Chapter 24: Liu Jianshe Is Completely Useless

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Upon hearing this, Cheng Yongjin wanted to say "Forget it," but Cheng Shi held him back. This neighborhood was all veteran workers, and now they all turned their sharp gazes toward Liu Jianshe. After all, if the Cheng family could be bullied today, tomorrow it could be any of them. The officer said meaningfully, “Luckily, no one was seriously injured, or more than one person would have to come down to the station to give statements.” Liu Jianshe could only apologize again to Cheng Yongjin and Cai Aiping, “I’m sorry. I will definitely be more careful with my work methods in the future.” Cheng Shi asked, “Who was the one who threw the first blow just now?” The men shrank back. The officer growled, “Still trying to dodge responsibility? Do you have to have me take you back for questioning before you admit your fault?” The men had no choice but to step forward and bow to Cheng Yongjin, “We’re sorry.” Cheng Shi then said to Liu Jianshe, “Alright, the matter of the assault will be settled for now. I will take my father for a medical checkup to see if there are any aftereffects or internal injuries. If there are, I will definitely sue. Everyone here will be witnesses. Secondly, you damaged my door, causing me financial loss.” Liu Jianshe asked, “What do you want me to do about it?” Cheng Shi replied, “Forget about compensation. Everyone who came to grab my stuff should apologize to me and then help me fix the door.” He wasn’t foolish enough to ask for money and give them grounds to accuse him of extortion. Liu Jianshe gritted his teeth and said, “Fine.” Cheng Shi asked, “When will it be fixed?” Liu Jianshe said, “Tomorrow.” Cheng Shi said, “There’s a renovation guy nearby. Have someone buy a door panel, I’ll install it myself.” Liu Jianshe had no strength left to argue and glanced at his secretary. The secretary, having received instructions, hurried off to buy the door. Liu Jianshe asked Cheng Shi, “Is that enough now?” Cheng Shi said, “Yes. This time, I forgive you. But if there’s a next time, we’ll see each other in court.” The photographer busily took a close-up shot of Liu Jianshe’s face, which was full of dejection and unwillingness. The picture told the story of a defeated criminal, a wise and valiant righteous policeman, and a grateful, resolute victim. Reporter Guo said nearby, “Comrades, is there any ending more inspiring than this?” The onlookers applauded enthusiastically, “Good!”

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It was so satisfying—finally, those leaders stopped bullying the workers. Liu Jianshe felt like he had lost more than he gained and slunk away in shame. Standing behind the crowd, Qian Xiaoying gazed at Cheng Shi, who stood out like a crane among chickens, feeling a complex mixture of emotions. “My judgment was right. He really is the tool that will help me rise all the way up. No matter what it takes, I must make him return.” — Cheng Juan had accompanied the leaders to a meeting again today and only learned about the incident on her way back. She was furious and said, “Yesterday, Liu Jie was bothering me downstairs. Maybe that’s when he discovered the machine was usable and went to tell Director Liu.” Cheng Shi suddenly understood: so that was the reason. He realized he had wrongly blamed Zhang Ziqiang. Cheng Yongjin was very regretful, “I should have turned off the machine and put the stuff down before coming out.” Cheng Shi comforted him, “It’s alright. This couldn’t be hidden from them forever. A little commotion like this is good; no one will dare to mess with my things in the future.” Cheng Yongjin said, “When I brought the machine back, I found the password had already been changed.” Cheng Shi thought for a moment and said, “Don’t worry, I have a way.” Cheng Yongjin’s words reminded Cheng Shi that they and Liu Jianshe had completely torn their relationship apart. To exact revenge and to legitimize using this CNC machine in the storage room, even if Liu Jianshe dared not do anything to them now, once the heat of this matter cooled, he would surely drive their entire family out. After lunch, Cheng Shi went down and replaced the machine’s password reset command with a new one, then set a new password. “Dad, you’ll have to work hard again today and make ten more bearings,” he said, taking out two hundred yuan and giving it to Cheng Yongjin. “I’m saving to repay a loan now, so here’s two hundred for you. I’ll pay the rest of your owed wages later.” Cheng Yongjin said, “You don’t have to give me so much. Besides, you’ve paid for meals and supported the whole family. You don’t need to pay me wages.” Cheng Shi said, “I must. Public and private matters are separate. When I set up my company, if I hire you, I will pay you wages just the same.” Cheng Yongjin said, “Then pay me the standard amount: two hundred a month. I’ll take one hundred now and the other hundred when you have the money.” Cheng Shi said, “That works.” He handed the other hundred to Cai Aiping. “Mom, this is your salary for this month. I’ll raise it once I’ve paid off the loan.” Cai Aiping’s face flushed. “I didn’t do anything. You don’t have to pay me.” Cheng Shi said, “You cook for the whole family and take care of all of us. That’s enough work.” Cheng Juan took the money and slipped it into Cai Aiping’s hand. “Mom, you raised him all these years. Even if you hadn’t helped him work, he owes you filial respect. Take this money with pride.” Tears welled in Cai Aiping’s eyes as she murmured, “I never thought I’d ever receive a salary.”

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Cheng Shi said, “Better days lie ahead. I want you all living in villas, riding in our own cars and planes.” Cheng Juan rolled her eyes. “Tsk tsk, you’ve only just made a little money and already you’re boasting so big. Aren’t you afraid of biting your own tongue?” Cheng Shi added, “I’ll also buy bags for my sister.” Cheng Juan couldn’t help but laugh. “Bags, bags. I hear you say that every day. I’m starting to think you work for a handbag company.” Cheng Shi said, “I’m definitely not a handbag company. I have fixed assets.” Cheng Juan glanced at him: this kid really is like a different person after a night’s sleep. Now he knows more about the credit union and setting up a company than she does. For example, the phone call this afternoon to the credit union to retrieve the machine—who else would think of that? — Zhang Guohua was in an excellent mood after Liu Jianshe told him he could help make parts, humming a tune. After dinner, he switched on the TV and tuned into the city station, which was just broadcasting the news. “Today, the city police solved a case at the machinery factory…” Zhang Guohua saw the person on screen and frowned deeply—wasn’t that brat Cheng Shi? The more he listened, the more his brow furrowed, a cold sweat breaking out on his back: Liu Jianshe had actually been subdued so quickly by that unemployed young man Cheng Shi. Luckily, although I once thought of grabbing the CNC machine, I didn’t act on it. Otherwise, I’d be the one in trouble now. Zhang Ziqiang came out after washing the dishes, mopping the floor while watching, clapping his hands happily, “Haha, that’s hilarious!” Zhang Guohua glared at him, “Get back to work. Acting like you’re better than everyone else.” Zhang Ziqiang quickly wiped the smile off his face and continued mopping, though inside he was delighted: Cheng Shi really is pretty impressive. So satisfying. Zhang Guohua stared at Cheng Shi on the news, thinking: So I still have to grovel to this kid and let him extort me. And Liu Jianshe is so useless—how could he be so easily manipulated by an unemployed ex-worker like this?