Chapter 45: The Best Change

Cheng Shi replied, "No need, I've already finished it."

Yu Dadong’s copper-bell-like eyes widened in astonishment, and he roared like a sudden clap of thunder: "Really?! Wow, buddy, you're amazing."

With a loud clatter.

By the time Cheng Shi and the others turned around, they only saw an aluminum basin spinning on the floor, while Auntie Qian had already dashed toward the door, her figure practically leaving a fading afterimage.

Cheng Shi was dying of laughter.

Realizing that he had frightened the woman, Yu Dadong gave a dry cough and lowered his voice to ask Cheng Shi, "Then can you go install it at the factory now?"

Cheng Shi grimaced: "It's too late, the lighting is too poor to install it properly, and it’ll take a few hours to finish. Let's do it tomorrow morning."

Yu Dadong: "Alright, alright. I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning."

Cheng Shi: "No need to pick me up, I'll go by myself."

Yu Dadong: "I must, I must."

Cheng Shi invited Yu Dadong to stay for dinner.

However, Yu Dadong hurried away without a moment's delay, mainly because he was afraid of making Cheng Juan feel awkward.

During dinner, Cai Aiping said to Cheng Juan, "If the two of you have made up your minds, bring young Xiao Li over for a visit sometime."

This was her own way of showing her support for Cheng Juan.

Having said that, she quietly kicked Cheng Yongjin under the table.

Only then did Cheng Yongjin say reluctantly, "As long as you like him. It's the person you're marrying anyway."

Cheng Shi was also very happy.

With things turning out this way, Cheng Juan definitely wouldn't have to marry Liu Jie.

So far, this was the change that made Cheng Shi the happiest.

Cheng Juan looked up and smiled: "Alright. In a little while. I haven't been to their house yet either."

There had been too much going on at home lately, so it wasn't a good time to meet the parents.

Understanding Cheng Juan's thoughts, Cheng Shi comforted her: "Don't worry, I'll be able to settle down soon. I'll definitely make sure the two of you can get married as soon as possible."

Blushing deeply, Cheng Juan's face turned red: "You're talking nonsense again."

Cheng Shi teased: "How come you're so gentle in front of him, but fierce as a tiger when it comes to me?"

Even more embarrassed now, Cheng Juan flushed crimson and clenched her fist, playfully hitting him right on the muscle of his upper arm where it was thickest.

Cheng Shi's face scrunched up into a ball of agony: "Oh no, you've broken my arm, I won't be able to work tomorrow."

Rolling her eyes, Cheng Juan retorted: "Stop putting on an act for my benefit. With that thick skin of yours, a little tap like that could never hurt you."

After dinner, Cheng Shi pondered over the integrated circuit board he had retrieved from the automobile factory. Just as he was getting ready for bed, worrying about the machine tool, he decided to head downstairs to take a look.

Upon reaching the ground floor, he discovered Yu Dadong and Cheng Yongjin each occupying a bamboo reclining chair. One was sleeping in the corridor of the utility room, while the other had simply chosen to sleep outdoors, already snoring thunderously.

Cheng Shi looked at them helplessly, thinking: These two guys are really something else...

Cheng Shi was shaken awake bright and early. Opening his eyes in a daze, Yu Dadong's large face abruptly loomed right before him: "Get up and eat."

Covering his eyes, Cheng Shi let out a groan of lamentation: "Good grief, you're just like Zhou Baipi, coming all the way to my house to urge me to go to work."

With a cheeky grin, Yu Dadong sat down: "If you're not enthusiastic about meals, there's something wrong with your skull."

When Cheng Juan came out and saw Yu Dadong, she was also startled.

Yu Dadong immediately said, "Sister, don't be scared, I'll go eat outside."

He grabbed a bowl of congee and a fried dough stick, then went downstairs to squat and eat.

His behavior actually made Cheng Juan feel rather apologetic, so she hurriedly finished a couple of bites and left.

As Cheng Juan walked past him, he hurriedly stood up: "Is sister heading off to work now?"

Unable to hold back her smile, Cheng Juan said, "It's fine, go on back up and eat."

Yu Dadong came back inside holding his empty bowl.

Side-eyeing him, Cheng Shi asked, "How old are you? I call her sister, and you call her sister too. Have you no shame?"

Blushing, Yu Dadong replied, "It's not that I'm trying to act young, but I certainly can't take advantage of you by lowering your seniority."

Cheng Shi knew that although he looked rough around the edges, he was extremely observant of etiquette.

Perhaps feeling that he lacked elders to guide him since childhood, he was terrified of violating propriety and becoming a laughingstock.

Calling Cheng Juan sister was simply his way of lowering his own generation to match Cheng Shi's.

Unable to help a chuckle, Cheng Shi answered, "Fine, whatever makes you happy."

After breakfast, Yu Dadong urged Cheng Shi toward the textile factory as if he were herding little chicks.

Factory Director Hu was once again waiting at the entrance with a group of people.

Finding their enthusiasm a bit overwhelming, Cheng Shi said, "Director, I need absolute silence when I install the parts, because this equipment is extremely delicate."

Understanding immediately, Director Hu chased away all the chattering women.

Cheng Shi took out the ball screw, fitted the custom-made protective seal onto it, installed it, and stepped back. The installation alone had taken two hours.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he pushed back his sleeves and said, "Turn it on and let's test it."

Director Hu instructed someone to bring over the raw materials.

The spinning machine started up with a humming whir.

Smooth, fine, and snow-white yarn continuously poured out from the spinning machine, winding evenly onto dozens of spindles simultaneously.

The sight was truly magnificent.

Cheng Shi observed silently.

For the time being, everything was operating properly.

Once a full batch of yarn had been spun on the spindles, he signaled Director Hu to shut down the machine and unplug the power cord.

"Director, please go inspect the yarn and let me check the sealing performance."

Director Hu hurried over to inspect the product.

Meanwhile, Cheng Shi uninstalled the ball screw once more to examine its interior.

No dust had managed to penetrate it so far.

At least for now, the results were excellent.

He reinstalled the part once again.

Holding a spindle of yarn, Director Hu approached with a face full of joy, exclaiming from afar, "Comrade Cheng Shi, you are truly brilliant! This yarn is even more uniform than our previous products, with zero defective items."

Cheng Shi responded, "Good, then it's usable for now. I suggest you dismantle it for inspection and cleaning every one to two years, and apply a little lubricating oil. This will extend the service life of the entire assembly. If you dare not take it apart yourselves, just call me. I'll help you maintain it for free."

Director Hu grasped his hand warmly: "Thank you so much."

She pulled out a thick stack of bills, which looked to be around ten thousand: "This is your remuneration. You've worked hard, Comrade Cheng Shi."

Cheng Shi counted out three thousand, returned the excess money to Director Hu, and said, "A deal's a deal, the agreed amount is the agreed amount."

He packed up his tools and prepared to leave.

Director Hu inquired, "I heard that Comrade Cheng Shi is looking for a factory space to start your own business?"

Pausing for a moment, Cheng Shi answered, "Ah, yes, I am."

Director Hu offered, "Our factory has a set of vacant rooms. Would you be interested in taking a look?"

Cheng Shi agreed: "Sure, let's go take a look."

He understood Director Hu's intention: by keeping him nearby, if any issues arose, he could be reached at a moment's notice.

Renting from anyone was essentially the same.

This location happened to be situated right between his home and the credit cooperative, making trips to both sides quite convenient.

When everyone played their cards face up and engaged in mutual benefit, it actually turned out to be the most relaxed and effortless approach without the need for guardrails.

Fairly speaking, this two-story building was the most suitable option he could possibly find at present.

The upper floor featured three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom—fully equipped to accommodate his entire family—while the lower floor could serve as a workshop, which would undoubtedly be much more comfortable than a utility room.

In a few days, once his business license came through and he made a signboard, the company would officially be established.

At worst, he could simply go update the business address.

Cheng Shi asked, "It's quite nice. How much is the monthly rent?"

A multi-purpose property comprising a storefront, a workshop, and residential housing on the second floor would surely cost at least two hundred yuan a month anywhere.

However, it was well worth it.

Because from then on, he would have an independent storefront and would no longer need to sleep in the living room.