"Li Junsheng, hurry up! Just put your fingerprint down already!"
Ma Yulian's impatient voice echoed in Li Junsheng's ears, momentarily stunning him.
Hadn't he died?
How could he still hear Ma Yulian's voice?
With great effort, Li Junsheng opened his eyes and was met with the anxious, impatient gaze of Ma Yulian, who was in her forties. Beside her stood Chen Dazhu and his son, Chen Zhiyuan!
Seeing Li Junsheng look over, Chen Dazhu put on a false smile and clasped his hands together, saying, "Old Li, please help us out. Zhiyuan is a young man you've watched grow up, and he's ready to settle down. Just let him take this job for now, and once he gets married, I promise he'll give it back to you!"
"Besides, he just needs a title to help him find a wife. He'll make sure to pass his salary on to you every month!"
Chen Dazhu's words sent shockwaves through Li Junsheng's heart.
Wasn't this the same scenario from 1981, when his wife, Ma Yulian, colluded with Chen Dazhu to scheme against him while he was working in the machinery factory?
Had he really been reborn back to 1981?
Looking at the written document Ma Yulian had prepared on the table, Li Junsheng's fingers trembled slightly.
It was precisely this meal that had changed his fate forever!
That time, Ma Yulian and her old friend, Chen Dazhu, had set up a trap for him. After getting him thoroughly drunk, they lured him into signing away his job at the state-owned machinery factory to Chen Zhiyuan.
Now, Chen Dazhu was speaking sweetly, promising that the job would be returned to Li Junsheng, and that he would receive the salary every month. But in reality, once Li Junsheng completed the paperwork, he would never get his job back!
This father-son duo, along with Ma Yulian, would instantly turn their backs and deny everything they had promised today!
He had no evidence to prove their words, but he had the evidence that his job had been given away involuntarily!
Recalling past experiences, anger surged within Li Junsheng.
In his previous life, he had suffered terribly at the hands of this wicked pair. He had not only lost a decent job and become unemployed but had also seen his family shattered by Ma Yulian, who didn't love him and even resented the four children they had together.
In his past life, he had been foolish and blind. Now that he had the chance to live again, he absolutely could not repeat the same mistakes!
After taking a moment to compose himself, Li Junsheng finally spoke, "Chen Dazhu, you want my job at the machinery factory, right?"
"Of course, Old Li! You seem a bit drunk," Chen Zhiyuan replied with a beaming smile, his eyes flickering with excitement. "Didn't we agree earlier? Just sign your name and put your fingerprint here!"
"Agree?" Li Junsheng chuckled lightly. "We haven't even talked about money. How could that be an agreement? Do you think my good job can just be given away for free?"
"Li Junsheng, are you out of your mind?"
Ma Yulian slammed her hand on the table and pointed at him without holding back, scolding, "What kind of relationship do we have with Old Chen? You can't just let go of your job? It's as simple as talking to the factory—it won't cost you anything, and yet you dare to demand money?!"
In the past, his meek and submissive nature would have made him obey Ma Yulian and abandon any notion of asking Chen Dazhu for money. But Li Junsheng was a man reborn, having experienced so much in his previous life, especially the illness and the abuse he faced from Ma Yulian and his oldest son, who both resented him.
Having come to a profound realization after his tragic death, he was no longer the same man.
Ma Yulian could not intimidate him this time.
"Why shouldn't I ask for money? You ask me to temporarily give up my job, but who knows if Chen Zhiyuan will ever give it back? If you really want this job, then you'll have to pay for it!"
As soon as he said this, both Chen Dazhu and Chen Zhiyuan were taken aback by Li Junsheng's audacity, but then their expressions shifted to one of delight. They couldn't help but grin! "Sure, sure, we can buy the job. That way, Old Li won't have to worry."
Chen Dazhu quickly agreed, fearing Li Junsheng might change his mind. This was really a major stroke of luck.
Originally, they had planned to trick him into giving up his job without paying a dime, yet here he was, willing to sell it!
Had he gotten drunk? Was his mind clouded?
Ma Yulian was equally shocked. Li Junsheng was willing to sell such a good job at the machinery factory?
If she had known this beforehand, she wouldn't have bothered plotting!
But this money…
"Well, you can't just…"
Ma Yulian was interrupted by Chen Dazhu.
"Yulian, what Old Li said makes sense. The job at the machinery factory is a great opportunity—a government position with excellent benefits. It's not strange that Old Li would hesitate to let go of it. If we pay a little bit, we're actually getting a great deal!"
"It's just money; we can manage it! How about this: Old Li, name your price, and then go get a letter from the factory."
He wanted them to pay before he got a letter?
Chen Dazhu couldn't contain his joy, and he didn't forget to sweet-talk Li Junsheng either.
Li Junsheng looked at Chen Dazhu's hypocritical face and coldly laughed to himself.
Neither Chen Dazhu nor Ma Yulian knew that the factory was about to undergo reforms, with excess employees targeted for layoffs.
At fifty years old, he was already on the layoff list!
In other words, this job would soon be gone anyway.
Chen Dazhu wanted this job?
Then let him have it!
But it wouldn't come free. He was in need of some substantial start-up funds, and this was the perfect opportunity!
With that thought in mind, Li Junsheng smiled and raised his glass to Chen Dazhu, saying, "You've got a keen eye, Chen Dazhu. My job at the machinery factory is fantastic—monthly salary on time, and good retirement benefits."
"Since it's a good time, the factory is also providing housing! Just pay a little, and you can buy it—it's definitely worth it! I won't ask for much—just one thousand yuan, and the job is yours."
"One thousand yuan?! Uncle Li, are you trying to rob me?"
Chen Zhiyuan exclaimed, taken aback and feeling that Li Junsheng was asking too much.
"Rob? This job is competitive—there's no market for it outside!"
Li Junsheng didn't even flinch, "If you think I'm trying to rob you, your dad doesn't have to buy it."
Ma Yulian stared incredulously at Li Junsheng, utterly confused.
What was going on with him today?
He had always been so obedient before; whatever she said went, and now he was selling the job outright?
And asking for such a high price?
Was it possible he was emboldened by alcohol?
The more Ma Yulian pondered, the more convinced she became of this possibility. Li Junsheng was someone who never touched alcohol—she had no idea how he would behave when drunk.
Chen Dazhu was the first to recover, giving his son, Chen Zhiyuan, a calming look. He shifted his eyes around, then immediately responded with a smile, "Old Li, don't be angry. Zhiyuan is just a kid, he doesn't know any better!"
"The job at the machinery factory for one thousand yuan is indeed a fair deal! We agree!"
"Why don't you finalize this today?"
"Alright," Li Junsheng replied, popping a peanut into his mouth. With a half-smile, he said, "But you need to pay me first. No cash, no deal."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Chen Dazhu froze for a moment, glancing at Ma Yulian.
Ma Yulian caught the signal and immediately snapped, "Li Junsheng, don't go too far! Old Chen has helped us before!"
"Don't forget how I almost drowned in the river, and it was Old Chen who rescued me!"