Chapter 18 The Malicious Aunt and Niece

Back at the factory, the more Liu Jun thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. His aunt, Liu Fengxian, was also working overtime. He sidled up to her and asked, “Aunt, did you know that Chai Jin has joined the factory?”

Liu Fengxian was holding a broom, pretending to sweep. Lacking any real skills, she could only manage menial tasks like hauling garbage. Birds of a feather flock together; she’d only been at the factory for a few days, yet already spent her time scheming to shirk work.

Hearing her nephew’s question, she quickly pulled him aside. “Jun, where did you hear that?”

Liu Jun spat, “I saw it with my own eyes. The two siblings went into the director’s office together.”

“Really?” A wave of displeasure washed over Liu Fengxian. If those siblings were in the factory, wouldn’t their family soon be doing better than hers? That would make two “state-fed” mouths in their household. Jealousy and resentment surged within her.

She muttered, “What’s going on with this distillery? Business may be good, but they can’t just hire any riffraff.”

“If this keeps up, our factory will be bankrupt.”

“Exactly, the director must be blind,” Liu Jun said. “Aunt, why don’t we think of a way to get rid of those two?”

The thin brows on Liu Fengxian’s plump face twisted into worm-like knots. Combined with her flat, doughy features, she radiated a look of sharpness and malice that could make anyone feel ill. Her heart was even more poisonous.

At that moment, countless sinister ideas flashed through her mind. After a long pause, she spoke, “We must get rid of them. Shameless people—how could their sort be worthy of entering the factory?”

The aunt and nephew began plotting in earnest.

Meanwhile, in the steamy, bustling production hall, the shift foreman—a hot-tempered middle-aged man—was running a tight ship. Everyone else was working flat out, wishing they could split themselves in two, except for that idle aunt and nephew, chatting away in a corner.

The foreman couldn’t contain his anger. He shouted, “Liu Fengxian, this is my last warning to you two! If you keep standing around doing nothing, get out! The factory doesn’t feed lazybones! The dog just made a mess over there—go clean it up!”

Startled, the pair fell silent, scurrying over to the foreman and showering him with flattery. He brushed them off impatiently. “Enough nonsense—go work!”

Finally, they returned to their respective posts.

Time crept by. When midnight struck, their shift was finally over.

A group of more than twenty workers left the workshop. On Chai Jin’s side, their discussion was also winding down. Since business at the factory had suddenly exploded, everything was chaotic. After careful thought, Chai Jin decided to assign his sister, Chai Fang, to the finance department. Her gentle, meticulous nature suited the work perfectly. In the future, she would also attend further accounting courses.

Chai Jin also planned to bring Chai Minguo into the factory, though what he’d do would depend on his own wishes.

As they exited the factory, Chai Fang glanced at Wang Xiaoli and suddenly understood something. Smiling, she said, “Jin, why don’t you take Xiaoli home on your bike? I can go by myself.”

Wang Xiaoli quickly protested, “No need, I’ll be at Grandpa’s house in no time on my bike. You two go ahead.”

Her face flushed crimson. Alone at night, a girl of eighteen couldn’t help but feel embarrassed being with a young man. Her cheeks burned, but fortunately only the pale moon above illuminated the path, so her awkwardness was hidden from others.

Afraid her brother would refuse, Chai Fang urged, “Jin, go ahead and take her. I’ll head back first.” Without another word, she picked up her basket of eels and strode off toward the fields behind the factory.

Chai Jin hadn’t planned to give a ride, but remembered that Liu Jun would be finishing his shift around now and was concerned Wang Xiaoli might run into that scoundrel on the road. He took the handlebars from Wang Xiaoli and mounted the bicycle. “Hop on. Your grandfather’s house is right next to Liu Jun’s—you’ll probably be on the same road.”

Wang Xiaoli lifted her bright, almond-shaped eyes and murmured, “Will you be all right alone, Fangfang?”

Chai Jin smiled. “She often catches eels in the fields alone at night. She’ll be fine.”

“Oh, all right,” Wang Xiaoli replied, climbing onto the back seat. She sat stiffly, hands braced on the saddle, not daring to hug his waist. The dirt road was bumpy, the night silent but for the sound of tires on earth. Her hair swayed under the starlight, delicate legs crossed demurely—a picture of pure, youthful charm.

They rode on in silence beneath the moon.

Meanwhile, Chai Fang was in high spirits. She had always thought her brother and Wang Xiaoli were well matched in looks—her brother was six feet tall, Wang Xiaoli nearly five foot seven—a perfect pair. But their family backgrounds were worlds apart, so she’d always felt too inferior to mention it. Now, things were different. The factory was booming under her brother’s management; they were a good match.

After walking some distance, she thought it a shame to head straight home, so she wandered into the fields to catch more eels.

Ordinarily, Liu Jun would have taken the same road home as Chai Jin and the others. But tonight was different. He’d been deep in discussion with his aunt about how to drive the siblings out of the factory, so they took the field path that Chai Fang was using.

Their conversation grew darker, their resentment towards the Chai family boiling over. Liu Jun’s hatred stemmed from seeing Wang Xiaoli stand beside Chai Jin, while Liu Fengxian’s was pure jealousy.

As they spoke, they suddenly noticed someone by the water ditch. Squinting, they were delighted to find it was Chai Fang, alone.

Their poisonous minds instantly aligned. Liu Fengxian was the first to act, rushing over and seizing Chai Fang by the back of her collar, yanking her backwards. Taken off guard, Chai Fang fell to the ground. Looking up, she saw Liu Fengxian’s venomous, fishlike face and hurried to grab her basket and leave.

“Where do you think you’re going? Did I say you could leave?” Liu Fengxian strode over and grabbed her again.

Chai Fang, frail and timid, pleaded, “Auntie, I need to go home.”

“Home?” Liu Fengxian wouldn’t let her go, and Liu Jun quickly blocked her path.

Chai Fang grew anxious. “Auntie, do you need something?”

Liu Fengxian was in her element. She’d felt aggrieved ever since Chai Minguo had repaid the money, which had soured his attitude toward her. Now, finally seizing this opportunity, she wasn’t about to let Chai Fang off easily.

Adopting the air of a malevolent empress, she sneered, “There's nothing in particular, but your brother tried to hit me a few days ago and that matter still hasn’t been settled. What do you plan to do about it?”