Only if you take it can you be your own

“Hahaha, it’s good not to smoke. I’m an old addict. My wife at home has always told me to quit, but I’ve never succeeded!”

Section Chief Qian was quick to adapt, saying with a laugh, then looking at Hu Jianjun as if he had something to say.

Seeing Section Chief Qian's hesitant look, Zhao Dongchuan's heart stirred. He guessed he was in the way.

So, Zhao Dongchuan greeted them and made an excuse to leave for the restroom.

After he had walked away, Section Chief Qian withdrew his gaze, laughed, and pulled Hu Jianjun aside, saying, “Little Hu, there’s something I, your elder brother, need to ask of you. In my factory, there are some defective fabrics, which are scrap and no longer useful. They need to be disposed of, and coincidentally, someone wants them. Can you help me out by giving them a ride?

Don’t worry, everything has gone through internal procedures, it’s completely compliant!”

Hu Jianjun often came here to pick up goods and was quite familiar with Section Chief Qian. There was a certain level of trust between them. Although it was a bit difficult, he thought he should help if he could, so he asked, “How much is there?”

Hearing his tone, Section Chief Qian, who sensed a chance, smiled and said, “Not much, just over 500 catties!”

………

Zhao Dongchuan wandered outside for a bit, felt enough time had passed, and started walking back.

When he returned to the truck, Section Chief Qian had already left, and only Hu Jianjun was squatting on the side, smoking.

“Section Chief Qian asked you for a favor?” Zhao Dongchuan walked over and asked with a smile.

Hu Jianjun was a little surprised: “Uh, Dongchuan, how did you know?”

“The way Section Chief Qian looked at you, I knew he definitely needed your help, that’s why I left!

Did he ask you to help him transport something?”

“Yes, he said there was a batch of waste products from the garment factory that needed to be disposed of, and he asked me to help transport them!” Hu Jianjun took a deep drag from his cigarette.

“So, what benefits did he say he’d give you?”

“Benefits? Uh… he gave me a pack of cigarettes!” Hu Jianjun pulled out a pack of Daqianmen from his pants pocket.

“…”

Zhao Dongchuan was a little speechless; this was treating him like a beggar!

“He’s just taking advantage of your youth and inexperience! He fobbed you off with a pack of cigarettes, but you’re taking such a big risk helping him transport goods. If someone finds out and reports you for speculation, it’ll be impossible to explain!”

Hu Jianjun’s expression changed; he was a little scared and said, “I already promised him. Should I tell him to find someone else?”

Don’t panic, it’s not that scary. As long as you’re careful, it’ll be fine. It’s just that in this matter, the risk and reward are completely out of proportion. We can ask him for more benefits.

Seeing that the workers had almost finished loading the goods, Zhao Dongchuan followed Hu Jianjun to Section Chief Qian’s office and saw Section Chief Qian drinking tea and reading the newspaper.

“Little Hu, you’re here. Come, have some tea!” Section Chief Qian said politely.

Zhao Dongchuan didn't beat around the bush; he sat down directly and said, “I heard you asked my brother for a favor?”

Section Chief Qian looked at Hu Jianjun with a hint of anger, as if blaming Hu Jianjun for telling an outsider his business.

“Little Hu, what does your friend mean?”

“Nothing. Jianjun is my good brother, and he told me everything. You’re being too dishonest!”

“Uh, he already agreed. Does he want to back out now? The goods are already on the truck!” Section Chief Qian thought he was going to refuse to help and said with a hint of anger.

“Hehe, Section Chief Qian, we’re all smart people, you don’t need to play dumb. You know very well why I’m here…”

“…” Section Chief Qian was silent for a moment, pulled out a cigarette, lit it for himself, took a deep drag, and asked, “Speak, what do you want to do?”

………………

Hu Jianjun followed behind Zhao Dongchuan, looking utterly bewildered, still somewhat incredulous. The way he acted in the office was completely different from the gentle and refined Dongchuan he had always known.

“Dongchuan” and Section Chief Qian aggressively negotiated benefits, both looking like they were about to fight, but after the discussion was over, their expressions immediately changed, and they calmly drank tea and chatted together.

He felt his worldview had been completely altered that afternoon.

“Is this what the adult world is like???” Hu Jianjun was a bit confused.

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Hu Jianjun’s expression and felt like laughing.

“It’s not that strange. The moment I walked in, he probably guessed our intention; he was just probing and pulling.

Since we only wanted to discuss benefits with him, our interests are aligned. Only by safely transporting those “waste products” out can everyone get benefits!”

“He wants a safe, reliable, and inconspicuous channel to transport the goods. The more we take, the more at ease he’ll be! Because that way, we’re all on the same side!”

Zhao Dongchuan patted Hu Jianjun on the shoulder.

“You don’t have to worry about this. He has already taken care of the beginning and end of the matter. You just need to deliver the goods along the way. Be vigilant, it’s not a big problem!”

“What about this money?” Hu Jianjun nervously touched his pocket.

“Keep this money. There will be many such things in the future, and not every job can be done. This time, it’s just some defective products, and Section Chief Qian can handle the beginning and end, so the risk is small and it can be done. For others, just be more careful yourself. You need to check clearly and not let people smuggle private goods when you’re not paying attention.”

“Understood, Dongchuan!”

“If you’re unwilling to take it, then don’t touch these things in the future. Don’t have any psychological burden!”

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Hu Jianjun’s complex expression, feeling like he was “corrupting a good child,” and quickly comforted him.

Then the two got into the car, loaded with goods, and headed back. They delivered to the Department Store, and on the way, they gave that pack of waste products to the corresponding person for “disposal.”

After the matter was settled, the two ate a late “lunch” at a state-run restaurant.

Hu Jianjun insisted on paying for the meal, saying he had earned extra money and wanted to treat.

Zhao Dongchuan let him.

Hu Jianjun still had to go to other counties to continue picking up goods in the afternoon, so Zhao Dongchuan didn't follow him and went straight back to the guesthouse.

After a quick wash, Zhao Dongchuan lay down on the bed and took a wonderful nap.

He didn't slowly get up until four or five in the afternoon; the past two days of rushing around had indeed been quite tiring.

He tidied his clothes, washed his face again, and then strolled out the door.

“The Great King told me to patrol the mountain… Catch a monk for dinner… The water by this mountain… is incredibly sweet…”

Humming a widely circulated, slightly playful song from his previous life, Zhao Dongchuan strolled through the streets of Peng City.

Looking at the men, women, old, and young coming and going on the road, he couldn't help but sigh, thinking that none of them at this moment could imagine the earth-shattering changes that Peng City would undergo in a few years.

Wandering to a state-run restaurant, Zhao Dongchuan casually found a seat.

“Have you heard? The crackdown has been even stricter recently, and many people have been sent back!”

“Who isn’t saying that? I heard from my uncle that a relative’s son wanted to cross the river, was discovered by the border guards, and wouldn’t listen to warnings, so they opened fire, and the person just sank!”