Chapter 27: I Want to Be the Boss

Cheng Shi slept until he woke up naturally that morning. Since he and Cheng Yongjin had agreed that his father would handle the work in the morning, waking up early was of no use. Compared to the backstabbing, exhausting, and treacherous corporate warfare he had endured in his past life, his current existence was truly carefree and light.

During breakfast, Cai Aiping noticed the cat crouching by Cheng Shi's feet and smiled. "Hey, isn't this the cat that hangs around the hallway all day? I've fed it before."

Cheng Shi replied, "It followed me home yesterday. It looked pathetic, so I gave it some leftovers. If it comes back, don't chase it away; just give it some food and water."

Cai Aiping nodded. "Cats bring wealth, dogs bring fortune. That’s a good sign."

Cheng Yongjin gave a scoff. "You're all grown up, yet you're still raising these things." Despite his words, he stood up, went inside to grab a small plate, and filled it with some porridge to set on the floor.

The cat began to lap it up with gusto. Unable to resist, Cheng Yongjin reached out to stroke the tabby’s fur, and the cat leaned into his palm, purring. A faint, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Cheng Yongjin's mouth.

"Dad," Cheng Shi said, "you work on the bearings today. I’ll handle the connecting rod journals tonight."

Cheng Yongjin waved him off. "It’s fine, I can finish them all morning. I made a few extra yesterday, and I finished another one after you left this morning. You’ll be able to use them by this afternoon."

"Dad, try to ask around for a rental place," Cheng Shi suggested. "Preferably one with a storefront that’s closer to where my sister works. Don't rush; just keep an eye out."

Cheng Juan interjected, "We're living here perfectly fine, why waste money on rent?"

Cheng Yongjin added firmly, "I’m a retired employee, after all. Do they really dare to kick me out?"

Cheng Shi said calmly, "Don't worry, it's just a precaution. After the ruckus we caused, they certainly won't dare to move against us for at least a year."

His father’s generation was still quite naive. They believed in the camaraderie of the working class and a harmonious world. Cheng Shi, however, had seen just how ruthless those people could be and how cruel the world outside truly was before his rebirth.

Cai Aiping and Cheng Yongjin caught the implication in his tone and exchanged a glance. They were finding their son increasingly unfathomable. He was clearly still a young man who had just reached adulthood, yet at times, he carried the weary, seasoned air of an octogenarian.

After Cheng Juan and Cheng Yongjin left for work, Cai Aiping stayed behind, fussing over Cheng Shi as he finished his breakfast. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Cai Aiping went to open it, and to their surprise, it was Zhang Ziqiang.

"I didn't hear your car," Cheng Shi remarked, looking surprised.

Zhang Ziqiang sat down with a grin. "I took the bus."

Zhang Guohua clearly hadn't intended to pick up any parts today, so naturally, no car would have been sent. Zhang Ziqiang must have caught the earliest bus to arrive so early. Cheng Shi understood the situation immediately.

"Comrade Zhang Ziqiang, have you eaten breakfast?" Cai Aiping asked.

"Not yet," Zhang Ziqiang replied. "Don't be so formal, Auntie. Just call me Xiao Zhang or Qiangzi."

"If you don't mind, why don't you join us?"

Zhang Ziqiang rubbed his hands together. "I'd love to."

As Cai Aiping handed him a bowl and chopsticks, Cheng Shi glanced at Zhang Ziqiang's rough hands, feeling a flicker of surprise. He hadn't noticed before, but the boy's hands didn't look like those of a pampered young master; they looked more like the hands of a housekeeper who constantly did manual labor.

Zhang Ziqiang slurped down three bowls of porridge, finished an entire dish of pickled radish, and ate three pieces of fermented bean curd, smacking his lips as he ate. "This pickled radish is delicious."

"I made it myself," Cai Aiping said, beaming. "If you like it, have some more."

"Auntie, your cooking is wonderful," Zhang Ziqiang praised.

Cai Aiping was delighted. "Qiangzi, you have such a sweet tongue. I’ll pack a jar for you to take home."

"Thank you, Auntie."

As Cai Aiping headed into the kitchen, she added, "It's just a jar of pickles; it's not worth much."

Cheng Shi rolled his eyes at Zhang Ziqiang. "Are you a starving ghost reincarnated? You ate three pieces of fermented bean curd—aren't you afraid of dying from the salt?"

Zhang Ziqiang was arguably the highest-ranking person Cheng Shi had access to, yet he was hopelessly unrefined.

"You’ve made so much money from our factory," Zhang Ziqiang scoffed, "and you're stingy about a few pieces of bean curd?"

"Fine, fine, eat as much as you want," Cheng Shi conceded. "I can at least afford to treat you to white porridge and bean curd."

"Tell me," Zhang Ziqiang asked, "why are you so relaxed today? Not working on any parts?"

"No parts today."

Zhang Ziqiang looked surprised. "Did you hear that Factory Director Liu called my dad to steal your business?"

*This kid is really dense.* Cheng Shi looked at him with a mysterious smile. "I didn't know before, but I do now."

Zhang Ziqiang froze and quickly looked down at his porridge, thinking, *The more I say, the more I mess up. I shouldn't have talked to this guy.*

"Thanks for your concern, coming all the way here to see me," Cheng Shi said. It was a rare gesture of friendship, considering he had traversed the entire city by bus just to check on him.

Zhang Ziqiang felt embarrassed, his gaze darting around. "I didn't come specifically to see you. I was just bored."

Cheng Shi glanced at him. "How about the matter I discussed with you? Have you considered it?"

Zhang Ziqiang’s face contorted. "Are you pulling my leg? You don't even have any work right now. Are you sure you still want to hire me?"

"Just today. We'll have work again tomorrow."

"You know my dad won't be ordering parts from you," Zhang Ziqiang argued. "Where would the work come from?"

"Rest assured, Factory Director Zhang will come to me in the end," Cheng Shi said. "And even if he doesn't, plenty of others will be placing orders. That’s why I’m going to register a private enterprise today."

"What? You’re registering a business?" Zhang Ziqiang looked around the shabby home. *With these conditions?*

Cheng Shi knew what he was thinking and said lightly, "Registering a business doesn't require much capital. Besides, I rely on my skills."

"You're dreaming," Zhang Ziqiang retorted. "My dad said Factory Director Liu won't let this go; he'll definitely find a way to seize the machine tool back. Even if someone wants to hire you, you won't even have the tools."

Cheng Shi smiled at him. "Care to make a bet? If Factory Director Zhang doesn't come to me for parts by tomorrow, I lose. Otherwise, you lose."

"Alright. What are we betting?"

"If you lose," Cheng Shi said, "you tell me who you were really trying to see when you ditched your comfortable air-conditioned room to ride the bus from the east side of town to the west."

Zhang Ziqiang’s face turned bright red. "Nonsense! I was just bored and wanted to ride the bus for fun!"

"If you won't say, it's no fun. Forget the bet."

"Wait," Zhang Ziqiang said. "Tell me first: if I win, what do I get?"

"What do you want?"

"Take me on as an apprentice," Zhang Ziqiang said. "Teach me machining skills. Especially how to use this machine tool."

Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow and looked him over. While he knew Zhang Ziqiang couldn't possibly win, he was genuinely surprised. Just a moment ago, he had been lamenting how unmotivated the lad was, yet this carefree, dawdling boy had suddenly made such an ambitious request.