He wanted to use the money from selling generators to start a small project, but he didn't know what to produce. He wasn't from a technical background and didn't know how to do research and development. He heard from others that he should go south to investigate and buy some samples to study.

He had just entered the train station with his money when it disappeared.

We don't know where it disappeared. After reporting it to the police, we could only wait for news. Luckily, we found out early before it got on the train, otherwise we would have had to beg for food to get back like Xu Shuai.

When someone is really unlucky, they can choke to death even if they drink cold water.

They had no money, but they had factory buildings, which they rented to a nearby furniture factory to store furniture and use as a warehouse.

He and his only three workers were crammed into two offices. Fortunately, two disabled employees were with him. The other employee, an elderly man, had nowhere else to go.

The rented-out workshop was only enough to pay the wages of a few people.

But this dragging on isn't a solution! The management fees still need to be paid. If we don't find some income soon, we won't be able to pay the management fees and will lose our contracting rights.

In that case, they won't get rent, which means they won't have anything to eat.

The reason he came to Xing Baohua was because someone from the Machinery Bureau had given him some advice.

Tell him to go find Xing Baohua. He has a lot of projects on his plate right now. See if there's any possibility of cooperation.

If all else fails, take your people and go to him for help; he'll at least give you food. His factory doesn't need any quotas. He'll take anyone with strength and management skills.

So Zhao Shanhai went to see Xing Baohua, but the gatekeeper wouldn't let him in, let alone pass on his message.

Reporting his work unit didn't work, even though he came dressed in tattered clothes.

Every factory manager has a decent set of clothes.

Xing Baohua glanced at the time and said to Zhao Shanhai, "Director Zhao, I don't have time to see you today. How about tomorrow? Come to the factory and have the gatekeeper call me."

"Your security guard is looking down on people! He won't let me in!"

"It's okay, I'll have the driver talk to the security guard, they'll let you in. If it really doesn't work, come early and wait for me at the gate, I'll take you in."

"Alright, it's settled then, Director Xing."

The two parted ways, and Xing Baohua also went home.

Xing's father is now the deputy director of the machinery factory. Although he ranks last, he still has a lot of prestige. That's because he has a capable son.

Everyone knows that Xing Baohua's factory is booming. Some people even asked Xing's father to talk to Xing Baohua about finding a place for his unemployed children at home.

Xing's father also learned to be clever. No matter who came to him, he would say he wanted to go to Xing Baohua's factory, where he would first need to undergo training. He would go even if it meant enduring hardship, and he would receive the same treatment as a temporary worker without a permanent position.

Hearing this, many people hesitated. They could get by in any job, even the toughest ones, but without a permanent position, there was no job security.

Can I even stay at this company? I'm afraid I won't last long before I'm sent home.

Being fired in this day and age is a very shameful thing, and nobody wants to lose face like that!

Xing Baohua was quite content back home. Since starting work, she had rarely been home, so she spent time having meals and chatting with her parents.

Even when Mom asked Su Ya, Xing Baohua said she had gone to school. This left Mom completely bewildered; how could someone who was doing so well in class suddenly have to go back to school for further studies?

Xing Baohua then went to great lengths to explain that this "retraining" and that "retraining" were two different things.

Xing's mother wanted Xing Baohua and Su Ya to get engaged, and once the matter was settled, she would feel at ease.

The mother was very worried about leaving her future daughter-in-law alone in the front room, fearing that she might be lured away by someone else and become someone else's daughter-in-law.

Listening to his mother's nagging, Xing Baohua remained silent, unable to say anything substantial.

Then Xing Baohua changed the subject and asked his father about some things at the machinery factory.

Although Xing Baohua left the machinery factory, he was still employed there, still held the title of consultant, and continued to receive his salary.

It would be fair to inquire about it at least a little, as it would be worthy of the consultant title and salary.

As Xing's father rose in rank, he learned more about what was happening in the factory. As a cadre who rose from the bottom, he had seen a lot.

After gaining a deeper understanding, it became clear that even a large machinery factory can encounter some difficulties.

There are fewer orders for exported large machinery and equipment, and fewer orders for domestic mining purchases as well.

With fewer orders, the factory is operating at a low capacity. For a large factory with nearly 10,000 employees, the daily expenses are too high.

Moreover, expenses are increasing every day, while income is decreasing every day. If this continues, problems will inevitably arise sooner or later.

Mr. Xing asked Xing Baohua to help him think of any ways to solve the problem.