Chapter 36 - Disgusting

Chapter 36: Disgusting

In the Third Military Factory, Li Deng had become a hero. The workers thanked him for their improved conditions.

Uncle Song smiled, “Thanks to you, Xiao Li, our lives are much better now.”

Others agreed.

Li Deng, however, felt incredulous. Was this enough for them? The improvements were minor; they were still slaves. Yet they were so grateful.

Li Deng was determined not to settle. He envisioned a united humanity in the apocalypse, not a few at the top exploiting the rest. Having seen the light, he couldn’t accept the darkness.

Though pleased with the small progress, Li Deng aimed for more. He planned to use his new-found influence among the workers to seek more support from Qin Jun, hoping to establish a worker’s union or even a democratic council.

Just then, Hu Weimin, smiling, called Li Deng to his office. Li Deng followed, despite his distaste for Hu Weimin, thinking he might discuss further improvements.

In Hu Weimin’s office, well-furnished and stocked with food, Li Deng felt a surge of anger at the disparity.

“Here to discuss our working conditions?” Li Deng sneered.

Hu Weimin, smirking, clapped his hands. Two burly men entered, glaring at Li Deng.

Seeing this, Li Deng panicked. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

Hu Weimin smiled cruelly, “Just making you disappear.”

The burly men approached as Li Deng, realizing the danger, protested. “Qin Jun praised me! He wouldn’t approve of this!”

Hu Weimin laughed, “Qin Jun ordered your death.”

Li Deng was shocked and couldn’t believe it. Qin Jun seemed so kind and willing to help. Why would he order this?

As the men grabbed him, Li Deng’s plans and hopes dissolved into despair. His vision blurred as he suffocated, thinking only of the workers’ potential outrage at his death.

……

Li Deng was dead, strangled.

Hu Weimin looked at the body, his face showing mockery and disdain. He ordered the body to be taken to the workshop, wanting to make an example of him.

In the workshop, workers stared at Li Deng’s body in shock but said nothing.

“Li Deng is dead. I killed him,” Hu Weimin declared openly, seeing no opposition.

No one spoke, not even Uncle Song, who was deeply saddened because of fear.

Seeing the workers’ retreating gazes, Hu Weimin nodded in satisfaction. He sneered, “Young Master Qin Jun improved your conditions. Starting tomorrow, you can eat rice, and your work hours will be reduced to ten hours a day.”

The workers cheered upon hearing this, forgetting Li Deng’s death.

“Thank you, Young Master Qin Jun!”

“Thank you, Supervisor Hu!”

Some even knelt, crying with gratitude.

“But,” Hu Weimin continued, “because of that troublemaker Li Deng, I’m very displeased. So, this month’s merit points will be reduced by 20%. If there’s another troublemaker, I’ll apply to revert your conditions.”

“No, no!”

“I never liked Li Deng!”

“If anyone dares to resist the factory again, we’ll kill him ourselves!”

The workers hurriedly assured, some even spitting on Li Deng’s corpse, hating him for causing the deduction of their merit points.

Just half an hour ago, they saw Li Deng as a hero…

Seeing this, Hu Weimin’s smile widened but also felt a tinge of disgust.

These pigs!