svetikya Chapter 213: Theft
Chapter 213: Theft
As soon as the winter vacation arrived, Banggeng returned from the work-study school. After spending a few months in the work-study school, he seemed to have become more restrained on the surface, but his bad nature had not changed at all. After returning home, Jia Zhang doted on her grandson and ignored him, while Qin Huairu was only thinking about her affairs with Li Huaide and had no time to take care of him. Although Shazhu was there to suppress the situation in the yard, Banggeng did not dare to act blatantly, but the restlessness in his heart became stronger and stronger.
Banggeng soon found his "old buddies" - Liu Chong, Wu Dacheng and Liu Baoshan. These people were all people he met at the work-study school. They were idle and only did some sneaky things. As soon as Banggeng came back, several people got together and wandered around the alley all day, causing trouble.
"Brother Dao, why do you look so listless after coming back from the work-study school? Are you afraid of that idiot Zhu in your courtyard?" Wu Dacheng, holding a cigarette in his mouth, glanced at Banggeng with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Bang Geng was immediately unhappy when he heard this, and said with his neck stiff, "I'm afraid of him? Humph, Sha Zhu is nothing! If my mom hadn't told me not to cause trouble, I would have dealt with him long ago!"
Liu Chong chuckled and patted Bang Geng on the shoulder: "Alright, Brother Dao, who among us brothers doesn't know your abilities? But then again, do you have any money? We've spent almost all of it these days."
Bang Geng touched his pocket and looked unhappy. He had spent most of the money he had stolen before, and now his pocket was empty, not even enough to buy a pack of cigarettes.
Seeing this, Wu Dacheng rolled his eyes and whispered in Banggeng's ear, "Brother Dao, I have an idea. Let's go to the steel mill and steal some scraps and sell them. We will definitely make a lot of money."
Bang Geng's eyes lit up when he heard this: "That's a good idea! The steel mill is so big, and the waste is piled up like a mountain. Who would notice if we steal some?"
Liu Baoshan hesitated: "Is this... possible? If we get caught, it won't be a joke."
Wu Dacheng said disapprovingly: "What are you afraid of? Let's be careful and go at night, no one will notice. Besides, those waste materials are piled there and no one cares. If we take some out, who will care?"
Bang Geng slapped his thigh and said, "It's settled! Let's go tonight!"
That night, Banggeng, Liu Chong, Wu Dacheng and Liu Baoshan sneaked into the steel mill under cover of darkness. They carefully found the scrap pile and quickly filled two bags of scrap metal. They didn't dare to take more than they could because it was their first time there, so they quietly slipped out when no one was paying attention.
The first time they stole scrap, they succeeded, and the next day they sold the scrap metal to a street scrap collector for five dollars. They divided the money among themselves and resumed their life of debauchery.
The four of them shared five dollars, but within a few days, all the money was gone. Bang Geng and his friends decided to steal from the steel mill again.
"Let's take more this time and make enough in one go!" Wu Dacheng said excitedly.
Bang Geng nodded: "Okay, let's go tonight!"
However, what they didn't know was that the first theft of scrap had been discovered by the steel mill's security department. The head of the security department had already arranged for someone to secretly watch the scrap pile, waiting for them to take the bait again.
That night, Banggeng and his men sneaked into the steel mill again. They had just loaded a few bags of scrap metal and were about to leave when they suddenly heard a loud shout: "Stop! Don't move!"
A few people were startled and looked up, only to see Zheng Xi leading a few security personnel rushing towards them with flashlights.
"Run!" Banggeng shouted, threw down the bag and wanted to run.
But how could they outrun the security guards? They were caught after only a few steps.
"Good boy, you are so brave! You dare to come to the steel mill to steal things!" Zheng Xi sneered and grabbed Banggeng's collar.
Banggeng was so frightened that his face turned pale and he stammered, "I...we were just picking up some scraps, we didn't steal anything..."
"Picking up waste? Humph, the waste belongs to the factory and is state property. What you are doing is stealing!" Zheng Xi snorted coldly. He had already recognized Bang Geng and waved his hand, "Take them back and interrogate them!"
Bang Geng and his men were taken to the security department and locked up in a small room. They looked at each other in panic.
"It's over, it's over, what should I do now?" Liu Baoshan said in a low voice with a sad face.
Wu Dacheng was also panicking: "Brother Dao, didn't you say it was okay? Now you've put me in such a bad situation!"
Bang Geng gritted his teeth, feeling anxious and afraid. He knew that if this matter got out of hand, not only would he be in trouble, but his family might also be implicated.
At the same time, someone from the steel mill came to Qin Huairu and told her the news that Banggeng and his men were caught stealing waste materials. When Qin Huairu heard the news, she felt dizzy and almost fainted.
"This bastard!" Qin Huairu stomped her feet in anger, wondering who could rescue Banggeng.
The next morning, Qin Huairu walked into the steel mill with dark circles under her eyes, feeling uneasy. She hadn't slept all night, and her mind was full of Banggeng's affairs. She knew that if the matter got out of hand, Banggeng might be sent to a juvenile detention center. As a mother, she had to find a way to get her son out no matter what.
She went straight to Li Huaide's office, stood at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Li Huaide's voice came from inside.
Qin Huairu pushed open the door and saw Li Huaide sitting behind his desk reading documents. A smile appeared on his face and he said softly, "Deputy Director Li, I have something to discuss with you."
Li Huaide looked up and saw Qin Huairu, a barely perceptible smile flashed across his eyes. The security department had already reported to him what happened last night in the morning, so he was waiting for Qin Huairu to come over, but his face remained serious: "Oh, Huairu, what's the matter?"
Qin Huairu closed the door and walked to Li Huaide's desk, pleading in her tone: "Deputy Director Li, my son Banggeng was ignorant last night and went to the factory with a few other kids to steal some waste materials. He was caught by the security department. He is young and ignorant. Can you please spare him?"
Li Huaide frowned in surprise after hearing this: "Banggeng stole waste materials? This is a serious matter. You know the rules of the factory. Stealing factory property will be dealt with seriously."
Qin Huairu panicked when she heard this, and quickly said, "Deputy Director Li, Banggeng really knows he's wrong, so please give him a chance. He's still young, and if he's really sent to a juvenile detention center, his life will be ruined!"
Li Huaide leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and said meaningfully: "Huai Ru, it's not that I won't help you with this matter, but the factory rules are there, and I can't make an exception casually."
Qin Huairu bit her lip and whispered, "Deputy Director Li, as long as you are willing to help, I...I will definitely remember your kindness."
After hearing this, Li Huaide's eyes flashed with pride, but his face remained calm: "Huai Ru, we are old acquaintances, and I don't want to embarrass you. However, this matter is indeed difficult to handle."
Seeing that Li Huaide's attitude was softening, Qin Huairu made up her mind and said, "Deputy Director Li, tell me, what do you want me to do in order for you to help me?"