NOVPUBChapter 256: Chapter 256: He Wei in Dire Straits
Chapter 256 -256: He Wei in Dire Straits
He Weng gripped the peeler tightly, stripping the potatoes of their skins. In front of him, a large basin filled with dark, murky potatoes—this was their noon meal. Usually, they only had cornmeal buns with pickled vegetables; the potatoes today were a special addition because the factory boss’s family was celebrating, and they were given a bag of sprouted potatoes to supplement their meal.
The chilblains on his hands throbbed painfully when they met the cold water, itching and burning, especially where many sores had cracked open. Whenever he moved, his hands would ooze blood, a frightening sight, yet in this godforsaken place, there was no real treatment. At most, he and Old Hu, the cook, would seize the chance while preparing meals for the boss and the enforcers to rub some ginger on their wounds or occasionally boil ginger water for both to wash with, though such opportunities were few.
They were often under surveillance! Don’t think that they were freer than the others; their freedom was just as restricted. The boss was extremely vigilant with them.
In the beginning, He Weng had thought about escaping! But after witnessing two people who tried to climb the wall and flee at midnight being caught, not only were they viciously whipped, but all the miners had one meal reduced from their rations—a collective punishment.This was done to deter escapes, prompting many to inform on others just to survive. No one could hope to flee, especially since one of those whipped later succumbed to an infection, without proper medical care. Feverish and untreated, they still forced him to work in the mine until he perished down there. The thing was, no one saw his body being brought out; it was said that the usual practice was to bury him right there on the spot.
It seemed that this mine was the final destination for them all, with no chance for anyone to leave. He Weng knew with his frail constitution, he didn’t stand a chance at escape, as he had been bedridden for years. His body was weak, the consequences of which included underdeveloped motor skills. Running? He couldn’t outrun the fierce guard dogs.
Any other plan was simply out of the question. The brutal guards didn’t regard them as human; no one would care for their well-being, hardly even a glance.
The only person he could rely on was Han, the manager who had tricked him into getting into the car. He later found out that this so-called Manager Han was actually one of Baldy’s subordinates. He treated He Weng relatively well, often looking after him.
It was because of Manager Han that he was able to stay and work in what they called the canteen. Otherwise, he might have already died in the mines. Of course, He Weng later learned that Manager Han’s kindness was because He Weng resembled Han’s younger brother—apparently, their eyes were very similar. That was the ultimate reason for Manager Han’s care.
Manager Han took good care of him, ensuring the enforcers had quality meals. When in the kitchen, Manager Han would reserve a bowl of the good food for him and Old Hu, as if to offer them an extra dish. Manager Han’s special status and rapport with the boss elevated him above the rest.
If you asked He Weng if he was grateful?
He didn’t feel a hint of gratitude. And why? Does that even need to be said?
His current plight was all thanks to Manager Han; had he not been deceived on the road by him, he wouldn’t have ended up in this predicament. He Weng was no fool—he knew the strategy of offering a sweet date after a slap. Dream on.
Yet, each day he served Manager Han with a smile, feigning great gratitude. He figured there would eventually be a chance to escape or to send a message outside.
He had to escape; he couldn’t die here for the rest of his life. Even if he died here, it was likely that there would be nobody to claim his body. No one in the world would know that he had died silently in this place.
Down in those mines lay unknown numbers of skeletons. Who could say where those people had come from?
Unknown origins, unknown destinies—He Weng was clear that despite Manager Han’s friendly demeanor and kindness towards him, if he truly attempted to leave, Manager Han would be the first to turn against him. If He Weng got out, Manager Han would be incriminated, as he would be the one to point the finger at Manager Han.
So don’t even think about leaving, it was absolutely impossible while alive.
And even less possible in death; the bones of the wronged were plentiful here, and the boss feared neither divine retribution nor thunder.
Outside, the sound of a car engine sprang to life—it was time for Manager Han’s return.
His timing was spot on; every week, at this hour, Manager Han would bring back several ladies for the boss and his brothers—of course, the term “ladies” meant a certain kind of woman. At first, He Weng didn’t understand! But later, when he did understand, it turned out they were those disreputable women. 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
These women could come and go freely, staying overnight and then being sent away by Manager Han the next morning or at noon, the treatment they received was entirely different from how they were treated.
Every time these women visited, their kitchen life improved because they needed to host the women properly; Brother Han would buy lots of food and drinks, and they had to cook up a storm.
He Weng scrubbed the potatoes clean when Brother Han called out to him, “Xiaohe, come help me with the groceries. I bought quite a bit today, and later you two will get to enjoy some good stuff too!” Brother Han was usually amiable towards him, treating him like a big brother would.
He Weng put down the peeler and wiped his hands on his apron, “Okay, coming right up!”
Following Brother Han to the SUV, a few women were standing not far from the car, swaying their curvy waists flirtatiously and laughing. They were unabashedly sizing up He Weng, who, apart from the henchmen, looked like a decent man, and he was quite handsome at that! No wonder he attracted the attention of women.
“Hey, young man, you are really handsome.”
“Yeah, look at that, he’s blushing the moment you talked. He’s really cute. He couldn’t be a greenhorn, could he?” The women clearly had no inhibitions talking dirty, flirting with such a young guy was probably a pastime for them.
He Weng’s face did turn red. He bent down and lifted a crate of vegetables from the trunk, while Brother Han was hugging a woman with a big smile, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, pointing at He Weng said, “Just stop teasing the honest guy, this kid is my brother. Don’t mess with him for nothing!”
The girls laughed even more brazenly, obviously emboldened. They surrounded He Weng, one draping an arm around his shoulders, another pinching his cheek, and someone else daringly groping him up and down. He Weng clenched his wrist, almost immobilized while holding the crate of vegetables.
“Excuse me, excuse me! Let me through, please, this is all groceries. If they spill… getting them all over you wouldn’t be good.” He said timidly while trying to evade the onslaught of the women, his words lightly veiled as a threat.
Brother Han watched He Weng’s utterly embarrassed demeanor and laughed so hard his stomach hurt.
And then, suddenly! The crate tipped over, and vegetables rolled onto the skirts of the surrounding women. They immediately jumped aside in disgust, covering their noses.
“Look what you’ve done, you got our skirts dirty, you’ll have to compensate us for this.”
“Absolutely filthy.”
Brother Han laughed, “Alright, alright, isn’t a new skirt enough?”
He Weng squatted down to pick up the vegetables. Then a girl squatted next to him, helping him gather cabbages, pork, chicken legs, mushrooms, and the like scattered on the ground. He Weng glanced at the girl.
Her eyes curved, and despite the heavy makeup, the look she gave him was kind.
He Weng nodded, “Thank you!”
The girl smiled, “No need to thank me. I just happened to be kind-hearted today. You must have prayed to the right god.”
The girl reached for a big cabbage, and He Weng hurried to take it from her. That cabbage alone weighed at least fifteen pounds, a real whopper.
He Weng’s hand touched the girl’s hand.
Both pulled away quickly, the girl looked at him in surprise, then stood up and walked away in her high heels, following the other women.
He Weng lowered his eyelids.
