Chapter 48: The Unfavored Child

Zhang Ziqiang looked at Zhang Guohua with a gaze full of eager longing.

He had worked so hard precisely to hear a single word of praise from Zhang Guohua—even just one word would have been enough.

Zhang Guohua said indifferently, "Got it."

The light in Zhang Ziqiang's eyes immediately dimmed, and he let out a bitter laugh: What on earth was I hoping for?

Even if I were to risk my life, it wouldn't weigh as much as that person lifting a finger to make you happier.

Cheng Shi was also furious. Lowering his eyes, he said coldly, "Five thousand for the materials, five thousand for the labor fee. Pay up."

Originally, seeing how hard Zhang Ziqiang had tried, he had intended to charge a symbolic fee and let it go.

However, since Zhang Guohua was so callous and ungrateful, there was no need for him to be polite anymore.

Zhang Guohua said in surprise, "When did I ever agree to pay you such an exorbitant labor fee?"

Cheng Shi took out the agreement and read it aloud.

It was noted on the document that if it could not be repaired, Cheng Shi would bear no responsibility whatsoever, but if it was successfully repaired and restored to normal operation, payment would be made according to Cheng Shi's quotation.

Zhang Guohua remembered that this clause was indeed in the agreement.

At the time, he figured that Cheng Shi would most likely fail to fix it, so he hadn't paid any attention to it at all.

Zhang Guohua tried to renege: "Impossible! This is extortion!"

Cheng Shi replied, "Very well then. I'll dismantle and take away my things, and you can invite someone more competent."

Zhang Guohua decided to play the rascal to the end: "Someone, show Comrade Cheng Shi out."

Anyway, the machine tool was fixed now, and he no longer needed to order parts from Cheng Shi, so he had nothing to fear even if they fell out completely.

Cheng Shi sneered, "Are you so certain that once I've fixed it, it won't break down again?"

Zhang Guohua was momentarily stunned.

Cheng Shi asked the beautiful woman standing beside him, "Comrade Reporter, did you hear all that?"

Reporter Guo: "Yes. I never expected that the director of a prominent state-owned enterprise would be so shameless. Comrade Cheng Shi helped you solve such a huge problem. Compared to the repair quotes from the original manufacturer, Comrade Cheng Shi's quote is already very reasonable. Furthermore, besides the material costs, you should also reward him according to the promise made in the newspaper."

Only then did Zhang Ziqiang remember that this was precisely the reporter who had interviewed Cheng Shi earlier.

At the time, he had been too preoccupied with watching the spectacle and hadn't paid close attention to this attractive woman.

Zhang Guohua began to panic.

In this era, people working at the municipal television station all had some connections.

Besides, once this matter was exposed, he would have nowhere to show his face.

Zhang Guohua hastily said, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. I'll pay right now."

He hurriedly instructed the finance department to fetch eleven thousand yuan.

Cheng Shi accepted the money, wrote out a receipt, and said in a strictly professional tone, "I'll issue a receipt for you first. If you need an invoice, come to my company another day. This magnetic core memory comes with a two-year warranty. If any other parts break, I won't be responsible."

With that, he strode away.

Under normal circumstances, Zhang Ziqiang would have been furious.

Yet now, he felt an immense sense of relief in his heart, as if Cheng Shi had exacted revenge on his behalf.

Seeing him smile, Zhang Guohua completely disregarded the presence of others and lashed out at Zhang Ziqiang, shouting angrily, "You bastard! What kind of person did you bring back? Since you knew a reporter was tagging along, why didn't you warn me, almost letting someone catch me in a scandal? Do you have any idea how serious this is? If this had actually made the papers, I might not even have been able to keep my position as factory director."

Zhang Ziqiang's heart died completely. He looked at Zhang Guohua with a cold gaze unlike anything before: "Cheng Shi clearly helped us fix the machine tool. Instead of being grateful, you were always plotting to trip him up. Even if I were shameless from now on, I'd still be too embarrassed to ask him for help again."

Zhang Guohua snapped, "Nonsense! Who asked for your help, you good-for-nothing? You talk as if you actually contributed something."

Zhang Ziqiang replied, "Yes, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been soft-hearted and begged him for your sake. I regret it deeply now. Rest assured, I won't be that foolish again."

Zhang Guohua turned purple with rage. He grabbed an object from the desk, ready to smash it at Zhang Ziqiang: "You beast, how dare you speak to me like that!"

Ignoring him, Zhang Ziqiang turned and walked out.

After stepping out of the automobile factory, Reporter Guo sighed, "I never expected the big news you mentioned to be like this. A major state-owned enterprise..."

Yesterday, Cheng Shi had called her to say that he was going to the automobile factory today to help repair the CNC machine tool and strive to completely resolve the issue with the machine's integrated circuit boards.

Ever since she heard Cheng Shi mention it in passing last time, Reporter Guo had been keeping close attention to the matter, so she had gladly accompanied him.

Seeing how smoothly Cheng Shi resolved the issue, she had originally thought Zhang Guohua would be overwhelmed with gratitude...

Cheng Shi said indifferently, "I'm used to it."

Reporter Guo nodded gently, finding it hard to say anything further.

Cheng Shi said, "Reporter Guo, thank you so much for today. Let me treat you to a meal."

Reporter Guo replied, "Just call me Guo Lin. There's no need for a meal, otherwise, if someone sees us, they might say I'm accepting bribes. Just treat me to an ice cream instead."

Cheng Shi understood the implications.

Such a small favor would be of little use to Guo Lin, yet it could bring endless trouble later on.

Therefore, he did not insist further.

Filled with grief, indignation, and stifled anger after leaving the factory, Zhang Ziqiang wandered around the streets for a while, only to realize he had nowhere to go. In the end, he went to find Cheng Shi.

Actually, he was too ashamed to face Cheng Shi because of his father's behavior, which made him feel tainted by association, like a petty villain who breaks the bridge after crossing it.

By this time, it was already dark, and the shop at Cheng Shi's home had already closed.

Embarrassed to knock on the door, Zhang Ziqiang could only pace back and forth downstairs until someone suddenly gave him a heavy pat on the back.

Zhang Ziqiang's vision darkened, almost sending him flying from the force. Turning around, he saw that it was Yu Dadong.

Yu Dadong asked, "It's pitch black, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Ziqiang countered, "What are you doing here?"

Yu Dadong declared, "I am an employee of the cotton mill! I'm on patrol, doing my job!"

Zhang Ziqiang turned his head away, feeling a bit guilty: "Oh."

Sensing that something was amiss with Zhang Ziqiang's expression, Yu Dadong asked, "Who bullied you? What's wrong with you?"

A brother's brother was his brother, too.

Since he noticed something was wrong, he couldn't just leave Zhang Ziqiang alone.

Zhang Ziqiang snapped, "Mind your own business."

Yu Dadong retorted, "You ungrateful wretch who can't tell good intentions from bad, just you watch, I'll beat you up..."

Cheng Shi stuck his head out of the window: "Both of you come up. You two are so loud."

He had been reading a book, but the noise had made it impossible for him to concentrate.

Exchanging a glance, Zhang Ziqiang and Yu Dadong sheepishly went upstairs.

Naturally knowing what was on Zhang Ziqiang's mind, Cheng Shi simply asked, "Have you eaten?"

Given the situation earlier today, and with Zhang Ziqiang still not having gone home at this hour, he had most likely quarreled with Zhang Guohua.

Hanging his head, Zhang Ziqiang shook it.

Cheng Shi brought out some leftover food: "It's not cold yet. Eat."

Mechanically shoving the food into his mouth, Zhang Ziqiang suddenly burst into tears mid-bite.

Large, bean-sized tears silently fell into his bowl.

Yu Dadong stared in astonishment, opening his mouth to question Zhang Ziqiang.

Cheng Shi shook his head at him, signaling him to remain quiet.

After a long while, Zhang Ziqiang sniffled and said, "When my mother gave birth to me, it was a difficult labor, and she almost died on the operating table. Ever since then, her health has always been poor. Both my mom and dad felt it was all my fault, and they wished I had never been born at all."