Xu Da Mao was a man who liked to delve into things.
Although a bit of a scoundrel, he had his principles.
Since the beginning of the year, his father had semi-retired, leaving Xu Da Mao to handle the film projections.
According to the plot, his father would find a job at a movie theater, clearing the way for Xu Da Mao.
But Xu Da Mao was actually quite ambitious.
Flattery and playing favorites were his standard tactics.
Upon hearing the name "Deputy Director Shen," his demeanor instantly changed.
"Why do you need a bike? They're not cheap!"
"I'm going to be making some purchases outside."
"You got transferred to the procurement department? Didn't you work in the kitchen?"
"No transfer, but the kitchen staff also goes out for purchases. Shen Guang Lin wants to take me with him, so I can't be without a bike."
Xu Da Mao's eyes widened, "Shen Guang Lin taking you for purchases? His father is really Deputy Director Shen, the head of logistics and publicity at the Steel Mill?"
"With your 250 IQ, how could I possibly deceive you!"
"That's true. Dong Zi, what brand are you getting?"
"Phoenix brand, last month it cost 145 yuan at the state-owned department store."
"So how much are you short?"
"One hundred and forty."
Xu Da Mao froze.
What kind of shenanigans were these?
"You're telling me you only have five yuan? This is what you call 'a little bit short'?"
"These five yuan are from Third Uncle, I borrowed it just now. You can ask him if you don't believe me."
“……”
Xu Da Mao was so angry he wanted to curse.
"Is this how you borrow money? It's practically like I'm buying you a bike."
"I'm not asking for a handout, am I? Of course, I won't owe you for nothing! I heard they're building a broadcasting station in the publicity department. Besides the announcer, they're probably adding a deputy director. Da Mao, that's a coveted position. Even if you can't get in, this information is valuable, isn't it?"
"When will you pay me back?"
"In installments. My salary is small, but I definitely won't renege on the debt."
"That's too much! Installments are out of the question. Who knows how long you'll drag it out."
....................
Clearly, installments were not an option for Xu Da Mao.
He wasn't just more cunning than Yan Bu Gui, he was more shrewd.
"Here's the deal, next week I'll get you a Shanghai brand watch, no ticket needed."
"You sure?"
Xu Da Mao lowered his voice, "This watch is also from Director Shen..."
Bu Xiang Dong didn't answer. He just let Xu Da Mao guess, no proof left behind.
In those days, there were three must-haves for showing off.
Radio, watch, and bicycle.
If you wore a watch and rode a bicycle, heads would turn everywhere you went.
So Xu Da Mao readily paid up.
In the entire courtyard, the only ones with money were Yi Zhong Hai and Xu Da Mao's family.
Yi Zhong Hai had a high salary, while Xu Da Mao's family could earn extra by showing movies in the countryside.
Bu Xiang Dong took the money and immediately went out.
He wasn't actually going to buy a bike, of course.
Instead, he found a secluded corner and retrieved the bicycle from his system.
The system had a glitch, coming with a steel stamp certificate, so he didn't have to worry about anyone checking.
"Bu Xiang Dong, did you buy a bike?"
As soon as Bu Xiang Dong entered the front yard, Yan Bu Gui looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Yeah, brand new Phoenix. Shiny and new, want to touch it?"
Yan Bu Gui immediately came over and cautiously stroked it.
Like stroking his young Third Aunt, he relished the experience.
"Wait, where did you get the money? Didn't you borrow money from me for the house repairs?"
"It's nothing, just a loan! Borrowed one hundred and forty from the Xu family."
Yan Bu Gui was completely taken aback.
"You haven't paid back my thirty, and you borrowed one hundred and forty from the Xus?"
"Yeah, I borrowed money by my own wits, what's wrong with that?"
"What are you going to pay back with? Bu Xiang Dong, you're messing me up."
"The house isn't going anywhere, and neither is the bike. The Xus aren't afraid, why are you?"
Yan Bu Gui froze for a moment.
It made sense...
But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
.......................
"Meeting, meeting, First Uncle said there's a courtyard meeting."
Someone shouted, calling the whole courtyard to gather in the middle. People grabbed their stools and hurried over.
The eight-legged table, symbolizing the supreme power center of No. 95 Courtyard, was already set up.
In a moment!
First Uncle Yi Zhong Hai took the central seat.
Second Uncle Liu Hai Zhong sat to the left.
Third Uncle Yan Bu Gui sat to the right.
"Everyone quiet down. We're gathering everyone tonight for a meeting, mainly to discuss one thing."
Yi Zhong Hai scanned the crowd, seemingly looking for any missing faces.
"As you all know, Jia Dong Xu's leg was amputated due to his injury. The Jia family faces immense hardship."
"He has old parents and young children to take care of, and... Qin Huairu is pregnant again. They're struggling."
"So tonight we're all gathered here to call for everyone to donate and help the Jia family solve their problems."
Bu Xiang Dong scoffed, "He's not good at work, but he's the champion of making babies."
The scene erupted in laughter.
That was truly... something.
.......................
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