My girlfriend is from 1949

After returning home, the two took turns washing up and changing into their home clothes.

Throughout the meeting tonight, Chen Huai'an addressed Zhou as "President" the entire time.

Even though they had guessed the other person's identity, they didn't expose it.

Deep down, he still had some reservations.

They are even more worried about losing their freedom and being reduced to a mere tool, only able to do manual labor.

Zhou Liming was right about this.

What Chen Huai'an fears most is losing his freedom.

I'm always surrounded by a group of protectors, and even where I go has to be assessed for risks.

Even the daily grocery shopping trips for ordinary people may have become a luxury.

What's the point of making a lot of money, buying a house, a car, and clothes if you live a life that's like being in prison?

Therefore, Chen Huai'an never envied those politicians and wealthy people who had a group of bodyguards following them wherever they went.

Even a simple meal of mala tang outside isn't enjoyable.

If the place is cleared out and the lively atmosphere is lost, it's better to have a private chef cook at home.

Either you're surrounded by a crowd, making it impossible to eat in peace.

If the price of having money is losing freedom, then he would rather be an ordinary person who can eat his fill and have a place to live for the rest of his life.

Although I may not become rich and powerful, at least I can live a carefree life.

Everyone has different thoughts and pursuits. Chen Huai'an's pursuit is simply to be an ordinary rich person.

That's why they pretended to be stupid and didn't expose Zhou Liming and Lu Tong's identities.

As for how things will develop in the future, we can only wait and see.

At least, if it really comes to that, he will try his best to find a better solution!

Lin Wan stood on the balcony, admiring the night view of Shanghai.

Her brows were furrowed, also troubled by a lack of money.

"With the current methods of earning foreign exchange, we do not yet have enough money to import crude oil."

While stockings are profitable, they're still not enough to buy crude oil.

I just checked, and the price of crude oil in 2025 is expected to fluctuate at $700 per ton.

my country imports 5.7 million tons of [unspecified substance] annually, even if we only supply one-third of that.

They also need to supply nearly 2 million tons a year, which translates to 1400 billion US dollars!

The combined annual sales of pantyhose and stockings are only 150 billion yuan.

During the Republic of China era, there was no competition, so even if sales were doubled, it wouldn't be enough to purchase crude oil.

Although there are still canned goods and daily necessities, we need to transport too many things.

Only by combining all of these can we have enough foreign exchange and resources to purchase crude oil.

Moreover, trading crude oil is just the beginning.

As the transactions progress, all the resources that the world lacks will be involved.

For the modern world, my world is a vast treasure trove waiting to be explored!

Therefore, only by developing our own industry can we meet supply demands in all aspects.

Although Zhou Liming did not make any supply requests, the amount provided was too small to demonstrate our value and capabilities.

Only by demonstrating its effectiveness can you gain the other party's attention!

It also gives you the autonomy you want in collaboration!

Lin Wan spoke softly, but she mentioned the biggest problem they were currently facing.

Previously, it was possible to make money by purchasing and trading in a private capacity.

But when countries cooperate, the scale involved is enormous!

If the new China wanted to exchange for good things from this place, it had to provide corresponding goods.

Crude oil and various rare metal ores are the best trading commodities.

The world had just ended World War II, and the whole world was struggling to recover.

Various daily necessities are hard currency all over the world.

If the new China had the capacity for independent production, it could earn foreign exchange.

Calculating the years, the oil fields in the Middle East were about to be exploited.

Once the Korean War was almost over, they would be able to sell oil there.

This period also provided an opportunity for the new China to establish its reputation and seize the time to enhance its strength in the future world.

The timing was perfect!

The problem we face now is how to develop industries and make money as much as possible!

Although I have a good relationship with my older brother now, I can get assistance and loans.

But these things, though they sound like aid, involve political issues and issues of autonomy.

For example, many people online are now saying they should be grateful to Japan.

Our reform and opening up was able to succeed because of the $3000 billion in aid loans from Japan.

But they didn't mention a word about the requirements behind the loan!

All of these loans were required to prioritize the purchase of Japanese instruments and products.

In other words, even if the price is higher, it must be purchased first.

While the money was ostensibly aid and loans, it was actually used to help them stimulate the economy.

Then, they took the opportunity to make all sorts of demanding cooperation requests and made a lot of money from our country!

However, they were unwilling to reveal any of the actual technology involved.

Even if we buy the machines, any problems will be handled by their engineers, and our staff will have no access to the technology.

Is this what you call aid?

This is an exchange of economic benefits, and in fact, the other party gained a huge advantage.

The result was the opposite; it became that we were expected to be grateful...

Chen Huai'an wanted to help the new China improve its national strength in order to avoid creating new predicaments due to issues such as loans.

At the same time, a warm feeling rose in my heart.

She glanced at the pretty face beside her and thought to herself, "So, she's always cared about my concerns and feelings!"

Instantly, I felt full of energy!

Looking at the graceful figure standing on the balcony, I took two cans of Coke out of the refrigerator.

Walking to the balcony, he asked with a smile, "Still worried about the business?"

Lin Wan took the Coke and nodded, saying, "The new China was too poor. Now, it faces many difficulties in achieving rapid development. Ultimately, it's still because it lacks money."

Chen Huai'an smiled and comforted him, "There are always more solutions than problems. You're just taking too big a step and being too impatient."

Although he said comforting words, he knew in his heart that the development and rise of the new China would take time.

Even if we provide the machines, there's often no corresponding supporting equipment available on the other side.

Even the stockings currently being exported and sold are wholesale from modern suppliers.

To achieve independent production, we must wait until at least several large oil fields begin producing oil before we have the raw materials for production.

Moreover, power shortages are also a problem.

The nation has just been reborn, and there are countless things to do that require time; you can't become fat in one bite.

However, he is confident that he can definitely overtake the world within three years. Even if he cannot catch up with or surpass the UK and the US, he can still improve the country's strength.

Click!

Hiss~.

Chen Huai'an gripped the pull tab and pried open the iced cola in his hand.

I took a big gulp and a sweet, cool sensation calmed the effects of the alcohol.

He said with a smile, "Actually, we can find ways to make money..."

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

His eyes widened, as if he had thought of something.

Seeing that there was no response for a while, Lin Wan asked with concern, "Did you feel unwell after drinking tonight? Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?"

Chen Huai'an's eyes widened and brightened: "I've got an idea for how to earn foreign exchange!"

I quickly walked to the coffee table, picked up my phone, and placed an order.