1994: Starting with unpaid leave

"Write a novel? Give me a break. Where would you even write that?"

Zhang Cunyi felt that Dong Jianguo had given him a bad idea.

"Let's serialize it!"

Dong Jianguo tapped on the coffee table.

He casually picked up the Heicheng Evening News that his second uncle had bought, flipped to a certain page, and pointed to it:

"Look, our Heicheng Evening News has a section dedicated to serialized novels. Each issue is about 2,000 words, and the payment seems to be around ten yuan per thousand words."

"If you could publish a serial here, that would be perfect. Wouldn't that be much better than dealing with people every day and earning a meager living?!"

"To put it nicely, he's a literary figure! A literary giant! Maybe everyone will ask you for his autograph when we meet again!"

Hearing Dong Jianguo say this, Zhang Cunyi finally started to consider it.

But having the idea is not enough without inspiration.

"Then what should I write?"

"Just write whatever's trending. Look around, aren't all factories sending their workers back to work on standby? Just write about this!"

"I've already thought of the beginning for you!"

"Just assume that the novel is set in a martial arts world, and all the sects are poorly managed."

"Some sect elders are indulging in eating and drinking, neglecting management. Others have no interest in the sect's development, only wanting to transfer sect assets back to their own homes... In short, all the sects are going to collapse. In order to save their sects, all the martial arts sects are planning to send their disciples home..."

"When it came to the protagonist, he was unwilling to accept defeat and made a three-year agreement. He shouted things like 'Never underestimate a young man's potential' and 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.' I will definitely make those who sent me home to wait for work pay the price..."

As Dong Jianguo drank tea, he shared his thoughts, leaving Zhang Cunyi stunned.

If he previously thought Dong Jianguo was a lucky, unsophisticated boss and looked down on him from the bottom of his heart.

But now, after hearing what Dong Jianguo said, Zhang Cunyi was genuinely surprised.

This ignorant and incompetent boss relative is actually quite cunning!

As he refilled Dong Jianguo's tea, he confirmed:

"Jianguo, are you planning to use the past to satirize the present?!"

"What 'satire'? That's awful! This story is purely fictional; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental!"

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Zhang Cunyi's eyes as he looked at Dong Jianguo.

Perhaps this story... really has potential!

He couldn't help but ask further questions about the male lead's role:

"Jianguo, according to you, the male protagonist in this martial arts novel, after becoming stronger, turns around and seeks revenge, slaughtering everyone in his sect?"

"I hadn't thought of that, but there are many ways to seek revenge; it doesn't necessarily have to involve fighting and killing."

"By the way, you can refer to The Count of Monte Cristo for specifics; it's the earliest revenge-themed novel. It was written by Alexandre Dumas."

"You have a pen name now, don't you?! It's Zhongma! To show your respect to your seniors!"

Dong Jianguo joked with a smile.

Although there was a playful element to the pen name he gave Zhang Cunyi, he felt that Zhang Cunyi was actually quite suited to staying at home and writing novels.

This person isn't very good at dealing with people; by comparison, staying home and writing novels is actually the lowest-cost way to start a business...

Zhang Cunyi nodded, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes behind his glasses:

"Jianguo, thank you so much. I never expected you could help me like this. I thought last time..."

Dong Jianguo waved his hand: "They're all real relatives, what's the big deal? Let's not dwell on the past, we all have to look forward, right?"

"Um!"

After finishing talking about Zhang Cunyi, Dong Jianguo looked at his second aunt and asked about the family's situation.

My second uncle will reach retirement age after the New Year.

After Labor Day, I will officially retire from my position as the director of the fire equipment factory.

The second uncle had originally planned to make arrangements for his two sons before he retired.

Even if they didn't get a high-ranking official position, at least they could be transferred to a more stable factory, instead of being stuck at home waiting for work like they are now.

But his two cousins ​​are also involved in the egg trade with him. Now, half of the fresh eggs the factory receives every day are allocated to them, and they earn much more than they would working a regular job.

So the two of them felt that going to work had become something optional...

"Jianguo, although they're making a lot of money now, I just feel like they're so unreliable..."

"Second Aunt, don't worry. When my eldest and second brothers come to my place to get the eggs, I'll try to persuade them again. It would be best if they could have jobs; after all, a company can pay social security and such for its employees..."

The Labor Law of the People's Republic of China, which came into effect on January 1, 1995, clearly stipulates that "employers and employees must participate in social insurance and pay social insurance premiums in accordance with the law."

The laws and policies at the time clearly included "private enterprises" in the social insurance coverage.

However, the actual implementation of the regulations is quite complicated. Not to mention back then, even now, there are still private enterprises that do not pay social security for their employees...

Dong Jianguo actually went to inquire, only to be told, "For small private factories like yours, just go back and wait for further notice..."

So when it comes to employee benefits, he has no way to make a difference...

"Sigh, Jianguo, I feel relieved to hear you say that..."

Second Aunt looked at Dong Jianguo with a smile.

She now admires Dong Jianguo more and more.

It wasn't just her husband's "pillow talk" that made her money; mainly, her two sons had genuinely earned a lot of money working for Dong Jianguo.

Who would have thought that the egg business, which everyone looked down on at the time, could actually support so many people?!

Just then, the door lock clicked, and Uncle Erda came back.

To save money, he usually goes home for lunch.

"Oh dear, old man, look who's here?!"

"Jianguo! It's not a holiday today, what brings you here?!"

Aunt Er smiled and took credit for Dong Jianguo: "That kid's visit wasn't in vain! Go look at the balcony, the things are piled up like a small mountain! They were all brought by Jianguo!"

Zhang Cunyi looked a little embarrassed when he heard this. He had only given a chicken, which was now lying alone in the corner of the balcony.

Compared to others, it's completely incomparable.

When Dong Jianguo was moving the New Year's goods, his second aunt mentioned it briefly. Fearing that Zhang Cunyi would feel embarrassed, he added with a smile, "Second Uncle, not only were they delivered, but there are also gifts from Brother Cunyi on the balcony."

"Alright, alright, you're all good kids... have lunch with us!"

Taking off his coat, Dong Xuefeng looked at Dong Jianguo and couldn't help but ask about his family situation.

When Dong Xuefeng heard that Xiuyun would be spending the New Year in the hospital, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"It's alright. If you ask me, it's actually better to have a baby on New Year's Eve! Then when the little one has a birthday, the whole country will be celebrating together!"

Upon hearing Dong Jianguo say this, the second uncle couldn't help but smile broadly.

To live a good life, one should be as optimistic as Dong Jianguo.

With happiness and joy every day, how could life not get better and better?!