The comeback begins in a courtyard house

With Jia Zhangshi arrested and Sha Zhu mortgaging the house to him, Wei Yifeng didn't want to push Yi Zhonghai and the others too far, lest they be too discouraged to cause trouble again. Otherwise, how could he gain points from them? As if he didn't see Jia Dongxu's murderous gaze, Wei Yifeng went straight back to his room.

Back in his room, Wei Yifeng sat on a chair by the window, watching Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai, and the later-joined Sha Zhu bustling about. He couldn't help but sigh, thinking that Jia Zhangshi had indeed raised a bunch of fine sons. Could Jia Dongxu really be Yi Zhonghai's son? Otherwise, even for an elderly person, she wouldn't go to such lengths. It seemed he would have to have Old Jia ask him personally when he had time; perhaps he could find out some explosive news.

Turning his gaze away, Wei Yifeng reached into his spatial storage and took out a small porcelain bottle.

Jade Skin Cream!

After failing to capture Fukaya Shigeyoshi, the system rewarded him with a skincare product that had a special effect of removing scars. Chen Xueru suffered an undeserved disaster because of her own suspicions. Although Wei Yifeng didn't consider himself a good person, he was still a person with principles. This matter was like a stone weighing on his heart, making him feel that he owed Chen Xueru something. It seemed that he had to find an opportunity to give the Jade Skin Cream to Chen Xueru, otherwise his conscience would hurt.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Yifeng put the Jade Skin Cream back into his spatial storage. Then, he took out a pill from his storage to enhance his senses and improve his health. After checking its effects, Wei Yifeng swallowed it.

The pill melted instantly upon entering the mouth, transforming into a warm current that permeated every part of the body.

……

Time flies, and it's already the end of the year. The workshop has been cleaned up and people are all smiles, waiting to receive their benefits and then go home for the New Year.

"Yifeng! Don't forget to get to Master's house early on the second day of the Lunar New Year. We must have a proper get-together this year, and we'll go there early to help!"

Third Senior Brother Zhao Xuewen walked up to Wei Yifeng and said with a smile.

"I understand, senior brother. I will definitely go there as soon as possible. This year, I will let you taste my cooking. By the way, senior brother, what did you bring when you went to Master's house in previous years?"

Looking at his smiling third senior brother, Wei Yifeng asked with a smile.

In this day and age, people still attach great importance to the master-disciple relationship, especially since this is the first New Year after he became an apprentice. Wei Yifeng did not want to be too shabby, but he also could not be too different from his senior brothers, lest he be suspected of showing off.

"Hey! These days, what can we get? Just some pastries and candies. This year, meat is even more scarce. A couple of days ago, I asked your sister-in-law to buy pork for the New Year. Guess what? She waited in line for days and only managed to buy a pound and a half! And that's just the ration for our whole family."

"Just bring whatever you have. We're all fellow disciples, so bring more if you have more, and less if you don't. As long as it's your heartfelt intention, Master will be happy. We fellow disciples don't need to talk about such things. You've only been working for a short time, so just showing your intention is enough. If you're short on money, I can prepare one for you, but that depends on what you can buy."

Among Qian Hongbai's apprentices, Wei Yifeng has the lowest salary. Even Zhao Xuewen and the others are at least fourth-level fitters and are preparing to take the fifth-level exam next year. Everyone takes good care of this junior apprentice.

"Senior brother, you misunderstood. I just wanted to ask so I could be prepared. By the way, senior brother, you just said that your wife went to queue up to buy pork and only bought one and a half jin. There are five or six people in your family. There won't be enough meat to make dumplings for the New Year. I heard that the factory originally decided to give everyone one jin of pork as a welfare, but I don't know how it became half a jin. Senior brother, if I said I could get some pork, would you want it? The price is the same as the market price, and I don't need meat coupons."

Wei Yifeng pulled Zhao Xuewen aside and asked him in a low voice.

"What...you're telling the truth! You absolutely mustn't make a mistake! I heard that these supplies will be centrally purchased and distributed in the future. You're still young, don't ruin yourself because of momentary greed!"

Upon hearing Wei Yifeng say that he could get pork, Zhao Xuewen's voice rose a few decibels, but thinking of the seriousness of the matter, he quickly lowered his voice and said with a worried expression.

"Don't worry, senior brother. How could I possibly make such a mistake? I helped the city bureau catch a few bad guys recently, and this is the person I met back then. He told me he had some connections and could get some pork. I only asked you because you couldn't buy any meat. If you don't want it, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Seeing that Zhao Xuewen's first reaction wasn't to ask for pork, but to worry that he might make a mistake, Wei Yifeng was actually quite pleased. If Yi Zhonghai had known, his first reaction would definitely have been to ask him to get more and then distribute it to Old Madam Long and the Jia family, all under the guise of respecting the elderly and promoting unity and mutual assistance, so that he could give it to them for free.

"Yes! How could I not want it! Junior brother, don't be in such a hurry. I was just worried you'd get lost. Junior brother, how much do you think you can get? Three pounds, five pounds, or even ten or eight pounds is fine!"

Seeing that the meat he was about to eat was gone, Zhao Xuewen immediately grabbed Wei Yifeng's arm with a forced smile.

"Alright, senior brother, I'm not joking with you anymore. You talk to the eldest senior brother and see if they want it. Ten catties is eight yuan at the market price. If they want it, give me the money later. I'll deliver the meat to Master's house tonight. The portion for Master is my tribute to Master. You don't need to pay. Senior brother, you must keep this a secret. I can only get meat from a few of us brothers. Nobody else can."

This morning, as soon as Wei Yifeng opened his eyes, the system notification sounded, and the New Year's gift package was sent directly to his space. It contained 100 catties of pork. Since he couldn't finish it all himself, Wei Yifeng thought he would give it to his senior brothers.

"What kind of talk is that? Master isn't just your master. Leave me a piece of meat. I'll go ask the senior brothers right now. Don't worry, this is only between us brothers. Don't even think about it."

Upon hearing that a ten-pound piece of meat only cost eight yuan and didn't require meat coupons, he was overjoyed and immediately ran off to find his senior brother and the others.

Soon, Zhao Xuewen came to Wei Yifeng with several dozen yuan in his hands.

"Junior brother! This is our money. Senior brother said that it's already very good that we were able to get any meat, but we can't let you do too many favors. The meat is only one yuan per pound, and we're still getting a great deal. We'll also cover Master's share. Don't refuse yet. Our salaries are all higher than yours. If you don't want it, then we won't either."

Seeing that Zhao Xuewen was serious, Wei Yifeng stopped refusing and took the few black ten bills. Just then, the workshop director came to the door and told everyone to go to the finance department to collect their wages and New Year's benefits.

Today was a very happy day for the workers at the steel rolling mill. As they carried their benefits out of the mill to go home, they attracted countless envious glances.

"Little Raindrop! Come on, I'll take you to buy new clothes!"

Back in the courtyard house, Wei Yifeng put his things in the kitchen, checked the time and saw that it was still early, so he called out to the side room where He Yushui lived.

"Really? That's great! I haven't bought any new clothes in two years. Don't worry, Brother Yifeng, I'll definitely pay you back when I start working and earning money."

Upon hearing that Wei Yifeng was going to take her to buy new clothes, He Yushui immediately jumped and skipped out of the side room.

"Then I'll wait for you to grow up quickly and set off on your own!"

Wei Yifeng flicked He Yushui's nose, then put her on the back of his bicycle, and the two quickly left the courtyard.

Perhaps most factories were closed for the holiday today, and the gate of the supply and marketing cooperative was blocked by people buying New Year's goods. With no other option, Wei Yifeng had to take He Yushui to try his luck elsewhere.

Unbeknownst to him, Wei Yifeng had arrived near the front gate. Seeing the sign for Xue Ru Silk Shop not far away, Wei Yifeng was taken aback for a moment, and then led He Yushui toward the silk shop.