Chapter 249: The Television and the Livestock

Chapter 249: The Television and the Livestock

The small living room now had a TV set against the wall.

Although it was a bit cramped, everyone was excited about it.

Unfortunately, there was no signal yet, so they’d have to wait until evening.

The TV’s arrival lifted Jiang Yu’s spirits, and she eagerly anticipated the evening.

That afternoon, Lai Liuzi stopped by.

“Jiang Yu, is Brother Yue back?”

Jiang Yu nodded, “Yeah, he’s back. I haven’t seen you in a while. Where’ve you been?”

Lai Liuzi replied, “Tie Niu and I went to Inner Mongolia to bring back some livestock.”

Jiang Yu was shocked, “Inner Mongolia? You’ve got some nerve!”

Lai Liuzi wiped his face, “Looking back, it’s kind of scary. At the time, I just went along with it on impulse.”

But the trip was worth it. They only realized how cheap beef and lamb were after going there.

The two-dollar lamb plate they used to eat at Dongke Lai felt like a total scam now.

He and Tie Niu didn’t hurry back. They stayed there for a few days, stuffing themselves, before deciding to buy some cattle and sheep from the locals.

They were excited while buying, but when it came time to pay, they realized they were short on cash.

They instantly regretted it, wishing they had informed Jiang Yu beforehand.

“If you were short on cash, how’d you manage to bring the livestock back?”

Lai Liuzi said, “I borrowed a grand from a buddy.”

He and Tie Niu even dipped into their savings meant for their wives.

“That’s why we came straight to you the moment we got back. There’s no way we can finish all this meat ourselves, and since the factory isn’t closing for the New Year, we thought we’d sell it to the second factory.”

Jiang Yu got it and quickly asked, “How much do you need?”

Lai Liuzi said, “A grand, and you’ll get thirty percent.”

Jiang Yu trusted him completely and handed over the cash right away.

“When are you gonna slaughter them?”

Lai Liuzi glanced at the sky, “You and Brother Yue have to work tomorrow, so I suggest we slaughter one cow today and send the meat to the second factory first. Tomorrow, when you’re at work, Tie Niu and I can handle the rest.”

Jiang Yu made a quick decision, “Then let’s do it today. I’ll bring the kids along to help. We have work tomorrow, but Fei Yan and the others are free, so you can call them over to lend a hand.”

“Alright!”

Food comes first.

With meat now available, everyone stopped thinking about the television and followed Lai Liuzi out the door.

Jiang Yu had initially thought that with just Lai Liuzi and Tie Niu, they’d be lucky to bring back one cow.

They were surprised to find there were two!

"The Inner Mongolian sheep are something else; the meat’s not gamey at all."

Lai Liuzi thought the meat was even better than what they got in Xing County last time.

Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the beef; it was all meat, after all.

"How about we slaughter the cow and just send the sheep over?" she suggested.

Lai Liuzi agreed; handling the cow today would be enough.

With He Tingyue and Lai Liuzi there, Jiang Yu didn’t have to lift a finger.

"Sixie, where are you planning to spend New Year’s Eve tomorrow?" Jiang Yu asked.

Lai Liuzi’s eyes darkened for a moment, "Ever since my dad passed, I’ve been spending New Year’s alone."

He gave a bitter smile, "Honestly, New Year’s doesn’t mean much to me; it’s all the same."

He’s got enough to eat, and his family’s fine; New Year’s nothing special.

Jiang Yu said, "If you’re up for it, come over for dinner tomorrow night. Our family’s lively; we’ll have hot pot, grill some beef and lamb skewers, and more."

He Feiyan couldn’t help but salivate at the thought.

Lai Liuzi’s eyes brightened, "Can I bring Tie Niu? He doesn’t want to go home either."

In past years, Tie Niu would go home, but no one there really cared.

His parents only ever asked him for money, never really checked on him.

Tie Niu thought it was pointless, so this year he decided to stay and spend New Year with Lai Liuzi.

"Of course, come on over!"

Once the beef was processed, Lai Liuzi and He Tingyue loaded it onto the tractor.

They kept two sheep and one cow for the next day, sending the rest to the second factory.

Everyone’s heading home for New Year’s Eve dinner tomorrow night, so the canteen at the second factory’s closed.

But it’s just closed for one day; it’ll reopen as usual on New Year’s Day.

Master Li was in a bind; even the best cook can’t whip up a meal without ingredients. With nothing left, what could he feed the workers?

Just as he was racking his brain, Lai Liuzi showed up with the beef.

Master Li’s eyes lit up at the sight of the meat.

"Is there more besides this?"

Lai Liuzi said, "There’s one more cow, but we’re keeping it for ourselves."

Master Li: "How’s a family gonna eat that much? When are you slaughtering that cow? Save me ten pounds!"

"We’re doing it tomorrow. Master Li, you free? If you can help out, we’ll throw in an extra two pounds," Jiang Yu jumped in.

Master Li agreed right away, "Yeah, the canteen’s closed tomorrow night; I’ll be free in the afternoon."

Once they agreed, he weighed the cattle and sheep.

Split three ways, Jiang Yu got eighteen hundred, covering both the principal and profit.

They’d have more beef than they could eat from the cattle slaughtered tomorrow, so they’d sell some for extra cash.

Jiang Yu sighed, saying this money was easier to make than her day job.

The next day, as usual, Jiang Yu went to work and reminded He Feiyan to remember to put up the couplets.

"Don’t worry, sis, I’ve got it covered."

When Jiang Yu arrived at the Propaganda Department, Zhou Xue noticed her glowing face and couldn’t resist taking a few digs.

"You took half a day off the moment your husband got back—talk about unprofessional. If everyone pulled stunts like that, how’d the factory even run?"

Jiang Yu looked up, "When you’re my boss, then you can lecture me."

"You!" Zhou Xue laughed in anger, "I’m not your boss, but I’m your senior—I’ve got more experience. Can’t I give you some advice?"

Jiang Yu ignored her, and soon received a notice from Lan Raoping: "It’s New Year’s Eve, and the factory’s handing out gifts. Everyone, head to the Finance Department to pick yours up."

This was a perk at the second factory—not just for New Year’s but also for holidays like Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day.

It might be meat, candy, or biscuits—sometimes, if supplies ran low, they’d just hand out cash.

"Okay, Deputy Section Chief."

When Jiang Yu heard there were freebies, she forgot all about Zhou Xue and went to grab her New Year’s gift.

Zhou Xue was still fuming, feeling snubbed, and it only made her madder.

"Godmother, look at her—she doesn’t respect you at all!"

Lan Raoping glanced at her, "I’ve been swamped with the disaster relief and haven’t had time to ask—did you know Zhang Chunhua was going to stir up trouble with Jiang Yu?"

Zhou Xue was startled, stammering, "Wh... what... Zhang Chunhua, I don’t know her."

"You’d better not know her, and don’t get any ideas! Before, the disaster zone was the top priority, so the factory didn’t have time to deal with you. Now that it’s over, they’ll definitely circle back to settle things. I’ve been racking my brain—I can’t figure out why those workshop workers went after Jiang Yu."

Sure, Jiang Yu suggested the overtime, but only a few higher-ups knew about it.

She kept thinking—someone must’ve leaked it on purpose to cause drama.

And the first person she thought of was Zhou Xue.

"Godmother, did Jiang Yu say something to you? I swear, Zhang Chunhua’s mess has nothing to do with me!" Zhou Xue pouted, defending herself.

Lan Raoping looked at her and sighed.

"You’d better straighten up."

Zhou Xue held her hand and cooed, "Godmother, you know me—why would you trust an outsider over me?"

Lan Raoping’s expression softened, "It’s not about Jiang Yu, and it’s not that I don’t trust you—it’s just... never mind, go get your New Year’s gift."

After all, Zhou Xue was like a daughter to her—a few flaws, sure, but she couldn’t believe she’d be so spiteful.

People have their favorites, and compared to Jiang Yu, she naturally leaned toward Zhou Xue.