On the day the "National Colors" series was launched, long queues formed outside the Baoli Daily Chemical Factory. Shen Mingzhi stood at the office window, looking at the bustling crowd below, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Comrade Chen, the first batch of goods is completely sold out!" Factory Director Sun rushed in excitedly, holding a stack of orders. "The department store is requesting restocking, and three other shopping malls have also called..."
Shen Mingzhi took the order and glanced at it. "Have the workshop work overtime to produce, but quality control cannot be relaxed."
"Understood!" Factory Director Sun rubbed his hands together. "By the way, Mr. Lin from Singapore also sent a telegram, wanting to place an additional order."
Shen Mingzhi nodded. "Let's meet next week to discuss this in detail."
After Factory Director Sun left, Shen Mingzhi rubbed her aching temples. She had been working non-stop for some time and had barely had a proper rest. But seeing the factory come back to life and the smiles return to the workers' faces made all the fatigue worthwhile.
After work, Jiang Shaozhen picked her up in his car. As soon as she got in, he handed her a thermos, saying, "This is chicken soup that Aunt Wang made. Drink it while it's hot."
Shen Mingzhi took the thermos; its aroma was enticing. She sipped it, feeling the warmth spread from her stomach throughout her body.
"How are the new products selling?" Jiang Shaochen asked as he drove.
"Not bad," Shen Mingzhi said casually, not wanting him to worry.
Jiang Shao Chen glanced at her and said, "Zhi Zhi, you have dark circles under your eyes."
Shen Mingzhi subconsciously touched the corner of her eye. "Really?"
"Get some rest early tonight." Jiang Shao Chen's tone left no room for argument. "The children are being looked after by their parents, so don't worry about them."
Back home, as soon as Shen Mingzhi stepped inside, Nian Nian stumbled and rushed towards her. She bent down, picked up her daughter, and kissed her soft cheek. "Did you miss Mommy?"
"Yes!" Niannian answered in her childish voice, her little hands clutching her collar tightly.
Zhouzhou, sitting in his stroller, waved his little hands excitedly when he saw his mother return. Shen Mingzhi walked over and gently pinched her son's cheek. "Was Zhouzhou a good boy today?"
Jiang Qing came out of the kitchen, carrying a freshly steamed egg custard. "You're back? Perfect timing for dinner."
At the dinner table, Jiang Guofu inquired about the factory's situation, and Shen Mingzhi briefly explained the sales of the new products.
“By the way,” Jiang Shaozhen suddenly said, “I’m going to Guangzhou next week to inspect a project, which may take about a week.”
Shen Mingzhi paused, her hand still holding the food she was picking up. "So long?"
"Yes, it's a big project." Jiang Shao Chen placed a piece of fish on her plate. "If you're too busy, ask your parents to take care of the child."
Shen Mingzhi nodded, but felt inexplicably disappointed. Having spent so much time together, she had grown accustomed to his presence.
At night, after putting the children to sleep, Shen Mingzhi leaned against the headboard reading documents. Jiang Shaozhen came in after washing up and sat down beside her. "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
"After reading this report," Shen Mingzhi said without looking up.
Jiang Shaozhen took the documents from her hands. "I'll look at them tomorrow."
Just as Shen Mingzhi was about to protest, he suddenly leaned down and kissed her lips. The kiss was gentle and lingering, making her forget to breathe for a moment.
"I'll miss you." Jiang Shao Chen pressed his forehead against hers, his voice low.
Shen Mingzhi's ears burned, and she softly hummed in agreement.
Jiang Shao Chen chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "Is that all the reaction you've got?"
Shen Mingzhi punched him lightly, "Don't push your luck."
The two laughed and joked around for a while, then fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, Jiang Shaozhen set off for Guangzhou. Shen Mingzhi saw him off at the door, watched him get into the car and leave, and felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
As soon as I arrived at the factory, Factory Director Sun rushed over, "Xiao Shen, something's happened! Jiang Huanyu published an article in the newspaper saying that our 'National Colors' series plagiarized a French brand!"
Shen Mingzhi's expression changed. "What?"
She took the newspaper, and saw a headline on the front page: "A Shining Example of Domestic Products or Plagiarism? Polii's New Product Suspected of Impersonating a French Brand." The article also included comparison photos, and indeed, they bore some resemblance.
"Nonsense!" Shen Mingzhi's fingers trembled with anger. "Our formula was entirely developed independently!"
"But now public opinion has taken hold," Factory Director Sun said with a worried look. "The department store just called and said they're going to remove our products from the shelves..."
Shen Mingzhi forced herself to calm down. "I'll issue a statement to clarify first, and then contact Professor Zhang to ask him to help with the technical evaluation."
All day long, Shen Mingzhi was dealing with questions from all sides. She received a barrage of calls from the media, distributors were demanding refunds, and the factory was in a state of panic.
In the evening, she dragged her tired body home, only to find Jiang Qing and Jiang Guofu sitting in the living room with solemn expressions.
"What's wrong?" Shen Mingzhi's heart tightened.
Jiang Qing handed her a letter. "I received it this afternoon."
When Shen Mingzhi opened the letter, she found it was an anonymous whistleblower letter accusing Baoli Daily Chemicals of tax evasion, and it also included so-called "evidence".
"This is a frame-up!" Shen Mingzhi trembled with rage. "Jiang Huanyu is trying to kill us!"
Jiang Guofu said in a deep voice, "I have already contacted an acquaintance at the tax bureau, and they will verify it as soon as possible."
Shen Mingzhi nodded, forcing herself to put the child to sleep, then sat alone in the yard, lost in thought. The night breeze was cool, but she felt no cold; her mind was filled with the potential crisis facing the factory.
My phone suddenly rang; it was Jiang Shaozhen calling.
"Zhizhi, I saw the news." His voice was filled with worry. "Are you alright?"
Upon hearing his voice, Shen Mingzhi's tense emotions suddenly collapsed, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. "Jiang Shao Chen, I... I don't know what to do..."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. "Don't be afraid, I'll be back tomorrow."
"But your project..."
"The project is nothing compared to you," Jiang Shao Chen said firmly. "Wait for me to come back, and we'll solve it together."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Mingzhi wiped away her tears and rallied her spirits. She couldn't give up; hundreds of workers at Baoli were counting on her.
The next morning, she had just arrived at the factory when she received a notification. Shen Mingzhi instructed all departments to prepare materials, and at the same time, she had the technical department organize the research and development records in preparation for accusations of using substandard materials.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Jiang Shaozhen rushed back, looking travel-worn. As soon as he entered the office, he embraced Shen Mingzhi, saying, "I'm back."
Shen Mingzhi leaned against him, smelling his familiar scent, and her heart finally settled down.
"How is the situation now?" Jiang Shao Chen released her, his expression serious.
Shen Mingzhi gave a brief report on the progress, "The people the military sent to inspect our goods will arrive soon. Professor Zhang has agreed to help with the authentication, but it will take time."
Jiang Shaozhen nodded. "Leave this to me. You deal with the protesters outside."
Just then, a worker rushed in, "Comrade Chen! There are a lot of people at the factory gate, and a protesting crowd, saying we're selling counterfeit goods..."
Shen Mingzhi and Jiang Shaozhen exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time.
"Let's go," Jiang Shao Chen said, taking her hand. "We'll face this together."
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