“Brother Huai, did you write this? You’re truly incredible. If this is really made, the sky of our machinery factory will change—no, the sky of the entire nation will change.”
Zhao Zhigao was so excited that he was practically spitting as he spoke, his face flushed red. Sometimes he really wanted to crack open Brother Huai’s brain to see what it was made of. How could he come up with so many ideas that others couldn’t even imagine?
“Hu Pingsheng has always wanted to crush me under his feet, right? This time, I’ll make him understand what it means to indulge in wishful thinking.”
Zhou Yinghuai lazily leaned against the office desk, his deep, dark eyes revealing no particular emotion, but his tone was icy, instantly making people feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
These words might sound a bit arrogant, but when spoken by him, they didn’t come across as boastful at all. Instead, they felt entirely justified. When a person’s abilities reach a certain level, they can evoke such a feeling.
Zhou Yinghuai was such a person.
Hearing this and combining it with what they had just discussed, Zhao Zhigao instantly understood Zhou Yinghuai’s meaning. He clicked his tongue lightly and said, “Killing the heart along with the person—this move is truly brilliant.”
Destroying what Hu Pingsheng cared about most and crushing his beliefs—this was more fatal and ruthless than physical harm.
As expected of Brother Huai. To deal with an opponent, he could plan such a grand scheme, produce such impressive research, and keep it so well hidden that even Zhao Zhigao himself had no clue until now.
No wonder he was a senior technician, while Zhao Zhigao, after so many years in the factory, was still just a junior technician.
Comparing people is infuriating. Talent is truly something not everyone can possess.
“It’s not for him.” Seeing Zhao Zhigao’s misunderstanding, Zhou Yinghuai rarely offered an extra explanation.
“Huh?” Zhao Zhigao scratched his head in confusion.
“He’s not worthy.” Zhou Yinghuai let out a light scoff, his tone casual, but it made Zhao Zhigao suddenly realize something as he muttered, “Brother Huai, could it be that you’ve never even considered him an opponent?”
Zhou Yinghuai didn’t respond verbally, but sometimes silence itself was an answer.
“Then…”
“There are many meanings behind doing research, but it’s never about dealing with others.”
Hu Pingsheng was a capable person, but most of his energy wasn’t focused on his work. He was arrogant and had ulterior motives, which was why he had been stuck in the same place for years. If he had spent the time he used to scheme against Zhou Yinghuai on his work instead, he probably wouldn’t have remained a senior technician for so long.
Zhou Yinghuai had always turned a blind eye to Hu Pingsheng’s petty tactics, not because he was afraid of him, but because he felt it wasn’t necessary. A clown-like character wasn’t worth wasting energy on.
But today, Hu Pingsheng had gone too far, publicly belittling Zhou Yinghuai’s wife in front of everyone, showing no respect whatsoever. In that case, Zhou Yinghuai saw no need to save face for him.
His research was in its final stages. He had originally planned to keep a low profile, but Hu Pingsheng had to run his mouth and provoke him. Now, Zhou Yinghuai didn’t mind being a bit more high-profile and letting everyone know the gap between them.
He hoped that from now on, Hu Pingsheng would stop delusionally seeing him as an imaginary rival.
Hearing Zhou Yinghuai’s words, Zhao Zhigao nodded thoughtfully, letting out an awkward chuckle. “I was mistaken. There’s still so much I need to learn from you, Brother Huai.”
Not just in ability, but even more so in mindset.
Zhao Zhigao took a deep breath and then asked, “Brother Huai, when are you planning to submit this?”
“There are still a few minor details that need to be tested a few more times. I’ll submit it once everything is confirmed.” Zhou Yinghuai took the document back from Zhao Zhigao, held it in his hand, stared at it for a few seconds, and then locked it back in the cabinet.
At that moment, a commotion broke out outside, followed by someone knocking on the door.
Zhao Zhigao strode over and opened the door. A colleague stood outside and said, “A new person has joined our department. Technician Hu asked me to come and get Brother Huai to meet them.”
“What kind of big shot is this that even our Brother Huai has to go meet them?” Zhao Zhigao rolled his eyes. Did Hu Pingsheng really think he was the boss of the technical department, ordering Brother Huai around like this?
“And since when did our department recruit new people? I didn’t hear any announcement.”
“They were transferred from another department.” The colleague didn’t dare to respond to the earlier comment and, like a seasoned veteran, only addressed what he could say.
Zhao Zhigao was even more surprised. “Transferred?”
Their technical department was different from others. It required a foundation of relevant professional knowledge to join, and everyone had to pass an exam before entering. The process was very complicated, but in return, the salary and career prospects were much better than in other departments. As a result, people from other departments were desperate to get in, but very few succeeded.
“How come there wasn’t even a hint of this?” Zhao Zhigao muttered, instinctively looking at Zhou Yinghuai, who also shook his head, guessing that there was something fishy going on.
Sure enough, when the colleague saw their puzzled expressions, he immediately glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice and said, “I heard it’s someone with connections, bought their way in.”
Both Zhou Yinghuai and Zhao Zhigao frowned.
“Everyone’s guessing that Technician Hu sponsored their entry.” After saying this, he seemed to realize he had spoken too much and quickly shut his mouth, changing the subject. “Are you guys going to check it out?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll head off first. Brother Huai, Zhigao, I didn’t say anything, okay?”
“Got it, go ahead.”
After the person left, the office returned to silence. Zhao Zhigao closed the door and clicked his tongue. “They’re really willing to spend.”
To buy your way into the technical department, it would cost at least several hundred yuan. Moreover, what kind of person was Hu Pingsheng? If you didn’t wine and dine him properly, would he help you? Not a chance.
“Another useless person who got in through the back door.”
Zhao Zhigao shook his head and sighed. Those like them, who got in through their own abilities, looked down the most on those who bought their way in with money. Not only did they drag the team down at work, but they also loved wasting others’ time by asking all sorts of questions. It was utterly annoying.
Zhou Yinghuai lifted his eyelids and, seeing Zhao Zhigao’s aggrieved expression, couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you afraid of? Hu Pingsheng brought this trouble on himself. It won’t burn you.”
“Right.” Zhao Zhigao clapped his hands and laughed.
As soon as this person made a mistake, Hu Pingsheng would be implicated. Hu Pingsheng better pray that this person can stay obediently in the technical department.
“Then, Brother Huai, I’ll go get back to work.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
After Zhao Zhigao left, Zhou Yinghuai began dealing with the pile of documents on his desk. After taking several days off, the workload had piled up like a mountain. Halfway through, he couldn’t help but glance at the time. It was almost 11 o’clock. He wondered if she had gotten up yet and if she had eaten the porridge.
Someone who had always prioritized work now found himself with something—or someone—on his mind.
Zhou Yinghuai rubbed his temples, gathered his thoughts, and continued to focus on the documents.
—
Cheng Fangqiu had already gotten up. Last night, with the fan blowing cool air and the temperature dropping due to the rain, she no longer felt the sticky discomfort from before, so she had slept very comfortably. If Zhou Yinghuai hadn’t woken her up when he left for work, she probably would have slept in naturally.
After washing up, she wasn’t very hungry right after waking up, so she first went to the balcony to check on the flowers. The rain had stopped late last night, and Zhou Yinghuai must have moved the flowers back to the balcony when he got up in the morning.
Seeing that they were in good condition, Cheng Fangqiu’s mood improved quite a bit.
After doing some standing Pilates on the balcony, she went to the kitchen and served herself the porridge Zhou Yinghuai had made. She also cut up a fruit platter for herself before sitting down to enjoy the meal.
Once she was almost done eating, her mind wandered, and she spaced out for a while.
“I’m so bored.”
When Zhou Yinghuai was around, she felt that life was fulfilling and interesting. But now that she was alone, she found the days too dull and the time too long.
She had done so many things, yet less than an hour had passed.
“Ahhh, phone, computer, tablet…”
Not only were there no electronic devices, but entertainment facilities were practically nonexistent as well.
And in this era, forget about traveling—even crossing cities required applying to higher authorities. Without an introduction letter, you’d be treated as a vagrant and arrested.
Just thinking about living like this for another decade or more made Cheng Fangqiu feel utterly miserable.
At this thought, Cheng Fangqiu suddenly missed her previous life as a photographer, carrying all sorts of cameras and flying around the world. Not only could she enjoy the beauty of the earth and meet all kinds of handsome men and beautiful women, but most importantly, she could create works that she was proud of…
No, she couldn’t keep thinking about the good old days. The more she thought about them, the more it would torment her mentally.
Instead of wasting time feeling melancholic, she might as well think about what to do today. She couldn’t just keep eating and sleeping, right?
Just as Cheng Fangqiu was still debating whether to go shopping with Xu Qiqi or stay home and read, there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
Cheng Fangqiu didn’t open the door immediately, staying cautious. Most doors in this era didn’t have peepholes, and theirs was no exception. Although this was a residential building and it was unlikely that anything bad would happen, she wasn’t going to take any risks while home alone and unable to see who was outside.
“Is this Comrade Cheng Fangqiu? I’m the administrator from the telephone room. Someone from Hongmeng Photo Studio called to notify you to pick up your photos.” Perhaps sensing Cheng Fangqiu’s caution, the visitor introduced themselves.
Cheng Fangqiu recognized the voice as the administrator from that day and felt relieved. But…
Hongmeng Photo Studio? Cheng Fangqiu frowned slightly. When they went to take photos, the receptionist had said it usually took half a month to a month. Why were they ready so soon?
“Okay, I understand. Thank you.” Even though she had doubts, Cheng Fangqiu didn’t waste the other person’s time and acknowledged the message.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Thank you, take care.”
Bored and with nothing to do, Cheng Fangqiu decided to take advantage of the cool morning and go to the photo studio to pick up the photos. After all, she was also curious about what the photos from this era would look like.
Once she made up her mind, she changed her clothes, grabbed her bag and keys, and headed out.
Only after leaving did she remember that Zhou Yinghuai must have taken the bicycle in the morning, and they didn’t have a second one at home. So now she was without transportation.
But since she was already out, she decided to go find Xu Qiqi.
When she arrived at the Chang household, Xu Qiqi had just woken up and was groggily eating breakfast. Seeing Cheng Fangqiu, she immediately invited her to join.
Cheng Fangqiu quickly waved her hand, indicating that she had already eaten, but her gaze involuntarily landed on Xu Qiqi’s neck. Only then did Xu Qiqi realize she was still in her square-neck sleepwear and blushed furiously, hurriedly covering herself with her hands.
But it was too late, and the attempt to cover up only made it more obvious.
Not only was Xu Qiqi embarrassed, but Cheng Fangqiu also felt awkward. Her mind automatically conjured up Chang Yan’an’s serious, restrained face. Tsk, who would have thought Deputy Director Chang was like this in private?
But she wasn’t in a position to judge others—Zhou Yinghuai was even worse than Chang Yan’an!
Fortunately, she had been wearing high-necked clothes recently, so everything was covered. At least she wasn’t as mortified as Xu Qiqi, who looked like she wanted to crawl under the table.
“I’ll go change my clothes.” Xu Qiqi, who was usually carefree, panicked when faced with this kind of situation.
Cheng Fangqiu, on the other hand, appeared much calmer. She nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll wait here for you.”
Not long after, Xu Qiqi reappeared in a new outfit, wrapped up tightly. When she came downstairs and met Cheng Fangqiu’s gaze, she coughed lightly and awkwardly explained, “After my husband and I cleared up our misunderstanding that day, we just…”
“Your relationship improved, right? I understand.” Cheng Fangqiu took a sip of water from her cup. To save Xu Qiqi from further embarrassment, she spoke casually, “Zhou Yinghuai and I are newlyweds too, so it’s about the same.”
Unexpectedly, Xu Qiqi seemed to have found a kindred spirit. She rushed over and sat down on the chair next to Cheng Fangqiu. “Qiuqiu, do you also feel like you can’t take it anymore? I still feel sore even now!”
“Ah, ah?”
Cheng Fangqiu hadn’t fully swallowed the water in her mouth and nearly spat it out upon hearing such bold words. She hadn’t expected her casual remark to unlock Xu Qiqi’s floodgates. Xu Qiqi angrily tore off a large piece of fried dough, acting as if she wasn’t eating fried dough but rather biting into Chang Yan’an himself.
“He’s been tormenting me to death. There’s not a single good spot left on my body.”
“He can go at it several times a night. He’s already thirty—how does he still have so much energy?”
“My aunt was worried he might not be up to it, but in the end…” Xu Qiqi paused, pointing at herself in disbelief, “It turns out I’m the one who can’t keep up.”
Cheng Fangqiu listened in stunned silence, her mind struggling to process the conversation. Good heavens, weren’t women of this era supposed to be reserved? Why did Xu Qiqi seem even more open than her? How could she talk so freely about her intimate life with her husband?
And she was spilling everything like pouring beans out of a bag. How much resentment had Xu Qiqi been holding onto?
“They say men are like flowers at thirty. Deputy Director Chang must be one of those.”
Cheng Fangqiu forced a laugh and offered a comforting remark. In both her lifetimes, Zhou Yinghuai was the only man she had been with. She had thought that only men in their early twenties, in their prime, could be so energetic and insatiable at night. She hadn’t realized that this had nothing to do with age.
But why did so many of her friends in her past life say that men’s performance declined sharply after twenty-five?
Could it be that this varies from person to person?
Cheng Fangqiu couldn’t help but wonder—if Zhou Yinghuai was already “overindulging” now, what would happen in the future?
She was genuinely concerned.
“By the way, if you’re feeling sore, you can ask your husband to buy a green-packaged ointment from the hospital. It works pretty well.” Cheng Fangqiu suddenly remembered something and offered the suggestion.
“There’s even ointment for that?” Xu Qiqi’s eyes lit up with curiosity, but then she frowned. “His face is as thin as paper. Expecting him to go buy it is like expecting a pig to climb a tree.”