Aunt Xinghua, the brigade leader, and the others glared, and the three men immediately grew timid and short of breath.
Although everything they said was true, they hadn’t laid a finger on Song Wei—she was clearly faking it! Before everyone arrived, she had been swinging that bucket with full force, kicking them so hard their ribs hurt!
“What nonsense are you spouting about getting you jobs? If you like working in the fields, then work. If not, get lost! Who do you think you are?”
“Exactly! Even if there were jobs to be handed out, why would they go to you? What’s your relationship with Lin Zhen anyway, talking to him like that?”
Although they also suspected that Lin Zhen had been fired by the transport station and was too embarrassed to admit it, those were just private guesses.
They couldn’t say it to his face—who did they think they were insulting?
In the end, the three men and their families didn’t dare press the issue about being beaten. They helped their injured relatives and scurried away in disgrace.
So what if they were bruised and battered? It was no big deal—everyone had been beaten or knocked around by their parents growing up.
If something happened to Song Wei and her unborn baby because of them, that would be real trouble.
After Old Ji took her pulse, it turned out to be a false alarm—she had just “suffered a bit of a fright.”
Aunt Xinghua cursed the three men again.
“They’ve been causing trouble for Lin Zhen since they were kids. I thought they’d straightened up after he returned, but here they are again, looking for trouble.”
What Lin Zhen didn’t mention was that those three had mocked him when he returned from the military with a leg injury.
He’d beaten them up so badly they ran off and hadn’t bothered him since.
But now they were back.
They really had a knack for coming back to ask for another beating.
Aunt Xinghua sighed. “I knew something like this would happen once Lin Zhen stopped going to the transport station.”
In these times, many people envied others’ success and took pleasure in their misfortunes and embarrassments.
Especially someone like Lin Zhen, who had once been the envy of everyone for landing a job at the transport station. But just half a year later, he’d lost the job.
It was inevitable that those who were jealous would act out, like idiots, showing up just to mock him to his face.
Lin Zhen said, “Auntie, I was just about to discuss this with you. I won’t be going to the transport station for a while. Have Wenwu cover my shifts for some time. I’ve already cleared it with the leadership.”
The brigade leader and his family, who hadn’t left yet, trembled, thinking they’d misheard.
“You…what did you say?!”
“Wenwu has learned how to drive a tractor, right?”
Before the brigade leader and Aunt Xinghua could respond, Jiang Wenwu nodded frantically.
“Yes, yes! I can do it!”
Lin Zhen said, “Then it’s settled. You’ll cover my shifts. During this time, the wages and benefits from the transport station will be yours.”
Nowadays, any proper job came with excellent benefits.
During holidays, employees received items that were most needed by ordinary folks. They could even use internal channels to buy things that others struggled to get.
“Can I…really do it?”
The brigade leader, though excited, quickly calmed down as he puffed on his cigarette.
“Why are you giving this opportunity to Wenwu? Your great-uncle has a few suitable candidates too.”
Jiang Wenwu felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and he sobered up instantly.
Right, why would it be his turn?
As much as he wanted this job, he knew Lin Zhen’s great-uncle’s family was closer to him.
“This opportunity is for Wenwu. If other chances come up in the future, I’ll consider our cousins.”
He wasn’t in a hurry about his great-uncle’s family because of the tea business.
They hadn’t involved the brigade leader’s family in the tea matter, as just one jar could sell for a significant amount.
Lin Zhen had been able to join the military back then only because the brigade leader had pushed through despite opposition. Hei Dan had also received plenty of help from the brigade leader’s family. In fact, it was with their assistance that Hei Dan had successfully been “adopted” by Song Wei.
Besides, Lin Zhen and Jiang Wenwu had been close since childhood, which was why he wanted to give this opportunity to Jiang Wenwu.
As for his great-uncle’s family, there would be more opportunities in the future.
The job opportunity was simply too enticing. The brigade leader rubbed his hands together.
“Is this really possible?”
Lin Zhen nodded. “Yes. If there’s time, I’ll take Wenwu to the transport station tomorrow to handle the procedures.”
“I have time! I have time!”
Jiang Wenwu could hardly contain his excitement, his face flushing red.
“Alright, then get ready. I’ll take you there tomorrow.”
Jiang Wenwu literally jumped for joy.
“Hahaha… Bro, Lin Zhen, from now on you’re my real brother!”
Jiang Wenwu’s own older brother, though envious, knew this opportunity was better suited for his younger brother.
He hadn’t learned how to drive a tractor, and compared to his brother’s enthusiastic and outgoing personality, he was much more reserved and taciturn.
The brigade leader and Aunt Xinghua were beaming with joy.
How had such an incredible stroke of luck fallen into their laps?
The next day, Lin Zhen took Jiang Wenwu to the transport station early in the morning.
They didn’t return by noon, so Aunt Xinghua slaughtered a chicken, made soup, and brought it over for lunch.
Song Wei said, “Auntie, you’re too kind.”
Aunt Xinghua replied, “What’s there to be kind about? The job your Lin Zhen gave us—even if it’s just covering shifts—is a formal position. It pays thirty-five yuan a month, and there are benefits at the end of each month.”
“Honestly, we’re the ones taking advantage of you two. We discussed with Lin Zhen about only taking half the salary, but he refused. So what’s one chicken compared to that?”
“Eat up. Your belly is getting bigger. After you finish, I’ll take a walk with you.”
Song Wei responded, “Auntie, please eat with me.”
Lin Zhen returned in the afternoon, along with Jiang Wenwu.
Song Wei was waiting at the village entrance, cracking sunflower seeds. Both of them rode back on bicycles, and judging by Jiang Wenwu’s radiant, ear-to-ear grin, it was clear things had gone well.
“Sis, we’re back! Aunt Wang, Aunt Li, Aunt Lin, you’re all chatting here…”
Even before reaching the village entrance, an ecstatic Jiang Wenwu began greeting everyone at the top of his voice, calling out to every person sitting there.
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