Fishing and Hunting 82, Starting with Three Sisters Who Overprotect Their Brothers

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows into the purchasing department office, warm yet somewhat dazzling.

Zhou Daguo, with his back to the light, took out an unopened pack of cigarettes; the pack had a bright red background with large pink and white peonies printed on it.

Lin Deqiang immediately frowned.

Province Zhonghua, County Peony, General Cadres Welcome Spring Smoke.

This stuff isn't expensive; with a receipt, it's only five or six cents. The problem is that there are no supply and marketing cooperatives in the town, and they're rarely seen in the county either.

They were all consumed internally, and cigarette coupons were even harder to obtain, almost never circulating to the outside world.

These are cigarettes sold internally; taking them out is a symbol of status and position.

"Comrade Xiao Zhang, have a taste." Zhou Daguo opened the cigarette with a hiss, placed the kerosene lighter on the cigarette box, and gently pushed it forward with a sincere smile.

They seemed completely unaware that the other party might not recognize or know how to use it.

They are easily embarrassed on the spot.

Lin Deqiang raised his hand to stop him.

Have they established their authority right in front of him?

Using this thing to intimidate others, embarrass your brother-in-law, and act like you don't exist?

"Section Chief Lin, here, have some water."

Zhou Daguo handed over the teacup without making a sound, gesturing with his eyes.

Can the head of the purchasing department of a state-owned agricultural machinery factory beg people for favors?

He lost face yesterday, so it's only right that he gets his revenge today. He's been quite lenient; if it were someone else, things wouldn't be so simple.

Lin Deqiang grabbed Zhou Daguo's hand that was holding the teacup, his gaze unwavering.

Is your face something to be proud of, but ours isn't?

If you have any opinions, just say them directly. Why bother with all this formalities?

"It's a rare product from Shanghai; I'm just a country bumpkin and I'm not used to smoking it."

Zhang Wenshan leaned back in his chair, watched the two men exchange glances, and broke the silence by taking the initiative to speak, casually pulling out the Daqianmen cigarettes he had just bought from his pocket.

It's not hard to see through Zhou Daguo's intentions.

In the 1980s, the agricultural machinery factory still clung to the glory of the late industrial era. Orders didn't need to be placed; they were all sent from above and begged from below.

The purchasing department is practically untouchable.

As a section chief, he cares about appearances and face. Using you is a favor to him, and given that Chishongtun lost face yesterday, he's clearly looking to make amends and give you a dressing down today.

These are the two things on the table.

If you don't know how to use it, someone can give you some pointers; it's even better if you do.

Without uttering a single word, power, connections, and status are laid bare; anyone with a modicum of sense should naturally yield and admit defeat.

Unfortunately, he was not a person of this era and had a clearer understanding of the future of agricultural machinery factories.

"You know him?" Lin Deqiang asked, somewhat surprised.

"Brother-in-law, I'm not blind!"

"This..." Lin Deqiang was speechless.

He could be unaware that the cigarette pack indicates the country of origin. The problem is, if he were knowledgeable, he should know what Peony cigarettes represent. Why is he acting like nothing's wrong?

Pretending not to understand?

Aren't you afraid of offending people to death?

Before he could react, Zhang Wenshan leaned forward and picked up a lighter.

The silver-gray casing wasn't new, but it was polished to a shine, with a warm, dark sheen around the edges, and a sprig of plum blossom engraved on the front.

Place your thumb on the edge of the lid and gently lift it upwards.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound echoed in the office as the lighter cap popped open instantly.

Lin Deqiang and Zhou Daguo were both stunned.

Zhang Wenshan placed his fingertips on the grinding wheel and gently rubbed it, causing orange-yellow flames to leap up.

"The cotton wick is quite carbonized, and the flint is almost ground to a pulp."

As he spoke, he flicked his wrist, and the lighter closed again.

"The casing is also a bit loose and the seal isn't very good. If you carry it on your person, it's easy for it to leak a kerosene smell."

Ordinary people might have limited knowledge of kerosene lighters and feel quite awe towards them, as they are a rare item.

But he was a survival streamer in his past life, and he's already mastered it.

To be honest, the workmanship, materials, and quality of the domestic lighters I have are just average.

It's really not a good product.

Zhou Daguo froze instantly when he saw the peony cigarettes and lighter back in front of him.

He had intended to outdo the other party, but to his surprise, they didn't take it seriously at all and immediately pointed out a bunch of flaws, leaving him to embarrass himself.

Lin Deqiang couldn't help but ask, "You even know about lighters?"

"It's not like we don't have any in our factory; those guys in the transport team are always showing off," Zhang Wenshan said, giving the reason he had prepared beforehand.

"That's true."

Lin Deqiang thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Zhou Daguo's lips twitched slightly.

Those guys in the transport team are incredibly stingy; how could they possibly let anyone play with their lighter?

Zhang Wenshan's technique was flawless, clearly demonstrating his extensive experience and skill in manipulation.

Could it be that this kid has other connections?

Most importantly, his complete indifference to the peony cigarettes and lighter is tantamount to ignoring his show of force.

Through the Kong Qingdong incident, he didn't think Zhang Wenshan was stupid or couldn't understand his meaning, which was why he used this method to establish his authority.

Therefore, he didn't mind offending himself, the head of the purchasing department.

or……

Zhou Daguo shuddered and instinctively sat up straight.

Unless he knew that the agricultural machinery factory was going to be reformed, and also saw that after the land was divided, the purchasing power of the state-owned factory would decline rapidly.

That shouldn't be happening!

I only realized it because it was personally related to me and because someone pointed it out to me.

"They love to show off when they have nothing better to do." Zhou Daguo quickly composed himself, chuckled, and changed the subject. "What are your thoughts on hosting the southern inspection team?"

"I'll follow the leader's instructions," Zhang Wenshan replied with a smile. "I'll do my best to get it done."

"Then I'll give you my task," Zhou Daguo said directly. "Snake meat."

Before Zhang Wenshan could speak, Lin Deqiang said somewhat angrily, "Can't you live without this thing?"

"Don't get agitated," Zhou Daguo sighed. "When the inspection team comes, other places prepare plenty of snake meat, but we only get a few here. It doesn't look good."

"It's all just for show," Lin Deqiang said irritably. "How many bites can they even eat?"

"I have to do it!" Zhou Daguo said with a troubled look. "I've seen the dead snakes you delivered to the state-run restaurant. There were several of them, and you handled them very professionally."

"You're a seasoned buyer, you should know that snakes aren't active in hot weather and are easier to catch." Zhang Wenshan refused directly, "Besides, I'm an only child."

It's not that they wouldn't arrest them, it's that it's not worth it.

Once this door is opened, the task of catching snakes will only continue. The purchasing of agricultural machinery factories can be ignored, but what about those above them?

People don't cherish things that are too easily obtained.

"Then forget it." Zhou Daguo thought for a moment and did not press the matter further.

He wasn't sure if Zhang Wenshan truly understood the future of the purchasing department.

Furthermore, he's the only son in the family. If something really happens to him, people will definitely come after him. There's no need to cause trouble.

Moreover, the strategy of taking the initiative has completely failed, and with Lin Deqiang protecting him, it's impossible to suppress him by force.

It's better to do someone a favor.

"I can get some other things," Zhang Wenshan said with a smile, changing the subject.

"What can you do?"

Zhou Daguo spoke up subconsciously.

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly realized something was wrong, looked Zhang Wenshan up and down, and his eyes showed surprise.

Before I knew it, I had fallen into the other person's rhythm of conversation.

The last time this happened was when he first started working.