Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"right!"

Li Yunjing nodded vigorously, lowered his voice, and pretended to be mysterious, "Our leader wants to take advantage of the factory anniversary celebration to... well, get some extra money from the Japanese and give the employees some benefits."

"But we can't be too ostentatious, for fear that the news might leak out in the development zone and make the Japanese unhappy, thinking that we're wasting money."

"That's why they specifically made us travel over a hundred miles to find this rural area to print it, all for the sake of secrecy!"

"safe!"

"If this gets out, our leaders will be in big trouble!"

These words were reasonable and logical, both elevating the status of the "customer" and explaining why they went to the countryside to print things, while also vividly depicting the "difficulties" and "thoughts" of the "leader".

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

"A factory with tens of thousands of employees, and it's a joint venture with foreign companies!"

Liang Yongshi immediately became excited, his wrinkles shining as if he could already see a steady stream of orders and money.

This is a big deal!

This is definitely not the kind of small business that prints a few letters and forms for a pittance!

"Let's talk in my office!"

Under Liang Yongshi's almost eager invitation, the father and son followed him into a smaller but relatively tidy room next door, which served as his "office".

The interior still retains the typical style of an old rural town office.

Two dark brown, peeling wooden desks stood facing each other, their surfaces uneven and piled with ledgers, receipts, and scattered printed samples; four equally weathered wooden chairs; and on the wall were several yellowed production safety posters and a faded calendar.

The only light source was the old table lamp with a green glass shade on the table, casting a dim, yellowish glow.

"It's a rural area, so conditions are simple and we don't have much to offer you. Please don't take offense."

"Drink some cool boiled water to relieve your fatigue."

Liang Yongshi turned around and poured two glasses of boiled water from a bamboo thermos in the corner, handing them to the equally old small square table in front of Li Hongfeng and Li Yunjing.

The water was cold, and there were several chipped or broken pieces on the rim of the enamel mug.

"Thank you, sir. You're too kind."

Li Yunjing quickly accepted the gift with both hands, politely thanked him, and showed great manners.

Li Hongfeng nodded, picked up his cup, took a sip, and the cool water soothed the heat and embarrassment in his heart.

Liang Yongshi picked up the enamel mug on the table, which was printed with the words "Advanced Producer" in red and contained strong tea. He took a sip of the warm, dark brown tea, then sat down in the old rattan chair behind the desk. Leaning slightly forward, he looked at Li Yunjing with a smile, his eyes filled with the kindness of an elder and a hint of curious inquiry: "Young man, your leader is really quick-witted and cautious, sending you all this way to find a place to make things."

He paused, seemingly agreeing, or perhaps comforting himself: "That's true, those big factories in the city have so many rules and regulations in their printing workshops, and the prices are ridiculously high."

"Unlike here, where it's more flexible and prices are more negotiable."

After exchanging pleasantries, his gaze lingered more on Li Yunjing, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Hmm... young man, how old are you?"

"She looks way too young!"

"You're already out working?"

"Didn't you continue your studies?"

Li Yunjing had already prepared his explanation.

He lowered his head slightly, a look of helplessness appearing on his face, and sighed softly, his voice lowering slightly: "Sigh, there's nothing I can do!"

"My family is too poor to afford my schooling."

He raised his head, his eyes trying to feign a kind of "acceptance of fate" yet with a hint of stubbornness. "I heard from my childhood friends that there are many factories in the newly opened Bincheng Development Zone, and it's easy to find work and make a lot of money. So... I gritted my teeth and followed a few fellow villagers to work there without really thinking it through."

He adjusted his tone, as if recalling a difficult past: "Because I was young, the factory didn't want me at first. They thought I couldn't do any work, that I was as thin as a stick, and that I couldn't do heavy physical labor."

"In the end, I... I had no choice but to secretly report my age as two years older, and I asked a fellow villager to intercede for me. Only then did they reluctantly accept me and arrange for me to do odd jobs in the office, run errands, deliver documents, and the like."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness.

These words are reasonable and full of details, vividly portraying the image of a "sensible" teenager who was forced by his family circumstances to drop out of school early and venture into society.

Hearing these words, Li Hongfeng, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly, and the muscles in his cheeks became a little stiff.

An unnamed anger suddenly surged up inside him, rushing straight to his head, and his temples throbbed.

Is your family poor?

Can't afford to send you to school?

Li Hongfeng felt his blood pressure soaring.

Your mother and I both work. Although we're not rich these days, have we ever skimped on your food or clothing since you were little?

To allow you to focus on your studies, I won't let you do any housework!

I wholeheartedly hope that you will study hard, get into university, leave this factory, and have a better future!

You, on the other hand, are making up lies without batting an eye, making yourself out to be the protagonist in a tragic drama!

Did they even "sneak out to work"?

Li Hongfeng felt an itch to slap the brat across the face right then and there, to teach him a lesson about "why flowers are so red"!

This is why, in front of outsiders like Grandpa Liang, Li Hongfeng knew that family scandals should not be aired in public, and he could not expose his son's lies, so he could only suppress his anger.

He felt his cheeks burning from holding his breath. He picked up the glass of cold water on the table and gulped down a large mouthful. The icy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the anger in his heart.

He could only glare fiercely at his son, the warning and anger in his eyes almost tangible.

Old Master Liang Yongshi was naturally unaware of the undercurrents between the father and son.

He was completely moved by Li Yunjing's "tragic" yet "inspirational" story.

Looking at this "precocious" boy in front of me, I couldn't help but feel deep sympathy and emotion, as well as a sense of understanding from someone who had been through it all.

"Yes, yeah."

Liang Yongshi put down the enamel mug, let out a long sigh, his gray eyebrows furrowed slightly, and said in a heavy tone, "The world is changing so fast these days. There's construction and factories everywhere, and there are so many opportunities."

"But you kids, it really has to be tough for you!"

He shook his head, as if recalling the hardships of his own youth. "A child your age should be sitting in a classroom, studying peacefully. Instead, you have to leave your parents and venture out into society to earn this hard-earned money... I feel sorry for you, child."