Chapter 24: Who Said Our Red Flag Factory Is Shutting Down?

"I have half a plate of egg fried rice left here. It’s delicious in every way—why don't I give it to you?"

"I’ve long been sick of the food at No. 1 High. Do you guys still have classes this afternoon?" Di Yutong sat down opposite Liang Jiyong, completely ignoring Zhang Jixiang beside her.

"Yeah, two classes. How’s university life treating you?"

"It’s meaningless. A bunch of college students, yet most of them feel even more childish than high schoolers."

"That’s normal. Metamorphosis is a process."

"I suppose so. The seniors who welcomed us are alright, though. There’s one senior who is incredibly handsome—composed, capable, and gentle."

Hearing this, Liang Jiyong felt a slight sense of unease. Perhaps this was a sign that Di Yutong would gradually grow further away from him. However, having clarified his feelings for Su Wanqing, he genuinely hoped Di Yutong would find someone she liked. Su Wanqing glanced at Di Yutong, seemingly sharing Liang Jiyong’s thoughts. But as it turned out, one shouldn't judge everything by its surface.

"Wanqing, I think that senior really fits your aesthetic. I’ll introduce you later..."

Liang Jiyong couldn't help but smile. So that was Di Yutong’s plan—find someone for Su Wanqing so no one would compete with her for Liang Jiyong!

"No thanks. If you think he’s handsome, go date him yourself!" Su Wanqing said, keeping her head down as she ate.

"I just said he was handsome, not that he’s my type! Oh, there’s braised pork here. Now *that* is my type..." Di Yutong loved braised pork; she was a total carnivore, yet she never gained weight where it didn’t belong. Without asking whose it was, she snatched the chopsticks from Liang Jiyong’s hand and popped a piece into her mouth.

"The MSG is way too heavy. This wasn't made by Teacher Wang!" Di Yutong felt the pork really wasn't that good.

"It was made by our nanny. I’ll tell her to use less MSG next time," Zhang Jixiang interjected, not without a hint of showing off his status—after all, not everyone could afford a nanny. But Di Yutong didn't even listen to him; she turned to Su Wanqing. "Some of my classmates said they’ve never seen what the residential area of a state-owned factory looks like. They’re coming over tomorrow. How about we have a barbecue at your place?"

Su Wanqing frowned; her priority was her studies, and she didn't want distractions. Liang Jiyong reclaimed his chopsticks and said, "Balance work and rest. Call Sister Qianyun too. I feel like she’s closing herself off again under Old Man Xie’s high-pressure tactics."

"Alright," Su Wanqing nodded. From beginning to end, no one invited Zhang Jixiang.

That afternoon, after the two classes ended, a shuttle bus from the Hongqi Factory arrived. Thirteen repeat students from the factory, along with some high schoolers, boarded the bus back to the residential district. Zhu Qianyun was also brought home by Su Wanqing.

Back home, Liang Jiyong ate a piece of his mother’s braised pork and felt a wave of happiness; the school cafeteria food was barely enough to sustain life.

"Wash your hands, we’re eating soon!" Wang Cuiying took Liang Jiyong’s chopsticks away.

"I’m not eating at home. I’m going to Wanqing’s place. A few of us classmates are cooking there; we just need your braised pork!"

Wang Cuiying lowered her voice, "Tell Mom honestly, are you and Wanqing dating?"

"Mom, don't worry about that. My task right now is to study," Liang Jiyong didn't answer.

"As long as you know what you’re doing. No matter who you’re seeing, don't let your studies suffer. Whether it’s Wanqing or Yutong, they are both good girls..." Liang Jiyong smiled and walked out of the kitchen.

In the living room, Liang Dahong was drinking tea. Seeing Liang Jiyong, he pointed to the chair opposite him. "Sit down. I have something to tell you."

"What’s wrong? Why so serious?" Liang Jiyong asked.

"Did you get into a fight again?" Liang Dahong frowned.

"It was self-defense..." Liang Jiyong started, but one glare from his father made him stop. Despite his decades of life experience, his father’s gaze still carried plenty of weight.

"The times have changed. You can’t just rely on your fists. Stop fighting and study more."

"I know. But public security is bad these days. If you don't provoke others, they provoke you. I can't just play the coward, can I?" Liang Jiyong felt helpless.

Liang Dahong reached into his pocket but found it empty. Liang Jiyong quickly took an orange from the table and peeled it. "Dad, have an orange." His father had indeed quit smoking, which was agonizing for a lifelong smoker. But his father always kept his word; that was how he taught his children, and that was how he lived.

"If the issues at the Red Star and Cotton Mills aren't resolved, public security won't improve. Tens of thousands of people need to eat," Liang Dahong sighed.

"Forget about them. What about our Hongqi Factory? I heard on my way here that the two production lines are down. Can they be fixed?" Liang Jiyong asked.

"It’s hard to say. Your Uncle Chen suggested having your big brother come back to serve as a technical consultant for a while. Fifty thousand yuan for three months. This matter..." His father was clearly conflicted. He knew Chen Wei was looking out for them, even if they had hired foreign experts before at higher costs. But whether these production lines could be fixed was another matter. If they were fixed, fine, but if not, taking so much money from the factory would invite whispers behind his back.

"Dad, don't worry about it. My brother knows what he’s doing." Liang Jiyong didn't mention his own landscaping business; he knew he’d be scolded for "speculation and profiteering."

"Your brother is steady; I don't worry about him. But what’s with your second sister? School has started, and she’s still running off to Shanghai!"

"Dad, Second Sister asked for leave," Liang Jiyong said.

Liang Dahong huffed, "I’m not senile. I know what she’s planning. A girl should be a teacher—stable and secure. Is the outside world really so easy to conquer?"

***

Liang Jiyong knew his father was stubborn on this point.

"Dad, you and Second Sister have different ways of thinking. It’s a clash of values; neither of you will convince the other. I think the old saying holds true: 'Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.' Besides, Second Sister just asked for leave. In a few months, maybe she’ll hit a wall and come back to teach."

"Hmph, I bet she won't turn back even if she hits the South Wall!" Liang Dahong knew his daughter’s temper too well.

"Then that just means the wall wasn't sturdy enough. If she breaks through, the path opens. It’s like when you fought those bunkers back in the day—would you have stopped just because the enemy’s fire was heavy? Our family specializes in tough battles; that’s our fine tradition!"

"That’s twisted logic. Is it the same thing?"

"I think it’s close enough. When is Big Brother coming back? I haven't seen him for nearly two years; the last time was last Spring Festival."

"In a couple of days. I’ll have your brother go to Shanghai to talk to your sister," Liang Dahong said.

Liang Jiyong laughed, "Dad, Second Sister’s eloquence is better than Big Brother’s. Watch out, she might just convert him to her side!"

Liang Dahong didn't speak. He was worried, too, wondering if he was truly falling behind the times. Even the once-booming Hongqi Factory was now full of crises. How could the world change so fast? If it were his eldest or third child, it would be fine—boys should be out there, getting knocked down and standing back up. But for a girl, stability was a duty.

"I’m heading out," Liang Jiyong said, knowing that reaching a consensus with his father on his sister was impossible. Time and facts would have to speak for themselves.

"It’s dinner time, where are you going?" Liang Dahong frowned.

Liang Jiyong scratched his head, "To Wanqing’s. My classmates are all eating there."

Liang Dahong didn't reply for a few seconds. "Wanqing hasn't been over in a while. Tell her to come for dinner when she’s free." Liang Jiyong was surprised. Perhaps with Su Kui gone, his father no longer felt the same concerns about her.

"Oh! Okay," Liang Jiyong nodded quickly.

"Where did Su Kui go?" Liang Dahong asked.

"To a large private manufacturing firm in Shandong Province. He’s the Vice President of Sales." Liang Dahong nodded and didn't ask further.

Liang Jiyong headed to Su Wanqing’s with a large container of braised pork. At this point, Su Wanqing, Di Yutong, and Zhu Qianyun were cooking. Three women make a play, but these three made a meal: cucumber with minced garlic, tomato and eggs, a plate of ham sausage, and sautéed eggplant. With the braised pork Liang Jiyong brought, it was quite a feast.

A few minutes later, Miao Xiaotong and Zou Wenlong arrived. Miao brought a bowl of meatballs, and Zou brought a jar of pickled beets. Liang Jiyong entered the kitchen where something was still boiling.

"There’s a clear vegetable and tofu soup, it’ll be ready in a moment," Zhu Qianyun said.

"Sister Qianyun, your cooking is amazing. Whoever marries you will be so lucky!" Liang Jiyong said with a smile, causing Zhu Qianyun to blush.

"Yutong, which dish did you make?" Liang Jiyong asked.

"I smashed the cucumber!" Di Yutong said proudly.

"This cucumber must have a vendetta against you," Liang Jiyong remarked, looking at the cucumber, which was practically reduced to pulp.

"The cucumber was too crisp; I didn't even use my full strength!"

"If you had, we’d be drinking cucumber juice! You really need to learn how to cook from Sister Qianyun," Liang Jiyong joked.

"No need, I have a meal ticket. The money you’ve saved up for me is enough to keep me fed for years!" Liang Jiyong laughed. He really couldn't escape being her long-term "meal ticket."

The food was soon on the table. The meal lasted over an hour as they planned the next day’s barbecue. Su Wanqing had the tools, and one of Di Yutong’s classmates owned a barbecue shop—the famous "Fire Burning Clouds" grill in Yunzhou. So, he would bring the meat and supplies, and they only needed to prepare vegetables and drinks. Only seven or eight people were coming.

After dinner and cleaning up, Zou and Miao went home. Liang Jiyong stayed to read for a while, not heading home until eleven.

The next day, after breakfast and two hours of reading, he was dragged out by Di Yutong.

"What’s the rush? I’m studying. Why don't you hang out with your classmates first? Didn't we agree to start the barbecue at eleven?" Liang Jiyong asked.

"Come with me. There’s a guy who’s incredibly annoying; I need you to be my shield!"

Liang Jiyong laughed helplessly, "If he’s annoying, why don't you just tell him not to come?"

"He’s a new classmate. A whole group is coming; how can I stop him? I told Wanqing last night—you’re my bodyguard today!" Di Yutong hugged his arm, looking blissful.

Liang Jiyong didn't dislike Di Yutong, but his affection stemmed from years of friendship. There might be a spark of romantic interest, but after choosing Su Wanqing, he knew he had to keep his distance—or at least, stay within the lines. Yet, Di Yutong’s expression made him unable to refuse, lest he break her heart.

***

Liang Jiyong genuinely hoped Di Yutong would find a reliable and exciting young man at university. But he didn't want to just find any random guy to fill a quota. Di Yutong was exceptional in appearance, personality, and background; an average guy really wouldn't be worthy of her.

There were four boys and three girls among Di Yutong’s classmates. The three girls were her roommates. One, named Wei Min, was dating a boy named Fang Zhan. They had been together since middle school and were now in the same university, major, and class—a rare kind of fate. Wei Min wasn't stunningly beautiful but was pleasant to look at and had a generous personality, while Fang Zhan was sunny; they were a perfect match.

The other three boys were from Fang Zhan’s dorm. Since university was a time when young people were finally breaking free from the heavy burden of high school, they were full of longing for romance. In high school, love was a luxury; in university, it seemed to be a necessity. The boys were all eager to make their moves.

Di Yutong was like a blooming red rose. Even in the Foreign Languages Department, which was full of beauties, she stood out.

One of Fang Zhan’s roommates was Zhao Guodong, the son of the "Fire Burning Clouds" owner. He was slightly chubby from eating too much barbecue, but he was outgoing and easygoing. Another was Chen Puer, a scholarly boy from Zhejiang who wore glasses and spoke softly with a polite, though slightly accented, Mandarin.

The "annoying" boy Di Yutong mentioned was Lu Bin. He was a standard handsome man for the era: thick eyebrows, large eyes, six feet tall, and muscular. His sky-blue shirt was a rare imported brand; Liang Jiyong had seen one at the Pingzhou International Trade Center for over three hundred yuan. At the time, that was more than the monthly salary of a department-level cadre. His watch was a Longines, likely worth around thirty thousand yuan at the time.

Handsome and wealthy—that was Liang Jiyong’s first impression. After greeting him, Liang added two more words: arrogant and condescending. Because Di Yutong appeared holding Liang Jiyong’s arm, Lu Bin’s attitude toward him was icy.

They arrived in a seven-seater business van driven by Zhao Guodong, though it wasn't his car—it was arranged by Lu Bin. They dropped the supplies at Su Wanqing’s, and while Zhao and others stayed to prep the food, Di Yutong took Liang Jiyong to give the rest of the group a tour.

Only four wanted to walk around: Fang Zhan, Wei Min, Lu Bin, and Chen Puer.

"The No. 1 and No. 2 residential areas were built in the 50s and 60s as villa areas," Liang Jiyong explained with pride. "The later ones were built in the 70s and 80s. This place carries a long history and deep sentiment."

"Isn't this place too dilapidated? The structural design is irrational; it’s far worse than the high-end residential areas in Yunzhou now," Lu Bin said, looking at Liang Jiyong with a critical eye.

Liang Jiyong couldn't be bothered to argue, but Di Yutong couldn't stand it. "This is called history and sentiment. Do you understand? You can build those new neighborhoods with money, but this place carries the memories of generations—it’s irreplaceable!"

"But sentiment is the least valuable thing right now," Lu Bin countered. "Maybe you don't want to admit it, but state-owned enterprises have reached a dead end."

"Nonsense!" Di Yutong was furious.

"I’m just stating facts. Take Yunzhou, for example. The Hongqi, Red Star, and Cotton Mills were once the most prosperous. Now, only Hongqi is barely hanging on. Unless something changes, it’ll be shut down within a year. The 'big pot' of collective eating doesn't fit the trend of history anymore; privatization is inevitable."

This was a sensitive political topic, and Lu Bin was clearly parroting things he’d heard from others.

"Who says Hongqi is shutting down? You’re full of it!"

"It’s been discussed at the Municipal Standing Committee multiple times. The production lines are obsolete, and the product quality is poor. If they don't stop production, they’ll only lose more money. They can't even pay the workers’ wages."

Since Lu Bin knew about the Standing Committee discussions, he clearly had connections. Liang Jiyong realized he wasn't just a rich kid; his family had significant political clout. Di Yutong had no rebuttal, as she knew the factory’s problems were indeed severe.

Lu Bin smirked. He knew how to chase women: be authoritative, show strength, and make them admire you. He found Di Yutong’s indignation stimulating, and he even took note of the beautiful Su Wanqing. What a place to hide such different flowers.

"The production lines use technology from the 50s and 60s," Liang Jiyong said calmly. "The high defect rate isn't just because of 'obsolete equipment,' but because modern standards have risen. It requires a technical upgrade. It might be a temporary fix, but if successful, it can sustain the factory for two to three years. In that time, if measures are taken properly, the problems can be solved."

"Technical upgrades? Easier said than done," Lu Bin scoffed. "The skilled workers have all gone to private enterprises along the coast, where they earn triple the salary. Those left behind are either incompetent or have rigid, outdated minds!"