Zeng Xiangmin was never fond of studying since he was young.
He had dabbled in petty theft and pickpocketing, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to recognize people in society.
What’s the most important thing about getting into university?
The acceptance letter, of course!
Both Zeng Xiangping and Wang Juan had to go to work, and Lin Jiazhen would go buy groceries and pick up the kids, so there were times when no one was home.
Zeng Xiangmin found an opportunity—he picked the lock and stole his older brother’s acceptance letter.
He kept quiet about it.
Only when he learned that Zeng Xiangping had found someone to sell the job to did Zeng Xiangmin make his move.
Of course, the one who tipped off Zeng Xiangmin was Zeng Shuyi.
“Third sister supports you taking your older brother’s job. Hurry up and go, they’re at the State-run Economy restaurant right now.”
Zeng Shuyi’s intention was to have her brother sabotage the deal; she didn’t know that he had stolen their older brother’s acceptance letter.
Watching her brother rush off to the State-run Economy restaurant, Zeng Shuyi followed behind just to see how things would unfold.
Inside the State-run Economy restaurant, Zeng Xiangping looked at Gao Zhuren in front of him and proactively poured tea for him. “Then it’s settled. I’ll sell the job to your nephew.”
“Xiangping, you’re quite capable. Getting into university is no small feat. When you graduate, I’ll have to be the one pouring tea for you.” Gao Zhuren was the director of Zeng Xiangping’s workshop. His youngest daughter had just graduated from high school but hadn’t received a job assignment yet, which had the family quite anxious. After learning that Zeng Xiangping had been accepted to university, he had approached him several times.
Zeng Xiangping was happy to give Gao Zhuren some face.
He had heard that Gao Zhuren might be promoted to deputy factory director.
Having such a connection might come in handy in the future.
“Oh no, you will always be my director. Whether I graduate or not, I should be the one pouring tea for you.” When facing someone influential, Zeng Xiangping’s attitude completely changed.
They agreed on a price: Zeng Xiangping would sell the job for 600 yuan, and today he was here to pay the deposit.
Seeing the envelope pushed across the table, Zeng Xiangping’s heart started to race.
He hadn’t told anyone about this, planning to wait until the deal was sealed before telling the family.
No matter how much Zeng Xiangmin caused trouble, it wouldn’t matter then.
Just as he thought this, Zeng Xiangping thought he was hallucinating—because he saw his younger brother burst in.
Zeng Xiangmin ran up to the table, pointing at Gao Zhuren. “So you want to buy my big brother’s job? Get lost! That job is mine. Don’t even think about it!”
He threw the money at Gao Zhuren.
Gao Zhuren looked utterly stunned. “Xiangping, what’s going on here?”
Zeng Xiangping was equally shocked. How could his younger brother know?
“Big brother, you’re heartless. Don’t blame me for being ruthless. You wanted to go to university, but let me tell you the truth—you acceptance letter was stolen by me a long time ago. If you don’t give me the job, don’t even think about going to university!” Zeng Xiangmin slammed the table hard.
Zeng Xiangping’s heart pounded faster. The acceptance letter was his lifeline, the fruit of three years of hard study. His lips trembled as he said, “Xiangmin, don’t be impulsive. You can’t joke about this.”
“Whether I’m joking or not, just wait until you get home and see for yourself.” Zeng Xiangmin replied.
Hearing this, Zeng Xiangping immediately ran home, not even letting Zeng Shuyi see.
Meanwhile, Zeng Xiangmin explained again to Gao Zhuren, “Sorry, brother, but my big brother is unreliable. He secretly tried to sell the job, but our family doesn’t agree. You should just forget about the job.”
Only then did Gao Zhuren understand what was going on and was instantly furious. He had believed Zeng Xiangping’s firm promises and was about to handle the procedures. Now that the job fell through, how could he explain this to his daughter?
Zeng Xiangmin ignored Gao Zhuren’s displeasure. Seeing his brother’s deal ruined, he left the State-run Economy restaurant laughing and said to Third Sister, “Third sister, how did you know big brother came to sell the job today?”
“Just happened to walk by and saw it.” Zeng Shuyi wouldn’t admit she had secretly eaten a meal on the side and happened to see big brother, so she went to pass on the news.
“When I get the job, I’ll treat you to a meal!” Zeng Xiangmin was determined to get that job.
When the siblings arrived home, Zeng Xiangping had already turned the house upside down and was searching through Zeng Xiangmin’s bed.
Zeng Xiangmin said, “You don’t need to look. It’s not at home.”
“Give it to me! Give me the acceptance letter!” Zeng Xiangping grabbed Zeng Xiangmin’s collar. “Did you hear me? Give me the acceptance letter!”
He never thought the acceptance letter could be stolen, so he only locked the door without hiding it anywhere special. Besides, the room was so small it wouldn’t take long to find.
But Zeng Xiangmin just smiled, “Big brother, I told you, if you give me the job, I’ll give you the acceptance letter. Otherwise, even if you beat me to death today, I won’t give it to you. You don’t want me to have a good time, I won’t let you have one either.”
Zeng Xiangping actually threw a punch, and the brothers quickly tangled together. Neighbors next door hurried over to break it up, but this time Zeng Xiangping was ruthless, and no one could pull them apart.
Liu Xiwang, enjoying the spectacle, called the Police Station. Eventually, both brothers were taken there.
By the time Zeng Qingliang and his wife arrived, Lin Jiazhen’s face was pale as she asked their daughter what happened.
Zeng Shuyi simply explained the situation. The police found out it was a family matter and told them to resolve it themselves.
But on the way home, remembering how big brother kicked him a few times, Zeng Xiangmin suddenly launched a sneak attack.
Zeng Xiangping fell to the ground with a low groan, and just as Zeng Qingliang rushed over, their father held him back.
“Aren’t you ashamed enough? Still want to go back to the Police Station?” Zeng Qingliang’s face was flushed with embarrassment. “If you have something to say, say it at home!”
But as they reached the alley entrance, Liu Xiwang and a group were already waiting.
Everyone had finished dinner and was free, gathering around to ask what happened.
“If you ask me, they’re brothers. Why fight?” Liu Xiwang shook his head and sighed. “Xiangping, as the older brother, you should think more about your younger siblings. How can you be so selfish? And you, Xiangmin, you’re younger, how can you hit your big brother?”
After talking about the two Zeng brothers, he turned to look at Zeng Qingliang. “Qingliang, you’re a lousy dad. You didn’t raise your kids right. Others’ families are harmonious brothers, but yours is so chaotic and noisy.”
Zeng Qingliang’s face turned bright red from embarrassment. He forced his way through the crowd and went home.
Liu Xiwang didn’t let the opportunity slip by. “But Qingliang, what now? Is Xiangping’s job going to Xiangmin?”
Zeng Qingliang couldn’t help but respond, but seeing all the neighbors, he could only herd his two sons home and close the door.
“What’s wrong with Qingliang?” Liu Xiwang clicked his tongue. “You see, when you treat people unfairly like this, sooner or later something bad will happen.”
Xu Zhaodi and others nodded in agreement. Only Wang Chaoyang seemed thoughtful, glancing at the Zeng family’s front door before walking home with his hands behind his back.
As soon as he stepped inside, Wang Chaoyang said, “Mom, give me 100 yuan. I need to restock, and I have to fix the tricycle.”
Qiu Hongxia was momentarily stunned. “Chaoyang, didn’t you just restock not long ago?”
“It’s been half a month. Things are selling well recently, so I need to prepare more.” Wang Chaoyang explained.