That evening, the TV stayed on until 10 p.m.
Of course, this was not done voluntarily by everyone, but because the TV station was taking a break, so it was out of necessity.
Before leaving, the Sun brothers agreed to come back after dinner the next evening.
Sun Zhengguo could only shake his head and smile wryly, thinking that things might get better after the novelty wore off in a few days.
...
The next morning, Sun Zhengguo even taught his grandfather how to turn on the TV before going to work…
"Alright, that's all for today. Meeting adjourned!"
In the institute's conference room, after finishing their routine Monday meeting, the standing committee members went to their respective offices.
Lee Seungri, who was at the very end, remembered the TV he had bought the previous morning and caught up with Son Jung-guk.
"Director Sun, did you go to buy a TV yesterday?"
“I bought it! Is there a problem?” Sun Zhengguo stopped and turned around to ask.
"Oh! It's like this, when I bought the TV, they didn't mention that there was an outdoor antenna included, and it cost me a whole 108 yuan. Tell me, what kind of nonsense is this?"
Seeing the distressed look on Lee Seung-ri's face, Son Jung-guk knew that he had paid the "stupidity tax" (a Chinese idiom for being fooled), so he asked a question weakly.
"So how were the results?"
Lee Seungri was taken aback by Sun Zhengguo's question.
"What? Judging from your tone, you didn't buy it."
"Hahaha!"
Sun Zhengguo laughed loudly, said nothing, and turned to walk towards his office.
"Did I buy the wrong thing?"
Watching Sun Zhengguo's departing figure, Li Shengli became increasingly suspicious that he had spent money on the wrong thing.
Around 10 a.m., after finishing his work, Li Shengli found himself thinking about the antenna again.
Although his salary is not small, that 108 yuan expense is half a month's salary for him, so it would be a lie to say he doesn't feel the pinch.
"No, we have to find out the truth."
With that thought in mind, Li Shengli tidied up his desk, got up, and walked towards Sun Zhengguo's office.
Sun Zhengguo had already finished his work and was now writing and drawing on a piece of paper.
If someone from the 80s or 90s were standing here and saw what was drawn on the paper, they would recognize it at a glance: isn't that a TV outdoor antenna?
However, if Sun Zhengguo were to actually make this antenna, it would be far superior to the ones sold in stores, practically a knockout.
"Director Sun, did I disturb you?"
Seeing Li Shengli walk in, Sun Zhengguo stopped writing, shook his head and smiled.
"Old Li, you haven't given up on the antenna thing, have you?"
Lee Seungri was speechless. Wasn't this a rhetorical question?
However, since he was the one asking for help, he had to be respectful, so he could only force a smile.
"Director Sun, you left things unsaid this morning, and I've been thinking about it ever since. That's why I've come to ask you for advice!"
"No rush, take a look at this first."
Seeing Sun Zhengguo hand over a piece of paper, Li Shengli, though puzzled, still reached out and took it to look at it.
"What's drawn on this? It looks so familiar." Li Shengli looked at Sun Zhengguo with a puzzled expression.
Sun Zhengguo didn't intend to play any riddles and just blurted it out.
"Old Li, this is the diagram for the outdoor antenna of the TV. I'm going to make one myself. As for the effect? It certainly won't be worse than the one you bought."
"Make it yourself?" Li Shengli hadn't expected such a thing to happen.
But then I thought about it again, and realized that Sun Zhengguo was a senior engineer after all, so he should have some confidence.
"Director Sun, what about the cost?"
"It should be less than 10 yuan!"
Well! Upon hearing such a price, Li Shengli was completely stunned. Wasn't this a complete rip-off?
After considering it for a moment, he decided to trust Sun Zhengguo and said that.
"Director Sun, if you don't have to go to your trouble, could you make one for me while you're making yours?"
"What do you need that for? You already bought it! Can you return it?" Sun Zhengguo was genuinely puzzled.
You have to understand, this was the era of planned economy, so there was no such thing as returns.
"Don't worry, Director Sun, my cousin is an official over there, it'll be a piece of cake."
"Alright, alright! I'll go find some materials later, ask the workers downstairs for a bit of help, and get them a pack of cigarettes. You have to pay for the cigarettes."
"Alright! It's settled then."
Li Shengli happily agreed, then took out 10 yuan, went back to his office to get a pack of Peony cigarettes, thus successfully making a reservation...
Time quickly came to noon. After a quick lunch, Li Shengli went to return the goods.
Meanwhile, Sun Zhengguo gathered the materials from both units, and during his lunch break, he asked Master Geng to help him make some small parts before preparing to install them himself.
"Director Sun, I've finished processing these little gadgets you requested. Please take a look and see if they're suitable."
"Master Geng, I trust your skills, no need to watch anymore. I'm really sorry to have troubled you for so long. Here, take this pack of cigarettes."
When Sun Zhengguo handed him a box of peonies, Master Geng refused to accept it.
"No, no, Director Sun, it's an honor for you to come to me. How could I possibly accept your things!"
"Master Geng, don't refuse. I'm not paying for these cigarettes. You can thank Deputy Secretary Li later!"
With that, Sun Zhengguo threw down his cigarette, picked up the finished product, and went back to his office.
After returning and assembling for a while, the two outdoor antennas were already taking shape. Then Sun Zhengguo connected the wires, and it was officially completed.
"That's more like it!"
Seeing his masterpiece, Sun Zhengguo nodded in satisfaction.
I've already calculated in my mind how many channels I can search with this thing installed.
At this moment, Li Shengli also returned from the department store, and he seemed to be in a good mood because he had returned the goods.
He then went to Sun Zhengguo's office and saw the finished products on the table.
"Wow! Director Sun, you're quick! You finished so fast, not bad at all. This looks much better than the one I bought."
"Old Li! I'm not bragging, but if you install the wiring I made, I guarantee you'll be the most impressive person in the whole building."
"Hahaha! Really? Then I'll be watching." Lee Seungri also smiled happily.
Just think how much money I saved today! I wonder how much my wife will reward me when I get home!
"Oh! By the way, Lao Li, you gave him 10 yuan but he didn't use it all. There's still 2.68 yuan left. Here you go."
As he spoke, Sun Zhengguo took out the remaining money and handed it to Li Shengli.
Li Shengli was surprised to find that he could still have money left over.
"Thank you."
Knowing that Sun Zhengguo wouldn't accept it, Li Shengli thanked him and took the money.
He then asked how to install the antenna when he got back.
However, this thing is very simple. Sun Zhengguo only explained it briefly, and Li Shengli already understood how to install it.
"Thank you so much! I'm extremely grateful!"
Amidst a chorus of thanks, Li Shengli took the antenna and left the office, completely satisfied.
...
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