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Chapter 1609 Everyone’s Awakening

At this time, Zhou Bingkun naturally had no idea about the abuse his father Zhou Zhigang had done to him. Even if he knew, he would not care, because he had already seen a completely different world.

Logically speaking, Zhou Bingkun should be in a state of enlightenment now, but when he looks back at what he has contributed to the Zhou family, he still feels that it is not worth it, which is why he can't help but burst into unimaginable anger.

After venting, Zhou Bingkun felt that he really needed to relax. As expected, he accepted Yu Hong's suggestion and went to find his friends. He just wanted to have a good drink to relax himself.

Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao, the two brothers in distress, were naturally ecstatic. They ran to find Cao Debao, the live-in son-in-law, and then the four of them went to a state-owned restaurant to drink.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere between the four of them became much more harmonious, and the resentment they had towards Zhou Bingkun also disappeared. Xiao Guoqing and the other two began to ask about Zhou Bingkun's recent situation, "Bingkun, which city in the south are you in?"

"Hong Kong Island." Zhou Bingkun explained with a silly smile.

However, Xiao Guoqing, Cao Debao and the other two widened their eyes in shock. "What? Doesn't that already belong to a foreign country?"

Zhou Bingkun smiled and said, now he was used to believing Suning, "Brother Ning said that we will soon negotiate with Britain, and it is only a matter of time before we take back Hong Kong Island, so we have never considered Hong Kong Island to be a foreign country."

"Brother Ning?" Xiao Guoqing, Cao Debao and the other two looked at Zhou Bingkun in confusion.

"Brother Ning is the former Luo Shibin. After he went to Hong Kong Island, he changed his name to Suning. Of course, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be able to go to Hong Kong Island."

Cao Debao, who had been silent the entire time, asked a crucial question. He and Qiao Chunyan had been speculating about it while they lay awake. "So what are you doing in Hong Kong Island? Are you looking for a job like you did in Jichun, or are you starting your own small business?"

Zhou Bingkun naturally did not hide his suffering brothers, but instead spoke out what he had been thinking for a long time, "After Brother Ning and I arrived in Hong Kong Island, we registered a company and started doing whatever business could make money. I felt that Hong Kong Island was a completely different and prosperous world. Even Beijing and Shanghai today can't compare to Hong Kong Island."

"Bingkun, are you considered a big boss now?" As expected, Cao Debao and Xiao Guoqing looked at each other and asked.

"Haha, almost! But the employees below all call me Mr. Kun. Also, I'm studying at the Island University of Hong Kong. It feels really great to go to Hong Kong Island with Brother Ning. It's a completely different and perfect world."

At this moment, Sun Ganchao couldn't help but grumble softly. He and Xiao Guoqing were in the most difficult situation. "That's great! Unlike Guoqing and I, who have to work ourselves to death carrying wood every day."

"What's wrong? Is the current timber processing plant not profitable?" Sure enough, Sun Ganchao's words aroused Zhou Bingkun's doubts.

"It's getting worse and worse! Even the soy sauce factory where Debao works is in trouble." Sun Ganchao looked at Zhou Bingkun with a sad face and complained.

Zhou Bingkun looked at Cao Debao in disbelief, because these things were exactly the same as Su Ning's judgment. "Debao, is this really the case?"

Cao Debao, likewise, drank a glass of wine with a gloomy expression. Suddenly, everyone's life was becoming increasingly difficult. "Almost! The Songhuajiang Soy Sauce Factory's main task now is sales, and many employees have been sent to the sales department. However, I'm now the workshop director of the MSG workshop, so I'm more or less better off than Guoqing and Ganchao."

In fact, the situation across the country has been quite bad in recent years, especially after a large number of educated youth returned to the city, housing and work pressures have become even greater. What's worse is that the efficiency of all factories has been getting worse and worse.

At this moment, Zhou Bingkun sincerely praised Cao Debao, "Not bad? It seems that you and Chunyan are doing well in Jichun."

"Haha, it's okay." Cao Debao responded with a contented smile on his face.

Sun Ganchao quickly explained to Zhou Bingkun, "Bingkun, you don't know yet, right? Qiao Chunyan is now the deputy director of the Women's Federation."

"Oh?" Zhou Bingkun looked at Cao Debao with surprise.

However, Cao Debao spoke nonchalantly of Qiao Chunyan's difficulties. "It wasn't easy for Chunyan either. In 1976, she was completely demoted and had to go back to massage people's feet. It was only in the past two years that she started to feel better."

Zhou Bingkun patted Cao Debao on the shoulder and said, "Debao, things are not bad now! But no matter how you look at it, it can be considered a turning point."

"Hehe, that's true. Chunyan and I are both very satisfied with our current life."

Then Zhou Bingkun suddenly looked at Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao and explained, wanting to find a way out for the two brothers. "Guoqing, Ganchao, our company is currently building a freight yard and warehouse in Mohe. We will increase our domestic cargo purchases and store them in the freight yard and warehouse at Mohe Railway Station. We will then ship them to the Soviet Union next door by rail. How about you two quit your jobs and bring your families to Mohe to work as warehouse security guards?"

"Then... is there a regular position? How much is the salary? Is there housing?" Sun Ganchao and Xiao Guoqing looked at each other and asked a stupid question.

Zhou Bingkun's face froze at this question before he explained, "There's no official position! You're just contract workers. That means you'll sign a three to five-year contract with our company. Your salary will be double your current salary, and you'll have staff dormitories with food and lodging provided. If you bring your family with you, we'll definitely provide you with a larger two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment for couples."

"The salary is pretty good! But I feel insecure without a regular position."

"Catch up, National Day, private enterprises can't have any staffing. You can go back and think about it carefully. It's best to discuss it with your family, and then try to notify me. I will leave after the sixth day of the New Year."

"Huh? Why are you leaving so early?"

"There's so much going on! Brother Ning has been really good to me. Not only did he give me shares in the company, he also arranged for me to go to school at Hong Kong Island University. I can't just stay here with Jichun and take it easy."

"Okay! We'll get back to you as soon as possible."

In fact, Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao are already having a hard time making ends meet. Not to mention that the timber processing plant is often in a state of suspension, the current housing pressure alone is a problem that they cannot get rid of.

The conditions Zhou Bingkun offered them were quite generous, but unfortunately people in the world are never satisfied, and they were still reluctant to give up the so-called job system.

After the banquet, Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao hurried back home and discussed the matter with their families. Their families were also a little hesitant. After all, working in the system is still the most glorious job nowadays, and people's thinking inertia is difficult to change easily.

At the same time, the news that Zhou Bingkun wanted to hire someone as a security guard spread, and many old neighbors in Guangzin couldn't help but be tempted, especially the police officer Gong Weize, because his nephew was a big trouble and he wanted to push Gong Bin out all the time.

Gong Weize was the first to come to Zhou Bingkun's house and ask, "Bingkun, I heard you have a freight yard and warehouse in Mohe?"

"Huh? Yes! Our company has industries and investments in Mohe." Zhou Bingkun guessed Gong Weize's purpose immediately.

"Then can you take Gong Bin with you?" As expected, Gong Weize looked at Zhou Bingkun in front of him and asked.

"This..." However, Zhou Bingkun, whose identity had changed, understood that Gong Bin was a big trouble.

"Bingkun, Gong Bin has been ordered to stay home on sick leave because of an operational error in the soy sauce factory's slag discharge workshop, accidentally releasing three tons of soy sauce. If you don't lend a hand, it will be disastrous." "Uncle Gong, I'm willing to help Gong Bin, but his situation is special. If he gets sick one day, I can't take responsibility at all."

"I won't let you take responsibility! Bingkun, I promise you, I will never rely on you."

"Uncle Xiao Gong, although that's what I said, if something really happens, I will bring trouble to the company myself."

Gong Weize couldn't accept Zhou Bingkun's rejection. "Bingkun, can't you help us?"

"I'm sorry! The company doesn't belong to me alone, I have to consider my partners." However, Zhou Bingkun, who had thought it through, resolutely refused.

"..." Gong Weize was surprised to see Zhou Bingkun so determined. He lowered his head with an unpleasant expression and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Okay then! I'll go back and think of other solutions."

"..."

Zhou Bingkun naturally felt uncomfortable rejecting Gong Weize, but he couldn't possibly cause trouble for the company now. If Gong Bin suddenly fell ill, it would be a huge trouble.

Zhou Zhigang naturally watched all this silently from the side, but he didn't say much. After all, his opinion was no longer important.

……

Jichun, Municipal Government Staff Quarters, Building No. 2.

Because Zhou Bingkun helped Cai Xiaoguang to ask for help from Ma Shouchang and his wife, Hao Dongmei's parents did not treat Zhou Bingyi and the Zhou family so badly, but they still did not plan to meet Zhou Zhigang, their relative.

While the Hao family was having dinner, Hao's father suddenly looked up at Zhou Bingyi and asked, "Bingyi, I heard that you have a younger brother in Hong Kong Island?"

Zhou Bingyi's heart skipped a beat and he quickly looked at Hao's father and explained, "Yes! Dad, my younger brother Zhou Bingkun went to Hong Kong Island in the spring of 1976 and settled there. He enrolled in the Business Management program at the Island University of Hong Kong and also opened a company with a friend."

"Is it the Hong Kong Kunlun Group?" It was obvious that Hao's father had some understanding of Zhou Bingkun's situation.

"It's called Kunlun Group."

"Well, I heard about this Hong Kong Island Kunlun Group last year. At that time, they applied to build a freight yard and warehouse in Mohe, and I made a special effort to learn more about this Hong Kong-funded company. I didn't expect them to be so deeply involved with the Soviet Union. It is said that a lot of their technology and funds came from the Soviet Union."

"Dad, I've been working in the Jiangliao Construction and Production Corps, so I don't know much about my brother Zhou Bingkun."

"Then do you know why he went to Hong Kong Island in 1976?"

"I know! My sister Zhou Rong married a poet named Feng Huacheng from Beijing. Zhou Bingkun gave a poem by Feng Huacheng commemorating a sage to the Golden Land Magazine. My brother-in-law Feng Huacheng was arrested and imprisoned because he went to Beijing and participated in that major incident. Zhou Bingkun was worried that the police would arrest him and put him in jail, so he found a way to hide."

"I see! Bingyi, what do you think of your brother's situation?"

"Dad, last year the capital city proposed the policy of 'reform and opening up,' and recently I heard that they're going to set up special economic zones in the south. I have a feeling our business will become more and more prosperous in the future."

"Yeah, that's right! You're right in thinking this through, so don't be too prejudiced against your brother."

"Yes! Dad, I understand."

After all, Hao Dongmei's father is a senior leader who is busy with all kinds of affairs. Naturally, he cannot pay too much attention to these affairs of the Zhou family. He only asked Zhou Bingkun out of curiosity.

However, these words sounded completely different to Zhou Bingyi. This meant that Hao Dongmei's father recognized Zhou Bingkun, or in other words, recognized the Kunlun Group founded by Zhou Bingkun in Hong Kong Island.

During the evening break, Hao Dongmei suddenly looked at Zhou Bingyi and said, "Bingyi, your brother Bingkun seems to have a lot of opinions about me?"

At this moment, Zhou Bingyi quickly tried to smooth things over and said to Hao Dongmei, "Don't overthink it! Bingkun was just angry, and with my dad and Zhou Rong pressing him, he couldn't hold it back any longer and suddenly exploded."

"Since you know everything, why do you do nothing?" However, Hao Dongmei asked the biggest question in her heart, because she also thought that what Zhou Bingkun said made sense.

Zhou Bingyi looked at Hao Dongmei with a bitter face and asked, "Then what do you want me to do? Will my father listen to me with his personality? Is Zhou Rong a tolerant and understanding person?"

"So you're just going to stand by and watch and turn a blind eye?"

"Hey! I also want to ease the conflict between Bingkun and his family, but I really don't have the ability to do so, so this matter can only be left to time."

Then Hao Dongmei continued to speak her mind. These things were what she had been thinking about for the past few days. "I'm the only child in my family, so I don't know much about the situation of you three siblings. But I still feel that your sister Zhou Rong is the original sin. All her actions are too selfish. She doesn't consider the harm to the family before doing anything. For example, in the case of Yueyue, she had already left the child in Jichun for two or three years, and she was still not satisfied and took Yueyue away."

In fact, Zhou Bingyi also agreed very much with what Hao Dongmei said. "That's right! Zhou Rong is indeed too selfish. She never thought of taking Yueyue away because that would reduce her quality of life. She is not a qualified mother."

"Bingyi, I suddenly understand Zhou Bingkun now. Of the three of you siblings, he's the only one who's devoted himself to the Zhou family, yet he still doesn't get your approval."

"..."

"Bingyi, although I know your family situation is a bit complicated, as the eldest brother, you must shoulder your responsibilities instead of just paying lip service to them."

"Dongmei, do you also think what Zhou Bingkun said is right?"

"Yes! Zhou Bingkun's words weren't just venting; they explained your situation clearly. You and Zhou Rong have both neglected the Zhou family."

"..."

……

(End of this chapter)