Chapter 74 Heart Blossoming
The exam was scheduled for the first weekend after the New Year. As soon as they heard about it, the technical and quality control staff were all groaning. It seemed like they were determined not to let everyone have a good New Year. And they were going to take up their weekend time.
To demonstrate her seriousness and competence, Shen Jiao chose Peking University as the examination venue. She made a special trip home the day before; her father worked for the Education Bureau, and since it was during the holidays, getting Peking University to vacate a classroom was a simple matter for him. Besides, it wasn't like she was doing anything outside the established system—organizing an exam. This was also a way of supporting her work, and without much persuasion, her father made the phone call.
When they learned that the exam would be held at Peking University, and that failing it would mean retaking it, and failing again would result in a pay cut or even a job reassignment, everyone was filled with anxiety.
Aside from Guo Xiaojuan, she even felt a secret anticipation and excitement, thinking that this might be her chance. If she could stand out this time, she would not only gain respect among her colleagues and be looked at with more respect, but she might also be able to advance further.
Before he knew it, it was Lunar New Year's Eve, and Wu Peng finally got off the train and returned to Beijing.
Yang Liu drove his truck back as soon as December arrived, and didn't return to Shenzhen after that, essentially taking a holiday. He'll go back with Wu Peng after the New Year.
Wu Peng's return was naturally to spend the New Year with Yao Fanghua, and also to get her away. At the very least, he wanted her to take leave and be stationed in Shenzhen for a while. His factory was built, the equipment was installed, and the staff was recruited; he was just waiting to start operations after the New Year. He'd already invested 600,000 yuan; he'd have to kidnap Yao Fanghua if he had to.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, as it grew later and later, Wu Peng stubbornly refused to leave, insisting on staying in Yao Fanghua's living room to watch TV and keep watch all night.
The wind was biting cold outside, and you could hear it howling even from inside the house.
"It's freezing cold there, I'd freeze to death if I stayed one night. Besides, the blankets are all moldy from being uninhabited for so long. If you want me to die, just kick me out." He then kicked the third dog, who was curled up on the sofa. "Even the dog is living a better life than me. If you kick me out, I'll just take this stupid dog with me. We might as well freeze to death at the front door, at least we'll die closer to you."
"What nonsense are you spouting during the New Year?" Yao Fanghua snapped at him. The third brother grinned back.
It was indeed cold outside, but warm inside. Yao Fanghua tossed a blanket to Wu Peng.
Wu Peng, having achieved his wish, beamed with joy. He put the blanket aside, put his arm around Yao Fanghua, and the two of them snuggled up on the sofa to continue watching the Spring Festival Gala.
"Did that guy surnamed Chen bully you?"
"Do you think I can let her bully me?"
"You're just a paper tiger. If it really comes down to knives and guns, I don't think you can beat that guy surnamed Shen."
Yao Fanghua was about to stand up and refute.
Wu Peng quickly pressed her back down. "I'm not saying you're stupid, but your mind isn't on this. What kind of people are they? They're all scheming and backstabbing, their minds are all on crooked ways. They're always thinking about how to mess with people and how to manipulate power. You don't even think about these things. How do you think you can outmaneuver them?"
Yao Fanghua fell silent for a moment. Should she take the initiative? What were the Thirty-Six Stratagems again? It would be best to get rid of Shen Jiao once and for all.
"If you ask me, you should just go to Shenzhen. Look at you, you went through all that trouble, and in the end you got a washing machine as a reward."
Yao Fanghua glared at him, "What do you know? Those are my spoils of war, medals of honor, my glory!"
"Okay, okay, I don't understand. All I know is that now that we've spent 600,000, whether we can break even and when we can break even depends entirely on you."
Yao Fanghua was also worried about the 600,000.
The fan factory's production capacity is insufficient, and the washing machines it produces cannot meet the demand. This is a huge market gap. As long as Huapeng Electric Factory can produce the products, it will definitely not have to worry about sales.
“The woman surnamed Shen said the exam would be after the New Year. If I take leave at this crucial time, won’t she accuse me of being scared and running away? She’ll probably talk about me in the factory. So, as soon as the skills exam is over, I’ll take leave immediately and say I’m sick. I used to laugh at Zhao Aiguo for being sick, but now that I think about it, sick leave is really useful.”
Wu Peng perked up, "You can let it go? Aren't you afraid the fan factory won't be able to operate without you?"
Yao Fanghua raised her hand to slap him, her face turning red with anger. "If you dare to mock me again, I won't go!"
After a few punches, my hand ached. I tried pinching, but I couldn't get it to move. How could this flesh be so hard?
The two fought back and then dodged, and even the third brother joined in the fun, pouncing on Wu Peng.
"If you ask me, the fan factory really got a bargain. You've already figured out how to make washing machines, and now they can start producing them smoothly. This guy surnamed Chen really knows how to pick his timing. If this were the research period, you should have taken leave so they would all know how important you are. It's true that this lousy factory can't function without you."
"You still dare to talk back." Yao Fanghua hit him a few times. "Nonsense! If we had really asked you to come back then, you definitely wouldn't have asked me. Director Yu would probably have carried the factory for me even if he had to. I rushed here as fast as I could, just in case we missed our big business deal. Taking leave now is perfect. Consider it one of the rewards."
Yao Fanghua proudly raised her head. "Besides," she said, "who says that once a washing machine is produced, it's finished? That it can't be improved or innovated anymore? We're only at a small stage now, just a single-tub model. There are still double-tub models out there. Even if we produce a double-tub model, there will definitely be newer research directions. Learning is endless, and so is scientific research. As long as you have ideas and a direction, you can always go further. Here," Yao Fanghua pointed to her brain, "it's always the most important part, it's all wealth." Little brat, dare you say she can't outmaneuver the man surnamed Chen? Her brain, her knowledge, is her greatest asset.
Wu Peng's eyes lit up as he looked at Yao Fanghua, who resembled a proud, glittering money tree, so adorable that he couldn't resist her.
"You can build a twin-cylinder engine?"
"Don't you look down on me?" Yao Fanghua said proudly. "I've already been researching it, and it's quite effective."
Wu Peng was overjoyed. "If we really produce a twin-cylinder engine, we can sell it not only domestically, but also to the port city. People there have money and love high-end things. We can design it to look better and have better functionality, so we're not afraid of the price."
Yao Fanghua was even more tempted. If she could export the products she designed and manufactured, and if she could freely explore the design and performance aspects, "Would they really be willing to spend a lot of money to buy good stuff?"
Wu Peng waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry, I'm not afraid of the price. Go ahead and design freely. Go ahead and experiment freely; all the costs will be included in the budget."
The fan factory's decision to produce single-tub washing machines was planned and assigned, a decision made unanimously by the factory's top management. This might have been due to considerations of the target audience, or perhaps a desire for stability and a gradual approach. In any case, what the factory produced wasn't solely up to Yao Fanghua. In her opinion, twin-tub washing machines were more practical, even though they were more expensive. Those without money certainly wouldn't buy them, and those with money probably wouldn't mind the extra cost. There should be a larger market for them.
Yao Fanghua: "There's still money? Didn't you smash it all?"
"The money isn't just from electronic watches, but also from reselling tape recorders and cameras. All that money goes into filling the gap."
"How about we sell two more bracelets?"
Wu Peng was taken aback. "You have more?"
"Never mind that. Just tell me if you have enough money."
Wu Peng shook his head sincerely, "Not enough." It really wasn't enough. He planned to sell the workshop, but he couldn't bear to cut off his source of income—electronic watches. The money he earned was limited, but better than nothing; he was torn. He couldn't possibly sell the painting his grandfather left him—that was the only one left, and he really couldn't bear to part with it. The other items? He couldn't bear to part with them either.
Yao Fanghua stood up. "You stay here and don't peek."
The third brother kept an eye on him.
The third brother barked and jumped off the sofa, fixing his gaze on the target.
Wu Peng: ...a dog who relies on his master's power
"Hua Hua, where are you going? We're husband and wife, one body. I've been completely open with you, and you've been hiding things from me. How cruel of you! My heart is so hurt!" Wu Peng clutched his chest, his voice trembling with grievance. He was genuinely aggrieved.
Yao Fanghua stopped, turned around, and winked at Wu Peng. "Never mind then, just pretend I didn't say anything. We're still best friends. Come on, let's continue watching the show together." Yao Fanghua was already smiling as she sat back down on the sofa.
Wu Peng immediately stopped his operatic singing, exaggeratedly squatted down in front of Yao Fanghua, looked up at her with deep affection, and said, "Good Huahua, I mean you are so good to me. I will marry no one but you in this life. With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? My heart is as clear as heaven and earth and as worthy of the sun and moon. I am not afraid of being struck by lightning."
Poor. Yao Fanghua's ears tingled. "Don't peek!"
Wu Peng nodded repeatedly.
Yao Fanghua went back to her bedroom and closed the door immediately. Wu Peng was being watched by the third brother; every move he made was followed by the third brother's. If he dared to peek into the bedroom door, the third brother would bare his teeth and snarl at him.
Wu Peng: How could he have acted so impulsively and raised a third child like that! Doesn't he have any feelings for his exes at all?!
Yao Fanghua moved the bedside table aside, opened the treasure chest, and looked at the bracelet and a box of jade ornaments, reluctant to part with either. Finally, she decisively took the gold ingots. After all, gold has a price, but jade is priceless. These jade ornaments, once sold, would be difficult to buy back in the same way. Gold, however, is different.
Yao Fanghua wrapped the gold cake in a pillowcase and took it out.
Wu Peng took the pillowcase, his hand suddenly felt a heavy weight, and his mouth gaped open in surprise, "So many?" It's so heavy, how many bracelets must that be? Did Hua Hua strike gold?
"What are you thinking? It's not a bracelet. Let's see if it's enough."
Wu Peng opened the pillowcase, revealing pieces of gold. "You really struck gold?"
Yao Fanghua looked at the roof: "Just take it as that."
Wu Peng counted them; there were fifteen pieces in total, each weighing about four ounces.
Wu Peng held the gold cake in front of him, saying, "Hua Hua, we're the best of friends in the world. Everything I have is yours. Let's watch the show together, loving each other dearly." Oh my, he was so happy inside. This is love, a golden, heavy love, so heavy. She loves him to death.
Looking into Wu Peng's bright, affectionate eyes, Yao Fanghua realized that it wasn't just women who were overjoyed to receive gold; men felt the same way.
Not two minutes after that, Wu Peng asked mournfully, "Are you really not going to quit? We've invested even more now, and the business is getting even bigger. This is all real money; it'll hurt so much if we lose it all."
"Can't you speak properly?" Yao Fanghua scolded him, asking about compensation. "Let's see how things go. Even if I really wanted to, there would have to be a suitable opportunity. Director Yu definitely won't let me go. He can use the excuse of the country nurturing me and the greater good to suppress me. My household registration and personnel file are still at the factory."
"It's settled then, I'll take leave after the New Year."
"Um."
Wu Peng sighed deeply: "The pain of unrequited love is unbearable..."
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