"Apologies, this was indeed an oversight by our transport team today, but rest assured, we will deliver by the agreed-upon time." Lin Feng looked at Director Qian before him, calmly nodding and admitting the mistake.
Director Qian expected him to give a bureaucratic run-around, but surprisingly, he admitted his fault so readily. She quickly swallowed the words she was about to say, shot Lin Feng a glare, and turned to leave.
Xiang Jun watched Director Qian's retreating back, stunned. She just let it go? She used to scold until she felt satisfied.
Lin Feng glanced at Director Qian and, instead, followed her. Xiang Jun watched as he spoke a couple of sentences to Director Qian, who then stopped, looking at him with surprise, and then led Lin Feng into the office.
Xiang Jun stared at the loading of the trucks. After an unknown amount of time, he saw Lin Feng emerge from the office, holding a stack of documents.
After the warehouse staff finished loading the goods, they waved at Xiang Jun. Xiang Jun glanced at Lin Feng, who asked him, puzzled, "What is it? Just say what you need to."
"Ahem, Deputy Captain Lin, there are some flawed fabrics in the warehouse. Are you interested?" Xiang Jun said, looking at Lin Feng apprehensibly.
Lin Feng patted Xiang Jun's shoulder. "Let's go take a look together."
Xiang Jun's eyes lit up. Since Lin Feng didn't get angry, it was tacit approval? He gave a signal to the team members behind him. "Let's go."
Xiang Jun led Lin Feng to the warehouse. When the young woman in charge of the warehouse saw Xiang Jun, she immediately broke into a sweet smile. Lin Feng glanced at Xiang Jun knowingly, and Xiang Jun cleared his throat.
"Brother Jun, there are a lot of flawed fabrics in the warehouse this time. The quantity is quite large, and the price is cheap. You all can split it up. There's plenty of good stuff!" the young woman said enthusiastically, looking at Xiang Jun's hands.
"Ahem, thank you. Deputy Captain Lin, please pick some?" Xiang Jun said to Lin Feng. The members of the second team all looked at Lin Feng; if he didn't take anything, they wouldn't dare.
Lin Feng was not polite. He walked over to the flawed fabrics and saw that most of them had some pulled threads or uneven dyeing, making them unsellable at normal prices. He picked out the white fabric that Fu Wenwen had regretted not buying last time, and some checkered cloth.
Seeing that Lin Feng had made his selection, the members of the second team confidently began to distribute the rest among themselves.
Lin Feng loaded the fabric onto the truck. Xiang Jun whispered a few words to the young woman before quickly returning to the passenger seat.
"Ahem, Deputy Captain Lin, that... she's my fiancée," Xiang Jun introduced sheepishly, afraid Lin Feng might misunderstand.
"Congratulations. When are you getting married?" Lin Feng asked with a smile, offering his blessings.
Xiang Jun smiled bitterly. "Her mother's bride price is quite high. I need to save enough money before we can get married."
"How high?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Five hundred yuan, plus a Phoenix brand bicycle and a watch," Xiang Jun sighed. "Originally, her mother wanted the 'three rounds and one whistle,' but my fiancée pleaded with her, and she agreed to reduce it by two items."
With his current circumstances, it would take a lot of saving to afford these.
"Is Deputy Captain Lin married?" Xiang Jun asked Lin Feng in return.
Hearing Xiang Jun's words, Lin Feng suddenly realized he hadn't bought Fu Wenwen any of the 'three rounds and one whistle.'
He had promised to buy her a bicycle before but hadn't.
"Yes, I am married," Lin Feng replied with a smile.
"That's great," Xiang Jun said enviously. He didn't know when he would be able to get married!
Just as the goods were all loaded, Lin Feng started the vehicle, leading the convoy, and set off for their destination.
On the way, Lin Feng looked at Xiang Jun. "How much is the bride price for marriage in your area?"
"The minimum is fifty yuan, and the higher end can go up to five hundred or more. And for the 'three rounds and one whistle,' you usually need at least one item," Xiang Jun replied. Lin Feng nodded.
Lin Feng accelerated ahead, and the second team followed suit. Finally, they completed the transportation mission at the agreed-upon time.
However, the members of the second team were not happy, as it was uncertain whether the credit for this accomplishment would fall to them.
As soon as Lin Feng and the second team completed their mission and returned to the convoy, Fu Liqun had already returned with the first team. Upon seeing Lin Feng, he approached with a cold smile. "Oh, look, it's the second team. You took on such a big mission today, feeling happy, right? But it's a shame, this is still our first team's accomplishment. Thank you for your help."
Fu Liqun's words caused Xiang Jun and the others to lower their heads, sighing internally. Was it really going to be like this?
The glimmer of hope in their hearts was once again dashed. The members of the second team had grown numb.
"Master Fu, are you serious about what you just said?" Lin Feng looked at Fu Liqun and walked up to him. "Are you out of your mind, or just being difficult?"
"Lin Feng, I advise you to be sensible. You'll have an easier time in the future. Do you really think you can give orders just because you're an appointed deputy captain?" Hu Jianjun, standing beside Fu Liqun, sneered contemptuously at Lin Feng, and the members of the first team all laughed.
They looked down on Lin Feng and didn't believe his backing was stronger than Fu Liqun's.
They had just been brought in for questioning by the investigation team, and after a few words from their superiors, they were let go.
"Then try reporting this mission and see what happens," Lin Feng said with a slight, challenging smile.
Fu Liqun and Lin Feng stared at each other. The tension in the air was palpable. Lin Feng patted Xiang Jun's shoulder and led his team to report the mission.
Fu Liqun and the others mocked Lin Feng. Fu Liqun glanced at Lin Feng's retreating back. He was determined to snatch this credit.
"Modify the mission report to be ours later," Fu Liqun said calmly. Hu Jianjun was experienced in such matters and was adept at it. "Understood, Brother Fu!"
Xiang Jun followed the members of the second team back to their corner. They watched as the first team, with an air of arrogance, drove off as if they had completed the mission.
"Captain Fang, do you think Deputy Captain Lin can secure our mission credit?" a member of the second team asked dejectedly.
"Fu Liqun came back like nothing happened. I doubt it," another team member said. "It's not the first time. What more expectations can you have?"
"Yeah, you're right." The members of the second team all lowered their heads in disappointment.
"Alright, what can we do on someone else's turf? Check your trucks thoroughly, see if anything needs repairs, and get to work," Xiang Jun clapped his hands, signaling them to get busy.
After every delivery run, the trucks had to be inspected and their condition checked.
The repair team in the transport company was a tough bunch, completely under Fu Liqun's influence. They couldn't be moved by them.
Lin Feng arrived at the captain's office. The captain had already expected Lin Feng's visit and, with a glance, gestured for him to sit.
"Asking me is useless. My authority has long been usurped by him. They all only listen to Fu Liqun," the captain stated directly.
Lin Feng looked at him. "I haven't placed my hopes on you. Your situation is no better than the second team's."