Chapter 59: Not Even Pretending Anymore? Li Junsheng: Hardly the Making of Greatness!

"It's not me who's anxious, it's my friend," he said.

"Will Chen Dazhu really help us seriously?" Ma Weidong wondered. Not everyone was as honest as Li Junsheng, so he worried that Chen Dazhu might not take his matter to heart.

Seeing Ma Weidong's lack of trust in Chen Dazhu, Ma Yulian was a little displeased.

"Don't worry. Old Chen takes your business seriously. The day I told him, he went to the factory to ask about it," she reassured him.

Ma Weidong thought that made sense. Given their relationship, with such a small matter, Chen Dazhu would surely help as best he could. Though he felt at ease, he wasn't about to let go of the resource that was Li Junsheng.

He reasoned that since Chen Dazhu had just started at the machinery factory, he was probably not familiar with the staff and management—unlike Li Junsheng, who knew all the ins and outs.

So Ma Weidong feigned friendliness and inquired, "Brother-in-law, you've been at the machinery factory for years. Do you know any way to help me get this done quickly?"

"Who usually handles the factory's scrap materials? Could you introduce me? I'll invite them out for a meal, and then I can try to secure the recycling deal myself."

After a pause, Ma Weidong didn't forget to flatter Li Junsheng.

"You've worked at the factory for decades; your connections must be more extensive than Chen Dazhu's. I still think you're the capable one. We're family, after all, so please help me!"

But Li Junsheng was unmoved by Ma Weidong's tactics. He sneered inwardly and replied ambiguously, "Even though I've worked at the machinery factory for many years, scrap materials aren't my responsibility."

"As for which leader specifically handles the scrap, I'm just an ordinary worker—I never really paid attention. Besides, now that I'm practically forgotten at the factory, even if I invited someone out, they wouldn't give me the time of day."

This response left Ma Weidong rather dissatisfied, convinced that Li Junsheng simply didn't want to help.

Ma Yulian, however, seized the opportunity to mock Li Junsheng.

She said to Ma Weidong, "See? Old Chen is more reliable! What's the use of asking Li Junsheng? I shouldn't have bothered talking to him, but you thought he was capable!"

"You shouldn't have brought him so many gifts. Take them to Old Chen instead—no need to let Li Junsheng profit for nothing!"

The tension between his sister and Li Junsheng didn't bother Ma Weidong at all.

His only concern was whether he could make the connection to the recycling station. But from what he saw, Li Junsheng truly didn't have a way to help.

He thought it over—Li Junsheng had always been honest and never tried to curry favor with factory leaders. His friends were just ordinary workers; he went to work and simply worked, probably never even noticed the scrap materials.

Realizing Li Junsheng held no value for him, Ma Weidong dropped the act, no longer bothering to be polite.

He deliberately taunted, "All those years in the factory, and you never bothered to make connections with the leadership? No wonder after so many years you're still just a lowly worker!"

Ma Yulian burst out laughing, even shooting Li Junsheng a look of disdain, habitually belittling him.

"Isn't that the truth? You're as dense as a block of wood. Work yourself to death and you'll still be a lowly worker!"

Li Junsheng chuckled, "So you think you're more capable than I am? Then why do you still come to me for help?"

"If Chen Dazhu is useful, let him handle it. Maybe he'll get it done for you right away."

Li Junsheng shot back with his own sarcasm.

Originally, Li Junsheng didn't want to get drawn into this war of words, but his mindset had changed. He had to say something to establish his new image; otherwise, Ma Weidong would still think he was the same old meek and downtrodden Li Junsheng.

As the saying goes, even if a deal falls through, you should at least part on good terms. Yet Ma Weidong showed no consideration, burning every bridge behind him.

With someone like Ma Weidong, all scheming and no real ability, it was impossible to accomplish anything significant.

"You—" Ma Weidong was clearly angered by Li Junsheng's words, but before he could retort, Li Junsheng reminded him, "You'd better hurry and find out about the scrap materials. What if someone else beats you to it? If Chen Dazhu finds a lead and sorts things out for himself, your friend's grand plans will come to nothing."

Ma Weidong's face darkened at that. He'd already boasted about this to others; he simply couldn't afford to fail when it came to the scrap materials.

"Got it, mind your own business," he snapped, then turned to Ma Yulian. "Sis, we can't let someone else beat us to it. If I can't get this done, I'll lose my connection with them."

He was still eager to get in with the owner of the recycling station, having put in a great deal of effort to establish the relationship. That owner was actually a businessman from Hong Kong, and this recycling station was just a sideline.

If he failed this time, all his previous efforts would be wasted.

"Let's go to Old Chen now and see what the situation is. Don't worry, maybe he's already talked to someone at the factory," Ma Yulian said, urging Ma Weidong to take the things they'd brought as they hurriedly left.

Li Junsheng stood in the living room, a scheming look on his face as he watched the show unfold.

They were still counting on Chen Dazhu! If they managed to find a way to Section Chief Zhou, then they really would be something. But even if they did, what would it matter?

Section Chief Zhou had already signed a contract with him. With the contract in hand, Zhou wouldn't easily cooperate with anyone else.

He was glad he'd seized the opportunity right after his rebirth, securing the factory's scrap materials with Section Chief Zhou before anyone else could react. Otherwise, he'd have to compete with Ma Weidong's so-called friend for the deal.

Sitting on the sofa, Li Junsheng fell into thought.

Given Section Chief Zhou's temperament, faced with someone as scheming as Chen Dazhu, he'd know better than to trust anyone else. Li Junsheng was the more reliable option.

As for Ma Weidong, he was hardly worth mentioning—only capable of playing the go-between, with little real ability. Ma Yulian was just foolish. The three of them together were hardly enough for Li Junsheng to take seriously.

He shook his head and, after pondering, quietly began to tidy up the house.

At this hour, with Ma Yulian, Li Guojun, and Wang Xiuhua all out, he had the perfect opportunity to prepare. This evening's business would be very important indeed.