Chapter 109: The Master's Uncle's Promotion

After spending some more time at the Han residence, Chen Liang finally took his leave from Uncle Han and the others. As he was about to step out of the yard, he gave Han Er a kick. “You brat, you stay home quietly for the next three months. Don’t cause any trouble, got it?”

When Han Er nodded in acknowledgment, Chen Liang sneered at him, “And bring me three cream popsicles. Make sure they’re orange-flavored!”

Chen Hong’s nose was as sharp as a hound’s. If she caught a whiff of the creamy scent on Chen Liang’s breath, she’d probably cause a fuss again.

“Alright, Brother Liang, wait a moment, I’ll get them right now!”

This second young master, despite being a bit vain, was quite dependable. Chen Liang asked for three popsicles, and Han Er ended up bringing all the leftover cream popsicles his father had sold today.

Back home, Chen Liang stuffed the cream popsicles into little Chen Hong’s mouth first. After everyone in the house had one, there were still some left, so Chen Liang went off to deliver them to the deaf old lady and the family of Foolish Zhu.

After washing up and returning to his room, Xiao Yu, upon seeing him come back, carried a basin to the outer room. After a while, she shyly nestled into his arms. “Brother, I’m all clean now!”

Chen Liang nibbled on his precious little treasure twice and then proposed they practice their instruments together that night. Xiao Yu coquettishly rolled her eyes and muttered, “You’re such a troublemaker,” before pulling back the towel.

The electric fan was good enough, though a bit noisy. Amid the “creak, creak” of its oscillating blades, even the moon seemed to blush with embarrassment that night.

Thank heavens for an electric fan—what more could one ask for?

Early the next morning, Xiao Yu’s tear marks had yet to dry. The previous night’s intense card game had ended with Chen Liang, aided by his secret medicinal wine, easily claiming the MVP title.

Poor Xiao Yu was back to her rookie days when they first got married.

When Chen Liang went to wash up, Foolish Zhu had been waiting by the sink for quite some time and stopped him.

“Liangzi, could you… share some of that medicinal wine with me?” Foolish Zhu stammered, which was unlike his usual confident self.

“What do you mean? You didn’t finish ten jin already? Are you trying to kill yourself? Even feeding it to pigs wouldn’t finish it so fast.”

Hearing this, Foolish Zhu slapped himself and grimaced, “Blame Brother’s chatter. A few days ago, when I was helping the boss cook, I drank some bad stuff and got mouthy. I ended up giving away all the medicinal wine. Now there’s only a bit left!”

Only those who have experienced the strength of the secret medicinal wine know its power. To turn the tables and become the master of one’s fate, it’s indispensable. Foolish Zhu’s current shortage understandably made him anxious.

“Heh, real men’s business, huh? You’re telling me you gave away your whole stash before the new batch’s even brewed? Impressive, very impressive!”

Chen Liang laughed as he bypassed Foolish Zhu to wash up, but Foolish Zhu stopped him again.

“Liangzi, you can’t just stand by and watch. Without the medicinal wine, your sister-in-law will tear me apart alive!”

“Look, Foolish Zhu, it’s no use asking me. Even the landlord’s household has no spare grain!” Chen Liang still had dozens of jin in the supermarket but decided to use this opportunity to teach him a lesson; otherwise, Foolish Zhu would keep giving away all the wine.

“Come on, Liangzi, just share a little. I swear I’ll keep it for myself. If I give it away again, I’ll be your great-grandson, okay?”

“Forget it. If that’s what you want, I’m not interested. A real man wouldn’t have a great-grandson as ugly as you!” Chen Liang scoffed.

“Hey, Grandpa! Your own grandpa! Have some pity on your grandson and share some wine!” Foolish Zhu instantly changed tactics.

Chen Liang was speechless at this shamelessness. “Foolish Zhu, even calling me grandpa won’t work. I don’t have much stock anyway. I’m definitely not sharing. Just give it up!”

“Please, Liangzi! I already called you grandpa…” Foolish Zhu persisted, and finally, Chen Liang relented, giving him half a jug.

He had no choice—the guy was like a stubborn dog.

After breakfast and sending Xiao Yu to work, Chen Liang changed into his security uniform. Before he even stepped out of the security office, he ran into Niu Dali, who had just returned from the Northeast.

“Little Chen, this is from Section Chief Zhang Yi of Harbin Military Industry. He asked me to give it to you.”

“Wow, such a big bundle of mountain goods?” Chen Liang took the package from Niu Dali and casually rummaged through it. “Here, Niu, let’s share. Each of us gets half.”

“No, Chief Zhang already gave me one,” Niu Dali quickly declined.

“Niu, if you’re like this, I won’t dare ask you to bring me anything next time. He’s him; I’m me. You can’t mix the two!”

Chen Liang casually split the large bundle into two nearly equal portions. “Niu, don’t just stand there. Take one and go.”

“Hey, Little Chen, you’re too kind. I really can’t take it…” Niu Dali hadn’t finished when Chen Liang impatiently grabbed one bundle and shoved it into his arms.

“Niu, just take it. It’s only a little mountain produce.”

“Alright then, I won’t be polite. Next time you need something sent to the Northeast, just say the word. I’ll get it there fast for you…”

After some hesitation, Niu Dali stopped refusing. The wild mountain fungus and monkey head mushrooms were simply too delicious to pass up.

“Thanks, Niu. I’ll be counting on you then.”

The two walked to the security office together, parted with a wave, and Chen Liang arranged for people to set up the small auditorium.

Remember when Chen Hong was kidnapped, and the Uncle of the sect led a group to Dongsheng Commune to catch a nest of old badgers?

Besides little Chen Hong, there were also three boys from families with strong backgrounds. Today, thanks to the joint efforts of their three families, Chen Liang’s sect uncle was officially promoted to head of security at Hongxing Steelworks.

Originally, the sect uncle could have become the head through his connections, but he didn’t want to waste favors on this matter.

He had intended to save the favor to help Chen Liang instead, but then luck struck—someone else volunteered to help with the promotion, making everything much easier.

After the small auditorium was set up, Chen Liang handed two packs of Red Pagoda Hill cigarettes to his subordinates to send them off and stayed behind to witness his sect uncle’s promotion in person.

It was past nine o’clock when the sect uncle, dressed in a brand-new security uniform, led a group into the auditorium.

At the forefront was an elderly man in a police uniform. His commanding presence made it clear he was no ordinary person. The sect uncle stood respectfully by his side.