Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 371 Your money, Mom hid it here

Chen Luyang was tempted, but embarrassed: "Brother Sheng, I'm quite heavy, can you carry me?"

Sheng Haisen scoffed, "We can carry the cabinets ourselves, let alone someone as small as you."

Chen Luyang didn't refuse. He jumped onto the tricycle, sat on the crossbar, and rode towards the factory in Fengnan District, facing the evening breeze.

"Brother Sheng, your accent doesn't sound like a local's. Where are you from?"

“My hometown is far away, in Anfeng,” Sheng Haisen replied as he pedaled his bicycle.

"An Feng?" Chen Luyang was taken aback. "Then why did you come all the way to Piancheng to collect scrap?"

Sheng Haisen countered, "Do you know what this factory used to be for?"

Chen Luyang nodded: "I know, I heard it's a roasted melon seed business."

Sheng Haisen said, "My brother used to be the one frying melon seeds here."

...Holy crap?!
Chen Luyang was stunned for a moment.

"And what about your brother now...?"

Sheng Haisen shrugged: "He's locked up inside. It'll be several years before he can get out."

Chen Luyang: The case is solved.

No wonder Sheng Haisen and his group had the key to the back door of the factory that the city had taken back!
So this factory building used to belong to someone else!

Sheng Haisen said, "After my brother went in, the brothers and I decided to sell everything and split the money to go home."

"I ended up doing this job after selling them for a while."

Chen Luyang understood.

A group of them went out to roast melon seeds, but they were reported for engaging in capitalist economic activities.

Compared to opening a factory to roast sunflower seeds,
Although collecting recyclables is hard work, it is safer and more liberating.

Not to mention that there are many industrial and residential areas here, so there are plenty of resources and items to find.

The key is that you don't have to worry about being reported.

This group of people walked the streets and alleys every day. Over time, they accumulated a lot of goods, and their income became quite considerable.

"But it seems like you don't stay here at night," Chen Luyang asked, puzzled.

Since they have the key to the back door,

The dorm rooms and beds upstairs are all ready-made, so there's no reason why we shouldn't stay here at night.

"Living here won't work; it will interfere with your career."

After saying the word "career," Sheng Haisen laughed at himself.

They travel all over the country every day, wandering around like street urchins, without any semblance of a career.

"It's too far from the center here, and there's not much here."

"We can't afford the hassle of traveling back and forth."

Chen Luyang nodded: I understand!

"Are all these brothers from your hometown too?" Chen Luyang asked.

"Yes! They're all from our village."

Sheng Haisen's voice was filled with emotion: "They followed my brother and me, leaving our hometown to beg for a living. My brother is in jail, so I have to give them something to look forward to."

"Although picking up trash doesn't sound good, it's at least a way out."

Chen Luyang laughed: "Brother Sheng, there's no such thing as high or low status in labor."

"Working people are happy people."

"A happy person is a working person."

Sheng Haisen laughed and said, "That's right! Working people are happy people."

His red shirt was soaked with sweat, and his slightly hunched back swayed from side to side as he pedaled hard.

Flat ground is fine.

When they reached the uphill section, Sheng Haisen's muscles tensed, every inch bursting with power.

After looking at it for a while, Chen Luyang said, "Brother Sheng, these bikes are too tiring to ride. I'll have our Master Zhang modify your bicycles to make them faster and easier to ride."

Sheng Haisen couldn't help but turn around: "This bicycle can be modified?"

Chen Luyang laughed and said, "Of course we can! We're going to open a car maintenance and repair center."

"Those who came with me this time are all experienced car makers and technical backbones from our province's machinery factory who make cars by hand."

“We can modify cars, let alone your little tricycle.”

"As long as you have the materials and tools, we craftsmen can make anything for you!"

The two chatted and laughed as they walked.

Back at the factory, after jumping off the tricycle, Chen Luyang's eyes widened:
"Didn't you move everything out? How come there's still so much left?!"

A middle-aged man pointed somewhat shyly to the pillows and blankets on the floor:

"Comrade, these are the ones we used before, they're dirty."

"We'll take all of these with us in a bit, so you don't have to clean them up."

Chen Luyang remembered the pile of things on the bed in the dormitory on the second floor, and then it dawned on her.

"Ugh! Why throw these away? It's better to keep them for us. We can wash them and reuse them."

Sheng Haisen said, "I know a place that specializes in making bedding. I'll take you there tomorrow."

Director Lu, who was smoking and listening nearby, quickly asked:

"Are there any places that have good carpentry services? And cheap places that can build frames and cabinets?"

Sheng Haisen asked, "What kind of shelves and cabinets do you want?"

Director Lu gestured roughly: "It's like those cabinets and shelves where you can put tools and equipment."

Sheng Haisen frowned: "The bedding must be new, but do these cabinets and shelves really have to be made from scratch?"

"If you're not in a hurry, my brothers and I can keep an eye out for any old, usable cabinets that you don't need. We can bring them over and you can use them right away, wouldn't that be great?"

Director Lu chuckled: "That would be great if there were some readily available and free... as long as they're not from someone's family who died."

Sheng Haisen sighed helplessly: "Brother, how come there are so many dead people every day?"

"Tomorrow I'll take you to the city. Although we're not very capable, we know exactly where things are cheap and where things are good."

"With us by your side, at least you won't suffer any losses."

Chen Luyang said, "There are many of us, and we need to buy a lot of things. We might not be able to finish buying them in a day or two. Won't it interfere with your work if you accompany us every day?"

“What’s the rush?” Sheng Haisen parked his tricycle at the factory gate. “Besides, you’re helping us improve our bicycles. We can’t work without a vehicle, so this is a good opportunity to walk around with you.”

Chen Luyang smiled.

He figured that Sheng Haisen was afraid he might change his mind, so he was waiting for him here.

At that moment, the two groups made a division of labor.

Some people went out to purchase supplies, while others stayed in the factory to improve bicycles.

I don't know where Sheng Haisen got his hands on it, but he brought back a dozen or so pillows and blankets in just one day.

Chen Luyang and the others immediately checked out of the guesthouse and moved into the factory that night.

The factory was quiet and cool at night.

Opening the window, you can clearly hear the station's loudspeakers and announcements; it's chaotic, but it doesn't disturb everyone's sound sleep.

Chen Luyang lay on her bed in the dormitory, staring at the ceiling and listening to Zhang Guoqiang's snoring.

I felt as if a huge weight had finally been lifted off my shoulders.

Now that we've taken possession of the factory building, the next step is to contact the factory to ship the machines and equipment there.

I miss home...

Chen Luyang sighed softly.

He originally planned to come here to take over the factory, pack his things up simply, and then return to the provincial capital to prepare for school.

But given the current state of the factory, leaving on my own isn't an option...

Just as Chen Luyang was frowning and pondering how to allocate her time,
In the darkness, Director Lu's soft call came through. "Director Chen~"

"What's wrong?"

"Director Chen, I just figured it out. The remaining odds and ends in the factory can be handled by a few of us. Since there's still some time before school starts, why don't you go back to the provincial capital and take care of it?"

These words struck a chord with Chen Luyang.

"If I leave, will you be able to manage?"

Lu Jule: "What's wrong with that? This place isn't even as big as our factory building, so it'll be easy to clean up!"

"Then we'll be counting on you here, Director Lu. Please keep a close eye on things," Chen Luyang said.

In the past, he would have taken the lead and guided everyone to finish the work properly.

But there are still things to take care of at home, and he really doesn't feel at ease staying here.

With Lu Quanyou in charge, Chen Luyang bought a train ticket and rushed back to the provincial capital overnight to report the specific situation to the factory.

After getting off the train, I rushed back to my own yard.
Chen Luyang then saw two middle-aged men walk out of his courtyard.

Chen's mother and eldest sister followed behind, saying shyly as they saw them off:

“My second son is away on a business trip to Pian’er City. We don’t know when he’ll be back. When he gets back, I’ll have him go to the newspaper office to find you.”

A middle-aged man quickly said, "No need, no need, we'll come back tomorrow."

I heard he's a reporter from a newspaper.
Chen Luyang instinctively hid behind the wall behind him.

I'm scared...

I'm really scared!

Now, he feels apprehensive whenever he hears the word "newspaper".

What if I take a few more photos of myself and they end up in the newspaper?

My mom and sister might put my photo up somewhere.

I held my breath and watched the two reporters leave.

Chen Luyang then stealthily walked out, closed the courtyard gate, and asked:
"Mom, who are those two people?"

When Chen's mother suddenly saw Chen Luyang appear from behind her, her heart almost stopped in shock.

"You brat, you didn't even tell me you were coming back!"

Saying,

Still not satisfied, Chen's mother punched Chen Luyang a few more times.

"You've been admitted to Peking University, haven't you? The provincial newspaper said they want to interview you and write a report about you."

“I’ve been coming here every day for the past few days.”

Although Chen's mother welcomed the reporter, she couldn't stop people from knocking on her door every day.

When he talked about this, his tone was slightly unfriendly.

"Perfect timing, now that you're back, quickly take some time to go to the newspaper office and get them to finish the work."

Chen Luyang resisted strongly: "I don't have time for that! Director Wang and Deputy Director Yu are waiting for my report!"

Chen's mother said, "Director Wang and Deputy Director Yu went to the provincial capital to report today, so it's no use you going."

As Chen's mother muttered to herself, she skillfully walked into the house, wrung out a towel for her son, and handed it to him to wipe his face.

Chen Luyang asked curiously, "What did Director Wang and the other two report to the provincial authorities about?"

Chen's mother said, "I heard that they are going to hold a production and sales conference, inviting reporters and electromechanical companies from all over the country to come and promote and sell cars together."

Chen Luyang laughed: "I've noticed that our factory is quite good at picking the right time to sell cars. Either we sell them on a freezing cold day by the river in the freezing wind, or we sell them in the sweltering heat of summer.

Chen's mother said, "We've come this far, we have no choice but to sell! How did it go this time? Did it go smoothly?"

Once the topic came up, Chen Luyang started talking non-stop.

"Things went smoothly, but there's something interesting about this: the factory we chose was previously occupied by a group of scavengers..."

As Chen Luyang spoke, she followed her mother into the inner room.

He leaned against the stool on the kang (a heated brick bed) and began to learn from Chen's mother.

Chen's mother held a crochet hook and listened attentively as she crocheted a can cover.

He would ask from time to time:
"What else is going on?!"

"That's his brother!?"

"Then he's better than his brother..."

"Second brother, could it be that he's the older brother, and his younger brother went in in his place?"

As Chen's mother spoke, her thoughts became increasingly rambling, to the point that Chen Luyang was somewhat bewildered.

"Mom, I've discovered your talent; it's a waste that you're working as a cook in the factory canteen!"

"You should write novels!"

Chen's mother glanced at him and said, "Your mother has many other talents."

Chen Luyang nodded with a smile, then suddenly!
Chen Luyang seemed to remember something, turned around and darted back to her room.
Under Chen's mother's suspicious gaze, he took out a cloth bag that was wrapped in a round shape and about the size of a fist.

"Mom, here you go, keep it safe." Chen Luyang mysteriously handed the cloth bag to her mother.

"What's this?" Chen's mother asked, taking the cloth bag with a puzzled look and opening it to take a look!
It's full of bills!

Judging by the thickness, it must be at least several thousand!

"Mom, this is my royalties. I counted it, and there's a total of over 3000 yuan."

Chen Luyang said, "When I'm not home, I save this money for my family to spend."

Chen's mother had never seen so much money in her life!
"Second brother, how come the royalties are so high?!"

"You didn't have this much money when you first finished writing that book!"

Chen Luyang said, "This is a cassette tape, so it might be a bit more expensive."

"Here's the money. If you ever need it at home, just use it!"

Chen's mother said, "What could have happened at home that would cost so much money? Besides, this money is for you to get married!"

Chen Luyang was helpless.

"Mom, what kind of wife do you need to spend so much money on!"

Chen's mother glanced at him: "What do you know! If that female manager really falls for you, with her qualities, wouldn't you want to win her over?"

These words struck a chord with Chen Luyang.

"Mom, don't you also think it's a good idea for me to marry her?"

Chen's mother glanced at him and said, "I don't think it's a good idea."

Chen Luyang asked in surprise, "Why? What's wrong with it?!"

Chen's mother said, "With you always acting like a dog jumping around, that girl is really unlucky to have met you."

Chen Luyang choked on her words.

"No... I'm still very young! I'll be all grown up and mature when I graduate from university."

"I can't even imagine how amazing I'll be by then!"

Chen's mother silently rolled her eyes.

She rolled off the kang (a heated brick bed) and hid the cloth bundle containing the money in a pile of tattered yarn balls under the kang.

"Your money, Mom hid it here, don't forget!"

Chen Luyang: Hmm??

What does it mean that I hid my money?
"Mom, besides hiding my money, you're also hiding other people's money?"

Chen's mother glanced at him and said irritably, "Do you think you're the only one who's filial and knows how to contribute money to the family?"

Chen Luyang: ? ? ?

"Besides me, who else told you to hide the money?!"

Chen's mother rolled her eyes: "There's a lot. Junjun's New Year's money is all hidden here with me."

(End of this chapter)