The Wizard's Journey Begins in a Courtyard House

Chapter 541 The Heart of a Freeloader

Chapter 541 The Heart of a Freeloader

Li Qin spent the night sleeping and resting at home in the backyard, and even spent most of the day at home.

However, the residents of the courtyard house had not seen Li Qin for several days.

Therefore, when Yan Bugui saw Li Qin pushing his bicycle in from outside, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Hey, Li Qin, you've been out for longer than usual this time."

Yan Bugui greeted him with a smile.

Although he had been intimidated by Li Qin several times before, and had many conflicts with Li Qin, and had even been ridiculed by Li Qin more than once.

But what can be said about Yan Bugui?

In his mind, as long as it doesn't involve money or personal gain, even if someone insults him to his face, he'll at most just write it down in a little notebook.

They won't think about revenge; they'll only think about taking advantage of the other party.

Of course, if the other party offers certain benefits, any dissatisfaction or anger Yan Bugui might feel will instantly disappear.

As a purchasing agent, Li Qin was a gold mine in Yan Bugui's eyes.

Although Yan Bugui has not gained any advantage so far, it is still hard to make him give up completely.

So Yan Bugui consoled himself.

Just like Ah Q in Lu Xun's writings.

In addition, Li Qin has recently shown signs of forgetting his past unpleasantness, which is why Yan Bugui took the initiative to talk to Li Qin.

Li Qin would certainly not forget what Yan Bugui had done.

However, none of those were major issues; Li Qin basically gave Yan Bugui a hard time on the spot.

Li Qin wrote down the remaining few times in his notebook, intending to accumulate them and give Yan Bugui a good beating when the time was right.

Of course, if Yan Bugui stopped bothering Li Qin as usual during this period, Li Qin wouldn't go too far.

At most, we'll just find an opportunity to teach Yan Bugui a lesson.

However, since the other party had taken the initiative to greet him, Li Qin couldn't be rude. He smiled politely and said, "Yes, the weather is getting colder now, making it more difficult to buy supplies. We have to go to more distant and more places."

Yan Bugui was familiar with the situation in the countryside, so he naturally understood that what Li Qin said was true.

However, his initiative to greet Li Qin was not only due to his "generosity," but also because he had other thoughts.

Yan Bugui walked directly to Li Qin's side and deliberately lowered his voice, saying, "Li Qin, there are only two months left until the New Year. The villages down below will definitely start slaughtering pigs for the holiday. Do you have any connections to help me buy some meat?"

Upon hearing this, a strange look flashed across Li Qin's face.

He wasn't surprised that Yan Bugui had ideas.

On the contrary, they felt that this was normal, after all, the two of them hadn't had a very good relationship before, especially after what happened with the coal ball.

The two of them would at most nod when they met.

When Yan Bugui took the initiative to greet him this time, Li Qin suspected that the other party had ulterior motives.

This only confirms Li Qin's guess.

What truly surprised Li Qin was that Yan Bugui had his eye on the villagers' New Year's pigs.

Just a few dozen minutes ago, Li Qin had reminded Yuan Zhi of this matter.

What a coincidence!

Li Qin naturally refused Yan Bugui's request for help.

He said with a serious expression, "Uncle, don't even think about it. The supplies we purchasing agents buy belong to the public. If someone were to embezzle them, it would be a huge problem."

Strictly speaking, Li Qin was right.

However, this is not absolute.

For example, purchasing staff in steel rolling mills have fixed salaries and limited career advancement opportunities.

In order to keep the purchasing staff in line, the steel mill often turns a blind eye to many things.

For example, if the purchased supplies are not taken too far, it's not a big deal if the purchasing staff secretly withholds a portion.

As long as no one exposes it, the leaders at the steel rolling mill won't care even if they find out.

Upon hearing Li Qin's words, Yan Bugui's legs trembled involuntarily.

These familiar words reminded him of the time when Li Qin had verbally sparred with the several stewards.

He was genuinely worried that Li Qin might utter some terrible accusation at any moment.

Yan Bugui quickly waved his hand and explained, "Li Qin, you misunderstood me. I didn't mean for you to transfer the materials you purchased for the steel rolling mill to me. I was thinking if you could help me purchase some things when you go to the countryside to make purchases."

Don't worry, I will definitely not shortchange you a single penny.

Yan Bugui spoke these words with a stern expression.

However, a hint of disdain flashed in Li Qin's eyes.

Li Qin instantly understood what Yan Bugui was planning.

Yan Bugui said some nice things, but all he talked about was money, and he didn't mention receipts for the things he bought at all.

This isn't just about wanting to get something for free.

Moreover, even if purchasing staff use their positions to buy things for themselves without receipts, the prices will be much higher than normal.

Li Qin did not believe that Yan Bugui would be unaware of this matter.

But Yan Bugui still didn't mention it at all.

Seeing that Yan Bugui wanted to get something for free, Li Qin naturally wouldn't agree.

He shook his head again: "I'm really sorry, Uncle, as you know, it's even more difficult for us purchasing staff to buy supplies in winter."

"We're barely managing to meet the steel rolling mill's monthly targets now; there are simply no extra resources left for anything else."

Li Qin couldn't directly refuse Yan Bugui, otherwise the other party would spread the word in the courtyard, and everyone would say that Li Qin was a selfish person.

Even people in the same courtyard were unwilling to help.

While this couldn't cause any real harm to Li Qin, it was still disgusting.

Upon hearing Li Qin's refusal, Yan Bugui's expression immediately became anxious.

Then he prepared to say something again.

However, Li Qin spoke up before him, saying, "I really can't help you with this, Third Uncle. If you really want to get supplies from the countryside, you can go there yourself."

Then you can negotiate with them personally, and with your eloquence, you'll definitely save a lot of money.

Yan Bugui, who originally wanted to take advantage of Li Qin for free, was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then a thoughtful expression flashed across his face.

He was so focused on getting Li Qin for free that he forgot he should go himself.

Just like Li Qin said, if he negotiates himself, wouldn't he be able to find a way to lower the price?

This can save a lot of money.

While Yan Bugui was deep in thought, Li Qin quickly pushed his bicycle away.

What he just said was completely to fool Yan Bugui.

Let's set aside the question of whether Yan Bugui could purchase supplies from the villagers without a purchase certificate.

The villagers aren't fools; who would be willing to sell their goods to Yan Bugui at a low price?

Is it based on Yan Bugui's empty promises? Or on his stingy personality?

Unfortunately, Yan Bugui was completely absorbed in the scene Li Qin described to him and didn't think about these things at all.