Chapter 57: Brother-in-Law Brings a Gift! Has the Sun Risen in the West?

Li Junsheng paused, surprised to see that it was a call from Old Dao. He had told him to wait two days, and counting the time, today was about right. Li Junsheng glanced around; there were no outsiders nearby, and the owner of the small shop was busy with his own affairs. Only then did he lower his voice to Old Dao: “It’s a good time to talk. Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“The matter with the scrap is settled. I’ve arranged for several trucks—they’ll be able to take your whole batch away in one trip!”

“If it’s possible, we’ll act tonight. What time works for you?”

“I’m free anytime. It depends on when your fleet can come.”

Old Dao thought for a moment and said, “Let’s wait until after dinner, seven or eight o’clock. There won’t be many people on the road then, easier for the trucks. There’s a lot to move this time, so we should get an early start!”

“Alright, let’s meet at the gate of the machinery plant around seven or eight. I’ll take you in.”

With everything arranged with Old Dao, Li Junsheng simply had to wait for night to fall.

It was still early, but Li Junsheng was already quietly excited. If this deal went through, he would become a ten-thousand-yuan household in one leap! In the 1980s, that meant joining the ranks of the wealthy—distinctly different from being an ordinary worker.

“Li Junsheng, you have to keep your cool. This is just the beginning,” he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He planned to go home and wait for darkness.

Leaving the small shop, Li Junsheng headed for Li Chun’ya’s place to see if she needed anything else. He wanted to get everything she lacked today.

He hadn’t expected someone to suddenly call out to him, delighted.

“Hey, brother-in-law! What are you doing here?”

Li Junsheng turned his head, surprised to see his brother-in-law, Ma Weidong.

“I’m talking to you, brother-in-law! Why are you ignoring me?”

Ma Weidong, who was usually arrogant towards him, seemed unusually friendly today, carrying quite a few items as if he were going to pay someone a visit.

Li Junsheng didn’t think much of it. Since his brother-in-law was acting pleasant, there was no reason for him to act coldly in return.

Eyeing the things in Ma Weidong’s hands, Li Junsheng asked in confusion, “Haven’t seen you in a long time—I almost didn’t recognize you. Where are you headed?”

Ma Weidong grinned. “I’m going to your house to sit for a while and see my sister. It has been a long time since I’ve visited.”

Li Junsheng found it hard to believe. His brother-in-law was never one to visit unless he needed something. Compared to Ma Yulian, his snobbery was no less pronounced.

The only time he ever came over was to borrow money.

Since Ma Yulian married him, her brother had asked him for money for the wedding, for having a child, for the child’s schooling or illness—always asking for money. If he lent less than asked, he never got it back.

Although technically his brother-in-law, Li Junsheng almost felt more like a father to him, always taking responsibility for Ma Weidong’s affairs. The worst was when Ma Yulian, his wife, would take her brother’s side; if Li Junsheng didn’t give money, she threatened divorce.

He figured today’s visit was surely about more than just seeing Ma Yulian.

Remembering the unpleasant past, Li Junsheng spoke bluntly, “Has the sun risen in the west today? You come to my house and don’t plan to take anything away? And today you’re even bringing things. When did you become so thoughtful?”

Li Junsheng wasn’t afraid to tear the facade. Last New Year, when Ma Weidong came to borrow money, Li Junsheng truly had nothing to give. Ma Weidong held a grudge and hadn’t visited in a long while. Their relationship was essentially broken, so there was no need to keep up meaningless pretenses.

Ma Weidong’s face darkened at these words, clearly unhappy, but he forced himself to endure and didn’t start a fight.

Now Li Junsheng was certain—his brother-in-law must need something. Otherwise, with his temper, he would have exploded already.

Ma Weidong forced a smile and said, “It’s just that you’ve always been good to me, brother-in-law. I feel bad about it, so all these things are for you.”

“I really can’t accept so many nice things,” Li Junsheng waved his hands. He dared not take anything from Ma Weidong, fearing that accepting would mean having to lend him money again in the future.

Ma Weidong didn’t care whether he accepted or not; he just grabbed Li Junsheng’s arm. “Let’s not stand here. Let’s go to your house first. My sister’s at home, right?”

“She’s at home. She doesn’t have to work.”

Speaking of work, Ma Weidong was actually puzzled why Li Junsheng wasn’t at the factory today.

But he was more concerned with his own business and had no mind to care about Li Junsheng. All he wanted was to get him home and close the door, so he could ask his questions privately, away from prying ears.

Li Junsheng, calm as ever, accompanied Ma Weidong home. The latter was very familiar with the place.

Ma Yulian sat in the living room. Hearing the commotion, she glanced towards the door, intending to tell Li Junsheng to get out and never come back, but instead she saw her brother bringing him in.

Her expression changed instantly, and she asked nervously, “Dongzi, what are you doing here?”

Li Junsheng thought it was strange—since when did Ma Yulian not welcome her brother as a guest?

When Ma Weidong heard his sister’s question, he replied irritably, “What do you mean, ‘what am I doing here?’ I asked you to take care of something for me. It’s been days without any news—can’t I come see for myself?”

As soon as he said this, Ma Yulian became anxious. She worried that if the matter wasn’t handled, her brother would ask for his three hundred yuan back. The problem was, she didn’t have that much money at all. If she did, she might as well return it and admit she couldn’t do what he asked.

She glanced at Li Junsheng, then tried to pull Ma Weidong aside.

“Come with me. Let’s talk over there!”

Seeing Ma Yulian’s odd behavior, sneaking around to whisper with her brother, Li Junsheng sensed something was off.

Was Ma Yulian secretly scheming with her brother behind his back again?

No—he couldn’t let them talk alone!

With that thought, Li Junsheng quickly grabbed Ma Weidong’s other arm.

“We’re all family. Why keep things from me? If your brother has something to say, let him say it here.”

Ma Yulian tried to push him away. “Mind your own business! Aren’t you so capable? If you have the guts, don’t come back to this house again. You’ll have to count on Li Chun’ya, that money-losing girl. You treat her so well, but she’s not worth it!”

“What’s going on, sister?” Ma Weidong asked, confused.

Li Junsheng ignored Ma Yulian and spoke directly to Ma Weidong: “I know you didn’t just come here for a casual visit. If you have something to say, say it now. What did you ask your sister to do for you?”