Chapter Sixteen: Wang Lin Strikes Back

After dealing with Xu Damou, Yi Zhonghai’s gaze landed on Wang Lin.

“Wang Lin, come sit in the middle.”

Wang Lin stood up immediately, carrying a stool in one hand and holding Qin Huairu with the other as he moved to the center.

Jia Dongxu glared fiercely at Wang Lin’s arm around Qin Huairu, his eyes practically shooting flames.

“Joy, joy, Qin Huairu will soon be mine,” Jia Dongxu thought bitterly, filled with resentment over Wang Lin stealing his bride, yet also thrilled by the prospect of enjoying Qin Huairu.

Wang Lin sat down in the middle with Qin Huairu, crossing his legs leisurely.

“Yi Zhonghai, if you have something to say, say it quickly. I still have to go make a baby with my girlfriend!”

Wang Lin’s words instantly brought to everyone’s mind the melodious symphony from the previous night, causing the women present to blush deeply and the men to react instinctively.

Yi Zhonghai took a sip from his tea cup and spoke coldly.

“Yesterday you broke into someone’s house, not only kicking in my door but also laying eyes on my wife. Do you know that if I report this to the police, they can arrest you immediately?”

“Then go ahead and report it!” Wang Lin replied indifferently, as if everything was under his control.

Yi Zhonghai was momentarily stunned; he could never have imagined Wang Lin would behave this way.

Third Uncle Yan Bugui knew it was time to speak up. After all, he had taken money from Yi Zhonghai, and if he didn’t intervene, Yi Zhonghai would surely demand repayment after the meeting.

“Wang Lin, you trespassed and ogled my wife. Do you know that if the police come, they might shoot you? First Uncle Yi only didn’t report it because we live in the same courtyard. You should be grateful. Now, look at your attitude!”

Wang Lin sneered dismissively.

“Then go ahead and call the police. Let’s see if they arrest me or charge Yi Zhonghai with theft.”

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Seeing both First Uncle Yi Zhonghai and Third Uncle Yan Bugui being shut down by Wang Lin, he felt the three uncles’ faces were completely lost. His expression drooped.

“Wang Lin, what kind of attitude is that? I think you should be arrested. Guangqi, go call the police.”

Hearing Liu Haizhong order Liu Guangqi to report them, Yi Zhonghai immediately lost his temper.

“No one’s calling the police. Shazhu, stop him.”

Shazhu was already prepared and intercepted Liu Guangqi before Yi Zhonghai finished speaking.

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong grew unhappy. He felt he was helping Yi Zhonghai, but Yi Zhonghai was now opposing him, making him lose all face in the courtyard.

“What do you mean by this, Yi Zhonghai?”

Yi Zhonghai ignored Liu Haizhong, instead casting a venomous glance at Wang Lin before reluctantly speaking.

“Alright, that’s enough for today’s meeting. Everyone, go home.”

After saying this, Yi Zhonghai turned and left for home, with Jia Dongxu and Shazhu following quickly behind.

Yan Bugui felt exceedingly pleased.

“Eating doesn’t impoverish, drinking doesn’t impoverish, only scheming does. I just earned three yuan with a single sentence. Not bad at all.”

Yan Bugui returned home in high spirits, but Liu Haizhong’s face was so dark it seemed to bleed.

He hated Yi Zhonghai with a passion. Even though he was trying to help Yi Zhonghai, Yi Zhonghai showed him no respect, causing Liu Haizhong, as Second Uncle, to lose all dignity in the courtyard.

“Yi Zhonghai, First Uncle, sooner or later you’ll be mine.”

Liu Haizhong glanced at the happy Wang Lin carrying Qin Huairu back home and his mind began to churn.

“Old Yi, Old Yi, if you’re ruthless, don’t blame me for being unjust.”

At this moment, Liu Haizhong had already made up his mind.

Since Yi Zhonghai and Wang Lin were at odds, he would support Wang Lin, letting Yi Zhonghai lose all face. Once Yi Zhonghai had no prestige in the courtyard, no one would listen to him anymore.

Liu Haizhong hurried to catch up with Wang Lin, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

“Deputy Director Wang, wait a moment.”

Wang Lin stopped and looked at Liu Haizhong.

“What is it? Do you need something?”

Although Wang Lin had long known why Liu Haizhong couldn’t be a leader, now he was even more certain: Liu Haizhong was a hopeless dreamer.

If he were smart, Wang Lin would be called Director Wang, not Deputy Director Wang. Though it was just a one-word difference, it changed the attitude and respect from subordinates.

“Deputy Director Wang, that Yi Zhonghai is really despicable. Ever since you came into the courtyard, he’s been targeting you. I can’t stand it, so I’ve decided to always stand by your side. Could you perhaps say a good word for me at the factory, so I can be promoted to team leader?”

Wang Lin smiled mockingly.

“You? Becoming a team leader might be a bit difficult.”

Liu Haizhong was confused. He thought he had been a diligent mentor, always attentive to national affairs, and believed he could be factory director. How could he not even become a team leader?

“Deputy Director Wang, why not?”

Wang Lin thought for a moment and decided to help Liu Haizhong a little.

Not only was Liu Haizhong obsessed with power, but his greed was extraordinary.

Just like in the original story, when Deputy Director Li appointed him as head of the inspection team, what was the result?

It was lawlessness and corruption.

And that was exactly what Wang Lin needed. If someone had no weaknesses at all, they were definitely abnormal and likely an enemy agent.

Wang Lin beckoned Liu Haizhong closer and whispered in his ear.

“You don’t understand how to manage people at all. Let me give you an example. What do you think should be done?”

Wang Lin then described a simple scenario.

“Stealing something? Of course, you arrest them.”

Wang Lin shook his head and explained.

“You can’t judge everything by appearances. As a leader, you have to consider the situation comprehensively.”

“First, you need to understand why they stole the parts.”

“...”

Wang Lin went on at length, leaving Liu Haizhong with a splitting headache.

Liu Haizhong was dumbfounded. He never imagined a leader would have to consider so many things.

“This... this...”

Now Liu Haizhong didn’t know what to say. He realized that the leader he imagined and the leader Wang Lin described were two completely different people.

Seeing Liu Haizhong at a loss, Wang Lin smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’m giving you a chance. Just don’t disappoint me.”

Liu Haizhong’s face lit up with joy.

“Ah, thank you, Deputy Director Wang, thank you.”

Wang Lin waved his hand and then, with Qin Huairu, entered his home.

Not long after returning, that melodious sound once again echoed throughout the courtyard, thrilling everyone who heard it.

Liu Haizhong returned home happily and waved his hand grandly.

“Today is a day of great joy. Everyone gets an extra egg.”

“Boss, is that true?”

Not only was Second Aunt delighted, but Liu Haizhong’s three sons were as well.

In the Liu household, only Liu Haizhong, the pillar of the family, was allowed to eat eggs. Even Liu Guangqi, favored by Liu Haizhong, was not permitted.