Chapter 78: I Think It Will Work

Shen Shuming nodded.
"You're right, it really is hard to find."
"By the way, Director Shen, if they decide to deliver the grain, be sure to let me know."
"Why?"
Xu Fei thought for a moment and said, "I'm just curious to find out who else has the same eye for business as I do."
"Haha, sure, don't worry."
Xu Fei handed the receipt back to Shen Shuming.
"What's this?"
"Ten thousand catties—just enough to cover your principal for this deal, so…"
"What about you?"
"It's nothing, just means the work these past few days has gone to waste, that's all."
"Wait, what about the transport costs?"
Xu Fei smiled. "We're brothers, aren't we?"
Shen Shuming nodded helplessly.
They chatted for a little while longer before Xu Fei finally left.

He got into the car.
Old Third An glanced at Xu Fei. "You didn't make any profit this time, did you?"
Xu Fei just smiled and shook his head, then took a hundred yuan from his pocket.
"Here, Third Brother, this is your transport fee."
"What are you doing?"
"What, you don't want your fee?"
Old Third An pushed the money back.
"Xu Fei, there's no need to be formal with me. You didn't make any money this time, let's just forget the transport fee."
"Who says I didn't make anything? Take it."
Xu Fei shoved the money into Old Third An's pocket.
"Why are you lying to me? Besides, I share the blame for losing the rice."
"How are you responsible?"
Xu Fei smiled. "If you say that, how could I dare ask for your help next time?"
Old Third An thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll take it. But I will get to the bottom of this and give you an answer."
Xu Fei waved it off. "Third Brother, let it be. But I just asked Director Shen, and it turns out someone really did snatch our business from behind the scenes."
"Who?"
Xu Fei shook his head.
"I don't know yet. Director Shen said it was a call from a leader at the city supply and marketing cooperative."
"What do you plan to do?"
Xu Fei smiled wryly.
"What can I do? They have more power. We can only watch, don't dare to cross them. Fortunately, we're not relying on Xinghai Food Store alone anymore."
He paused mid-sentence, his brow suddenly furrowing.
Old Third An turned to look at him.
"Third Brother, let's go. We're heading to the East City Food Store."
Old Third An slammed on the gas.
The car roared out from Xinghai Food Store.

At that moment, behind a window, Sister Zhang was watching with a look of satisfaction.

East City.
The car pulled up in front of the Food Store.
Xu Fei jumped out and rushed into He Jin's office.
Director He was reading the newspaper.
"Director He."

"What's got you in such a hurry?"
Seeing He Jin's composure, Xu Fei felt reassured and sat down with a smile.
"Nothing, just wanted to ask how the next batch of millet is selling."
"Oh, that. I was just about to go look for you..."
He hadn't finished his sentence.
Ring!
The phone rang.
He Jin picked it up.
"Hello?"
Xu Fei watched as He Jin's expression slowly became odd, glancing at Xu Fei several times.
He Jin just nodded and responded to the caller.
When he hung up, Xu Fei's eyelid twitched.
"Xu Fei, did you hear something?"
That question made everything clear to Xu Fei at once.
"Was that the leadership from your system calling?"
"Ah, you guessed it? That's why you came running. Yes, that was a leader from the city supply and marketing cooperative, our number two..."
He Jin held up two fingers.
"What did he say?"
"What else? He told me his relative has some millet to sell and told me to make arrangements. This isn't a request—it's an order, damn it!"
He Jin was young and unwilling to accept this, but rank is rank and there was nothing he could do.
"Director He, don't trouble yourself..."
Xu Fei stood up as he spoke.
It was all obvious now.
"Xu Fei, don't get upset. My hands are tied."
Xu Fei smiled and extended his hand. "Director He, I'm not the petty type."
He Jin shook his hand.
"Alright, I'm glad you understand."
Xu Fei nodded, turned, and left He Jin's office.

As he exited the East City Food Store, he glanced at the newly risen sun.
Is everything about to start over again?
Perhaps that's for the best.

Xu Fei walked to Old Third An's car.
"How did it go?"
Xu Fei nodded.
"Damn!"
Old Third An slammed the steering wheel.
"Looks like they're targeting us."
"Who exactly?"
"We'll know soon enough," Xu Fei said with a smile. "Third Brother, it's nothing. We'll just wait."
"What else can we do?"
Old Third An sounded dejected.
"Get in, I'll give you a ride to work."
Xu Fei shook his head. "I'd like to walk for a bit."
Old Third An thought for a moment. "Alright. Tonight, let me treat you to a drink, alright?"
Xu Fei considered, then said, "I'll come find you."
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
Old Third An started the car.

The Liberation truck slowly pulled away from Xu Fei.
Watching the car disappear, Xu Fei felt a surge of defiance.
Is this it?
Do they really think they've beaten me?
I am Xu Fei.
His mind was made up.

He turned and strode toward Donghai Sugar Factory.
When he entered Workshop One, Wang Guoqing saw him and scowled.
"Xu Fei, what is it? If you don't want to work, just say so!"
Xu Fei stepped forward.
"Director Wang, I want to take unpaid leave."
"What?"
"I said I want to take unpaid leave."
"You? Not making money anymore?"
Xu Fei glanced around the workshop.
"That kind of money isn't worth it."
"Good!"
Wang Guoqing walked into his office.
He took out a blank sheet of paper.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
He quickly wrote an application for Xu Fei's unpaid leave.
He signed his name and stamped it with the Workshop One seal.
"Here you go."
Wang Guoqing had been waiting for this day.
The sooner Xu Fei left, the sooner he'd have peace of mind.

"So, I hear you're taking unpaid leave?" Zhang Dajun came in from outside.
Xu Fei took the application, not even glancing at him.
"Wait!"
Zhang Dajun blocked Xu Fei's way.
"You and I aren't done yet, are we?"
"Didn't we agree to settle it in court?"
"Right, but I heard you're applying for civil mediation. Now you don't even have a job—how are you going to pay me back?"
"That's none of your concern."
Xu Fei shoved him aside and strode out of Workshop One.

"Xu Fei!"
Old Liu came after him from the workshop.
"Brother Liu."
"I heard you're taking unpaid leave? What's going on?"
Xu Fei smiled. "I've thought it through. With Wang Guoqing and the others here, it's hard to make any money anyway."
"True."
Old Liu nodded. "So what's next for you...?"
"The loan's approved. I'm going into business for myself."
"Going out on your own! Good, I believe in you!"