Reborn in 1985, starting from a machine factory

"Go to hell!"

Chen Mo slapped the pig's heart back.

Da Xue laughed so hard tears almost came out.

Chen Mo turned around: "Da Xue, let's keep the antenna for now. I'll come over and see how to install it when I have time!"

"Aren't you going to finish your meal before you leave?" Erpang suddenly asked.

"Eat up! I already said I'm here to freeload!"

"Oh no, we've already eaten! What are we going to do?"

"Pig heart or pig ears? You can have either, whatever you like!"

"Hey kid, give me two more big steamed buns!"

"No problem!" Erpang took out a thermos and poured hot water into Chen Mo's cup.

"I just remembered something, Erpang. How about you set up a stall and sell antennas?"

I can't say how much you'll earn, but I'll definitely arrange a batch of goods for you.

"No!" Da Xue interjected, "We can't manage it all!"

She looked around the market; most of the areas were unlit.

In the few shops where lights were on, people could be seen smoking at the entrance.

"If your prepared food business isn't going to work, then quit!"

"I don't think this business is doing too well!" Chen Mo said.

"Should we just not do it?" Da Xue looked at Chen Mo.

"Sis, what did you say?" Erpang exclaimed in surprise, "We're not running the cooked food stall anymore?"

"I'm not doing it anymore!" Da Xue repeated, "Selling pork offal at a cooked food stall would be perfect, it would complement the meat stall perfectly!"

"But it's so tiring! Aside from the five and a half days off during Chinese New Year, when have we ever had a break?"

Da Xue looked at Er Pang.

"Sis!" Erpang spoke up, "I did complain a bit, but that's just how our family is!"

Da Xue gently shook her head: "There are gains and losses; I won't make this cooked food anymore!"

"Chen Mo, what are we having for dinner?"

"Hmm, let's make steamed bear paws, I've never had them before!" Chen Mo said.

"Erpang, get him a pig's trotter!"

"It's so late, cooking is too tiring, let's go to a restaurant!" Chen Mo ignored Erpang's pig's trotters.

"Hey, my sister's planning to show you her skills, what do you mean by that?"

"Then why aren't you packing up?" Chen Mo said.

"Take it, Erpang!" Daxue said.

Chen Mo washed his hands carefully and then helped.

That's the downside of food stalls: oil is everywhere, and if you're not careful, it'll get all over you!

Especially Chen Mo.

After packing up, Da Xue magically produced three or four dishes.

Same as last time, yet different!

The same low table, but the light seemed to be lowered even further, and the people were huddled closer together.

After finishing his meal, Chen Mo went outside.

"Erpang, don't see me off, I'm going back!"

"Wait, Chen Mo!" Da Xue suddenly spoke up.

"What's wrong?" Chen Mo turned around.

Da Xue wiped her hands with a towel: "You said that factory is short-staffed? Can I give it a try?"

Chen Mo's previously unfocused gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Heavy snow, really?"

Da Xue revealed a single dimple, then nodded.

...

Beiyang Heavy Industry!

Chen Mo rode his bicycle into the factory area early in the morning.

It's different from every morning!

Chen Mo arrived at nine o'clock, and there was no one on the road.

He deliberately stopped his bicycle in front of the bulletin board, where several red notices were still in the most conspicuous position.

He looked at them one by one, and then looked them back in reverse order!

Then, his brows furrowed unconsciously.

No!

His name wasn't even mentioned!

He shook his head, glanced at the documents beside him, and leaned forward after just one look!

I see!

I saw my name!

List of Candidates for the 1984 Beiyang Heavy Industry Evening College Examination

Chen Mo blinked hard. It had been a month, but it felt like a lifetime had passed!

He was full of ambition and decided to prepare for night school, which even offended a few people.

How could I have suddenly forgotten about it?

To this day, I haven't even bought a single study guide, let alone reviewed it!

Chen Mo scratched his head.

Given the antenna factory's profitability, this salary is nothing at all, but if I don't do this job, I feel like something is missing!

Hey!

Chen Mo sighed. He still had to study. Whether it would be useful or not was hard to say before he started learning.

You can only say that after you've finished learning it!

I'll buy books when I get back!

Chen Mo whispered something to himself, pushed his bicycle, and approached the main building.

"Knock knock!"

Chen Mo had just knocked on the door when a voice came from behind it: "Come in!"

Upon seeing Chen Mo, Secretary Liu sat bolt upright: "Chen Mo, what brings you here?"

"Is the factory not busy anymore?"

"It's alright!" Chen Mo sat down.

"I heard your antenna is quite popular. Don't worry about things here, you go ahead and do your work!" Secretary Liu said.

"When will Director Li and Yang Hui stop reflecting on their actions?" Chen Mo asked.

"It takes at least two or three months; otherwise, the effects won't be noticeable!"

"I understand, it'll probably take me two or three months too, right?" Chen Mo asked Secretary Liu.

Secretary Liu nodded readily this time: "Yes, everyone is the same!"

"Here you go, the factory manager heard your factory is doing well, so he asked me to give this to you!"

"It was yours to begin with anyway!"

Chen Mo took it and his eyes widened involuntarily: "Manual Lever-Type Coal Briquette Machine!"

This is a document that was previously given to the factory director and Secretary Liu.

"The antenna is finished, so please get this done as soon as possible. For one thing, my family is also waiting to use it!" Secretary Liu said.

Chen Mo smiled and said, "No problem!"

"By the way, Brother Liu, I'm not here to work, I'm here to deliver an antenna to you!"

"You and the factory manager will definitely find this useful!"

"How am I supposed to deliver it? Even if you bring it to the factory, I wouldn't dare accept it!" Secretary Liu looked towards the office door.

"Pick it up at the Hongxing Antenna Factory when you have time."

"That works!"

Secretary Liu nodded. This gift was for him and the factory director, and he had no right to refuse it on behalf of the factory director.

"Brother Liu, there's something else. I didn't see my announcement."

"This kind of thing needs to be recorded in your file, and it's always better to have a clean file!"

Secretary Liu leaned back in his chair: "Regarding what happened last time, some people haven't let it go. They've already sent me a letter reporting your moral failings and filial impiety."

"Brother Liu, isn't the factory manager supposed to be in control of everything? Can't he get rid of a few troublemakers?" Chen Mo asked.

"Brother, this is a state-owned factory; it's not easy for the factory manager to fire people if he wants to!"

"Even suspension without pay requires a serious violation, and the factory's Party Committee must make the decision!"

"It's not that simple!"

"If one director violates the rules, it's the director's problem. But if three or five directors or section chiefs violate the rules, it becomes the big boss's problem," Secretary Liu said casually.

Chen Mo blinked: "Brother Liu, why are you being so straightforward today?"

Secretary Liu smiled and said, "I heard your factory is hiring, one hundred a month, with a total income of over two hundred?"

"Just a minor skirmish, temporary!"

"Brother, my monthly salary is less than two hundred!"

"With the wages at our factory, you're unlikely to come back to work, so what's there to hide!"

"Brother Liu, your salary is one thing, but your relatives also get a share of the profits!" Chen Mo said.

"Oh, tell me, how many sets have been sold so far?" Secretary Liu picked up his pen.

"Three to four thousand units this month, no problem!"

"So many?" Secretary Liu could barely hold his pen.

"We sold that many, but we didn't produce that many!" Chen Mo shook his head.

"You can't make it?"

Secretary Liu smiled, "How about I do you a small favor?"