Chapter Four: Letter of Introduction

The man approaching was about forty or fifty years old, dressed in a Zhongshan jacket, suit trousers, and black leather shoes. His sparse hair was slicked back, as though he desperately wished to hide his receding hairline. He had a cigarette clamped between his lips, a briefcase tucked under his arm, and walked with a swaggering gait, three steps to a sway, seemingly in high spirits.

“It’s him!” Xu Fei’s face darkened.

Who else could it be but Zhang Lichun, the deputy director of the steel mill?

Back then, he insisted that Xu Fei’s parents’ accident was due to their own mistake, refusing to let the factory pay a single cent in compensation, and absolving the culprit, Xiao Wang, of any responsibility.

The reason was simple: Xiao Wang was his nephew.

This uncle-nephew pair were thick as thieves, disregarding everyone in the factory except the general manager. They were masters at currying favor, winning over the leadership, and flourishing in their own little domain. No matter how much the workers grumbled, none dared speak out.

Moreover, Xu Fei knew that there had been witnesses present during his parents’ accident. But Zhang Lichun had secretly tampered with them, and they promptly changed their testimony. This was one of the main reasons his parents’ injustice was never rectified.

“Go on, bask in your smugness. One day, you’ll pay the price!” Xu Fei flicked away his cigarette butt and snorted coldly.

Though hatred burned in his chest at the sight of his enemy, and he wanted nothing more than to rush up and teach Zhang Lichun a lesson, he reconsidered. There was no need. The urgent matter now was to figure out how to get money; with money, he certainly wouldn’t fear taking down a mere deputy director like Zhang Lichun.

“Eh? Isn’t that Xu Fei? Haven’t seen you for a while!”

“Seeing your old boss, you don’t even bother to greet me? No manners!”

“It’s no wonder you’re a loser…”

Just as Xu Fei was about to head back, Zhang Lichun suddenly caught sight of him and started mouthing off, “I heard you were gambling in the dance hall and lost your wife? Is that true?”

A pungent waft of alcohol reached him.

Zhang Lichun staggered toward Xu Fei, his face full of contempt and malice. He had never liked Xu Fei, especially after the trouble Xu Fei caused over his parents’ accident. Whenever he saw Xu Fei, it was either ridicule or a scolding.

Xu Fei felt stifled but was powerless to do anything. After all, an arm can’t wrestle a thigh; he could only swallow his anger.

Seeing Zhang Lichun’s pig-like face, Xu Fei instinctively clenched his fist, tempted to measure the man’s size with his foot.

“What’s the matter? Can’t you hear me? Gone mute?” Zhang Lichun, seeing Xu Fei remain silent, seized the chance, fueled by drink, to shout at him. Bullies loved nothing more than trampling the weak, and it was his favorite pastime.

Damn it!

Give him an inch, he wants a mile!

Xu Fei was no longer the man he used to be; life and death meant little to him now—he’d fight if he had to. Why should he tolerate the arrogance of a petty deputy director?

Just as Xu Fei was about to lose patience and slap Zhang Lichun, a sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.

Immediately, his impassive face transformed into a beaming smile. “Ah, Deputy Director Zhang, so sorry! It’s so dark, I didn’t notice it was you. Wishing you good health, sir!”

“Hmm?” Zhang Lichun raised his brows. He had drunk quite a bit tonight, but wasn’t completely muddled. How come Xu Fei’s attitude suddenly changed?

“Xu Fei, haven’t seen you for days, you’re finally learning some manners?”

“Deputy Director Zhang, I’ve always respected you, always looked up to you as my idol!” Xu Fei gave a thumbs up and swiftly produced a cigarette, offering it to him. “Deputy Director Zhang, they say you only know true hardship after suffering through society. Ever since I left the steel mill, life has become unbearable. Haven’t made any money, my wife wants a divorce, and I’m deep in debt. Thinking back, I really shouldn’t have opposed you!”

With that, he struck a match and lit Zhang Lichun’s cigarette.

“Hmph, that’s what happens when you don’t listen to your elders—you suffer!” Zhang Lichun shot Xu Fei a sideways glance. “I’ve told you countless times, the factory’s like a family; nobody gets shortchanged. Your parents’ accident was a mistake, and even as your boss, I had no grounds to fight for you. You had to accept it. If you’d just stayed at the factory, worked hard for a few years, life would’ve gotten better! But you insisted on making trouble!”

“Deputy Director Zhang, you’re absolutely right. I regret it so much now I could slap myself!” Xu Fei nodded repeatedly. “Leaders are the ones who feed us and clothe us!”

“I like that!” Zhang Lichun took a drag, eyes narrowing. “Xu Fei, your attitude’s changed pretty quickly tonight. What’s on your mind?”

“Deputy Director Zhang, you’re sharp as ever—nothing gets past you!” Xu Fei smiled sheepishly. “Since I left the factory, I haven’t found proper work…”

“Want to come back to the steel mill?” Before he could finish, Zhang Lichun cut him off. “Xu, it’s good to admit your mistakes; nothing is greater than that. I’m glad to see your resolve. But this needs to be considered—after all, you were fired and it’s on your record…”

“Deputy Director Zhang, if I could return, that would be ideal. If not, so be it. My parents had their accident in the factory, so I have some psychological shadow. That’s why I was thinking of working at the sugar mill next door, but I don’t know anyone there. I’d like to ask you to write me a letter of introduction, so I can get a job smoothly.”

“So that’s what you want? You’re quite the planner!” Zhang Lichun raised his brows.

“No choice, life forced me!” Xu Fei pulled a miserable face. “Deputy Director Zhang, what do you think…”

“Well… writing a letter isn’t impossible…” Zhang Lichun pondered. “But your record isn’t good—you were fired. If I recommend you, and they ask about it later, it’ll be hard to explain…”

He wore an expression of difficulty.

Xu Fei could tell he was hinting at something.

Writing a letter of introduction was hardly a problem!

“Deputy Director Zhang, you’re broad-minded, please help me out!”

“I know I was wrong!”

“If you help me get a job, you’ll be my benefactor. Just recently, I got lucky and won two ‘grand unity’ bills…”

“Oh, you’re lucky, huh? Two ‘grand unity’ bills isn’t a small amount!” Zhang Lichun’s eyes lit up, feigning seriousness. “But gambling isn’t a long-term solution—you need proper work! Xu, you’ve had a tough time. Considering you’re an old employee, I’ll write that letter for you!”