Wang Yu and Wu Lingling accompanied Qian Guotao to his home, a family residence in the government compound, which was considered upscale housing in that era.
It made sense, though. The provincial long-distance bus factory was a state-owned enterprise, and Qian Guotao, as its负责人, naturally had a certain level of seniority and benefits. It wasn't unusual for him to have a place in the government compound.
"Come in, come in. Make yourselves at home. Don't be strangers."
After ushering Wang Yu and the others to sit on the sofa in the living room, Qian Guotao smiled and introduced his wife, a middle-aged woman with an air of intellectual sophistication.
Madam Qian smiled politely at Wang Yu and the others and then proactively went to make tea and cut fruit, just like a typical housewife, showing no hint of pretension.
"Old Qian and I are straightforward people, so everyone gets along quite casually. Since Brother Wang is here, don't be too formal."
Lin Chunfeng, completely at ease, picked up some sunflower seeds from the fruit platter on the coffee table and gestured to Wang Yu and the others.
"Alright, Brother Lin," Wang Yu readily agreed, and Wu Lingling, beside him, was also graceful and composed.
Qian Guotao's home was decorated quite luxuriously. The crystal chandeliers and sofas were rare items in those times, seldom seen in ordinary households.
However, Wang Yu, having lived a previous life, found these amenities insignificant compared to the advanced and even smart homes of later generations. He was, therefore, unfazed.
As for Wu Lingling, although she had never explicitly stated it, she undoubtedly came from an extraordinary background and was accustomed to such things.
The two of them sat and chatted with Lin Chunfeng and Qian Guotao, their conversation and demeanor showing no signs of nervousness.
Seeing the man and woman before him—the man poised and the woman spirited—Qian Guotao's estimation of them rose further.
"Brother Wang's conversation is extraordinary. You truly live up to Brother Lin's repeated praise," Qian Guotao said to Wang Yu.
"You wouldn't know, but this guy has a notorious temper among our classmates. It's incredibly difficult to get a good word out of him about anyone! And for him to mention someone's name daily is something no one has earned the right to!
It was only when I met Brother Wang today that I realized his praises weren't just empty words."
As he spoke, Qian Guotao poured tea for Wang Yu.
"Heh, not at all. Brother Lin exaggerates," Wang Yu said humbly, not daring to be remiss. He stood up to accept the teacup from Qian Guotao. After all, in terms of status, position, and age, Qian Guotao was far superior to him. If Qian Guotao was willing to pour tea for him personally without any pretense, Wang Yu naturally had to respond with courtesy. This was basic respect!
However, it was worth noting that Wang Yu noticed he was using an electric kettle to boil water. The design and appearance indicated it was from his own factory, as the steel stamp on the kettle's body confirmed it.
"Oh? Brother Wang noticed this?" Qian Guotao chuckled, seeing Wang Yu's gaze. "This is a new gadget that just came out recently. You just plug it in, and it boils water directly. It's quite convenient. With this, we don't need to use the boiler anymore. It not only saves a lot of trouble but is also more environmentally friendly and cleaner. The boiler room's big chimney belching black smoke is indeed quite unsightly."
As he spoke, Qian Guotao lamented, "The only drawback is that this thing is so popular, it's hard to get your hands on. I had to pull a lot of strings to get just one. I can't even get a few for my relatives back home."
"Yes, yes!" Lin Chunfeng chimed in. "I've been coveting it for a long time, but I haven't managed to get one. I heard that this thing is apparently produced in your Jiangyang county. Brother Wang, do you have a way to get one? Price is not an issue."
At this point, Lin Chunfeng directly asked Wang Yu. For them, the price of a mere electric kettle was not a problem at all.
"This, huh?" Hearing Lin Chunfeng's words, Wang Yu's expression became somewhat peculiar.
Asking if he could get this thing? He could pick one from their factory's warehouse at will.
"What? Is it very difficult? It's alright, I was just asking casually."
Seeing Wang Yu's peculiar expression, Lin Chunfeng assumed he was having trouble and smiled.
"Brother Lin, you shouldn't ask Brother Wang to run errands for us when we've invited him for a meal," Qian Guotao quickly interjected, offering Wang Yu an out. "He's the director of an automobile factory. How could he get kettles? That's completely unrelated, isn't it?"
"No, actually, this kettle..." Wang Yu began.
"Brother Wang, please don't say any more. I was presumptuous. I shouldn't put you in a difficult position," Lin Chunfeng said directly.
"No, Brother Lin. Listen to me, actually, I..." Wang Yu tried to speak again.
"I know, it's a bit difficult for you. You don't need to worry about it," Lin Chunfeng said straightforwardly.
"Brother Lin, this electric kettle is simply..."
"I know, this thing is really hard to get. I shouldn't trouble you too much. If you consider me an elder brother, you don't need to be so polite."
Lin Chunfeng kept interrupting Wang Yu, making him even more anxious, which further convinced him that Wang Yu genuinely wanted to help.
"Brother Lin, at least let Wang Yu finish speaking," Wu Lingling said, smiling with her lips pursed. "Actually, this electric kettle is really not a problem for Wang Yu. The difficulty, I'd say, is about the same as pinching a snail with your index finger."
"So, it's a sure thing? Such confidence?" Qian Guotao became interested. "Or do you really happen to have the channel and resources?"
"Heh, I wouldn't say channel or resources. This thing is produced by Wang Yu's factory," Wu Lingling said with a giggle, making Lin Chunfeng and Qian Guotao freeze in surprise.
What? Did they hear correctly? This was produced by Wang Yu's factory? Impossible!
"I say, Little Wu, don't joke with Brother Lin. Brother Wang's factory is an automobile factory, right? How could they make kettles?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Lin Chunfeng spoke.
"Who says an automobile factory can't produce kettles?" Wu Lingling retorted, leaving them momentarily speechless.
It seemed, indeed, that was the case.
But why did it sound so unbelievable when said out loud?
"Brother Lin, this electric kettle is not only produced by our factory, but the product itself was personally designed and developed by me."
Wang Yu coughed, finally seizing an opportunity to speak.
"What? You said you designed it?"
Lin Chunfeng and Qian Guotao looked at each other with expressions of utter astonishment.