Chapter 1: Want This Job? Then It's Yours!

“Hurry up, Li Junsheng! All you need to do is put your fingerprint on it, why are you dragging your feet?” Ma Yulian’s impatient voice rang in Li Junsheng’s ears, and for a moment, his mind went blank.

Wasn’t he already dead?

How could he still hear Ma Yulian’s voice?

Li Junsheng struggled to open his eyes and saw Ma Yulian, now in her forties, looking at him with anxious irritation. Beside her stood Chen Dazhu and his son, Chen Zhiyuan.

When Li Junsheng looked over, Chen Dazhu forced a fake smile, put his hands together, and said, “Old Li, please help us out. Zhiyuan grew up under your watch. Now that he’s at the age for marriage, please let him use your job at the factory for a while. Once he’s married, he’ll give it right back to you!”

“And he just needs the position to make it easier for matchmaking. Every month’s salary, once paid, will go straight to you!”

Chen Dazhu’s words sent a jolt through Li Junsheng’s heart.

Wasn’t this 1981, when his wife Ma Yulian conspired with Chen Dazhu and his son to trick him out of his job at the machinery plant?

Had he really been reborn back to 1981?

Looking at the written agreement Ma Yulian had already prepared on the table, Li Junsheng’s fingers trembled slightly.

It was this very meal that had changed his fate completely!

Ma Yulian, together with her childhood friend Chen Dazhu, had set a trap for him. After getting him drunk, they coaxed him into signing and stamping the agreement to transfer his state-owned factory job to Chen Zhiyuan.

Chen Dazhu’s words sounded nice—promising to return the job and even hand over the salary—but the moment the paperwork was done, the job would never come back. That pair, together with Ma Yulian, would show their true colors and deny ever making such promises.

He had no proof of what they’d said, but they had written evidence that he’d willingly given up the job.

Remembering the past, Li Junsheng’s anger surged.

In his previous life, he had been ruined by these two traitors—losing not only a proper job and becoming an unemployed drifter, but also having his home torn apart by Ma Yulian. She had never loved him, nor their four children together.

Back then, blinded by ignorance, he had let it happen. But now, given a second chance, he would never repeat the same mistakes.

Steadying himself, Li Junsheng finally spoke, “Chen Dazhu, you want my job at the machinery plant, is that it?”

“That’s right, Old Li. You’re a bit tipsy, aren’t you?” Chen Zhiyuan immediately put on a wide, insincere smile, his eyes flickering. “Didn’t we already agree? Just sign your name here and put your fingerprint on it.”

“Agreed?” Li Junsheng chuckled softly. “We never discussed any money. How could it be settled? Do you think I’d give you such a good job for nothing?”

“What, Li Junsheng, have you become obsessed with money?”

At that, Ma Yulian slammed her hand on the table, pointing at Li Junsheng and scolding, “What’s the relationship between Old Chen and us? All you have to do is say a word at the factory and let Zhiyuan take the job for a while—it costs you nothing! And you have the nerve to ask for money?”

In the past, with his meek and submissive nature, Li Junsheng would have caved in to Ma Yulian’s pressure and dropped the idea of asking for money.

But now, he was a man who had died once already. He had seen too much—especially in his later years, falling ill, abused and despised by Ma Yulian and his eldest son and daughter-in-law.

It was only after dying a miserable death that he finally understood. He was no longer the man he once was.

Ma Yulian could no longer control him.

“Why shouldn’t I ask for money? You say it’s just a temporary transfer, but who knows if Chen Zhiyuan would ever give it back? If you want this job so much, then buy it!”

At this, Chen Dazhu and Chen Zhiyuan were first stunned that Li Junsheng dared talk back. But immediately, their faces lit up with joy, unable to hide their excitement. “Of course, of course, we can buy the job. That way, Old Li, you’ll feel at ease.”

Chen Dazhu agreed at once, afraid Li Junsheng might change his mind—this was a stroke of luck. They had planned to cheat him out of the job, but now he was willing to sell it!

Was he drunk? Had he lost his senses?

Ma Yulian was also shocked. Was Li Junsheng really willing to sell such a good position at the machinery plant?

If she’d known, there would have been no need for such schemes!

But the money…

“You can’t just—” Ma Yulian started, but was interrupted by Chen Dazhu.

“Yulian, Old Li is right. A job at a state-owned factory is a golden rice bowl—you can’t blame Old Li for hesitating. We’re getting a bargain, after all! It’s just money—we’ll pay. Old Li, name your price, and then get a certificate from the factory.”

They’d let him go get the certificate without paying? Chen Dazhu could barely hide his delight, still trying to placate Li Junsheng.

Looking at Chen Dazhu’s phony smile, Li Junsheng sneered inwardly.

Neither Chen Dazhu nor Ma Yulian knew the factory was about to undergo restructuring, with layoffs looming for the older workers.

This year, at fifty, he was already on the layoff list!

In other words, the job would soon be gone.

Chen Dazhu wanted this job? He could have it.

But it wouldn’t come for free. He was planning a venture and needed a sum to get it started—why not get it from them?

With this in mind, Li Junsheng laughed and raised his glass to Chen Dazhu, “You’ve got a good eye, Chen Dazhu. My job at the machinery plant is a great one—wages paid on time, good retirement benefits. Sometimes, the factory even distributes housing. It’s well worth it. I won’t ask for much—a thousand yuan, and the job is yours.”

“A thousand yuan?! Uncle Li, why don’t you just rob us?” Chen Zhiyuan exclaimed, thinking Li Junsheng was being outrageous.

“Robbery? This job is a one-in-a-million opportunity—there’s demand but no supply!” Li Junsheng didn’t even look up. “If you think it’s too much, tell your father not to buy.”

Ma Yulian stared at Li Junsheng in disbelief, deeply puzzled.

What had gotten into Li Junsheng today?

He had always been so meek—whatever she said, he obeyed without question. Yet today, when they tried to trick him into giving up his job to Old Chen, he turned around and offered to sell it—and at such a steep price!

Could it be the alcohol talking? Was he emboldened by drink?

The more Ma Yulian thought about it, the more she felt this must be the case. Normally, Li Junsheng never touched a drop; who knew what he’d be like drunk?

Chen Dazhu recovered first, signaling his son to stay calm. His eyes darted, then he quickly put on a beaming smile.

“Don’t be angry, Old Li. Zhiyuan is young and doesn’t know any better. A thousand yuan for the factory job is fair—we agree! Why not settle it today?”

“Fine,” Li Junsheng replied, popping a peanut into his mouth, smiling faintly. “But you pay me first. No money, no deal.”

At that, Chen Dazhu hesitated and glanced at Ma Yulian.

Ma Yulian caught the signal and immediately burst out, “Li Junsheng, don’t go too far! Old Chen did us a great favor!”

“Don’t forget—it was Old Chen who saved me from drowning in the river back then!”