1994: Starting with unpaid leave

As soon as Dong Jianguo finished speaking, the previously tense atmosphere in the living room was suddenly filled with a bombshell.

"One person hauls away 5 or 6 kilograms? And they're charged based on the purchase price?"

My second cousin, Dong Xingguo, who had been lounging on the sofa, leaned forward instinctively upon hearing this, his eyes filled with disbelief.

This is no small amount.

Even if you only make a few cents profit per pound from 5 or 6 pounds of eggs, that adds up to a considerable amount of money over a month!

People might have thought that workers had a higher social status than small vendors, but now that they hear their youngest cousin bought a new apartment in just one month, who wouldn't be tempted?!

The cold smile on the face of his eldest cousin, Dong Huguo, also froze.

He had just been mentally cursing Dong Jianguo as a "nouveau riche" and "ungrateful," thinking that Dong had become ungrateful after achieving success.

But now, people come to our door not to show off, but to give us money!

"Jianguo, are you...are you serious?"

Dong Huguo's voice was somewhat hoarse. His sarcastic remarks when he saw Dong Jianguo enter the door now seemed particularly ironic.

Dong Jianguo didn't look at them. Instead, he picked up the hot tea that his second uncle had just poured, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.

His movements were unhurried:

"Uncle, eldest brother, second brother," Dong Jianguo put down his teacup and glanced at the three of them. "We are all family. I did get the first batch of goods because of your connections, Uncle."

He paused, his eyes sharpening:

"That's right, the old man did help me the first time, getting me that quota of over a thousand kilograms of eggs. But what about the rest? I had to work my way up from farm to farm! What is Zhang Cunyi doing? He's wielding his authority like a chicken feather, utterly disrespecting me!"

Mentioning Zhang Cunyi, the second uncle's expression, which had just softened, darkened again, and he snorted coldly, "Don't mention that jinx!"

"So," Dong Jianguo changed the subject, his tone becoming sincere, "I'm not here today to listen to insults, nor am I here to smooth things over. I'm here to solve the problem."

He pointed to the cigarettes and alcohol on the table: "This is a small token of respect from the younger generation to the elders. What I said just now was to give my elder brothers an opportunity."

"What opportunity?" Dong Xingguo couldn't help but ask.

"An opportunity for independence." Dong Jianguo looked at them.

"You have hands and feet, yet you work in the factory earning only a few hundred yuan a month, enduring humiliation, and having to be subservient to the leaders."

"You don't need to worry about the source of my eggs; I'll teach you how to find sales channels. All you need to do is put in the effort—hauling the eggs, setting up your stall, and renting a tin shed! All the profits are yours!"

"I only have one thing to say—we, the Dong family, must unite as one and not become a laughing stock! We mustn't let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch!"

These words were both piercing and deeply moving.

Dong Huguo and Dong Xingguo's faces turned bright red instantly.

They were just jealous of their cousin's success, and wondering if the learning machine he gave them was too stingy.

But what about them? They directly offer you the way to make money.

The second uncle looked at Dong Jianguo, the anger in his eyes long gone, replaced by a complex light.

He served as the factory director for nearly ten years, welcoming and seeing off countless people.

Only then did he truly see his nephew for who he was.

This kid is not only brave, but also smart.

He knew how to use leverage against others and resolve hatred through mutual benefit;

He understood that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one, so he used a "transfer of benefits" to win people's hearts and turn two potential troublemakers into his allies.

"Jianguo," the second uncle sighed deeply, picked up the cigarette on the table, and Dong Jianguo quickly struck a match to light it for him.

"You're far better than your two good-for-nothing cousins," the second uncle said, exhaling a smoke ring, his eyes piercing. "I agree with what you just said. Huguo and Xingguo, you two listen up!"

The second uncle turned to his two sons, his eyes stern: "Jianguo is giving you face! If you dare to cause trouble again, if you dare to gossip outside, not only will Jianguo disown you, but I will disown you two sons too! Starting tomorrow, go to Jianguo's place to pick up goods! If you don't do a good job, you're both fired!"

"Dad, we...we'll do it!" Dong Huguo lowered his head in shame, his voice soft but full of determination.

"Yeah, go for it! Jianguo, I was a bit harsh just now, don't take it to heart." Dong Xingguo quickly chimed in, his face full of awkward smiles.

Dong Jianguo waved his hand with a smile: "We're family, no need for formalities. As long as my two older brothers are willing to work hard, we'll make plenty of money in the future."

As they were talking, the curtain to the inner room was lifted.

Aunt Erda came out wearing a thin sweater, her hair was a little messy, and her eyes were slightly red.

She had been listening in the inner room, but eventually couldn't stand it anymore and came out.

"Jianguo..." Aunt Er's voice was choked with emotion, and she was holding a handkerchief in her hand.

As soon as she came out, Dong Huguo and Dong Xingguo were startled and quickly stood up: "Mom, why are you up?"

The second aunt ignored her son and went straight to Dong Jianguo. She took his hand, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Jianguo, I was so foolish! I heard everything in the inner room. I'm so easily offended, and I was even blaming you for not helping your relatives now that you're successful..."

Dong Jianguo quickly helped her up: "Auntie, what are you saying? That learning machine is for children; knowledge is the most precious gift."

"No, no, Auntie understands." The second aunt wiped away her tears. "Auntie knows it was because I was narrow-minded and listened to that brat Zhang Cunyi's instigation, thinking you had forgotten your roots. Auntie apologizes!"

As she spoke, the second aunt actually bowed to Dong Jianguo.

Dong Jianguo couldn't accept such a gesture and quickly supported her, saying, "Auntie! If you do this, how will I ever dare to come to this door again?"

The second uncle watched from the side, his expression softening considerably, but he still said sternly, "Jianguo is right. What are you doing? If Jianguo held a grudge, he wouldn't have come today."

Aunt Er cried even harder after her husband said that.

"Jianguo, I promise you, if Zhang Cunyi comes again, I'll chase him out with a broom! Our family will listen to you! Tell your older brothers to do whatever you want, and they'll do it!" The second aunt grabbed Dong Jianguo's hand as if she had grasped a lifeline.

Seeing this scene before him, Dong Jianguo finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He knew that he had finally captured the high ground of internal public opinion.

Although his two cousins ​​may not be as capable as him, they are relatives after all, so he should help them if he can.

Furthermore, although they promised to supply them with goods at the purchase price, they didn't specify which supplier's purchase price they would use to buy the eggs.

If we supply them with eggs from Keshan Farm and price them the same as Hongqi Farm, we can still make a few cents per pound of eggs. Either way, we can make a profit!

"Auntie, Uncle," Dong Jianguo took a deep breath.

Now that the formalities are over, it's time to state your demands:

"Now that we've all laid our cards on the table, I won't hold back anymore. Besides helping my two older brothers find a way out, I actually have an even bigger idea: I'd like to ask you for a big favor, sir."