Life in siheyuan era

Over the years, Shen Lanbo and Zhou Zhiyuan had disagreements, but they were always about which methods to use on the same subject. They would quickly reach a consensus, maintaining a pattern of Shen's planning and Zhou's decisive action.

But tonight, they had a fierce argument because two different issues arose.

"Zhou Zhiyuan, if you want to become a capitalist, I will bring you down!" Shen Lanbo's roar echoed through the living room.

He couldn't understand Zhou Zhiyuan's thinking. How could that staunch WCJJ (Worker, Peasant, and Soldier) fighter want to become an oppressor, to exploit the WCJJ?

Zhou Zhiyuan had changed. He no longer talked about principles, and his sense of public duty had faded. He greedily earned every penny; all he saw was money.

Fortunately, he was earning money for the public good. Sunshine Company paid the state 100,000 yuan in contract fees every year, and the employees' monthly wages could reach more than 100 yuan. Old Nie's salary was much higher than his.

In private, he had asked Yuan Shi about it. Sunshine Company's salary system was diverse. The base salary definitely met national standards, and then attendance subsidies, bonus wages, etc., were added, reaching fifty to one hundred yuan.

In addition, there were ingenious awards, such as the Teamwork Award, the Dedicated Service Award, and the Helping the Weak Award. The highest award was the Innovation Award, and the most peculiar award was the Bravery Award.

Zhou Zhiyuan took out everything he could think of because he had the final say.

And Shen Lanbo also agreed with him doing so. Trying every means to pay employees more was something a WCJJ fighter should do.

But tonight, he couldn't accept Zhou Zhiyuan's idea. Zhou Zhiyuan actually wanted to cooperate with XG (Hong Kong) capitalists?

This was a blatant surrender. Among the four shareholders, he was a small shareholder with the least say. He wouldn't be able to maintain the WCJJ's stance and would definitely become a tool for the bourgeoisie to exploit the proletariat.

So, Shen Lanbo roared, regardless of his parents being present, or the four children who had run out upon hearing the noise. He had to stop Zhou Zhiyuan.

But Zhou Zhiyuan's voice was also loud, "These capitalists are invited in by the country. You can't stop them, and you can't defeat them. Rather than let others become tools for these capitalists to exploit, I'd rather do it myself."

"I'm just an ordinary person. I can't control so much. I just want to make my relatives, friends, and those who follow me rich, and not let them eat cornbread while watching others eat meat."

He spoke grandly, but Shen Lanbo still roared like thunder: "You're the one who wants to be a capitalist. Don't use others as an excuse."

Zhou Zhiyuan's voice lowered, pleadingly saying, "Lanbo, calm down. The general trend is set. If we can't reverse it, we must follow it. If you don't change your thinking, you'll be replaced. You're not the only one."

"Do you know why I want to cooperate with XG capitalists? Let me tell you, I saw the general trend a long time ago, but I didn't dare to act because some people wouldn't allow me to be ahead of them. In the face of power, I'm just a piece of glass."

Hearing Zhou Zhiyuan say this, Shen Lanbo growled, "Relying on foreign powers?"

Zhou Zhiyuan replied indifferently, "They don't count as foreign. Next, I want to cooperate with capitalists from the US through them."

Zhou Zhiyuan never failed to shock people with his words. Shen Lanbo was so angry that he couldn't speak, and he let out a low roar, "You..." He choked.

Fang Nan quickly got up, went over to gently pat his back, and at the same time blamed Zhou Zhiyuan, "Say less, you've made Lanbo angry."

Zhou Zhiyuan sighed softly and slowly said, "I must explain it clearly to Lanbo tonight. I said just now, if you don't change your thinking, you'll be replaced. Lanbo is only thirty-nine years old and shouldn't be replaced."

At this time, Shen Lanbo recovered and angrily said, "You still want to borrow my influence?"

Zhou Zhiyuan smiled and said, "You're just a small, broken deputy bureau chief. I don't want to borrow your influence."

Then he said, "Let me analyze it for you. What do we lack the most? It's science and technology, and where is the best science and technology?"

"I'm different from those capitalist lackeys. I'm an ox, not a dog. They are wolves, but they forget that the ox has a pair of sharp horns, strong hooves, and a lot of strength. As long as you have enough courage and superb strategy, you can kill them."

"So they can only use wolf pack tactics. A lone ox is not bitten to death, but exhausted to death. Do you want me to be exhausted to death?"

Zhou Zhiyuan extended a "hand" of cooperation to Shen Lanbo, but Shen Lanbo coldly asked, "You still want to drag me down?"

Zhou Zhiyuan sighed softly and slowly replied, "You are my brother and my only partner. This road is very difficult, and I'm afraid I can't walk it alone."

Zhou Zhiyuan sued for peace, but Shen Lanbo didn't say anything and heavily "hmph"-ed.

At this time, Shen Lanyin coldly said, "All you do is yell at Zhiyuan at home. Do you know that your brother-in-law has gone to DB (Da Bei - a place name)?"

Hearing her speak, Shen Lanbo and Fang Nan looked at Shen Lanyin together, listening to her continue, "DB's coal, steel, and oil products are all their targets. Without spending a penny, they can make a lot of money by using my father's name. Unlike my Zhiyuan, who puts in money and effort and earns a hard-earned living, and you still yell at him."

As soon as Shen Lanyin finished speaking, Shen Jue's angry voice came from the other side, "What are you saying in front of the children?"

Chen Shuying immediately said to the four children, "Go back to your room and play."

Then she turned to Zhou Zhiyuan and said, "Your Aunt Liu's son works in a collective enterprise and only earns thirty-eight yuan and six mao a month. Let Mom tell you, he can drive. Can he drive for you?"

Zhou Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Is there anything you say that I wouldn't agree to? Please tell Aunt Liu that Zhou Zhiyuan practices favoritism."

Chen Shuying smiled. This son-in-law was filial.

Shen Jue sighed and said, "What are you two arguing about here? Lao Fang told me yesterday that Xiang He and a group of children of high-ranking cadres went to DB. He didn't want him to go, but he couldn't stop him. Lao Fang also said that the general trend is set, and Xiang He is following the general trend, so he can't do anything about it."

Then he turned to look at Zhou Zhiyuan and slowly said, "You are lively, which is an advantage. But you sometimes use unscrupulous means and are even ruthless. Dad wants you to remember that you don't only have relatives and friends. Relying on the masses of the people is the only way to go far."

After speaking to Zhou Zhiyuan, Shen Jue turned to Shen Lanbo and sighed, "Zhiyuan is not only your brother-in-law but also your lifelong brother. You should participate and keep him in check. Your parents are old and don't have that much energy. Only you can prevent him from making mistakes. This is your responsibility."

Shen Jue's words brought an end to this argument. His attitude showed that he acquiesced to Zhou Zhiyuan doing this.

But in this situation, Shen Lanyin still had to say something as she left, "Sister-in-law, when Xiang He comes back, ask him how much money he made and how he made it?"

Fang Nan replied weakly, "Why don't you ask Liu Junling?"

"Ask her?" Shen Lanyin sneered and replied, "Do you think Xiang He is Zhiyuan? How many times have Junling and Xiang He argued about money?"

Speaking of this, Shen Lanyin turned to Shen Lanbo and said, "Brother, do you know that social lifestyle issues are no longer a big deal? When Xiang He started his company, the first thing he did was hire a beautiful female secretary?"

She wanted to say more, but Shen Jue's roar came, "Shut your mouth."

Hearing Shen Jue's roar, Shen Lanyin obediently closed her mouth and walked out of the house, while Zhou Zhiyuan led Zhou Shuwen and Zhou Shuxin behind her.

Walking out of the house, Zhou Zhiyuan whispered, "Watch your words, especially in front of the children, otherwise the old man will get angry."

Shen Lanyin angrily said, "I'm helping you, but you don't appreciate it?"

Seeing Shen Lanyin angry, Zhou Zhiyuan glanced at Zhou Shuwen and Zhou Shuxin and shouted in a low voice, "Aren't you going to lead the way?"

Zhou Shuwen was stunned for a moment, and Zhou Shuxin pulled Zhou Shuwen away, walking faster and faster, far away from the two of them.

At this time, Zhou Zhiyuan laughed softly and said, "I'll reward you when we get home."

Shen Lanyin gently slapped him and whispered, "Winning over my brother and getting the old man's support, you want me to reward you?"

Zhou Zhiyuan chuckled and reached out to grab her hand, whispering, "I'm so tired, exhausted. If you don't reward me well, how will I have the energy to go to work tomorrow?"

"Moreover, we have to work harder and strive for the upcoming birth of our little princess. We can't relax in public or private."

Seeing him speak playfully, Shen Lanyin slapped him lightly again and whispered, "Be serious."

Shen Lanyin's meaning was clear: on the outside, you must look serious, as for whether your words are serious depends on the surrounding environment.

She liked Zhou Zhiyuan's unseriousness, but it was different outside.

Fang Nan, however, liked Shen Lanbo's seriousness. The righteous Shen Lanbo had always been her favorite, but tonight, she thought Shen Lanbo was too serious.

After Zhou Zhiyuan and Shen Lanyin left, Fang Nan took the two children back to their room to urge them to sleep, and then walked out of the room and returned to her own room. Seeing Shen Lanbo sitting in a chair in deep thought, she slowly walked over, sat next to him, and whispered, "I think Zhiyuan is right."

Shen Lanbo turned to look at her and asked in a deep voice, "You think so too?"

"Yes." Fang Nan replied firmly, "If you don't change your thinking, you'll be replaced. You can't stop it. Fortunately, you're in charge of counter-espionage work and don't have to participate personally. You just need to help Zhiyuan with ideas on strategy."

"Dad is right. Zhiyuan values family and loyalty, but only to these few people. He doesn't care about the lives of others. If he wants to deal with Xiang He, he will swallow him whole, bones and all."

Fang Nan had selfish motives. Zhou Zhiyuan, for the sake of her and Liu Junling, would not take the initiative to attack Xiang He, but he couldn't stand Xiang He's provocation. At that time, Zhou Zhiyuan would not be polite.

No matter what Xiang He was like, he was her own brother, and Shen Zhi and Shen Jun's own uncle.