I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

These words were like a ray of light, instantly illuminating Lou Zhenhua's thoughts.

He stared at Zhou Weiguo for a full half minute, then suddenly slapped his thigh: "Good lad! You're quick-witted! How come I never thought of this before? I was always thinking of either toughing it out or running away, completely forgetting the phrase 'go with the flow'!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, pacing back and forth in his study: "I have a few old friends in Hong Kong who specialize in import and export business. If we can join forces with them, importing machine tools and instruments will definitely not be a problem. And my sons are studying mechanical engineering abroad, which can help with the technology transfer..."

Seeing Lou Zhenhua's beaming face, Zhou Weiguo breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "Uncle Lou has channels and connections. As long as the direction is right, we can definitely succeed. But this can't be rushed. We need to plan slowly, starting with a small-scale import of supplies, and then expanding once we've established a foothold."

Zhou Weiguo pondered for a moment, then continued, "Besides, you must have a lot of money you can't spend right now. Why don't you talk to the leaders and exchange it for surplus domestic goods like silk and tea, and then ship them to Hong Kong to sell? Then use the profits to buy machine tools, precision instruments, and technology that our country urgently needs, and sell them back to the country at cost price—this way you're both doing business and contributing to the country. As long as this line can grow and provide real help to the country, who would bother you for no reason?"

"That's right! That's right!" He nodded repeatedly, patting Zhou Weiguo on the shoulder. "We really owe you a lot today! Without you, I'd still be stuck in this dead end. Don't worry, if this works out, Uncle Lou will never forget your contribution!"

Zhou Weiguo waved his hand, smiling as he smoothed things over: "Uncle Lou, you're too kind. I was just offering a suggestion casually. It's getting late, Xiao'e and Aunt Lou are probably still waiting outside, shall we go out?"

"Right, right, we were so focused on business that we forgot about dinner!" Lou Zhenhua finally snapped out of it, pulling Zhou Weiguo outside. "Come on, let's have dinner with Xiao'e and the others. We have to have a few drinks today!"

As the two reached the study door, they heard Lou Xiao'e's voice from the living room: "Mom, why aren't Weiguo and Dad coming out yet? The food is getting cold."

"What's the rush? Men are talking about serious matters." Lou Tan's voice was tinged with amusement. "You've been restless since earlier, are you afraid you'll run off with Brother Guo?"

"Mom! What are you saying!" Lou Xiao'e's voice was full of shyness, and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Zhou Weiguo and Lou Zhenhua exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh. Zhou Weiguo, however, secretly groaned in his heart—judging from this situation, this meal might not be so easy to handle.

Upon entering the living room, Lou Zhenhua warmly invited Zhou Weiguo to take a seat.

Lou Xiao'e blushed and sat down next to him without hesitation, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Not long after, Lou Tanshi came out of the kitchen carrying the last dish, smiling and saying, "Please sit down, it's time to eat."

"Weiguo, don't be shy, make yourself at home!" Lou Zhenhua picked up the wine bottle, poured Zhou Weiguo a full glass, and then said to Lou Xiao'e, "Xiao'e, refill your brother Weiguo's glass, I'm going to have a good drink with him today!"

Zhou Weiguo was speechless at his enthusiastic manner!

Lou Tanshi and Lou Xiao'e, who were standing to the side, also looked at Lou Zhenhua with puzzled expressions, not understanding why he was suddenly so excited.

After a few rounds of drinks, a bottle of baijiu was quickly emptied. Lou Zhenhua wanted to open a second bottle, but Zhou Weiguo quickly stopped him, saying, "Uncle Lou, that's enough. Drinking any more will only cause trouble."

Lou Zhenhua nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, staring at Zhou Weiguo and asking, "Weiguo, we haven't finished talking yet—what do you think of my Xiao'e?"

Upon hearing this, Lou Xiao'e's face flushed red to her ears. She lowered her head, but couldn't help but secretly glance at Zhou Weiguo, her eyes filled with expectation and unease.

Zhou Weiguo was taken aback by the question, and smiled awkwardly: "Xiao'e is a good girl, lively and sensible."

"That's good." Lou Zhenhua's smile became even more meaningful. "Ever since that silly girl saw you last time, she's been talking about 'Brother Guo' all day long. I was worried that she was just in love with someone she didn't like."

"Holy crap?"

Zhou Weiguo was completely stunned, looking at Lou Zhenhua with disbelief—he had just said he had a female confidante, so why was he pushing his daughter towards him?

Lou Tanshi looked at her husband with surprise, clearly not expecting him to say this suddenly.

Lou Xiao'e was both embarrassed and anxious. After a long pause, she finally whispered, "Dad! What nonsense are you talking about!"

After she finished speaking, she looked nervously at Zhou Weiguo, afraid of seeing rejection in his eyes.

Zhou Weiguo was speechless after Lou Zhenhua’s blunt words. His cheeks flushed red instantly, and he almost dropped his wine glass.

He coughed twice, using the act of getting up to cover up his panic: "Um... Uncle Lou, I'm going to the restroom."

After saying that, he quickly left the table as if he were fleeing.

Watching his hurried departure, Lou Tanshi immediately tugged at her husband's sleeve, her tone full of reproach: "Zhenhua, what's wrong with you today? How could you say such things in front of the child? How is Xiao'e supposed to face anyone after this!"

Lou Zhenhua didn't respond to his wife's words. Instead, he turned to look at his daughter sitting beside him, her face redder than the sunset. His gaze instantly turned serious: "Xiao'e, let me ask you a honest question—do you want to spend your whole life serving the country?"

Lou Xiao'e was stunned by the sudden question. She twisted the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands, buried her head almost to her chest, and didn't dare to raise her head for a long time.

"You just need to say 'yes' or 'no'."

Lou Zhenhua's voice did not soften at all, "Let's be frank today. If you're not willing, Dad will never mention this matter again; if you are willing, Dad will help you settle this matter."

These words seemed to give Lou Xiao'e courage. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes shining with a shy yet determined light, and nodded vigorously to her father.

"I didn't hear you clearly."

Lou Zhenhua deliberately put on a stern face, "You have to say it—even if it means following your mother, are you willing to go with him?"

The word "same" struck Lou Tanshi and Lou Xiao'e like a thunderclap, causing both mother and daughter to shudder simultaneously.

Lou Tanshi slammed her fist on the table in a panic: "Zhenhua! Are you crazy? You can't do this to Xiao'e..."

"Shut up!" Lou Zhenhua interrupted her sharply. "We parents can't choose our children's entire lives for them! Do you want her to marry that good-for-nothing Xu family boy in two years? My daughter, Lou Zhenhua's daughter, would rather marry a poor boy and suffer than be with a capable man like Weiguo. Even without the title of legal wife, she can live a life of comfort and security!"

He softened his tone and looked at his wife: "You've been with me for so many years, have I ever let you suffer a single day of injustice?"