"Don't look down on appliance repairmen. Computers are appliances too, you know? A monitor is basically a part of a television. With a few additional components, you can search for channels and use it as a television. Conversely, a television can also be used as a monitor," Xing Baohua said.

"I don't know anything about monitors, and don't give me any of that fancy stuff. All I know is that you can't go over there right now," Xu Shuai continued, his expression somewhat anxious.

"Why can't I go over there?" Xing Baohua asked, staring at Xu Shuai.

“I know you like Su Ya. She told you yesterday that it's impossible between you two, but you can't be stupid enough to throw yourself into it. What were you thinking? When I woke up, I felt like I didn't even recognize you! In the past, you would have dragged me over to watch the show, not said you wanted to fix that delicate computer. It's a computer! It's not an ordinary thing. It's not something you can just fix. How many days have you been in the night school appliance repair class? I can count them on my fingers. We're practically inseparable, either at the movie theater or the factory club. Everyone knows you went to night school to get a diploma. With that vocational school diploma, at least your chances of getting a factory job are better. Don't even think about taking over your dad's job.”

"Are you done talking? I'll go check it out. I know what I'm doing."

"You have no sense of propriety! You think you're capable just because you learned some repair skills at night school? Have some self-awareness! Su Ya's matter is not something you can handle. Let me tell you, even Hou Liwei is hiding. This is something we really can't afford to get involved in. Hua Zi, let me tell you, we grew up together. I know what you're thinking the moment you bend over. You want to help Su Ya, right? Use your brain, okay? At this point, everyone has to distance themselves from her. Didn't you see Hou Liwei ran away?"

"Maybe Hou Liwei went to his dad for help? Don't think so badly of him. If Hou Liwei really likes Su Ya, he might already be in his dad's office asking him for help. The deputy director of the Municipal Machinery Bureau can handle it with just one phone call. It was Hou Liwei's dad who got the computer, and that's how Su Ya got access to it. Do you think Hou Liwei would ignore Su Ya if something happened to her? If he really didn't, he wouldn't have a good reputation in the factory."

“He already had a bad reputation. You think he genuinely likes Su Ya? I heard he's also seeing a girl from a state-owned cotton mill outside the factory,” Xu Shuai said.

"You've only heard about it. I won't get involved in Suya's affairs, I'm just going to go and take a look."

Xu Shuai looked at Xing Baohua with a serious expression and asked, "You said you'd go take a look, but don't even think about repairing it. I'll be watching you from the side, and you're not allowed to move an inch. Hmph, even if you wanted to move, I might not let you. And don't say anything boastful over there. Just watch." After Xu Shuai finished speaking, he stepped aside.

Third floor of the Municipal Machinery Bureau

Hou Liwei paced back and forth in his father's office, looking somewhat anxious, occasionally clenching his left fist and slamming it against his right palm.

At this moment, the door opened, and Hou Liwei took two steps forward and saw that the person who came in was his father, Hou Baoguo.

"Dad, you're finally back."

"Liwei! What are you doing here instead of working at the factory?" Hou Baoguo said, taking off his coat and hanging it on the coat rack by the door. He then took out a cigarette from his pocket and walked towards his desk.

"Dad, something's happened at the factory, and I'm having trouble making a decision," Hou Liwei said hurriedly.

"Something happened? Was there an accident or something? Is it related to you?" Hou Baoguo stopped and turned to ask his son behind him.

"Nothing serious happened, it's just, it's just..."

"What is it? Just say it! You're so slow."

"Isn't there a computer in the factory? Today, when Su Ya was printing some documents, she somehow broke it." Hou Liwei told his father what he knew.

"Is that all? You even made the trip? You're so careless, you're not steady at all." Hou Baoguo pointed at Hou Liwei with his finger and said.

"No, I'm afraid something might have happened to Su Ya, and I... I don't know how to face her."

“She is her, and you are you. You need to be clear about that. It’s true that you are my son, but that can’t be used to plead for me personally. Your factory’s Party Committee and the factory office will handle this matter. Also, don’t come to me with these kinds of trivial matters in the future. Even if you do, I won’t do anything to you. Your father’s face isn’t meant for you to deal with these petty things.”

"But Dad."

"Alright, you can go back now!" Hou Baoguo said, waving his hand at Hou Liwei to let him leave.

Hou Liwei, head down, didn't know how he got out of his father's office. He walked to the city bureau compound, pushed his bicycle, and headed towards the gate.

"Liwei, wait a minute." Hou Liwei stopped and turned to look behind him when he heard someone call him.

The visitor was Wang Guoqiang, deputy director of the office of the Municipal Machinery Bureau. He often served his father and had visited the house many times, so they were quite familiar with each other.

"Uncle Wang," Hou Liwei called out after Wang Guoqiang entered.

"I saw you just now. You need to see your dad," Wang Guoqiang asked.

She responded with an "Mm," and then told Wang Guoqiang about the factory's affairs. She hoped to get some help or advice from Wang Guoqiang.

"I'm going out to take care of some things, let's talk as we walk," Wang Guoqiang said, taking the lead as he walked out of the city bureau's main gate.

Walking down the street, Wang Guoqiang said to Hou Liwei, "You really shouldn't have asked your dad about this. It's a very small matter. Don't be fooled by the high price of computers; they're still just items. The province imported a total of 15 computers, and your dad managed to get one for the factory. He originally wanted you to learn how to use it. But considering that it's a high-tech product, if you understand it, you can pursue a technical career. Your dad still wants you to go into politics."

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