Chapter 164 The 164th Day of Not Running Away...

Chapter 164 The 164th Day of Not Running Away...

Liu Yan was also furious when she learned about this.

The main problem is that she got the job through a friend's connections. If there were any real difficulties, it would be fine, but the other party clearly showed no respect.

Even if it's a rejection, is it necessary to say it so harshly?

Liu Yan slammed her hand on the table. "I'm going to find someone to ask. This can't just be left like this."

Wen Chan pulled her back and said, "Never mind, Liu Yan."

"How can we just let this go like this?" Liu Yan's face turned red with anger. "We're just doing business honestly, we haven't stolen or robbed anyone, did that bastard have to say such nasty things?"

Zhao Dan was initially very angry, but seeing Liu Yan's state, she also helped to persuade Liu Yan, "Sister, it's okay, don't worry. We're out here doing business, so we expected this. Those leaders have power, so it's no wonder they don't respect us. Being ridiculed a few times is no big deal."

The fat man suggested to them, "Why don't I go and find out what's going on with that leader? Maybe he's after money and thinks we haven't paid enough tribute."

That's not impossible.

Some people are like that. Even if it's something that's easy for them, they'll try to manipulate you for their own benefit, making you figure it out yourself. Once you understand and know that you should be respectful, they'll change their attitude and become obsequious.

Wen Chan thought this was also a possibility, so she asked Fatty to try to find out more.

The fat guy really has a talent for these things.

He tried to get close to the security guard at the TV station. After finding out that the guard was also from Northeast China, he insisted on taking him out to eat, and even gave him two packs of cigarettes and some Harbin red sausage from his hometown.

The gatekeeper then became friendly with him and leaked some information.

The fat man drank a full glass of water at every meal.

Zhao Dan quickly refilled his glass, saying, "Brother, don't drink too fast, drink slowly, no one will take it from you."

The fat man waved his chubby hand, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and said, "Big news! This time, that leader really wasn't after the money. It seems like the wind has changed up there."

"The wind has changed? What has changed?" Liu Yan's heart tightened. These days, which self-employed person doesn't do business with constant anxiety, afraid that the wind will change one day?

The fat man said, "I heard that the top leaders have said that the social atmosphere has been bad in recent years, all because they have only focused on economic development. So not only TV stations, but probably all industries need to be rectified."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan's initial anger turned into panic. She asked, "What do you mean by 'reorganizing'?"

The fat man glanced outside and whispered, "I heard they're going to restore the old economic system."

The old kind?

Isn't that just a planned economy?

The fat man should have kept quiet; saying that would have terrified everyone.

Among them, Wen Chan is relatively young, while Liu Yan and Zhao Dan both experienced the period before the reform and opening up. Back then, doing small business was considered capitalism and would be subject to criticism and struggle sessions.

If this is true, then they've made so much money, can one public criticism session really solve anything? They should at least go to jail.

Liu Yan's face turned pale, but she saw Wen Chan deep in thought, seemingly pondering something.

She hurriedly asked Wen Chan, "Wen Chan, do you think what Fatty said is true?"

Wen Chan tapped her fingers on the table. "I think the suggestion might be genuine."

Her words made Liu Yan and Zhao Dan's hearts tighten.

But Wen Chan quickly said, "However, I think this suggestion is simply a pipe dream."

Zhao Dan said, "Sister, you're smarter than us and you've been abroad. Can you explain this to us so we can feel at ease? Otherwise, we won't be able to sleep well these next few nights."

Wen Chan reassured her, "Sister Zhao, I know what you're worried about, but think about it. We've finally managed to earn some money and our lives are a little better than before. There are indeed security and other problems, but can we throw the baby out with the bathwater? Can we stop cooking in the kitchen just because we're afraid of burning down our houses? Our leaders are much smarter than us and think long-term. They certainly won't do something so foolish. Think about it again. If things really go back to the way they were before, what will happen to those overseas Chinese and foreign businessmen? We won't, and we can't, do such a thing."

Everyone understands the principle, but few possess Wen Chan's unwavering confidence and calm analysis.

After hearing her analysis, Liu Yan and Zhao Dan both felt relieved.

Wen Chan also took the opportunity to give them a heads-up: "However, the fact that such news has come out means that there must be people who think this way. There will probably be some commotion in the next few days. We don't need to worry, but we shouldn't stand out either. Let's wait for good news."

"Girl, I'll listen to you," Zhao Dan said.

Sure enough, a few days later, a trend swept through newspapers, radio, and society, saying that the higher-ups were very dissatisfied with the current atmosphere and wanted to rectify the market, saying that the capitalist route could not be followed.

The news caused widespread panic.

It's no exaggeration to say that many ordinary people rushed to buy everything, from firewood and rice to oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

Grandpa Wang and Monk's mother went and bought a lot of random things, including dozens of bolts of cotton cloth.

They had so much stuff that they even needed a tricycle to help deliver it back.

When Wen Chan and Chen Bozheng returned, they saw that every household was carrying all sorts of things home like ants.

The cotton cloth that the monk's mother was carrying was about to fall to the ground, so Chen Bo went over to help pull it up, gave his briefcase to Wen Chan, and helped the monk's mother pick up the rice and flour next to her: "Auntie, why did you buy so many things? Are you having guests?"

The monk's mother turned around and saw it was him. She quickly said, "Ah Zheng, don't worry about me. Go and buy things, buy more."

"Buy something?"

Wen Chan asked, puzzled, "Why are you buying things? You have several bags of rice, enough to last a year, aren't you afraid of getting bugs?"

After the monk went to live at Wen Qunshu's house, his mother was left alone at home. The old lady had money, so she didn't actually cook at home much.

The monk's mother said, "You don't understand. What's the big deal about rice getting bugs? Just dry it in the sun and take it out when you wash it. Haven't you heard? The higher-ups are planning to use ration coupons for everything, just like before."

ah?

Chen Bo was both amused and exasperated. "Auntie, where did you get this information? You've been scammed, haven't you?"

The monk's mother said irritably, "What nonsense are you talking about? You think I can be fooled? It's not just me buying things. In our courtyard, everyone except your family is buying things."

As the monk's mother walked and talked, she suddenly stopped after a few steps and said to Wen Chan, "Ah Zheng's wife, could you please watch over my things? I'll be coming out to move them in a bit."

Okay.

Even Wen Chan has become a security guard.

This trend is getting stronger and stronger, with rumors spreading like wildfire, becoming more and more exaggerated. Some even say that they will turn around and crack down on those individual business owners, making everyone feel insecure.

Even Shanghai was affected.

Or rather, Shanghai was the most affected.

After all, they're dealing with stocks over there right now.

When it comes to capitalism, nothing is more capitalist than stocks.

There was already considerable opposition in China to reopening the stock market, and now things are even better. Riding this wave, newspapers, television, and all media outlets are criticizing Shanghai's stock subscription certificates.

This led to a continuous decline in the sales of subscription certificates, and there were even cases of people demanding refunds with their subscription certificates.

Jiang Zihan bought a lot for Wen Chan and the others, and she herself bought more than 30,000 yuan worth of things. Her family bought more than 2,000 yuan worth of things.

When Jiang Zihan got home, she sensed that the atmosphere at home was a bit stiff.

She put down her bag and asked, "What's wrong, Dad? Mom? Did you two have a fight?"

Jiang's mother said, "Don't worry about your father, he's really gone mad!"

Father Jiang's face flushed red. He slapped his thigh and said stubbornly, "No matter what, he's still my brother. They lost so much money in the stock market last year, and now..."

"What does this have to do with us now?!" Mother Jiang shouted angrily. "You were the one who had to talk back. You told people that buying subscription certificates could make them rich, so we bought them. But now that the social climate has changed, they want our family to buy them back. Do they think we owe them something? Don't forget, your good brother took away most of your family's assets back then. Otherwise, our family wouldn't have had to live in poverty for decades."

Jiang's father was speechless after being scolded, and knew he was in the wrong.

Jiang Zihan then realized the reason. She looked at her father disapprovingly and said, "Dad, you too, why did you have to say something to them? If you hadn't said anything, you wouldn't be being questioned now. You're older than me, don't you know what kind of people Uncle and the others are? When they made money, they didn't think of repaying our kindness or thanking us, but when they lost money, they were the first to come to us to settle accounts. It's a waste of breath to talk to people like that."

Father Jiang rubbed his hands together, feeling remorseful.

Wasn't he too smug back then? He finally got his revenge, his little daughter was making a lot of money, the family was living in a big house, and now she was going to start her own company, while his older brother's family was down on their luck, his clothes were stained with grease and dust, and he had a fawning expression. Father Jiang had been looking forward to this day for many years, and now that his wish had come true, he got carried away.

"You're such a scoundrel, always causing trouble for the family!"

Jiang's mother cursed angrily.

Seeing that the rest of the family was not home, Jiang Zihan thought she would help mediate to avoid her brother and sister-in-law finding out and nagging her endlessly. Little did she expect that Jiang Changwen and his wife would come to her door.

Jiang Zihan hadn't seen her uncle and aunt for a while, so she was startled when she suddenly saw them.

Jiang Changwen and his wife used to be very well-maintained. After all, they received the lion's share of the Jiang family's assets. They didn't show it on the surface, but they lived a very comfortable life behind the scenes. Unlike Jiang Zihan's parents, who worked hard, had a small house, and many children, they were miserable all year round. When they were in their forties, they looked like they were in their sixties.

But now, the couple has aged considerably, especially Jiang Changwen, whose hair is half white and who looks listless.

"Zihan, you're home too." Jiang Changwen's eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Zihan at home. He stepped forward, took Jiang Zihan's hand, and was about to kneel down before her.

Jiang Zihan was startled and quickly dodged away.

Jiang's mother yelled, "Jiang Changwen, what are you doing? This isn't a theatrical performance, what are you trying to do?!"