Xie Sui arrived at the Ye family's house and was almost knocked over by the strong smell of alcohol as soon as he entered. Ye Yong was fast asleep in the living room, clearly having had too much to drink.
"Who are you looking for?"
A man, who bore a five-tenths resemblance to Ye Feng but with a fiercer look instead of Ye Feng's refined shyness, asked Xie Sui.
"I'm looking for Uncle Ye. Is this not a good time?"
Ye Feng had just returned from outside and was surprised to see Xie Sui. "Brother Xie, why are you here? It's a mess at home, let's talk outside."
"Brother Xie? He's that 'brother' of yours? Our dad worked for him and lost his job because of it, and he still dares to show up? I'll beat you to death!"
Ye Feng's older brother, Ye Yang, raised his fist and lunged at Xie Sui. Xie Sui instinctively ducked, and the punch landed on Ye Feng's face. Ye Feng became agitated. "Brother, what are you going crazy about? How can you blame Brother Xie for this?"
"Then who do you blame? If not for him, Dad wouldn't have taken private jobs, and if he hadn't taken private jobs, he wouldn't have been fired by the factory?"
Xie Sui: "..."
This logic seemed sound!
Ye Feng said angrily, "Dad was framed! You know that, don't you? I also know why you're angry. It's because Dad lost his job, and you can't take over his position. If you're angry, go reason with the factory, why are you taking it out on Brother Xie?"
"I'm warning you, I'm the only one working in the family right now, and Brother Xie is my boss. If you dare to hit him, I'll lose my job too, and all of us will be eating the wind!"
Xie Sui said with satisfaction, "That's right, Xiao Feng, you should talk back to him like that. What kind of man is he, bullying his own family? Curse him to death!"
"Get out, you're not welcome here."
Ye Yang was furious. What kind of boss was this? He looked so smug, he wanted to beat him to death!
"Enough, you go back to your room."
Ye Yong had woken up at some point. He rubbed his disheveled hair and said, "Comrade Xie, I apologize. My family's matters are not your fault. The money and goods are settled, you don't owe us anything, and I'm not unreasonable.
However, I'm afraid I can't help you anymore. You should go."
Xie Sui leaned closer. "Uncle Ye, are you just going to let people bully you like this? This isn't just about a job; it's about your integrity. Are you willing to have the neighbors point fingers at you?"
"Of course I'm not willing, but what can I do? Huh? Tell me, what can I do?"
Ye Yong was so angry his eyes turned red, and he spat on Xie Sui's face. Xie Sui quickly wiped his face. Damn it, would he get a pockmarked face?
My handsome face!
"Calm down, calm down. I've heard everything. Since you didn't steal anything from the factory, go explain to the leaders. They catch the thief with the goods. They can't just suspend you based on his word. This is bullying."
"If the factory has no evidence, we'll report it to the union. If the union can't handle it, there's the county. As long as you're in the right, we'll make a big fuss and see who's scared."
Ye Yong thought for a moment. "But I did do private work for you. If they accuse me of speculation and profiteering, I'll go to jail."
He had considered reporting to the leaders, but the workshop director had said that if he made a fuss, he would expose his private dealings and send him to jail, which would have even more severe consequences.
Xie Sui scoffed. "What era is this? Still talking about speculation and profiteering? The country is encouraging private enterprise. Look at the vendors on the streets and the shops they've opened. Have they been arrested?"
"He's just trying to scare you. Even if it's speculation and profiteering, the amount is small. At most, you'll be locked up for a couple of days, and no record will be left. What are you afraid of?"
"Really?"
Ye Yong had suffered from his lack of knowledge and was being controlled by the workshop director. He was so dejected and regretful that he almost took his own life.
"Really. Let's go right now. I'll go with you. I also have a responsibility in this matter. Bring your two sons, and we'll go directly to the factory leadership. We'll get the factory back. I don't believe that damned director's hands are clean."
Ye Yong's alcoholic fumes rose. "Damn it, he's the biggest parasite! He's been secretly selling off so many good things from the factory. Don't think I don't know."
"Where's the evidence? If you have evidence, we'll pull him down and get our revenge."
"I don't have any evidence."
Xie Sui was speechless. Then what are you talking about?
"When a goose flies, it leaves a trace. We'll look for evidence against him later. For now, let's talk about work and reputation. Uncle Ye, go wash your face and change your clothes. Don't let the leaders think you're drunk and out of control."
"You're still the clever one, kid. Uncle Ye saw it from the first glance. You're a talented person."
"Uncle Ye, your judgment is excellent. I think so too."
"Haha..."
Xie Sui made them all laugh. After Ye Yong tidied himself up, they went to the factory to demand an explanation.
On the way, a neighbor taunted him. "Old Ye, where are you going? You lost your job, how about I recommend you a job carrying sacks? You still have to support your family!"
Before Ye Yong could speak, Xie Sui said, "Uncle Ye, is this your nephew? He's quite old, why is he calling you grandpa?"
The neighbor: "..."
Ye Yong laughed heartily. "Thank you, nephew, I don't have any red envelopes for you today. I'm going to the factory. That guy Wang framed me, suspended me, and ruined my reputation. I'm going to get justice from him. Do you want to come along?"
"I remember you were quite close to that Wang guy. Do you want to be his lackey?"
The neighbor's face turned green. "What nonsense are you talking about? Everyone knows you were doing private work!"
"What's wrong with me doing private work? After work, it's my own time. I can even build an atomic bomb, what business is it of yours?"
Xie Sui added fuel to the fire. "Uncle Ye is right, we're building airplanes and cannons, to bomb those petty people."
Ye Yong felt even more confident, striding forward as if going into battle.
The neighbor followed them. They were all employees of the machinery factory. If Ye Yong dared to confront him, he had the guts to confront the factory leadership!
Ye Yong and his entourage approached aggressively, and the gatekeeper was startled. "Ye Yong, you're suspended, you can't go in!"
"Nonsense!"
Old Ye exploded, truly unstoppable, coupled with the alcohol, his courage was immense. He even dared to block him, the gatekeeper. Xie Sui stopped him. "Convince with virtue, we must convince with virtue."
"Fine, for your sake, Little Xie, I won't bother with you. I joined the factory at sixteen and have been a worker for half my life. I have both contributions and hard work to my name. What are you, to dare to stop me?"
The gatekeeper, afraid of being beaten, opened the gate. "If you have the ability, go yell at the leaders. Why are you losing your temper with me? Go in, go in, just don't get thrown out."
As soon as Ye Yong entered, the gatekeeper called Director Wang, informing him that Ye Yong had gone mad and that he should be prepared.
"Ye Yong, how dare you! I gave you a chance to reflect by suspending you. I see you want to be fired. I warn you, if you're fired, you'll lose your pension too. Think carefully."
Director Wang intercepted Ye Yong halfway. It was the same old scare tactic, but this time Xie Sui was with him, so he wouldn't be intimidated. Xie Sui had lived two lifetimes for nothing if he could be scared.