Chapter 24

Chang Yuanting took the list to the Industrial Bureau and, upon seeing Qin Qidong, explained the factory's requirements.

"Director Qin, I don't know what this chip processor is. Look, it's all in foreign languages! But the teachers from the school said that as long as we get these things, our car factory will undergo a tremendous transformation! We can leave the other domestic car manufacturers far behind! Director Qin, you are still the leader of the construction team for the car factory! You have to help us solve this problem!" Chang Yuanting sat in Qin Qidong's office, refusing to move until Qin Qidong nodded in agreement.

Qin Qidong clasped his hands together, his thumbs rotating back and forth. He stared at the list on the table for a long time, and when Chang Yuanting finally stopped to catch his breath, he looked up and smiled wryly.

Qin Qidong said, "You! Do you know what these things you want are for?"

Chang Yuanting shook his head and said, "I don't know, but there are people in our factory who do!"

Qin Qidong smiled and said, "Who? Is it Lin Qiangsheng? I guessed it was him!"

Chang Yuanting smiled warmly and said, "Lin Qiangsheng is a clever guy. But what he said about modernizing and automating the car factory is really promising."

Qin Qidong stood up and paced around the room, saying, "I don't know if automation is good or not, but currently, we don't have the conditions for it!"

"Besides, the number of chips you want is too much! How many chips can the country import in a year? You want to take them all at once, which is impossible! What about the key universities and key units?!"

Chang Yuanting's eyes lit up as he immediately said, "So, you mean we can get some of these things domestically? How much can we get?"

Qin Qidong thought for a moment, sat back in his chair, and said, "There are definitely some, and we can get some every year. But for our border province, if we want to get more, we have to compete with many units above. Will they agree? The higher-ups won't approve it either!"

"Furthermore, the existing quota ensures the needs of several universities and many enterprises in the province, leaving very few for your experiments."

Chang Yuanting sighed and said, "Then we'll take whatever we can get. Please, Director Qin, think about our factory. Everyone hopes the factory will do well!"

Qin Qidong nodded and smiled, saying, "Of course! If the car factory develops well, it will be a pride for our bureau. I think, the people from Harbin Institute of Technology's electrical measurement department, aren't they all at your factory? We can combine their quota with some from other places to gather a few dozen chip processors. What do you think?"

Chang Yuanting thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, thank you, Director Qin!"

Qin Qidong nodded again, picked up a red-headed document from the side, and handed it to Chang Yuanting, smiling. "This is a document from the central government, requiring the reconstruction of local party schools. The higher-ups take this very seriously and require strict implementation. In the province, your car factory is a model for construction, so I reported it. There are two slots. I was going to tell Old Zheng when he comes, but now you can tell him. Old Chang, are you a party member?"

Chang Yuanting shook his head and said, "I submitted my application, but it was delayed! I'll go back and tell Old Zheng."

Qin Qidong smiled and said, "That's perfect. You and Lin Xiangrong, two slots. We can study together at the party school."

After returning to the factory, Zheng Yongmin called Lin Xiangrong to the office, and they discussed it. Lin Xiangrong then came out, beaming with joy.

At home, during dinner, Lin Qiangsheng asked his father, "How many of the things we want can the bureau provide?"

Lin Xiangrong asked, "What things?... Oh! The processors the teachers want. No, they didn't say."

Lin Qiangsheng said, "Oh," and asked, "Then why are you so happy?"

Lin Xiangrong chuckled and said, "Why do you ask so many questions, kid?"

Lin Qiangsheng pursed his lips and took a few big bites of his food.

Recently, his mother Xu Hongmei, due to her outstanding performance at the Health Bureau, was promoted to deputy director. She was very busy and often came home very late, so Lin Xiangrong sometimes had to go out to pick her up in the evening.

After finishing his dinner, Lin Qiangsheng wandered on the road in front of his house. Some children came out to play after dinner, and Lin Qiangsheng found it interesting to watch them play marbles and other games.

"Red scarf is back, red scarf is back!" a child suddenly shouted.

Lin Qiangsheng turned his head and saw a girl get off the bus from a distance. It was Chen Yao coming back from school.

It was already October, and Chen Yao's family had given her a red scarf, which some child had given her as a nickname.

Boys liked to give pretty girls nicknames to get their attention, but this behavior was often disliked by girls.

Lin Qiangsheng put his hands in his pockets and walked towards Chen Yao.

"Chen Yao!" When he got closer, Lin Qiangsheng called out.

Chen Yao, who was walking with a preoccupied look, was startled by the sudden male voice.

"Ah!" Chen Yao suddenly looked up, her big eyes staring forward.

Lin Qiangsheng smiled and said, "It's me, Lin Qiangsheng! Do you remember me? We met by the river a while ago!"

Chen Yao held her canvas schoolbag to her chest and said softly, "It's you! Yes, I remember. We were in the same kindergarten, primary school, and junior high school!"

Lin Qiangsheng chuckled and said, "So you do remember."

Chen Yao smiled and asked, "Lin Qiangsheng, do you have something to talk about?"

Lin Qiangsheng shook his head and said, "No, nothing. It's getting late, let me walk you home."

Chen Yao smiled and said, "My house isn't far."

Lin Qiangsheng chuckled and walked silently beside Chen Yao.

They walked in silence until they were almost at Chen Yao's house, when Chen Yao said, "Lin Qiangsheng, don't you want to go to school anymore?"

Lin Qiangsheng looked at the girl, whose big, dark eyes were fixed on him.

Lin Qiangsheng smiled and said, "No, I don't. The things taught in school don't seem to be for me."

Chen Yao asked in surprise, "Why do you say that? What do you want to learn?"

Lin Qiangsheng shook his head and said, "I don't know. I can learn a lot of things at the factory! Society is a great school."

Chen Yao nodded and sighed softly, saying, "Do you know, I heard that the college entrance exam will be reinstated this year. I'm worried I won't get into college next year!"

Lin Qiangsheng asked, "But you're only in your second year of high school, why are you so worried now?"

Chen Yao huffed at Lin Qiangsheng and said, "High school is only two years! I didn't build a strong foundation in my first year, and now I don't know how to study!"

"Ah? Two years?" Lin Qiangsheng was surprised, then nodded and said, "That is urgent!"

Chen Yao looked at Lin Qiangsheng and then giggled, "You're so silly! My brother always praises you, saying you're so good at the factory, but you're still so silly!"

Lin Qiangsheng chuckled, looking at Chen Yao's cute face, and couldn't help but think of the "her" from his previous life.

Lin Qiangsheng's body gradually moved closer to Chen Yao. By the time Chen Yao noticed, they were standing very close.

"What are you doing?" Chen Yao widened her eyes, looking at the boy who was so close, and asked in confusion.

Lin Qiangsheng came to his senses and smiled, "It's dark, I can't see you clearly."

Chen Yao scowled and glared at him, then turned and ran home. Before reaching the door, she turned back and whispered, "Big bad guy! Humph!"

Lin Qiangsheng touched the back of his head and stared at Chen Yao as she ran into her house, thinking, "Phew! Almost kissed her!"

Lin Qiangsheng shook his head and thought to himself, "She's still a girl, not the 'her' from my previous life!"