Chapter 125: Chapter 125

As Lin Tian watched the thriving business at Quan Le Gou, he couldn’t remain calm. Looking at his own supermarket, which was still being renovated, he angrily said to the contractor,  “How are you rushing the construction schedule? You guaranteed me it would be done in half a month, but it’s been several days now and you haven’t even finished dismantling. How do you work?”

The contractor replied with a face full of grievances, “We had agreed on the conditions earlier. To finish in half a month, we needed to work in shifts day and night, but now we can’t work at night, what can we do?”

Lin Tian asked suspiciously, “Can’t work at night? Why?”

The contractor secretly despised Lin Tian, thinking he barely cared about the progress since he had given them the blueprints and rarely appeared in the arcade. Now, seeing others making money, he started to get jealous.

“It’s because working at night disturbs the residents. We’ve been reported,” said a construction worker with a mocking tone.

Lin Tian was furious inside. As a second-generation rich kid, he was proud and had never been looked down upon by a construction worker.

However, realizing he still needed them, he decided to deal with this later, thinking about how companies in 2002 often withheld payments from construction workers. “Reported? By whom?”

“We don’t know,” the contractor shook his head. “It was fine at first, but these days, we’re reported daily. The police come and order us to stop, so we can only work during the day. Even finishing in a month would be good under these circumstances.”

“One month? The opportunity would be gone by then. What are you good for if you can’t handle this?” Lin Tian scolded.

“We’re helpless too. The police practically comes every day, and we’re just workers,” they replied.

“You think this is child’s play?” The contractor didn’t continue. He felt that Lin Tian, a typical rich second generation, was ignorant of the common people’s struggles.

Lin Tian’s attention, however, was caught by the mention of the police. He knew that Zhao Yanyan’s father was the chief of the police station. If she called to complain about disturbances, this area could become a major focus of surveillance.

“Zhao Yanyan, I didn’t expect you to do this for Su Lin. Hmph, if you want to play dirty then don’t blame me for being unrighteous.”

Feeling the need to respond to Su Lin’s business tactics, Lin Tian decided to play dirty too. He took out his phone and called Luo Sihai, “Hello, Uncle Luo, I need a few men, preferably those who…”

Overhearing Lin Tian’s phone call, one of the workers with a heavy local accent suggested to the contractor, “Brother Da, maybe we should accept the offer from Quan Le Gou. They’re about to start working on seven or eight stores, and it would be better than here.”

“I also think we should go to Quan Le Gou. Their boss is very generous. I heard from a fellow villager in Zhongjiang that they provide food and accommodation, and the wages are the highest,” another worker chimed in.

“Exactly, Brother Da. We’re here to make money, not to be mistreated. Even if we work day and night, we don’t even get a drink of water. How can we keep working like this?”

Liu Da looked at Lin Tian, who was on the phone, thought for a moment, and then sighed, “I’d like to leave too, but this job was brought to us by a friend. If we just leave, what about him and the Sihai Group…”

“We’re just earning our hard-earned money, Brother Da, don’t feel burdened. We put in our effort and earn our money, we don’t want to be treated like this.”

“What’s more important, earning money or face? If it comes to it, we can take turns treating each other to meals, that should be okay, right?”

“Alright, that’s settled then. Brothers, let’s go to Quan Le Gou. We’re not doing this thankless job anymore.”

“Not doing it anymore…”

“Not doing it anymore…”

Lin Tian, who had just hung up the phone, saw a group of workers dropping their tools and was instantly enraged: “You… you dare?”

Liu Da, who initially felt a bit guilty, suddenly lost his guilt seeing Lin Tian’s current state. “Not only do we dare, but we’re leaving right now.”

“That’s right, we came out to earn money, not to be mistreated.”

“Hmph, if you leave now, don’t even think about getting your wages for these past few days.”

Liu Da sneered, “I knew you’d pull something like this. Dare not to pay us and see if we, the country folks, are easy to bully.” With that, he led the workers out of the arcade.

…

When Liu Da met Su Lin, he didn’t expect Su Lin to be so young.

Su Lin, sitting in his office, didn’t mind the dirt on these people and smiled, “Please, take a seat everyone. Did my people discuss the compensation with you?”

Liu Da nodded, “They did.”

“Is there anything lacking?”

“No, nothing. Everything’s fine.”

Su Lin nodded, “Liu Da, since you’ve already told me the situation, I have one request. Spread the word among all the construction workers in Donghai about how Lin Tian treated you.”

“I don’t need renovations for the next few days, so your main job is this. The wages will still be paid. Is that okay?”

Liu Da immediately agreed upon hearing this great offer.

Su Lin nodded, pleased with the effect he aimed for. The construction workers, although at the bottom of the social ladder, were a tightly-knit group.

Spreading the word about Lin Tian’s attitude to other workers would mean his supermarket’s opening would be further delayed, as he would struggle to find workers.

Lin Tian watched Liu Da and his group go to Su Lin and then come out of the supermarket contentedly. His expression darkened again.

As an experienced businessman, he immediately saw through Su Lin’s strategy. Though simple, it was effective at this moment.

By poaching his workers and having the police patrol unnecessarily, Su Lin made the opening of his supermarket an increasingly distant dream.

“Su Lin, you really know how to play,” Lin Tian muttered. “I underestimated you before, but not anymore.”

Before, Lin Tian thought of Su Lin as just a smart student who hadn’t even entered college. But now, Su Lin had caused him a great headache by just spending a bit more money and using a little influence.

Although Lin Tian was conceited, he could still reflect on himself. If he couldn’t realize that he had underestimated Su Lin, then he would be a fool.

“Heh, this move is indeed powerful, but I don’t like putting all my eggs in one basket. Compared to the supermarket, I still prefer contracting subway lines. Once I get this line, how can you play with me?”