Reborn in 1977, I will no longer be my brother's blood bag.

After Director Luo finished asking his question, everyone at the table looked at Lin Xiuhe.

Lin Xiuhe did not continue the conversation.

She flipped back to the front of the order.

"What's the maximum amount I can pay upfront at the department store?"

Qian Caigou was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.

"You actually did that?"

"I was just asking."

"Oh... okay then."

Qian Caigou sat up straighter again.

"30% should be no problem, and if we really want to negotiate, 40% isn't out of the question."

Factory Director Luo immediately frowned.

"If it's 40%, then the previous batch of materials can finally catch their breath."

The deputy director of the iron frame factory also came over.

"When will the money be back?"

Qian Caigou thought about it.

"Settlement will be processed after the goods are inspected."

"Don't say it went smoothly."

Factory Director Luo waved his hand.

"Let's go with the slowest route. What if it gets stuck for a couple of days in the middle?"

Qian Caigou sounded somewhat helpless as he spoke.

"Then I'll go back and ask the finance department tomorrow."

Lin Xiuhe asked again:

"What if the goods are actually returned?"

This time, the people around the table became more cautious.

The deputy director of the iron frame factory spoke first.

"That depends on which part has the problem."

The packaging factory worker immediately added:

"You can't blame me for the problems with the things mentioned earlier."

Factory Director Luo frowned as he listened.

"That's why nobody dares to sign the whole order."

"The cost of materials is tied up first, and even after the goods are shipped, we still have to wait for payment. And then there's another customer who's delayed by a day..."

He sighed as he finished speaking.

"No wonder everyone was shrinking back just now."

Lin Xiuhe wrote down the figures from several companies on the same piece of paper.

As she finished writing, she remembered what Director Luo had just said: the money in the account was waiting to be used to pay bonuses to the staff.

Then I remembered the dozen or so female workers at the factory in Chengnan Street.

Just two days ago, Xiaomei was asking if there would be any work next month.

These numbers are very light when written on paper.

When they actually arrived at the factory, there were always people waiting for them.

Lin Xiuhe stopped writing.

Factory Director Luo leaned over.

"How is it?"

"The first batch can be transferred."

"real?"

"If we can negotiate a 40% down payment, and if several companies don't put too much material in at the same time, things can get moving."

The deputy director of the iron frame factory pressed further:

"And then what?"

"It depends on how quickly the first batch of payments is received."

"What if it's slow?"

Lin Xiuhe looked at the numbers on the paper.

"That would be a huge risk."

Factory Director Luo laughed after hearing this.

"OK."

"I feel at ease knowing you're saying that."

The money was used for procurement, which was strange.

"She already said there are risks, are you still feeling at ease?"

"It's better than just hearing 'capable,' right?"

Director Luo took the draft over.

"In real business, the worst thing is to rush in without fully understanding the implications."

He looked up again after he finished speaking.

"And now?"

"Do you still dare to accept?"

Lin Xiuhe pushed the order back to him.

"I can't sign it now."

It's a bit of a waste to spend the money on this purchase.

"You've already figured it out."

"Calculations are one thing, but..."

Lin Xiuhe picked up her bag.

"This order isn't mine yet."

Director Luo chuckled upon hearing this.

That's true.

He folded the draft and put it into his notebook.

"Okay, then let's continue our discussion ourselves."

As Lin Xiuhe reached the door, he suddenly called out to her again.

"Forest worker."

"Um?"

When you first asked about the prepayment, I thought you were really interested.

Lin Xiuhe turned around.

"I just want to know."

"If I were to actually do it, I'd need to have a lot of money on hand first."

Factory Director Luo raised an eyebrow.

"oh--"

The sound was drawn out a bit too long.

Lin Xiuhe was amused by him.

Don't overthink it.

"I wasn't thinking about anything."

Although Director Luo said that, his smile became even more pronounced.

It was quite late when I got back to Beijing.

Zhou Zhiyuan waited for her outside the station.

As soon as Lin Xiuhe came out, she saw that he was carrying that old lunchbox.

"You brought food again?"

"Um."

Zhou Zhiyuan took her bag and weighed it in his hand.

Why is everything so heavy today?

"It's all paper."

"So, are you more tiring for the person or the paper?"

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"We're all tired."

The two sat down on a bench outside the station.

The lunchbox was still steaming hot when it was opened.

Egg noodles.

Lin Xiuhe took a couple of bites and then slowed down.

Zhou Zhiyuan noticed, but didn't urge her. He just moved the lunchbox closer to her.

"Did something happen today?"

"Um."

"trouble?"

"It doesn't count."

Lin Xiuhe used her chopsticks to stir the noodles.

"Some people ask me if I would dare to take a job if I could make the decision myself."

Zhou Zhiyuan turned his head to the side.

"What was your answer?"

No answer.

"So, have you thought about it?"

"never mind."

"What's so special about it?"

"How much money do you need to deposit first?"

Zhou Zhiyuan's expression became more serious.

"Did you lose money?"

Lin Xiuhe looked up.

"Why are you asking the same question as Director Luo?"

That means he asked the right question.

Zhou Zhiyuan's smile faded slightly.

"If you're really going to do it, don't just think about how much you'll make."

"First think about the worst-case scenario: can you handle it?"

Lin Xiuhe nodded.

That's how I calculated it too.

"Have you settled the accounts?"

"There are still a few lines that don't match."

After she finished speaking, she paused for a moment.

"Anyway, I can't take this order today."

Zhou Zhiyuan did not press for answers.

After a while, he only said:

"Then let's eat noodles first."

Lin Xiuhe looked at him.

Aren't you curious at all?

"Just curious."

"Then why didn't you ask?"

Zhou Zhiyuan leaned back on the bench, speaking in a very ordinary tone.

"You will speak when you really want to."

"If I keep asking you questions, you won't be able to enjoy your noodles properly."

Lin Xiuhe couldn't help but laugh.

"You're getting better and better at talking."

"Who taught you?"

"Maybe they chose a good partner."

Lin Xiuhe touched the edge of the lunchbox with her chopsticks.

"Be poor."

"Um."

Zhou Zhiyuan agreed verbally, but the smile in his eyes never faded.

The next morning, as soon as Lin Xiuhe entered the research institute, Engineer Sun called her from the corridor.

"Xiuhe, the director is looking for you."

"Another project?"

Sun's expression was somewhat complicated.

"I guess so."

After he finished speaking, he added:

"Good thing."

When Lin Xiuhe entered the office, there was already a document on the director's desk.

"You're here?"

"Um."

"sit."

The director pushed the document over.

"It just came down from the province, take a look first."

Lin Xiuhe turned to the first page.

Key Projects Team.

Below is the list.

Her hand stopped on one of the lines.

Lin Xiuhe.

Deputy team leader.

She turned to the next page, then turned back again.

The name is still there.

The director looked at her and couldn't help but laugh.

"What, are you afraid it'll be printed wrong?"

Lin Xiuhe smiled as well.

"I just wanted to confirm."

"It wasn't printed wrong."

The director leaned back in his chair, a clear look of satisfaction on his face.

"Ordered from the province."

"They've seen the projects you've been working on over the past six months."

"This group is handling a key mission. There aren't many positions available; there are only two deputy group leaders."

He became more serious as he spoke.

"Xiuhe, this isn't just a name."

"Once you get inside, the road ahead will be much wider."

Lin Xiuhe looked down at the documents.

When she first entered the research institute, the desk was still against the wall.

She was overjoyed to have her own desk back then.

What lies before her now is the position of deputy leader of a key project designated by the province.

This road is stable, respectable, and truly good.

After the director finished speaking, he asked her:

"How is it?"

"Are you so happy you're going crazy?"

Lin Xiuhe closed the document, then opened it again.

"Happy."

She answered very quickly this time.

The director smiled.

"That's more like it."

Lin Xiuhe also smiled.

Then turn back to the first page of the document.

My name is still there.

The last three words—

Deputy team leader.