Chapter 84

"Regarding this, it's up to you. You figure it out, see which parts can be outsourced and which parts we must produce ourselves. When the time comes, we'll select our partners with a plan. Oh, by the way..." After a brief pause, Chen Geng smiled and said, "Old man, there's one more thing that needs your help. I just don't know if you can manage it..."

"Go on," Chen Geng hadn't finished speaking when the old man interrupted him boldly, "What's a little work? I can handle even ten times more than this."

The old man was most afraid of the kind of life he had at home, raising birds and planting flowers. After a lifetime of hard work, suddenly stopping made him feel like he had become a useless person. Although he occasionally visited the factory, and everyone still respected him, the old man knew very well that once he retired, he had to accept it. He shouldn't act as if he were still the factory manager and give orders, or no one would be happy.

But understanding was one thing; the old man really couldn't adapt to retired life. In the year and a bit since his retirement, he had aged visibly. Now, returning to work, the busy and fulfilling feeling made him feel rejuvenated, as if he had endless energy every day. He wasn't afraid of having too much work; he was afraid of being idle.

Chen Geng actually understood Old Xie's mentality and immediately said, "Alright, since you say so, I won't be polite. Next week, our company will finalize the partner for the Jeep chassis modification. I want you to handle this matter..."

"I was just about to talk to you about this. I read your proposal, and the overall idea is fine, but the details are too rough..." The old man casually pointed out four or five flaws in Chen Geng's previous plan and said resentfully, "Who helped you come up with this plan? It's a mess! If we really do this, our company will suffer huge losses."

"..." Chen Geng was embarrassed and felt quite ashamed. Who else could have done it but himself, a novice?

Seeing Chen Geng's expression, the old man couldn't say anything more. He had to give his boss some face. He sighed, not sure if it was admiration or self-mockery, "Given the chaotic state of our company, it's quite an achievement that we're still making money. You're a remarkable person."

"What can I do?" Chen Geng felt even more embarrassed. "Everyone in our company is a bunch of inexperienced young guys. I just started working and have no management experience. I'm not worried about the technology, but I am worried about finding the right people for production and management. To be honest, if you weren't here, I wouldn't have a clue how long the company could last."

Chen Geng's words sounded like complaints, but Old Xie felt very satisfied: he wasn't here to enjoy the fruits of others' labor but to help this promising company grow.

This made the old man feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, as if he was saying, "I'm not old yet! I can still fight for another ten years!"

"I'll reorganize this document. Yes, by the weekend, you can take a look. If there are no problems..."

"I won't be able to look at it by the weekend," Chen Geng said apologetically.

"Hmm?" Old Xie was a bit surprised.

"I plan to visit the Hangcheng Rubber Factory," Chen Geng explained. "I heard they are developing radial tires for cars. I want to go and see if there's a possibility of long-term cooperation."

Old Xie immediately realized that Zhengtai Rubber Factory had really ticked this guy off!

Whether Zhang Xiangyang did it intentionally or not, he spread the story of how he and Chen Geng were humiliated by Zhengtai Rubber Factory throughout the factory. Everyone was indignant and empathized: "I'm here to give you money, and you treat me like a nobody?"

Even Old Xie, who didn't know the details, had heard about it and had even approached Chen Geng, offering to help mediate with Zhengtai Rubber Factory, as he had good relations with their leadership. He suggested that if Chen Geng needed his help, he could try to negotiate a new contract. However, Chen Geng had refused. At the time, the old man didn't think much of it, but now he realized that Chen Geng had been holding a grudge ever since.

But he couldn't say much about it. Zhengtai Rubber Factory had indeed acted improperly. The old man sighed, "Alright, go ahead. I'll keep an eye on things here... Oh, are you not sending them an official letter?"

"It's already sent, before I went to Shanghai."

Old Xie was even more at a loss for words: this guy had already made preparations on both fronts.

"Brother Chen Geng, is this car really a gift from the Germans? You're so amazing!" Qian Mo looked at the shiny black car with admiration.

"It's not a gift from the Germans; they lent it to me temporarily," Chen Geng corrected her seriously.

"Isn't that the same thing?" The little girl pouted, as if to say, "Do you think I don't know?" "I'm not a child. Everyone knows that 'lending' means 'giving' for free."

"Alright, alright, you're right," Chen Geng was at a loss, having forgotten that such "loans" were not uncommon. In the military, it was one thing, but in local government, it was also common for officials to "borrow" cars from subordinate units, sometimes for years. Although this was common, Chen Geng still felt a bit awkward discussing it with a high school freshman. He quickly changed the subject, "Let's not talk about that. I brought you a little gift from Shanghai. Do you want to see it?"

The little girl's face lit up with surprise, "Really? You brought me a gift?"

"Of course, you're my sister," Chen Geng said, reaching out to pat Qian Mo's head, but she dodged, looking unhappy, "I'm not a child anymore. Don't keep touching my head."

Sweat! Chen Geng was a bit embarrassed. It was true; Qian Mo was in high school now, a young lady. He shouldn't treat her like a child.

"Alright, I'll remember that. Qian Mo is a young lady now, and I shouldn't touch your head casually," Chen Geng said, bending down to take a few items from under his desk.

"Are... are these all for me?" Qian Mo's voice trembled with excitement.

The items on the desk were simple: two white shoe boxes, a light blue, feminine backpack, and a small box. Qian Mo's eyes were fixed on the light blue backpack, unable to look away. Compared to her current military-green shoulder bag, this blue backpack was much more stylish.

She had wanted such a backpack for a long time.

"Of course, they're for you. Who else would they be for?" Chen Geng smiled, his eyes showing a hint of something unusual, "Do you like them?"

Qian Mo's family was only average. Although her father was an officer and a deputy factory manager, her mother was just a temporary worker. Since Chen Geng joined the factory, her mother had earned a bit more, but with a younger brother, their life was not particularly comfortable.

Qian Mo had always been a sensible girl. In Chen Geng's memory, she had never asked for anything from her family. But every time he saw her, he would think of the lonely figure waiting for him until he returned to this world, which made his heart ache. Although he hadn't decided how to handle their relationship, he always wanted to do something for her.

"I like it!" Qian Mo nodded vigorously, not noticing the unusual look in Chen Geng's eyes. She picked up the light blue backpack and gently stroked it, her face slightly flushed, "I really like it, Brother Chen Geng. Thank you for the gift."

"Don't be so formal," Chen Geng said, opening one of the larger boxes, which contained a pair of white Huili sneakers, "I remember you wear size 36. I bought these in that size. Try them on and see if they fit."

Qian Mo looked at the white sneakers in surprise and shook her head, "No, I can't. They're too expensive."

"If you don't want them, I'll have to throw them away. I wear size 42, and these won't fit me. My mom wears size 37, so they won't fit her either. It's up to you," Chen Geng smiled, "Besides, they're just shoes. Can't I buy a pair of shoes for my sister?"

Qian Mo knew Chen Geng was telling the truth. His mother did wear size 37, and if she didn't want the shoes, they would just go to waste. After hesitating, she finally nodded, her face red, "Then... then... thank you, Brother Chen Geng."

Thinking that Chen Geng remembered her shoe size made her heart feel incredibly sweet.

"I told you not to be so formal. I'm your brother, and taking care of you is my duty. As for this..." He opened the smallest box, revealing a pink ladies' digital watch, "Do you like it?"

"A digital watch?!"

The little girl gasped in surprise, then quickly pulled her hand back as if the watch were a red-hot iron.