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

A month later, through Wang Xingguo's connections, some of the young people in the clan went to Guangzhou to trade clothing and electronic products and then brought them back to Beijing to sell, while others went to the border to trade Soviet goods.

Wang Xingguo, as their uncle and great-uncle, was very competent in his role, using a lot of favors to help them get off to a smooth start.

That afternoon, Wang Xingguo arrived at a research institute by car. After getting out of the car, he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the people who were there to greet him. Then he went to the testing center at the firing range to watch the soldiers test the new rocket launcher.

Wang Xingguo couldn't experience it in person; he could only watch the soldiers test it from afar by the window.

If he were to experience it firsthand, the sound of the rocket launcher exploding might rupture his eardrums again.

Unfortunately, the aftereffects from that year mean he can never withstand the sound of a violent explosion again.

Wang Xingguo himself was quite regretful, lamenting that he had developed this problem, otherwise he would have found it much more satisfying to operate it himself.

Shortly after, the test results came out. Wang Xingguo looked at the new test data, then at the data for the old rocket launcher, and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Very good, the performance has improved considerably. By the way, did you use the latest gunpowder this time?"

The person in charge replied, "Sir, it's not the latest type of gunpowder. We submitted an application for that, but it hasn't been approved yet."

Wang Xingguo instructed, "Then let's wait until the latest gunpowder is approved, use it to make a batch of shells, and then test the effect. If we use this data to apply for funding, I'm afraid we won't be able to get much money, since the improvement isn't significant. But if the shells made with the new gunpowder show a significant performance improvement, then the effect will be different. At least I can speak more confidently and fight for more funding for you."

Everyone smiled and nodded to show they understood. They all knew what kind of person this leader was and that he wouldn't lie.

Moreover, this leader was incredibly dedicated to securing funding, and when he got really tough on himself, he would even criticize himself.

After leaving with the test data files, Wang Xingguo asked his secretary, "What other places do I have to visit next?"

Qiao Guodong took out a document containing Wang Xingguo's schedule. After glancing at it, he replied, "Boss, today's outing is over, and it'll be almost time to leave work by the time we get back to the office. Should we just go straight home?"

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xingguo asked Qiao Guodong, "Guodong, what kind of gifts do you think kids these days like?"

Qiao Guodong asked with a smile, "Boss, are you planning to buy Yueyue a birthday present? I remember Yueyue's birthday is still half a month away, right?"

Wang Xingguo smiled and nodded, saying, "I was planning to buy her a birthday present, but I was afraid I'd forget because I'm so busy with work."

After thinking for a moment, Qiao Guodong replied, "Boss, you seem to have developed a strong interest in dresses lately. How about we buy her a couple?"

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xingguo said, "Buying a dress is not suitable. I don't know the girl's size, and if I buy one that doesn't suit her taste, she'll pout for ages."

At this moment, bodyguard Xu Guoqiang said with a smile, "Sir, I think you should buy Yueyue a tape recorder. Young people these days love to listen to Hong Kong pop songs."

Wang Xingguo nodded upon hearing this and said, "That's a good idea. We could buy one for Yueyue. She loves to sing so much, she'll definitely like this kind of radio."

Qiao Guodong nodded in agreement, saying, "This thing is indeed popular with young people, and you don't have to worry about buying one that doesn't suit your taste; just go and buy the best one."

Wang Xingguo laughed and said, "Then it's settled. Guodong, you check how much it costs tomorrow, and then you'll be responsible for asking my wife for the money to buy it back. We can't let Yueyue know in advance, otherwise there won't be any surprise on her birthday."

Qiao Guodong smiled and said, "Okay, boss, don't worry. I'll keep the money in my dorm room first, and then deliver it to you on Yueyue's birthday. That way, there won't be any leaks."

Everyone grinned, mainly because of that "leaked information" remark, which even Wang Xingguo couldn't help but chuckle.

After all, it's a bit funny to prepare a gift for a little girl and have to keep it a secret.

The car sped along and arrived back at Wang Xing's house at five o'clock in the afternoon.

Qiao Guodong took the documents back to the General Equipment Department. His job as a secretary was not easy. While Wang Xingguo could leave work, he still had to put the documents into the archives and then check which tape recorder was the best and how much it would cost.

By the time he finished all these tasks, it was already past six o'clock. He hurriedly went to the cafeteria for dinner and then had to check if anyone had called looking for Wang Xingguo. Only after confirming that no one had called could he go home to rest.

Wang Xingguo and Grandpa Lin drank tea and talked about the railway.

Grandpa Lin asked, "Xingguo, how can you be sure that the Soviet Union can exchange light industrial products for heavy industrial products?"

Wang Xingguo smiled and said, "Grandpa, you must have seen the report, right? It clearly states that they are severely lacking in light industrial products. We have this advantage, so let the people in the community give it a try. Maybe we can get some unexpected results."

Grandpa Lin nodded and sighed, "So many old friends have passed away over the years. I don't know how much longer I have to live. I hope that before I go, my children can receive that honor."

Wang Xingguo actually knew some things. He remembered that Grandpa Lin only retired in the 90s, but he really didn't know exactly when he passed away.

Grandpa Lin still has at least ten years before he can retire, and he is considered to be living a long life.

Wang Xingguo is almost forty years old now, while Grandpa Lin is only sixty-six. This means that he will not retire until he is at least seventy-five or eighty years old and can live a completely retired life.

With so many years to go, we should be able to wait until Cheng-An or Chien-Hua win that honor.

So he said with a smile, "Grandpa, you're so healthy, you'll work for at least another ten years before you can retire. Your children are so promising, they'll definitely make you see how they carry on my aunt's legacy."

Grandpa Lin laughed heartily, because Wang Xingguo's comment about how promising the children were made him very happy.

Because he trained these children himself, the more outstanding they are, the more accomplished he feels, and he is especially proud of them.

Wang Xingbang came home from get off work and asked with a smile, "Grandpa, Second Brother, what are you talking about that makes you so happy?"

Grandpa Lin laughed and said, "We didn't talk about much, just that Cheng'an and Jianhua were doing well."

Wang Xingguo asked with a smile, "Brother, why are you leaving get off work so early today?"

Wang Xingbang explained, "I was replacing wires for other departments today, and it was so late by the time I finished. Since I don't need to clock out, I might as well go home early."