Siheyuan: Start with a big car

Chen Dazhuang hurried all the way back to the steel rolling mill from Xizhimen.

As soon as he entered the workshop, he saw Liu Guangqi pacing back and forth in the corner like an ant on a hot pot, his eyes drifting towards the door from time to time, his face full of anxiety and expectation. As soon as he saw Chen Dazhuang's figure, Liu Guangqi's eyes lit up immediately and he rushed over in two steps.

"Brother Dazhuang, you are finally back. How is it? How did the discussion go?" Liu Guangqi asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness, and his hands unconsciously rubbing the corners of his clothes.

Chen Dazhuang deliberately cleared his throat, straightened his back, put on an unfathomable look, and said in a long tone: "Humph, you are lucky, the higher-ups agreed. If you can steal the equipment intact, I will give you an extra 200 yuan, but you are not allowed to let me down."

When Liu Guangqi heard this, he was immediately delighted. The gloom on his face was swept away, his eyes narrowed into slits, and he almost jumped up with excitement. He held Chen Dazhuang's hand tightly with both hands, shaking it continuously, and thanked him repeatedly: "Oh, that's great, Brother Dazhuang! I knew you had a way. Don't worry, I will definitely do this beautifully and will never let you down!"

Chen Dazhuang pulled his hand back in disdain, patted Liu Guangqi on the shoulder, and said in a low voice: "Don't be too happy too soon. This matter is very risky. You have to be careful and find a suitable time to act. The factory has been tightening security recently. If we are discovered, we will both be finished."

Liu Guangqi nodded quickly, patting his chest loudly: "Brother Dazhuang, I understand, I have thought it through. I will observe the movements in the workshop for the next few days, and when I have figured out the schedule of the security patrols, I will find a time when no one is around to take action. Just wait and see!"

Chen Dazhuang felt relieved when he saw Liu Guangqi's confident look.

Although Liu Guangqi is not a good guy, he should be a good stealer.

With the fantasy of wealth about to come, Liu Guangqi pretended to be busy and calm in the workshop every day. But in fact, his eyes were always like a hawk, staring at the box containing the precious equipment, looking for the best time to make a move.

On this day, the roar of the machines in the workshop was deafening as usual, and the workers were all focused on their work. No one noticed Liu Guangqi's seemingly normal but scheming behavior. He pretended to check the equipment, holding the tools in his hands, and slowly approached the target. He took every step very carefully, but his heart was beating wildly in his chest, as if it was about to burst through his throat.

Finally, he successfully came to the box. After looking around and making sure no one was paying attention, he reached out to the box with trembling hands, feeling uncontrollably happy, as if he had seen the extra two hundred yuan and the huge sum of money after the equipment was sold, waving to him. But just as he grabbed the box with both hands and tried to lift it, his face turned pale. The weight of the box was far beyond his imagination. He used all his strength, the veins on his arms bulged, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but the box only shook slightly and did not move at all.

Liu Guangqi was extremely anxious. He knew that time was running out. Every second he stayed would increase the risk of being discovered. He looked around, trying to find a tool or helper, but there was no one around except the cold machines. He tried to change his posture and use his shoulder to push the box to move it, but the heavy box still stubbornly stayed in place, as if mocking his overestimation of his own abilities.

Only then did he realize that it was simply a fantasy for him to escape over the wall with this heavy box by himself.

In this helpless predicament, Liu Guangqi suddenly had an idea, as if he had grabbed the last straw, and thought of his younger brother Liu Guangtian. He knew that Liu Guangtian's life was not going well, and like his father Liu Haizhong, he had an irresistible love for wine. Perhaps, using wine as bait, he could persuade Liu Guangtian to help him.

After get off work, Liu Guangqi rushed to Liu Guangtian's residence. At this time, Liu Guangtian was sitting on the shabby little bench in his home, staring at the simple house in a daze, frowning because of the difficulties in life.

Liu Guangqi walked forward with a big smile on his face, gently patted Liu Guangtian on the shoulder, and said, "Guangtian, I'm here to see you. You look so sad all day long, is your life too hard?"

Liu Guangtian raised his head and saw that it was Liu Guangqi. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he asked in confusion: "Brother, why did you come to see me at this time? What's the matter?"

Liu Guangqi laughed and said in a generous manner: "Brother, I know you haven't had a easy time recently. So, I want to treat you to a drink, so that we can have a good time together and relax."

When Liu Guangtian heard this, he couldn't believe his ears. He widened his eyes and looked at Liu Guangqi suspiciously, saying, "Brother, are you kidding? Why did you suddenly think of buying me a drink? The sun is rising from the west?"

Liu Guangqi smiled, took Liu Guangtian's arm and said, "What are you talking about? How long has it been since we had a good drink together? I just want to catch up with you today. Come on, don't dawdle."

Although Liu Guangtian was still full of doubts, he couldn't help swallowing his saliva when he thought of having wine to drink. He stood up and followed Liu Guangqi out half-believingly. Along the way, Liu Guangtian kept asking Liu Guangqi what was going on, but Liu Guangqi just smiled mysteriously and said, "When we get there, let's drink and talk. Don't be in a hurry."

The dim light flickered in the tavern, illuminating the two drunken faces. Liu Guangqi and Liu Guangtian sat opposite each other, with two pots of old wine and several large coarse porcelain bowls on the table, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of wine.

The two drank one bowl after another, and soon they were both a little drunk. Liu Guangqi's eyes began to become blurry, but he was still thinking about the adventure in his heart. He knew that if he didn't say it now, he would have no chance.

Liu Guangqi put down the bowl in his hand, wiped the wine stains from the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, leaned forward, and said to Liu Guangtian in a low voice: "Guangtian, I'm not here to talk to you just to drink. I have something important to tell you, you have to keep it a secret."

Liu Guangtian was also drunk at this time. He raised his head, his eyes were a little straight, and he responded vaguely: "Brother, tell me, is there anything we can't talk about? I...I will definitely keep it a secret for you."

Liu Guangqi took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, and slowly said: "Our factory's machine repair workshop has just introduced a new piece of equipment from the Russians, which is very valuable. Brother...Brother wants to steal the box containing the equipment and sell it for money. But...but the box is too heavy, and I can't move it alone, so...so I want you to help me." When Liu Guangtian heard this, his originally confused mind instantly became clearer. He widened his eyes and looked at Liu Guangqi in disbelief. The drunkenness seemed to have dissipated most of the time. He stammered: "Brother...Brother, what did you say? Steal...steal things? This...this won't do. If we get caught, we'll be finished. Not only will we lose our jobs, but we might even have to go to jail. Brother, how could you even think of this?"

Seeing this, Liu Guangqi quickly reached out and pressed Liu Guangtian's shoulder, and said anxiously: "Guangtian, listen to me. I have no choice. I owe others money. If I don't pay it back, they will beat me to death. Besides, as long as we do a good job this time and sell the box, we can make a lot of money. Then we can both live a good life. Don't you want to live a good life?"

Liu Guangtian frowned, with a hesitant look on his face. He knew that this matter was very dangerous, but now he and Yan Jiecheng were being targeted by Brother Qiang. If he had this money, Brother Qiang might let him go.

Liu Guangtian was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Brother, let me tell you the truth. I've been targeted by someone, and that guy is no pushover. He makes trouble for us every day and urges us to pay back the money. If I had this money, I might be able to get rid of Brother Qiang, but the risk is too great..."

Liu Guangqi's eyes lit up, as if he saw a glimmer of hope, and he quickly said, "Guangtian, if that's the case, we have to cooperate even more. Once we sell the equipment and get the money, we can all be free."

Liu Guangtian raised his head and looked directly into Liu Guangqi's eyes. "Brother, let's not talk about whether this thing can be done or not. Even if it is done, how do we divide the money? I can't take such a big risk in vain."

Liu Guangqi's heart tightened, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Guangtian, I was the one who planned this, and I also took the biggest risk. I'll give you fifty yuan, which is not a small amount."

When Liu Guangtian heard this, he slammed his glass down on the table, some of the wine splashed out, "Brother, this is not a decent thing to do. Fifty dollars? You're treating a beggar like that! If I get caught, it'll be a lifetime thing. I want a hundred dollars, not a penny less."

Liu Guangqi looked embarrassed and said bitterly, "Guangtian, your request is too high. I haven't even received the money yet, and you want to take half of it. How much will I have left?"

Liu Guangtian stiffened his neck and said firmly, "Brother, I am risking my life to cooperate with you. If you don't agree, then just pretend I haven't heard of it. I don't want to get involved for such a small amount of money."

Liu Guangqi looked at Liu Guangtian's resolute expression, weighed the pros and cons in his mind, and gritted his teeth, "Okay, Guangtian, I'll do as you say. One hundred yuan is one hundred yuan. As long as we can get this done, there will be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future."

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Liu Guangtian nodded slightly, picked up the wine glass and drank it all, but the solemn look on his face did not fade away.

The next day, as the bell rang for the end of get off work, the workers in the machine repair workshop were like birds returning to their nests. They put down their tools, took off their oily work clothes, and left together, talking and laughing.

The workshop director had packed up his things and was about to lock the door of his office and go home. When he passed by Liu Guangqi's workstation, he saw Liu Guangqi still bending over, concentrating on the tools in his hands, as if he was busy with some maintenance work.

The workshop director couldn't help but stop and asked in confusion: "Liu Guangqi, it's time to get off work, what are you still busy with? Do the rest of the work tomorrow, don't tire yourself out."

Liu Guangqi raised his head, with a trace of deliberately pretended fatigue and seriousness on his face, and said quickly: "Director, this machine has a small problem. I want to work overtime today to fix it, otherwise it will delay production tomorrow."

When the workshop director heard this, a glimmer of approval flashed in his eyes, and a gratified smile appeared on his face. He patted Liu Guangqi on the shoulder gently and said, "Oh, Xiao Liu, your work attitude is worthy of praise. It would be great if all the workers in the factory were as proactive and responsible as you. Okay, then you work hard, and remember to go home early after you finish your work." After that, the workshop director turned around and left the workshop.

Liu Guangqi watched the workshop director leave, and he breathed a sigh of relief only when the figure completely disappeared from the workshop door. Then, like a frightened rabbit, he quickly looked around to confirm that there was indeed no one else in the workshop.

Afterwards, Liu Guangqi hurried to the side door of the workshop, opened it carefully, stuck his head out, and shouted in a low voice to the outside: "Guangtian, Guangtian, come in quickly, there is no one here." There was a hint of urgency and nervousness in his voice.

Liu Guangtian crouched down and slowly walked out from the shadows beside the workshop's side door. His steps were a little hesitant, his eyes were full of timidity and hesitation. As soon as he appeared, he couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "Brother, I... I feel that this matter is more and more wrong. My heart is beating fast. Otherwise... maybe we should just stop doing it."

When Liu Guangqi heard this, his eyes widened and his face flushed red. A surge of anger rose from the bottom of his heart. He grabbed Liu Guangtian by the collar and dragged him into the workshop. Then he slammed the side door shut and shouted in a low voice: "Liu Guangtian, are you talking nonsense? At this critical moment, you want to back out? You are really amazing!"

Liu Guangtian was frightened by Liu Guangqi's sudden action and trembled. He tried to break free from Liu Guangqi's hand and explained in panic: "Brother, I... I am really scared. If we are caught, it will be the end of us. Not only will we lose our jobs, but we will also have to go to jail. I... I don't dare to take this risk."

Liu Guangqi gnashed his teeth in anger, veins popping out on his forehead. He shook Liu Guangtian vigorously and continued to roar, "What were you doing earlier? Why didn't you say you didn't want to do it when we were drinking yesterday? Now that we're ready to start, you're trying to do this to me? Let me tell you, Liu Guangtian, if I wasn't desperate, I would have come up with such a bad idea? If you quit now, I won't be able to pay the money I owe you, and I'll be killed. Will you feel at ease?"

Liu Guangtian was dizzy, his face turned pale, his lips trembled slightly, and he stammered, "Brother...Brother, I know it's hard for you, but it's hard for me too. I...I'm getting more and more scared the more I think about it. Can't we think of another way?"

Liu Guangqi let go of his hand, took a step back, glared at Liu Guangtian fiercely, and said with a heavy breath: "Another way? You should think of one for me! I am counting on this matter to turn around now. If you don't do it, then well, our brotherhood will end here. From now on, you go your way and I go mine, humph!" (End of this chapter)