Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 89 Caution
In the evening, as the last piece of wood was used to break the plank, Yan Hui dusted off the wood chips on his body, tapped his "goggles" against the wall, and happily went home from work.

He quickly washed his face and arms and prepared to go back inside to change his clothes.

As soon as Yan Hui pushed open the door and entered the house, he saw Brother Zhao, who was standing next to his pants that were hanging out to dry, looking at something.

"Brother Zhao? What's wrong?" Yan Hui walked closer and casually pulled the light cord, as the room was a bit dark at this time.

"Look at your pants, there aren't any holes, so why is there such a big patch?" Brother Zhao asked curiously.

"Oh, oh, oh, that area is prone to chafing, so I sewed on an extra layer of padding." Yan Hui was slightly nervous.

When he was hanging up his pants to dry today, he forgot about this. He turned the pants inside out, took them off, took out the plastic bag and money, and just hung them up there.

"Then why is this pad sewn inside?" Brother Zhao was still a little curious. "When we were doing some underwater mechanical operations before, we also had to add padding to some parts of the waterproof pants, but shouldn't it be on the outside?"

"Uh," Yan Hui was taken aback by Zhao Ge's question. Were tech people really this direct?

Even so, Yan Hui still felt something was off. He could understand if Wang Chao had asked him this, but Brother Zhao shouldn't have done it this way.

"I get it now. The crotch area of ​​your pants is probably to prevent chafing, right? Young man, you're full of energy." Brother Zhao seemed to understand all at once.

"Huh? Huh? Hahaha," Yan Hui was quite embarrassed by what was said. His pants were already dry by now, so he quickly put them away.

"It's nothing, I understand, we've all been through that phase," Brother Zhao said with a smile. "You must have gotten that stain on your pants because of that thing, right? It's okay! You go ahead with your work, I have something to do, I'll go out for a bit."

"Brother Zhao, slow down." Yan Hui stumbled over his words twice.

As Yan Hui watched Brother Zhao leave, he felt something was off.

This was the first time he felt a sense of crisis about the money sewn into his clothes, because he was no longer living alone.

The room was warm and cozy, and he couldn't possibly sleep in his clothes. How was he supposed to store so much money every day? Did Brother Zhao really not realize this was where money was sewn?

Coupled with Zhao Ge's behavior these past few days, Yan Hui felt something was off.

Where should we put the money?
Are you suggesting I find a place to live by myself? That's impossible!

Yan Hui carefully considered several options, but ultimately felt that keeping the money in his own possession was the most reassuring.

The only problem now is to find out about Brother Zhao's situation and see if he has any financial difficulties. Besides that, it would be best to reveal your own financial problems to Brother Zhao, making him think you're struggling financially. Even if he knows this place is a money-making operation, you have to make him feel like he's spent all his money today!
So, the next morning, while changing the saw blade, Yan Hui casually struck up a conversation with Brother Zhao: "Brother, did my uncle say when we're going to get paid?"

"What's wrong? Are you short of money?" Brother Zhao asked, somewhat puzzled. "You don't really have any expenses here, do you?"

Yan Hui had already prepared an excuse, saying to Brother Zhao, "My friend Lao Guo and I are planning to open a rosewood sachet factory. I've invested all my money in it, and I do have some money on hand now... hey..."

Brother Zhao glanced at Yan Hui, as if he had expected this, and laughed heartily: "You've invested all your money? Aren't you afraid of failure?"

Seeing Zhao Ge's expression, Yan Hui was certain that Zhao Ge knew yesterday that was where the money was sewn. Furthermore, the state of his pants yesterday suggested that the sewn money had been removed, which matched Zhao Ge's explanation today.

"Those are my brothers from my hometown! Don't be afraid!" Yan Hui patted his chest, trying his best to appear proud. Seemingly finding Yan Hui a bit naive, Brother Zhao chuckled and didn't comment further. Instead, he looked at his own watch and thought for a moment: "The wages should be paid the day after tomorrow. This is the first month's wages, so it definitely won't be late."

"Thank you, Brother Zhao! The day after tomorrow! That's great!" Yan Hui jumped up with joy. "Then I'll go back and get busy!"

"Okay, go ahead." Brother Zhao smiled slightly, but felt a little contemptuous in his heart.

Starting a business? Ha! A few greenhorn kids want to start a business? They finally saved up some money, and now they want to learn from others and start a business? Thinking this, Brother Zhao stubbed out his cigarette and shook his head slightly.

After Yan Hui left, the new band saw blade was installed. He put on his equipment, and with a hissing sound, went down to the basement to start collecting sawdust.

He knew that his money was safe with him at that moment.

Even so, Yan Hui remained highly vigilant and waited until payday.

Early in the morning, twenty minutes before work was to begin, Uncle Si set up a table and two chairs at the entrance of the courtyard with 20,000 yuan in cash.

Fourth Uncle sat in the middle of the table, while Accountant Brother Liu sat to one side, with a notebook and a pen in front of them.

The workers all knew it was payday, so they all arrived early and were already lining up.

Each time someone came in, Brother Liu would check their attendance and other details before distributing the money. After distributing the money, those who could write their names would sign, and those who couldn't would leave their fingerprints.

Since it was the first month, and Uncle Si was very good at dealing with people, he basically undercounted the absences for everyone and told the workers in person, so the money distribution process was quick.

There were only about 20 people in total, and it was Yan Hui's turn five minutes later.

When Fourth Uncle saw Yan Hui, he first picked up his notebook and glanced at the attendance records.

“It’s here every day, that’s good,” Uncle Si said, quite satisfied after reading it.

"Mhm." Yan Hui nodded, but inwardly he wanted to complain, thinking that his fourth uncle was just being formalistic, trying to encourage each employee.

How could he possibly be absent! There's no one to replace him in this position. He can't even take an hour off, let alone a whole day, unless someone is found to replace him.

"I heard you've invested all your money?" Fourth Uncle looked at Yan Hui, his expression somewhat displeased. "Why didn't you tell me you were investing?"

"I'm working with Lao Guo. You know, Lao Guo's business is quite large." Yan Hui knew that Brother Zhao had told his fourth uncle, but Brother Zhao probably didn't remember the name "Lao Guo".

"Old Guo? Their family is..." Fourth Uncle thought for a moment, then nodded without saying much. "But you should still tell me, so I can give you some advice. Also, don't make any rash investments in the next few months; you don't have much money."

Hearing that it was an investment in Lao Guo, Fourth Uncle wasn't angry anymore. Lao Guo's family has a very large rosewood business, and Fourth Uncle understands that Yan Hui's funds are unlikely to be swindled. Therefore, there's no need to worry too much.

“Uncle, I know,” Yan Hui replied immediately.

He knew that this matter was now completely over.

(End of this chapter)