Jizhou Steel Plant was once the second-largest steel producer in the north, with an annual output of 3.5 million tons, enjoying immense popularity.
It employed over twenty thousand workers.
When the Jizheng Steel Plant was first established, countless people scrambled to become employees, not only for the high salary and benefits like the five insurances and one fund, but also for the allocation of housing after ten years of service.
Back then, workers had no trouble finding wives; simply stating they worked at Jizhou Steel Plant would attract many women.
However, due to mismanagement, its current output is only around 500,000 tons.
Only some older employees remain, holding on until retirement.
This is evident from the dilapidated main gate and the plane trees within the steel plant that haven't been pruned in a long time.
“Uncle Meng, you’re on duty today!”
Upon reaching the guardhouse, Chen Nan greeted Uncle Meng with a smile.
Uncle Meng, over sixty, was reading a newspaper with reading glasses. Hearing someone call him, he slowly looked outside.
Recognizing Chen Nan, he walked out with a joyful expression, "When did you get out, kid?"
Chen Nan was obedient and sensible, and also a good student, so many employees of the steel plant knew him.
Especially Uncle Meng. Before Jia Cui came to the Chen family, Chen Nan would often spend the entire day in the security room.
Unfortunately, being unjustly imprisoned three years ago changed the trajectory of his life.
"I got out today." Chen Nan cheerfully handed over two packs of Hong Nanjing cigarettes, "Well, I'd like to see Director Liu. Could you let me in, old man?"
"Is it about your dad being fired?" Uncle Meng saw through Chen Nan's intentions at a glance and sighed, "Chen Nan, I'm sorry about your dad's situation, but I'm just a security guard at the steel plant. I can't let you in."
He knew Chen Nan's personality. Despite his many virtues, he had a flaw: he was prone to acting impulsively.
He was afraid Chen Nan would cause trouble for Liu Feng.
Chen Nan said, "I'm just here to catch up with Director Liu, nothing else. Why don't you give him a call to ask for permission?"
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Chen Nan added, "Uncle Meng, I'm not a child anymore. Now that I've finally served my sentence and been released, why would I get myself into trouble? You're really overthinking it."
"Alright, wait a moment!"
Uncle Meng turned and went into the guardhouse. A moment later, he came out, "Go ahead. Director Liu is free right now and is waiting for you in his office!"
"Thank you, Uncle Meng."
"Chen Nan, don't cause trouble," Uncle Meng still couldn't help but warn him.
Chen Nan smiled and waved, "I won't."
------
Entering the steel plant, Chen Nan skillfully made his way to the office of the factory director, Liu Feng.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Come in!"
Chen Nan pushed the door open and saw Liu Feng, sitting at his desk, looking prosperous with a receding hairline.
"When did you get back, you rascal?" Liu Feng feigned surprise, invited Chen Nan to sit on the sofa, and got him a chilled bottle of Sprite from the refrigerator.
Chen Nan smiled, "I heard Uncle Liu has become the director of the steel plant, so I came specially to congratulate you."
"You say that. This steel plant is practically going bankrupt. What's the use of being the director?" Liu Feng said with a wry smile.
He changed the subject and sighed, "Chen Nan, are you here about your dad's matter?"
"I know you blame me. Not to mention you, even I blame myself."
"Although my dad and I called each other brothers, he was the one who mentored me when I first came to the steel plant."
"If he hadn't passed on his work experience to me and guided me, how could I have successfully transitioned to a full-time employee?"
*Slap!*
Chen Nan took a sip of his Sprite and calmly asked, "So, the first thing you did after becoming the director of the steel plant was to fire your mentor?"
Liu Feng said helplessly, "I didn't want to do this, but the steel plant's performance is getting worse and worse. My first task after becoming director was to lay off staff. I had no choice."
"Actually, I wanted to keep your dad. After all, he was kind to me."
"But the problem is, your dad's position was dispensable. If I didn't fire him, how could I maintain authority?"
Chen Nan sneered, "Can I interpret this as upholding justice over personal ties?"
Liu Feng put on a stern face, "Chen Nan, Uncle Liu's actions were out of necessity. If you put it this way, it shows a lack of sentimentality!"
Chen Nan's face turned cold, "You might have had unavoidable difficulties in firing my dad, but I want to ask you, Director Liu, did you give my dad any severance pay? Even though the steel plant's performance is poor, you should have been able to afford over 50,000 yuan in severance pay, right?"
"Also, so many people were fired at the same time. Why did everyone else get severance pay except my dad?"
"Is this what you call sentimentality?"
At this point, his tone turned sharp.
A powerful aura erupted like a mountain flood, making Liu Feng feel immense pressure.
After recovering, Liu Feng looked at Chen Nan seriously, "Since you've said so, I'll be direct! Firing your father wasn't my idea. It was young master Zhao Yuan's wish. I was merely following orders."
Chen Nan angrily asked, "What benefits did he give you to betray your former mentor?"
Liu Feng removed his hypocritical mask, revealing a meaningful smile, "By firing your father, I gained the favor of the eldest grandson of the Zhao Corporation. Is there anything wrong with my move?"
Chen Nan's face was grim. He never expected Liu Feng to do this merely to gain Zhao Yuan's favor.
He gritted his teeth and said, "My dad saved you from the furnace once!"
Liu Feng shook his head, "No, no, no, your dad's kindness to me was far more than that. He not only saved my life, but he was also my matchmaker. Even when I first came to the factory and had no money for food, he helped me through difficult times."
Chen Nan stood up indignantly, "So you repaid kindness with enmity?"
Liu Feng calmly asked, "People strive for higher pursuits. I just want to earn more money. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Chen Nan was speechless.
Money could truly ruin a person, making them forget benevolence, righteousness, morality, and even brotherhood!
He took a deep breath, hiding his anger deep within, "Uncle Liu, I didn't come here to argue with you. I just want to give you an opportunity. As long as you reinstate my father, I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
"It can also be considered repaying your kindness for sending me cake!"
Liu Feng showed a meaningful smile, "If that were the case, wouldn't it mean I betrayed young master Zhao Yuan?"
Chen Nan's eyes were resolute, "If that's the case, then don't blame your nephew for disregarding our past and destroying you!"
Liu Feng shrugged fearlessly, "Then destroy me!"
Chen Nan revealed a chilling smile, "This is your choice. I hope you don't regret it!" He said and left in anger.
"Threatening me? Who do you think you are?" Liu Feng spat fiercely.
At this moment, he was completely unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
He didn't know that Chen Nan had already called Jiang Jiancheng with a simple request: to bring down Liu Feng.