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

Chapter 276 In what capacity are you asking me for help?
When passing by Wang Yinshan's house, Wang Degong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not go in.

Recent events have made him realize how biased he had been, and if nothing had happened, he would have no face to see his son.

Perhaps due to extreme hunger, even from a distance, Wang Degong could still smell the lingering aroma of meat in the air.

The rich aroma of meat indicates that Wang Chengpeng's family had just finished dinner, and it was a sumptuous meal at that.

Since it was his son's house, Wang Degong was no longer as timid as before. He took three steps at a time and stepped forward to knock on the gate of the Wang family compound.

Woof woof woof
Sensing the unfamiliar scent, Dajin dutifully barked loudly, alerting its owner that a stranger was approaching.

At that moment, Wang Chengpeng happened to be practicing his boxing in the courtyard. Even though it was dark and windy, he recognized Wang Degong at a glance and immediately asked in surprise:

"Grandpa, what brings you here today?"

"Judging from how out of breath you are, did you walk all the way here?"

"Come in quickly, have a seat inside."

Wang Chengpeng would give the old man, who had been a great help in retrieving the bracelet and had given his father another chance to live, a great deal of respect.

Wang Degong had just sat down when a cup of hot tea was placed in front of him.

Looking around at Wang Chengpeng's living room, which was clearly decorated at a high price, especially the brand-new radio on the cabinet, a hint of envy flashed in Wang Degong's eyes.

After the family divided the property, my third son actually managed to make a good living.

Upon learning of Wang Degong's arrival, Wang Tieshan also rushed over with his wife and daughter to offer his greetings.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have prepared earlier."

"Have you had dinner yet? If not, I'll go get you something to eat."

Seeing the family of four, who had clearly gained weight, Wang Degong's joy was palpable. Nothing could be better than seeing his family doing well.

Just as Wang Degong was about to refuse Wang Tieshan's suggestion, his stomach started growling.

He hadn't eaten dinner and had walked the whole way, so he was even hungrier now.

Just as he was blushing and about to refuse, Wang Chengpeng spoke first:

"Dad, Mom, there's some meat and steamed buns left over from tonight. Go heat them up and bring them to Grandpa later."

"Little sister, go to your room and study. Don't play around here."

Judging from Wang Degong's expression, it was clear that he wanted to talk to Wang Chengpeng alone about something.

Wang Chengpeng was shrewd enough to immediately send the others away.

As expected, after everyone else left, Wang Degong immediately lowered his head, looking extremely embarrassed.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered up the courage to speak and said:

"Good grandson, I've come here today because I need your help. I hope you can lend your grandfather a hand."

As expected, no one visits a secret place without a reason. Wang Chengpeng didn't immediately agree, but instead asked curiously:

"What is it that your uncle can't handle, that you, Grandpa, have to come all the way here?"

Wang Chengpeng was indeed unaware of what had happened at the sugar factory today. After all, his parents wouldn't gossip about such things, and he had no interest in inquiring about the Wang family's troubles.

Taking another deep breath, Wang Degong briefly recounted the events of the day, saying:
"That's probably what happened."

"Director Wang said you're a capable person who can help me out, so this old man shamelessly came to find you."

Upon hearing that it was Wang Yong's idea, Wang Chengpeng was so angry he wanted to tear his cheap apprentice's mouth apart. He really always managed to bring all sorts of trouble to him.

However, this also seems like a good opportunity.

A glint of light flashed in Wang Chengpeng's eyes, and he asked a question that Wang Degong would never have expected:
"Grandpa, if it were a simple problem, I would have helped without hesitation."

"But this is something that even Director Wang can't handle. If I really have to deal with it, it will take me a lot of effort."

"So I have a question for you: in what capacity are you asking me to help you with this?"

Wang Chengpeng's words immediately stunned Wang Degong. He subconsciously wanted to say that he was asking for his help as a grandfather, but then he suddenly remembered that their relationship was not that of an ordinary grandfather and grandson.

Not to mention that they are not related by blood at all, even if they had some debt of gratitude for being raised, he was moved by a job and agreed to buy it out.

In other words, strictly speaking, Wang Degong had no right to ask Wang Chengpeng for help.

If it's just a small favor, given the kind nature of Wang Chengpeng and his family, they'll help without hesitation.

But which of the two things he mentioned has anything to do with Xiao Mang?
The equipment costing five thousand yuan, and the factory director rescinding his decision to dismiss Wang Xia'an—both of these matters would require a significant investment to resolve.

Seeing Wang Degong's stunned expression, Wang Chengpeng didn't urge him, but instead spoke earnestly:
"Grandpa, the answer to this question is very important. Please think it through before you answer."

Unable to think of a proper answer, Wang Degong pondered for a moment and said:
"What if I said I was asking for your help as an ordinary person?"

The moment those words were uttered, Wang Degong already had the answer in his heart.

As expected, Wang Chengpeng shook his head with great certainty and said:
“Grandpa, neither of the two things you mentioned are simple. If an ordinary person asked me for help, I would naturally not agree.”

"Let alone me, no one would agree to something like this, right?"

Sighing—for what felt like the umpteenth time today—Wang Degong felt utterly exhausted. He spoke again:

"What if I said I was asking you for this as your grandfather?"

Upon hearing Wang Degong's words, Wang Chengpeng burst out laughing and said:
“If you come to me for help as a grandfather, as your grandson, I will naturally try my best to do it, no matter how difficult it is.”

"But Grandpa, you know we're not just an ordinary grandfather and grandson. The only thing left is that you saved my father's life, so this is the last bit of affection we have."

"You should think carefully about whether you want to first buy out our family's support relationship for the sake of Wang Xia'an, and now sever this last bit of affection."

By the end, Wang Chengpeng's tone had become somewhat cold.

It's not that he's too inconsiderate of family ties, but rather that Wang Degong's actions are truly disheartening.

In Wang Degong's heart, there is a scale, with Wang Xia'an on one side and Wang Tieshan's family of four on the other.

However, it was precisely in this seemingly disparate comparison that Wang Xia'an had already won a decisive victory.

Now that they're being compared again, Wang Chengpeng is genuinely curious about who will win this comparison. On the other side, Wang Degong understands Wang Chengpeng's meaning, and his face turns deathly pale.

This is an incredibly difficult choice; whichever side he chooses, it means he will lose a lot.

With pleading in his eyes, Wang Degong lowered his voice and asked Wang Chengpeng:
"Cheng Peng, do we really have to take this so seriously?"

Wang Chengpeng did not answer the question directly, but simply nodded, which was his way of expressing his opinion.

In fact, Wang Chengpeng would help Wang Degong no matter which answer he chose, since what seemed like a difficult task was just a small matter for him.

He could even earn a considerable amount of money from repairs.

But if this clueless grandfather continues to use the previous life-saving grace as leverage to make Wang Chengpeng's family help his uncle's family and grandmother for free time and time again, that is something Wang Chengpeng cannot tolerate.

If he chooses Wang Chengpeng's family this time, it means he at least has some sense, and Wang Chengpeng is willing to help him with this favor.

If he chose Wang Xia'an this time, it means that his family is not that important to him, and is even less important than Wang Xia'an alone.

Then Wang Chengpeng has no need to be presumptuous and dwell on the grandfather-grandson relationship with Wang Degong.

Taking this opportunity to help dispel the other party's idea of ​​endlessly seeking his assistance is the best way for Wang Chengpeng to cut his losses in time.

Under Wang Chengpeng's gaze, beads of sweat began to appear on Wang Degong's face, clearly indicating that he was making an extremely difficult choice.

The scales in his heart swayed back and forth, sometimes tipping towards Wang Xia'an, and sometimes towards Wang Chengpeng's family.

However, this contest cannot be evenly matched; it will ultimately end with one side emerging victorious.

As Wang Degong's thoughts shifted, the contest finally came to a conclusion. Wang Degong gritted his teeth and said:
“Cheng Peng, I’m sorry for all these years to your family.”

“But Xia An is still young. He has a lifetime to live. I can’t bear to let him bear a sin he can’t get rid of at such a young age.”

"So I still want you to do me this favor and rescue Xia An from her dire straits."

“I know you’re in a difficult position. As long as you can get the equipment sorted out, it’s okay if you can’t handle the work situation.”

What am I expecting?
Wang Chengpeng gave a self-deprecating laugh, no longer having any expectations for Wang Degong.

No matter how much he says or how many explanations he gives, Wang Degong still feels that his biological grandson is more important than his adopted son's family.

I wonder if he will regret his actions today after he learns the truth.

However, this matter is no longer relevant to Wang Chengpeng. He will no longer have any expectations for it, nor will he be disappointed or hurt by it.

Thinking this, Wang Chengpeng burst out laughing: "Since Grandpa has come to me for help, I will naturally fulfill his request, no matter how difficult it is."

"Prepare three thousand yuan for the repair, and I'll take care of getting the equipment sorted out for you."

"As for Wang Xia'an's dismissal, there is still room for maneuver."

“As long as he can repent and learn humbly, and improve his skills to the average level of sugar factory workers, I can make the decision to let him go back to work.”

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's promise, a hint of distrust flashed in Wang Degong's eyes, and he questioned:

"Cheng Peng, don't you need to ask your designer friend about this?"

"And about bringing Xia An back to work, shouldn't you ask Director Wang for his opinion?"

With a confident smile, Wang Chengpeng said, "I, Wang Chengpeng, keep my word and do what I say."

"After all, this is an extremely important matter for Grandpa, so as his grandson, I naturally have to see it through to the end."

"Grandpa, don't worry, I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't confident I could handle this matter well."

"I'll go find them, of course I'll, but that's something for later."

"You're still a guest in our house, how can I just leave you here?"

Hearing Wang Chengpeng's incredibly confident speech, Wang Degong even had the thought that Wang Chengpeng was capable of doing it.

Recalling what Wang Yong had told him before, he belatedly realized that he had underestimated the power of this seemingly well-behaved grandson.

What Wang Chengpeng said was really unpleasant. How could he talk about me like that? I'm his grandfather!
But now is not the time to dwell on such things. A hint of joy flashed in Wang Degong's eyes, and he stood up abruptly, saying:

"Then I won't bother you any longer, Grandpa. After all, the sooner we talk about this, the better."

"Otherwise, if it becomes a fixed thing, it might be difficult to change."

After saying that, Wang Degong couldn't wait to leave, but he bumped into Wang Tieshan, who came in to deliver dinner.

Feeling a little puzzled, Wang Tieshan asked curiously, "Dad, where are you going?"

"I've already heated up your food. You can eat first. If you want to go anywhere later, I'll have Cheng Peng take you there by bicycle."

Wang Degong didn't want to stay long, since Wang Xia'an was still waiting for Wang Chengpeng to rescue her, so the sooner the better.

But upon smelling the aroma of steamed buns and stir-fried meat, he subconsciously stopped in his tracks; he was simply too hungry.

However, staying for dinner would take up too much time, and for a moment, he hesitated.

Fortunately, Wang Chengpeng immediately came to his rescue, saying, "You can take this steamed bun and eat it on the way."

“Grandpa has something very important to do and needs to go back urgently, so I’ll ride my bicycle to take him there now.”

Upon hearing that Wang Degong was about to leave, a hint of reluctance flashed in Wang Tieshan's eyes:
"Dad, you've come all this way, why don't you stay a little longer before you leave?"

Seeing Wang Tieshan's filial piety, Wang Degong felt a sudden heart attack.

Because of his favoritism, he has personally pushed his filial son into a place he will never see again, and can only awkwardly say:
"I have something urgent to attend to."

“I’ll take a few of these steamed buns to eat on the way. You’re not having an easy time either. Keep the meat for yourselves.”

Although his eyes were full of reluctance, Wang Tieshan could not possibly go against the grain and make arrangements for Wang Desheng.

He could only escort him a few hundred meters away, until the two bicycles were completely out of sight, before reluctantly turning back and muttering to himself:
"Dad finally comes all this way, but he doesn't even stay at my house a little longer so I can show him some filial piety."

"My eldest brother's family is really outrageous. How could they let Grandpa run around without even having dinner?"

(End of this chapter)