Chapter 198: He Wants to Leave the Military
Xie Changning noticed Jerry’s nervousness. She smiled and said, "Why so tense? It’s not like this is our first time working together."
She was always very patient with her long-term partners.
After all, everything was open to discussion.
"I’m not tense," Jerry denied.
He used to be afraid she’d beat him up. Now, he was worried she’d think he wasn’t sincere about the partnership and refuse to work with him.
Jerry had come to realize that this woman, Xie Changning, was his benefactor, but also his nemesis.
’Back in the United States, I was a notoriously spoiled heir!’
’When have I ever been so meek in front of someone else!?’
’Only for Xie Changning!’
’It’s only ever Xie Changning! Hmph!’
As he thought this, his gaze toward Xie Changning became tinged with a hint of reproach.
Sensing his gaze, Xie Changning raised an eyebrow. "Alright, you’re not tense."
"Director Xie, this clause..." Before Jerry could reply, the lawyer addressed Xie Changning, pointing out the issues with the clause and explaining the hidden pitfalls.
Xie Changning nodded in understanding.
The lawyer then turned to Jerry and explained the issue with the clause. Jerry indicated it was no problem at all.
He had come with sincere intentions. The fact that they were only dissatisfied with a single clause was already better than he’d expected, so Jerry made the decision to amend it himself.
Regardless, Jerry was thrilled that they had reached an agreement.
’I am useful after all!’
This reminded Jerry that ever since he started working with Xie Changning, his father’s attitude toward him had become much warmer.
Jerry knew that as long as he stayed on good terms with Xie Changning, his father wouldn’t give him the cold shoulder again.
Even his mother was now warm and affectionate toward him.
’It’s all because I’m bringing in profits.’
After the agreement was reached, Xie Changning arranged for someone to take Jerry to the guest house, after which she held a meeting with Wang Guofu and the others.
The meeting covered the factory’s progress over the last two months or so.
When she heard that business at the factory had remained stable, Xie Changning nodded.
"You’ve all worked hard these past two months. Everyone who has stuck to their posts during this time will receive a bonus equivalent to three months’ salary," Xie Changning announced.
Upon hearing there was a bonus—and one worth three months’ salary at that—everyone in the meeting erupted in cheers.
After all, the factory was a state-owned enterprise.
Most factory directors had to go through a lengthy process of applications and reports before they could issue bonuses.
None of them could just announce it directly like Xie Changning!
As everyone stared in surprised shock, a faint smile graced Xie Changning’s lips.
’They don’t understand. This is the confidence that comes from being a sales champion!’
In reality, it wasn’t that Xie Changning was acting first and reporting later. To use such a large sum for employee bonuses, she definitely had to file a report.
She had already submitted the request to her superiors on her way back.
The top leadership had personally approved it, so of course she could announce it immediately.
’Besides, I have the leadership’s backing.’
The news of Xie Changning’s bonus spread like wildfire throughout the factory, delighting the workers. They were so fired up all day that production increased by nearly one hundred percent.
And the quality didn’t drop in the slightest.
Of course, the machinery factory wasn’t the only one getting bonuses; the wood products and daily chemical factories were as well.
Workers at all the factories under Xie Changning’s management were fired up by the bonuses and worked with even more vigor!
Xie Changning was pleased to see them working so hard.
’If production goes up, orders will be finished ahead of schedule. I’m the one who really profits from this.’
However, she also instructed the deputy directors to monitor the workers’ health. If anyone seemed to be overexerting themselves, they were not to let them continue at that pace.
The deputy directors replied, "Mission accepted!"
Their reply was firm and resounding.
Xie Changning was speechless. ’Money really does make the world go round.’
-
With her work for the day sorted out, Xie Changning finally headed straight home.
Even before she entered the courtyard, she could hear the lively chatter from inside her home.
Mr. Han and Han Mother lived in her courtyard home, and Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao were there to help. From a distance, she could hear the older folks talking about her, saying how Yue Yihan had returned twice recently while she was competing overseas, and that she should be back soon.
Xie Changning pushed the door open and entered the house. Everyone inside turned to look at her.
Everyone was overjoyed to see her and immediately began fussing over her.
The two children babbled and cooed from their high chairs while the elders fussed over Xie Changning’s health, saying she’d lost weight and didn’t look as well as before.
Thankfully, they also knew that after being away for so long, Xie Changning would be desperate to see her children.
So they urged her to go hold them.
Xie Changning had been away for so long that her children no longer recognized her. A wave of sadness washed over her. With her eyes welling up, she kissed her daughter, then her son. "Mommy... it’s Mommy."
Perhaps it was the bond of blood, for though the babies seemed to find her unfamiliar, they didn’t resist her embrace.
It wasn’t long before the two babies had warmed up to her.
Watching from the side, Han Mother’s heart ached in sympathy. "That’s just how it is when you’re busy..." She understood Xie Changning’s feelings completely.
She had gone through the same thing when she was working.
Xie Changning spent some tender moments with her babies before letting Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao put them to bed.
’I don’t know how to put them to sleep.’
Thinking of this, Xie Changning sighed.
"No one is perfect," Han Mother said gently. "Your work keeps you so busy, and your career path is destined to keep you away from your children for long periods." If she continued to advance and became a chief engineer on a major project, she might have to work for a classified unit.
Her chances of seeing her children would become even slimmer.
Xie Changning hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. If she could, she wanted to be by her children’s side.
Even if she was gone during the day or away on business trips, she wanted to spend as much time with them as possible, whenever she could.
’Once we’re further into the eighties, hotels will be more common. Then I can take Aunt Wang, Aunt Zhao, and the children with me wherever I go.’
’I just have to hold on a little longer...’
"I’m not a good mother."
"But you are a good comrade," Mr. Han said.
The old saying about how it’s impossible to be both a loyal official and a filial child isn’t just empty words.
Xie Changning knew this well. She had come to this era hoping to do something for her country with her own two hands. As for her children... she would do her best to be there for them and give them a complete childhood.
As Xie Changning sat back down, Mr. Han spoke up. "When Yihan came back before, he mentioned to me that he was thinking about leaving the service."
Xie Changning had been away for two months, so she didn’t know how things were progressing between Yue Yihan and his birth parents. Hearing Mr. Han say this, she knew the relationship must be developing in a positive direction.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned it to Mr. Han.
"He never mentioned it to me."
"He said that your career keeps you very busy, and if he stays in the military, your children might grow up to resent you both."