Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 173 We Will Eventually Take Flight
Listening to Wang Fucheng's words, Wang Chengpeng thought to himself that what was bound to happen would happen, and he knew that he would not be able to extricate himself from this matter so easily.

However, for Wang Chengpeng, this was entirely within his expectations; in fact, he could say he had been prepared for it.

Instead of directly answering Wang Fucheng's question, Wang Chengpeng got up and walked to the bookshelf next to him.

After fumbling around for a moment, Wang Chengpeng took some papers from the bookshelf, placed them on the table, and said:
"Uncle, don't flatter me. When did I become the most capable person in the village?"

"But you've come at the right time. I happen to have some blueprints that I'd like you to take a look at."

Faced with Wang Chengpeng's invitation, Wang Fucheng scratched his head and said awkwardly:

"Nephew, you're putting your uncle in a bit of a difficult position."

"Uncle only has this much education. He can understand small things, but he definitely won't understand such complex blueprints at all."

After saying that, Wang Fucheng turned to Wang Yong and asked, "Second brother, can you understand these blueprints?"

Wang Yong, who was innocently caught in the crossfire, looked completely bewildered and complained, "Dad, my education level is even lower than yours. How could I possibly understand something that you can't even understand?"

Looking at Wang Yong with disappointment and frustration, Wang Fucheng angrily cursed:
"I told you to read more books and study more, now you know how embarrassing you are, right?"

After speaking, Wang Fucheng said with a forced smile, "Nephew, we two illiterate people have made a fool of ourselves."

"Stop keeping me in suspense, tell me quickly what kind of blueprints these are and what their purpose is."

Of course, Wang Fucheng and Wang Yong couldn't possibly be completely illiterate; it's just that they genuinely couldn't understand the blueprints, and it was perfectly reasonable for them to call themselves illiterate in front of Wang Chengpeng.

However, the two men's frankness left Wang Chengpeng somewhat bewildered. He felt that he had drawn the blueprints very clearly, and that the function of the equipment should be obvious at a glance, but the two men still couldn't understand it.

Well, it seems I'll have to give a live demonstration again.

With that in mind, Wang Chengpeng took out a pencil and began to explain the blueprints.

About half an hour later, after explaining the drawings on the table, Wang Chengpeng asked:
"Yes, these are roughly the functions of the equipment on the blueprints. Uncle, cousin, do you understand?"

Nodding, then shaking his head somewhat guiltily, Wang Fucheng looked utterly dejected and said:

“Nephew, what you’re saying is far too profound for me to understand.”

"However, I think I understood a little bit of it. This drawing seems to describe a kind of cleaning device."

"This drawing depicts a simple filtration device, while this drawing appears to depict a layering device."

In that instant, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck Wang Fucheng's heart, causing him to instinctively exclaim:
"Nephew, are the equipment on these blueprints the equipment the sugar factory will need?"

"So that's why you're not in such a hurry. You were waiting for your uncle here."

“Although I don’t understand it, I’m sure my nephew is right. I’ll arrange for someone to find a factory to produce it right now.”

“I told you you’re the most capable person in our village, but you were too modest. And look, this problem was finally solved by you.”

Speechless, Wang Chengpeng rubbed his forehead and gave a bitter smile, saying, "Uncle, please don't flatter me."

"After all, this idea was mine, so I thought I'd help out if I could."

"But this drawing was just something I sketched off the cuff. It's not certain whether it's accurate or even useful."

"If you hadn't said that you really couldn't find a solution to make the equipment, I wouldn't have presented it here."

"After all, as you know, I'm just an ordinary student. I haven't read many books, so I don't have that kind of ability. I'm just offering some ideas as a last resort."

"In addition, the equipment is different from the beet sugar making method, and there is nothing ready-made in the book, so Uncle, you shouldn't have too high expectations."

After hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, Wang Fucheng's initial high expectations inevitably dropped by eight points.

However, Wang Chengpeng is right; something is better than nothing, and it's at least a way of thinking.

Thinking this way, he felt relieved and said, "No matter what, I should thank you on behalf of the whole village for your kindness, nephew."

"Whether it succeeds or not, my nephew's attitude of thinking about the whole village deserves my respect."

At this point, Wang Fucheng brought up the old matter again:
"By the way, nephew, the commune leaders were asking me the other day if I had any suitable candidates for village head."

“I think you are very suitable. You are capable and have a heart that cares about the people.”

“If you really have this idea of ​​serving the people, I can mention it to the commune. It’s time for me to share some of the burden with the younger generation.”

Shaking his head slightly, Wang Chengpeng said with a smile, "Uncle, I'm still young, how can I convince everyone?"

At this point, Wang Fucheng objected, saying, "Nephew, excessive modesty is just hypocrisy."

"Given what you've done, if a few of your actions were exposed, who would dare to have a problem with you?"

“You may be young, but you can start as the acting village chief. With me and your cousin looking after you, I'd like to see who in the entire Wangjia Village dares to disobey you.”

At this point, even Wang Yong started to persuade him: "Yes, Master."

"You shouldn't be wasting your talent here. You should have a better stage to showcase your talent so that you won't waste your genius."

"The sugar factory is just the beginning, but it is definitely not the end."

Faced with the two men's persuasion, Wang Chengpeng also felt a slight headache.

He agreed with what the two said, but he felt that the stage in Wangjia Village was still too small.

However, he couldn't say anything about the future, so he could only give a perfunctory answer:
"Let me think about it. I will give you an answer before the end of the year."

"As for now, what you should be worried about is the equipment in the sugar factory."

"Let me be frank from the start: these drawings are just my idea. You should still have a professional take a look."

"By the way, aren't there some educated youth in the village? They have some knowledge and might be able to help provide some ideas."

The resumption of the college entrance examination this year is basically a done deal by the end of the year.

If Wang Chengpeng achieves sufficiently excellent grades, Wang Fucheng and Wang Yong will no longer be able to persuade him to stay.

The roc will eventually spread its wings and soar one day!
Wang Fucheng accepted Wang Chengpeng's design drawings as if they were a priceless treasure, but declined Wang Chengpeng's invitation to stay for dinner.

With so much to do at the sugar factory, he didn't have time to stay here for a meal.

But just as he was about to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember something and said:
"Speaking of those educated youth in the village, there's something I want to tell you, but I don't know if it's important to you."

"That female educated youth named An Qiuyun, I don't know what connections she used recently, but she actually got the chance to return to the city."

"I remember she seemed to have a pretty good relationship with you. I heard she's leaving tomorrow at noon. If there's really something going on between you two, you should keep an eye on her."

"After all, the families of female educated youth who can return to the city early all have some extraordinary abilities. Getting to know them better will only benefit you."

"Especially since you're single, maybe..."

At this point, Wang Fucheng gave Wang Chengpeng a knowing look, then pulled Wang Yong away hastily.

Wang Chengpeng is right. The equipment in the sugar factory is not some child's play toy; it is related to the efficiency of sugar production in the future.

In addition, Wang Chengpeng said he also lacked confidence, so he naturally had to find someone to help him as soon as possible.

Then we'll need to find a factory that can produce the equipment, and there's a lot going on in that process.

He does not mean that.

Upon learning of An Qiuyun's impending departure, Wang Chengpeng was somewhat surprised, and a youthful and beautiful figure instantly flashed through his mind. The world is small, yet vast.

Many people may never have the chance to leave their village in their entire lives, while others will go to places that are unimaginably far away.

With a bitter smile, Wang Chengpeng murmured, "I thought we could at least be considered friends."

"They didn't even tell me they were leaving. It seems I was just being presumptuous."

Thinking that they might never have the chance to meet again after missing this meeting, Wang Chengpeng finally decided to see An Qiuyun off.

Since it's a farewell, it's not really appropriate to go empty-handed.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chengpeng decided to cook lunch for An Qiuyun himself.

After all, given An Qiuyun's gluttonous nature, nothing beats a sumptuous lunch.

Thinking this way, Wang Chengpeng suddenly had the idea of ​​cooking.

Many dishes cannot be made in one go; if you want them to taste better, you must prepare them in advance.

Not to mention that it's extremely difficult to buy good food in this era. If it weren't for the receipts given by Song Wenxin, even if Wang Chengpeng had the money, he wouldn't be able to easily maintain this high-quality life with meat at every meal.

Speaking of Song Wenxin, Wang Chengpeng subconsciously thought of Zhou Xia again.

It seems that this debt of more than a thousand yuan is still a large sum for him. Even with Song Wenxin's deliberate indulgence, it is still not a huge amount that he can raise in a short period of time.

However, given the other party's circumstances, this matter should be resolved soon, since he can't possibly let Wang Chengpeng have such a big handle on him forever.

Just as Wang Chengpeng was deep in thought, he heard Wang Meiyan's surprised voice:

"Brother, are you planning to cook yourself?"

The pursuit of a better life is a thought that everyone has. Although the food at home usually tastes pretty good, Wang Meiyan still misses the food that Wang Chengpeng used to cook from time to time.

Unfortunately, Wang Chengpeng is usually too busy to cook every day, so he only helps out by occasionally cooking a few dishes.

Smiling and nodding, Wang Chengpeng said, "Since I have some time, I can help cook one or two dishes."

"Even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice. Don't cut corners, or even I might not be able to make it taste good."

With her cheeks puffed out in a huff, Wang Meiyan said irritably, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who's careless?"

"Even if it's really not cooked well, it's definitely your fault as the chef."

Shaking his head helplessly, Wang Chengpeng said, "Okay, okay, it's all my fault."

"Just think of it as helping me out, chop and prepare the vegetables properly."

"By the way, the exam is in a few days, how's your preparation going?"

"If someone is still as careless as they were when doing their homework, they might not be able to go to school."

Mentioning exams, Wang Meiyan felt her brother's handsome face instantly turn repulsive, and she said angrily:

"I could solve elementary school problems with my eyes closed."

"If I don't do well on the exam, I'll offer my head as a reward."

I don't know what program Wang Meiyan heard on the radio recently, but she was making such a fuss about "bringing her head to me," as if she were some kind of female knight-errant from a novel.

Instead, Liu Chunhua, who had been listening to the two bickering with a smile, frowned, ran over, and quickly covered Wang Meiyan's mouth, saying:

"Pah, pah, pah! Children speak without thinking, but don't say such taboo things."

“Especially since you’re a girl, what kind of behavior is it to keep making a fuss all day long? You’ll have a hard time marrying into a good family when you grow up.”

Taking a deep breath, Wang Chengpeng recalled the image of Wang Meiyan from his previous life—a sallow-faced, thin, and timid woman.

But she just couldn't reconcile that image with the lively, cheerful, and lovable figure in front of her.

Such a scene filled Wang Chengpeng with emotion, and he realized that he had already changed some things silently, which was perhaps the biggest reason why God had given him a second chance at life.

With a playful stick out of her tongue, Wang Meiyan said, "If I can't get married, I can't get married. I'll have my mother support me for the rest of my life."

“I eat my mother’s food every day, and I’ll eat my family out of house and home.”

Looking at Wang Meiyan with affection, Liu Chunhua smiled and said, "How could I possibly support you for the rest of your life?"

Wang Meiyan looked completely indifferent and said, "Then I'll have my brother support me for the rest of my life."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chunhua immediately became displeased and said, "How can a girl do such a thing?"

"Cheng Peng, tell me about your sister."

Nodding, Wang Chengpeng said with a smile, "If my little sister is really too ugly to get married, it wouldn't be a problem for me to support her for the rest of my life."

"It's just a matter of getting some food. I'll have Big Yellow and the others share some of the leftovers from home with my little sister. I guarantee she won't starve."

Staring wide-eyed in disbelief, Wang Meiyan muttered in dissatisfaction:

"Brother, how could you do this to me? Are you even my real brother?"

"Hmph, if you ever come to me begging for food because you're so poor, I'll feed you leftovers too."

Watching her children laughing and playing together, Liu Chunhua smiled, feeling that life was now full of joy and satisfaction.

Especially when she looked at this spacious and bright mansion with its neatly arranged furniture, she felt that her life was getting better.

Even when she woke up, she could still hear Wang Tieshan's silly laughter from time to time. Upon closer inspection, she realized that he was having a wonderful dream and was grinning happily.

I could laugh myself awake from a dream.

Instead of mocking Wang Tieshan, Liu Chunhua felt a little embarrassed, wondering if she would be caught in the same situation by her husband that night.

Thinking of this, Liu Chunhua immediately put on a stern face and lectured:

"Neither of you are serious. The kitchen is not a place for you to fool around. Either work or go out and play."

After reprimanding the two, Liu Chunhua continued to work diligently.

Now even a sugar factory has opened in the village, and life is becoming more and more hopeful.

Those villages with village-run enterprises are the envy of everyone, as they can receive a lot more in goods and money at the end of the year.

If one could find a job at a sugar factory, that would be an enviable position.

While the wages for factory workers may not be as good as those in city companies, they work near their homes, making them a better value for money.

Thinking of this, Liu Chunhua sighed inwardly, realizing that working at the sugar factory meant there was absolutely no chance for her and Wang Tieshan to get a job.

Such a desirable job, which everyone envies, is something she and Wang Tieshan could only dream of.

Since I live nearby, I can ask if I can do some odd jobs when the sugar factory is busy. That would be a good way to support my family.

……

While Wang Chengpeng's family was laughing and chatting, on the other side, in the educated youth settlement, the atmosphere between An Qiuyun and Xia Mingyue was noticeably heavy.

(End of this chapter)