Chapter 87: The Crime One Seeks to Impose

These words served as a reminder for Guo Minghao. With his cousin backing him, all he had to do was go and hoodwink that fool, and he'd believe anything. Suddenly, he recalled last night, when Chai Jin was making a phone call in the factory dormitory restroom. A malicious plan took shape in his mind. That bastard has a mobile phone, doesn't he? I’ll just tell my cousin: it was him, colluding with the country bumpkin, who stole the phone. Then, I’ll lead my cousin right to the scene, and won’t that clear me of suspicion? The sheer brainless cruelty of the scheme made his blood boil with excitement. He hurried to say after their discussion, “I’m going to see Manager Xiao He. Don’t talk to anyone in the meantime—no matter if the young lady herself calls you for questioning, you mustn’t go, understand?”

“Alright!”

…

At noon, Chai Jin and his two companions entered the canteen. They ordered a few stir-fried dishes and ate outside. Though the food, cooked over high heat, wasn’t exactly healthy, the heavy oil and MSG made for a tasty treat when enjoyed occasionally. The air was thick with the lively bustle of a street-side eatery.

While they ate, Su Wenbin spotted them from nearby. He bit his lip, hurried to the convenience store, spent all his money on a pack of Huazi cigarettes, and walked over. He placed the pack in front of Chai Jin with a silly earnestness.

Chai Jin looked up in surprise, “Is this for me?”

Su Wenbin nodded, “Brother, although I don’t know why you helped me, I still want to thank you. Please accept these cigarettes.”

Su Wenbin was honest and sincere, but no fool. After thinking through the events, he realized that Chai Jin had suddenly rushed over, asked about the dormitory, and then went straight to deal with the culprit without any hesitation. Wasn’t that helping him?

Chai Jin studied him, “Have you eaten yet?”

Su Wenbin touched his stomach; he’d spent all his money on the cigarettes, so there was nothing left for food. He instinctively rubbed his belly.

Chai Jin said gruffly, “Still as foolish as ever—not a bit changed.”

“Liu Shan, go order a few meat dishes for us.”

“Alright,” Liu Shan got up and headed back into the canteen.

Old Huang was curious about Chai Jin’s attitude toward Su Wenbin. He spoke up, “Young man, why are you standing? Sit down and eat with us.”

Su Wenbin, famished, plopped down and said, “I’ll repay you someday, I won’t eat for free. Thank you for helping me.”

Old Huang laughed heartily, “Why so formal? Eat, eat, eat. Don’t worry about it.”

He felt an inexplicable liking for this honest Su Wenbin—perhaps after a lifetime surrounded by schemers, meeting someone as pure as blank paper was refreshing.

Chai Jin ate quietly, then looked up after a long while, “Do you still plan to stay in this factory?”

Su Wenbin sighed, troubled, “I can’t stay. I’ll resign soon.”

“Oh? How do you know Chen Ni? I heard you went to her to complain?”

Only Chai Jin in the whole factory dared call Chen Ni by name so bluntly.

Su Wenbin was puzzled too. He’d only just joined the company, yet the young lady could call him by name while walking down the main road. So, he explained roughly what had happened last night.

Chai Jin appeared indifferent, eating as if none of it concerned him, but inwardly he understood—it must have something to do with him.

Just then, Liu Shan returned with the dishes. As everyone ate, Chai Jin wiped his mouth and went to the shop to buy a few bottles of chilled soda, placing them on the table.

He said, “Old Huang, why don’t you take Su Wenbin to meet my friend? He’s got nowhere else to go.”

Old Huang was torn. The old fox calculated furiously—he could earn over five thousand yuan from this deal. If he brought someone else along, would he have to share the money? But seeing Su Wenbin’s honest face, he felt a pang of sympathy. Poor kid. Still an orphan. Even his travel expenses had been pooled together by villagers.

Overwhelmed by compassion, he said, “Fine, I’ll take you.”

Liu Shan protested, grinning mischievously, “Brother Jin, how about letting Old Huang take me too? This factory job pays just a hundred or two a month—it doesn’t excite me at all.”

The mousse in Old Huang’s hair nearly failed to keep his hair down. He quickly kicked Liu Shan, “What are you doing, stirring up trouble? Didn’t you dream of becoming a supervisor? You should work toward that goal instead of aiming too high at your young age—that’s not a good look!”

Clearly, he was afraid of having to share his profits with another person.

Su Wenbin couldn’t help asking, “Brother Jin, are you… planning to do something?”

Chai Jin flicked his cigarette ash, face calm, “It’s a friend’s business. If you have nowhere to go, just join Old Huang. As for you, Liu Shan, don’t rush—I’ll resign in a few days and take you to do something else.”

Liu Shan was dissatisfied, feeling Chai Jin was just stringing him along. He didn’t respond.

Old Huang, seeing no one else would share his earnings, felt relieved. He put on the airs of a factory leader, patted Su Wenbin’s shoulder, “Let’s go. It’s time. I’ll take you to meet Chai Jin’s friend outside.”

Su Wenbin was still confused, but he had nowhere else to go. With a hopeful heart, he followed Old Huang. From behind, Old Huang really did have the bearing of a big boss—though all his airs had been honed in their hometown’s hair salon.

After they left, Chai Jin and Liu Shan returned to the dormitory. Liu Shan kept chattering, and Chai Jin knew he still had a younger sister studying back home. He’d talked about it recently, saying he hadn’t studied himself and so could only work for others, hoping to earn more to support his sister through university, so she wouldn’t end up like him.

At that time, rural folks had it tough; everyone who went out to work bore heavy burdens. Chai Jin understood Liu Shan’s desire to earn money, but didn’t pay him much mind.

The two washed up in the dormitory, preparing to return to the factory, when suddenly a group of people burst in from outside.

He Kai led the way, with Guo Minghao beside him, his expression dark.

As soon as they entered, Guo Minghao, emboldened by borrowed power, waved his hand grandly, “Search their bags—leave nothing unchecked!”

At least twenty people began inspecting the room.

The atmosphere instantly turned oppressive.

He Kai didn’t even glance at Chai Jin, hands clasped behind his back, “A lot of things have gone missing from the factory. Someone told me they’re in your dorm. Please cooperate.”

Liu Shan was furious, “Are you trying to frame us?”

He gritted his teeth.

He Kai grew even more aggressive. He was the factory boss, and Liu Shan was just a worker surviving under him—how dare he talk back? He raised his hand and slapped Liu Shan, “Do you know who you are and who you’re talking to? What, do you think you can overturn the Buddha’s palm and lay a hand on me?”