Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2717 We Are Different (Third Update, Please Subscribe)
October in New York is already late autumn.

A slight chill hung in the air, and the air in a narrow back alley in Manhattan carried the sour smell of garbage cans. This alleyway, the back of the Jinling Roast Duck Restaurant, also served as a makeshift washroom, with water gushing from the taps.

Wang Jingguo and Tian Yici were dressed identically, with the sleeves of their white shirts rolled up to their elbows, and they were washing a mountain of plates with their heads down.

Their hands were covered in foam. They were international students who had just arrived in New York. Like others, they came here to find work and make a living. Because they did not have work visas, they could only work illegally in the kitchen of this Nanjing roast duck restaurant.

Although they were working illegally, they were paid quite a bit, according to the boss:
"We act according to our conscience!"

The boss is from SEA, in his fifties, and speaks with a Nanjing accent. Although he is usually very polite, he is strict with his employees and will often yell at them. Just now, Wang Jingguo accidentally broke a small bowl and was scolded by the boss for two minutes in front of everyone in the kitchen.

"Phew, this boss is too stingy."

Wang Jingguo, rubbing the plate, spoke with a tone full of grievance and dissatisfaction:
"It's just a small bowl. I didn't do it on purpose. I think he's just like the other SEA people, arrogant and rude, as if they're the most important people in the world."

Tian Yici paused in his movements, looked up at Wang Jingguo, and slowly said:
"Actually, they are not arrogant, but confident."

Wang Jingguo paused, stopped what he was doing, and looked at Tian Yici with a puzzled expression:
"Confident? That's way too confident, he's practically arrogant."

Tian Yici smiled and said while washing the dishes:
"Have you noticed that although they speak the same language and write the same characters as us, they actually have completely different personalities?"

You mean their politeness, right?

Wang Jingguo couldn't help but imitate their tone of voice, and then said:
"They seem to speak politely and calmly, but in reality, they're making it clear that they're not on the same page as you."

Tian Yici thought for a moment, then said:

"Actually, their personalities are indeed different from ours. If they have opinions, they will be more direct. They have fewer hidden agendas and their joys, sorrows, and anger will all be revealed on the surface. Even if there are conflicts, they dare to argue loudly and will not hide anything."

"Oh, right, they also value rules. You've seen the boss, haven't you? He's usually very polite, but rules are rules, there's no room for sentimentality."

He wiped the foam off his hands and continued:

"To be honest, I wasn't used to this way of getting along at first. I thought they were too cold and spoke too bluntly. But after spending time with them, I found that they weren't actually that dangerous. At least you can clearly know what they're thinking and they won't stab you in the back."

Wang Jingguo was silent for a moment, recalling his interactions with the SEA boss and other SEA employees over the past few months, and it seemed that this was indeed the case. Although the boss was strict, he was fair in rewarding and punishing, and even gave them 90% of their salary, whereas if it were an undocumented Mexican worker, they would only get 60% at most.

In this respect, the boss is indeed as he said—he has a conscience.

It was at least very fair to them.

"That's true."

Wang Jingguo nodded, his tone softening considerably, and picked up the plates again to wash them.
"They are genuinely sincere and say what they mean, which is different from many other people. When dealing with others, you might worry that they might scheme against you, but they are truly open and honest."

"you do not say."

Tian Yici deeply agreed, a hint of emotion appearing on his face, and said:
"Actually, when it comes to making friends, people like those from SEA are more reliable and trustworthy. At least you don't have to be constantly on guard against them, or guess whether there's a hidden meaning behind every word they say. And you don't have to worry about them stabbing you in the back."

Wang Jingguo nodded in agreement, even momentarily lost in thought.
"Indeed, although they may seem a bit arrogant and speak bluntly, sometimes putting people in an awkward position, they are reliable friends and won't betray their own people."

Upon hearing the words "one of our own," Tian Yici paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, tinged with a hint of melancholy. He then slowly nodded and said softly:

"Yes, actually, the more you get to know them, the more you'll discover their many strengths, such as their dedication and meticulous attitude. No matter what they do, they strive to do their best, which is something we should definitely acknowledge and learn from."

He looked up towards the alley entrance, where he could see the neon lights of the distant street, their hazy glow reflecting in his eyes with a hint of longing. Then, he turned back to Wang Jingguo and said:

"As Americans say, they appear to be a group of humble Eastern gentlemen, speaking and acting with a degree of restraint, but in reality they are a pack of wolves, calm and collected, as still as a virgin and as swift as a rabbit."

"They appear humble and gentle on the outside, but are incredibly passionate inside, possessing immense ambition and resilience. They will strike decisively when you are weak. Whether it's running a business, developing the economy, advancing technology, engaging in diplomacy, or the military, they are like a cold-blooded killer—silent until they strike, then astonishingly powerful!"

Tian Yici's voice carried a mixture of admiration and resentment. They shared the same origins and ancestry, and SEA's achievements in science, economics, and other fields truly moved them.

It wasn't just touching, it was shocking.

Who could have imagined that they could achieve so much? Even Western countries are taking notice.

In fact, compared to their achievements, what does it matter if they are a little arrogant or conceited?
After saying these words, Tian Yici and Wang Jingguo fell silent. They thought about many things. They were already in their thirties and had experienced too much. It was precisely because of this that they suddenly felt how precious the character of the SEA people was.

The tap was still running, and the two men stood there, heads bowed, mechanically washing the dishes. No one spoke; only the clatter of the plates and the sound of the water mingled in the quiet alley, creating a heavy, somber atmosphere. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Jingguo seemed to have thought of something and said:
"A childlike heart!"

"what?"

"I'm talking about them, the SEA people. They're really like young people just starting out, with a pure heart. They're direct and reassuring. You might feel uncomfortable dealing with them at first, but gradually you'll be willing to open up to them."

"Yes, that's true. Perhaps that's why they can be friends with everyone—Americans, British, Soviets…it seems like everyone is willing to be their friend."

"Yes, they are very popular at school."

Tian Yici stopped what he was doing, raised his head, looked into the distance, and then said in a soft tone:
"Actually, if I had the chance, I'd really like to go there and see for myself. They're just like us, so why are they doing so well..."

Wang Jingguo didn't speak, but just silently looked into the distance.

Tian Yici also had many questions in his mind, and he wanted to go to SEA to take a look.

What are you looking at?

Is it to witness their technological advancements?
Or the economic achievements—in fact, what's most surprising isn't just the economy, but more so the technology.

Thinking of technology, Tian Yici said:

"By the way, Yasukuni, do you read the news in the newspapers?"

Wang Jingguo looked up at him and asked:
What news are you talking about?

"It's that Iridium system that SpaceX is working on. The newspapers say they'll launch a satellite next month using a Falcon rocket..."

After a brief pause, Tian Yici continued:

"The newspaper said that the Falcon rocket is reusable and can send 20 Iridium satellites into space at once."

When mentioning "reusable rockets," Tian Yici's tone was full of admiration. He said:
"The fact that they can reuse rockets is nothing short of a miracle. And launching 20 satellites in one go, once those satellites are in use, will usher in an era of seamless global satellite communication, where people can make real-time calls no matter where they are on Earth... That's truly remarkable."

Hearing his friend's praise, Wang Jingguo also expressed his agreement, and then he said:
"Yes, it's truly remarkable."

As Wang Jingguo spoke, he couldn't help but look up at the starry sky. Then he said:

"They are truly admirable! Who would have thought that they would be the first people in the world to send humans into space?"

"Wang Baoxian!"

Tian Yici called out his name directly.

"He's from your clan."

Wang Jingguo nodded vigorously, and then said:
"Yes, you don't know, it took me more than half an hour to get used to the first time I learned his name and who he was."

Can you imagine? Humanity's first astronaut was actually just like us...

Looking up at the sky, his expression and tone changed when he said "just like us".

It was an emotion that was hard to conceal.

Turning to look at Tian Yici beside him, he said:
"They did it decades ago, and they even landed on the moon, established the first permanent human base on the moon, and made so many discoveries on the moon."

They just kept focusing their attention on space…

Then he added:

"The general manager of this space exploration technology company, Yuan Jialiu, his wife is also a Nobel Prize winner, I think. By the way, do you think either of them will win the Nobel Prize this year?"

(End of this chapter)