Chapter Twenty-Two: Let's Have Something to Eat

“You two really are something. Xu Fei, I have to say, you’ve only just started making good money for a few days—how have you already lost your sense of direction?” Old Liu walked in with a laugh, glancing at the two untouched bowls of plain rice porridge on the table.

“Big Brother Liu, come, come, what brings you here? Have you eaten?” Xu Fei greeted him warmly.

Old Liu waved his hand. “If I’d known your breakfast was this meager, I might as well have stayed home and drunk that coarse cornmeal porridge.”

Hearing this, Xu Fei didn’t stand on ceremony. He moved a stool to the side and hurried into the kitchen to brew a pot of green tea for him.

The steaming cup was placed at Old Liu’s side.

“All right, you eat. We’ll talk as you eat.”

Xu Fei nodded, sat at the table, picked up his bowl, and asked, “So, what brings you here, Big Brother Liu?”

“I’ve found a side job for you. Not sure if you’d like to earn a little extra?”

“A side job?”

What Xu Fei lacked right now was money. If he couldn’t scrape together five hundred yuan by tonight, Ma San would come looking for him first thing in the morning—and he had no idea how to handle that scourge.

“I have a relative who works as a runner at the cinema. With the Dragon Boat Festival coming up, the cinema’s giving out benefits—bought a truckload of loquats from out of town. But no one there wants to unload the shipment, so they came to me. I can’t move a few tons by myself, so I thought I’d ask—would you be willing to come with me tonight and help with the job?”

Hearing this, Xu Fei grinned and nodded. “Of course, Big Brother Liu. I’ve got plenty of strength, and when there’s money to be made, how could I refuse?”

“Good. Then wait for me at the cinema’s south gate at six tonight.”

“Understood.”

“Finish your meal, and I’ll take you to work afterwards.”

Xu Fei quickly gulped down a few mouthfuls and followed Old Liu to work.

Once he arrived at the factory, Zhou Lina came looking for him in the workshop.

“What’s the matter?” Xu Fei asked with a smile when he saw her.

Zhou Lina nodded. “He wants to discuss that matter with you in person.”

Hearing this news, Xu Fei’s heart soared with delight.

“Wait for me, I’ll go speak with Chief Wang.”

Xu Fei ran to the office to request leave.

Then, following Zhou Lina to the administrative building, he remarked on the way that today was a good day.

Upon entering the building, Zhou Lina didn’t accompany him upstairs.

Xu Fei went up alone.

Knock, knock—

“Come in.”

Sun Xing saw it was Xu Fei and waved him inside.

Xu Fei pushed the door open, closed it behind him, and stepped in.

“Have a seat,” Sun Xing gestured to the sofa in front of his desk.

Once Xu Fei sat down, Sun Xing leaned back in his chair and said coolly, “In the future, if you need anything, you can come to me directly. No need to go through Lina.”

But Xu Fei shook his head. “Director Sun, I know my place.”

Sun Xing smiled. “What place? We’re classmates, and now colleagues as well. Why can’t we be friends?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Xu Fei replied, waving his hands politely.

Sun Xing nodded with satisfaction.

“I’ve heard about your issue. The sugar—yes, I can approve that for you.”

Xu Fei had already guessed he would agree.

“But…”

“Director Sun, my relative is truly out of options. He doesn’t know you, so he came to me. He told me specifically that as long as he could buy the sugar, he’s willing to pay thirty cents more per catty than the market price.”

“Thirty cents?!”

Xu Fei nodded, then frowned. “I also told him, it’s not about the money.”

Though the thirty-cent markup excited Sun Xing, hearing Xu Fei’s words made him lean back again.

“Yes, it’s not about money.”

“Director Sun, I haven’t told Lina about the thirty-cent difference.”

Sun Xing glanced at Xu Fei.

“Really?”

Xu Fei nodded emphatically.

“This matter is known only to you, me, and my relative.”

Sun Xing smiled, finally seeming relieved.

“All right. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t want to help. But you and I are classmates—how could I watch you struggle and not lend a hand?”

Xu Fei nodded vigorously.

“Old classmate, don’t take this the wrong way, Director Sun.”

“Not at all.”

Xu Fei continued, “My relative also said, if you can handle this, he’ll show his appreciation.”

Sun Xing waved his hand. “Your relative is my relative—no need for formality.”

“It’s only proper,” Xu Fei replied with a smile, but his face suddenly turned troubled as he looked at Sun Xing. “I just have a small request—if you’re willing?”

“A request?” Sun Xing eyed him. “Let’s hear it.”

Xu Fei lowered his voice, glanced at the door, and said, “My relative didn’t give me the money for the sugar up front. So for the half-ton of sugar, could you let him collect it first, and once he gives me the money, I’ll bring it to you?”

“No money?” Sun Xing shot him a cold look. “Without money, what sugar are you buying?”

“Director Sun, as I said, he’s not in Donghai right now. If you agree, I’ll call him. You know as well as I do—we’re not the only sugar mill around.”

After all, it was three hundred yuan.

Sun Xing considered.

“Director Sun, you have my guarantee. I’d never cheat you, or Lina.”

“All right.” Sun Xing took out a delivery note from his drawer, wrote “one thousand catties” on it, and signed his name.

“Take this and collect the goods. But remember—before work tomorrow, you must hand over the payment.”

“Don’t worry.” Xu Fei nodded as he took the note.

He turned and left the office.

Once outside, he quietly let out a long breath.

He hadn’t thought Sun Xing would really agree. Otherwise, he would never have managed to pay the three hundred yuan for the sugar.

It just goes to show—money really does make the world go round.

Holding the delivery note, Xu Fei headed straight for the Sales Department.

Inside, Section Chief Zheng Yongjin and clerk Zhao Yong were playing chess.

Xu Fei knocked.

“Come in,” Zheng Yongjin called without looking up.

“What is it?”

Xu Fei walked between them and handed over the delivery note. “Here to collect goods.”

Zhao Yong glanced at it. “Little Zhang is off today. The warehouse can’t be opened. Come back tomorrow.”

“What?” Xu Fei couldn’t possibly wait until tomorrow. Ma San would be after him in the morning, and he still needed that payment.

“This is a special approval from Director Sun.”

Zheng Yongjin waved impatiently. “So what? If Little Zhang isn’t here, no one can open the warehouse. What do you expect us to do?”

Xu Fei pressed, “Where does Little Zhang live?”

“What—you want to go find him?” Zhao Yong looked at Xu Fei curiously.

Xu Fei nodded.

“It’s just half a ton of sugar. Is it really worth it? He’ll be back tomorrow, just come then.”

Xu Fei shook his head. “It’ll be too late. Please, just tell me where he lives.”

Zheng Yongjin looked at Xu Fei and sneered, “Even if we tell you, would you really go find him?”

Xu Fei nodded firmly. “I will.”

“All right. Little Zhang lives in Wenming Village, in the northern part of the city.”

“That far?”

Zheng Yongjin and Zhao Yong exchanged glances and let out a cold laugh, then returned to their chess game.