Chapter Thirty-Two: Truly Did Not Steal

The two security guards exchanged uncertain glances; this was the first time they had encountered such a situation.

Twenty yuan.

Between the two of them, their monthly salary amounted to just eighteen and a half yuan.

Even if they split it, it was half a month's wages for each!

Xu Fei knew that money was a corrupting force.

But he also understood that if used wisely, it could yield results with half the effort.

Just like now.

"Well..." the other guard glanced at his companion, then slowly took the money from Xu Fei's hand.

"You really didn't steal it?"

Xu Fei smiled and said, "Is a hundred pounds of sugar really so much more than what I've given you?"

"That's true," the guards admitted, helping Xu Fei to his feet.

"But if we just walk out like this, I'm afraid Section Chief Liu will..."

"Don't worry," Xu Fei quickly replied. "Brothers, let me have a word with Section Chief Liu. This is all just a misunderstanding."

"Right, exactly," one agreed. "Let the chief ask you himself."

They knew full well why Xu Fei wanted to speak to Chief Liu alone.

The benefit wasn't meant for the two of them.

The pair left the room.

Soon after, Section Chief Liu came in from outside, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Xu Fei smiled and brought over a stool for him.

"I heard that—" Before Liu could finish, Xu Fei pulled out fifty yuan and pressed it into his hand.

"This...?"

Chief Liu glanced at the money—five large bills, nearly three months’ salary for him.

"Section Chief Liu, it's just a small token of appreciation," Xu Fei said.

Chief Liu felt a twinge of embarrassment. He took out his cigarettes and offered one to Xu Fei. "I was a bit harsh earlier. Don’t take it to heart."

Xu Fei shook his head with a smile. "Not at all, Chief. You spoke the truth. But I've learned my lesson, and even if I had the nerve, I’d never do anything illegal."

"I thought so. Good comrades don't steal from the factory," Liu said, rising to clap Xu Fei on the shoulder. Then, in a low voice, he added, "Frankly, the cadres in our factory sneak out far more sugar than a hundred pounds. I suppose you’ve run afoul of Director Sun this time?"

Xu Fei knew this well enough, but kept a straight face. "Really?"

"Ha! Don’t play dumb. A hundred pounds of sugar—is that so important that the Office Director himself gets involved?"

Xu Fei understood perfectly.

"So, Chief Liu, about today—?"

"Alright, I’ll talk to Director Sun and tell him there’s not enough evidence. But you’ll still need to write a statement of assurance."

Xu Fei knew this written statement would go on his record—a blemish, though not a fatal one.

Still, if nothing came of this, Chief Liu would have a hard time explaining himself to Sun Xing.

"Very well," Xu Fei agreed, resigned.

Seventy yuan had, at least, spared him a beating—and kept him out of the police station.

That was the best outcome. Had he been convicted, his life would have been over.

If money could solve it, it was no true problem.

This truth, he realized, held as firmly in this era as any other.

After writing the statement, Xu Fei left the security office.

He wanted nothing more than to confront Sun Xing.

Just as he was about to head for the office, Zhou Lina emerged from the building. Seeing Xu Fei unharmed, she smiled and approached him.

"They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?"

The security office was notorious—those taken in rarely avoided the police in the end.

"I'm fine."

But Zhou Lina heard the tremor in Xu Fei's voice and saw the grim look on his face.

"Where are you going?"

"To find Sun Xing."

"Are you crazy?" Zhou Lina grabbed his sleeve. "Why?"

"I want to ask him why he set me up like this."

She shook her head. "Don't be foolish. He's the director. It's normal for him to check the warehouse, and reasonable to suspect you. Now that the security office has cleared things up, isn't that enough? If you go after him now, it'll be a whole different matter."

Xu Fei knew she was right. Even if he confronted Sun Xing, the man would never admit it, and Xu Fei had no way to force the issue.

If he tried to deal with Sun Xing like he had the two guards, it would only make things worse—far worse than being accused of stealing a hundred pounds of sugar.

"Come back with me," Zhou Lina pleaded.

Xu Fei glanced toward the office. Though he had escaped disaster today, enmity between him and Sun Xing was now set in stone.

One day, the score would be settled.

Just as Xu Fei was about to head to the workshop, Sun Xing’s voice sounded from behind him.

"Xu Fei, wait a moment."

Xu Fei's expression tightened; the man actually dared approach him.

Zhou Lina, fearing he would lose his temper, grasped his sleeve.

Xu Fei turned.

Sun Xing approached, a sly grin on his face.

"Lina, you’re here too?"

Zhou Lina nodded. "The security office said there wasn’t enough evidence, so Xu Fei just wrote a statement."

Sun Xing nodded. "I know. Chief Liu called me. So Xu Fei, maybe I wronged you."

Maybe?

Damn it! Xu Fei had to restrain the urge to punch him.

"Xu Fei, you don’t hate me, do you?"

"Of course not," Xu Fei said, holding back.

Such a man wasn’t worth it.

He would endure. One day, he would step over men like Sun Xing and show them what true power was.

"Good," Sun Xing said. "Lina, I have a few words for Xu Fei alone, could you...?"

Zhou Lina, seeing that Xu Fei wouldn’t do anything rash, smiled, nodded, and walked back toward the office.

Once she was gone, Sun Xing said, "Xu Fei, you dodged a bullet this time."

Xu Fei frowned. Was this man here just to provoke him?

"So it was you all along?"

"Ha, took you long enough to figure it out?" Sun Xing laughed.

Xu Fei nodded. "We were classmates. I didn’t want to believe it, but now..."

"Enough. Chief Liu really is as clueless as Zheng Yongjin said—couldn’t even figure out something this simple."

"What do you want?" Xu Fei asked.

"I want you out of the sugar factory."

Xu Fei stared at Sun Xing’s sneering face.

"Is it just because of Zhou Lina?"

"That’s right. As long as you’re here, being with Lina is nothing but a transaction."

Xu Fei shook his head. "I’m married. There’s nothing between Lina and me. Whatever you two are, it’s none of my concern."

"Ah, women... Xu Fei, you still don’t understand. Listen. Lina and I will be married. I don’t want you around us."

"So you’re forcing me out like this?"

"This is just a warning. Stay away from Lina. I don’t want to see you two together at work, or after work."

"But we live on the same street—"

"That’s not my problem." Sun Xing’s gaze turned cold as he stared at Xu Fei. "If you can’t manage it, then I’ll handle it my way."