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

Chapter 163 The Art of Mental Victory

Normally, this farce would have ended long ago.

Li Min is so busy, how could he have time to argue with the villagers of Wangjia Village?

The reason he stayed here and even targeted Wang Chengpeng so much was clearly because he recognized the other party's identity and was secretly helping him.

This is someone Song Wenxin specifically requested to meet, someone who would allow her unrestricted access to the supply and marketing cooperative in the future.

He secretly cooperated in a performance to please the other party; it couldn't hurt.

So the moment Wang Jinshan handed over the two yuan, Li Min's expression changed. He threw the two yuan on the ground and said:

"Comrade, what exactly do you mean?"

"Giving me money for no reason makes me suspicious of your true motives."

"Furthermore, you just deliberately instructed someone who clearly doesn't know how to repair a projector to do so, making it hard for me to believe that you are just an ordinary villager."

Wang Jinshan stared wide-eyed at Li Min, his face filled with disbelief.

He never imagined that he had given the money to the wrong person.

In the past, projectionists did come to the village to show movies. If they could get a two-yuan bonus, they would be happier than anyone else.

Could it be that I'm just unlucky, because I actually encountered such an upright and honest projectionist today?

Picking up the two dusty yuan note from the ground, Wang Jinshan's brows furrowed deeply, and he forced a smile, saying:

"Projectionist, please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything by it."

"I just wanted to apologize for the trouble I caused you, but perhaps I apologized in the wrong way."

"Just tell me what I should do, and I'll do it. As long as the projectionist is satisfied, that's fine."

Wang Jinshan had made a complete fool of himself today, so he simply gave up and acted as if he was at Li Min's mercy.

He'd do anything Li Min asked, as long as it would get over what happened today.

Seeing that Wang Jinshan's apology was sincere, Li Min's expression softened slightly, and he said:
"I wasn't affected much. After all, I'm not stupid enough to let a bicycle repairman touch my precious projector."

"This young comrade did nothing, yet you pointed it out. I wonder how much he suffered injustice."

"Apologize to him, and we'll call it even. I won't bother with you anymore."

At this point, Li Min changed the subject and said, "Oh, right, there's also you, the village head who can't distinguish right from wrong."

"You actually encouraged someone to touch my projector so casually, I really can't help but suspect your motives."

“If you don’t apologize to me today, I guarantee that no projectionist will ever dare to show movies in Wangjia Village again.”

Upon hearing this, all the villagers who came to see the movie changed their expressions.

If it were simply a matter of offending Li Min, the worst that would happen is that projectionists would visit Wangjia Village less frequently.

But if such a small matter causes Wangjia Village to be afraid to have projectionists visit in the future, then things will get very serious.

However, Li Min's words were reasonable and well-founded, and since he had no vested interests involved, and even righteously refused Wang Jinshan's two yuan, it was hard not to believe that he was honest.

Now things have really gotten out of hand. The villagers no longer care about Song Zhiyuan's status as village chief and are all casting malicious and speculative glances at him.

If this matter is not handled properly, and Song Zhiyuan is labeled with such a high accusation, he will likely be in deep trouble, especially since he is at a critical stage in his struggle against Wang Fucheng.

Looking at Wang Chengpeng with a puzzled expression, Song Zhiyuan was confused. He had only slightly targeted this young man, so how did he end up in such a mess?

However, Song Zhiyuan's awareness was ultimately higher than Wang Jinshan's. He was quite straightforward and directly apologized to Li Min, saying:

"Comrade projectionist, I am very sorry that my arrogance and ignorance have caused you trouble."

"I was just too concerned about whether the movie could continue playing, please forgive me."

After Song Zhiyuan's sincere apology, Li Min's expression improved considerably, and he said:

"Alright, seeing that you are sincere, I will forgive you this time."

"Please don't make any more stupid comments next time. After all, other projectionists may not be as easy to talk to as I am."

In an attempt to curry favor with Wang Chengpeng, Li Min's words were extremely disrespectful.

After all, he was a formal employee of the city's supply and marketing cooperative and a projectionist, so why would he be afraid of Song Zhiyuan, a mere village head?

Song Zhiyuan had already apologized and admitted defeat, and all eyes were now on Wang Jinshan, who was burying his head in the sand.

After all, the reason why so many messes happened today was entirely caused by Wang Jinshan.

The village chief had already apologized, and given that Wang Jinshan's initial intention was to avoid trouble, he naturally dared not fail to apologize as well.

The fact that the apology was directed at Wang Chengpeng instead of Li Min made him feel incredibly disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly alive.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone who seemed ready to devour him, Wang Jinshan reluctantly bowed and apologized to Wang Chengpeng:

“Nephew, I was wrong today. I was too sharp-tongued. Please forgive my mistake.”

The instant Wang Jinshan finished apologizing, Wang Chengpeng rushed forward and said:
"Oh, Uncle, how can I, a junior, make you apologize?"

"Don't do something like this again. I won't mind if you, as an elder, act foolishly, but others might not tolerate it."

"You said it was a good thing that a projectionist was coming to the village to show a movie, so how did it turn out like this?"

Wang Chengpeng's timely assistance and thought-provoking words immediately made Wang Jinshan the target of countless curses in everyone's hearts.

If Li Min hadn't been there, someone would probably have pointed at Wang Jinshan's nose and cursed him on the spot, asking what kind of mess he had made.

The storm has subsided, but Wang Jinshan can no longer stay here.

Wang Jinshan glared hatefully at Li Min, who was repairing the projector, then at the villagers who had just berated him. He cursed them inwardly.

"What a piece of junk projector! You cherish it, you treasure it, don't you? I curse you to never be able to fix it."

"And you opportunistic fools, if I can't see the movie, neither can you."

"You guys are really foolish, still staying here. How can I compare to going home and resting comfortably?"

Wang Jinshan is practically a modern-day Ah Q. Under the influence of the "spiritual victory method," even though he was being driven away, he acted like the most clear-headed person in the room and left very happily.

As for his two sons?

Between the movie and their father, they chose the former without hesitation, even though the movie might not even be shown.

The farce ended, and then came the tense and exciting projector repair. This time, however, no one dared to point or whisper; even their voices were noticeably quieter.

They didn't want to get into trouble like Wang Jinshan because of their careless remarks.

Wang Meiyan tugged at Wang Chengpeng's hand and said, "Brother, I'm sorry."

"If I hadn't dragged you here to see what was going on, none of this would have happened."

Shaking his head slightly, Wang Chengpeng said with a smile, "Meiyan, what are you apologizing for? Did you just see your brother get the short end of the stick?"

"Wait a little longer, the projector will be fixed soon."

Wang Chengpeng had been watching from the sidelines for quite some time after all.
Based on his extensive repair experience and the knowledge about projectors recorded in books, he could tell that Li Min was just a little short of being able to fix the projector, which is why he said that.

He does not mean that.

It's only because Wang Chengpeng had just accomplished a great feat that he dominated the battlefield; otherwise, some people would have criticized him for pretending to know what he didn't.

But that's from the perspective of an outsider. As an expert, Li Min knew perfectly well that what Wang Chengpeng said was true.

Looking back at Wang Chengpeng with a puzzled expression, Li Min immediately banished the ridiculous idea from his mind.

This was probably just something the other party said to comfort the sister; there's no way it could be such a coincidence.

The other party has only repaired bicycles before, which is completely different from repairing projectors. How could they possibly know anything about projectors?
Thinking of this, Li Min lowered his head and got back to work.

If it weren't for Wang Chengpeng's sake, he would have given up on the repairs long ago.
After all, ending a movie screening early due to equipment problems would not cause him any loss at all.

But some things are just so coincidental. You're so close to the finish line, it feels like you're about to cross it, but you always feel like something's missing, preventing you from getting in.

Fine beads of sweat streamed down Li Min's forehead. After fiddling with it for a few more minutes, he finally stood up and said:
"Everyone, I'm so sorry, but this projector may need to be taken back for repair."

"Due to equipment malfunction, today's movie has to end early. Please head home."

"If there are similar events next time, I'll come back and screen some good movies for you."

Upon hearing Li Min's words, Wang Meiyan's expression visibly showed disappointment. She took Wang Chengpeng's hand and said:
"Brother, we're out of movies to watch."

"Go back home. It's nice to listen to the radio at home. It would be even better if you could hear the finale of 'Tunnel Warfare'."

This feeling of watching half of something and then feeling uneasy is actually worse than not watching it at all.

With a slight sigh, Wang Chengpeng thought to himself, how could he possibly disappoint his younger sister if he had the ability to do so?
Thinking of this, Wang Chengpeng told Wang Meiyan to wait for him there for a while, and then walked straight ahead towards where Li Min was.

At this moment, Li Min was discussing something with Song Zhiyuan. Without wasting any time, Wang Chengpeng spoke up directly:

"Comrade projectionist, there's something I'd like to tell you. I wonder if you could do me a favor?"

Seeing Wang Chengpeng approaching, before Li Min could speak, Song Zhiyuan began his sarcastic remarks:

"Some people really don't know their own place. They see a city person and try to get close to them without even considering whether they are qualified."

Song Zhiyuan had seen too many people like this who couldn't see their own limitations and wanted to climb the social ladder, so he was ruthless in his criticism.

He blamed Wang Chengpeng for being forced to apologize to Li Min today.

However, the moment Song Zhiyuan finished speaking, Li Min smiled and said to Wang Chengpeng, "Okay."

"This comrade is clearly different from the others; he has a dignified appearance."

"I'm rather curious, what exactly do you want to say to me?"

This is a blatant slap in the face.

Song Zhiyuan held his breath, almost fainting, thinking to himself that Li Min was completely unpredictable.

Once they reached a secluded corner, Wang Chengpeng said, "Brother Li, I'm so sorry. I owe you a lot for what happened today; otherwise, I might not have been able to save face."

Li Min waved casually and said with a smile, "Brother Wang, don't stand on ceremony with me."

"Since you are acquainted with our Director Song, then we are family. Why be so formal?"

"By the way, what exactly did you want to see me about?"

Wang Chengpeng casually handed over a five-yuan note and said, "I'm really sorry that Brother Li had to give up the benefits he was about to receive because of my matter."

"Consider this five yuan as my apology to you."

"By the way, I just noticed that there's a loose screw on the upper right corner of your projector. Tightening it should fix the problem."

"I don't have any special skills, except for my good eyesight. I guess Brother Li was distracted by my uncle and forgot about this."

With a look of sudden realization, Li Min glanced at Wang Chengpeng in surprise, thinking to himself that the other party really did have some skills.

I was surprised to see a crucial point that I had never noticed before; it was hard to believe that such a young person could possess such skill.

Considering that the other party was an acquaintance of Song Wenxin, and had even been introduced to her in a grand manner at the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Min felt relieved.

How could someone who could elicit such exaggerated praise from Song Wenxin be an ordinary person? At least, he had never seen Song Wenxin praise her husband like that before.

Li Min pushed back the five yuan that Wang Chengpeng offered and said seriously:

"Brother Wang, you're trying to make me make a mistake. We're family, why should we be so formal?"

"Telling me about the screws is already a huge help to me, how could I possibly accept your money?"

"You have no idea how expensive this projector is. Even a small problem can cost more than five dollars to check."

"Okay, I'll go back right now. We need to fix the projector so we can continue showing movies."

Li Min knew perfectly well why Wang Chengpeng had come to him, and considering Wang Chengpeng's guidance and his relationship with Song Wenxin, he was naturally happy to give him face.

Nodding, Wang Chengpeng said, "Brother Li is truly a responsible person who keeps the people in mind."

"When I have time to see Director Song, I will definitely tell her about your situation."

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's reply, Li Min's eyes lit up. He thought to himself that talking to smart people was so easy and effortless.

Thinking this, he sped back even faster, eager to get Wang Chengpeng to watch the movie as soon as possible.

When Wang Chengpeng returned, he found Wang Meiyan still waiting for him obediently in the same spot.

Although her face was filled with disappointment, Wang Meiyan still gently comforted Wang Chengpeng when he returned:
"Brother, the projectionist said they can't show the movie anymore, let's go home as soon as possible."

"Actually, this movie isn't that good."

She knew Wang Chengpeng must have gone to help her get the movie shown, but this was an equipment malfunction. What good could Wang Chengpeng do? Could he possibly fix the projector?
(End of this chapter)