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

Chapter 269 Dapeng Sugar Factory is about to start operations!

Seeing Wang Tieshan's expression, Wang Chengpeng immediately felt that the 1,200 yuan was well spent.

This bracelet is of extraordinary significance, carrying the secret of Wang Tieshan's background and engraving a mother's purest and most ardent love for her child.

Throughout the long years Wang Tieshan was adopted, he longed for maternal love countless times, only to be met with Zhao Yuju's ruthless hostility.

His mother's love had always been an unattainable illusion in his heart.

Now, this bracelet is like a bridge across time, one end connecting his unknown past and the other end binding him with his endless longing for his mother.

It is a precious relic left by his mother in this world. Every time he touches it, Wang Tieshan can feel the lingering concern his mother had for him at the end of her life.

This bracelet is not only the key to unlocking Wang Tieshan's longing, but also a spiritual sustenance that can support him for the rest of his life in tracing his roots and pursuing his mother's love. This profound significance cannot be measured by money.

It was precisely this invaluable treasure to Wang Tieshan that he was unwilling to keep to himself, but instead intended to give it equally to every member of the Wang family, sharing this love with each and every one of them.

Wang Chengpeng would unconditionally support his father's choice.

However, there were some things he had to remind his family of, saying:
"Father, Mother, Xiaoyan, everyone knows how important this bracelet is."

"So just keep it at home and don't take it out or publicize it."

He always felt there was something fishy about his grandmother's death, and this bracelet might even be the most crucial clue.

However, Wang Chengpeng has not yet obtained conclusive evidence, so he has not spread anxiety.

After passing the bracelet to Liu Chunhua, Wang Tieshan said:
"Xiaopeng, what you said makes some sense."

"The more precious something is, the more we need to protect it with all our might."

Even Wang Meiyan spoke up at this moment, expressing her determination, saying:
"Brother, I was just joking before. I would never lose Grandma, whom I finally found."

Four pairs of hands of different sizes clasped together spontaneously, looking into each other's eyes. They all saw in each other's eyes the determination to protect the bracelet together.

This is how a family should be!
……

Because of the bracelet, and also because the Dapeng Sugar Factory is about to start operations, everyone went to bed early tonight.

The next morning, Wang Chengpeng got up very early as usual.

After putting the steamed buns into the steamer, he started practicing boxing in the yard.

He stood firmly in a horse stance, his punches were powerful and forceful, and every move he made was full of vigor.

The straight punch is swift and powerful, like an arrow leaving the bowstring;

The hook punch was tricky, like a dragon swinging its tail.

As he moved, the surrounding air seemed to be stirred, occasionally producing a series of whooshing sounds.

Thanks to Wang Chengpeng's efforts, his boxing skills have become quite impressive, and his body is as strong as an ox, making him a match for three or five ordinary people.

Because of this, his canteen has expanded, and he can always eat a large amount of food, especially a lot of meat.

If Wang Chengpeng hadn't been somewhat capable, he might have really eaten his family out of poverty.

Under Wang Chengpeng's influence, the whole family has gotten used to eating breakfast. The feeling of having something in your stomach is so much more comfortable than having an empty stomach.

The establishment of Dapeng Sugar Factory was a major event for everyone in Wangjia Village. In addition to the factory workers, many villagers also gathered in the open space in front of the factory.

They craned their necks, their eyes filled with anticipation for the Dapeng Sugar Factory.

Upon arriving at the foot of the Dapeng Sugar Factory building, Wang Tieshan said to Wang Chengpeng:
"Xiao Peng, why don't you wait for us on the playground?"

"Don't get me wrong, I just think that since you're not a worker here, it's best not to cause any misunderstandings."

Wang Tieshan scratched his head awkwardly, as if he wanted to explain, but seemed to have no way to explain.

Seeing this, Wang Chengpeng smiled and said, "Dad, what else is there for us family to explain?"

"I'll just wait on the playground; I wasn't planning on going in anyway."

Others might also be curious about what the new equipment at Dapeng Sugar Factory looks like and how it works.

But who is Wang Chengpeng? He is the one who proposed the sugar-making method from beets and the designer of the factory's equipment. In his eyes, the entire Dapeng Sugar Factory has no secrets whatsoever.

Under these circumstances, he really had no intention of visiting the factory area.

However, just as Wang Chengpeng was about to leave, a slightly mocking voice suddenly came from beside him, saying:

"I wondered who it was, because he looked kind of familiar. It turned out to be my good-for-nothing cousin."

"This is a key area of ​​the factory. It's best if someone like you, who is not a proper resident, doesn't come near here."

Almost immediately after, Wang Xia'an arrived at the factory building right on time for her shift.

Upon seeing that Wang Chengpeng seemed to be talking to his parents, they immediately began to lecture him.

He even felt that this wasn't enough, so he started lecturing Wang Tieshan and Liu Chunhua:

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I understand that my cousin is not a worker in the factory and doesn't know the factory's rules."

"How could you two knowingly break the factory rules? Don't tell me you don't want to work here anymore?"

It has to be said that Wang Xia'an has become extremely arrogant.

Especially after getting a job at Dapeng Sugar Factory and becoming a worker, he became incredibly arrogant.

His own parents were his elders, yet they could say such disrespectful things; it was simply outrageous.

Perhaps this is the arrogance of Wang Jinshan's family towards Wang Chengpeng's family. From childhood to adulthood, they have never looked up to this family that has clearly contributed more than themselves.

Wang Chengpeng glanced at Wang Xia'an with amusement and said with a smile:
"Long time no see. I had no idea that my cousin had mastered the supernatural ability of hearing the wind and possessed extraordinary skills."

Faced with Wang Chengpeng's praise, Wang Xia'an was somewhat puzzled:

"What super hearing? I don't have that kind of ability."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengpeng immediately laughed and said:
"So my cousin also knows he doesn't have super hearing. Then I'm wondering, how did you hear our family talking from so far away?"

"If you didn't hear our family's conversation, why do you keep saying that we are going to break the factory rules?"

"Could it be that you, cousin, are like that Zhou Erhua, someone who spreads rumors without any basis?"

"In this case……"

Spread rumors?

Upon hearing this word, Wang Xia'an's face turned green.

He knew Wang Chengpeng's track record all too well; he had already sent several people to jail, the biggest charge being this rumor-mongering. He hadn't heard anything just now, but based solely on his own assumptions, he felt that Wang Chengpeng and his family of three must be doing something illegal.

If we really delve into it, it seems perfectly reasonable to call it a rumor.

Thinking this, Wang Xia'an subconsciously retorted, "I didn't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense."

"Oh, right, cousin, I suddenly remembered that Director Wang needs me, so I'll be going now."

Watching Wang Xia'an's hasty retreat, a hint of contempt flashed in Wang Chengpeng's eyes.

With such meager skills, they dare to linger in front of me? It's like an old man eating poison—they're courting death.

As soon as Wang Chengpeng arrived at the playground, he saw a familiar figure waving at him. Who else could it be but Wang Zidong?
Not only that, Wang Chengpeng also saw a familiar figure next to Wang Zidong, it was Xia Mingyue whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Pengzi, come here quickly, this is a top-notch spot."

At Wang Zidong's invitation, Wang Chengpeng quickly squeezed into the crowd, while Wang Zidong's incessant chatter reached his ears:
"Pengzi, this is a big event, you should take a good look."

At Wang Zidong's prompting, Wang Chengpeng carefully knocked on the factory building in front of him, which belonged to Dapeng Sugar Factory.

The rough cement wall emitted a dull sound, carrying a rustic and solid texture.

Looking up, the factory building has a square exterior. Although it is not grand, it shows a pragmatic style in every way, without any superfluous decoration.

The gray-white paint on the walls appeared somewhat mottled under the sunlight, as if telling the story of the hardships and difficulties in the construction process.

On the front of the factory building, a huge red banner stands out: "Go all out, aim high, and build socialism in a faster, better, and more economical way!"

The white lettering on a red background is bright and eye-catching in the sunlight, showcasing the vigorous enthusiasm for construction and the firm belief of this era.

The open space in front of the factory building was bustling with people.

The villagers were dressed in simple clothes, mostly faded blue overalls and patched coarse cloth shirts, but they could not hide the excitement and anticipation on their faces.

The men wore pipes at their waists, while the women tied their hair back with handkerchiefs, chatting in small groups, their words filled with anticipation for the future of the sugar factory.

In the center of the open space, on a makeshift wooden platform, sat a slightly worn-out long table covered with a red cloth. Though wrinkled, the cloth was still bright and eye-catching.

Behind the stage stood a huge blackboard with the words "Opening Ceremony of Dapeng Sugar Factory" neatly written on it in white chalk. Next to it were drawings of sugar beets and plump sugar blocks, symbolizing a bountiful harvest.

It seems that Wang Fucheng has put in a lot of effort, making the factory opening ceremony quite impressive.

As time went by, the factory workers marched out in neat formation.

They wore the factory's uniforms, their faces beaming with smiles, full of hope for the future of Dapeng Sugar Factory.

As Wang Fucheng, the production team leader and village head, and Wang Yong, the factory manager of Dapeng Sugar Factory, stepped onto the stage, it was almost time for the opening ceremony to begin.

Wang Fucheng was wearing a faded Zhongshan suit with a Chairman Mao badge pinned to his chest, which gleamed in the sunlight.

He cleared his throat, picked up the megaphone, and said loudly:
"Fellow villagers, today is a big day for our village!"

"We've been waiting for this for so long, and the Dapeng Sugar Factory is finally going to start construction!"

"This is the result of our village's collective hard work. From now on, our lives will be as sweet as this candy!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, mixed with cheers and shouts of approval.

Wang Yong followed suit, saying some nice-sounding words.

Amidst applause, several young people carried a long string of firecrackers forward.

However, Wang Fucheng and Wang Yong, holding torches, showed no intention of lighting them. Instead, they picked up a megaphone and shouted:

"Wang Chengpeng, come up here for a moment. You'll be in charge of setting off the firecrackers today."

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole place was in an uproar.

The opening ceremony of Dapeng Sugar Factory was of utmost importance, and lighting the firecrackers was like the ribbon-cutting ceremony in later generations, which had to be done by a key figure.

It was for this reason that Wang Fucheng thought of Wang Chengpeng, who had made outstanding contributions to Dapeng Sugar Factory, and had the idea of ​​asking him to start the fire.

After all, he was just going with the flow, and he was confident that his contributions to the sugar factory were far less than those of Wang Chengpeng.

On the other hand, Wang Yong had the same idea.

He was one of the few people who knew about this matter, and as Wang Chengpeng's apprentice, he naturally had no objection to Wang Chengpeng setting the fire.

However, it was precisely this seemingly normal decision that caused a huge uproar.

Wang Xia'an, in particular, glared at Wang Chengpeng with bloodshot eyes, filled with jealousy and madness.

He finally couldn't hold back and loudly questioned:

"Why? Why should Wang Chengpeng be allowed to light the fire?"

Having made this decision, Wang Fucheng and his son had naturally prepared their explanations long ago:
"Wang Chengpeng won first place in the recruitment assessment, proving his ability with absolute strength."

"Letting him start the fire is also to help our factory achieve better results and become better and better."

Although Wang Fucheng's reasoning was somewhat far-fetched, he himself had no objection, and the others reluctantly accepted his explanation.

However, Wang Xia'an was clearly not included in this group of "others," because he immediately retorted, saying:
"He has excellent grades, so we can't let everyone laugh at him."

"The reason this job was taken from him and then given to me is that he was too incompetent and gave the job to someone more capable than me."

"Following this logic, shouldn't I be the one who goes up and sets the fire?"

Looking at the complacent Wang Xia'an, Wang Fucheng was speechless. Didn't this person with connections have any idea of ​​their own abilities?
He couldn't even pass the first hurdle, yet he still tried to implicate Wang Chengpeng's abilities. It's true that he told so many lies that even the person involved believed them.

Seeing Wang Fucheng's somewhat troubled expression, Wang Chengpeng sighed, wondering to himself why he always seemed to get inexplicably caught up in these strange things.

However, since Wang Fucheng meant well, I'll help him out and make Wang Xia'an back down.

Thinking this, Wang Chengpeng stepped forward and said:

"In terms of strength and contribution, I'm afraid no one here can compare to Captain Wang and Factory Director Wang."

"You two shouldn't be modest. If you're going to start a fire, then start it yourself."

This is the best solution to the matter. Wang Chengpeng didn't care about this honor in the first place, so there was no need for him to fight for it. Returning the power to light the fire would also shut everyone up.

However, just when everyone thought the matter was over, a very abrupt voice suddenly rang out in the room:
"No, I don't agree!"

　I'm busy at the end of the month, so I need to take two days off.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)