In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

Around 8 p.m., the two cars left the compound. Wang Xingguo, who had not cheated, was also flushed from drinking.

Xu Guoqiang asked, "Boss, are you feeling a bit unwell? Should we drive slower?"

Wang Xingguo waved his hand and laughed, "It's nothing, I just drank a bit too much. It's been a long time since I've drunk with everyone, and I couldn't control my alcohol intake."

Li Mingliang laughed and said, "Boss, you're too modest. Everyone knows you can drink a lot without getting drunk. This time, you must have been happy, so the alcohol evaporated more slowly. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten drunk."

Wang Xingguo laughed heartily. In truth, he knew that if he wanted to stay sober, he would never get drunk.

After all, he was already quite skilled at putting the wine into his mouth and storing it directly into his spatial storage.

Given his alcohol tolerance, he could drink for a long time without getting drunk.

It's just unnecessary!

We're all family, and it's rare for everyone to see him, so it's nice to have a drink together like this.

After returning home, Grandpa Lin said to Wang Xingguo, "Xingguo, you need to put your research project on hold for now. The funding for the second half of the year will be cut."

Wang Xingguo frowned upon hearing this, and asked in confusion, "Grandpa, why are you cutting our funding?"

Grandpa Lin sighed and then explained, "It's not just about cutting yours, it's about cutting all our funding. We need to increase revenue and reduce expenditure to raise money for joint venture projects."

Wang Xingguo understood; it turned out to be to make way for the joint venture project.

In fact, joint ventures are a choice we have no other option but to make, because we need to introduce technology if we want to develop.

Joint ventures are essentially about exchanging market access for technology. If we don't do it this way, we would need too much time and resources to master some key technologies, which would seriously hinder the country's development.

Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "Since it's to make way for the joint venture project, there's nothing more to say. We have no choice but to obey the arrangements."

Grandpa Lin instructed, "Make sure you've explained things clearly to your people. Don't be resistant; actively cooperate with key projects. Remember one thing: national interests come first!"

Wang Xingguo nodded to indicate that he understood, and then told Wang Xingbang that Shen's father was not in good health and asked him to take the day off to take him to the hospital for a check-up.

Wang Xingbang asked, "Xingguo, is my father-in-law feeling unwell?"

Wang Xingguo explained, "I don't know what's wrong. He said he's been feeling weak lately, which sounds like the onset of a stroke. I'm a little worried, so I asked you to take him for a checkup."

Wang Xingbang said in surprise, "Oh, I see. Then I'll take leave tomorrow and take him to the hospital for a check-up. What's wrong with Yangyang? He doesn't pay any attention to the health of the two elders."

Shen Qingqing sighed, "Let alone Yangyang, he has several children now, and his income from work is limited. He's busy and overwhelmed every day."

Wang Xingguo asked, puzzled, "Sister-in-law, your father has a retirement pension, and with Yangyang's salary, you should be living quite well, right?"

Shen Qingqing smiled wryly, "Xingguo, you're busy with work all day and don't have much contact with the outside world. I'm afraid you haven't been to the market in a long time. Everything is getting more expensive now. His salary is just enough to keep him from starving, but he's barely making ends meet. I have to give him some money every month so that they can have a better life."

Wang Xingguo asked in surprise, "What's going on? Although the prices of meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products have increased, they haven't risen by much."

Li Xiuping sat next to Wang Xingguo, rolled her eyes at him, and said, "What do you know? Things are different now than before. There are so many more places to spend money. With that limited monthly quota, do you see our family not eating meat and eggs every day? If the children want to grow tall and healthy, they can't do without nutritional supplements. The quota is simply not enough, so buying meat, poultry, and eggs at negotiated prices has become the norm, and those prices are quite different."

Previously, a salary of thirty yuan could feed a family of five, but it wouldn't be enough to eat well or stay warm. Now, a salary of sixty yuan can only support a family of four or five. Wages haven't increased much, but prices have risen significantly, meaning money has lost its value. Naturally, Yangyang's salary isn't enough.

Wang Xingguo was a little embarrassed. He hadn't really looked into these things in the past few years and hadn't expected things to change so much.

That makes sense, after all, the large-scale return of educated youth to the cities already impacted the supply chain, and the advancement of reforms would indeed lead to price increases.

Wang Xingguo said to Shen Qingqing, "Sister-in-law, if you don't have enough money, I'll give you some to help you out."

Shen Qingqing quickly refused, saying, "No need, no need. We don't have any expenses right now. Your brother's salary is enough for us. Don't worry, even if it's to support my brother, it won't affect our lives."

This was to explain to Wang Xingguo in case he misunderstood.

In fact, Wang Xingguo didn't think too much about it, because in his view, helping his relatives was not a big deal.

Just like during those difficult times, if he hadn't given that grain to the clan, he could have made a fortune.

But he didn't choose to do that because he couldn't be that selfish and heartless.

At that time, Wang Xingguo had a feeling that if he chose to be selfish, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

If you ask him if he regrets it, he will say no.

The more experiences Wang Xingguo has had, the less obsessed he is with money. Besides, he is not short of money. If he were to sell the gold he acquired in Hong Kong, it would be an astronomical sum, enough for his descendants to live comfortably for generations.

The children were a little tired from playing today, so they all went to take a bath and go to bed.

After Wang Xingguo came out of the shower, Li Xiuping touched the scar on her stomach, a mark left from the cesarean section.

Wang Xingguo asked, "Wife, what's wrong?"

Li Xiuping sighed and said, "Honey, I was chatting with Mom today and learned about the passing of many elders. It suddenly made me realize how unpredictable life is and how fragile it is. If I hadn't been so lucky, I might have died on the operating table when I gave birth to Yueyue..."

Wang Xingguo didn't know how to comfort her, so he went over and hugged Li Xiuping, letting her lean against him.

Li Xiuping whispered, "I was thinking, if I had really left back then, would you have remarried? If you had, would that woman have treated my child very badly...?"

Wang Xingguo was both amused and exasperated, and comforted her, "Silly woman, don't think nonsense. I won't remarry. You're the only wife I've ever had. I could never betray you."

Li Xiuping smiled and said, "That's good. I don't know why, but I suddenly started thinking all sorts of random things. I know you're not that kind of person, but I can't help thinking about these messy things."

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xingguo said to Li Xiuping, "I think you're too idle. You need to find something to do eventually. How about this, you go and coax Grandpa, and mention Jianhua's marriage and children to him more often. It's not just us who want to have a grandson; I think the old man also wants to hold Jianhua's child. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Li Xiuping's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement, saying, "That makes sense. I'll mention this to Grandpa more often and see if he takes it more seriously. At least let Jianhua come back to find a wife through matchmaking, and then have a grandson for me to take care of. I'll be content."