Xie Sui declined Director Gu's invitation to dinner and left the Gu family's residence.
Since this path was blocked, he hoped Gu Lei would change. Xie Sui decided to give him another chance.
He didn't return to the factory and loitered near the state-run restaurant. Small eateries had started to appear, offering lower prices than state-run establishments and diverse flavors that attracted many customers.
Xie Sui kept an eye on these small eateries and indeed, spotted Yan Xiaoliang and his group. They had rented out an entire small restaurant, with the owner couple dedicated to serving their large party.
Xie Sui found shade under a tree and waited outside, smoking a cigarette.
An hour later, Yan Xiaoliang emerged, his arm slung around Gu Lei's shoulders, acting like close buddies, very chummy.
Xie Sui darted behind a large tree. After Yan Xiaoliang and his entourage left, and only Gu Lei remained, Xie Sui approached him from behind.
Gu Lei finished his cigarette, flicked it on the ground, and crushed it with his foot. He cursed, "Damn it. That Xie Sui guy guarded the secret recipe too closely, and even had his wife watch over me. There was no chance to make a move. Yan Xiaoliang was pressuring me from the other side. Now I'm caught in the middle, damned if I do, damned if I don't."
He couldn't understand how he had ended up in this situation, feeling utterly dejected.
He still had to go back to work. His livelihood depended on Xie Sui's job. Turning around, he saw a smiling Xie Sui.
"Xie, Xie Ge, you, how come you're here?"
In the heat of summer, Gu Lei broke out in a cold sweat, a chill running down his spine. Did Xie Sui know something?
"I went to your place."
Xie Sui said it, and Gu Lei gulped. What did he mean by that?
Hadn't he failed to get what he wanted? Was Xie Sui going to retaliate at home now?
Seeing Gu Lei's guilty and nervous demeanor, Xie Sui, whose heart was pounding in his chest, finally said, "Your mother helped me so much. It would be impolite of me not to visit your home. Your mother is a good person. She takes excellent care of the elderly. Though I may be a scoundrel, I admire filial and kind people."
"Let's go, have another drink."
It was time for a complete confrontation. Gu Lei had no choice but to follow. They went to the state-run restaurant this time. Xie Sui didn't have to pay here; the chefs and waiters treated him like one of their own.
However, Xie Sui didn't take advantage of this. The meal cost wasn't much, and he paid every time. If they refused his payment, he wouldn't come again. He even discussed cooking techniques with the chef. Every meal he had here was exceptional, comparable to the treatment of high-ranking officials.
"Xiao Sui, you're not eating yet at this hour? What would you like? I'll have someone make it for you."
The waitress, Hao Yuxiu, called out to him, leading him to a private room with enthusiasm.
"No trouble, just a bowl of noodles, a cold dish, and a bottle of beer. Simple fare. Sister Hao, you're busy, don't worry about me."
"Alright, I'll have Tie Zhu make it for you. That boy is diligent and learning from Master Fang. Everyone likes him."
"That's good. I'll have him thank Master Fang's parents later."
Xie Sui had already recommended a good master to Wang Tie Zhu. The rest was up to his family to maintain the relationship. He wasn't his biological brother, so he couldn't support him indefinitely.
He felt he had repaid the kindness of Granny Wang for taking care of his wife and children in his previous life.
Xie Sui was also hungry. A bowl of meat sauce noodles, accompanied by a small dish of seasoned cucumber, and a bottle of beer later, he let out a satisfied burp.
Gu Lei watched him silently. Xie Sui didn't speak, and Gu Lei dared not utter a sound, completely unsure of Xie Sui's intentions.
"Gu Lei, we've known each other for days. What do you think of me?"
Gu Lei forced a laugh. "Xie Ge is naturally excellent. Loyal and capable. We all heard about the Ye family's affairs. Ye Feng now idolizes you."
Idol? Object of vomiting? The word had a double meaning. It was unnecessary.
"What about you?"
"I, I naturally admire Xie Ge greatly."
Xie Sui took a sip of tea. "I know. I'm just a country bumpkin, and you 'worker-offsspring' barely look down on me."
"No, no..."
Xie Sui raised his hand, interrupting his denial, and continued, "In the beginning, you just wanted to con me out of some money. You were idle and followed me to pass the time.
I understand it all. But now we're no worse than workers in any factory. We'll receive our first pay in a few days, and I, Xie Sui, promise that every cent I owe you will be paid."
Gu Lei's face turned awkward. Xie Sui was too right. Despite their constant calls of 'Xie Ge,' they had never truly respected him in their hearts. It was like patronizing a foolish son of a landlord, flattering and deceiving him, merely intending to swindle him out of some money.
"Yan Xiaoliang comes from a good family, with wealth and status. For now, he seems to have a brighter future than me. But, there are plenty of people like you around him, right? If you weren't of some use to him, would he call you brother and treat you to meals?"
Gu Lei's expression soured. He remembered how Yan Xiaoliang wouldn't even glance at him when he used to offer him cigarettes.
"Are you just one of his many sycophants? When he gives you a little favor, you think it's Zhuge Liang meeting Liu Bei, and you're ready to pledge your life to him?
Fine, it's your personal choice, and I respect it. If you feel Yan Xiaoliang can offer you more, then let's part ways amicably. As brothers, I haven't wronged you in any way. When your wages are settled, you can resign yourself. "
Gu Lei stammered, "Xie Ge, I don't want to resign."
"You can't explain to Yan Xiaoliang, and you still want to steal my secret recipe?"
Xie Sui's expression turned cold. Was this guy ungrateful?
"Today, I was going to confront your mother. She's such a kind and righteous person. Would Director Gu be able to handle his son stealing from others?"
Gu Lei said, "No, I didn't plan to steal the secret recipe. It's just that Yan Xiaoliang kept pressuring me, and I couldn't refuse. Xie Ge, I really didn't intend to harm you. Please don't tell my mother."
Director Gu cared most about his reputation his entire life. If his son were accused of theft, he would be furious.
"I understand. You're young. Face is more important than heaven. A group of people are fawning over you, and you've gotten carried away. When they told you to do something, you agreed impulsively. Now you're stuck in a difficult position, aren't you?"
"Yes, that's exactly it."
Gu Lei nodded vigorously with emotion. Wasn't he in this exact predicament? Yan Xiaoliang, who used to ignore him, now called him brother and treated him to meals and dances. It felt like he had transformed from a nobody to a chosen one, his vanity greatly satisfied.
"Then do you think Yan Xiaoliang truly considers you a brother?"
Gu Lei lowered his head. Of course, he knew he wasn't. He just enjoyed the feeling of vanity.
"Alas, being sold and still helping count the money. This bastard is determined to make trouble for me."
Xie Sui asked, "Since he also wants to get into this business, how far has he gotten? Do you know?"
"I don't know."
Gu Lei answered honestly. Xie Sui wanted to hit him. Had all the alcohol he drank gone to his brain?