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

Good times always pass quickly, especially with a novel gadget like a television. Wang Meiyan was so engrossed in watching it that she almost lost her appetite, staring intently at the screen.

Even Zhu Hong, a sensible young man who usually doesn't care about anything, glanced at the TV a few more times, clearly attracted by the program being played.

Seeing the new gadget in the house, Wang Tieshan said with some puzzlement:

"Xiao Peng, did you go to the city today? Otherwise, where did this big guy come from?"

“You have everything at home, and that radio alone isn’t enough for us to listen to. There’s really no need to buy such a big thing.”

Liu Chunhua looked at the sharply angled television with a pained expression, muttering softly:

“What kind of family are we? How come we can afford a TV that only city people can afford?”

"It costs several hundred yuan just to buy a TV, not to mention the several yuan in electricity bills every day to watch it. It's such a waste..."

Faced with his parents' disparaging remarks, Wang Chengpeng smiled and loudly reminded them:

"What kind of family are we? We are a proud working-class family with three members."

"Two production team leaders and one technician. Even among city dwellers, not everyone can afford what we have. So why can't we watch a TV that only city people can watch?"

"Besides, I didn't buy this TV; it was a gift from the factory."

"Last time, Director Wang specifically came to me and said that the sales of Dapeng white sugar were not very good, and he needed my help to promote it."

“Although I’m just a technician in the factory and my job isn’t exactly related to publicity, the factory manager came to me for help, so no matter how difficult it is, I have to do it for him.”

"After all, he is the director of Dapeng Sugar Factory. Our whole family depends on Dapeng Sugar Factory for a living. If our relationship sours, we might get retaliated against."

"I just did some random advertising, but I didn't expect it to be so effective, slightly increasing the sales of Dapeng white sugar."

"So, Director Wang thought my help with the publicity was quite effective, so he used this TV set as the advertising fee."

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, a hint of surprise flashed across Wang Tieshan's tense face, and he said in great shock:

"What? The reason Dapeng white sugar sold so well is entirely due to your advertising?"

"No wonder the factory has been so busy lately, with trucks constantly coming and going. Turns out it was you who did this."

Wang Chengpeng looked completely innocent and said, somewhat puzzled:

"What? Are you blaming me for keeping you so busy during the New Year holiday?"

Wang Tieshan glared at Wang Chengpeng with annoyance and scolded him reprimanded him:

"What nonsense are you spouting, you brat? The fact that Dapeng white sugar is selling well is a good thing, a good thing that concerns the entire Wangjia Village. How could I complain just because I'm a little busy?"

"The factory has been discussing why Dapeng white sugar is selling so well lately, and there are many speculations. But no matter how they guess, they would never guess that you are the one who did it."

Since life has improved, my parents have been smiling more, and they feel more hopeful about the future.

For example, Liu Chunhua is looking at Wang Chengpeng with a gossipy expression, urging him to tell her what happened quickly.

In the past, Liu Chunhua was always busy with work, so she wouldn't have had the time or inclination to think about things that didn't concern her.

Wang Chengpeng didn't keep anyone in suspense and simply recounted the events.

Finally, he added:
"I just casually praised Dapeng white sugar for being effective, and I never expected it to actually work."

"Alright, the TV is free anyway, and we can afford it, so let's not talk about it anymore."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng got up and changed the TV channel, saying:

"There's a performance of 'The Red Lantern' tonight. Let's all watch it together after dinner."

Seeing that Wang Chengpeng and Wang Meiyan were in high spirits, Wang Tieshan and Liu Chunhua did not say anything to spoil the mood. They smiled and nodded, which was considered as agreeing to Wang Chengpeng's suggestion.

Right after dinner, everyone sat down in front of the television without prior arrangement.

Wang Meiyan, in particular, was very happy and had been sitting in the best spot in the center for a long time.

At exactly 8 p.m., the TV began broadcasting "The Red Lantern".

The crowd huddled together, their faces flickering in and out of focus by the bluish glow of the television screen.

At first, things were fine; everyone was chatting and laughing.

When the plot reached its climax, everyone fell silent in unison.

Wang Tieshan's hand, holding the enamel mug, hovered in mid-air. The jasmine tea inside had long since gone cold, and the tea leaves had all settled to the bottom.

Liu Chunhua had originally planned to sew the soles of her family's shoes while watching TV, but she was also drawn in by the storyline on the screen.

The hand holding the thimble slowly drooped down to her knees, and she didn't even notice the thread roll out of her apron pocket.

Zhu Hong's eyes widened in disbelief. He didn't even realize that the collar of his cotton-padded jacket had come undone, revealing the thick lining underneath.

The most engrossed was Wang Meiyan. The little girl usually adored cakes like they were her life, but this time she just let the sponge cakes on the plate sit there, not having time to eat them at all.

After the song "Drinking a Bowl of Wine Before Leaving" was sung, static appeared on the TV screen, and everyone seemed to have been put back on track and started moving again.

Wang Tieshan mimicked Li Yuhe's entrance pose, and Liu Chunhua praised Li Tiemei for her neatly styled braids.
Even the usually shy Zhu Hong hummed a couple of lines of "Full of courage and valor," as if he longed for the revolutionary heroism of the play.

Outside, the north wind howled and the power lines whistled, but inside the warm house, the family sat together in front of the TV, chatting and laughing—what could be more comforting on such a cold day?

……

Wang Chengpeng's family was chatting and laughing, but Cao Deming was extremely upset.

When he went to sort out the student records, he discovered that all the promising opportunities had slipped away. The outstanding talents who originally belonged to him had been snatched up by Tao Zhiyuan, leaving only a few mediocre college students.

Although it was already dark outside, the lights were still on in the principal's office at No. 1 Middle School, and Cao Deming's angry roars could be heard from time to time.
"That makes perfect sense, absolutely perfect sense! How dare Wang Chengpeng treat me like this?"

"Who is he? Who am I? How can he not understand his own identity at all?"

"And that old bastard Tao Zhiyuan is always causing me trouble. If it weren't for his cooperation, this matter wouldn't have been so easy to complete."

After taking several deep breaths, Cao Deming finally managed to calm himself down.

Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he reached for the phone that was lying to the side.

As the phone connected, even knowing the other person couldn't see him, Cao Deming's expression still became obsequious:
"Director Liu, the matter you asked me to do last time has been settled."

“Our No. 1 High School did very well in the exam this time, and we can find you several potential targets.”

"Don't worry, these people are all from the countryside, perfectly meeting your requirements."

Upon hearing such good news, Liu Chunsheng's joyful voice quickly came from the other end of the phone:
"Several targets? That's great news! Tell me the details quickly." Cao Deming didn't dare keep them in suspense and immediately explained the situation:

"Among these people are men and women, some were admitted to top universities, some to ordinary universities, and a few to junior colleges."

Although somewhat unwilling, Cao Deming still didn't dare to include Wang Chengpeng in the list.

Wang Chengpeng is the top scorer in the college entrance examination, so he naturally receives more attention than others, making it much harder for him to be impersonated.

Most importantly, Tao Zhiyuan has already published a report on Wang Chengpeng, which has described the general situation and location of Wang Chengpeng's home, making it almost impossible to try to switch things out again.

This feeling of being unable to get what to do about Wang Chengpeng was driving him crazy.

Of course, it's only Wang Chengpeng; the others haven't appeared in the public eye yet, which makes things very easy to handle.

Thinking this, amidst Liu Chunsheng's repeated praises, Cao Deming sighed and said:

"There are many excellent candidates, but I can only help you with the few who did the worst."

"Although their grades are average, they have at least been admitted to colleges and junior colleges, which should meet your needs, Director Liu."

The disappointment of dropping from a top-tier university to a vocational college is unimaginable, and he immediately became unhappy, saying:

"Cao Deming, what kind of veiled attack are you trying to give me?"

"If I'm going to have something, I'll naturally want the best. How could I possibly let go of those top students?"

"Besides, there aren't enough spots to go around. Stop talking nonsense and give me all of them."

Hearing Liu Chunsheng's words, Cao Deming was overjoyed and continued to complain:
"Director Liu, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I'm powerless to do so."

“Initially, these students took the exam in the name of our No. 1 High School, so it was assumed that they were students of our No. 1 High School.”

"Who would have thought that Tao Zhiyuan from No. 2 Middle School would interfere and deceive the best students?"

"You know Tao Zhiyuan, he's upright and incorruptible, I'm afraid he wouldn't agree to such a despicable thing."

"Actually, I'm completely willing to cooperate with Director Liu's plan, but those students have been lured away by No. 2 Middle School!"

“Tao Zhiyuan? He wouldn’t dare!” Upon hearing Cao Deming’s explanation, Liu Chunsheng roared angrily:
“If he doesn’t behave, his time as principal is over.”

"Cao Deming, you did a great job on this. Just continue to cooperate with us to do the relevant work well."

"As for those students who were abducted by Tao Zhiyuan?"

"The principal of No. 2 Middle School, then let me go and meet him myself!"

At this point, Liu Chunsheng hurriedly hung up the phone.

The school will be mailing out admission notices soon, and this matter can only be resolved in the near future; there's no time to lose.

Sensing Liu Chunsheng's anger, Cao Deming immediately felt much better, chuckled, and said:
"Tao Zhiyuan? Wang Chengpeng? You think you can fight me?"

"All you do is try to be clever. Do you think you can change the course of events?"

"A peasant from the countryside is a peasant from the countryside; you will never escape the days of toiling in the fields!"

Given the urgency of the situation, Liu Chunsheng didn't dare to delay and immediately dialed the phone number of the principal's office at No. 2 Middle School.

Tao Zhiyuan wasn't there at the time, so he called the duty office of the Second Middle School and finally got in touch with Tao Zhiyuan after going around in circles.

The moment the call connected, Liu Chunsheng's deep voice came from the other end:
"Tao Zhiyuan, I heard that your No. 2 Middle School has produced some good seedlings, which are very suitable as rootstocks for grafting."

"I'm planning to have you cooperate on this matter. What do you think?"

Rootstock for grafting?

Liu Chunsheng, as expected of a cultured man, managed to describe the act of "stealing beams and replacing pillars" in such an artistic way. However, no matter how artistic he was, he could not cover up the disgusting fact that he had brought scourge to the village.

Upon hearing Liu Chunsheng's words, Tao Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he feigned ignorance, saying:

"Director Liu, I don't quite understand what you're talking about."

"What seedlings? Our school never plants trees."

As he spoke, Tao Zhiyuan's hand had already pressed the record button on the tape recorder in front of him.

He pressed the keys extremely carefully, making a very faint clicking sound, which allowed him to secretly complete his operation while his voice was being masked.

This tape recorder was naturally Wang Chengpeng's doing; he brought it along the next day when he came to transfer his student status and records.

Wang Chengpeng pointed to the telephone and then to the tape recorder. Although he didn't say anything, Tao Zhiyuan already understood what he meant.

And this tape recorder comes in handy at this crucial moment, perhaps becoming the key to uncovering this massive conspiracy.

Seeing that Tao Zhiyuan was pretending to be stupid, Liu Chunsheng threatened him without any politeness:
"Tao Zhiyuan, you should know what I'm talking about. Playing dumb with me won't work."

"If you want to stay in this principal's position, then you'd better cooperate with me to complete this task."

"Don't worry, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits. Just tell me what you want."

Time is of the essence, and trying to bypass Tao Zhiyuan to handle this matter would take a lot of time.

That's why, even though Cao Deming said that Tao Zhiyuan was upright and incorruptible and unwilling to cooperate, he still wanted to try.

With a furrowed brow, Tao Zhiyuan looked at the telephone, then at the answering machine, and finally spoke:

"Any request is okay?"

"Okay, I feel my current position is a bit too low, and I'd like to move to the city. I think your current position is excellent. What do you think?"

Compared to Cao Deming's request to be transferred to the Municipal Education Bureau, Tao Zhiyuan's demands were outrageously high.

Of course, he wasn't blindly asking for an exorbitant price. The reason he said that was actually to test just how powerful the other party really was.

If the other party had truly become so powerful that they were indestructible, Tao Zhiyuan would not have followed Wang Chengpeng down the same dark path; instead, he would have chosen a brighter one.

The contents of this tape recorder can be a magic staff that pierces through the darkness, and naturally, it can also become a protective umbrella to safeguard oneself.

Upon hearing Tao Zhiyuan's outrageous demands, Liu Chunsheng remained silent for a while.

After a long pause, he slowly began to speak:

"This is a very unreasonable request, but in order to demonstrate our strength, I agree to it." (End of Chapter)