1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Erzhuzi's real name is Wu Qianzhu. He is one year younger than Dong Jianguo and works as a truck driver at the factory.

Because he had an older brother, he was nicknamed "Second Pillar" from a young age.

He met Dong Jianguo at the factory and they played cards together in their spare time. They were both the type to lose money and end up penniless, so they appreciated each other and had a good personal relationship.

Upon hearing his idea, Dong Jianguo told him to stuff the liquor into his pocket, and then the two of them followed the crowd of people in work clothes into the factory.

The security department has always been lenient in its management approach, so even though both of them were on the suspension list announced yesterday, and the security staff at the gate recognized them, they did not stop them.

Once inside the factory, Erzhuzi felt uncertain:

"Brother Jianguo, do you think it's okay for me to give this wine to Factory Director Gao?"

"I doubt it... I heard that when Director Gao entertains guests, he usually drinks either Beidacang or Wuliangye, and occasionally Moutai. The quality of these two bottles of wine you sent is so low that even if he accepts them, he'll probably just tell you he needs to study them further..."

"Huh?! Then why did you drag me into the factory?! If this is like throwing good money after bad, we might as well find somewhere else to drink this wine!"

Dong Jianguo put his hand on Erzhuzi's shoulder: "Don't worry, although delivering the wine won't work, I have other ways to get my wages back!"

"Um?!"

Hearing this, Erzhuzi's eyes lit up: "Brother Jianguo, do you have any ideas?"

Dong Jianguo didn't say, but deliberately kept it a secret:

"Come to my house tomorrow morning and help me with some chores."

"No problem! I'll do anything to get my owed wages back!"

Seeing Erzhuzi nod in agreement, Dong Jianguo whispered in his ear...

……

Gao Yi, the factory manager of the fine knitting and weaving factory, is in a good mood today.

Yesterday afternoon, the factory announced and punished six or seven young men for gambling by playing mahjong, and the effect was immediate—last night, two workers' family members came to the factory with cigarettes and alcohol.

Not only did they give him cigarettes and alcohol, but each worker also slipped him a 200 yuan red envelope before he left.

He had originally intended to be magnanimous and simply leave the gift behind.

But the workers were enthusiastic, saying it was a gift for his child's first meeting...

Unable to refuse such a kind offer, I had no choice but to reluctantly accept.

It's not that I'm greedy, but we should give young people a chance to reform, shouldn't we?

As I passed by the office next door, I turned my head and saw Secretary Wang, who had given me advice yesterday, sitting behind her desk as if she had lost her parents.

"Xiao Wang, you seem a bit off today."

"Ah, Director Gao, I...I'm fine."

"Why are you acting like this if nothing's wrong?! Has something happened at the factory? You need to report to me as soon as possible if anything's up. Although you're nominally my secretary, you're actually my eyes and ears!"

Hearing the factory director speak so highly of him, Wang Gaofei steeled his resolve and reported to the factory director:

"Actually, it wasn't a big deal. I just witnessed some public indecent behavior at the factory gate!"

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Gao Yi immediately perked up and hurriedly asked Wang Gaofei to explain in detail.

After entering the factory gate, Wang Gaofei didn't go back to his office. Instead, he parked his bicycle and went into the security room next to the gate.

Even though Zhou Xiuyun had married Dong Jianguo and was pregnant, Wang Gaofei could never let go of her.

Otherwise, the matter wouldn't have been reported to Director Gao in the security department yesterday.

To be honest, Wang Gaofei would be happy to see Dong Jianguo, a male worker who makes a living by his looks, get into some kind of trouble.

If possible, he wouldn't mind marrying Zhou Xiuyun, who is divorced and has a child.

They might even be very happy.

Unfortunately, he, who had been waiting in the factory's security room and hadn't made it there, witnessed Zhou Xiuyun kissing Dong Jianguo in front of everyone before entering the factory.

At that moment, all others could hear were the workers' laughter and whistles.

Only he heard the sound of his own heart breaking.

Wang Gaofei just couldn't understand it. Dong Jianguo was so-so at work, idle all day long, and apart from being handsome, tall, and having a sweet tongue, he was practically useless.

How can Zhou Xiuyun not tell who is the man she can entrust her life to?!

"Seriously? Two people getting intimate in broad daylight at the factory gate?!"

Gao Yi's eyes widened.

While society has become more open in the past two years, it hasn't been this open, has it?!

"Yes, Director Gao, especially that Dong Jianguo. You just signed a document to punish him yesterday, the paste on the back of the notice hasn't even dried yet, and he's already doing this at the factory gate. It's practically a blatant provocation against your authority, Director Gao!"

"If you ask me, keeping this kind of black sheep around will only ruin the factory's reputation; they should be fired as soon as possible!"

Wang Gaofei pushed up his glasses and said fiercely.

"Is that so?! Look into this matter later and see if there are any corresponding rules or regulations!"

"Things are different now than before; the country is in a transitional period from a planned economy to a market economy. Especially during times like these, we must pay even closer attention to the factory's morale and spirit; we absolutely cannot let our guard down!"

"A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole; issues of privacy are also major problems!"

Wang Gaofei's face lit up with joy, and he nodded vigorously:

"Yes! I'll take a look at it right away!"

Gao Yi had always been quite confident in his secretary's abilities; she should be able to handle such a small matter with ease.

Turning back into his office, he couldn't help but ponder what Wang Gaofei had just said.

Kissing in broad daylight, right in front of the factory gate...

Tsk tsk tsk, these young people nowadays...

They don't understand at all that true love is about forbearance and restraint.

After reading the newspaper for a while, there was a sudden knock on the office door.

Thinking that Secretary Wang had found satisfactory rules and regulations, Gao Yi leaned back in his chair and called out, "Come in."

The door opened, revealing a completely unfamiliar handsome face.

"Who are you? Where is Secretary Wang?"

Dong Jianguo chuckled, pushed open the door to the factory director's office, and casually closed the door behind him.

"Hello, Director Gao. I am Dong Jianguo, a worker in our factory. You can just call me Xiao Dong."

Gao Yi was taken aback. He had just heard Wang Gaofei mention this name, but this was the first time he had seen the person in person.

He subconsciously assumed that Dong Jianguo had come to beg him to let him off the hook.

But seeing that the other party's hands were empty, he couldn't figure out their intentions for a moment.

"Did you need something from me?"

"Director Gao, wasn't I suspended without pay by the factory yesterday?! So I'd like to ask you..."

Gao Yi waved his hand: "Xiao Dong, the factory is disciplining you for your own good, mainly to prevent you from going astray in the future. You should understand the factory's good intentions."

"Besides, the disciplinary action has already been made public. Now you're asking me to rescind it? This is a very difficult situation!"

You can't ask someone for a favor empty-handed! This attitude of admitting your mistake doesn't seem sincere at all!

It seems Secretary Wang was right. This kid is just someone who thinks everyone in the world should treat him well for no reason because he has a good-looking face.

To everyone's surprise, Dong Jianguo nodded and said, "Oh yes, that's what I meant too. If it's too difficult, then don't do it!"

"I accept the punishment the factory gave me!"

"But the factory owes my wife and me more than three months' wages. Factory Manager Gao, could you please pay us? Otherwise, my little family won't be able to survive this winter!"

Gao Yi frowned, and said righteously, "Xiao Dong, I know you have your difficulties, but the factory also has its difficulties!"

"We workers must have a broader perspective and think more about the factory and the country, instead of just worrying about our own petty gains!"

"Alright, through this conversation, I feel you haven't clearly recognized your mistakes. Go home and reflect on them deeply!"

Dong Jianguo didn't press the matter further and nodded, saying:

"Okay, Director Gao, I'll go back and reflect on this further, and also think carefully about your matter with Director Bai to see if there's anything I've overlooked."

Gao Yi was taken aback: "Director Bai? What Director Bai?"

"That's Bai Jie, the director in charge of logistics at the Third Municipal Middle School, don't you know her?"

Dong Jianguo smiled, his young and handsome face full of sincerity, but to Gao Yi, his words were like a thunderbolt...