Yingying, while Dad has been away, has Liu Fangfang been bullying you?”

Zhang Weimin asked softly.

Yingying leaned close to his ear.

“No, now when she sees me, she acts like a mouse spotting a cat—meek and servile. It’s making me feel a bit awkward.”

“Heh, that’s good. She’s a criminal. If she were in prison, she’d be even more groveling than here.”

Zhang Weimin chuckled.

At that moment, Liu Fangfang stood at the door and asked, “Old Zhang, you’re awake, right? Are you hungry? I’ll bring you some food.”

“Yeah, bring it over.”

Liu Fangfang carried the meal to the table, then stood watching Zhang Weimin eat like a little servant girl.

Seeing her pitiful demeanor, Zhang Weimin felt a loss of appetite.

He took a box from his bag and tossed it onto the edge of the kang.

“Don’t just stand there. Seeing you like this makes me lose my appetite. This is for you—face cream and hand balm. Take it and use it.”

Liu Fangfang walked over, gently picked up the box, and tears streamed down her face again.

“Thank you, Old Zhang.”

Without looking back, Zhang Weimin waved his hand.

“Enough, go rest in your room—you’re carrying a child.”

Zhang Weimin hadn’t gone to the factory for several days.

Liu Xueqin hadn’t come to see him either.

The two were at an impasse.

Zhang Weimin noticed that news about state-owned enterprise reform was increasingly frequent. He sensed the wave of layoffs was coming.

To accommodate as many laid-off local workers as possible when the layoffs hit, Zhang Weimin decided to register his own companies because Liu Xueqin’s approach was simply inadequate.

He established “Weimin Machinery Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd.” and “Weimin Trading Co., Ltd.”

Sure enough, the local government released reform policies targeting state-owned enterprises. The Industrial Bureau, overseeing many enterprises and employees, became a key and difficult area for reemployment.

Seeing the reform plan for their machinery parts factory, Liu Xueqin was overwhelmed.

Their factory was to cut 100 workers—almost half the entire staff.

Who to keep and who to let go?

A tough decision.

Actually, their factory was relatively fortunate; the steel mill was cutting 300 workers, the mining machinery plant 200...

The policy was humane: those willing to venture out on their own would receive a one-time cash compensation based on their seniority.

Those unwilling would have to reapply for positions; those who failed would be put on unpaid leave until reassigned.

The reform notice posted in the factory caused an uproar.

All the workers gathered at Liu Xueqin’s office door, unwilling to give up their iron rice bowls. Many had family ties to the factory spanning generations, deeply attached to it.

But this trend was irreversible, no matter anyone’s wishes.

Liu Xueqin finally reached his breaking point.

One evening, he came to Zhang Weimin’s home.

“Old Zhang, no, Brother Zhang, I really have no way out. The enterprise must reform. Our factory is tasked with cutting 100 jobs. I just don’t know who to lay off and who to keep.”

Zhang Weimin crossed his legs and casually lit a cigarette.

“Director Liu, you don’t need to persuade me. I’ll volunteer to be laid off. Go talk to the other workers yourself. How’s that for supporting your work?”

Liu Xueqin was almost in tears.

“Brother Zhang, what good is it if only you volunteer? What about the other 99?”

Zhang Weimin flicked ash lightly.

“Director Liu, you’re mistaken. For such a big matter, you should consult the factory leadership team, not me, a worker about to be laid off.”

Liu Xueqin clasped his hands, repeatedly apologizing.

“Brother Zhang, Master Zhang, I was wrong. Please forgive me. I know you’re resourceful—help me out here.”

Zhang Weimin smiled and said seriously, “There’s a way to free you immediately.”

Liu Xueqin’s eyes lit up.

“I knew you’d have a way. Please tell me.”

“Go to the Industrial Bureau leaders and resign. Quit being the factory director. Then this matter won’t be on your shoulders. Isn’t the director position a poisoned chalice? Let someone else clean up the mess.”

Liu Xueqin was speechless, slumping silently.

“Look at you, still clinging to that director’s hat.”

Liu Xueqin pleaded, “Brother Zhang, don’t joke with me. You have that order agreement, right? Give the orders to our factory, and we’ll proceed as planned. I’ll talk to the bureau leaders. Not only will our workers keep their jobs, but we can also take in workers from other factories...”

Zhang Weimin stared intently at Liu Xueqin.

“You’re still hung up on fame and fortune. But I don’t trust you anymore. You promised to reimburse my expenses but backed out and tried to outmaneuver me by withholding signatures. I won’t give you that order!”

Seeing Zhang Weimin’s resolve, Liu Xueqin had no choice but to leave reluctantly.

Watching Liu Xueqin’s retreating back, Zhang Weimin called after him, “You can tell the workers facing layoffs that my factory will be opening soon, and we need people. Those interested, come find me—double the wages!”