I Have A Store C31

Chapter 31: Smart Since Childhood

(Note: I’ll use these names and titles for factory personnel moving forward –

1. Factory Director – Factory Director Hu

2. Department Director – Director Ding

3. Section Chief – Section Chief Zheng

4. Team Leader – Team Lead Wang )

As soon as he entered the middle courtyard, Zhou Yimin saw that Master Gu and the others were busy working. He stepped forward to offer them cigarettes.

Recently, he had bought quite a few packs, but he rarely smoked himself. Most of them were given to others.

After having a smoke, everyone seemed more energized in their work.

The women in the courtyard noticed Zhou Yimin returning and greeted him warmly. Previously, they had all bought “low-priced” corn kernels from him, which had significantly eased the financial strain on their households.

They remembered this favor well.

“Yimin, you’re the most accomplished one in our courtyard now,” Second Aunt praised.

News of Zhou Yimin receiving commendation from the factory had already spread throughout the courtyard. Last night, the young men of similar age to him were all “educated” by their families.

“This kid Yimin, I’ve always thought he was smart since he was little,” another aunt chimed in.

Zhou Yimin: “…”

Why did that sound so familiar and a little grating to his ears?

Wasn’t that a line from Bang Geng’s grandma?

Good grief! He couldn’t handle such a “five-star review”!

Hurriedly, Zhou Yimin brushed off the praise from the aunts and changed the topic, determined not to get labeled as “smart since childhood.”

Just then, Third Aunt from the backyard came over to tell him that the things he had requested would be ready today.

“Also, your Third Uncle wants you to head back to the factory as soon as possible. It seems a leader is looking for you,” Third Aunt added.

She couldn’t help but feel envious—why couldn’t she have raised such an outstanding child?

Her own four children—her eldest and second eldest were about Zhou Yimin’s age. The eldest had joined the steel factory earlier than Zhou Yimin but was still just an apprentice. The second child was hauling coal as a day laborer, earning only 70 cents a day.

Compared to Zhou Yimin, they were as far apart as gold and dirt.

“Got it, Third Aunt! Thanks!”

With that, Zhou Yimin set off for the steel factory.

—

On the way, he ran into Li Youde, a childhood friend from the same courtyard. They had gone to school together and were on good terms, but at the moment, Li Youde looked worn out and covered in dust.

If he remembered correctly, Li Youde didn’t have a stable job. He was a laborer, carrying heavy loads for a few cents a day.

His family was struggling—his father had lost an arm in a machinery accident. Though the factory provided compensation, he had been reassigned to a different job with significantly lower pay.

His mother was sick and frequently bought medicine from First Uncle in the front yard, further burdening their already struggling household. She had even attempted suicide once, unwilling to become a financial drain.

Li Youde also had two younger sisters, the youngest only seven years old.

“Youde, not hauling loads today?” Zhou Yimin stopped his bicycle and handed him a cigarette.

Seeing his childhood friend riding a bike to work, Li Youde couldn’t help but feel envious.

He accepted the cigarette and congratulated him, “Yimin, I heard you got commended and even got promoted by two ranks—congrats! There’s not much work today; I finished quickly.”

“You’re doing well, man! When are you treating me to a drink?”

Zhou Yimin noticed that Li Youde looked hungry and felt a pang of sympathy. He nodded and said, “Alright! When I get back from the factory, let’s go to Donglaishun for some hot pot.”

Hearing this, Li Youde’s mouth immediately started watering, and he couldn’t help but swallow.

It had been six months since he last ate meat.

Forget meat—he could barely get enough to eat, even with just coarse cornbread. But with his family’s situation, he had no right to complain.

“Really?”

Zhou Yimin rolled his eyes. “What do you mean, really? Just wait for me. I also have something to discuss with you. Oh, and call Dapeng too.”

“Got it! I’ll go find Dapeng now.”

The three of them had been close since childhood, but only Zhou Yimin had truly made something of himself. Li Youde, at least, had a legitimate, albeit unstable, job.

Dapeng, on the other hand, had turned into a street thug after dropping out of school. Just recently, Zhou Yimin had seen him get into a gang fight and hide his injuries from his family.

—

Arriving at the steel factory, Zhou Yimin headed straight for the purchasing department.

“You brat, were you hiding your skills from us? You actually know how to invent things!” Team Lead Wang clapped him on the shoulder, pretending to scold him, though he was clearly in a great mood.

“Team Lead, I wasn’t hiding anything. I came up with the water pump well just to make things easier for my grandparents—it was purely by accident.”

Hearing this explanation, Team Lead Wang didn’t doubt him. According to what he had heard, Zhou Yimin had indeed made the well pump for his grandparents.

Regardless, the invention was incredibly useful, especially during the ongoing drought.

Because of it, their purchasing department—and even the entire steel factory—had gained some prestige.

“Whether it was accidental or intentional, it doesn’t matter. Your commendation has been approved. Come on, let’s go see the Section Chief.” With that, Team Lead Wang nudged Zhou Yimin toward Section Chief Zheng’s office.

—

Section Chief Zheng was noticeably friendlier than before. After some brief conversation, he led Zhou Yimin to see Director Ding.

“You’re dismissed, you can go back,” Section Chief Zheng said to Team Lead Wang.

Team Lead Wang: “…”

Kicked to the curb after being useful, huh?

Classic case of being valued when needed and discarded when not!

—

In Director Ding’s office, Zhou Yimin was even offered tea. Though it wasn’t high-quality tea—just “high碎” (tea dust, also known as labor protection tea).

Tea dust was essentially the sifted remnants of tea leaves, often sold cheaply to those who couldn’t afford good tea but still wanted to enjoy the flavor.

Given the scarcity of resources during this era, even Director Ding himself drank tea dust.

Zhou Yimin once again explained how the well pump was made for his grandparents and his original intent.

“Very good! Young people should be resourceful and innovative. Come, let’s go to Factory Director Hu’s office to collect your reward,” Director Ding said.

Then, he turned to Section Chief Zheng and added, “You’re dismissed, you can go back.”

Section Chief Zheng: “…”

That sounded oddly familiar…

Zhou Yimin almost burst out laughing.

—

In Factory Director Hu’s office, the director first exchanged some pleasantries, then acknowledged Zhou Yimin’s contributions and praised his work before finally handing out the rewards.

The rewards included:

A 500-yuan bonus from the higher-ups

A certificate of commendation

A 100-yuan bonus from the steel factory

An enamel tea mug

A thermos

Various ration coupons (for food, soap, fabric, etc.)

Zhou Yimin even spotted a radio coupon among them.

“Thank you, Factory Director! I will continue working hard to bring honor to the steel factory!” Zhou Yimin responded enthusiastically.

Factory Director Hu nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Director Ding and instructed him to take good care of promising young talents like Zhou Yimin.

After all, he had heard that some university professors were highly interested in Zhou Yimin and had even suggested he go for further studies.

If that happened, their steel factory would lose face!

—

(End of Chapter)