Chapter 15: Another Child Betrothal

The makeshift solar water heater that Fang Mingyuan had created quickly spread beyond his family, thanks to his neighbors. People came one after another to learn from him, and Fang Bin, following Fang Mingyuan’s instructions, answered all their questions without reservation—although the principle was simple and easy to understand, it was certainly better to have someone explain the key points of the manufacturing process. Soon, similar scenes appeared on the rooftops of Grandpa Fang’s house and the neighboring houses. In this era, being able to take a free hot bath at home was undoubtedly a rare luxury. After all, the weather was so hot that even a little activity would make one sweat all over. The bathhouse was at the factory, and it was impractical to go there just for a bath. Even if one did, by the time they got home, they would be sweaty again, making the effort seem futile. For men, using tap water for a bath at home was feasible, but for the elderly, young women, and children, it was not. In the scorching heat, they still had to boil water, and taking a shower was inconvenient. Therefore, the simple water heater that Fang Mingyuan had created undoubtedly solved a big problem for everyone. Moreover, the materials were not expensive, and anyone with a bit of influence at the factory could get them for free.

Someone asked Fang Mingyuan how he came up with the idea. Fang Mingyuan feigned innocence and said, "I once saw some uncles and aunts drying water in the yard. By the end of the day, the water would be very hot. Boiling it would be much easier and save coal. I thought, if we could dry water on the roof and then bring it down, couldn’t we use it for bathing? And I remember my teacher at school saying that iron conducts heat well. I also knew that metal railings in the summer can get very hot from the sun, so I decided to find a large iron barrel. My teacher also said that white clothes reflect light, while black clothes absorb heat, so I asked Uncle to paint the barrel black. It’s all thanks to Uncle’s skill; if I had done it, it wouldn’t have been as good!" Uncle, seizing the opportunity to flatter, made Fang Bin beam with delight.

Everyone couldn’t help but marvel at how such a simple principle, known to everyone in daily life, had never been applied to create such a cheap and practical tool.

"Fang Mingyuan’s kid is really smart. Look, everyone knows these principles, but no one thought to use them to make a water heater so that people could take baths at home without boiling water." Such comments quickly spread throughout the factory. If Fang Mingyuan’s intelligence was initially known only within his family, school, and social circle, it now rapidly spread throughout the entire factory. Every time a new makeshift water heater was installed, these comments grew. In the Qinxi Rolling Equipment Factory, nearly 40% of the employees lived in houses suitable for installing these water heaters, and the impact was significant.

For a time, the demand for iron barrels in the factory surged. The old, discarded barrels that had been left in the corners of the factory became highly sought after. Within less than half a month, they were all taken, and those who were a bit slower had to look for them in the town. Even local farmers in the town followed the trend, and soon, black barrels could be seen on rooftops all over Haizhuang. Fang Mingyuan’s name became widely known as a result.

The Fang family also benefited greatly from this. Many people, upon learning that they were related to Fang Mingyuan, became much friendlier. However, Fang Sheng often felt a bit embarrassed because he was frequently introduced as "the father of the smart and capable child, Fang Mingyuan!" The influence of his son, a primary school student, surpassed his own, which was somewhat disheartening.

Due to the supply of buns to the factory canteen and the fact that Fang Mingyuan and Zhao Ya were classmates, the relationship between the Fang and Zhao families became much closer. Sometimes, when Zhao Jianguo had nothing to do in the evening, he would visit Grandpa Fang to chat and play a few games of chess. As the bun business stabilized, Fang Mingyuan suggested that Fang Bin hire two middle-aged housewives to help, which made life much easier for Grandpa Fang and his wife. They now had more free time to chat and visit neighbors.

On this particular evening, Zhao Jianguo brought Zhao Ya to visit, and Fang Mingyuan was also at Grandpa Fang’s house. The two elders set up a chess game and played two intense matches. Fang Mingyuan, with nothing to do, watched the games. In a moment of excitement, he pointed out a crucial move, helping Grandpa Fang turn the game around to a draw.

"Fang Mingyuan, don’t you know that a true gentleman does not speak during a game, and a true man does not regret his moves?" Zhao Jianguo said, feigning displeasure.

"Hehe, Grandpa Zhao, I’m only seven and don’t have a wife, so I’m not a man. Are you planning to introduce me to one? But let me remind you, Grandpa, I don’t have a wife, but I have a lot of child betrothals. As for being a gentleman, Grandpa, have you ever heard of a seven-year-old gentleman?" Fang Mingyuan’s cheeky response left Zhao Jianguo speechless. His years of education and work experience had not been wasted; he could come up with such witty retorts effortlessly. Grandpa Fang found it amusing to watch Zhao Jianguo squirm. The relationship between the two families had grown so close that they no longer minded such small jokes.

After a while, Zhao Jianguo shook his head helplessly and said, "Brother Fang, this rascal is really... I don’t know what to say! I always thought my little Ya was a smart child, but compared to your grandson, sigh..." Zhao Ya, feeling discontent, squirmed in Zhao Jianguo’s arms like a cotton ball.

"Ha ha ha..." Grandpa Fang couldn’t help but laugh. This grandson was truly a credit to him, with a response that was both clever and full of childlike charm, leaving everyone both amused and amazed.

"Brother Fang, it seems that Fang Mingyuan can play chess. How is his skill? Did you teach him?" Zhao Jianguo changed the subject. As a leader, he was adept at steering conversations.

"I didn’t teach him. Mingyuan, how did you learn to play chess?" Grandpa Fang shook his head, having been so pleased that he forgot to ask Fang Mingyuan how he had seen that crucial move to turn the game around.

"Oh no!" Fang Mingyuan was startled, realizing he had never learned chess in this life. In his previous life, he had only learned from his father at the age of eleven or twelve.

"Of course, by studying chess manuals! I have a book of a hundred chess games at home, and I just followed the moves in it!" But as a man in his thirties, he could lie convincingly.

"Hey!" Grandpa Fang slapped his thigh, "Indeed, I have such a book, and it was taken by my eldest son. I didn’t expect his chess skills to improve much, but he taught Mingyuan!"

Hearing this, Zhao Jianguo became very interested and proposed a game to test Fang Mingyuan’s skills.

"Who’s afraid of who! Let’s play!" Fang Mingyuan thought to himself. He didn’t believe that a seasoned player with nearly twenty years of experience, honed in university and society, could lose to Zhao Jianguo. Even if he lost, it wouldn’t be embarrassing, and winning would be a great honor for his grandfather. Where else could he find such a good opportunity?

The result of the game was a complete rout. Zhao Jianguo, who had intended to test Fang Mingyuan’s skills, was thoroughly defeated by his wild and unorthodox moves, much to the surprise of Grandpa Fang and Zhao Ya.

Zhao Jianguo, however, was not angry. Instead, he smiled and found Fang Mingyuan even more likable. With excellent academic performance, a mature demeanor for his age, the ability to create a water heater, and the skill to defeat him by following a chess manual, this child had a bright future.

"Brother Fang, what do you think about our families arranging a child betrothal?"