1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Dong Jianguo shook his head with a wry smile:

"Mom, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that this is something I absolutely cannot help with!"

With hardly anyone around, Dong Jianguo simply told his mother what was on his mind:

"You know my brother's family situation; isn't my sister-in-law the one who makes the decisions? If someone brings a gift to her, given her personality, can she refuse it?"

"If she asks my brother to do something illegal or immoral, will he be able to resist?!"

Upon hearing her youngest son's words, Zhang Guifen was stunned:

"So... your older brother will never be able to get there in his entire life?!"

Dong Jianguo shook his head and comforted him:

"Not necessarily. What if my older brother suddenly has a breakthrough someday?! He might be able to climb the ranks then. But it all depends on him..."

Dong Jianguo has seen some such special cases. They were unremarkable before, but then for a period of time, they were completely transformed, and their speech and actions improved by several levels.

It's like being reborn.

"Bang!"

Just as the mother and son finished speaking, the bedroom door of the eldest brother and sister-in-law was suddenly pushed open, and the eldest sister-in-law, Liang Qiuyue, stormed up to the mother and son:

"Jianguo, what are you talking about behind my back?! Am I really like that?!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Jianguo also lost his temper and glared at him:

"Hey sister-in-law, what were you eavesdropping on?! What kind of woman are you?!"

"you……"

Liang Qiuyue was so choked up that she couldn't speak.

Dong Jianguo, however, was full of confidence:

"What did I do?! No matter what, I've bought so many New Year's goods for my parents!"

"Sister-in-law, you're so kind! You see me carrying things and immediately hide inside, refusing to even lend a hand! Aren't you going to eat all this during the New Year?!"

Liang Qiuyue glared back defiantly:

"Oh, so you're picking a fight with me now? Who cares about your little bit of New Year's goods!"

"Fine, you don't care, huh?! Then you won't get a single bite!"

Liang Qiuyue didn't even glance at Dong Jianguo, but turned to look at her mother-in-law:

"Mom, look how Jianguo talks to me! He's so disrespectful! I'm his sister-in-law!"

Seeing that her youngest son and eldest daughter-in-law were about to start arguing, Zhang Guifen quickly spoke up to stop them:

"Alright, alright, that's enough!"

"Jianguo, you too! Qiuyue is your sister-in-law after all. You better speak properly to me during the New Year!"

Dong Jianguo glanced at his mother and sighed:

"Mom, I've said all the nice things to you. The rest is up to you..."

Having said that, he didn't linger and turned to leave.

"Mom, I'm leaving. Please give my regards to Dad for me. I won't be coming for Chinese New Year this year; I'll be at the hospital with Xiuyun."

He's got a lot going on today; he still has to run to his second uncle's house to deliver New Year's goods, and he really doesn't want to argue with his sister-in-law.

Besides, my sister-in-law is that kind of person—stingy and always trying to take advantage. She's over thirty; I can't expect her to change...

"Hmph, they don't even come during the New Year, what are they pretending to be, being such a filial son!" Liang Qiuyue muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Alright, Qiuyue, you should say less..."

"Why should I say less?! Dong Jianguo has talked badly about me behind my back countless times. Mom, you can't side with him just because he's your son. I did give you a grandson, after all; I'm a contributor to the Dong family!"

Dong Jianguo closed the door, shutting out his sister-in-law's nagging behind him.

But as soon as the door closed, it was opened from the inside again, and my nephew Junjun poked his head out.

"Uncle, didn't you promise to buy me firecrackers? Why are you leaving already?"

As his nephew Dong Xiaojun spoke, he walked out of the room, his chubby hands gripping Dong Jianguo's arm tightly.

"Buy, buy, buy!"

No matter what, the child is innocent.

Dong Jianguo felt that his carefree nephew deserved a perfect childhood.

"Let me tell you, for firecrackers, just go to a public toilet, stick them in a landmine, and set them off. They'll all explode like fireworks, you'll have a blast!"

"Really?" Junjun asked with some curiosity.

"Of course, but you'd better not open your mouth when you put it in..."

Children this age are like Saint Seiya warriors; you can't use the same move on them twice.

He had already taught his two uncles' four grandsons before, so they definitely wouldn't fall for it again this year.

His nephew, Junjun, is clearly still a beginner.

His eyes were clear yet naive, showing he hadn't experienced much hardship, which was why Dong Jianguo decided to teach him a lesson...

The lesson's content: The wickedness of human nature...

……

Soon, Dong Jianguo drove to the flax factory dormitory.

When I knocked on my second uncle's door, I was taken aback because the person who opened the door was an old acquaintance.

"Oh, Cunyi, you've come to wish us a Happy New Year too?"

Dong Jianguo didn't have a good impression of this good-for-nothing relative.

However, if it weren't for him, I might not have been in such a hurry to find more egg suppliers, and in the end, all the benefits went to me.

It must be said that Zhang Cunyi's situation was a classic example of the Chinese New Year's reform and opening-up policy, where "a loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise."

Upon seeing that the visitor was Dong Jianguo, Zhang Cunyi's previously smiling face instantly fell.

He still hasn't forgotten the grudge from the last time he bought eggs wholesale.

In the quiet of the night, he often wondered if Dong Jianguo's life was the same as his own.

This feeling is especially strong when listening to storytelling programs on the radio, and hearing about GG sponsored by Hezhiwei.

He had only heard about it from his uncle, Dong Xuefeng.

Dong Jianguo has now become a complete boss, with dozens of people in his factory, far more than anyone else could ever imagine...

Watching Dong Jianguo carry things to his uncle's house again and again, Zhang Cunyi felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

Even though I lent a hand, I felt even sadder.

However, Second Aunt, seeing that Dong Jianguo had been sending quite a few things to their home, subconsciously said:

"You're here, why did you bring so much stuff?!"

Dong Jianguo was really tired of hearing this.

He chuckled decisively, then remained silent and continued carrying the New Year's goods.

After putting everything on the balcony for his second aunt, Dong Jianguo gulped down several mouthfuls of water she handed him before exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhang Cunyi.

"Brother Cunyi, where have you been making your fortune lately?"

"What fortune are you talking about? We're so poor we can barely afford to eat..."

Zhang Cunyi muttered to himself.

He is not only a skilled worker, but also has a bachelor's degree.

But when the wave of layoffs came, he naturally ended up on the list because he wasn't good at interpersonal relationships in the factory.

When Aunt Er heard her nephew bring up the matter, she tugged at Jianguo's arm:

"Jianguo, you know, Cunyi is a college student, so why is he so bad at everything? You're smart, can you give Cunyi some advice so he can make some money too..."

Uncle Erda was the last stop for delivering New Year's goods.

After delivering the food, I can go home and cook for Xiuyun.

Therefore, Dong Jianguo also had the leisure to relax and enjoy a break.

Seeing Zhang Cunyi's sullen face, Dong Jianguo thought about it seriously:

"Cunyi, you're a good writer. If you ask me, you should try writing novels..."