Chapter 35
Tao Zhi originally thought that by hiring a teacher for Cheng Man, she would be able to unload the burden and no longer have to worry about this matter.
This was because, during the day she was visiting the Li family, she learned from their casual conversation that the next generation of the Li family had decided early on to send their children abroad to study in the US or UK after high school. This gave Tao Zhi a new idea that day.
No matter how she does in the final exam, if it's really not good, I can still send Cheng Man to study abroad by tightening my belt.
So Tao Zhi didn't care about the college entrance exam at all. There's more than one path in the world, so if this one doesn't work, try another. If this place doesn't want me, there will be another place that will. This was Tao Zhi's newfound wisdom.
However, her own children were fine, but now there was a little guest, dragged here by Cheng Man, and Tao Zhi had to worry about him. She had to ask about the eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping of these two ancestors every day, which actually trapped her.
Thanks to Cheng Xing's preparation of reports, account books, and tax receipts, all the necessary information was complete and clear. Furthermore, the board factory was newly established, so there weren't many accounts to check. The tax authorities had issued a notice stating that work could resume.
Cheng Xing happily opened the door and was about to notify the employees to come to work when the law enforcement officers came again. They came with credentials, saying that they had received a report from the public that the factory's fire protection was not up to standard.
Cheng Xing was on edge. This was a serious accusation for the board factory. If it wasn't clear at this point that someone was maliciously targeting her, then all her years of hard work would have been in vain.
Cheng Hui was in charge of purchasing and sales, so he rarely spent time at the factory. Cheng Xing was the only one holding the key to the factory, so Cheng Xing nodded in agreement to everything the inspectors said, taking notes with a pen and paper, maintaining a positive attitude.
Cheng Xing picked up the thick "Rectification Letter" and closed the door again. She felt so angry that she felt like smoke was coming out of her head. If this kind of shutdown happened a few more times, this factory would be useless and everyone would go home and eat dirt.
She couldn't think of a good way to deal with it, so she had to go home to ask her parents for advice. Cheng Xiangqian took the "Rectification Book" and flipped through it. Cheng Jun happened to be back today, so he said, "Let's have a meeting together tonight."
Tao Zhi said from the side: "Everyone come and listen."
"Including Cheng Man?"
"Including Cheng Man."
Cheng Dachuan and his wife were not considered outsiders, so Tao Zhi invited them along as well.
Cheng Xing said, "In just one week, we've been forced to stop work twice. The first time was for taxation, the second time was for firefighting. Who knows if there will be a third time? We know in our hearts that someone is deliberately doing this, but they have a legitimate reason, so you can't find any evidence. If it happens again, what should we do?"
Cheng Dachuan said: "What if we take the lead and make the regulations ourselves first, so that they can't find anything to check?"
Cheng Xing shook his head: "We are human, not machines, so mistakes are inevitable."
Cheng Jun also said: "There are only people who steal for a thousand years, but no one who guards against thieves for a thousand years."
Cheng Hui also spoke up: "With so many inspections coming, customers are definitely feeling uneasy, which is not good for the long-term development of the factory."
Tao Zhi affirmed him: "It's a good idea, but it's not easy to implement. Let's think of other ways."
Cheng Dachuan scratched his head and lowered his head to think.
Cheng Xiangqian speculated: "The tax and fire departments are here now, so next time, they'll probably focus on environmental protection issues."
Cheng Xing was shocked: "I didn't pay attention to this at all."
The old man paused for a moment, then continued his analysis, "There are also industrial and commercial issues, employment issues, social security issues, safety issues, and so on. As long as someone is determined to find fault, they can find a way in."
The more Cheng Xing listened, the paler her face became. Finally, she changed the subject: "Brother Dachuan is right. The best strategy is for us to fix the leaks ourselves and do everything well so that they have no way to investigate. "
"But Dad, if we stop production, what will happen to the orders?" Cheng Xing asked.
"If it really doesn't work, outsource it to another factory. No matter what method you use, you must deliver on time. You must never break your promise, otherwise your factory will close sooner or later."
"Okay, I'll remember that."
Tao Zhi had the words on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back. Well, let them deal with it on their own. There was no need to discuss this further.
Cheng Xing had an idea in mind, so she pulled Cheng Hui and Cheng Jun together, and the three of them discussed how to make corrections.
Cheng Xiangqian followed Tao Zhi into the room and asked, "Old woman, do you have a plan?"
Tao Zhi smiled: "Guess?"
"You want to unite the workers and draw on the strength of the local villagers?"
"Old man, you are very good at predicting things." Tao Zhi praised him generously.
Before Cheng Xiangqian could respond, there was a knock on the door. He looked up and saw Cheng Man leaning against the door frame.
"Don't you need to review?" Tao Zhi asked.
Cheng Man came in and sat down, facing her parents, and said seriously, "Dad, Mom, I know where I want to apply to."
"Which school is it?"
Cheng Man slowly uttered two words: "Military Academy."
There was silence for a moment, and Tao Zhi got straight to the point: "Is it because of the recent series of events at home?"
"Yes and no."
Cheng Xiangqian was furious: "Kid, you don't need to worry about your family. Just be happy and go to the school you like."
"Dad, listen to me. I've thought about it several times. If I could turn back time, knowing the outcome, I would still make the same choice. It's determined by my personality."
"I'm nosy and I love to stand up for the weak. Just like Mom, I'm a worrier. Dad, Mom, you'll grow old, and you won't be able to protect me forever. Under this premise, I hope to have the ability to protect myself."
Cheng Man looked at her parents' earnest eyes. Suddenly, a few strands of white hair appeared on their heads. Time had left its mark without even a word. Suddenly, she was overcome with grief, tears welling up in her eyes as she choked back her words. "Also, I don't want to see you constantly worrying about us..."
Tao Zhi glanced sideways and saw the old man secretly wiping away tears.
She tore off some tissues for the two and waited quietly for them to finish venting. Although Tao Zhi was also moved, she didn't burst into tears.
She patted Cheng Man and said, "Look at you, you scared your dad so much."
Cheng Man put her arm around the old man's shoulder and said, "Dad, think about it. If I become an officer, I can serve my country and protect my family. Maybe I won't even have to worry about the major events in my life. It's a great deal."
"But, now that we're in military school, it's going to be hard to meet."
Tao Zhi rolled her eyes. "The military academy isn't a market. You can't just get in if you want. The admission score is so high. It's still unclear whether your daughter can get in."
Cheng Xiangqian desperately pulled her back: "Don't push her too hard. What if your daughter passes the exam?"
"If she really passes the exam, I will definitely not stop her from bringing honor to our family."
"Mom, is this what you said?"
"I mean what I say."
"What about Dad?"
"Your father lives with me, not with you."
Cheng Man blew a kiss to her parents respectively, and said, "Thank you, Mom, and thank you, Dad." Then she skipped up to the third floor.
Cheng Xiangqian looked unhappy and didn't even look at Tao Zhi.
"Hey." Tao Zhi nudged him with her hand.
Cheng Xiang moved to the other side.
Tao Zhi followed and said, "Brother Cheng, listen to me."
Cheng Xiangqian's eyes were still red. "Tao Zhi, that's a daughter, not a son. Please make it clear."
Tao Zhi was frightened by his loud voice and quickly got up to close the door.
She sat down, without saying a word, and just accompanied him quietly.
Cheng Xiangqian waited for a long time, but when Tao Zhi didn't say anything, he asked angrily, "Don't you have something to say?"
Tao Zhi said softly, "Brother Cheng, Manman is right. Our physical strength is indeed declining. You can't deny that, right?"
Cheng Xiangqian hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
"I haven't told you this before. Last time in the alley, when I saw Manman lying on the ground, not knowing whether she was alive or dead, my heart was broken at that moment. I hated my carelessness and wanted to sacrifice myself for her right then and there. I hated why she was the one who got hurt instead of me..." Before Tao Zhi finished her words, something crystal fell on the table, causing ripples.
Cheng Xiangqian was heartbroken. He hugged Tao Zhi in his arms and patted her gently to comfort her.
What Tao Zhi didn't say was that she'd witnessed the same situation before Wangxiang Terrace, only that time it was a man who had harmed her. Tao Zhi had a feeling that her children were like what later generations would call "love-brained," and she didn't know how they'd acquired this bad habit. If it happened again, Tao Zhi knew she wouldn't be able to handle it; she feared she'd be tempted to kill.
In this case, instead of letting Cheng Man waste her time and energy on men, it would be better for her to devote the rest of her life to the country.
Compared to life itself, what's the big deal about seeing each other less often? What child doesn't leave the nest once they grow up? Even if things get busy, you might only see each other once or twice a year.
The more Tao Zhi thought about it, the better she felt this was an idea. She wished it would be dawn so she could go to the temple and pray to the gods to bless Cheng Man to pass the exam this time.
Under the onslaught of tears, Cheng Xiangqian raised the white flag. As Tao Zhi said, from now on, the two old people will accompany each other, and the children will have their own world. They can't be tied down for life, so it's better to let them fly early.
Once he figured it out, his mind started working quickly.
"Then your idea can be realized. It will not only relieve Cheng Xing of his fatigue, but also cleanse our appearance and give Cheng Man a lot of weight."
Tao Zhi wanted to praise him again, saying that the old man had a good brain.
"There is no time to lose, let's communicate with the children now."
They went out to look for them, but couldn't find them in the house. After looking around, they found the three of them feeding mosquitoes in the garden.
"Weren't you bitten?" Tao Zhi asked.
Cheng Jun stretched out his arm to show her, and there were obviously several bags on it.
"Why don't you go inside and just sit here for fun?"
"My eldest brother said he was afraid of disturbing you." Cheng Jun felt particularly aggrieved.
Tao Zhi was speechless: "I have soundproofed the study."
Cheng Jun immediately jumped up and ran back to the house. Tao Zhi called out from behind him, "Come to the study later." He shook his hand to show that he got it.
"You two too, go take a shower first, then come to the study for the meeting."
Cheng Xing stood up: "We just happen to have a countermeasure. Let's discuss it with you later."
"no problem."
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