Li Junsheng’s Stratagem! Li Guojun’s Change of Heart?

Li Guojun was on the verge of directly asking Li Junsheng if he planned to stash the money away for his younger brother. Exhausted from a sleepless night, Li Junsheng found Li Guojun's relentless questioning frustrating and headache-inducing. Li Junsheng knew that hiding the truth about the money wasn't feasible—eventually, Li Guojun would find out. Running away from the problem wouldn't work; it needed a solution.

Li Junsheng glanced at Ma Yulian coldly, catching her off guard. When had his demeanor shifted? His eyes no longer projected the naive warmth of before but instead held a piercing chill. Just one glance was enough to make Ma Yulian feel unsettled.

What was he planning?

While Ma Yulian puzzled over this, Li Junsheng addressed Li Guojun and his wife in a serious tone. "Let's step outside. We need to have a word."

Li Guojun exchanged a look with his wife, puzzled over what his father intended to discuss privately. Nevertheless, curiosity piqued him, and he led the way to his bedroom. Ma Yulian, suspicious of being excluded, quietly followed them, eager to eavesdrop on Li Junsheng's private words.

At the bedroom door, Li Junsheng turned and firmly shut Ma Yulian out. "I'm speaking with them alone. You stay out."

He pushed Ma Yulian back and closed the door, locking it from the inside. Stunned, she stood outside, seething with anger.

Inside, Li Guojun, both cautious and curious, questioned, "Dad, what is it you want to talk to us about alone?"

"…You're not going to accuse Mom of anything again, are you?"

"Enough!" Li Junsheng chastised, sending a smack across Li Guojun's head.

"Fool!"

This traitorous son was far too cozy with his cunning mother! If there was one person in this household adept at scheming, it was Ma Yulian.

Wang Xiuhua restrained Li Guojun. "Maybe we should hear Dad out first."

Rubbing the side of his head where he'd been hit, Li Guojun's anger simmered, but thoughts of the money kept him silent.

Li Junsheng took a drag from his cigarette and spoke quietly, "I've already sold my factory job to Chen Dazhu, and there'll be no more disruption over it."

"To be frank, I've heard reliable rumors that the machinery factory might undergo a restructuring with layoffs, and it's no longer a secure job. Rather than risk getting laid off, I seized the opportunity to sell the job during the banquet with the Chen family, netting an extra thousand yuan!"

Pausing, he gave Li Guojun a sharp look. "Haven't you learned anything, being the eldest? Chen Dazhu claimed to just want to borrow the job; can't you see through their ploy? Would those two ever return it?"

"They assumed getting me drunk would score them a free job. Luckily, I wasn't completely out of it, or we wouldn't even have this thousand yuan!"

The revelation was momentous for Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua, leaving them to process it slowly. Talk of factory restructuring had caused a stir recently, and other factories seemed to be undergoing similar changes. Little did they know, the machinery plant might not avoid this fate.

If his father's words held any truth, capitalizing on the situation by selling the job was undeniably wise. Regarding the reliability of the Chens, Wang Xiuhua couldn't help but agree.

"Your father's right; the Chens can't be trusted. Lending a job? There's no way they'd give it back."

"You remember, Guojun, how often did Chen Zhiyuan borrow money, never repaying it?" Wang Xiuhua prodded.

Li Guojun nodded emphatically, his dislike for the Chens clear. Often, it felt like Ma Yulian cared more for Chen Zhiyuan than for him, a subtle but perceptible favoritism.

"True enough… if they took the job, there's no way it would return to us!"

Seeing Li Guojun's understanding grow, Li Junsheng cast a glance at the door, his voice low and firm. "Did you not realize how much the Chen family has benefited due to my wife's gratitude for his past help? Money, favors, even my job—they want it all."

"Would it not be better to pass on a factory job to your brother or you rather than Zhiyuan? Consider that."

Li Junsheng's words struck a chord. For a while, Li Guojun harbored resentment toward Ma Yulian's favoritism for Zhiyuan, fostering sympathy for his father.

"Dad, you're right…"

"But are these rumors about the factory accurate? Could it be a trick?"

Li Junsheng assured him, "The rumors are credible. I've pondered long about what I'd do if laid off. Just then, the Chens fortuitously made their offer."

"Why refuse easy money? A soon-to-be redundant job turned into a thousand yuan cash. I lost the job, but at least I can leave something for you."

The thought of the thousand yuan subdued Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua's anger entirely, replaced by covert delight. A thousand yuan was a significant sum, more than enough to accomplish many things they could only dream of. Instead of awaiting inheritance, spending that money now seemed more appealing.

Believing his father's account of potential layoffs, Li Guojun's demeanor immediately softened.

"Don't mention the restructuring to your mother—it'll only complicate things."

"Of course, we won't say a word," Wang Xiuhua assured.

Li Guojun chuckled sheepishly, "Dad, you're so good with numbers! Everything was blown out of proportion without need."

"Do you think I had a chance to explain? You woke me up with your racket at such an hour!"

Li Guojun quickly appeased, while Wang Xiuhua nodded in agreement. "Dad, don't hold it against Guojun. He thought you weren't considering his well-being, and it upset him."

Li Junsheng dismissed her words, knowing full well the cause was self-interest. Still, the performance had to be continued.

"How could I not care for him? It's just that your mother is…"

Leaving the sentence incomplete, Li Guojun understood, recognizing his mother's divided loyalties.

"Dad, never mind what Mom says. I'm with you on selling the job, especially thanks to your foresight. Otherwise, where would we find this thousand yuan?"

"Right, Xiuhua?"

Wang Xiuhua nodded eagerly, her mind only on the money's whereabouts. Subtly nudging Li Guojun, she signaled to secure the money from his father.

Understanding his wife's urgency, Li Guojun queried, "Dad, Mom said you got the money from Chen Dazhu that very day. Where is it? Since you said it's for us, why not hand it over soon?"

"Your oldest granddaughter needs money for her piano lessons!"