Chapter 70 Internal and External Troubles
The full moon celebration for Jiang Fengnian's little daughter was held in his own courtyard in a lively manner.
Although they had experienced a harrowing ordeal at the construction site, they ultimately escaped danger and were blessed with a daughter, making it a double celebration.
Jiang's mother and the tailor were all smiles as they busied themselves preparing. Several large round tables were set up in the courtyard, where familiar neighbors, coworkers, and several close female relatives from the family compound were invited, filling the air with laughter and joy.
The little birthday boy was held in Liu Hong's arms, wearing a pink onesie embroidered with delicate little ducks that Jiang Suining had specially brought back from out of town, and a tiger-head hat made by Jiang's mother. His chubby little face and big, black grape-like eyes curiously looked at this bustling world. He didn't cry or fuss and was very endearing.
Lu Ye was unusually punctual today. He changed out of his military uniform and into a clean white shirt, which made him look even more upright. As soon as he entered the room, his eyes were drawn to the little pink bundle.
"Come here, let your uncle hold you." Jiang Suining smiled as she took her niece from Liu Hong and carefully handed her to Lu Ye.
Lu Ye's body stiffened noticeably. He was calm and composed when leading troops in training and directing exercises, but when holding this soft, boneless baby, he appeared particularly clumsy and nervous. He carefully adjusted his posture, and his large hands, which were used to holding steel guns and covered with thin calluses, now seemed to be holding a peerless treasure. Even his breathing became lighter.
The little guy didn't seem shy at all. He twisted around in Lu Ye's slightly stiff arms, smacked his lips, and then gave him an unconscious, sweet smile.
In an instant, Lu Ye felt his heart struck by an indescribable, extremely soft warmth. His resolute brows softened involuntarily, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly, forming an extremely gentle and rare arc.
He just kept his head down, looking intently at the little one in his arms, his eyes overflowing with affection.
Jiang Suining stood beside him, taking in all his subtle reactions. Seeing his cautious manner and the almost unprecedented, doting tenderness in his eyes, her heart softened. But then, a clear understanding, mixed with a few complex emotions, quietly surfaced in her mind.
During the banquet, Lu Ye still didn't talk much, but his gaze would always unconsciously drift to his niece in the stroller. When others were playing with the child, he would quietly watch from the side with a gentle look in his eyes.
The lively full moon banquet didn't end until the moon was high in the sky.
Back home, after washing up, the two lay side by side on the bed. The summer moonlight shone gently through the window screen, casting a soft glow on the room, while outside, the rhythmic sound of the distant tides could be heard.
The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of each other's breathing.
Jiang Suining turned to face Lu Ye. In the dim moonlight, she could see that his eyes were closed, but his eyelashes trembled slightly, indicating that he was not asleep.
"Are you tired today?" she asked softly.
"It's alright," Lu Ye replied, his voice low and somber with the night. He paused, then casually added, "The little guy is adorable and not shy at all."
“Yes, she doesn’t resemble my brother, that rough guy, at all. She looks more like my sister-in-law, with delicate features.” Jiang Suining said, following his words, and then casually added, “I saw you holding her, and you looked very special.”
Lu Ye paused for a moment, not denying it, but simply humming in response. This humming contained too much unspoken affection and longing.
Jiang Suining's heart clenched slightly. She reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand, which was placed at his side. His palm was broad and warm.
"Lu Ye," her voice softened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible inquiry, "do you... really like children?"
Lu Ye's body tensed almost imperceptibly for a moment. He took her hand in his own, enveloping it in his palm, his thumb unconsciously stroking the smooth back of her hand.
After a long silence, he spoke softly, his voice carrying a restrained calm: "Yes, seeing her and seeing other people's children feels different."
He didn't say anything more, but Jiang Suining understood completely. It was a pull from blood ties, a natural desire to have a child of their own when seeing a little life that resembled her lover.
Silence fell in the room again, but this time, a subtle and complex undercurrent of emotion was surging within the silence.
Jiang Suining moved closer to him, gently resting her forehead on his shoulder. She could sense a subtle hint of disappointment beneath his calm exterior.
“I know,” she said softly, with apology and honesty. “When we got married, we agreed that I would wait until I was twenty-four. I’m only twenty-two now, and the company is just getting on track, and the processing plant at the cold storage is just starting out. There’s so much to do…”
She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear. It wasn't that she didn't love him, or that she didn't want to have children for him, but rather that practical considerations, career commitments, and a latent belief from her future generation that twenty-two was too early to have children prevented her from making a commitment at this time.
Lu Ye suddenly turned over and gazed into her eyes in the moonlight. His eyes were deep, without blame or dissatisfaction, only unfathomable understanding and tolerance.
He reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his touch incredibly tender.
"Don't overthink it." His voice was steady and strong, carrying a reassuring power. "I understand. An agreement is an agreement. Everything you're doing now has its reasons and is meaningful. There's no rush when it comes to the child."
He paused, then pulled her closer to him, resting his chin on the top of her head. His voice, deep and resonant in the night, said, "I only want you to be safe and happy. Everything else can wait."
Jiang Suining's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his firm chest, listening to his strong and rhythmic heartbeat. This man was always like this, taciturn, yet supporting all her dreams and decisions with the most steadfast actions and the deepest understanding.
He respected her even more than he respected his own desires.
“Give me a little more time, Lu Ye,” she said in a muffled voice in his arms, her voice nasal. “Once everything is more stable, once I can catch my breath, I will definitely give you one, no, two, children who look like you and like me.”
“Two? That won’t do. We can’t violate the family planning policy.” Lu Ye chuckled softly, a slight vibration coming from his chest. He tightened his arms, trapping her in his warm territory.
"Okay, let's have one then."
***
The stable operation of the tidal energy cold storage and the clean energy utilization concept it represents are like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, the ripples of which are gradually spreading out of Nan'ao Island.
The first to arrive was a joint interview team from the provincial newspaper and the provincial television station. Compared to the municipal media, their perspective was more macro, and their reporting focused on "a groundbreaking move in the utilization of new energy on the island" and "a model of private capital participation in technological innovation."
Once the lengthy feature article and special report were published, the keywords "Nan'ao Island," "Jiangsu-Ningxia," and "tidal energy cold storage" quickly attracted widespread attention in relevant fields within the province.
The real upheaval began with an official letter bearing the seal of the Provincial Science and Technology Commission, formally inviting Jiang Suining to bring technical materials to the "Southeast Coastal New Energy Technology Application Exchange Conference" to be held in the provincial capital.
Almost simultaneously, a small inspection team composed of the Provincial Planning Commission, the Provincial Light Industry Department and other departments also confirmed their plan to conduct on-site research on Nan'ao Island next week.
The news sent shockwaves across the island.
The management committee leaders personally called Jiang Suining, their tone more solemn and enthusiastic than ever before: "Comrade Suining, this is a major event! We must be fully prepared to showcase the achievements of reform and opening up on Nan'ao Island!"
When Jiang Suining received the news, she had mixed feelings. While she felt joy and pride, she was also cautious and apprehensive. She knew that good fortune could be followed by misfortune, and excessive attention often came with unpredictable risks.
She immediately convened a meeting with the core team.
Zhao Zhenhai was the first to speak, his brow furrowed, displaying both the straightforwardness of a technician and the protective instincts of someone "his own": "Manager Jiang, this is a good thing, it means we did a great job! However, the technical data involves core parameters and modification details, shouldn't we hold back some information? These days, you can't judge a book by its cover, what if someone learns it..."
Chen Yongqiang also unusually agreed with Zhao Zhenhai: "Old Zhao is right. We went through so much trouble to figure out how to make that bearing. We can't just hand it over so easily."
Their concerns are not unfounded. In the early 1980s, when awareness of intellectual property rights was still weak, it was not uncommon for technology to be borrowed and taken away without compensation.
Jiang Suining pondered for a moment, her gaze sweeping over everyone: "Engineer Zhao, Master Chen, I understand your concerns, but we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater. This is an opportunity for our technology to gain higher-level recognition, and also a chance to push 'Haifeng' and Nan'ao Island to a broader platform."
She paused, demonstrating the balanced wisdom of a decision-maker: "My idea is to disclose some non-core data that reflects our overall design and system integration capabilities, focusing on showcasing operational efficiency and its impact on the local economy. As for key details such as phosphating coating formulations and sealing structures, we will only talk about the results, not the processes. What we want to show is a successful, replicable model, not a blueprint that can be copied."
Her thinking was clear, satisfying the superiors' desire for results while protecting the core technology to the greatest extent possible. Zhao Zhenhai and Chen Yongqiang exchanged a glance; although they still had concerns, they nodded, indicating their willingness to cooperate.
The delegation was of a very high caliber, including provincial and municipal leaders as well as several experts from the provincial architectural design institute and universities.
They carefully inspected the cold storage inside and out, listened to Jiang Suining's clear and confident introduction, and watched the stable data on the dashboard. They were particularly impressed when they heard that the cold storage not only solved its own energy problem but also boosted the development of the surrounding fisheries and created jobs.
An elderly expert with gray hair exclaimed, "Incredible! To build such a forward-thinking project on an island is truly remarkable! It demonstrates innovative thinking and great courage! This has significant implications for energy utilization and industrial development in our province and even the coastal areas of the whole country!"
The inspection was a complete success, and the team returned home with high praise.
However, just as Jiang Suining had predicted, after the praise came the covetousness of reality.
The first to approach us was a state-owned enterprise called "Provincial Marine Resources Development Corporation." The delegation was led by a deputy general manager surnamed Wang, dressed in a suit and tie, polite in his speech but with a rather arrogant demeanor.
In the management committee's reception room, General Manager Wang got straight to the point: "Comrade Jiang Suining, your tidal energy cold storage project is very successful, and our head office appreciates it very much. We have the overall planning authority and resource advantages for marine development in the province, but we are lacking in specific new energy application technologies. We believe that a strong alliance is the best choice."
He proposed two options: one is for his company to invest and take a controlling stake, merging Jiang Suining's team and project to form a new company; the other is to directly acquire the entire cold storage project and technical team, allowing Jiang Suining to exit with a substantial sum of money or stay to serve as a technical deputy.
The terms sound very "generous," but the words convey a sense of "I'll take over, you step aside."
Before Jiang Suining could even speak, Zhao Zhenhai, who was accompanying her, had already darkened his expression. Suppressing his anger, he said curtly, "President Wang, this cold storage facility was built brick by brick, overcoming countless difficulties. It's like our child! It's not something we're selling!"
General Manager Wang smiled, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Engineer Zhao, don't get excited. The project is a good one, but to play a greater role, it needs the support of the country and its policies. With our head office in charge, this technology can be promoted more quickly along the coast of the province, benefiting more people. Personal interests must be subordinate to collective interests."
These words, though seemingly righteous, sent a chill down Jiang Suining's spine. She knew this was the truly troublesome character.
Almost simultaneously, through Mr. Jean Renoir's connections, a letter from an environmental and energy research institution in France also reached Jiang Suining's hands.
The letter expressed great interest in her project, sincerely invited her to participate in an international new energy forum to be held in Paris-Stenn in the second half of the year, and hoped to conduct more in-depth "exchanges and cooperation" on the application of tidal energy technology.
Domestically, there are state-owned enterprise giants interested in acquiring companies; internationally, there are international organizations extending olive branches. Jiang Suining was instantly thrust into the eye of the storm.
There were also differing opinions within the team.
Zhao Zhenhai and Chen Yongqiang were adamant in their opposition to cooperating with that provincial company and also held reservations about going abroad for exchanges: "Who knows what those foreigners are up to? Technology cannot be allowed to flow out!"
Meanwhile, Ma Xiangqian and others, who had recently joined the company and had a broader perspective, felt that this was a good opportunity to learn from international best practices and enhance the brand's international reputation.
The leaders of the management committee also spoke with her privately, offering both support and a reminder: "Sui Ning, we can't afford to offend the provincial companies, but you were the one who started this project, and the county and city support you. However, you should also be mindful of the impact and maintain a proper balance. It would be best to keep the project in the local area through cooperation."
At night, Jiang Suining sat alone in her office, looking out the window at the dark sea that seemed to contain endless energy, her heart surging with emotion.
She was well aware that refusing the provincial company's offer might lead to various difficulties and pressures; accepting the merger would mean losing her autonomy and the premature end of her dream. While attending international forums could broaden her horizons, there was indeed a risk that technical details might be unintentionally leaked during the exchanges.
This is no longer as simple as dealing with fishermen and playing the market; it involves deeper issues such as the distribution of interests, technology protection, and choices regarding future development strategies.
Lu Ye came to her office late at night and saw that the light was still on. He walked in and quietly poured her a cup of hot water.
"Is it hard to make a decision?" he asked after understanding the whole situation, his voice as steady as ever.
Jiang Suining rubbed her temples wearily and pushed two letters of intent in front of him: "One wants to devour me, and the other wants to lure me out. They both think I'm a piece of fat meat."
Lu Ye quickly glanced at the document, his eyes sharp: "The provincial company's intentions are not good. They are using their power to intimidate us. The invitation from abroad is both an opportunity and a trap." He put down the document and looked at his wife. "But no matter which path you choose, or whether you choose none of them, the core is that you must take the initiative. The technology is in your hands, and the successful model is in your hands. That is your greatest confidence."
His words acted like a stabilizing force, gradually calming Jiang Suining's chaotic thoughts.
She took a deep breath, her eyes hardening again: "I understand. We can't stand up to the provincial company head-on, but we can't give in either. I can agree to technical cooperation instead of equity cooperation, providing technical consulting and solution design for their planned new projects, and charging technical service fees. But the core team and existing projects must remain independent. As for the international forum..."
She paused, a glint of wisdom in her eyes: "I'll go! But I'll bring our products with me, not just the technology and concepts, but also the 'Haifeng' seafood we produce using this technology. I want them to see that our technology isn't just castles in the air, but something that can truly create value and form an industry! That way, we can stand on equal footing in our exchanges."
This is a strategy that adheres to bottom lines while being proactive, responding to the concerns of all parties, protecting its core interests to the greatest extent, and turning challenges into opportunities to enhance its brand and technology.
Looking at her face, which had regained its radiance, Lu Ye's eyes revealed appreciation and support: "If you've made up your mind, then do it. I'll take care of things at home."
Jiang Suining knew that the real storm might have just begun, but after this experience, her goal became clearer: tidal energy cold storage was an irreplaceable asset in her business empire.
***
Liu Hong had a successful postpartum period, and her daughter, Xiao Nannan, grew up to be chubby and adorable every day. But when she returned to Haifeng in high spirits after her maternity leave, she was shocked to find that the clothing company she knew, which was full of the warmth of a family workshop, had quietly changed in the months she was away.
The office moved to a more spacious, independent courtyard, and new signs for "Haifeng Commerce" and "Haifeng Design Center" were hung next to "Haifeng Garments." Many unfamiliar faces came and went, each in a hurry, carrying drawings or samples, discussing jargon she didn't quite understand.
In her former office sat Zhou Xiaoyun, a young woman skilled in meticulous flower-and-bird painting and extremely sensitive to color. She was one of the designers Jiang Suining had recently recruited.
Upon seeing her, Zhou Xiaoyun immediately stood up politely: "Manager Liu, you're back? President Jiang instructed that your office is next door; I'll take you there."
The words "Manager Liu" and the new office that had been arranged for her made Liu Hong feel a sudden emptiness in her heart. She was no longer the "second-in-command" who could make decisions in everything except for Jiang Suining.
What made her even more uncomfortable was the change in workflow. Previously, once a design was completed, Jiang Suining would nod in approval, and she could directly arrange for Zhong the tailor to produce a sample garment, which would then be sent to the production line. Now, there was an additional, strict process: after the designer produced the design, it would be submitted to Jiang Suining, who was temporarily acting as the design director, for review. Then, the marketing department would conduct cost accounting and market prospect assessment. After that, the sample garment would be produced in the sample room and submitted to the review committee for collective discussion and revision before the final version was approved.
She found that she couldn't get her ideas involved. When she habitually tried to check the production line to see the progress, the production team leader would politely tell her, "Manager Liu, the production schedule is with Engineer Zhou, and any revisions need to be signed off by the design department first."
Power was invisibly diverted, and she seemed to have become a figurehead. That familiar feeling of having everything under control disappeared, replaced by a strange sense of loss and marginalization. Watching those young newcomers chatting fluently around Jiang Suining, she felt an indescribable sense of crisis and bitterness for the first time.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere of tension in the sample room grew increasingly intense.
Zhong the tailor remains the pillar of technical expertise, but he is no longer facing Jiang Suining alone. Although the design department now has six people with wildly imaginative ideas.
The contradictions erupted in a series called "Bamboo Rhyme".
The lead designer for this series is Zhou Xiaoyun. She designed a modified cheongsam that exposes the entire left shoulder. An embroidered bamboo leaf silhouette extends from the left neckline, near the collarbone, with its roots firmly fixed to the fabric of the garment, while the tips extend towards the outside of the shoulder and arm.
The sharp, ink-like silhouettes of bamboo leaves serve as decoration, emphasizing a modern feel and visual impact.
When the design drawings were delivered to Zhong the tailor, he looked at them for a long time while wearing his reading glasses, his brows furrowing more and more tightly.
"Nonsense!" He finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed the drawing on the workbench. "Nonsense! The roots of your bamboo leaves are stuck to the collar, but most of the leaves are sticking out into the gaps! Is this acceptable? Embroidery needs a place to rest on, a piece of fabric to support it! Where do you expect the needle to go? The tips of the leaves are hollow underneath, how are you going to secure them? If you move the needle while threading it through the fabric, won't the leaves curl up and lift up? This is completely against the rules of craftsmanship!"
Zhou Xiaoyun's face flushed red and then paled as she listened, but she still tried to explain: "Master Zhong, what we want is this kind of freehand, unconventional feeling. In terms of craftsmanship, we can use appliqué embroidery or composite fabric splicing, without the need for traditional piping..."
"Appliqué? Can that be reliable? Won't it fall off after a few washes?" Tailor Zhong waved the chalk in her hand, her tone agitated. "A good garment is meant to be passed down through generations! It's not enough for you to just make it look nice on paper! Fabric has its own temperament, and needle and thread have their own rules!"
“But Master Zhong, today’s consumers want fashion and uniqueness, not the same old sturdy build…” Zhou Xiaoyun argued.
"Unique? I think it's weird!" Zhong the tailor was so angry that his mustache stood on end. "The manager's original design was novel, but that was based on his understanding of fabrics! You kids only know how to draw, you don't know how to make it at all!"
A heated debate about aesthetics versus craftsmanship unfolded in the sample-making room. One side adhered to the essence of "clothes," while the other pursued the expression of "design." The other designers and master craftsmen also subtly divided into two factions, discussing the matter amongst themselves.
The news quickly reached Jiang Suining, who also received Liu Hong's tactful request to participate more in practical work, as well as Zhong the tailor's angry complaint that she couldn't do the job anymore.
Jiang Suining knew that the problem she had been worried about had finally arrived. It had nothing to do with right or wrong, but only with different stages of development and perspectives.
Instead of immediately convening a meeting to criticize anyone, she spoke privately with several people individually.
She went to the sample room first, without judging who was right or wrong. Instead, she picked up the design of the controversial "Bamboo Rhythm" cheongsam and said to Tailor Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, I understand what you mean. The workmanship of a garment is the foundation and cannot be taken lightly. Xiaoyun's idea is a bit bold, but the market needs this kind of novelty."
She then turned to Zhou Xiaoyun, who looked aggrieved: "Xiaoyun, your design concept is very good and inspired, but Master Zhong is also right. Designs must ultimately be implemented. A garment cannot just look good; it must also be comfortable to wear and achievable. Can we work together to explore ways to achieve the effect you envision, preserving the soul of your design while finding solid craftsmanship that Master Zhong would approve of? For example, could we try a new type of fusible interlining combined with hand embroidery?"
Her words transformed a confrontation into a technical problem that needed to be solved together. Zhong the tailor's expression softened, and Zhou Xiaoyun nodded thoughtfully.
After Zhong the tailor and Zhou Xiaoyun left, Jiang Suining made Liu Hong a cup of tea in her new office.
"Sister-in-law, you've worked so hard these past few days, taking care of everything at home and outside." Jiang Suining held Liu Hong's hand and got straight to the point. "I know you feel a little out of place coming back. The company is growing rapidly and expanding. We can't rely on the two of us to oversee everything like before. We need to have rules and a division of labor."
Liu Hong lowered her head, her voice muffled: "I know, I just feel like I'm useless."
"Who said that?" Jiang Suining said firmly. "Sister-in-law, no one can replace your role. You have been with 'Haifeng' since it was built from scratch. You are familiar with every aspect of production. Your control over quality and your management of veteran employees are valuable experiences that newcomers do not have."
She then changed the subject and proposed a new idea: "I've been thinking that design, production, and sales are currently managed separately, and there's a lack of a general coordinator. This position needs to have an understanding of the overall situation and be absolutely trustworthy. Sister-in-law, I'd like to establish a 'Production Coordination Department,' which you will be in charge of. All orders, from design finalization to final delivery, including progress, quality, and resource allocation, will be coordinated by you. You will be directly responsible to me."
This is not a nominal position, but a real core position that leverages Liu Hong's rich experience while giving her clear powers and responsibilities under the new system.
Liu Hong's eyes lit up instantly, all her previous disappointment and gloom vanished: "Sui Sui, can I... can I do it?"
"Of course you can!" Jiang Suining gave her full trust. "It's okay if you're not familiar with those processes and reports at first. I'll have Xiaoyun and the others work with you, and you'll get the hang of it gradually. The key is that with you overseeing the final step, I can confidently expand into the outside market."
At the same time, Jiang Suining also solemnly emphasized the importance of respecting traditional craftsmanship at an internal design department meeting, and announced a new rule: every newly hired designer must first spend a month in the sample making room with master tailors such as Zhong Tailor to learn the most basic cutting and sewing knowledge and understand the characteristics of fabrics.
This decision won the hearts of the veteran craftsmen and also allowed the young designers to calm down and understand the entire process of a garment from paper to finished product.
The conflict has not completely disappeared, and friction will still occur, but thanks to Jiang Suining's delicate and effective balancing and guidance, the antagonistic emotions within the team have been effectively alleviated.
Liu Hong found a new position and value, Zhong the tailor felt respected and began to try to understand the ideas of young people. The old and new members began to explore how to achieve the symbiosis of "inheritance" and "innovation" within a more standardized framework.
After experiencing a minor internal storm, the keel of the gradually growing ship "Haifeng" became more robust, and the crew members also found their new roles during this period of adjustment, preparing to meet the challenges of a wider sea area.
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