Chapter 39: Taking the Bullet

Because of those six little carp that fell from the sky, Duan Chengliang spent the whole afternoon working with a restless mind. He was eager to finish work early and go home, so he could quickly dig the pond and properly settle those six precious little fish.

This time, he had learned a hard lesson. From now on, he dared not procrastinate. A man had to be tough on himself. All that nonsense he thought yesterday—about moderation and taking care of oneself—was rubbish.

Without pushing oneself to the limit, gritting one’s teeth and grinding through, how could one hope to enjoy greater happiness? The same logic applied to women and to work alike.

This time, luck was on his side; only a few small carp fell from the sky, and a basin to catch some water would suffice. But if next time a bigger windfall came and he wasn’t prepared, and it shattered outright, the regret would be unbearable.

Quickly turning the soil and making the henhouse comfortable for the hens might even allow him to summon some living creatures or items next time. He was even considering giving a hen or some seeds today.

If that were the case, guarding the blacksmith’s workshop space meant he wouldn’t need to waste effort running around looking for seeds or scouting for suitable livestock.

Of course, he wasn’t certain it would work out that way, but it was worth a try.

“Hey, Duan Chengliang, what’s going on with you this afternoon? You keep zoning out while working. Although, your slower pace makes things easier for me, but you’re seriously slacking. Look at that basket of coal—you’ve been loading it for five minutes, and it’s still not full.”

Old Feng had held back his irritation for a while but finally couldn’t contain it any longer. He thought to himself, young people these days just can’t be relied upon. When working hard, they don’t say a word, just bury their heads and push through. But passion comes and goes quickly—today, they’re already slacking off so blatantly, it’s shocking.

Duan Chengliang only snapped out of his daze when Old Feng called out. Embarrassed, he chuckled softly and leaned on his shovel. “I fixed three shovel heads at noon and learned a lot. That’s why I kept zoning out. Don’t worry, I’ll make you so tired soon you’ll beg me to slow down.”

Old Feng recalled Duan Chengliang’s recent frenzy and shuddered, regretting his words. He quickly added, “No, no, just pretend I was sleep-talking and shouting at myself. Don’t take it seriously. Keep zoning out. Your sister-in-law gave me a task tonight—you better save some strength, or you might not see me tomorrow.”

Amid the swirling coal dust came bursts of laughter, lightening the heavy atmosphere in the coal yard and making the hard work seem easier.

After work that afternoon, Duan Chengliang washed up in the bathhouse, then sat in the duty room, drying his hair by the coal stove. Warmth spread through his body. Taking advantage of this cozy heat, he hunched his neck, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and briskly left the coal yard.

The coal yard’s courtyard, as mentioned before, was just a short distance inside the steel rolling mill’s main gate, on the left side of the road. Most factory workers passed through this gate to come and go.

Just as Duan Chengliang stepped out, he saw Shazhu riding a tricycle, followed closely by Elder Yi Zhonghai, hands tucked into his sleeves.

Duan Chengliang initially thought the factory might be handing out some welfare goods, hence Shazhu and company needed the tricycle to haul everything back.

But when Shazhu arrived, he saw there was a person lying in the tricycle’s cargo bed.

The person was covered with a thick quilt, only his head exposed. A large head, a large, plump face—no doubt about it, it was the factory’s Second Elder Liu Haizhong.

What was going on? He looked like a new mother, just missing a floral headscarf.

Seeing Duan Chengliang, Shazhu’s face brightened. He raised an eyebrow and waved him over. “Duan Chengliang, come here and take over riding the tricycle for me.”

Usually, everyone only knew Liu Haizhong as fat, but no one realized just how heavy he was—like the old comedy bits that said he weighed 260 jin, which was actually the scale’s limit. Today, lying on the tricycle, Shazhu felt the unbearable weight, heavier than hauling a load of goods.

Besides, after a full day’s work and no dinner yet, this was the most drained moment, and he had to pedal the tricycle with Liu Haizhong on it. Naturally, Shazhu was reluctant.

Just then, he spotted Duan Chengliang—the perfect replacement.

But Duan Chengliang didn’t respond to the call. Instead, he glanced once more at Liu Haizhong, who lay with tightly closed eyes under the quilt, then tucked his hands in and hunched his shoulders, continuing toward the steel mill’s gate.

Shazhu was stunned, thinking maybe Duan Chengliang hadn’t heard clearly, so he called out again.

This time, Duan Chengliang reacted, shaking his head while walking. “You ride it yourself. I’ve got no strength left. Just getting home on my own legs is hard enough right now. After unloading coal all day, I’m starving like thunder.”

At that, Duan Chengliang suddenly stopped, smiling, and turned to Shazhu. “How about this? If you want me to ride the tricycle, bring me seven or eight steamed buns from the cafeteria. If there’s any leftover dishes, pack me half a lunchbox. Let me eat first. As long as my belly’s full, I promise, I’ll haul that tricycle anywhere you want.”

Shazhu rolled his eyes and curled his lips. “You’re dreaming. You want seven or eight buns and dishes just to haul someone on a tricycle? If I had buns and dishes, I’d eat them myself—I’m still hungry. Besides, that’s our Second Elder in the back. You should be helping out.”

Duan Chengliang turned back toward the gate as he walked, saying, “Second Elder’s sons are Liu Guangqi and Liu Guangtian. I’ve never heard of anyone else with that surname.”

Shazhu frowned, narrowed his eyes, and kicked the tricycle’s pedals hard twice. Letting it coast, he turned the handlebars sharply to block Duan Chengliang’s path, then slammed the brake. The tricycle stopped abruptly.

He jumped down and, before steadying himself, grabbed Duan Chengliang’s arm just as he was about to walk around.

“Hey, Duan Chengliang, I told you to ride the tricycle. Just get on and ride—no conditions. Hurry up!”

Duan Chengliang twisted around, looked at Shazhu sharply, and said sternly, “Let go.”

Shazhu, usually cheeky and carefree, was taken aback. What’s going on? Don’t you know who I am?

He couldn’t believe his ears. When had Duan Chengliang dared to speak to him like that?

To make sure Shazhu heard clearly, Duan Chengliang repeated coldly, “Shazhu, let go of your hand.”

Elder Yi Zhonghai stood nearby with hands tucked in, watching. He wasn’t surprised—these scenes were common. When Shazhu found one of the younger men in the yard, he was always like this. Except for Xu Damao, who was stubborn and noisy, others complied with what was asked.

If Shazhu showed up, usually no one said no. Even if they didn’t want to do the work, they’d explain politely.

But seeing Duan Chengliang’s reaction, Yi Zhonghai was puzzled. What’s wrong with Duan Chengliang today? Has he gone mad?