Courtyard House: My System - Artificial Human

The two were talking in front of the car about Lou Zhenhua's proactive efforts to increase production that afternoon, and Lin Weidong took the opportunity to mention it.

"Mr. Lou is a business tycoon who has survived turbulent times. More importantly, he has always supported the cause of the country, which is truly admirable."

Lou Zhenhua's tone was a bit high, and he smiled with a start.

"I can't compare to Comrade Lin and you in your hard work. This is all I'm capable of, nothing to brag about. Since liberation, I've received a lot of care, so naturally I support the country and the government."

"At this time, everything needs to be rebuilt, and even the smallest thing can contribute to the success. Mr. Lou, there's no need to be modest. Besides, not everyone has the same attitude as you. We've inspected many factories, and the steel rolling mill is the easiest to manage. There are other factories that are still operating at half capacity, just going through the motions, which is really troublesome!"

Lou Zhenhua's smile widened. He did all this just so that his superiors would see it!

However, he didn't want to talk much about his peers. In this industry, he had actually been excluded because of his actions.

Since Lin Weidong had brought up the subject, he didn't hesitate any longer and immediately and tactfully brought up the matter he was most concerned about.

"I didn't actually do much. The government arranged the procurement and delivery, and I just kept an eye on production every day. I didn't have to worry about not being able to sell the goods, or about being cheated when procuring them. To be honest, it's much easier than before. Personally, I feel that this model is quite worry-free."

Lin Weidong gave him a half-smile.

"Mr. Lou, do you really think this model is good?"

"Of course!"

Lin Weidong could tell Lou Zhenhua's true attitude just by looking at the status bar. He smiled and pointed in the direction of the Forbidden City.

"Mr. Lou, in the past, the emperor lived there, treating the masses like straw dogs. Now, the people are in charge... What makes you think we can stand up?"

"Of course! It's all thanks to the excellent leadership!" Lou Zhenhua quickly replied.

"More than that, the ultimate reason we were able to stand up is that we liberated our minds, and that all 400 million compatriots across the country united as one to overcome the difficulties. Mr. Lou, as the saying goes, a single chopstick is easy to break, but ten chopsticks are as strong as iron. You say the current model is good because the steel mill itself is one of those ten chopsticks. Only by uniting can we better build a new China. Naturally, it is the best model, the most effective model, and the model that must be implemented. Mr. Lou, do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I understand..." Lou Zhenhua replied, his heart heavy.

He naturally understood, but it was precisely because he grasped the unspoken meaning in Lin Weidong's words that he understood.

Therefore, I am even more worried, helpless, and resentful...

That was the factory he built from scratch, the foundation of most of his family business, but now it's like a puppet. How could he be willing to give it up?

"I don't think you understand, Mr. Lou. The wheels of history roll ever forward, never changing according to individual will. An individual is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot in the face of overwhelming forces. I thought that Mr. Lou, being a seasoned businessman, should be most adept at adapting to circumstances and acting in accordance with the times. Why do you seem... somewhat worried?"

Lou Zhenhua gave a wry smile, glanced at Lin Weidong who looked calm and collected in front of him, and kept muttering to himself.

Everyone understands the principle, but the difficulty lies in people's hearts!

"Mr. Lou, my words don't represent anything, they're just for your reference. But I think since you've already made your choice, you might as well take a longer-term view and consider it more carefully. After all, sitting on the fence won't end well; you have to give up something to gain something! It's getting late, so... shall we go back?"

"Definitely!" Lou Zhenhua suppressed his complicated thoughts and firmly grasped Lin Weidong's outstretched hand.

He watched Lin Weidong's figure disappear around the street corner, and remained silent for a long time after getting into the car.

Lin Weidong's words today could not possibly be just for reference... They completely shattered any remaining hope in his heart!

In fact, he had been preparing for both possibilities all along, but Lin Weidong's meaning was very clear: he wanted him to go down one path to the end.

There must be some aspects here that are advantageous to Lin Weidong, but as someone once said, the general trend is irreversible!

As Lou Zhenhua ran his hand along the leather texture of the bicycle seat, his struggling emotions involuntarily spread across his face.

If he really does as Lin Weidong says... what will he gain in the end if he gives up his vast wealth?

Lou Zhenhua pondered and imagined, and even looked forward to their next meeting, before bursting into laughter.

His composure was not as good as that of a young man?

Lin Weidong was not in a hurry about this matter.

He wouldn't be so confident as to change a businessman's stubborn mind with just a few words.

However, some benefits or exchanges of interest should not be given away too readily on the first occasion, otherwise the balance of power will be distorted.

Let's wait and see if Lou Zhenhua can reconsider, and then try to build connections and see if we run into any obstacles.

There's a saying that goes, "You won't turn back until you hit a brick wall."

He rode his bicycle leisurely towards the silk shop.

As dusk deepened, I arrived at my destination with two extra bags of gifts in my hands.

Tea, tobacco and alcohol, and Beijing-style pastries are all served in double portions.

Hu Yi had inquired about the tradition of door-to-door visits in Beijing and prepared everything in advance for him.

He knocked on the side gate of the silk shop's backyard. Chen's mother opened the door, her eyes looking at Lin Weidong with unfamiliarity.

Lin Weidong politely addressed her as "Auntie".

"Hey! Weidong, right? I hadn't even remembered you. Come in, come in, did you just get off work?"

When Chen's mother realized what was happening, she warmly welcomed them in while taking a moment to look them over.

She'd heard Lin Weidong's name so many times these past few days that she was practically sick of it, but this was still the first time she'd ever met him in person.

After looking him over, Chen's mother was nine-tenths satisfied with her first impression. He looked clear-headed and had a scholarly air about him, but he was also tall and had a handsome figure.

He lifted the bicycle into the yard by the frame in one hand, so he must be in good physical condition.

The only point deducted was because Lin Weidong and Chen Xueru were fooling around together. She didn't sleep a wink that night, constantly thinking about how to end things.

Chen's mother still had some reservations about this, but since things had come to this point and her prospective son-in-law had already come to the door, she wouldn't be so ill-mannered as to say anything inappropriate.

She warmly welcomed Lin Weidong into the house and poured him tea, then ran to the shop in front to call for someone.

The Hou family's situation was still unresolved, so she quietly told the father and daughter that Lin Weidong had arrived and asked them not to make a fuss.

But Chen Xueru, who felt that a day apart felt like three autumns, would never listen to that.

He immediately abandoned the guests beside him and ran towards the backyard.

Chen Zhongjie's already dark face darkened even more, and he still had to force a smile to smooth things over.

"Please excuse my rudeness. This girl is just excited because relatives are visiting. Well, whichever piece you like, I'll give you a discount of two cents."

"It's okay, it's okay..."

After Chen Zhongjie and his wife finished entertaining the customers in the shop and closed the door, they returned to the backyard and found that only Lin Weidong was sitting in the main room.

Chen Zhongjie was so angry that his head was buzzing!

He forced a smile and greeted Lin Weidong.

"You're here!"

He had originally planned to use his status as the prospective father-in-law to lecture Lin Weidong and take the opportunity to vent his anger!

That brat abandoned the guests and disappeared somewhere.

How could he possibly get angry?

"Weidong, sit down and have a smoke with your Uncle Chen."

Chen's mother guessed what was going on, smiled apologetically at Lin Weidong, and went straight to Chen Xueru's room.