Starting from 1950

Time flew by and it was already time to get off work in the evening.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the glass windows of the factory, casting a warm golden hue over the workshop filled with steam and the aroma of flour.

The workshop was bustling with activity, the furnaces were burning brightly, and steam was billowing from the steamers.

With many hands making light work, several makeshift stoves and small drying rooms were set up in the workshop in just one morning.

We are currently in the stage of determining the finished product standards; the production process will be addressed later.

Throughout the afternoon, with Su Yang's "just right" reminders from time to time, the first batch of relatively successful test products was produced!

A dozen or so non-fried pancakes, slightly lighter in color than fried ones and more rustic in appearance, but equally fluffy with tempting golden-brown edges, lay quietly on the cutting board.

They are not as crispy and fragile as fried ones, and they don't have obvious toughness and elasticity when you squeeze them.

"Aunt Wang, come here!" Su Yang handed the pancake to Wang Cui, who was looking at it expectantly.

Wang Cui took a deep breath, picked up the dough, and vigorously rubbed it with both hands!

"Click..."

The cracking sound wasn't as crisp and loud as when it was deep-fried, but the dough still managed to turn into irregular little strips.

Before she could even speak, Li Dabenshi, Ruan Sumei, and several group leaders hurriedly grabbed a handful and stuffed it into their mouths.

"Hmm! The texture is good!"

"It's not as fragrant as deep-fried noodles, but it's ten times better than stir-fried noodles!"

The crowd started discussing it animatedly.

Su Yang picked up another whole flatbread, put it into the lunchbox, poured in boiling water, sprinkled on some simply toasted chopped green onions and a little bit of chopped pickled vegetables, and then put the lid on.

After a three-minute wait, the lid was lifted, and steam rose up, mingling with the pure aroma of wheat.

The noodles unfurled in the water, not blooming like when fried, but remaining distinct and healthy-looking, a light white color, with each strand clearly visible.

Su Yang sprinkled some salt on it, stirred it, picked up a chopstickful, and put it in his mouth.

The noodles are smooth and chewy, with the unique warmth of steamed food and the sweetness of wheat.

Although it lacks the rich aroma of deep-fried noodles, it retains the chewiness and resilience of the noodles themselves!

"It's done! It's chewy! Edible! And tastes just right!" Su Yang's eyes lit up, and a bright smile spread across his face. He said to the others, "Everyone, try some!"

Upon hearing this, Li Dabenshi and several workshop cadres quickly made themselves some instant noodles.

After a short wait, the workshop was first filled with the sound of people slurping noodles, followed by a chorus of praise.

"Mmm! Chewy! It tastes like noodles!" Li Dabenshi affirmed first, as he, as a noodle expert, cares most about this texture.

"Great! Really great!" Wang Cui nodded repeatedly, excitedly saying, "Although it's not as fragrant as fried noodles, the texture is so much better than stir-fried noodles! The soldiers will definitely love it!"

Although the workers didn't get to taste it, they couldn't help but applaud when they saw the joy and affirmation on the faces of the key figures!

The workshop erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once again.

After a day of intense testing, we finally saw the light of success!

"You've all worked hard!" Wang Cui said loudly, looking at her tired but excited colleagues. "We've fired the first shot today! But this is just the beginning! We still need to optimize the process, increase production, and research seasoning! The factory manager entrusted this glorious task to our workshop, and we absolutely cannot let him down! Now go home and rest, and continue the battle tomorrow! We must get our 'Defend the Country Noodles' to the front lines as soon as possible!"

After her inspiring speech, seeing everyone still staring intently at her, she couldn't help but chuckle and continued, "Ahem! As agreed at the beginning, everyone can buy and try these experimental samples, but due to confidentiality, you can only eat them in the workshop before leaving!"

"Okay!" Everyone responded in unison, and scattered to get their lunchboxes.

Putting the delicious food aside, the workers felt a great sense of accomplishment after a busy day, and no one would want to miss tasting the fruits of their labor.

Su Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he called out, "Aunt Wang, I'll buy 10 yuan worth, 5 yuan each of fried and non-fried!"

"What? You've been eating all day and you're still not full?" Wang Cui teased.

Throughout the afternoon, she, Su Yang, Ruan Sumei, and several workshop foremen would taste the pancakes made after each experiment.

After half a day, the men's bellies were already round and full, which is why these cadres didn't rush to buy bread with the workers.

Su Yang moved closer to her and whispered, "I want to take it back for Sister Xinxue to try."

Wang Cui paused for a moment, then hesitated.

However, in the end, she still counted out 10 pancakes for Su Yang. After all, Su Yang was one of the main inventors of "Defend the Country Noodles." But as she handed them to him, she also reminded him, "You have to be careful about the confidentiality principle."

Su Yang took out 10,000 yuan from his pocket and handed it back, smiling, "Aunt Wang, don't worry, Sister Xinxue isn't a gossip."

"That's true." Wang Cui nodded in agreement.

"Alright! I'm off work now. We can discuss the production process tomorrow!"

"good!"

......

Su Yang walked out of the workshop and breathed a long sigh of relief. He felt the burden on his shoulders was lighter, but the responsibility in his heart was heavier.

The chilly winter evening breeze blew against his sweaty forehead, yet it felt incredibly refreshing.

Looking up at the setting sun, a magnificent glow illuminated the towering chimneys and factory outlines, as if cheering for this small victory.

"Coo!" A familiar cry descended from the sky.

Xiaoyu landed precisely on his shoulder like a white lightning bolt.

"Xiaoyu, you did a great job today! Come on, let's go home!" Su Yang smiled and stroked Xiaoyu's smooth feathers.

The bird nuzzled his cheek affectionately.

Just now, when Su Yang was in the workshop, Xiao Yu told him about today's battle through a soul connection.

Xiaoyu eliminated a total of 29 rats today. Although it was not as efficient as Su Yang's, it was still a contribution to curbing the resurgence of the rat infestation in the area, given that Su Yang was busy.

Xiaoyu had just told him that she had given the 29 rat tails to the security department, and that Wu Xinxue was waiting for him to leave work together.

Two more security guards were stationed at the corner of Workshop One. This was a special arrangement by Zhou Zheng to prevent the "Defend the Country Noodles" from being inquired about by irrelevant people.

Wu Xinxue was also nearby, clearly having come to find Su Yang but been stopped.

She leaned against the wall with her small bag on her back, listlessly kicking a small pebble on the ground with her foot.

"We don't have money to buy new shoes if we kick them to pieces," a faint voice said.

"Su Yang! You're off work!"

Wu Xinxue looked up, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes, followed by a haughty remark: "That's all your fault! Who told you to donate all our family's savings?"

"Yes, yes, it's all my fault. I brought you something nice today to make amends."

Su Yang said with a forced smile.

He knew that Wu Xinxue wasn't complaining that he hadn't consulted her before donating the money; she was just being girlish and wanted to tease him.

This girl is thrifty, but not stingy. She saves small amounts of money and spends big amounts in her daily life.

Su Yang secretly donated their combined savings. When Wu Xinxue found out, she smiled and said, "Actually, I've wanted to donate for a long time, but since you earned most of this money, I didn't dare to make the decision."

As the broadcaster in the propaganda department, Wu Xinxue was responsible for broadcasting the factory's ideological and political education tasks to the entire factory.

When it comes to ideological awareness and national righteousness, it's naturally not up to Su Yang to lecture her.

But Su Yang didn't discuss it with her after all, and impulsively donated her savings as well.

He was indeed in the wrong.

"Hmph! That's more like it. I'll forgive you since you've been so well-behaved!" Wu Xinxue's eyes curved into crescent moons with laughter as she reached out to snatch the oil paper package from Su Yang's hand. "Let me see what new things you've come up with this time!"

Shh~ Watch it when you get home!

"Then let's go! I'll give you a ride today. My cycling skills have improved by leaps and bounds in the month you've been gone!"

"Really? Then I'll have to take a good look!"

The two chatted and laughed, walking briskly towards the factory gate in the afterglow of the setting sun.