Chapter 60: Unexpected Fortune!

The large-scale production line equipment that had been shipped across the ocean docked at the pier and was inspected by troops to make sure there were no abnormalities before being released.

Lin Xiang slowed down a few steps. When she and Kong Zhenzhen rushed out of the second factory, there were already many workers standing at the dock, waiting to see what was going on. They were helping to push the carts to bring back the scattered new equipment, and everyone had a beaming look on their face.

Yang Tian even pushed the shiny equipment and made a special tour around the gate of a factory, with his back held high, which attracted the workers in the factory to look at him. Their eyes were full of amazement, after all, the equipment was obviously worth a lot of money. But then they turned around and curled their lips, thinking that the two factories were too ostentatious and they should buy a new equipment to see what they could do.

Factory No. 2 has indeed never had such good days. They have been guarding the dying, rusty old equipment for all these years. The workers in Factory No. 1 have no idea of ​​their hardships. Now the new equipment has arrived!

They are going to turn over and sing!

When all the large equipment was delivered to the empty yard of the second factory, the workers surrounded it and looked at it curiously.

The silver-gray new equipment is divided into five parts. The surface is shiny, especially glowing in the sunlight. The spotless steel exudes toughness and solidity. The streamlined curves are extremely beautiful, soft yet sharp, a quality that the old equipment from decades ago did not have at all.

"Tsk tsk, this expensive thing is different. It looks beautiful."

"Look, look, oh my god, it's reflecting light! It's so slippery, it must be very comfortable if you touch it."

The workers started working carefully. They felt smooth and cool to the touch. After rubbing it twice, it became smooth and seamless, which was extremely comfortable. Just think about it, who would be willing to touch the old equipment when they saw the rust on it? This new equipment is different!

Lin Xiang also reached out and touched it. After all, the atmosphere was already like this, and she couldn't not fit in.

Mm, it feels so good! It's so delicate and smooth. I couldn't help but want to touch it again after touching it twice.

The workers stretched out their hands one after another, and countless hands were seen reaching for the new equipment, touching it here and there. Director Zhao couldn't help himself, and with his mouth almost grinning to the back of his head, he closed his eyes and touched the new equipment twice with an intoxicated look on his face. When he came to his senses, he hurriedly stopped everyone: "Enough, enough, just touch it twice, or else the new equipment will be rubbed bare by you!"

“Hahahahahahaha.”

"That's not enough, how can you lose hundreds of dollars just by touching it a few times?"

"Director, we are so happy!"

There was laughter and joy in the yard. Lin Xiang went to the next door to invite Master Feng to help assemble the equipment. Master Feng, for Lin Xiang's sake, did not hesitate and quickly came to the second factory.

His eyes lit up when he saw the new equipment purchased at huge cost. After all, he liked machinery, so how could he not be moved by all these equipment?

Next, Master Feng first instructed the workers of the second factory to dismantle the old equipment and move them all to the yard to make room. Lin Xiang and a group of workers hurriedly cleaned the workshop and cleared the remaining dust and dirt under the previous equipment. Then Master Feng instructed the workers to lift the new equipment into the workshop.

The instruction manual for the new equipment was also in English. With Lin Xiang's experience and the knowledge of professional terminology she had accumulated from helping with translation, she quickly got to know the equipment by asking and answering questions with Master Feng.

The assembly process went smoothly. A complete set of soda production line equipment was arranged like a mighty dragon in the workshop of Factory 2. In the space of dozens of meters, the silver-gray new equipment glowed with metallic luster and sparkled under the fluorescent lights.

"Master Feng, we need to make some adjustments here in front." Lin Xiang had discussed the adjustment of equipment with Master Feng last time. After all, the processing of coconuts is more difficult than that of ordinary fruits, so saving manpower is imperative.

"Well, this equipment is great." Master Feng's eyes sparkled with love for mechanical equipment. "I'll modify it! It will definitely be comfortable!"

Master Feng's two apprentices were dismantling old equipment in the yard. After all, these things were really too old and would take up space if they were kept, so they simply dismantled the usable parts and piled up the other scraps.

This was quite a bit of disassembly work, but I did find a lot of useful parts, all of which are good things.

"Master Huang, Master Yang, you've worked so hard, have a bottle of coconut juice." Seeing that they were busy and sweating, Lin Xiang handed them two bottles of coconut juice that had just been opened.

"Thank you." Master Huang took the coconut juice. A circle of black handprints instantly stained the bottle. He raised his head and took a sip. The rich and sweet coconut juice dispelled the fatigue of the busy work. He said to the senior brother beside him, "Senior brother, the coconut juice from the second factory tastes really good."

Master Yang nodded and said, "The second factory is really different now. Otherwise, we would not have to buy such expensive equipment and sell coconut juice all over the province."

In the workshop, Master Feng was overhauling the equipment with the help of another apprentice, and his movements were steady, accurate and ruthless like a veteran.

After working for more than half an hour, the new equipment that came from across the ocean was completely overhauled. The original fruit processing machine was equipped with a device for opening the coconut and subsequently pouring out the coconut water, then rolling and knocking on the coconut shell to break the shell and take out the flesh. From the first link, it can greatly improve production efficiency and save manpower.

Director Zhao rubbed his hands, his face full of excitement. Seeing that everything was ready, he saw Master Feng's eyes drifting over and shouted, "Everyone, take your positions and prepare for the trial operation of the new equipment! Xiaolin, go and strike the gong."

This is a tradition of factories in Phnom Penh. After replacing new equipment, the first overall operation needs to be started by knocking on the gong and shouting. I heard that this was a habit of fishermen in the past, and later gradually evolved into a common custom in all walks of life in this coastal city.

But this time, Zhao Jianjun handed over such an honorable mission of striking the gong to Lin Xiang. After all, this equipment was applied for by someone else!

Lin Xiang can afford to strike this gong!

Holding the mallet in his hand, Lin Xiang felt hundreds of eyes staring at him in the workshop, and it seemed that the thing in his hand was not light.

There was a loud ding, crisp and pleasing to the ear, and Lin Xiang struck the gong heavily.

The new equipment was started up, with several senior workers from the second factory operating it in various links. The other workers stared at it, reluctant to move their eyes. The sharp blade was swift and sharp, the time for operating coconuts was greatly shortened, and the juicing efficiency was increased by half. The water treatment links, bottle rinsing, filling, capping, sterilization... all links were visibly much faster than before!

After this trial run, Master Feng discussed the problems encountered during the operation with several workers and made corresponding fine adjustments. He was busy until it was almost time to get off work.

Director Zhao happily announced: "Tomorrow we will use the new equipment to work!"

On this day, the workers from Factory 2 walked home from get off work with a proud step. They all had big smiles on their faces and chatted excitedly about the new equipment on the way, which made the workers from Factory 1 next door's ears itchy.

"How can these two factories get so excited about changing equipment? If you don't know, you would think their factory has done something big."

"After all, the equipment in their factory was so poor, so it's normal for them to be very happy now that they have finally replaced it with a new one."

Liu Qingshan, deputy director of the shrimp sauce workshop, and He Zhigang, head of the fermentation group, were also among the people leaving get off work. One of them shook his head and the other sneered: "You really have never seen the world."

The workers of the second factory left with their heads held high. It was indeed true that they had never seen such a great world before. They felt itchy just thinking about operating such valuable new equipment tomorrow.

Lin Xiang rode her bicycle home, humming a song along the way, her red woolen coat swaying in the wind. She just happened to meet Jiang Wenfang and her family at the gate of their home as they were being discharged from the hospital.

"Brother Sun, Sister Jiang, are you discharged from the hospital?" She hurriedly stopped her bicycle and simply used it to help people carry the big bag. "An An seems to be better than when he was just born."

An An is Jiang Wenfang's daughter. Because the mother and daughter had a near-death experience, Jiang Wenfang was frightened and gave her a name that means peace. The little girl was born prematurely and was very thin, weighing less than four pounds. She looked like a skinny monkey, and everyone who saw her felt weak.

"He was fed nutrient solution in the hospital for several days. Now he is said to be able to go home and recuperate. But you have to be careful, premature babies are not easy to raise." Jiang Wenfang's face was still a little pale. After all, he was in poor health. But all in all, he looked better than the day he was born.

"Is your family doing very well this time? You will definitely be safe and healthy in the future." Lin Xiang and the military wives arranged by Director Yuan helped Jiang Wenfang's family to settle down at home. When they heard Jiang Wenfang worrying about her poor health and lack of milk, they couldn't help but say.

"How about some milk powder? If there is really no breast milk, milk powder can be used as a substitute." Lin Xiang thought that no one else had given birth in the courtyard recently, so she could borrow some milk to feed the baby. This is a normal operation.

"It's not easy to get milk powder." Jiang Wenfang looked at her husband.

Sun Qiang had never looked for milk powder before. He only knew that this kind of stuff was high-end and hard to find. "I'll ask the brigade commander. They know a lot of people."

Lin Xiang stayed at her neighbor's house for a while. Before she left, Lingling and Yingzi stuffed her with several candies. It seemed as if the little girls treated her as their own and were reluctant to let her go.

When he got home, there was a clanging sound in the kitchen and smoke was rising from the chimney. He Hongyuan was cooking with his left hand, with his right arm hanging.

"What are you doing?" Lin Xiang's eyelids twitched when she saw the man cooking with a spatula in his left hand. "Don't let the injury recur. My right hand has finally recovered!"

He Hongyuan smiled and turned around: "Your right hand?"

Lin Xiang grabbed the spatula and rushed him out of the kitchen: "What's yours is mine, there's no difference."

The freshly cooked cabbage mixed with the high temperature melted pork fat was fried until it was fragrant. He Hongyuan was also busy beside him. He picked up the bowl and put down the chopsticks, muttering: "Don't treat me like a piece of trash. Am I the kind of person who can't do anything if I get hurt? Frying a dish is not a big problem."

Lin Xiang brought a plate of pork fat and cabbage to the table and resolutely deprived Comrade He Hongyuan of the right to do whatever he wanted: "Comrade He Hongyuan, please obey the orders of the organization and behave yourself."

A beautiful and sharp glare flew over, her eyebrows and eyes were charming, as bright as a rose, causing He Hongyuan to stare at Lin Xiang for a long time, unwilling to move his eyes.

After the meal, Lin Xiang checked the burlap bags filled with various prepared food and specialties again, and then picked out clothes from the closet to take back to Xifeng City.

The temperature in Xifeng City in winter is close to zero degrees. Although it doesn't snow, the cold wind is biting. She took a thin cotton jacket, a specially made thick cotton jacket, and two pairs of cotton pants, and then packed the sweater and shirt into the luggage box. Lin Xiangtou didn't answer the man and asked, "Take your old cotton jacket with you as well."

He Hongyuan traveled light and immediately used his ultimate move, taking out a large and thick military coat with his left hand: "This is enough."

A military coat can be worn for a whole winter, and you only need to bring two sets of inner clothes for changing, which is really convenient.

Lin Xiang felt a little jealous for a moment.

++++

Lin Xiang, ready to go, completed her work at the Second Factory. In fact, the office work at the Second Factory was always easy. She also classified the various data that needed to be checked in a table, so she basically didn't have to worry: "Sister Zhenzhen, Brother Ma, the checklists are all here. Please take a look at them when the time comes. I'll treat you to some candy."

Lin Xiang sprinkled a handful of orange candies on the table and said with a smile, "I'll bring you some delicious food when I come back."

Kong Zhenzhen said that Lin Xiang was too polite, but her hands never stopped eating candy, and her mouth felt sweet all day long.

In the workshop, the workers of the second factory who used the new equipment were eager to try. They couldn't help but touch the new equipment before work, and their faces were almost broken with smiles. On the last day before leaving, Lin Xiang went to the workshop to check the safety regulations. She saw the elder sister waiting for the coconut juice to arrive at the conveyor belt to prepare for packing. She took off her gloves and touched the conveyor belts twice. She kept saying to the workers next to her: "Oh my, look at the speed of this conveyor belt, it's much faster than our previous one!"

"Sister Yang, that's fast." Lin Xiang walked into the workshop and reminded her to put on gloves, and joined in with a smile, "After all, it cost a lot of money."

"That's right." Sister Yang put on her gloves again and busied herself packing the soda bottles. She then asked Lin Xiang, "Xiao Lin, you're not coming tomorrow? Do we have to wait until after the New Year to see each other?"

"Yes, Hongyuan and I are going back to our hometown to celebrate the New Year. See you after the New Year." Lin Xiang worked her last shift of the day. After get off work, she went home and checked all her luggage, especially their household registration books, letters of introduction, and national food coupons that had been exchanged in advance.

He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang's monthly salary included food coupons from Phnom Penh. They asked someone to exchange the city food coupons for national food coupons at a reduced rate in advance so that they could use them in Xifeng City.

The train is at 8am tomorrow. Lin Xiang didn't sleep well last night. She tossed and turned in bed like she was making pancakes. The man's healthy left hand held her: "Are you too excited to go back home?"

Lin Xiang, revealing a pair of bright eyes from under the quilt, blinked: "I don't know, maybe I'm just excited about going on a long journey."

It is not easy to travel far in this day and age. Even if you just take a green train through many provinces and cities and see different scenery, it is enough to make you happy.

"Go to bed quickly, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow." He Hongyuan stared at his wife's watery eyes, and couldn't help leaning over to kiss Lin Xiang's eyelids. He used his left hand to pull the quilt that covered most of Lin Xiang's face and tried to pull it down, but the woman hooked the quilt and refused to let go.

The two of them were more powerful, and Lin Xiang's strength was naturally no match for He Hongyuan. The quilt fell, revealing her fair and tender face. The man leaned over and kissed her nose again. His warm thin lips lingered down and kissed Lin Xiang's cheek, which made her laugh softly. Finally, He Hongyuan stepped back and prepared to continue moving down, but was pushed away by Lin Xiang when he was about to touch her cherry lips.

"Go to bed quickly, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow!" Lin Xiang resolutely pushed the man away, not daring to let him make trouble.

And you are injured, do you still want to do bad things despite your disability?

++++

The next morning, when the light was dim, Lin Xiang was urged to get up by the man who had gotten up early, packed up, and cooked two bowls of noodles.

"If you don't get up now you will miss the train." He Hongyuan didn't urge her at first, but now that everything was packed, he could only come to call for help.

Lin Xiang rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawned, stretched out her hands from under the quilt, and the man held her hands with one hand to help her sit up.

"It's really tiring to get up early and rush on the road." Lin Xiang still wanted to sleep. One should hibernate in winter.

He Hongyuan laughed at her: "Who was too excited to sleep last night?"

Lin Xiang: "..."

Before daybreak, the two had breakfast and boarded a boat from Langhua Island to leave for the city. Lin Xiang carried the luggage box, and He Hongyuan carried two sackcloth bags in his left hand. They entered Phnom Penh Railway Station together and waited on the platform for the train back to Xifeng City.

Yuezhu's family of three had to leave later and come directly to celebrate the New Year. He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang left early this time. The two of them shuttled through the crowded crowd. Lin Xiang used her mother-in-law's method to quickly grab two seats and sat down comfortably.

He Hongyuan's right hand was injured and his arm was still in a sling, so he did not wear a military uniform on this trip. His light and simple outfit made him look handsome in a different way.

The simple black sweater highlights his slender figure. His aura is cool and a bit abstinent. Lin Xiang is satisfied with the clothes she prepared for the man and is pleasing to the eye.

After putting the luggage under the seat, Lin Xiang sat down by the window. She turned her head and stared at He Hongyuan's arm beside her. She touched the gauze lightly with her index finger and said, "Didn't you touch your hand when you came up just now?"

"No, don't worry." He Hongyuan rarely had the experience of being cared for every day after being injured, especially Lin Xiang who asked about his wound recovery every day. Her beautiful almond eyes were full of concern when she looked around, and she looked very touched.

This experience is not bad, it can even be said to be special and comfortable.

The green train rumbled off from the southernmost part of China all the way north, gradually moving from the warm land to the severe cold.

As the Chinese New Year was approaching, the two of them did not buy sleeper tickets, and they could barely bear to sit in hard seats for three days and two nights. Lin Xiang thought that since they were all young people, they could definitely endure it.

There is a platform in the middle of the two four-seater seats opposite each other, which can hold passengers' carry-on belongings. Next to Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan are two educated youth who are returning home to visit their relatives. Sitting opposite them are a couple, an old man and a young man, who are said to be old leaders and subordinates who came out of the factory to do business.

It was fate that brought us together, especially by chance when we were able to sit together. We all talked enthusiastically and soon became familiar with each other. We could even grab handfuls of melon seeds and peanuts from each other.

Lin Xiang listened to the two educated youth talking about their life in the countryside receiving re-education as poor and middle peasants. It turned out that she had not been home for four years. This time it was finally her turn to visit her relatives, but it was not easy.

The old man sitting opposite me was named Liu. He was about fifty years old, with gray hair and a kind face. Hearing this, he couldn't help but sigh: "The educated youth went to the countryside to contribute to the cities and the countryside, to relieve the pressure of urban jobs, to build and develop the countryside. You are all great. Did you encounter any difficulties after going to the countryside?"

The two educated youths were already very enthusiastic, and they were even more excited when they heard this. They talked to the old man sitting opposite them about the construction and hard struggle of the educated youths in the countryside, and they had a great time talking. The young man next to Mr. Liu made tea in an enamel cup and handed it to him, reminding him: "Leader, Aunt Chen asked me to supervise you not to smoke, so I will take care of the cigarettes."

Mr. Liu waved his hand and threw a pack of Daqianmen over to him: "I don't smoke. Remember to report it back."

Lin Xiang listened with great interest, and occasionally joined in the conversation with the couple sitting opposite her. Only He Hongyuan was the most taciturn, only speaking a few words to Lin Xiang from time to time.

"Comrade Lin, you two have been married for a short time, right?" the older sister sitting opposite asked with a smile.

Lin Xiang was surprised: "Yes, not long, Sister Hong, how did you tell that?"

"Couples who have been married for a short time are all like this. They will talk to each other after a while." Sister Hong teased. How could she not see that when the young couple looked at each other, their eyes were shining. Couples who have been married for a long time definitely don't have this kind of look.

Lin Xiang: "..."

Is it that obvious?

The three-day and two-night train journey ended when Lin Xiang looked out the window and witnessed the lush wind along the way turning into fluttering snowflakes.

After the last night, we will arrive in Xifeng City early tomorrow morning.

Lin Xiang couldn't sleep again that night. Everything around her was quiet, with only occasional snoring sounds. Most of the passengers in the carriage had fallen asleep.

He Hongyuan kindly reminded her: "Go to bed quickly, otherwise you won't be able to get up tomorrow morning."

Lin Xiang pursed her lips and snorted: "Sleep, sleep, I will definitely wake up earlier than you!"

It was late at night. Lin Xiang found a comfortable position with her head resting on He Hongyuan's shoulder and fell asleep in a daze. Occasionally, passengers around her got up to go to the bathroom. The rustling sound was familiar. Lin Xiang subconsciously reached out to protect her pockets. This was a conditioned reflex when riding a train, for fear of attracting thieves.

Thief?

Lin Xiang, who was about to fall asleep, always felt that something was happening around her. When she opened her hazy eyes, she actually saw two men, one tall and fat, and one short and thin, sneaking around Mr. Liu, as if they were trying to reach into his luggage.

Her head just moved slightly, and Lin Xiang was so excited that she wanted to wake up He Hongyuan, but was suddenly pinched by the man.

He Hongyuan looked at her with clear eyes and blinked to reassure Lin Xiang.

The two thieves obviously noticed that the young couple opposite them had woken up, and they were even staring at them while they were stealing things without moving their eyes.

The tall and fat thief looked at the two people inconspicuously, a frail young woman and a tall and strong man. However, the man's arm was injured, so it was not a big deal.

The arrogant thief glared at them fiercely, his eyes gleaming with threats. The short and thin thief even pulled out a short dagger from behind, which was sharp and shining with cold light.

Lin Xiang had not expected that the two men would be so arrogant that if they were caught stealing something they would threaten her not to tell anyone or else they would stab her with a knife.

If it had been later, with her husband's arm not injured, it would have been easy for him to deal with these two men. However, now Lin Xiang was only thinking about whether waking up everyone loudly to catch the thief would cause a commotion, forcing the thief to jump over the wall and accidentally hurt other passengers. For the sake of safety, it would be safer to wait until the people left before reporting to the flight attendant.

Just as Lin Xiang was lost in thought, the man next to her suddenly moved.

"You're injured." Lin Xiang gently tried to stop He Hongyuan.

He Hongyuan raised his eyebrows slightly and raised his thin lips: "I underestimated your man."

One hand is enough to deal with these two things.

Lin Xiang watched He Hongyuan, whose right hand was injured, quickly stand up and walk to the aisle, shocking the two thieves for a moment. They could never imagine how this injured man dared to stand up with two knives drawn. He was courting death!

However, it was clear that someone else was seeking death.

Captain He was no pushover, even if he attacked with one hand, he grabbed the tall and fat thief's wrist with his left hand, and as soon as he exerted a little force, he heard a wailing sound, followed by the crisp sound of a dagger falling to the ground.

"Be careful around you!" Lin Xiang looked at the short and thin thief who was about to attack He Hongyuan and hurriedly warned him.

He Hongyuan reacted faster and had already noticed it, so he kicked the man to the ground.

The two thieves were subdued and handed over to the conductor. They were spit on by passengers in the middle of the night. Passengers in the next carriage woke up and found that their money and belongings were missing. They came to register and actually found the stolen property from the thieves.

Several passengers who had been robbed thanked He Hongyuan for his bravery despite being injured. When the man returned to his seat after finishing his work, Mr. Liu, who was sitting opposite him, had already woken up. He looked at this capable young man and said, "Comrade He, thank you for what you did just now. Otherwise, I would have been robbed too."

He Hongyuan nodded: "Everyone will stop petty theft when they see it, don't take it to heart."

"Have you ever been a soldier?" Old Master Liu looked at the young man sitting opposite him. He was extraordinary in bearing, tall and resolute, and especially in skills. Even with one hand injured, he was still able to catch the thief cleanly and neatly.

He Hongyuan was not afraid of the old man's sharp eyes, so he did not hide it at the moment: "Yes, I am serving in the army now."

For some reason, he looked at the old man opposite him and felt that this man was not simple. He was calm and peaceful. Even though he had just been robbed, he was not panicked or angry at all, as if he did not take this little thing seriously at all.

Thinking of the introduction of the young subordinate beside the old man at the beginning, perhaps the person was the factory director or secretary, Qianfan had already seen it all and was calm.

The thief's incident caused a stir in the carriage, and the whole night was filled with excitement. Everyone was excited and scolded the thief. Lin Xiang also became excited. Thinking of He Hongyuan's handsome look just now, she leaned close to the man's ear with a surge of emotion: "You looked so handsome when you were fighting just now!"

He Hongyuan suppressed the curve of his lips and tried to correct his wife: "That was not a fight, it was catching a thief."

Lin Xiang: "..."

Is there any difference?

Lin Xiang was so excited that she was thirsty. She picked up the military water bottle and found that there was no water in it. He Hongyuan stood up to get some water but was stopped by her: "Forget it. It's too late to go there to get some water. There is still coconut juice in the bag."

Bending over, she rummaged through the sack under the seat and found a bottle of coconut juice. Lin Xiang had learned at the factory how to press the edge of the bottle cap against the edge of the table, and the cap popped off with a sound.

The milky white coconut juice swaying in the glass bottle is very tempting.

"Hey, what kind of soda is this?" Mr. Liu opposite stared at it curiously.

"Grandpa, you don't know this?" Sister Hong spoke first, "119 coconut juice! It's sold everywhere now, and it tastes delicious!"

“Coconut juice?” This was the first time Mr. Liu had heard of it and he turned to look at his subordinates.

"It seems to be true. I heard that department stores in the provincial capital sell this, but I have never tried it."

Sister Hong introduced it enthusiastically: "It's 1.5 cents a bottle. I bought it for my daughter at home. She loves it!"

Lin Xiang, who worked at the 119 plant, was delighted to hear the passengers talking about coconut juice, especially the compliments. She asked everyone to take out their enamel cups or water bottles and said, "Sister Hong, this coconut juice is made in our plant. Let's have a taste. We can share this bottle."

Sister Hong didn't expect to run into someone from Factory 119 while riding the train. She immediately laughed and said, "What a coincidence! The coconut juice from your factory is really good! It tastes good! I've heard from co-workers who went to Phnom Penh to visit relatives that there is some delicious coconut juice in Phnom Penh, but unfortunately we couldn't buy it in Yang Xuan City. But last month, it suddenly became available here."

Lin Xiang was even more proud when she mentioned this: "Yes, we could only sell it in Phnom Penh before, but it sold well and the people liked it, so we applied to sell it to the whole province. Our factory is very happy and we are working hard to produce it."

Mr. Liu took half a cup of coconut juice and came back. He gave his subordinates a look, and Xiao Wang immediately handed over a box of Golden Chicken Cookies for everyone to eat.

Lin Xiang looked at the old and the young and thought they were so polite.

In the middle of the night, I suddenly started drinking coconut juice with golden chicken cookies as a midnight snack, which was also a happy experience.

Mr. Liu saw that the milky white coconut juice in the enamel cup was bright in color and indeed quite different from the common soda, especially the sweet aroma it exuded, which was refreshing and not greasy. After entering the mouth, it was silky and fragrant, with a mellow taste.

The old man's eyes lit up slightly, and he said calmly: "It's indeed good."

It is quite interesting to drink coconut juice under the moonlight outside the window.

——

After three days and two nights, the green train finally arrived at Xifeng City. Lin Xiang stood up to stretch her muscles and packed her luggage with He Hongyuan to get off the train. Half of the passengers in this carriage had gotten off, and the four people sitting opposite Lin Xiang had to stay on.

After three days of getting to know each other very well, Sister Hong did not forget to say goodbye to Lin Xiang: "Xiao Lin, I will also buy your coconut juice during the Chinese New Year. You have to do a good job in your factory."

Lin Xiang smiled and saluted her: "That's a must, I will definitely serve the people well!"

He Hongyuan was waiting in the corridor for his wife to come out. Seeing Lin Xiang's bright smile, which was like the spring sunshine that dispelled the severe winter cold and could melt the ice and snow, He Hongyuan curled his lips and smiled faintly without realizing it.

When they arrived in Xifeng City, the weather was much colder than in Phnom Penh. Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan put on their cotton jackets before getting off the train, fully armed and ready to face the winter.

Xiao Wang stared at the two people who got off the car and left, muttering, "The man should be a soldier of high rank, and the woman works in a soda factory. They are quite a good match."

When Mr. Liu saw the empty seat opposite him being occupied by a new passenger, he looked away and said, "I didn't expect Phnom Penh City to come up with a new soda. It tastes good. We can ask the guesthouses to put some in. They always use orange soda, which is boring. It would be nice to have something new."

Xiao Wang was surprised. He didn't expect that coconut juice could have such good fortune. "Okay, I'll let them know when I get back."

There are many guesthouses in the provincial capital, and the orders for 119 coconut juice will increase, not to mention placing them in the guesthouses of government departments. It is not only a matter of orders, but the key is face. It means showing up in front of the big leaders, and the people below will have to guess the purpose of the new juice in the government guesthouse. If they follow up, it will be incredible!

Lin Xiang had no idea that she had vaguely helped expand the market for the coconut juice in the factory by taking a train. At this moment, she was getting off the train and standing on the platform, feeling the cold wind.

It's been a long time since I felt this familiar cold winter day.

Having stayed in Phnom Penh for so long, I almost forgot how cold winter is. Lin Xiang wrapped herself tightly in a cotton jacket, put on a scarf she had prepared in advance, and went out of the train station with He Hongyuan.

After being away from Xifeng City for a long time, Lin Xiang came to the city where she had escaped from at the beginning. There was only some floating emotions in her heart. After all, it was the first place she stayed after traveling through time, and it could be regarded as her hometown in this era. Times have passed, and now she is married and her career is thriving. She also likes Xifeng City, and even the bleak and withered winter scene is quite cordial.

Without further delay, the two boarded a bus at the Xifeng Bus Station, swaying all the way to Wuxing Commune amid the unpleasant smell of gasoline, and then took a donkey cart with a fellow villager back to He Hongyuan's hometown, Yonghe Brigade.

The fellow villager driving the donkey thought the young man looked familiar, and after asking him a few more questions, he finally remembered: "It's He Guifang's son who is a soldier!"

He Hongyuan smiled and said, "Yes, Master Yang, my wife and I are coming back for a family visit."

"That's great. Your mother must be thinking about you." Everyone in Wuxing Commune knew that it was not easy for He Guifang, a widow, to raise a child.

The donkey cart traveled five miles before finally arriving at Yonghe Brigade. What we saw was endless fields, but it was winter now and there was nothing growing on the ground. The hard land was bare and only some members were digging canals to prepare for sowing next spring.

"Which house is yours?" Lin Xiang couldn't wait to find traces of the man's childhood life. When she saw many thatched houses and a neat and beautiful bluestone tile house among the adobe houses, she immediately pointed at the blue color and said, "Is that the one?"

He Hongyuan nodded, holding Lin Xiang's hand with his left hand and tilting it to the east until his fingertips pointed to a small black dot in the distance: "We used to live there, a thatched house that leaked when it was windy and rainy. If the wind was too strong, the roof might be blown away. Later, I saved some money when I served in the army, and I came back to rebuild the house."

The house built was the most beautiful and solid one in the entire brigade.

Lin Xiang also likes houses, big, beautiful houses. The bluestone-tiled house in her sight is majestic and flatly located among the mountains, rivers and fields. It is very impressive. She narrowed her eyebrows and revealed her crescent-shaped eyes: "Not bad, Comrade He Hongyuan is very capable."

It's like praising primary school students.

He Hongyuan chuckled.

Smoke rose from the chimney of the bluestone-tiled house as He Guifang was busy preparing meals. The eldest and second daughters-in-law in the family also came to help, and brought their children to fan the fire in the kitchen.

He Guifang adopted two boys who were orphaned during the Anti-Japanese War. Now they have both started their own families and often come to visit their mother. This time, when they heard that He Hongyuan was coming back with his wife, both families came with pork that the brigade had distributed during the New Year, and they were determined to treat them well.

"Mom, I just saw someone coming into the team from afar at the door. They looked quite different. Are they Hongyuan and his wife?" The second son's wife couldn't tell what was different. She just took a vague look and saw that the man was tall and straight, and the woman was slim and pretty. She immediately thought that it must be Hongyuan and his wife.

He Guifang wiped her hands on her apron and walked out quickly: "I'll go take a look."

When he walked into the yard, he happened to hear some noise at the gate. The people coming back with large and small bags were his son and daughter-in-law. Who else could it be?

However, her son's arm was obviously hanging, and He Guifang's face suddenly changed in fear: "What happened?"

He Hongyuan was prepared and said quickly: "Mom, I got hurt a little while saving people, it's not a big deal. Xiangxiang insisted that I put my arm in a sling just to scare people."

Lin Xiang also knew that she couldn't scare her mother-in-law, so she helped her husband smooth things over: "Mom, Hongyuan's injury is something he needs to recover from, don't worry."

"Well, that's good." He Guifang knew very well the dangers of being a soldier. She had to be at the forefront no matter what difficulties she encountered, and getting injured was commonplace. But when her son was injured, it was naturally painful for him as a mother.

Turning around, she hurriedly called her eldest daughter-in-law, "Juying, we still have a pair of pig's trotters at home. Hurry up and stew them for Hongyuan."

Lin Xiang laughed when she heard this, pursed her lips and smiled at the man: "Like complements like, hahahaha."

He Hongyuan: "..."

What else can you do with your own wife? You can only pamper her.

The welcoming banquet was as grand as the Spring Festival. When the two sons adopted by He Guifang came back from helping to dig the canal, Lin Xiang met the two honest and simple brothers. The eldest brother Zhang Kun worked in the team and could get full work points every day. The eldest brother's wife Cao Juying was a scorekeeper. The work was easy and she was very popular. This was the preferential treatment given to the relatives of soldiers in the team. Zhang Kun and Cao Juying had a son who was already in elementary school. The person he admired most was his third uncle He Hongyuan. He also wanted to be a soldier when he grew up.

The second brother Wei Guangde worked in the sugar factory in the county. It was also the exam opportunity arranged by his comrade He Hongyuan. Wei Guangde passed the exam and became a temporary worker. After three years of hard work, he has now become a regular employee. His wife Lu Yan also joined the factory and worked as a temporary worker in the cafeteria. The family lived a good life. Wei Guangde and Lu Yan's daughter is six years old and will be in the first grade of elementary school next year. She was very happy to see her uncle and aunt come back, but she was timid and hid behind her mother when someone was called.

Relatives of military personnel always receive some preferential treatment. The families of the eldest and second oldest brothers all remember the kindness of He Guifang and He Hongyuan. In recent years, He Hongyuan has been serving in the army and it is difficult for him to take care of his mother all year round. The two families have also done their best to take care of He Guifang. This time, in order to entertain He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang, they even brought all the delicious food at home to the table.

"This is your first time coming back, so come and eat more. The room you live in has been cleaned up, the bed is newly made, and the sheets and quilts are also new. Live in peace and have a good New Year." Cao Juying and Lu Yan greeted Lin Xiang warmly.

Seeing that the family got along well, Lin Xiang was even happier: "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, you have worked hard. This dish is more abundant than the New Year's Eve."

"We heard you were coming back, so we rushed to exchange meat. We prepared more than in previous years. We must have a good New Year this year!" Zhang Kun poured He Hongyuan some white wine from the team, and the three brothers prepared to have a good drink. "Especially since Hongyuan brought his wife back this time, the marriage will finally make mother feel relieved."

He Hongyuan took the bottle from his eldest brother, refilled it for Zhang Kun and Wei Guangde, raised his glass and said, "Brother, sister-in-law, second brother, second sister-in-law, I have been back less frequently in recent years, and I am grateful to you for taking care of mother. This glass of wine is for you."

After hearing this, Lin Xiang also raised the enamel cup filled with coconut juice and followed: "I toast to you too."

The two families, the eldest and the second, could not bear this. They said hurriedly: "It's easy to talk about these things, but if you really think about it, where would we be without my mother? How can we live a good life without your help?"

He Guifang looked at the family members who were still giving way to each other, and smiled so much that wrinkles appeared on her face. She hurriedly said, "We are a family, so don't talk behind each other's backs. Come on and eat!"

The braised pork with potatoes was fragrant, the pork trotters with soybeans were soft and glutinous, the shredded pork with green peppers was refreshing and delicious, and then there was steamed egg custard, fried cabbage, dumplings, a plate of steamed cornmeal steamed buns, and finally a plate of He Hongyuan's favorite salted duck eggs. While reciting the old story, the meal took us two full hours.

In the end, Lin Xiang watched He Hongyuan drinking happily with his elder and second brothers. He Hongyuan, who was back home, let down his guard and sharp demeanor for a rare occasion and chatted and laughed with the others.

No one left the table, chatting and teasing the two little ones. Lin Xiang had prepared a few candies and two boxes of Prairie Sisters biscuits for her nephews and nieces in advance. Having food immediately brought her closer to the children. The two children gathered around the aunt and talked, curiously asking her about her life on the island, and gulping down coconut juice, one of them saying it was delicious.

"Auntie, do we sell this in the city?" Qiangzi has his New Year's gift money, and he used to save it to ask his mother to buy him orange soda. Now he wants to buy coconut juice instead.

Lin Xiang smiled: "We haven't sold our coconut juice yet, but wait and see, we will definitely sell it to Xifeng City and all over the country in the future."

Although eight-year-old Qiangzi and six-year-old Xiaomei didn't quite understand, they nodded vigorously: "Okay!"

After hearing this, the second brother Wei Guangde discussed the factory situation with Lin Xiang: "Your food factory is really amazing. This coconut juice is delicious. Come and try the sugar produced by our sugar factory. I brought half a pound here today."

The Yiyang County Sugar Factory is not a large one, but it is a time-honored brand. Its signature sorghum candy tastes very good. Lin Xiang tasted one and praised it, "It tastes really good, better than the ones I bought at the supply and marketing cooperative."

"I'll buy some other candies from inside in a few days. We still have to eat more candies during the Chinese New Year." Wei Guangde was so proud of his workplace that he kept talking about it. "If our factory can go to the Food and Drinks Fair in the future, maybe we can sell it nationwide. But it's not easy, hahaha."

When Lin Xiang heard the words "Sugar and Wine Fair", she suddenly became interested: "Is it a trade fair?"

"Yes, it started on a large scale two years ago. Every spring, a national candy and liquor and beer fair is held. Only big factories go there. Small factories like ours in the county can't go there. I heard that many leaders from various provinces go there. Many factories can sell their products after just one visit. If we are really capable, we may be able to sell them nationwide."

Lin Xiang thought: "If beer and liquor can go, then can the people selling soda and juice go?"

It’s all water anyway, there’s not much difference between them!

If the second factory could go there, maybe they could really bring coconut juice out.

However, we cannot just bring coconut juice to the National Food and Drinks Fair. It would seem shabby if there is too little. We need to develop some new flavors of juice.

——

At this moment, the Second Factory did not know any news about the Food and Drinks Fair, and Zhao Jianjun was stuttering on the phone and could hardly speak.

As soon as he hung up the phone, his mind was confused.

The provincial grain and oil company informed him to supply coconut juice to major guesthouses, including some government agencies. This was a great thing!

Finally, he mentioned that it was heard that a certain leader of the provincial party committee specifically requested the supply of 119 coconut juice, and asked Zhao Jianjun where he got the connection from.

Zhao Jianjun touched his shiny forehead and couldn't help wondering: "Can pie in the sky fall? Or do I have a long-lost relative who is a leader in the provincial party committee? How come I don't know about it!"