Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 162 Malfunction Incident
Wang Chengpeng's words immediately extinguished Xia Mingyue's gratitude, leaving her feeling like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat, and instantly losing all her strength and means.

The most dangerous thing was that the people on the right seemed to sense the gap and started to squeeze to the left, instantly pushing Xia Mingyue over again.

Wang Chengpeng: ...

Xia Mingyue: ...

The two remained silent, unsure of what to say.

I'm tired, whatever.

Unable to resist, Xia Mingyue simply turned her head away and focused intently on watching the movie.

No matter what kind of monsters or demons they are, nothing can shake my determination to watch the movie.

As this continued, Xia Mingyue actually felt and experienced quite a lot more.

Since everyone is squeezing in, men are squeezing in, women are squeezing in, the old are squeezing in, and the young are squeezing in, why should I worry about it?

However, just as Gao Chuanbao and his men were locked in a fierce battle with the Japanese, and were about to secure victory through the advantage of the tunnels, at the very moment the film was about to reach its climax...
The movie that was playing suddenly disappeared from the screen, and even the sound vanished.

"What's going on? Why isn't the movie playing?"

For a moment, similar doubts filled the entire venue. It's rare to watch a movie, but it ends at the climax. Who can stand that?
Wang Fucheng seems to be busy lately and hasn't been in the village. The person organizing the film screenings is the village head, Song Zhiyuan.

After asking the projectionist in a low voice for details, Song Zhiyuan frowned and shouted:

"Everyone, please be quiet. The projector has malfunctioned, and the projectionist is working on it."

"If the movie can be fixed, we'll continue showing it. If it can't be fixed, everyone will have to go home for today and wait for the next opportunity."

These words caused an uproar in the audience, and everyone began to complain about their bad luck today, as they had finally managed to get a movie screening and then this happened.

No one dared to blame the projectionist, since his presence was already a favor to the village.

If we offend him, the village will probably never have a projectionist to show movies again.

Due to equipment malfunction, the movie screening was temporarily interrupted, which led to a significant reduction in crowd size and reduced congestion.

Xia Mingyue finally found an opportunity to maintain a safe distance from Wang Chengpeng again.

Unlike the villagers who went to join the fun, she and Wang Chengpeng actually took out a book at the same time and sat down to read it.

However, before Wang Chengpeng could even start reading, Wang Meiyan pouted and began to complain:
"Brother, you can't even show a movie anymore, and you still have time to read a book?"

"Come with me to see when this projection equipment will be fixed."

Wang Chengpeng glanced helplessly at Wang Meiyan and said:

"With so many people, why bother going to join in the fun?"

"Does that if more people watch it, the projector will be repaired faster?"

That's the logic, but sometimes some people don't listen to reason, like Wang Meiyan now.

With a sigh, Wang Chengpeng softened at the sight of her pitiful state, being jostled and pushed around, and took her to the front to watch the commotion.

Surrounded by a group of middle-aged men and women, Wang Chengpeng saw the projectionist, who was covered in sweat.

He wasn't worried that the villagers wouldn't be able to watch movies; he was simply worried that the projector the factory had bought at a high price might break down.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Chengpeng's eyes; he realized he actually knew this projectionist.

He was one of the people introduced to Song Wenxin when they went to the city's supply and marketing cooperative to get acquainted with the business; his name seemed to be Li Min.

Wang Chengpeng had no intention of trying to build any relationship with Song Wenxin; there was really no need for him to expose his relationship with her over such a trivial matter.

He only intended to watch the show, but some people who couldn't stand to see him succeed weren't going to let him off so easily.

Wang Jinshan suddenly appeared in front of Wang Chengpeng, his face full of anxiety, and said:
"Xiaopeng, didn't you fix a bicycle before?"

"The projectionist can't fix the projector right now, why don't you go up and help him?"

"The sooner the projector is fixed, the sooner we can watch movies."

Many people don't actually understand that although they are both pieces of iron, their operating principles are vastly different. However, under Wang Jinshan's influence, some people have actually started to agree:
“That’s right, Wang Chengpeng. Since you can even repair a big thing like a bicycle, a mere projector is naturally no problem for you.”

In an instant, Wang Chengpeng, who had originally just come to watch the excitement, became the center of the storm.

Recalling the last time Wang Chengpeng refused to sign in support of him, a ruthless glint flashed in Song Zhiyuan's eyes, and he said:
"Xiao Wang, everyone seems to think so, why don't you give it a try?"

How could I encounter such an undeserved disaster just by watching a movie? These idiots really have a lot of nerve.

Thinking of this, Wang Chengpeng shook his head and said:
How can a bicycle be compared to a precision instrument like a projector?

"Such a simple principle, even a child like my sister understands it, but Director Song doesn't. It's really hard for me not to wonder how Director Song became the village head."

"Uncle, I remember you also repair your bicycle every day, and even more times than me."

"Following this logic, even if you're going to try something, you should be the one to try it first."

Even after the family has separated, this uncle keeps making things difficult for me; he doesn't act like an elder at all.

Since that's the case, then don't blame Wang Chengpeng for being impolite to him.

As for Song Zhiyuan? Wang Chengpeng wouldn't bother giving this kind of fool who doesn't even realize he's about to die any face.

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's blunt remarks, the two people who thought they could easily control him instantly turned ashen-faced.

In particular, Wang Jinshan immediately expressed his loyalty, angrily rebuking Wang Chengpeng:
"Wang Chengpeng, I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself, why are you biting the hand that feeds you? You don't appreciate my kindness!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Director Song. How can you be so disrespectful to your elders?"

After saying that, Wang Jinshan gave Song Zhiyuan a fawning look, as if to say that he had no relation to Wang Chengpeng at all.

Song Zhiyuan also wanted to directly scold Wang Chengpeng like Wang Jinshan, but ultimately he was mindful of his position and did not personally intervene.

However, judging from his murderous gaze, his hatred for Wang Chengpeng was clearly not insignificant.

It was only after Wang Chengpeng was thoroughly scolded by Wang Jinshan that Song Zhiyuan felt a little better.

Things are just so strange. They were the ones who took the initiative to come up to Wang Chengpeng and planned to scam him, but in the end they spoke so righteously, as if they were the victims themselves.

Wang Chengpeng waved his hand dismissively and said, "I never need opportunities to prove myself."

"Besides, you are my elder, Uncle. If there is such an opportunity, I would still have to give it to you."

"Go quickly, Uncle, now is your chance to shine."

"As for apologizing to Director Song? That's no problem at all."

Amidst their surprised gazes, Wang Chengpeng turned to Song Zhiyuan and said:
"Director Song, I am truly sorry. I had no idea you were so ignorant. I was just a little too quick to speak."

"Director Song seems to be a magnanimous person. He shouldn't hold a grudge against a mere villager like me, right?" "After all, I really didn't expect that Director Song would lack even this basic common sense."

Song Zhiyuan, whose eyes had been widened by Wang Chengpeng's sarcastic remarks, stared at him in disbelief. He hadn't expected Wang Chengpeng to apologize to him in this way.

It's practically the same as pointing a finger at his nose and spraying him.

Just as Song Zhiyuan was about to lash out and teach Wang Chengpeng a lesson for his lack of respect, an unfamiliar voice rang out, saying:

"That's enough. If you want to argue, go somewhere else. Don't disturb my work."

"If I had known that Wangjia Village was so chaotic and noisy, I would never have come here to show movies."

The broken projector was already annoying enough for Li Min, but he didn't expect that there would be a few idiots making a racket next to him.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a surge of anger and started yelling at the people next to him.

His outburst, coupled with his tone that clearly indicated he would never come back, immediately enraged all the villagers.

Watching the spectacle is fine, but if it causes them to lose money, they won't stand for it.

Immediately, some people launched a verbal attack on Wang Jinshan, accusing him of talking nonsense, which angered the projectionist.

Song Zhiyuan was, after all, the village head, and there were practically no people who dared to criticize him to his face.

As for Wang Chengpeng, he was clearly the victim, and some people did blame him, but there weren't many people who blamed him.

After all, Wang Chengpeng's power was undeniable; he was someone who dared to scold even the village chief, and they didn't want to get themselves into trouble.

Seeing the scene erupt in uproar again, Wang Chengpeng sneered inwardly and said:

"Uncle, you've offended the projectionist. Aren't you going upstairs to help fix the projector?"

"If you cause the entire Wangjia Village to lose its projectionist, you'll be in deep trouble."

"Uncle, don't say you can't fix it. After all, you just said that if you can fix a bicycle, you can fix a projector too."

"Everyone in the village knows that your family bought your bicycle a long time ago, and you usually fix any minor problems yourself. You must have a lot of repair experience."

Isn't it just stirring up trouble? It doesn't matter who you follow.

Moreover, once Wang Chengpeng gets going, it's a pace that Wang Jinshan won't be able to handle.

Sure enough, he soon attracted the villagers' pointing fingers and whispers, urging him to hurry up and fix the projector so as not to offend the projectionist.

For a time, Wang Jinshan was forced into a corner and had no choice but to get close to Li Min.

With a try-it-and-see attitude, Wang Jinshan said with a smile, "Projectionist, I know you're anxious because the projector is broken, but don't worry."

"How about I give it a try? Maybe I can fix it?"

Wang Jinshan's idea was simple: he would pretend to fiddle with it casually for a bit, and then say that he couldn't fix it.

At least I've done my job.

He simply underestimated the importance of the projector to the projectionist. It was Li Min's livelihood, so how could he possibly let Wang Jinshan, who clearly knew nothing about projectors, touch it?
Thinking of this, Li Min stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at Wang Jinshan and saying:
"Are you a fucking idiot?"

"Even I, a professional projectionist, couldn't fix this, and you dare to try?"

“Okay, you try it. If you can’t fix it, you’ll have to pay for this 5,000 yuan Changjiang brand 16mm movie projector.”

"He has absolutely no skills, but he's always causing a lot of trouble."

"Repair it, come and fix it for me right now."

Wang Jinshan had really run into trouble. Li Min was already seething with anger, and Wang Jinshan kept causing trouble. How could Li Min not be angry?
Li Min's words immediately left Wang Jinshan in an awkward position, unsure whether to move or not.

Especially after hearing the price of the projector, he felt like slapping himself twice.

Such a precious thing, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to touch it.

If it's really damaged, five thousand yuan might not be enough to cover the damage, but even three or five hundred yuan would be enough to seriously hurt him.

Thinking of this, Wang Jinshan's face darkened, and he became a coward, not moving an inch and just standing there in place.

Upon hearing the exorbitant price of the projector, the other villagers dared not cause any more trouble, and the once lively meeting place instantly fell silent.

Just because others dare not stir up trouble doesn't mean Wang Chengpeng wouldn't.

He immediately mimicked Wang Jinshan's previous tone and said, "Uncle, why haven't you made a move yet?"

"The projectionist has given you this chance to try. Once you fix the projector, won't you become the savior of our village?"

"By the way, Director Song, why don't you try to persuade my uncle?"

"Didn't you just say that someone who can fix bicycles can definitely fix a projector?"

“This is a great thing that will benefit the whole Wangjia Village. If you just let my uncle fix this projector, the projectionist will come to our village to show movies more often.”

I really want to rush up and tear your mouth apart.

Just as the storm was about to subside, Wang Chengpeng's few words once again put the two of them in the eye of the storm.

Wang Jinshan, in particular, wished he could find a crack in the ground and disappear into it.

He glanced at Wang Chengpeng with fear, and subconsciously shrank back. This guy was practically a living devil; he was ready to do something terrible if he even got close.

But he was foolish enough not to realize it, and eagerly went to find things to do.

If I had just kept to myself today and pretended not to see the other person, none of this would have happened.
Unfortunately, Wang Jinshan, relying on his status as the eldest uncle, felt an inexplicable sense of superiority when he saw Wang Chengpeng.

He couldn't stand seeing Wang Chengpeng at all, and only wanted to see him suffer terribly under his own attacks.

In the crowd, Wang Chun'an and Wang Xia'an subconsciously took several steps back.

Their father always taught them to prioritize their own interests, so he certainly couldn't go up there and cause trouble in this situation.

Well, with a father as capable as him, he certainly wouldn't have any problem handling such a small situation.

Although there were people all around, Wang Jinshan had a strange feeling of being isolated and helpless.

Wang Jinshan looked at Wang Chengpeng pleadingly, his eyes filled with pleas, begging Wang Chengpeng to say less.

Seeing that Wang Chengpeng didn't intend to speak, he then forced a smile and said:
“Comrade projectionist, I’m just a country bumpkin who doesn’t know any better. I said things I shouldn’t have said and did stupid things I shouldn’t have done.”

"You are a magnanimous person, so please don't hold it against me."

A flicker of pain crossed Wang Jinshan's eyes as he subtly slipped two yuan into Li Min's hand.

He would be perfectly willing to spend two dollars as long as it could quell the storm.

(End of this chapter)