Chapter 12

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As soon as Zhou Ming and Su Han returned to the factory, they called Zhang Lei to come out. Since Zhang Lei still had to work at the factory, he didn't go to Jiangxia with Zhou Ming and Su Han. So when he heard that Zhou Ming and Su Han had returned, he hurriedly ran over and asked, "How did it go? Did you manage to sell the treasury bonds at an interest rate of 15 cents or more in Jiangxia City?"

"Of course, do you think Zhou Ming is like you, just a big talker?" Su Han said to Zhang Lei.

"That's great! I didn't expect you to really sell them at 15 cents interest. Then the director of the county agricultural bank, Mr. Dai, must have agreed to cooperate with us, right?" Zhang Lei said happily.

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Yes, not only did Director Dai agree to cooperate with us, but also Doggy, who lends us high-interest loans, agreed to cooperate. To show his sincerity, Doggy even waived all the interest."

"Waived the interest? That's several hundred dollars!" Zhang Lei felt a bit incredulous.

"Da Zhuang, you're so stupid, can't you even figure this out? The treasury bond business must be much more profitable than the interest. Doggy is a smart person, so he can certainly do the math." Su Han, with her hands on her hips, educated Zhang Lei.

As Su Han spoke, she glanced at Zhou Ming, her eyes filled with affection, making Zhou Ming's heart skip a beat: Could it be that in this era, taking a girl shopping at the mall is equivalent to a date, and even to establishing a relationship?

Zhang Lei nodded vigorously, saying it looked good. Zhou Ming then asked him, "Da Zhuang, you've been at the factory all the time, is my dad feeling unwell?"

"No, from yesterday to today, Uncle has been working at the factory. As you requested, I checked the workshop in the morning and afternoon. Uncle is very energetic and doesn't seem to be unwell." Zhang Lei replied.

Zhou Ming felt relieved. It seemed that his father had chronic appendicitis. In his previous life, due to his poor mood, the condition worsened quickly. But in this life, with the money earned from the treasury bond business and the medication he had taken, the condition gradually stabilized and did not worsen as it did in his previous life.

At this moment, Su Han remembered something and asked, "Zhou Ming, did you mention to Director Dai that Uncle is sick?"

"No, it's just that my dad had some stomach discomfort. You know my dad, to save money, he always bears with any discomfort. I'm always worried about him."

Zhou Ming could only answer this way, otherwise, he couldn't explain how he knew his father had appendicitis.

"Then let's get the treasury bond business going as soon as possible. Once we have the money, we can take Uncle and Aunt to the hospital for a check-up. If there are any health issues, we can treat them early." Su Han suggested to Zhou Ming.

"That's the only way." Zhou Ming said, feeling that Su Han's suggestion went beyond the scope of a regular friend.

"Right!" Zhang Lei suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "Zhou Ming, it's not good. Ma Lin has already started acting. Since yesterday morning, he has been collecting treasury bonds in the factory using his father's name. By now, he might have collected nearly 100,000 yuan!"

"Where did he get so much money? Even if his father is the deputy factory manager, he shouldn't have that much money, right?" Su Han asked in surprise.

Zhang Lei explained, "He doesn't have that much money, but he has his father's name! His father is the deputy factory manager, so he said the money for the treasury bonds would be paid by the factory's finance department."

After Zhang Lei's explanation, Zhou Ming and Su Han immediately understood Ma Lin's plan. He was trying to get the treasury bonds from the factory workers without spending a penny by using the factory's name, then exchange them at the bank, and pay the workers later. If he was even greedier, he could use the money to collect more treasury bonds elsewhere without paying the workers, as no one in the factory knew what treasury bonds were.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming commented, "Ma Lin's idea is pretty good. If I weren't around, he might have made a profit of over 100,000 yuan."

Su Han also chuckled, "The idea is good, but unfortunately, it's like a mirage and won't come true. Director Dai has already agreed to cooperate with us and won't accept Ma Lin's treasury bonds. Even if he does, he'll definitely offer a very low price. I wonder how Ma Lin will explain it to the factory workers if he can't sell the treasury bonds or pay them."

At this point, Su Han had an idea and suggested, "Let's calculate the time Ma Lin has been collecting treasury bonds. He should be going to the bank to exchange them now. Zhou Ming, shall we go and see?"

Faced with Su Han's suggestion, Zhou Ming could only shake his head helplessly. As a reborn person with the mentality of a 40-year-old, Zhou Ming had no interest in watching the spectacle. But Su Han really wanted to go because she was young and a bit childish, and she wanted to see Ma Lin's downfall. Seeing Su Han so excited, Zhou Ming didn't want to dampen her spirits and agreed to go with her to the bank.

It was a few miles from the factory to the bank, and it took about ten minutes by bicycle. Zhou Ming and the others had very good luck; when they arrived, they happened to meet Ma Lin coming to exchange the treasury bonds.

Ma Lin arrived in the factory's jeep. As he got out of the car and saw Zhou Ming and the others riding bicycles over, he was about to make a few sarcastic remarks. But when he saw Su Han get off the back of Zhou Ming's bicycle, his eyes widened, and he walked over and said, "Xiao Han, you look so beautiful today! I always said you're the most beautiful girl in the factory. Want to have dinner with me tonight and chat?"

This made Zhou Ming very unhappy. He walked up to Ma Lin and said, "Ma Lin, don't be a creep here!"

"Get out of my way, I'm talking to Xiao Han, not you." Ma Lin said disdainfully, then turned to Su Han and said, "Xiao Han, you might not know, but I'm here to exchange treasury bonds too, and I'm exchanging 100,000 yuan worth. I heard you were fired from the factory, and I've been trying to help you. Want to chat tonight? I can ask my dad to help you get back into the factory."

"No interest." Su Han said coldly, her tone like she was talking to a disgusting dog. She even took Zhou Ming's arm.

Ma Lin felt a slap in the face. His eyes twitched, and he said, "Very well, but I hope you'll reconsider. Maybe when you see me come out with 150,000 yuan, you'll change your mind."

Ma Lin then turned and walked into the county agricultural bank, and Zhang Qian also got out of the car and followed him in. This surprised Zhou Ming, as he originally thought Ma Lin was just a lecher who would flirt with a pretty girl like Su Han. But he didn't expect Ma Lin to do it right in front of Zhang Qian, completely disregarding her feelings. It seemed Zhang Qian's life with Ma Lin wasn't good, and Ma Lin didn't treat her as a girlfriend but more like a plaything.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming felt a bit sad for Zhang Qian, but it was a path she chose herself, and he couldn't blame others.

"Zhou Ming, don't be angry. I hate people like Ma Lin the most. I would never agree to anything with him."

Su Han's voice suddenly came, and Zhou Ming turned to see her looking at him anxiously, probably misunderstanding. Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Don't worry, why would I be angry? I trust you, of course."

Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Zhang Lei walked into the agricultural bank. As soon as they entered, they heard Ma Lin's high-pitched voice: "Can't exchange, why?"

Without looking, Zhou Ming knew the agricultural bank was refusing to exchange the treasury bonds for Zhang Lei. This was a plan he and Director Dai Zhenjiang had discussed over lunch, to teach Ma Lin a lesson.

"I'm sorry, but due to many people using treasury bonds for speculation, according to the latest policy from the central government, the bank is temporarily not accepting any treasury bond exchanges." The lady inside said.

"But I'm not speculating. I'm representing all the workers of Factory 760 to exchange the treasury bonds! Lady, please, can you exchange at least some for me?" Ma Lin said.

Faced with Ma Lin's pleading, the lady inside was unmoved: "I'm sorry, but that's the rule. If you really want to exchange, we can consider a discounted exchange, 100 yuan in treasury bonds for 20 yuan."

The lady's words made Su Han burst out laughing. It was clear that Director Dai Zhenjiang had instructed her to say this. But Dai Zhenjiang's move was too harsh, first telling Ma Lin that the treasury bonds couldn't be exchanged, then directly cutting the value of the treasury bonds by more than half. What was originally worth 140 yuan could now only be exchanged for 20 yuan, a huge disparity that made Ma Lin feel his heart was breaking.

Hearing Su Han's laughter behind him, Ma Lin turned and pointed at Zhou Ming, saying viciously, "It's you! Zhou Ming, it's all your doing, right? You deliberately collected the treasury bonds and had Zhang Qian tell me, then led me into this trap. You knew the treasury bonds couldn't be exchanged, didn't you?"

Zhou Ming gave Ma Lin a thumbs up and said, "Mr. Ma, your imagination is quite rich, but unfortunately, I'm not as devious as you."

"You bastards, you're all bastards, I hope you all die a miserable death!" Ma Lin shouted hysterically. He couldn't help it; just a moment ago, he was boasting in front of Zhou Ming and even flirting with Su Han right in front of him. But now, his 100,000 yuan worth of treasury bonds couldn't be exchanged, making him look like a ridiculous clown in front of Zhou Ming.

Director Dai Zhenjiang came out and nodded at Zhou Ming, then questioned Ma Lin, "What are you doing? Who are you from? Why are you shouting in my bank? Leave now, or I'll call the police and have you arrested!"

Ma Lin was very arrogant in the factory, but now, facing the leader of the county agricultural bank, he wilted. He walked up to Zhou Ming and said through gritted teeth, "Fine, Zhou Ming, you're good, but don't forget your parents still work at the factory."

Originally, Zhou Ming had just come to watch the show, but hearing Ma Lin's words, he immediately said, "Ma Lin, I warn you, don't even think about it. If you do, you'll be in big trouble!"

"Is that so? Then come on! I want to see how you'll make me suffer!" Ma Lin said.

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