Chapter 170 A Restless Season: Do you think that those who get rich first can help those who get rich later?
Wang Xiao's gossip spirit was burning brightly, and she stubbornly stayed at home waiting for her mother to come home.
She was already exhausted and went to bed, but when she heard the noise, she crawled out of bed, shuffling in her slippers to open the door and poking her head out: "Mom, how is it?"
Chen Yanqiu was changing her slippers when she suddenly saw her daughter looking like an upside-down mop head. She was so frightened that she almost jumped out of her skin. She immediately said in an annoyed tone, "Look at the way you look!"
"I'm already asleep, what do I care about my image? Hey Mom, hurry up, tell me, did Old Zhao agree or not?"
Chen Yanqiu couldn't hide her smugness: "Otherwise, would I be back right now? You have no idea how troublesome the Fang family is. The old folks are crying, the kids are yelling, my head is about to explode."
Wang Xiao exclaimed in surprise: "You actually succeeded in persuading him?"
"Of course."
Wang Xiao couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Mom, isn't what you're doing a bit immoral?"
She had once heard a theory that explains why couples are advised to reconcile rather than separate. It's not because bad marriages are cursed by heaven, but because the family is the smallest unit to be investigated.
Human nature is such that people bully the weak and fear the strong; most people dare not provoke a scoundrel. But when a scoundrel is in debt or causes trouble, the victim can't just suffer in silence; they have to settle accounts with someone.
Parents will grow old and die, children will grow up and leave, and spouses are the best targets for claims, aren't they?
Even more callous, those who beat their wives are generally prone to daily outbursts of anger.
If his fists don't land on his wife, they'll most likely land on someone else.
This is similar to a chef choosing monkeys from a cage to make a dish of raw monkey brains for a customer. Once he chooses one, the other monkeys will rush to push it out instead of protecting their own kind.
Sacrificing the individual to protect the peace of everyone is the best example of this.
Chen Yanqiu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as she listened: "You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? My advice is to give Old Zhao a way out, so he won't be stuck on top of it and unable to get down. What do you think? If he really didn't want to live together anymore, he would have done it long ago. Now he just wants to take the easy way out, and he needs a way to get down to his feet."
Wang Xiao was highly skeptical: "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!" Chairman Chen said confidently. "If we really get divorced, do you think Lao Zhao's life will be easy? Putting aside everything else, who will take care of the child? In Fang Meiqin's current state, can she take care of the child? If the child goes to Lao Zhao, can he take care of him alone? He's out doing sales, he's not home for days on end, what will happen to the child?"
This is for the best. Fang Meiqin has caused such a mess, so the Fang family is naturally at a disadvantage. Fang Meiqin's mother has agreed to come and take care of her daughter and granddaughter from now on.
As Chen Yanqiu spoke, she shook her head, looking deeply moved. "You young people think it's like what's shown on TV and in movies, always talking about love and romance. But marriage and living together, frankly speaking, is just about living together and raising children. There's no such thing as all that fancy stuff."
Wang Xiao shook his head, turned around and muttered, "Tsk tsk, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. I'll enjoy my blessings if I don't have any."
Would she go to such lengths for a child? A selfish person like her would never do that, even if she were beaten to death.
As she closed the door, she added a gloating remark: "You're dreaming! Let's see if Master Zhao can withstand the barrage of insults!"
The door closed, shutting out Chairman Chen's roar: "You brat, you never say a nice thing. Just you wait and see."
Hey, in this world, nobody wants to tell the truth anymore.
When the sun rose again, Ivanov also learned about it.
He sat in the cafeteria, enjoying his new favorite breakfast of soy milk and dried tea eggs. He added two spoonfuls of sugar to the soy milk, making it both salty and sweet, creating a unique flavor. He then curiously discussed with Wang Xiao, "How exactly does Auntie make it?"
As a fellow male, he felt that his fellow human's reaction was a bit inexplicable, but looking around the world, if a husband caught his wife cheating, especially when it was common knowledge, he would become a laughing stock in everyone's eyes if he didn't take up a sword and duel with his lover.
Conversely, the situation is quite different.
Ivanov then seized the opportunity to slip in his own opinion: "Do you know why, Your Majesty? It's because when a man desires a committed relationship with a woman, that woman becomes his private property in his heart. As everyone knows, private property is sacred and inviolable."
Wang Xiao pushed the tea egg in front of him: "Eat your food, even a braised egg can't shut you up."
Speak of the devil and he appears.
Wang Xiao originally thought her mother had already gone to work early, but she didn't expect that her mother would only come to eat now and just got her food at the window.
The staff member next to him said something that angered Chairman Chen.
The latter immediately frowned and raised his voice: "What nonsense are you talking about? The factory has investigated everything. That's not what happened at all. Xiao Fang, she's only interested in getting more money for her family so she can send her child abroad to study in the future."
But we employees all have fixed salaries, and we know exactly how much we'll earn. So she partnered with her former classmate to start a business.
But in the past two years, they were cracking down hard and not allowing people to do business.
She was afraid of being found out and fired from her job. She didn't dare tell anyone outside, only at home.
The employee who was rebuked by her was not convinced and muttered, "Oh, what a coincidence, they all brought them home when Lao Zhao wasn't around. What, are you secretly saving money behind Lao Zhao's back?"
"Hey, you don't even manage your own money, yet you're hiding some secret stash?" Chen Yanqiu said irritably. "Don't talk nonsense. When Lao Zhao was around, he came over several times. It's just that the couple didn't want outsiders to know, so they didn't make a big fuss. Besides, if it were really like what you're saying, why would he come over in broad daylight instead of at night when no one's around? Isn't it to avoid suspicion? You're a working woman too, don't you usually interact with men? My dear sister, we can't be like mothers-in-law in the old society, keeping a watchful eye on our daughters-in-law."
The person being rebuked stared wide-eyed for a long time before managing to utter a reply: "That's not what the man said."
Chen Yanqiu almost ground her back teeth to powder.
That damned security department, they all act without thinking, as if they're afraid outsiders won't laugh at their steel mill enough, huh? They dare to dump all sorts of nonsense outside.
Her eyes widened even more than the other person's: "Do you think you can just believe whatever the man says? He doesn't want to pay back the money now, so of course he's going to smear Fang Meiqin. How else can he renege on his debt? He's saying the money was a gift from Fang Meiqin to him. What a scoundrel! Shameless! His words are like farts; they'd suffocate anyone who listens to them."
She raised her voice again and called out loudly, "While everyone's here, let me clarify something. The factory has already investigated Fang Meiqin's matter thoroughly. She's an innocent woman, so let's stop making unfounded accusations."
We all work in the same factory and live in the same place, so we'll see each other all the time. Let's not say anything that might hurt our feelings.
Besides, everyone has kids. You adults don't take it seriously, yet you just spout off whatever comes to mind. Kids hear it and imitate it, which is really hurtful.
I've already made a public announcement here today. Everyone, please keep your mouths shut and stop spreading rumors. If the factory sees anyone spouting nonsense again, don't blame us for being ruthless.
The factory has also spoken to the school. If any child spreads rumors and gets caught by the teacher and made to stand at the blackboard, or if anyone causes trouble, the factory will record a demerit for that child.
Some people were unconvinced: "Is that even possible?"
"Then what do you want?" Chen Yanqiu glared. "Are you only happy when you drive someone to their death?"
An elderly woman next to the man pressed him down, saying, "Alright, watch your mouths. Everyone has children."
“Exactly,” someone echoed. “It’s normal for Xiao Fang to want to earn more money.”
The voices of support gradually grew louder and louder, and then, without anyone noticing, the conversation veered off-topic to "No wonder the past two years were tough; bonuses couldn't even be paid out, and I don't know how everyone managed to get through it."
Wang Xiao felt that this was the Versailles of the human world.
The living conditions of employees in large factories would rank among the top 10% nationwide.
If they all feel they can't survive, then countless people will actually collapse in the fields and on the streets.
With the help of his bodyguards, Ivanov thoroughly enjoyed the whole story. Seeing that everyone had gone off on a tangent, he couldn't help but ask Wang Xiao, "Is that all?"
"Then what else do you want?" Wang Xiao said irritably. "You're really driving me crazy."
"No, that..."
"What? If the genders were reversed, no matter how many promiscuous men he was, if he turned back home, it would be called a prodigal son returning home, and everyone would offer their blessings and congratulate the woman for finally finding happiness. But if it were a woman, she would have to die to atone for her sins?"
Yes, yes, they can't change people's moral standards, just as law enforcers can't change the law.
But the executioner could raise their gun and fire into the sky, sparing the man's life.
There are many things in this world that need to be clarified but remain unclear, so why dwell on such a trivial matter?
Ivanov blinked several times before finally shifting his gaze to Ms. Chen, who was chatting enthusiastically with someone, then turned back to Wang Xiao and gave him a thumbs up: "Wang, now I believe you come from a family with a strong academic background."
Look at Chairman Chen's demeanor! His ability to lie through his teeth and adapt to any situation, his skill and audacity in turning the dead into the living—it's a clear inheritance of his bloodline.
Wang Xiao almost rolled her eyes to the sky.
Honey, are you sure this is a compliment? It sounds more like an insult.
After walking around the field, Chairman Chen finally came over with her beef potstickers and congee for breakfast.
Oh dear, she's exhausted this morning.
Ivanov saw the beef dumplings and got hungry again, so he insisted on taking one to try.
He blinked his charming eyes and asked curiously, "Ms. Chen, why does that man always go to that woman's house during the day?"
Was it so as not to disturb their child? That's quite considerate.
Chen Yanqiu got angry when she heard this: "That man has a wife and children. He stays at home and does everything perfectly, from laundry and cooking to taking the kids to school. He won't disturb his family's normal life."
So, Fang Meiqin, that fool, deserved it.
Why would someone hire a man to live in their home like a king, paying him to come and serve him tea, water, massage his shoulders, and so on?
Ivanov was filled with envy. How come he had never had such good fortune? Yet, no one had ever waited on him.
Wang Xiao shooed people to the side, telling them to go, go, go, go find somewhere cool to stay.
She only cared about one thing: "Is this the end of it?"
“What’s the point of finishing this?” Chen Yanqiu couldn’t help but sigh. “Money is the key. If we can’t get the money back, this matter will never be over.”
When it comes to real money, nothing else matters.
But if this crucial point isn't resolved, Fang Meiqin will inevitably be criticized for the rest of her life.
Even if you poured water into your brain, you wouldn't do it this badly. She's a never-ending mess.
Ivanov asked curiously, "How do you get the money back?"
"Who can say for sure?" Chen Yanqiu sighed. "Who knows if it's been completely ruined?"
She had heard that this group of people were giving red envelopes (cash gifts) to the girls in the Hainan nightclubs, and they could give out 100,000 yuan at a time.
Not to mention, how much money did he use to pave the way for the Great Wall Company's bonds to sell so quickly?
This kind of money is like throwing money down the drain; once it's gone, it's gone forever, and you can never get it back.
"The problem shouldn't be too big," Wang Xiao reassured her mother. "As long as the money hasn't been transferred overseas, everything will be fine."
Financial controls are quite strict now, so transferring money out through underground banks is not a simple matter; it requires at least a long period of planning.
From the time Great Wall Company actually made money to its complete collapse in March of this year, it was only a little over half a year. Its boss was arrested at the airport while fleeing abroad, and the money probably didn't have time to be transferred out.
If it were 30 years from now, they would basically all lose everything.
She knew an older sister who invested 50,000 yuan, but the interest rate was only six or seven percent, which was less than the bank deposit interest rate in the 1990s.
It still turned out to be a bombshell.
About two or three years later, the trial and execution of this case finally came to an end.
Of the 50,000 yuan the young lady received, 2,800 yuan has been deposited into her account.
The young woman simply treated it as a windfall and treated them to a buffet, and she even filmed a video about it.
The victims of Great Wall Company bonds were clearly much luckier than the young woman.
The police had just arrested someone at the Capital Airport when the investigation team arrived in Jiangdong.
Then, a couple of days later, Wang Xiao heard that some factory workers had paired up and gone to get their bonds refunded.
Quite a few were returned; the person who got the most got 90% back, and the unluckiest person still got more than 70%, almost 80%.
Wang Xiao was astonished; there were so many!
You should know that some money is never recorded in the books. Once it's spent, it's gone. Trying to get it back is harder than climbing to heaven.
She specifically asked her mother about it, curious as to why the recovery had been so successful.
The answer she received left her speechless.
The reason Jiangdong was able to initiate the refund process so quickly is that, starting in January, the money collected locally was not handed over to the head office in Beijing.
Why?
One well-known fact is that Great Wall Motors had a poor relationship with banks. Ever since the former rose to prominence, it was frequently smuggled oil by the latter.
As things progressed, the two sides completely broke off relations. Jiangdong Company hadn't handed the money back to headquarters for nearly two months, not because the boss was particularly generous, but because the payment channels were limited.
Without a doubt, the simplest and most convenient way to transfer money between different locations is through a bank.
However, it is said that the person in charge of the Great Wall Company's branch in Jiangdong dared not.
He was afraid that the bank would intercept the money midway, which would mean he would have gained nothing.
If you don't go through a bank, then you can only transfer cash.
If it were just a matter of transferring cash, a new problem would arise: the social order in 1993 was not very good either.
It's one thing for pickpockets to be rampant on green trains, but if you run into railway robbers, they can wipe you out in one fell swoop.
Currently, those carrying large sums of cash on the road are mostly from large organizations with security guards, and they can generally ensure their own safety.
Otherwise, being robbed is a common occurrence.
Of course, there is another explanation.
That is, those within the company know their own limitations. There are many astute people within Great Wall Company who know that their company has serious problems and could collapse at any moment.
Their company doesn't pay enough attention to the ideological dynamics of its employees.
As a result, there is a lack of trust between people.
To put it simply, they were afraid that the person responsible for escorting the money back to Beijing would run away with the money.
In this atmosphere of intense distrust of both banks and colleagues, the Jiangdong branch has kept all its money locked in a safe since New Year's Day.
Apart from a portion being used for public relations expenses and branch office employee salaries and bonuses, the rest remained untouched.
This also facilitated the clearing of funds related to the local Great Wall Corporation's bonds.
Ivanov was deeply moved upon hearing this.
That saying is indeed true; a coin always has two sides, and nothing can be absolutely good or bad.
"So, there's a benefit to having bad public security."
Seeing his serious expression, Wang Xiao immediately chuckled and, without hesitation, stabbed him in the chest: "As a Muscovite, what is the motivation behind your comments?"
Ha! No matter how bad China's public security is, it still absolutely crushes Russia.
They don't even look at how bad the security situation in Russia is now.
Two gangs clashed over market share and protection money. They drove tanks into the street and fired at each other.
The police were no match for the force, and in the end, special forces had to step in, using armored vehicles and helicopters, to forcefully quell the shootout.
Such infighting escalated in Russia.
Gangs fight over territory, and it's common for them to double-cross each other.
From a theoretical perspective, their infighting should be considered a major positive development for ordinary people.
The problem is that Russia is currently in a state of anarchy, with gangs setting the rules for movement in each neighborhood.
As we all know, good order is better than bad order, and bad order is better than no order at all.
When the gangs are stable, everyone knows who to pay protection money to, and once that's done, they can enjoy a temporary period of peace.
But if the old men of the Mafia keep changing, everyone will be at a loss as to who to pay their protection money to.
If you pay today, the person who collected the money will be lying in the forest tomorrow, doused in gasoline, and burned to a crisp.
If the new people who take over the neighborhood come back and demand protection money again, wouldn't the people being extorted be driven to their deaths?
Business is already tough these days, taxes are ridiculously high, the ruble is plummeting, and with protection money to be paid three or four times a month, people are practically starving.
To put it bluntly, Russia today might stand tall and call itself the boss among slums around the world when it comes to poor public security.
Ivanov retreated in shame and never dared to mention the topic again.
He looked at the sky and the ground, laughing and chuckling, and somehow managed to steer the conversation to "The weather is so nice, spring in Jiangdong warms up so quickly, people are already wearing skirts on the street."
Look at all the men and women walking on the street, they're all dressed in brightly colored clothes, it's dazzling to the eye.
Wang Xiao knew when to stop and continued the conversation: "That's right, Jinning has no spring, it's summer overnight."
The biggest problem with this kind of weather is that spring clothes are hard to sell, and even she herself feels there's no need to buy them.
Ivanov enthusiastically emphasized, "Buy it, even if you only wear it for one day, it's still a beautiful spring day."
Wang Xiao shook his head: "Do you think everyone is frugal? Who would be so bored as to give away money?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the group of people walking over from the opposite side exchanged glances and insisted on sending out a representative to greet her: "Xiaoxiao, when will your company issue stock? We want to buy your stock."
When Wang Xiao saw their faces, he immediately felt a headache coming on.
Brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts, you've just exchanged your Great Wall bonds for cash, and each of you has lost thousands of yuan. You haven't even had a chance to enjoy the money yet, can you please stop?
Wang Xiao laughed it off: "Our company isn't listed, so why would we issue stocks?"
"Oh, oh, what do you mean by going public? You can issue internal shares, it's not like we don't trust you, we'll just buy them directly."
This situation is very common nowadays.
In a society where investment is overheated, the financial sector is in chaos.
All sorts of random stocks, or even just a small piece of paper with a stamp, can be treated as securities and circulated in the market.
Everyone is anxious, everyone wants to make a fortune, and everyone hopes to profit from others' success.
But Wang Xiao didn't want to get involved at all: "No, no, I can't. This stuff is too complicated. I don't want to end up getting myself thrown in jail."
She waved and quickened her pace, jogging all the way to the car.
Those who couldn't catch her were furious.
Some people even cursed, "Pah! What nonsense about the rich helping the poor? It's all a lie!"
The car door closed, and the car started.
Suddenly, Ivanov blurted out, "Your Majesty, do you believe that those who get rich first can help those who get rich later?"
Wang Xiao threw the question back at him: "What do you think?"
Ivanov shook his head: "I don't believe it."
He believed in the selfishness of human nature and that people would do everything in their power to protect their own interests.
Even though he considers himself a Marxist, his capitalist tendencies often come out.
He didn't want others to be better off than him; he wanted to be the king.
He thought his peers, the so-called newly rich, those who got rich first, were just like him.
Unless we enter a communist society, such noble sentiments will never become a reality.
After muttering to himself, Ivanov stared at his partner and pressed, "King, what about you? Do you think it's possible?"
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