Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Huang Mao’s Transformation
"Where have you been working lately?" Xue Rui asked casually.
"After Officer Chen gave us a talking-to, he found us jobs. He said if we didn’t go, we’d have to stay..."
Zhang Pengfei recounted what happened after Xue Rui left and chatted with him about his work.
After Chen Shen lectured the group, he had them shave their heads and told them that if they didn’t go out to work, they could stay in Hedong and rot in a cell.
The result was predictable. The group obediently followed Chen Shen’s arrangement and went to Su City to work, and they were forbidden from returning before the New Year.
"Officer Chen was just looking out for you," Xue Rui said, holding back a laugh.
’Chen Shen is such a crafty old fox,’ he thought. ’He sent this group of troublemakers to another city. Even if they don’t change their ways, it’s a headache for the Su City police now.’
Moreover, since these guys weren’t very educated, they could only be sent to factories. It was even possible Chen Shen could get a referral fee for it.
’Killing several birds with one stone...’
"Yeah." Zhang Pengfei nodded. "I know Officer Chen was looking out for us. I asked around, and the pay and benefits at our factory are way better than others. You can’t get in without a connection."
"I scared Officer Chen’s daughter, yet he still found me a job." Zhang Pengfei looked guilty.
He gave a helpless smile, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.
Xue Rui felt that although Zhang Pengfei had only been away for a few months, he had matured by several years.
The current Zhang Pengfei still had a trace of youthful wildness, like when he generously treated the village kids to an internet cafe session after returning.
The second-hand iPhone in his hand and the Furongwang cigarettes were probably all bought to keep up appearances.
While at the internet cafe, he even deliberately placed his phone face down on the table to show off the Apple logo.
But Xue Rui noticed that Zhang Pengfei’s arrogance had been toned down significantly, replaced by a certain "office drone" vibe.
With his respectable clothes and somewhat dull eyes, Xue Rui wouldn’t have even recognized him if Zhang Pengfei hadn’t said he was the Huang Mao from that day.
"Society really is the best teacher," Xue Rui remarked with a sigh.
"You’re right, Brother Rui. I used to think I was hot stuff, destined for great things."
"But after going out into the world, I realized there are too many capable people out there. I’m just fated to work for others..."
Whenever Zhang Pengfei was on break and drinking with his fellow villagers, many of them would envy him for getting into a good factory with high pay.
In reality, he knew he was nothing special; Officer Chen had just been kind-hearted.
The resources that trickled through others’ fingers, casually bestowed upon him, were things other people desperately wanted but couldn’t get.
The more he understood the world, the more he felt his own insignificance.
That was why he held a special respect for people like Xue Rui, who had businesses and connections locally.
A problem he couldn’t solve might be something they could fix with just a casual word.
Even though Xue Rui was just a high school student, he felt that Xue Rui was much more mature than him. He admired Xue Rui, and being on good terms with him was definitely not a bad thing.
Xue Rui just smiled noncommittally.
He hadn’t had much contact with the manufacturing industry and didn’t know much about it. He hadn’t crossed paths with workers like this in his previous life, either.
People from different circles don’t mix. He was just making small talk with Zhang Pengfei; they probably wouldn’t have many chances to chat in the future.
However, he did catch a whiff of a business opportunity. The young people in the factory were extremely competitive, willing to eat dirt just to buy an iPhone.
And when they ran out of money, they would just sell it again...
Xue Rui thought about how his own sister had upgraded to the new iPhone 5, while her old one was just sitting in a drawer...
’In the future, even the elderly will be buying smartphones. The market is going to boom.’
’Forget starting a phone brand. That’s not something I can handle. Even many established companies would get crushed. The supply chain integration requirements are just too high.’
’But the second-hand electronics business is a good idea. I don’t plan on tying myself down to just gaming; maybe I can get into this line of work too.’
’For one, it contributes to environmental protection. For another... it’s not affected by the broader economic climate.’
’When the economy is doing well, people’s spending power is strong, and they upgrade quickly. The second-hand recycling business can make a fortune.’
’When the economy is in a downturn, people downgrade their consumption, and the second-hand market only becomes more prosperous.’
’It’s just that competition in this industry is also fierce. I’ll have to go back and plan this out carefully...’
"I’m heading out. Gotta buy some things for the New Year."
Xue Rui stood up and brushed the dust off his pants.
"Then I’ll buy some things too," Zhang Pengfei said after a moment’s thought, following after Xue Rui.
"Why are you following me? What are you planning to buy?" Xue Rui asked.
He was heading to a high-end tobacco and liquor store where a carton of cigarettes cost several hundred yuan and a bottle of liquor was over a thousand. That wasn’t something Zhang Pengfei could afford.
"I don’t know. This is my first time buying New Year’s goods for my family."
Zhang Pengfei scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"Just buy some chicken, duck, fish, meat, rice, flour, and cooking oil. If your old man smokes, get him a carton of Furongwang," Xue Rui said.
Zhang Pengfei had mentioned his family’s situation earlier. They were just an ordinary rural family, so practical things were most suitable.
"Should I buy something for Officer Chen...?" Zhang Pengfei asked cautiously.
He was very grateful to Officer Chen for getting him the job and wanted to give him a gift, but he didn’t know his address.
"No need. He won’t accept it," Xue Rui said with a wave of his hand.
’Zhang Pengfei isn’t a bad person at heart,’ he thought. ’He had probably just been assimilated by that group of young delinquents. Now, it’s like he’s a completely different person, one who even knows how to repay kindness.’
Many of those "Shamate" youths were like that. They weren’t inherently bad, just from ordinary families, lost about their future, and afraid of being bullied, so they gave themselves flashy hairstyles and colors first.
It was like animals in the wild. Many evolve exaggerated and useless fur or feathers just to make themselves look more formidable and scare off predators.
In reality, it was just a way to hide their own insecurity and weakness.
...
In the end, Zhang Pengfei still tagged along behind Xue Rui like a shadow, saying he also needed to buy cigarettes.
Xue Rui bought five or six cartons of high-end cigarettes, a few bottles of liquor, and some gift boxes, spending a total of ten thousand yuan.
Xue Rui didn’t even blink when he paid with his card, causing Zhang Pengfei to gasp in shock.
He calculated in his head that the money Xue Rui had just spent was more than two months of his own salary, and that was without even eating or drinking.
"Brother Rui, who are you buying gifts for at your age?" Zhang Pengfei asked curiously.
"Don’t you worry about that," Xue Rui chuckled.
He planned to give something to Village Chief Hua of Hua Village, then swing by Gu Qingshan’s place.
The only problem was that Hua Village was a bit too far. He didn’t know how to get there and was thinking of hiring a taxi driver to take him.
But it wasn’t a good idea to go in broad daylight.
And if he went at night, he’d still need to find someone willing to take the job.
"Do you know where Hua Village is?" Xue Rui turned and asked.
"It’s in our town. Not too far from my home," Zhang Pengfei replied.
"Perfect. You’re it." Xue Rui divided the items in half and shoved a portion into Zhang Pengfei’s hands.
Xue Rui arranged for Zhang Pengfei to deliver the items to Village Chief Hua, instructing him to be sure to go after dark.
Zhang Pengfei readily agreed and refused Xue Rui’s offer of payment for the errand.
With the Officer Chen connection, Xue Rui wasn’t worried about his gifts being pocketed. Besides, he didn’t think Zhang Pengfei was that kind of person.
He hadn’t sent a gift to Hua Village during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he had to send one for the New Year.
After all, Lin Ruoxi’s household registration was still in Hua Village, so he would inevitably have to deal with Village Chief Hua in the future.
As for the remaining gift boxes, cigarettes, and liquor, he was going to swing by Gu Muxue’s house.
He had already asked a chef at the restaurant to prepare some specialty pastries from Jiangnan. Feeling the value wasn’t quite balanced, he then went to a department store and bought a set of high-end skincare products as a gift for Gu Muxue’s mother.
As for Gu Muxue? He didn’t plan on giving her anything.
While in the car, Xue Rui called Gu Muxue. "Muxue, is Uncle Gu home?"
"My mom and I are out shopping. Don’t come over," Gu Muxue said coldly.
She was a little unhappy. ’Why is the first thing he asks about my dad?’ she thought.
"As long as Uncle Gu is home, that’s all that matters. I’m hanging up now."
"Xiaorui, you’re doing this on purpose!" Gu Muxue said through gritted teeth.
"I’m going to your house to drop off gifts. What does it matter if you’re there or not?"
"Hmph, my dad’s home. Go ahead."
Gu Muxue giggled. ’Xue Rui is so reliable,’ she thought. ’He even knows to bring gifts for the New Year.’
She had told Xue Rui beforehand that she would be very busy during the New Year. She had to visit her mother’s family in Jiangnan at the beginning of the year, and by the time she got back, school would probably have started.
This made her a bit regretful. She really wanted to hang out with Xue Rui during the winter break, but unfortunately, the school vacation was too short.
When Xue Rui arrived at Gu Muxue’s home, the housekeeper who answered the door recognized him and let him in.
Gu Qingshan was in the living room, chatting with a friend.
"Uncle Gu, the New Year is almost here. I brought some things for you and Auntie."
Xue Rui placed the large and small bags next to the coffee table.
"Mm, just leave it there. You can go now," Gu Qingshan said indifferently.
The middle-aged man looked at the gifts Xue Rui brought and teased, "Qingshan, I never thought you were this kind of person. I haven’t even been transferred yet, and you’re already being so blatant."
"Look at this liquor. It must be a thousand yuan a bottle, right?" The man picked it up and weighed it in his hand.
Gu Qingshan laughed. "It’s the New Year. Can’t I indulge a little?"
"You must be Director Liu. I’ve heard so much about you. Uncle Gu has mentioned you, and I was just thinking I should pay you a visit one of these days." Xue Rui went over to shake the man’s hand, feigning surprise.
The man was a bit surprised. "You know me?"
He knew this kind of flattery was usually just for show, but coming from a high school student, he wasn’t quite sure...
"Who doesn’t know Director Liu?" Xue Rui said with a smile.
In truth, he had just deduced it from their conversation. They were speaking as equals, so their positions must be similar.
He had looked up Gu Qingshan’s employment information on the official website and also knew that this Director Liu was about to be transferred...
"You misunderstood Uncle Gu just now. My dad and Uncle Gu have been friends for decades. It’s not strange for me, as a nephew, to give him a few gifts for the New Year. It’s all with money I earned myself."
The man chuckled. "Qingshan, is this the young man you were telling me about, the one who makes games?"
He had heard Gu Qingshan bragging at work about a nephew of his who was still in high school but had already started his own company and was making money.
"He’s my childhood friend’s son. Very capable. He earned more in two months than the two of us make in several years," Gu Qingshan replied with a smile.
He knew Xue Rui had bought these gifts with his own money, so he didn’t refuse them. The feeling of a junior coming to his door with gifts was different. Although Xue Rui was a bit too worldly, his young age made it less off-putting.
The only thing that kept him on guard was that this kid had his sights set on his daughter.
He had originally planned to give Xue Rui a good scolding, but with a guest present, it wasn’t appropriate to lose his temper.
"Xiaorui, we’re very busy at home with the New Year preparations. You should head back for now."
Gu Qingshan wanted to get rid of Xue Rui quickly. The boy was too clever. A few more questions, and the fact that he had been bragging about him at work would be exposed.
And with a shameless kid like Xue Rui, who knew what would happen if he found out?
Xue Rui was a little surprised. ’Gu Qingshan actually mentioned me at work?’
