Ye Yong's gratitude towards Xie Sui was as immense as the endless flow of a great river; a meal was a must.
It was a Chinese custom to discuss matters over a meal. After a few drinks, strangers could become sworn brothers, closer than kin.
As usual, they went to a state-run restaurant. While small eateries and street stalls existed, a state-run establishment still carried more prestige.
Ye Yong let Xie Sui order. He chose a few vegetarian dishes, a tofu soup, and only one meat dish: stir-fried pork belly with soybeans, the cheapest option. Though it looked like a lot, it didn't cost much and maintained Ye Yong's family's dignity.
They ordered several bottles of the big green ones, foregoing spirits as they had to work in the afternoon.
"Little Sui, Uncle Ye will toast you first. Without you, I don't know if Uncle Ye could have overcome this hurdle."
Xie Sui downed the beer in one gulp, as if it were water. The slightly bitter beer tasted authentic. Production was backward in this era, but the ingredients were genuine, with fewer additives. It tasted different.
"Uncle Ye, there are no insurmountable hurdles in life. It's not a big deal. I'm here today to ask for your help. Can you modify a freezer? I want to turn a tractor's cargo bed into a cold storage unit. Is it difficult?"
Ye Yang, timid by nature, couldn't help but interject, "Last time I helped you, I almost lost my job. If you ask me, we should just stick to our jobs honestly and not cause trouble."
Ye Yong also hesitated. He couldn't outright refuse, as Xie Sui had just helped his family tremendously.
Xie Sui said, "I have a proposal, Uncle Ye. Consider it. Although you're not yet at retirement age, you already have someone capable of taking over at home. Why don't you let your eldest son take over your job? Then, you can come work at my factory. I'll pay you the same salary you're earning now."
Xie Sui saw his skills and knew he'd need someone knowledgeable in mechanics for repairs and maintenance at his future factory.
Ye Yang was ecstatic. He had always dreamed of taking over his father's job and becoming a factory worker. But his father was only forty-something this year, and according to the legal retirement age, he still had over ten years to wait. He couldn't wait that long.
It was like the ancient imperial court, where the crown prince yearned for succession, and the emperor was reluctant to relinquish power. Father-son conflicts over the throne were not uncommon.
Ye Feng said, "Dad, Brother Xie is very capable. I'm not smart enough, but you've taught me. Following smart people is always the right choice. I think it's feasible."
Ye Yong asked, "Do you really want to employ me? No other intentions?"
Xie Sui smiled, "What are you talking about? What intentions could I have? It's just that my factory is in its infancy and needs talent. Once my factory grows, if I were to openly recruit, Uncle Ye might not even get in."
Ye Feng grumbled, "What is it about us that Brother Xie fancies? It's already benevolent of Brother Xie to help us. If you don't want to do it, fine. I don't want to work in the same factory as you anyway."
Who would want to watch their father work all day?
Ye Yong was so angry he wanted to slap him. Was his son disowning him?
"Alright, Little Sui. If you think this old bone is useful, I'll do as you say. However, regarding the modification of the freezer, I can't make the decision alone. It requires compressors, copper tubing, and transformers, all of which are difficult to procure."
Xie Sui replied, "Uncle Ye, you can discuss it with the factory. If it's successful, your factory can sell them. Cold chain transportation will definitely be needed in the future, and you could even apply for a patent. Here's what I'll do: if you can produce them, I'll pre-order five units."
Ye Yong wasn't very confident. "I'll try."
It wouldn't be easy. Factory leaders preferred stability; who wanted to go through the trouble? If it succeeded, it would be a credit, but if it failed? Who would take responsibility?
Xie Sui was also at a loss. It was a good era, full of business opportunities, but also a difficult time where innovation and change were constantly hindered.
"I'll do my best."
Xie Sui and Ye Feng returned to the factory together. After this incident, Ye Feng became absolutely devoted to him, his status even higher than Gu Lei's.
In the afternoon, Xie Sui went to the county food processing plant to pay the affiliation fee, wanting to avoid any unforeseen complications.
Unexpectedly, upon entering, he saw Yan Xiaoliang, with Zhao Youfang tagging along like a sycophant, both sporting smirking faces. "Xie Sui, what are you here for? You probably don't know yet. Director Zheng is an old friend of my dad's. See this? A document. Your so-called factory is now an illegal operation. They can shut you down any minute. Prepare to go out of business!"
Yan Xiaoliang burst into laughter, eagerly anticipating Xie Sui's shocked expression. He was sure Xie Sui wouldn't have imagined that he had cut off his escape route, leaving him with no options.
Xie Sui's expression shifted slightly, then he smiled, "Are you guys so eager to pick up scraps after me? Zhao Youfang, you really don't learn your lesson. Did you think finding a master would allow you to contend with me? Even if you have this piece of paper now, so what? If you want to play, I'll play with you. Get lost, a good dog doesn't block the way!"
"You, Xie Sui, you've got guts. I'll see how long you can be arrogant!"
Yan Xiaoliang was furious. This guy named Xie was truly annoying.
"I know I have guts. Whether you do is another matter. Someone who only schemes behind people's backs, even if they have guts, it's a wicked kind, incapable of producing good results."
Xie Sui sneered and walked past them disdainfully.
Zhao Youfang, seeing Yan Xiaoliang panting with anger, advised, "Brother Yan, without the affiliation, he won't last long. There's no point getting angry with him."
Yan Xiaoliang consoled himself, "That's true, a dead duck's mouth is still stiff. But I must get my secret recipe. Everyone in the city is selling his ice cream now. It might not make much money, but seeing him happy makes me uncomfortable."
"The ice cream recipe is hard to get, but I can get the dried fruit recipe. Why don't we build a factory first and produce canned goods, dried fruits, and jelly?"
Yan Xiaoliang stroked his chin. "I'll figure out the ice cream. It sells best in the summer."
It was impossible for Xie Sui not to be angry, but he managed to remain calm. The situation had occurred, and he had to face it. Anger would only lead him to lose his composure and make wrong decisions.
He arrived at Director Zheng's office, knocked, and entered upon hearing Zheng Xinhe's assent.
Zheng Xinhe seemed slightly awkward when he saw him enter. Had he and Yan Xiaoliang met?
Xie Sui's expression was normal. He smiled and said, "Director Zheng, thank you for your care. I have the affiliation fee ready and brought it to you immediately. Can the paperwork be processed now?"
Xie Sui acted as if he knew nothing. Who said only one factory could be affiliated? Everything depended on Zheng Xinhe's attitude.
"This matter, I'm truly sorry. There was an unexpected issue. The county is investigating strictly, so it can't be processed for now. I apologize sincerely."
Zheng Xinhe's eyes flickered. He had broken his promise. He couldn't bear to see Xie Sui's disappointed look. But Yan Xuewen was an old friend of many years. Compared to Xie Sui, who was nobody, his old friend was more important.