Chapter Nine: Continuing Upstream

Of course, Zhou Lina knew exactly what Workshop One represented at Donghai Sugar Factory.

A clerical worker like Xu Fei—could he really endure in the most grueling, filthy, and exhausting workshop in the entire factory? Zhou Lina wasn’t sure. Still, this was already the best outcome she could secure for Xu Fei.

She rushed out of the administration building.

Xu Fei was squatting by the flowerbed outside, smoking a cigarette.

To Xu Fei, this was perhaps the only chance to set his life back on track, and now, it might be ruined forever by a simple signature.

“You’re still here?”

Zhou Lina had intended to chase after him.

“I have nowhere else to go,” Xu Fei replied, despair thick in his voice.

Though he brimmed with determination, in this unfamiliar environment, he, too, needed time to adjust.

“Come with me.”

“Where to?”

“To work,” Zhou Lina said as she walked toward Workshop One.

To work?

Xu Fei was momentarily stunned as he watched the hem of Zhou Lina’s skirt flutter in the wind.

A goddess?

He realized that Zhou Lina had resolved his dilemma. As for the means she used, he had no idea. He caught up to her and asked in a low voice, “What did you promise Sun Xing?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

Xu Fei frowned deeply.

He cursed under his breath.

So Sun Xing had taken advantage of the situation. He hadn’t expected him to be that kind of person.

At the entrance to Workshop One.

“Are you sure about this? This is the toughest place to work in the entire sugar factory.”

“Do they pay?”

Zhou Lina glanced at Xu Fei and said, “It’s actually the highest-paying job in the factory.”

Xu Fei nodded.

What he needed most right now was to earn money.

“But can you really handle it?”

Xu Fei straightened his back with a smile. “You don’t believe me?”

Zhou Lina shook her head. Suddenly, she felt as though this familiar man had changed—he was no longer the lazy, gluttonous Xu Fei she once knew.

When the two of them entered the workshop, the busy workers paused their tasks.

A whistle sounded.

A few sweat-soaked men looked over at Zhou Lina with mischievous grins.

She shot them a glare and said, “Get back to work! Or I’ll have Old Wang give you all a good scolding!”

The men only laughed harder.

“Lina, you free tonight? Let me take you to a movie!”

“Get lost!” Zhou Lina shot back, laughing and cursing at the same time.

Soon, the two arrived at the workshop director’s office.

Once they pushed open the door and stepped inside, the outside commotion seemed to melt away.

A burly man lay dozing in a chair, his work cap covering his face. Xu Fei couldn't see his features, but from his build, it was clear he was a strongman.

In the corner stood a battered desk, behind which a man of about forty-five or forty-six lounged with his legs crossed, reading a crumpled newspaper.

“Director Wang.”

“It’s you, Lina. Is something the matter?”

Zhou Lina shot a glance at Xu Fei. “Did Director Sun just call you?”

Wang Guoqing’s eyes flickered with dislike as he looked at Xu Fei. He nodded. “Yes. You’re Xu Fei?”

Xu Fei smiled and nodded.

“Alright. From today on, you’ll be working here in Workshop One.” Wang Guoqing pointed to a half-open locker in the corner. “That one’s yours. You can keep your work clothes and such inside.”

Xu Fei looked at the locker. Though it was the most battered among them, having one at all was already a stroke of luck.

“Thank you, Director Wang. I’ll be counting on your guidance.”

Wang Guoqing nodded. “Of course. We’re all comrades here. Work hard and don’t cause trouble. I don’t keep idlers or troublemakers in my workshop. If you’re obedient and diligent, you’re welcome here. But if there’s any funny business, I won’t be polite.”

There was an unspoken meaning in those words, and Xu Fei picked up on it. It seemed that his past reputation had preceded him, perhaps even to Director Wang.

Ah!

Xu Fei could only shake his head inwardly.

He had no one to blame but himself. Even if it hadn’t been his fault, it was still tied to this body.

Xu Fei, oh Xu Fei, looks like I’ll have to work hard to slowly make up for all your past mistakes.

In this era when everything still followed the plan, reputation was truly the foundation of one’s place in the world.

Now that Zhou Lina had brought him here, it was no longer appropriate for her to stay.

“Xu Fei, I have things to do, so I’ll be heading back. If you need anything, speak to Director Wang.”

“Alright.” Wang Guoqing glanced at Zhou Lina, smiling, and nodded. “Don’t worry. Since Director Sun entrusted him to me personally, I’ll take good care of him.”

Zhou Lina clearly didn’t catch the other implication in Wang Guoqing’s words.

Xu Fei wanted to see Zhou Lina out, but as he reached the door, Wang Guoqing called him back.

“Where are you going? Get me a glass of water. I’ll explain your duties.” Wang Guoqing’s order caused Xu Fei to frown slightly.

Already throwing his weight around?

Zhou Lina nodded at him, then left alone.

Xu Fei watched her departing figure and made a silent note to himself to thank Zhou Lina properly in the future.

“Alright, what are you looking at? She’s not someone you should be thinking about. Get me some water.”

Wang Guoqing's face seemed to transform.

Xu Fei, under someone else’s roof, could only turn and ask with a smile, “Director Wang, I just—”

“No need to explain. Every man in Workshop One, even the whole Donghai Sugar Factory, has thought about Zhou Lina, but that’s all it is—a thought. She’s not a woman for rough men like us.”

Xu Fei could only nod in agreement.

He picked up the kettle and poured water into the cup on Wang Guoqing’s desk.

“Listen closely. In Workshop One, it’s all about strength—loading materials, transporting goods, anything in the factory that needs muscle is our responsibility.”

Wang Guoqing sized Xu Fei up and down. “You look delicate. Ever done hard labor before?”

Xu Fei shook his head.

“Didn’t think so. Director Sun really gave me a headache, saddling me with you…” Wang Guoqing shook his head. “Well, you should thank Director Sun. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be standing here now.”

But Xu Fei was mulling things over. Wasn’t it Sun Xing who refused to help, who showed no mercy? If he could stay, it must have been Zhou Lina’s doing. Wang Guoqing’s words seemed designed to make him feel indebted to Sun Xing.

“Big Guy!” Wang Guoqing kicked the bench beside him.

The hulking man lying there took off his cap and, with a look of irritation, grumbled, “What is it? Can’t a man get a bit of sleep around here?”

“Enough napping. I found you an apprentice.”

“An apprentice?”

The big man sat up and glanced at Xu Fei.

“What the hell, it’s you?”

Xu Fei’s heart tightened at the sight of him.

Truly, foes always cross paths.

He actually knew this man called Big Guy.