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

Chapter 299 Retrieving the Bracelet
Under Zhu Hong's investigation, he discovered that the bag not only contained some mooncakes wrapped in plastic bags, but also some money and tickets, and most importantly, many booklets personally compiled by Wang Chengpeng.

Upon seeing these workbooks, his face immediately turned bitter, and his previous spirited demeanor vanished.

Seeing Zhu Hong's pained expression, Wang Chengpeng said expressionlessly:

"Even though I'm visiting my family, I can't fall behind in my studies."

"Take these workbooks home and do them. I'll be checking your homework when you get back."

"As for those money and tickets, consider them as your payment for working for us for a long time."

Perhaps the study atmosphere at Wang Chengpeng's house was just too terrifying, because this time Zhu Hong was much more decisive than before in leaving, packing up a little and leaving.

The swift and decisive actions almost made Wang Chengpeng mistakenly believe that the other party would not return at all, which also puzzled Wang Chengpeng.

Why does Zhu Hong see me as a man-eating tiger when I'm so good?
After some time, once Wang Chengpeng had prepared dinner, his parents returned from the sugar factory.

Judging from their enthusiastic smiles, they must be thoroughly enjoying their lives now.

It was this smile that made Wang Chengpeng feel that everything he had done was worthwhile, that he had allowed each of his family members to enjoy a new life they had never experienced in their previous lives.

Upon seeing Wang Chengpeng, Wang Tieshan began to speak to himself:

"Son, I got a call from the factory today. They're looking for you."

"They didn't say what it was about. They just said that as long as you tell them it was Manager Zhou who was looking for you, you should know what it's all about."

"Why are you all acting so mysteriously, like it's a secret rendezvous between spies?"

"By the way, son, what are you doing? Why does the house smell so good?"

Manager Zhou?
Wang Chengpeng was somewhat surprised. He naturally knew why the other party had come to see him. He was just curious how Zhao Yuju had so quickly fallen to the point of having to sell her bracelets.

But this is good. I thought this matter would take some more time, but I didn't expect it to be resolved now.

He had proof of purchase, and the state-owned gold shop had Zhao Yuju's resale permit. With just these two pieces of evidence, Wang Chengpeng was able to send Zhao Yuju to jail.

However, this has damaged the reputation of Wang Chengpeng's family, so there's no need for Wang Chengpeng to do something so foolish.

He had many ways to deal with Zhao Yuju, but the most important thing was to find out the truth of what happened back then and pry the truth out of Zhao Yuju.

This bracelet is just one aspect; as Zhao Yuju's heinous crimes are gradually revealed, she will then receive the punishment she deserves.

At this point, no one would think Wang Chengpeng was cruel; they would only think that Zhao Yuju deserved what she got.

However, this was something that couldn't be given to Wang Tieshan, so Wang Chengpeng could only laugh it off.
"It's nothing, just a friend I met in town before."

"As for what smells so good, it's naturally the mooncakes I made myself."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng pointed to the mooncakes on the table beside him and said:
"I've already tried the nut filling, and it tastes pretty good. You can try it after the oil has seeped back into the nut filling in a few days."

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng say that he had certified the mooncakes, Wang Meiyan almost lost her temper. She felt a strong urge to bite someone.

Ultimately, under the suppression of Wang Chengpeng's "brotherly authority," she didn't dare to disobey and could only grit her teeth and say:
"It's delicious, so delicious!"

"Brother, you'd better eat more."

Nodding as if he understood, Wang Tieshan said, "Okay, then I'll have to try the mooncakes my son makes himself."

Looking around, Wang Tieshan realized that Zhu Hong was nowhere to be seen, and asked curiously:
Where did Xiao Zhu go?

Pointing to the location of Zhujia Village, Wang Chengpeng explained, "It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival, so he went home to see his father."

Only then did Wang Meiyan belatedly realize what was happening and shouted:
Why didn't he tell me he left?

This question puzzled Wang Chengpeng, who countered with:
"He can tell me what your relationship is, why does he need to tell you?"

Wang Meiyan was clearly angered by Wang Chengpeng. Her lips pouted even more, and she even moved her stool to the other side—she refused to sit next to Wang Chengpeng.

Seeing this scene, Wang Chengpeng couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to himself that it was indeed good to have a younger sister at home; it was so much fun to tease her.

……

The next day, Wang Chengpeng got up very early and rode his bicycle to the state-owned gold shop.

As soon as Manager Zhou saw Wang Chengpeng, he came out to greet him with a smile and said:
"Comrade Wang, you've finally arrived."

"I kept that bracelet for you, but I didn't dare touch it. Now I'm returning it to its rightful owner."

In fact, Manager Zhou didn't take Wang Chengpeng's instructions seriously at all. He felt that it was impossible for Wang Chengpeng to have predicted this so early on.

However, when Zhao Yuju came to him to sell the bracelet, he was truly shocked by Wang Chengpeng's foresight. He even guessed the appearance of the seller with great accuracy.

Although shocked, Manager Zhou still handled the matter exceptionally well.

Under Wang Chengpeng's instructions, this recycling was carried out in an extremely formal manner, and Zhao Yuju was even required to sign and put her fingerprint on the document before the money was paid—this is all irrefutable evidence!
At first, Zhao Yuju only thought about pawning the item, planning to come back and redeem it after a while, once Wang Xia'an was able to earn money.

However, the price for pawning is different from the price for selling; it was driven down to a very low price, still quite far from the five hundred yuan she needed.

In addition to having to pay interest, Zhao Yuju ultimately chose to sell to Manager Zhou.

After all, Manager Zhou deliberately gave a higher price at Wang Chengpeng's instruction; you couldn't find that price anywhere else.

Five hundred yuan?

Looking at the price on the sales slip, Wang Chengpeng didn't hesitate. He directly counted out seventy ten-yuan bills from his bag and handed them over, saying:

"Manager Zhou, thank you for your help."

"Consider this money as payment for the bracelet. It was a casual purchase, do you understand?"

"As for why I was given the sales receipt, it's because I was afraid that the bracelet might be of dubious origin and that there would be risks involved in buying it."

Manager Zhou nodded. Ever since his last encounter with Wang Chengpeng, he knew that this young man, though seemingly young, was extremely experienced in his work, even more so than himself, which was truly frightening.

However, none of this concerned him. He had only done Wang Chengpeng a small favor and was able to earn a net profit of over a hundred yuan. It was no exaggeration to say that he had picked up money from the ground.

The items sold in state-owned gold shops naturally need to be registered, but the actual selling price is not something that Wang Chengpeng and Manager Zhou decide.

The price that is higher than the stated price is Manager Zhou's own profit.

Manager Zhou warmly saw Wang Chengpeng off from the gold shop, his heart filled with regret as he watched Wang Chengpeng's departing figure.

It's a pity that such things don't happen often, otherwise he would have become rich long ago.

After retrieving the bracelet, Wang Chengpeng did not return it to his family. It was not only irrefutable evidence of Zhao Yuju's theft, but it also held no irreplaceable value, so he could keep it himself.

Looking at the mooncakes laid out on the table, he was pondering who he should send some to.

After all, although Wang Chengpeng seems to be doing well, he actually has very few close friends.

……

While Wang Chengpeng was pondering how to distribute the mooncakes, Zhao Yuju had already confidently taken the money and set off.

At that time, the largest denomination was the ten-yuan note, and three thousand yuan would make a very thick stack.

Carrying a bamboo basket, Zhao Yuju walked with a steady gait, clearly displaying extreme confidence.

But no one could have imagined that this seemingly confident woman actually didn't even have the right to meet Wang Yong.

In fact, she had gone to Wang Yong to discuss returning to work as soon as she sold the bracelet, but Wang Yong was out on business and she didn't even get to see him.

Even her request to go to Wang Yong's office was refused; she was simply turned away and given the cold shoulder.

Even so, Zhao Yuju was not discouraged at all, and even cursed inwardly, "They look down on people like that."

Once I get Wang Xia'an's job back, I'll have to show off to them and let them know what it means to respect employees' families.

It was said that Wang Yong would be coming to the factory today, so Zhao Yuju got up early, found an inconspicuous corner, and waited for Wang Yong with some money.

As the saying goes, perseverance pays off, and Zhao Yuju's wait was not in vain.

Around 9:30, she saw Wang Yong arrive late on his bicycle, pedaling hard, trying to get to Dapeng Sugar Factory as soon as possible.

Seeing that the opportunity had come, Zhao Yuju immediately spread her arms and stood in front of Wang Yong.

Despite her age, she was still quite agile; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to cause so much trouble, forcing Wang Yong to stop his bicycle.

With a furrowed brow and an unfriendly expression, Wang Yong looked at Zhao Yuju and said:
"Comrade Zhao, this is not a place for you to cause trouble."

"I advise you to go home and take care of your child as soon as possible, and don't come to places you shouldn't be."

Originally, out of respect for Wang Chengpeng, Wang Yong would have treated Zhao Yuju somewhat well.

However, the other party has now clearly parted ways with his master and has repeatedly caused trouble at Dapeng Sugar Factory. Even though Wang Yong has a good temper, he no longer gives him a pleasant look.

Seeing Wang Yong's clearly impatient expression, Zhao Yuju didn't feel embarrassed at all. She slung the basket over her shoulder and said ingratiatingly:

"Director Wang, may we speak in private?"

Despite Zhao Yuju's good attitude now, she's actually planning to bury Wang Yong in money later and show him what real wealth is all about.

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Yong finally agreed to Zhao Yuju's request.

He was curious to see what this shameless old man wanted from him.
At this moment, the militiamen responsible for guarding the Dapeng Sugar Factory had already noticed this area, but he wasn't afraid that Zhao Yuju would try to cheat him.

A moment later, the two arrived under a large tree.

After cautiously looking around and finding no one nearby, Zhao Yuju lifted the white cloth covering the basket, revealing the large coin hidden underneath.

After doing all this, Zhao Yuju raised her head and looked at Wang Yong with a leisurely air. Her expression and attitude seemed to say:

"Beg me, beg me and I'll give you this money as charity."

She was completely unaware that she had come to ask Wang Yong for a favor.

However, even when faced with such a large sum of money, Wang Yong's face remained completely calm.

Just kidding, ever since Dapeng white sugar started selling well, I've been making a lot of money every day.
Given the future of Dapeng Sugar Factory, how could Wang Yong possibly care about this money?

Thinking this, he asked with a puzzled look, "Comrade Zhao, what do you mean by this?"

Seeing that Wang Yong was still pretending to be stupid, Zhao Yuju immediately cut to the chase:
"What else could it mean? It's just a token gesture, of course."

“There’s three thousand yuan in the basket. Take it and use it to get my Xia An back to work.”

Seeing Zhao Yuju's imperious attitude, Wang Yong felt as if he were facing a lunatic, so he patiently said:
"No, no, I won't accept your things."

"The decision to dismiss Wang Xia'an was made after a thorough discussion by the entire Dapeng Sugar Factory, and it has been publicly announced. There is no room for change."

“If you called me here just for this kind of thing, then I advise you to go back.”

If someone had been willing to donate 3,000 yuan to exchange for a job at Dapeng Sugar Factory in its early days, Wang Yong would have been happy to do so.

But now that Dapeng Sugar Factory is on the right track, it won't lack this money.

Furthermore, the person he was to work for was Wang Xia'an, an unstable individual who had already been publicly declared "never to be hired." How could Wang Yong possibly risk losing face over such a small amount of money?

Perhaps because Wang Yong's rejection was too shocking, Zhao Yuju was unable to react for a moment.

When she came to her senses, she found that Wang Yong was nowhere to be seen.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally decided to go back first.

Now that Wang Yong has returned to the protection of Dapeng Sugar Factory, he can't get in at all.

If you want to talk to the other party again or beg them again, you'll have to wait until Wang Yong gets off work and wait for him.

Devastated by the harsh reality, Zhao Yuju finally came to her senses. However, she was unaware that she had lost her chance, because in the shadows, a pair of scheming eyes had already set their sights on her.

Perhaps because she had made a bold promise but ultimately failed to accomplish it, Zhao Yuju returned very slowly, showing none of the joy she had shown when she arrived.

However, Wangjia Village is only so big. For those who have lived here for a long time, they wouldn't get lost even with their eyes closed, so it's not a big problem.

However, just as Zhao Yuju was thinking that, she had already arrived at a rather remote place.

After all, the sugar factory was originally built in the most remote corner of Wangjia Village. Returning to Wang Degong's home from there was not only a long journey, but also required passing through many remote corners.

It's too late, but it's soon.

As Zhao Yuju was walking along the road in a daze, a figure suddenly darted out from the nearby farmland and rushed towards her.

While Zhao Yuju was still in a daze, the newcomer quickly grabbed her and snatched the bamboo basket containing three thousand yuan.

(End of this chapter)