"There's nothing strange about him; many people are like that." She absolutely did not want her daughter to think he was unique. Women loved to focus on those who were different.
Right, what was Du Ziteng's age again? Why hadn't he married Qian Xueli yet?
That's right, he seemed to be only eighteen, in the prime of his youth, and it was time for marriage.
In any case, they were meant to be together in their past lives, so they shouldn't harm others. It was delightfully decided.
"Is the silent lobster stir-fried yet?" Zhang Liunian entered the kitchen of the educated youth dormitory and saw the mute person tidying up.
The mute immediately brought out the lobster with delight, making a series of noises.
He was indicating it was ready. Zhang Liunian understood what he was trying to convey, gently patted his shoulder, and smiled, "Well done. Come to my place for dinner when you're done."
The mute nodded and helped Zhang Liunian place the bucket on his bicycle.
"I'm off," Zhang Liunian waved, mounted his bicycle, and rode away.
He hadn't even stopped his bicycle at the construction site before he saw Mu Mingliang waiting for him again.
As soon as he saw Zhang Liunian arrive, Mu Mingliang excitedly rushed forward, "Fire sales! Their business is booming. They want two hundred jin each, and it's at eight in the morning. Remember to deliver.
Oh, and for myself too, I want two hundred jin."
He almost forgot himself, Mu Mingliang sighed inwardly.
Zhang Liunian stopped his bicycle and, after hearing his words, began to worry about the next morning's transportation. While his heavy-duty bicycle could carry several hundred jin, it couldn't carry over a thousand. If only he had a delivery truck.
A vehicle? A tractor would do! There were two in the village.
Having figured out a plan, Zhang Liunian smiled at him and said, "Alright, but it might be a bit late tomorrow, no more than half an hour."
"You can handle it however you see fit. Just make sure they get it in time for lunch."
"I'll have to trouble you to contact them again. I'll treat you to a meal tomorrow," Zhang Liunian remembered Mu Mingliang's kindness and wanted to treat him to express his gratitude.
"No need, no need. We're all family, so helping you is only right. Speaking of treating, I haven't treated you yet. How about I treat you tomorrow?"
Ever since he learned that his master had a nephew, Mu Mingliang had wanted to treat Zhang Liunian to a meal, but they had been busy these past few days, so it was delayed.
"Tomorrow, I'll treat you and Uncle Zhao. It's settled," Zhang Liunian declared with finality.
Mu Mingliang disagreed, arguing that he should be the one to treat. They bickered, but in the end, Zhang Liunian made the decision, insisting he would treat.
Faced with Zhang Liunian's insistence on treating, Mu Mingliang could only reluctantly accept. However, he was already thinking of introducing Zhang Liunian to some friends who sold food, so they could also come to pick up goods.
Zhang Liunian was unaware of this. After seeing Mu Mingliang off, he began selling lobsters.
This time, there were still no braised meats or dishes, but the workers expressed how much they missed that flavor.
"Comrade, your braised meat is superb. Bring us some tomorrow!"
"The braised dishes are also good. Don't just sell one kind!"
"That's right, I'm craving meat too."
"The 'Flying Dragon in the Sky' is indeed delicious, but sometimes we want a change of taste."
"..."
Hearing everyone's thoughts, Zhang Liunian decided to braise more meat to sell in the afternoon.
"Alright, I'll definitely bring braised meat and dishes tomorrow afternoon," Zhang Liunian replied with a smile, looking at the empty buckets after the sale.
The workers, having received a satisfactory answer, all grinned broadly and said they would be waiting.
After seeing off the customers, Zhang Liunian saw Yan Guiguo, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, appear opposite him. He looked much older, with a patch of white appearing in his previously all-black hair.
His mental state also didn't seem very good.
Zhang Liunian put his things away and walked his bicycle forward, "Director Yan, long time no see."
Yan Guiguo pulled at the corner of his mouth but didn't smile. He turned and said, "Let's take a walk."
"Alright," Zhang Liunian agreed and followed his steps.
As they walked, the number of pedestrians on the road gradually decreased. Zhang Liunian wasn't afraid, but he felt that if someone wanted to discuss something that couldn't be disclosed to the public, they would bring him to a place like this.
As expected, just as he was thinking this, Yan Guiguo spoke, "Do you know how many people in our factory are secretly supporting Qian Xuehai?"
Wait, was this something he, an outsider, could listen to?
"Probably quite a few."
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to successfully ascend to the position of factory director, Zhang Liunian mused.
"Over eighty percent. Isn't it laughable? When have I, Yan Guiguo, ever made a mistake in so many years? When have I ever taken a wrong step? Why do so many people dislike me so much? They can't wait to pull me down with Qian Xuehai.
It's truly pathetic."
Thinking of those who had betrayed him, Yan Guiguo wished he could tear Qian Xuehai apart.
And those who had betrayed him were all ungrateful wretches.
Who had he wronged over the years? What out-of-line things had he done?
If he had made even the slightest mistake, he would have accepted it, but he hadn't. He had always remembered the instructions from above, to be a factory director who was clear about public and private matters, who rewarded and punished appropriately, and who completed the work assigned by the superiors. He had even expanded the factory's staff several times.
It could be said that the factory's current state owed a large part of its success to him being the factory director of the machinery plant.
No one else could have achieved what he had.
Zhang Liunian had heard some of the development history of this machinery plant. It was said that it was initially established to manufacture satellites, and after the failure, a factory was set up.
He didn't remember who the original factory director was, but Yan Guiguo was indeed a rare and good factory director.
"Uncle Yan, you are a good factory director. This situation didn't happen because your character is flawed. It's because greed drives people. You should have some understanding of the Qian family's capabilities." Qian Xuehai's family had complex connections and good conditions, making it relatively easy for him to achieve this.
Zhang Liunian didn't want to see a good factory director fall, and he turned to comfort him.
Yan Guiguo was stunned by his words and then smiled, "Yes, the Qian family is indeed quite influential in Nancheng. However, Qian Xuehai's criminal evidence is conclusive, and I will never let him out."
It seemed he had truly sent him to prison.
"So, Uncle Yan, please don't take others' mistakes upon yourself. It's not your fault; they are the ones who are wrong."
"That's right, they are wrong. They are colluding."
After being comforted by Zhang Liunian, Yan Guiguo's mood did improve considerably, feeling as though a cloud had lifted.
"I heard you acknowledged Old Zhao as your uncle. He and I have been brothers since childhood. Since you are his nephew, you are also half my nephew. As an uncle, I have no gift to give, but I'll get you a second-hand motorcycle later." Yan Guiguo was very happy for his brother upon hearing that Zhang Liunian had recognized Zhao Zhijie as a godson.
This way, his brother would have someone to look after his affairs in the future.
Moreover, he found Zhang Liunian to be an extraordinary comrade. Whether it was in their conversations or other aspects, he appeared too mature and steady, not at all like a young man in his early twenties.
"If I want a motorcycle, I'll earn it myself. You've already helped me a lot, and I'm content." Zhang Liunian exclaimed "Good heavens" upon hearing that he wanted to give him a motorcycle. Factory directors were indeed different.