Since Liu Jun’s trip inside, Cui Bingbing had been very carefully watching Liu Jun’s emotions. Even when busy at work during the day, she would find time to call Liu Jun in the morning and afternoon to chat casually. She never believed men were stronger than women – at most, they were only outwardly strong. As long as Cui Bingbing was willing, she could be very amusing when talking. When she heard Song Yunhui’s statement, she was happy to think that this time the government’s interest-free loan subsidy not only seemed likely, but the amount might not be small either. However, Cui Bingbing also encountered a small matter. Qian Hongying brought Jiali to find her at noon, having lunch together, and the two consulted about many credit-related issues. Of course, it was mainly Qian Hongying asking questions, while Jiali seemed very passive, apparently dragged along by Qian Hongying as company. Cui Bingbing said she was in a difficult position. In the financial field, high returns accompanied high risks – this was a well-known rule. But if she spoke directly to the two, she would be suspected of undermining Qian Hongming’s operations. Qian Hongying seemed to have already realized the risks and kept saying “look, look” to Jiali, making Jiali increasingly nervous. Cui Bingbing suspected Qian Hongying was dissatisfied with her brother’s high-risk operations and was trying to use her sister-in-law to jointly restrain him. But there weren’t many people Jiali trusted, so Cui Bingbing was used by Qian Hongying.
This was Cui Bingbing’s first time experiencing Qian Hongying as a person. “To achieve her own goals, she doesn’t care that I’m caught in the middle and will have trouble facing Qian Hongming?”
“Who could make A’San suffer a loss? And you’ll add some seasoning for Qian Hongying. But stay away from that woman in the future – she’s impossible to guard against.”
Cui Bingbing laughed heartily: “Exactly. I eventually made Qian Hongying extremely worried about the operations that belonged to her part, making Jiali worry about her instead. Her credibility in front of Jiali will be greatly discounted in the future. Their intermediary company is playing on the edge of financing regulations. I can easily tease her with just a few newly released policies.”
Liu Jun also laughed loudly. He originally wanted to tell Qian Hongming about the situation, but thinking this was their family business, he shouldn’t sow discord.
Unexpectedly, three days later, Jiali came looking for him, and it was at night, taking a taxi directly to their home, catching both Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing in one net.
Jiali looked anxious, involuntarily rubbing a corner of her skirt, and asked straight to the point: “Sister has been telling me that Hongming is too bold. The more I think about it, the more worried I become. When I ask Hongming, he explains procedures to me, but I can’t tell what’s wrong. But Hongming’s full head of black hair has almost all turned white. I think if he wasn’t taking extreme risks, why would he worry himself to gray hair? I discussed it with my parents, but they couldn’t explain it clearly either. I had no choice but to come ask you two. Liu Jun, Bingbing, you’re both capable people. Please, speak without reservation.”
Cui Bingbing asked carefully: “What do you want to know?” Jiali’s question was too broad, and Cui Bingbing was afraid of speaking too quickly and saying more than she should.
Liu Jun, while Jiali wasn’t paying attention, gave his wife a look. Cui Bingbing immediately understood and closed her mouth. Liu Jun turned around, showing the back of his head to Jiali: “Jiali, look, don’t I also have a lot of gray hair? This is unavoidable. This society’s market is already nearly saturated. For any enterprise to establish itself in today’s fiercely competitive modern market, it necessarily needs thresholds that others cannot reach, such as capital thresholds, policy thresholds, technology thresholds, regional thresholds, risk thresholds, and so on. For example, Hongming and I, with no ancestral protection, can only rely on our diligence and intelligence to establish technology thresholds and risk thresholds. If I only had technology thresholds without taking risks, then I could only be a rule-following engineer, unable to be an enterprise owner. Running an enterprise means you can only take certain risks. You don’t know – I was summoned a few days ago, scaring Bingbing to death. But it wasn’t a big deal, just outsiders found it alarming. But if outsiders weren’t alarmed, then everyone would boldly enter our money-making field, and what money would I make? So, appropriate risk-taking is normal. Our regular operations involve using various methods to respond to crises and effectively control crises within a certain range. Look at your expression just hearing I was summoned -when I came out, I called Hongming immediately. He often deals with crises, so he wouldn’t panic like you, but he asked me several questions, proposed some solutions, and that was it. When I came home, Bingbing was sleeping soundly. None of us thinks there’s any problem with this. As I said, appropriate risk-taking is our normal state. You don’t need to worry too much.”
Seeing Liu Jun speak so eloquently, Cui Bingbing thought this was probably the only way. Otherwise, telling Jiali would only make her worry blindly or make her watch Qian Hongming. But was Qian Hongming someone who could be watched? Cui Bingbing wasn’t even confident she could watch Qian Hongming. What Qian Hongming engaged in was precisely exploiting policy loopholes, and he maneuvered money skillfully between various policy gaps. Cui Bingbing had once tried to figure out that route, and after understanding it, she was amazed and had to admit Qian Hongming’s brain was flexible and useful – worthy of his surname “Qian” (money). That whole set was also a technique, an advanced soft technology threshold. In this light, it was better to avoid trouble than seek it – at least the Qian family could have peace.
The worries Jiali had accumulated these past few days melted away quickly under Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing’s coordinated explanations, like ice and snow meeting warm sun. Soon she had no more questions, feeling that everything she needed to say had been resolved by the two. Seeing this, Liu Jun suggested he drive Jiali home.
But after getting in the car, Jiali still said: “But Liu Jun, why do I always feel on edge? I always feel like some accident or misfortune is about to happen, but I can’t understand the situation at all, and can’t help Hongming. I even worry about dragging Hongming down.”
“Your blind worrying is unnecessary, but if you consciously do some crisis prevention work and establish another layer of insurance in the family besides Hongming, I think that’s very necessary. When Bingbing and I got married, we signed a notarized agreement for financial independence. Bingbing couldn’t understand it then, but now, although we mix our money for use, we’ve formed a new consensus – that accounts remain separate. To put it bluntly, both legally and emotionally, it makes sense. If something happens to me, it won’t affect Bingbing’s finances. If something happens to Bingbing, it won’t affect me. We establish multiple dams at home to preserve our strength to the maximum extent.”
“But I don’t work. My finances are Hongming’s finances. Even my parents’ finances are Hongming’s finances. Outsiders can see this.”
When they reached the Qian family building, Jiali asked Liu Jun to wait in the car. Liu Jun thought Jiali had bought something for Dandan again, but instead saw Jiali bring down a canvas bag. When Jiali got back in the car and opened the bag, Liu Jun saw stacks of money, by his experience, over a hundred thousand yuan.
“This is all leftover from the household money Hongming gives me every month. Hongming tells me to spend freely, but I can’t spend it all, so I keep it in the safe. I told Hongming he could take it when money was tight, at least to pay employees’ salaries, but Hongming never looks at it or wants it. I understood everything you just said. I can’t help Hongming in other areas, but I can still set up a backup plan. Please take this money and help me deposit it under your name. I’ll often give you cash in the future.”
“That’s one solution. But… could this task be given to Hongming’s sister? I’ll take you there right now. I… I don’t even trust myself.”
“I trust you more.”
Liu Jun suggested writing a receipt, but Jiali wouldn’t agree. Jiali only made one request – that knowledge be limited to the four people: Liu Jun, Cui Bingbing, herself, and Qian Hongming. Liu Jun thus inexplicably carried home a bag of money. When he told Cui Bingbing, before they could finish being surprised, Shen Huadong also came to disturb them. Shen Huadong came to convey the results of his father’s going to the city to greet people and pull strings, saying his father Shen Baotian had testified to several officials that Liu Jun was no lone ghost and that Tengfei was a good enterprise worth supporting. The result was that people said his father came too late – Mr. Song had already come to greet them, and everyone didn’t know the city had hidden such a big research fish. It looked like the interest-free loan was very promising.
Both Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing were very happy, but Cui Bingbing asked suspiciously: “This matter could be solved with one phone call. Why did you travel so far to come in person?”
“A’San, women who are too sharp lose charm points. Sorry, I need to borrow Liu Jun for half an hour. Of course, I can only come to ask leave from you, this tigress.”
“Considering your father spoke for Liu Jun, granted.” Cui Bingbing smiled as she carried Dandan upstairs.
Shen Huadong watched Cui Bingbing go up, but still wasn’t at ease, worried that this engineer’s house might have who knows how many monitoring devices installed, so he simply pulled Liu Jun outside to the courtyard to talk. He told Liu Jun that after returning from Germany, he had communicated well with Qu Wei several times, but found her standards too high and was thinking of retreating. But if he were to find someone to sing popular songs with, he felt somewhat unwilling. He hoped Liu Jun would advise on whether to continue with Qu Wei.
Liu Jun’s opening was: “For living together, A’San-type women are still the best.” After saying this, he first searched the surroundings and, seeing no one, dared to continue. He told Shen Huadong about his real feelings from before and after marriage, all the way to after coming out from being summoned this time. He believed that every radish had its hole – someone like him seemed more suited to living with Cui Bingbing. Qu Wei should marry someone more worthy of living with, but not Shen Huadong – their temperaments didn’t match. On the contrary, that previous female lawyer…
“No, I wouldn’t go to Shu Ya even if you killed me. If I turned back now, wouldn’t I be walking into gunfire?”
“Hehe, little brother, you don’t understand. A’San-type women are easier to serve. You just need to tell Shu Ya from the start that from now on, you’re her person, that after experiencing countless mountains and rivers, you finally realize she’s the best. See if Shu Ya will point guns at you. Shu Ya might have before, but now she’s over thirty – it’s different. Her mindset is incredibly good now. She might even personally cook you a good meal to calm your nerves.”
“Is that how you lured A’San?”
“I’m henpecked.”
The two exchanged knowing smiles like conspirators. Shen Huadong understood. Those who constantly claimed to be henpecked often lived like fish in water at home, while those who often boasted that their wives brought them slippers and tea when they came home were often the ones doing ox and horse work at home.
After Shen Huadong left, Cui Bingbing naturally wanted to know everything. Liu Jun naturally didn’t dare tell all, only saying he used his own happy life as an example to encourage Shen Huadong to boldly approach sharp women. Cui Bingbing was too lazy to care about those family matters, but wondered: “Why do they all come to you to talk about personal matters?”
“I’m a good person, always excellent credit, bright reputation.”
“Whether the reputation is bright or not, see how many millions you can borrow with a few phone calls at bank interest rates.”
Liu Jun could only smile awkwardly: “Women being too sharp affects charm points.”
“Don’t worry, you can borrow it. Don’t be embarrassed. Look how Jiali can confidently give you money, how Dongdong, that arrogant person, consults you about emotional problems, how Mr. Song, that godly person, dares to send his wife to your center. They’re not without other options. But borrowing big money – don’t try it unless necessary. There’s no free lunch in the world. No matter how big the favor, you can’t use it to exhaustion. When the moon is full, it wanes – then you can’t be friends anymore. After all, no one is stupid.” After Cui Bingbing finished venting, she added: “Actually, I just summarized this, while you already knew and did it well long ago. Your mindset is better than mine. Your friends all trust you very much. But if I don’t show off to you, who can I show off to? So you have to clap and shout ‘encore.'”
“Branch Manager Cui, don’t you receive enough flattery in your daily work? Why must you be so ruthless at home, too?”
“Hey, it’s different, General Manager Liu. Flattery varies from person to person…”
The two engaged in verbal sparring, neither giving in. Liu Jun temporarily forgot about the phone call from the Northeast today – a call clearly stating that there were recorded records. That side wouldn’t let him go so easily. But based on his reasoning about those people’s questioning, he suspected Mr. An hadn’t confessed to his matter. And of course, as long as Young Master An stayed safely in Australia and didn’t return to China, of course, Young Master An wouldn’t be stupid enough to return at this time. No one was stupid these days. Of course, his exit records had been discovered, but what could that prove? Unless they made a big deal of checking his German credit card accounts. Moreover, he wasn’t the only one who had sent money to Mr. An. He needn’t stupidly turn pressure from the Northeast into motivation for his daily anxiety. Right now, if nothing else, he first had to win this psychological warfare. Fortunately, work was very busy, with plenty of things to distract him.
Liang Sishen finished the handover at the Shanghai company. From now on, she would step back from specific affairs and focus on grasping the big picture. So with time freed up, she made a gorgeous turn and began to live well and continue her hobbies. But old habits die hard – a person who was focused at work wouldn’t be half-hearted doing other things either. When Liang Sishen picked up mathematics again, she found she had forgotten most of it. Anxious at heart, this turned into action. She learned while doing research at the center, making rapid progress. So Song Yunhui often had to come personally in the evenings to drag his wife home.
Through this, Song Yunhui better understood the progress and difficulty of the Donghai No. 1 segment research and development. Liu Jun’s quiet complaints didn’t mean he had no troubles. This type of person was even more to Song Yunhui’s taste – he was also unwilling to cry out when encountering hardships. But no matter how hard Song Yunhui tried to help Liu Jun, although he finally squeezed into the government aid list and helped Liu Jun obtain an interest-free loan, Tengfei, as the only private enterprise on the list and unfortunately a traditional manufacturing enterprise without gimmicks, ultimately only received the minimum amount of six million. Song Yunhui was almost too ashamed to face people.
But Liu Jun was still overjoyed, jumping up. Six million – sweet rain during a great drought, even a few drops were good! He invested all the funds into Tengda, getting the newly started Tengda running in full swing. Tengda’s philosophy was vastly different from Tengfei’s. Tengda lowered quality but greatly increased volume, and through Luo Qing’s effective market development, strived to convert all products into funds and increase capital turnover. Thus, the capital flow in the bank account increased rapidly and circulated quickly. The monthly account amount finally became large enough to move the opening bank. Cui Bingbing seized the opportunity, felt the pulse of that opening bank’s credit supervisor, and had Liu Jun appear at the right time to apply to the opening bank for expanding credit limits. Under these circumstances, it was suitable to apply for bank acceptance bills.
Of course, this result came from compressing the research center’s expenditures. Tengda took the biggest piece of the pie, forcing the research center to go hungry and reduce equipment testing frequency. Research progress was forced to slow down. Liu Jun’s heart felt like it was being cut, but with ammunition and food exhausted, what choice did he have?
When his side slowed down, the Northeast company had a new official taking office. One day, Song Yunhui frowned and told Liu Jun that the materials in Liu Jun’s computer might have been leaked. The Northeast company was gathering people from all sides for a final push, and the new general manager made solemn promises to Song Yunhui in person and over the phone. “They’re throwing out the contract and directly bypassing you.” This was Song Yunhui’s reasonable speculation.