Liu Jun had certainly considered having one factory do machining while another handled heat treatment, and he had even gone on inspection tours led by his father. But factories with suitable precision equipment didn’t necessarily produce products with suitable precision. Liu Jun’s inspections were very thorough – he often stayed in workshops for entire days watching. What he saw was operators’ crude attitudes: not changing tools according to specified frequencies, causing machining precision to always drift at tolerance limits; or processed parts not receiving timely, proper treatment, leading to serious surface oxidation. When he mentioned this to Mr. Wang, Mr. Wang told him about Shi Yiji’s glorious history of factory-wide worker strikes when Japanese joint venture partners demanded quality and meticulously regulated operating procedures. The current near-standardized operations of Shi Yiji employees were gradually cultivated by the Japanese side’s uncompromising attitude toward quality back then. It turned out the entire industry lagged not just in technology, but in attitude.

Giving work to Shi Yiji seemed to be Liu Jun’s only choice. After Shi Yiji was taken over by Yang Xun and Shen Baotian, unable to produce flagship products, production schedules could never be arranged beyond two months ahead. Yang Xun was also anxious, so when Liu Jun offered a large processing order, both sides hit it off immediately. For some equipment at Shi Yiji’s suburban factory, this was at least a full quarter’s production volume.

However, the contract wasn’t easy to sign. Facing the thick contract plus attachments Liu Jun submitted, Yang Xun specifically consulted with his partner Shen Baotian, who had years of manufacturing experience. Shen Baotian wasn’t surprised by Liu Jun’s detailed operational procedures as contract attachments – foreign merchants with high standards and strict requirements he’d dealt with often had extremely demanding requirements. As long as profits matching those requirements could be guaranteed, it was fine. But he had reservations about the confidentiality clauses in the contract and the clause stipulating that Shi Yiji couldn’t independently engage in similar product production.

Yang Xun just smiled, “Big Brother, when have you ever seen such clauses take effect?”

Yang Li added, “The client is just a scholar and a scholar’s father – a cunning small boss.”

Shen Baotian said, “At least it restrains one person. The cunning small boss probably understands the rules better. Scholars are sometimes harder to handle. Hehe, Mr. Yang, you have methods.”

Yang Xun went out and sighed to his sister, “See how important money is. Since I invested little, I have to shoulder all of Shi Yiji’s daily factory operations.”

Yang Li laughed, “Good thing Mr. Shen didn’t demand dinner. Hurry home for family time – with sister-in-law going abroad for childbirth, you won’t see each other for several days.”

But Yang Xun buried himself in the contract, his mind full of contract clauses. “Tell me, should I patiently wait for Liu Jun’s entire series to come out, or take it from the start?”

“Everything depends on the market.”

Yang Xun glanced sideways at his little sister, “What you’re saying is exactly the kind of correct nonsense sister-in-law often mentions. The Liu father and son have only been out for how many days and already brought back such a big order – isn’t the market obvious? I’m only worried about one thing now. If I wait for Liu Jun’s entire series to come out, I might have that patience, but others won’t. By the time the full series is out, everyone in the country will know how to make it – what would I make then? But taking only one of his kit types… is quite limited. Very contradictory.”

Yang Li hesitated, “Big Brother, we’ve already mastered part of the data and Liu Jun’s thinking approach. Why can’t we do our R&D?”

“Unless you take charge of this, or Third Brother returns to handle it – like Liu Jun personally controlling the most important data – otherwise I absolutely won’t invest. Think about it: I invest one million, work hard to research it out, then someone offers 500,000 to easily poach my people, taking all the data with them. Would I dare invest? I saw things going wrong early on and quickly called a halt – I can’t spend money working for others. Unfortunately, you and your sister-in-law both abandoned your specialties.”

Yang Li blurted out, “This kind of competition is low-level.”

“What do you call high-level? Making money means whether it’s a white cat or a black cat, catching mice makes it a good cat. There’s no distinction between low-level and high-level.”

“Like Liang Sishen…” Yang Li said carefully.

Yang Xun immediately fell silent, but quickly regained his fighting spirit. “I told you to learn from her, but you don’t follow properly. Let me warn you – don’t keep trying to be clever by contacting Liu Jun. You’re provoking his vigilance too much. I want him to happily do one deal at Shi Yiji, earn reasonable money, then politely see him off, leaving him nothing to complain about when we meet. Sigh, when will you learn to be smart? Still showing off cleverness in front of Mr. Shen.”

Yang Li’s face turned red. “You’re already stealing other people’s technology, why the pretense?”

“Pretending to be high-class.” Yang Xun couldn’t be bothered arguing with his little sister and focused on planning the next step.

Therefore, Liu Jun’s original contract was modified only very slightly. Because Yang Xun needed Liu Jun’s most detailed operational procedures and needed to observe how the contract attachment procedures applied in actual production, he believed Liu Jun’s R&D products could achieve exceptional profits and good market response precisely because they had special methods. In production arrangements after contract signing, Yang Xun personally took charge, supporting Liu Jun’s precise requirements. This greatly surprised Liu Jun, who also came to appreciate Yang Xun’s exceptional flexibility and decisiveness in management.

Before formal production began, Liu Jun got rare rest time. He could no longer tolerate his vehicle, so he took this opportunity to bring two rechargeable emergency lights and parts scavenged from auto parts stores to modify his car, getting his hands completely oily. When Qian Hongming called, he could only use wire strippers to press the button, putting his ear to the phone placed on the car roof to listen.

“Liu Jun, are you free tonight? Fourth Miss Yang gathered a bridge table at her place. Come be my partner.”

“Not free. I don’t like Miss Yang. When are you coming over? Remember to turn right after entering the main gate, and find the underground parking garage entrance. I’m at pillar A, space 3, installing headlights. I just spent a whole day at the factory getting the clutch smooth – want to try it later? It’s almost like a dual-clutch now.”

“Can it fly?”

“Believe it or not, let’s find a place to race. I guarantee my acceleration will destroy you. Wait till I modify the intake later – I guarantee I’ll beat you in a straight line even with the brakes on.”

“Keep modifying. When you’re almost done, I’ll buy a better car. Sigh, I’m playing matchmaker today. Fourth Miss Yang says you have a misunderstanding about her. Since everyone’s already cooperating, she hopes to clear up misunderstandings through the bridge tonight to facilitate future cooperation.”

“But I don’t know how to play bridge.”

“Why be so literal? The bridge is just an excuse. Whether you like Miss Yang or not, as long as everyone gets along on the surface. You’ll be cooperating for a long time – it’s better to have harmonious relations when you see each other constantly, right?”

“Mm, wait till I finish installing the headlights and come up.”

“Installing headlights doesn’t take that long.” Qian Hongming bluntly pointed out Liu Jun’s deliberate dawdling.

“Come on, would someone like me do something as simple as just changing one light? I’m also installing a rectifier. Don’t believe me? Come see for yourself. Anyway, I won’t back out on what I’ve agreed to. I know you mean well.”

Before Qian Hongming arrived, Liu Jun heard high heels approaching from far to near. Without turning his face, he asked, “Miss Yang? Hongming sold me out.”

Yang Li laughed with a “chi” sound, “Want me to recommend a shop? Our whole family goes there for car repairs – very good. I’ll call them, and they’ll wait for you no matter how late.”

“Miss Yang, I need to clarify that this isn’t car repair, but modification. Completely different nature, so the experience is completely different too.” Just then, his hands suddenly brightened – looking up, he saw Yang Li had picked up an emergency light, thoughtfully providing illumination. “Hey, thanks. That light’s heavy – better put it down, too tiring.”

“It’s okay, as long as you work fast enough. What are you installing? Shouldn’t the original factory design be comprehensive?”

“This is called a rectifier. After installing it, you’ll feel a faster throttle response. As for original factory designs, they’re all commercially motivated. For low-end cars like this, they don’t consider your driving experience much. Only sports cars work on every tiny detail that can improve speed.”

“What car did you use in Germany? I heard Mercedes and BMW are everywhere on German streets.”

“Right, I drove a used BMW M3. After repeated modifications by my friends and me, its power is five times this Jetta’s.”

“Aren’t you afraid one modification might destroy the original dynamic balance?”

“Cars are meant to be played with, not worshipped from a distance. Besides, who am I?”

Yang Li was amused by Liu Jun’s arrogance. In her world, she rarely encountered people with such natural psychological advantages. People without psychological advantages, even when wealthy, could hardly achieve beautiful patterns in their actions. And people with natural psychological advantages… she’d seen them, but they looked down on her.

After Liu Jun installed the rectifier and looked up, he saw Yang Li lost in thought. He raised his ink-black fingers and waved them in front of Yang Li’s face, “What are you thinking?” Yang Li was startled and jumped, letting go – the emergency light fell and broke. Liu Jun’s mischief succeeded; he smiled proudly, picked up the emergency light, and threw it in the garbage bag. “Miss Yang, move aside – let me test the performance.”

“Hey, who are you? Does such a small modification need testing? Just drive it on the road directly.”

Liu Jun laughed heartily and indeed didn’t get in the car, kicking the door shut. “Eaten yet? I’ll treat you to steak – take me to that place where you once packed takeout for me. Let me go wash my hands.”

“Hehe, when I was studying, there was an overseas returnee teacher in our department who missed steak so much he went abroad again. But we all said he couldn’t adapt to domestic scheming and plotting – defeated and fled.”

“Good excuse. If I ever flee in defeat, I’ve found my excuse.”

“Mm, I wasn’t talking about you. Your quick reactions show you’ve adapted to the domestic environment.”

“Too kind. I have no idea what you and your big brother are thinking. You’re all too complicated.”

“Hehe, someone this big still wants to pretend to be a little white rabbit? People lack communication, which leads to mutual suspicion.”

“Suspicious people are always suspicious, regardless of communication. Because their hearts are very unreal – they don’t even necessarily believe themselves, so how could they possibly believe others? I choose to live authentically, giving myself and others respect.”

Yang Li couldn’t answer for a moment, standing dazed as she went back to her home to change clothes. Only after washing and dressing did she remember this scholar had returned from philosophical Germany – no wonder his words were so convoluted. She couldn’t help laughing. This big boy, who played with cars, philosophy, and piano, was very cute. Finally, Yang Li added in her heart, much more interesting than that gradually round-headed, round-brained Qian Hongming.

Liu Jun simply couldn’t bring himself to like Yang Li. Seeing someone with crude qualifications playing clever tricks was as ridiculous as watching a grassroots theater troupe perform Shakespeare. Treating Yang Li to steak was based on neighborly friendship – otherwise, he’d be letting down Hongming’s concern. Besides, he wanted steak too. But only when opening the car door for Yang Li did he realize she’d changed from her original clothes. Such formality made him feel guilty about his attitude. So after getting in the car, he actively and patiently explained the advantages of the modifications to Yang Li, who, having an engineering background, could quickly understand. The conversation was quite pleasant throughout the journey.

In the steakhouse, Liu Jun ate two steaks right away. Two large plates placed before Liu Jun were quite appealing; Yang Li watched and smiled with pursed lips. When Yang Li finally saw Liu Jun clean his plates completely with bread, she couldn’t help laughing inwardly at how this person showed no concern for propriety.

After quickly finishing and returning, Liu Jun couldn’t help asking, “Miss Yang, there’s a question I’ve always wanted to know the answer to. When I process components at Shi Yiji, will your big brother end up copying them?”

Yang Li hadn’t expected him to ask so directly and couldn’t answer for quite a while. “My big brother and I both predict that the day your final processing step is completed, many workers and technical personnel from our Shi Yiji will be poached by other factories with heavy money, leaving Shi Yiji forever. This is how you’re harming Shi Yiji.”

Liu Jun was speechless. All the same nature – how could Yang Xun possibly be exempt from common practices? After thinking for a long time, he said, “You can sue departing employees using confidentiality clauses.”

“No money, just one life – what would you sue for?”

“Then, since you can’t achieve the confidentiality clauses I specifically placed in the contract, why did you still sign? Aren’t you afraid of breach? Or do you not take contracts seriously at all?”

“You should have experienced our attitude toward contract execution in these days’ production meetings. Big Brother doesn’t only have Shi Yiji as his sole business, but he’s recently devoted all his efforts to Shi Yiji – we’re already trying very hard. Regarding confidentiality, we also expect to become victims. So, Mr. Liu, how else do you plan to blame us?”

“I understand what you mean, but in my understanding, contracts must be executed rationally by both signatory parties. Otherwise, it’s a breach of contract.”

“Mr. Liu, are you being reasonable?”

“Miss Yang, shouldn’t contracts in cooperative relationships receive absolute respect?” Turning to see Yang Li burning with anger, Liu Jun quickly said, “Okay, okay, I’ll shut up. We may have disagreements in understanding the contractual spirit. But I need to remind you that disrespecting contracts may result in punishment by contracts.”

“Mr. Liu, that’s a threat.”

Liu Jun looked troubled. Even rational dialogue could be interpreted as threats – what else could he say? It seemed Qian Hongming’s good intentions to arrange neighborly friendship between him and Yang Li wouldn’t work; instead, things were getting more tense. But he still couldn’t help himself: “Miss Yang, let me say one last thing. In my understanding, contracts are promises. People should responsibly fulfill promises they’ve signed. This is the character a mature adult should have.”

“Are you saying we don’t keep promises and lack character?”

“I won’t say more – interpret it yourself. Sorry.” Liu Jun had a massive headache but kept his word about not explaining further. But in his mind, he vaguely thought: if Shi Yiji violated confidentiality clauses due to poaching but couldn’t sue those poached employees due to special national circumstances, could Shi Yiji’s violation of confidentiality clauses be considered force majeure? If so, then Yang Li’s anger could be understood. Liu Jun could only charitably find reasons for others to avoid being unable to think things through. And he became more firmly convinced that Mr. Wang was right – to maintain secrecy, secrets must be buried in one’s stomach. He had to find ways to create conditions to control the heat treatment secrets.

Qian Hongming arrived early, unexpectedly seeing a pair of adversaries emerging from the elevator, with Yang Li’s eyes full of tears. Qian Hongming signaled Liu Jun, hoping he’d follow up and ease tensions in his presence, but seeing Liu Jun’s innocent expression, he had to take action himself, grabbing Liu Jun into Yang Li’s boudoir.