The four people made immediate decisions on the spot. They wouldn’t rest tomorrow, Saturday – immediate action to seize the fat meat Yang Xun was forced to spit out.

They scrutinized the reports with a fine-tooth comb, revising the contract word by word. There was no choice – because the four people didn’t trust Yang Xun, didn’t believe the reports were truthful, didn’t believe the accounts were as simple as the reports showed, didn’t believe that apart from mortgage loans shown on the books, there were no other private borrowings. Everyone brainstormed to create a contract with very strong exclusion clauses.

Coming out of the Song house, it was already very late. Dandan had fallen asleep in her mother’s arms, and Xiao Suihua also leaned against Cui Bingbing to sleep after getting in the car. The car also drove silently through a stretch of road at night. Cui Bingbing finally couldn’t help but speak. She had been too happy all evening and couldn’t suppress it, although she could only speak softly to avoid disturbing the children.

“This year’s biggest worry for me – bad debts – can say goodbye now. A bigger bubble looks ready to start being blown. Big bubbles containing small bubbles, hmph.”

“I can finally survive. Ironically, rescuing the property market did save me in a roundabout way.”

“Don’t think so much. Survival is the hard truth. We’re fortunate to meet good people.”

“I’m just sighing a bit to show I still have some bottom line. People become increasingly mediocre and unbearable. When we get home, let’s open a bottle of wine to celebrate – I’m so happy. Tomorrow, I can boldly allocate funds to the center. They’ve been doing theoretical research to the point of going crazy, dying to get their hands on actual metal.”

“Drinking at night isn’t good. Alcohol can’t dissipate and hurts the liver – that’s what mommy said,” Xiao Suihua drowsily interjected.

“After we drink, we’ll dance for a while. The alcohol will all dissipate and won’t hurt the liver. Okay?”

“That won’t work either. Too much exercise at night means kicking off blankets while sleeping and catching a cold.” Xiao Suihua remembered her mother’s instructions very well.

Liu Jun couldn’t help but laugh, “Hehe, so many rules. If you kick off blankets, just use a sleeping bag – no problem. As long as you exercise regularly, catching a cold can be cured with a few cups of hot water. Hmm, of course, when very young, that won’t work, but after starting elementary school, you don’t need to worry about so much. Play freely and make your body strong.” Although Liu Jun contradicted Jia Li, he considered Xiao Suihua’s psychology, using time as a line to separate the past from today. He wanted to make Xiao Suihua’s personality more cheerful.

So when they got home, Liu Jun washed Dandan’s face and feet for bed while Cui Bingbing quickly stir-fried two dishes to go with wine. Xiao Suihua firmly refused to sleep, insisting on watching the two adults drink and dance. Xiao Suihua thought she was being very naughty and disobedient, but unexpectedly the two adults thought she made sense. They heated her a cup of milk to eat and drink together. Xiao Suihua was very confused, but with excitement available, sleepiness immediately disappeared.

Music started, wine went down, and the two adults kicked off their shoes, self-mockingly calling themselves old bones while dancing wildly. They dug out space dances and group dances from university days – anything that could keep up with the rhythm. They wanted to laugh but feared waking Dandan, sleeping inside. The more they suppressed it, the more unrestrained their hearts became, the more they wanted to laugh. Xiao Suihua initially observed quietly and elegantly, but was later grabbed by Liu Jun and finally joined the chaotic dancing, becoming more and more uninhibited, eventually abandoning her little lady style and dancing with wild gestures. The three did cat dances, snake dances, and then elephant dances. Already happy at heart, the wild dancing made them cover their stomachs, laughing.

The factory’s difficulties were far from over, but Liu Jun’s difficulties temporarily hit bottom. After brief happiness, facing society’s speculation about when recovery would come after this crisis – whether recovery would be “L-shaped,” “U-shaped,” or “V-shaped” – Liu Jun worried most that his recovery would be “W-shaped.” Because he temporarily couldn’t see much improvement ahead, and he still needed to pay how many more months of rotation wages, still needed to continue price warfare, still had to invest in the R&D center. After all, he thought, even if local governments pulled up the property market again, improvement should be limited. With restricted consumption capacity, no matter how high it went, it wouldn’t go very high. He didn’t know if the profits he could get from cooperatively buying the real estate company would be enough to support him until manufacturing dawned. Would he, like Qian Hongming, also fall before dawn?

Even thinking about it was chilling, but Liu Jun still had to work hard. Work hard to find business.

“Four trillion” came roaring along with “National Ten Articles,” exactly as Liang Sishen had predicted. Liu Jun felt that everyone around him had carefully studied the National Ten Articles, studying them to determine what benefits they might bring. But many people also asked: with the economy declining like this, how could four trillion be produced? Would it just be a slogan, just a number to comfort people? Shen Baotian, Shen Huadong’s father, said coldly, “Simple – print money.” Opinions varied widely. Liu Jun decided to believe this old master Shen Baotian. But regarding the first article of the “National Ten Articles,” Shen Baotian said even more coldly, “Who pays?”

Related industries quickly reacted to the four trillion. Liu Jun hadn’t guessed wrong – construction machinery showed movement first. Marketing departments began receiving price inquiry calls, and business trips by salespeople began getting positive responses. But there was only thunder without rain – everyone was still watching and waiting, not daring to easily start projects, afraid of accumulating fatal inventory during this bitter cold winter.

At this time, surviving enterprises showed their advantages. Phone calls were answered, visits to companies showed machines running, workers hadn’t been laid off – these first demonstrated strength, showing no need to worry about sudden bankruptcy news after business was released. At this time, everyone was careful, not daring to make any mistakes that might affect profits. The universal psychology was “stability first.”

But the four trillion remained on paper, and where specifically to invest was still just a grand plan, so the industry could only wait, closely monitoring the four trillion’s implementation, honestly cooperating with the four trillion’s pace. Waiting was torment; waiting for the unknown was even more painful. But the road ahead was long – project approval, reporting, review, etc., all needed time. There was no choice; everyone had to continue waiting under the pressure of declining operating rates.

This year, the entire year 2008, starting with unprecedented freezing rain and ice disasters, natural and man-made disasters followed one after another, cold all the way to year’s end.

This year, Liu Jun lost his best friend, yet still had to encounter his old enemy, Yang Xun, when going abroad for business negotiations before year’s end. What was more troublesome was that Yang Xun clung to him like a persistent ghost upon seeing him – they were taking the same flight to America. Seeing that Yang Xun had no intention of leaving him, Liu Jun clearly understood that this person probably wanted to use him as a full-time translator. He really could do such a thing. Looking at Yang Xun’s two huge suitcases, he said with ill intent, “Yang is not running away with his belongings, is he? Brought all his household goods?”

“Me run away?” Yang Xun was instead surprised. “Why would I run away abroad? Carrying tens of millions to America to buy a few houses for rent? Might as well jump off the plane for relief. I’m going to America to see my children and wife. They’re about to have a long vacation, and I finally have time to spend with them this time. I tell you, as long as people are alive and mountains are there, as long as the company doesn’t collapse, all debts will only remain on paper. I’m not your classmate – I have real industries, solid real industries. No matter how unwilling creditors are, at this time, they can only be tied to the same boat as I. When my real industries come back to life, they fear me more.”

“If so, why sell the real estate company? Currently, that looks like the earliest golden goose,” Liu Jun muttered to himself – wasn’t his wife divorced?

“No choice – working capital is gone. At this time, creditors don’t pursue debts, but also won’t give me more money. Selling other things might not find buyers, so I can only cut meat from real estate. After selling the real estate company and removing the loan portion, I can still get fifty to sixty million in hand. For us business people, the harder times get, the more we can’t lack liquid money. The harder times get, the more we need to burn incense and pray to Buddha. Especially with year-end approaching, you can lack liquid money at other times, but absolutely cannot lack red envelope money at year-end. You’re not a recent returnee anymore. After so many years back in the country, you surely understand what I mean. What are you going abroad for?”

“To discuss a business deal. A group is entirely laying off a branch factory and plans to transfer this branch factory’s products to regions with cheap labor. I had business connections with them before. They trust my ODM capabilities, so they invited me to negotiate.”

“What’s ODM?”

“Americans provide product specifications and parameters, and I design and produce. This company has relatively complex technical requirements and rapidly changing series, generally difficult to take on. I’m also looking to see if their laid-off branch factory has any usable second-hand equipment.”

“Oh, that’s your advantage.” Yang Xun talked while talking, but his hands were decisive, grabbing the materials from Liu Jun’s hands and switching their boarding passes together. “The journey is boring – sitting together, we can look after each other.”

“You don’t fly business class?”

“Save it – we’re all from poor families, not that delicate yet. I have friends taking this opportunity to dig up technical talent abroad. This time, Americans have quite a few unemployed people. They say now is the time to dig up Chinese-American professional talent at much lower prices. I’m thinking of digging up a few during the long vacation. But I’m also worried – what if the people I dig up are as foolishly naive and useless as you were when you first returned? Honestly, my third son also went abroad right after graduation, just like you. My wife went abroad later. After a few years in America, her professional knowledge improved, but her head became simple…”

“It’s not that heads become simple, but different places have different thinking – different places use effort in different ways. We think you’re laughably troublesome, too. Your ex-wife should understand this best. If you want to introduce technical talent, you’d better change your thinking first and create a suitable environment for people. I don’t think you can do it. Your concepts don’t respect knowledge, and don’t have a philosophy of development through technology. Even if you worship talent, it’s useless. Simply put, you don’t have that string. Technical talent is produced through brains. If your management isn’t smooth, people will cut corners in their heads, and you can’t control that.”

Liu Jun saw Yang Xun looking at him thoughtfully, seemingly full of question marks even when boarding. As soon as he sat down, he asked without courtesy, “Hit your sore spot, didn’t I? Let me tell you more – I don’t even need to go to my R&D center. They consciously work overtime. With the company in such difficulty now, they help me share worries and solve problems. If you don’t have that string in your heart, no matter how much money you spend introducing talent, you’ll only passively help talent gain fame among domestic peers, doing the fool’s work of building bridges and paving roads.”

Yang Xun still held his arms, looking at Liu Jun. You could see Liu Jun wasn’t lying – this was exactly the problem he encountered. “Then… how do you treat them?”

Liu Jun was concise: “Creativity is priceless.”

Yang Xun’s gaze involuntarily swept over Liu Jun’s hands. He fell silent at the airplane’s takeoff sound. After a long time, when the flight attendants began moving around, he finally spoke: “Your words… this market has changed somewhat. Previously, intellectuals weren’t so important. Now in our business, we compete for people, poach people, try every way to keep people, spend increasingly large amounts…”

“After all this talk, not one word was mentioned about cultivating people. In my several years, eighty percent of technical personnel were cultivated by the company itself. The other twenty percent was poached during the company’s founding period, but half of their knowledge was also obtained through the company’s conscious training. For example, if today we were going to America for an exhibition, sitting beside you might not be me, but several of my engineers. Including Sister Liang – she originally wanted to pick up mathematics at our company, then take exams to pursue math master’s and doctoral degrees at a famous university. But finally, she didn’t want to go because my center itself has a contracts with a math professor and can receive consultation anytime. Moreover, my center’s academic atmosphere is much richer…”

Yang Xun also interrupted Liu Jun: “But you haven’t earned much these years. Looking at your development, I’m anxious for you. Only someone like my sister would say you’re down-to-earth – she doesn’t understand entrepreneurship, so she says that.”

“My management level is limited. Recently, I’ve been learning management from my deputy general manager and have benefited greatly. Entrepreneurship also needs concepts.” Liu Jun didn’t understand why today both he and Yang Xun seemed particularly frank.

Yang Xun nodded, “Let me point out a path for you. You’re in a favorable position – a giant state enterprise, a powerful person. If the Song couple just sweep their door cracks, it’s enough for you to benefit. So far, you’ve only cooperated on one deal, acquiring my real estate company – you’re useless. But obviously, this deal is them promoting you. Why do they benefit you? Because the powerful person plays mathematics under your management and gets paid?”

“See, you exposed your true colors in just a few words. They’re not as vulgar as you imagine. They recognize creativity’s true value. They understand this is the country’s hope. Mr. Song has helped me far more than this. He facilitated my F1 series research, a major project. Without him, I wouldn’t have dared dream of this research at the time. He nominated me for various science and technology awards, getting prize money and policies. The key is I’m not good at maneuvering, don’t know how to seize opportunities to demand more from the government. I really couldn’t think how to ask – later, my deputy general manager reminded me. Recently, Mr. Song strongly recommended my company again. This time, I won’t let opportunities slip away. I want to fight for policies. Hehe.”

“Mr. Song? He was the first to appreciate you? Not because you, Liang, and little Shen are all speed demons?”

“Do you think I gave Mr. Song and Sister Liang many benefits?” The two looked at each other. Liu Jun saw a trace of confusion in Yang Xun’s eyes. “Perhaps your world only has related interests, but our world has some foolish things. For example, you’ve only recently realized that knowledge is priceless because society has developed to this stage. Rising labor costs are an irreversible trend. Market competition, both domestic and foreign, increasingly relies on research and technology. It’s just that the current overall environment doesn’t support this down-to-earth competitive approach. Many foolish people are very anxious inside, very worried, very much wanting to use their strength to slightly change such structural problems. We’re all working hard. I’m very grateful to Mr. Song for supporting my efforts. He’s a person with great spiritual appeal.”

“Please don’t mention ‘foolish people’ again – say ‘people of insight’ instead. Though I’m not well-educated, I can understand that. Otherwise, if this reaches Mr. Song’s ears, won’t Mr. Song have to twist off my head when I return?” Yang Xun feinted but didn’t really answer Liu Jun’s words, just stared at the cabin ceiling, transmitting a signal that he didn’t want to talk.

But Liu Jun wouldn’t stop just because he was told to: “If not foolish, then what?”

“Right, in this situation, you should abandon the factory and properly develop my land. You’ll profit. Liang Sishen knows how to take advantage of others’ misfortunes – you’re right to follow her. Only after selling the land to her did I learn about the situation change. I regret it so much that my intestines turned green. You still talk to me about spiritual appeal – don’t listen. I’m the real fool, didn’t see her urgency, hid conspiracy.” Yang Xun didn’t look at Liu Jun.

“Relax. The money I earn all goes to support the factory and the R&D center. Sister Liang supports me because of this. If our R&D center collapses, it’s not just my loss. So when I say those two are good people, they’re truly good people.”

Yang Xun finally moved his gaze back to look at Liu Jun. “Even if that land appreciates further, how high can it go? Next year’s overall situation won’t be right either. Don’t you want your life? If this market situation continues for another year, will you fill the hole with your life?”

“Now you understand why the center’s scientists spare no compensation to help the company share worries and solve problems. Because we have a common philosophy, scientific research is too difficult to survive in this environment. We people within it must first have this consciousness. Very foolish, isn’t it? But there’s a group of mature adults putting it into practice. You wouldn’t understand.”

Yang Xun’s gaze involuntarily circled Liu Jun’s fingers again. He felt it should be the finger wearing the wedding ring, but he was no longer sure. So many years – he had forgotten some small details. Now he was beginning to understand what that conflict was really about. Originally, he had stolen something priceless in these people’s hearts – creation, not simply just an interest. These people had strange ideas.

“What do you plan to do next? Relying on Liang and Song’s support isn’t a long-term plan. Being trapped in your two factories isn’t the answer either. As a boss, you can hold onto creation, but you can’t give up entrepreneurship. Your identity is first and foremost boss.”

“Yes. But what else can I do? May I ask for your advice?”

“You following Liang and Song to invest in real estate is very right. Continue doing this, make it big, earn big money, then squeeze out a tube of toothpaste for your research center – then you’ll appear very noble and thoughtful – no, philosophical. I’m naturally mocking you, but I’m also telling the truth.”

Liu Jun sighed. It seemed this was the only way. Recently, banks repeatedly approached him, hoping that he, currently still surviving and seemingly viable, would risk taking large loans at the beginning of next year. As an old friend, help banks solve loan tasks, regardless of how much monthly business volume he currently has, or whether he can digest such large loans. They said policies required targeted investment. As for him, having surplus funds after loans that would overflow into other economic areas, banks decided to turn a blind eye.

“These years, the most successful development with the highest capital returns and the most leisure is Liang Sishen. Another person is Mr. Song’s brother-in-law’s wife – the wealthy boss lady you know. From the beginning, she focused on buying commercial properties, bought to rent out, then bought more. People working at my two mines envy her. In this world, no wonder you’re also getting into real estate.”

Liu Jun shook his head, speechless.

“After opening mines, I realized society still needs people like you. Our mines have constant danger. If equipment fails, it’s a matter of life and death. We don’t dare trust domestic products. What talk of transforming from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Created in China’ – look how difficult your life is. Who would bring suffering on themselves to create? People still chase profits. Creation has no profit, so smart people all study economics, earn their fill, then pretentiously return to research. There are no saints in this world. Including those scientists in your research center, you can make them share hardships temporarily, that’s fine. Over time, they’ll say goodbye to you. Of course, you’re not foolish anymore and understand this principle. Work hard. When you need any speculation secrets in the future, just have my sister find me. Let me be noble once too.”

Liu Jun smiled. It seemed that Yang Xun had anger toward Liang Sishen that he couldn’t express, so he could only mock in roundabout ways. Seeing Yang Xun like this, Liu Jun’s anger toward Yang Xun unknowingly diminished, and his whole body gradually dropped its guard. “How do you want your children to develop?”

“Anyway, they won’t learn from you.” Yang Xun paused, then said, “Being like you is also fine – anyway, their dad has the financial strength to support their squandering.”

“It’s very hard work.”

“It won’t be harder than mine, and it still gets looked down upon. I don’t know how many people curse me behind my back.”

Liu Jun smiled knowingly, seeing Yang Xun also smile. Face to face, both lightly laughed out loud.

The airplane flew lonely above rolling clouds, as if separated from the world’s dust. The power of technology lets humans fly higher and farther. In an open society, revolutionary changes in human thought have become a major trend.

Before sleeping, Yang Xun muttered, “Our China will also be able to build large aircraft. We have the people.”

“We will,” Liu Jun closed his eyes and smiled.

(The End)