Chapter 32: What Are You Afraid Of? I’m Not Going to Eat You

For the past few years, the Red Flag Factory has rarely hired new staff. Following the shareholding reform, the government must shoulder a portion of the pension burden for these veteran workers; otherwise, even with further reform, the enterprise will be dragged down.

Furthermore, the current workforce will be screened, and undoubtedly, those who have been coasting will be cleared out.

In fact, aside from its aging equipment, the Red Flag Machinery Factory still holds favorable conditions. The management does not have any major issues. By the way, Yutong's father is now the newly appointed head of the Red Flag Factory!

"Oh, so he is the leader of this buyout. If it succeeds, he will become a private entrepreneur; if it fails, it is very likely he will end up in prison!"

"Shh!" Liang Jiyong made a gesture for silence.

Chen Puyi knew that Di Yutong likely did not realize the severity of this issue.

"I am quite confident about this matter. The workers at the Red Flag Factory are of high quality. The time and energy invested in cultivating such a large group of skilled workers is absolutely beyond imagination—this is the most precious wealth of state-owned enterprises. Technology can be bought with money, but workers cannot be trained in three or five years. It’s a real shame about the workers at the Red Star Factory and the State Cotton Factory; if they remain idle for another three to five years, they will likely be completely ruined!"

"I have looked into the Red Star and State Cotton factories. Their problems now go beyond what technical innovation can solve; they need to be broken down and restarted. In the current environment, that seems very difficult. However, regarding your Red Flag Factory, I think if the market prospects are truly promising, you could introduce outside investment and complete the transformation in one go!"

"Oh, why? Are you interested?"

"I am just a student. If the outlook is promising, I can suggest that my father and his friends come to investigate. To be honest, many merchants in our region have no shortage of capital, and the mainland certainly holds great business opportunities, but the policy risks are too high. Especially with the reform of these state-owned enterprises—if things go wrong, one could lose both money and people. Such things have happened before."

"The current issues at the Red Flag Factory are technical; there won't be significant political risks. Both the provincial and municipal levels need stability. Enabling the Red Flag Factory to break out of its predicament in a stable manner is the greatest success—this is the trend of the times!"

"Then I can truly suggest a direct investment. It might be difficult, but if we adopt a cooperative approach, it might be feasible!"

"A cooperative approach—are you referring to financial leasing?"

"Haha, I really suspect there is another soul living in your mind. Financial leasing has only just emerged in Zhejiang Province!"

"It has existed in theory for a long time!"

"But combining theory with practice is not easy; otherwise, all those economics experts would be billionaires."

"Are you flattering me? Whether sincere or not, it sounds pleasant. Let's find a place to rest. I will contact the Red Flag Factory and the Yunzhou side, and you can consult your father's opinion!"

"Alright, I am also accustomed to finishing today's work today!"

Liang Jiyong and Chen Puyi found a patch of shade and told the others they had matters to attend to, suggesting they head off first. Ultimately, only Lu Bin and Zhang Li left. Zhao Guodong and Sun Xiaoyue found a mountain restaurant nearby, and the group went there to eat wild game, each busy with their own affairs.

Liang Jiyong contacted Chen Wei first. Upon hearing the news, Chen Wei was not only surprised but also excited. Although he appeared spirited and confident every day during this period, his inner anxiety grew by the day. The difficulty was greater than he had imagined; one wrong move and he would repeat past failures. Chen Wei had been losing sleep. What Liang Jiyong suggested was like a timely rain. It seemed simple, but if not for the matchmaking of Liang Jiyong and Chen Puyi, it would likely have taken three to five months to reach an intentional agreement.

After Chen Wei provided the approximate funding requirements and the technical specifications of the production equipment, Chen Puyi contacted his father. Although his father was not in the machinery business, finding relevant professionals was not difficult. Less than two hours after Liang Jiyong and the others finished their meal, Chen Puyi’s father called back, confirming the feasibility of the matter.

However, it was only a possibility. They could not fully trust the promises of the Red Flag Factory and required higher-level talks—at the very least, a meeting with provincial and municipal leaders. For now, there would be no formal documents of intent, but there had to be an attitude expressed privately. At their level, economic strength had already elevated their social status, and provincial and municipal leaders could not easily deceive them; otherwise, the power of the Zhejiang merchant group would be enough to make certain officials suffer.

After receiving the answer from Chen Puyi's father, Liang Jiyong coordinated with Chen Wei and then called Zhou Jianguo directly. Because Chen Wei would need time and intermediaries to reach Zhou Jianguo, Liang Jiyong could use his semi-official, semi-private relationship to contact him directly. Zhou Jianguo was also caught off guard by the news, but he was equally pleased. He promised to report it to the relevant provincial leaders immediately and expressed great confidence in facilitating this cooperation.

By the time they finished, it was already three in the afternoon. However, at the suggestion of Di Yutong and the others, they continued up the mountain, as there was a resort hotel on the mountain where they could stay. Although this was an organized autumn outing, there was no mandatory requirement to travel with the group. They had their own plans and would not follow the main body.

"I am really curious, where exactly did you learn all these things?" Jiang Lan blinked her lively eyes. Jiang Lan was definitely a beauty, no less so than Su Wanqing and Di Yutong. But she was a different type. Su Wanqing was ethereal, Di Yutong was passionate, and this Jiang Lan seemed to carry wisdom—beauty and intelligence combined. Liang Jiyong felt that Jiang Lan’s most beautiful features were her eyes, a pair of speaking blue eyes. Liang Jiyong thought Jiang Lan was of mixed heritage, but she wasn't; perhaps it was a natural mutation. It didn't have any positive or negative effects, but like some foreigners, she had blue eyes—the deep blue of the sky. Very beautiful blue eyes.

However, Liang Jiyong had no time to dwell on Jiang Lan's beauty. "Hearsay, or reading more books!"

"It's not right to lie to your sister like that!" Jiang Lan blinked again.

"Wait, it's not certain who is older!"

"You are a high school student, and I am a junior in college!" Jiang Lan was dismissive. No matter how mature Liang Jiyong appeared, it didn't change the fact that he was still a high school student.

"I'm in my fourth year of high school this year, which counts as the same age as a college freshman. Besides, I repeated the first grade of elementary school!"

"You repeated the first grade? No way!" Jiang Lan asked in surprise.

"First, let me clarify, it wasn't failing; I was..."

***

Before Liang Jiyong could finish, Di Yutong added from the side, "When he was in the first grade, he found two little sisters too cute and stubbornly refused to go to the second grade, and so, he repeated the year!"

"Really? Did the teacher just let you repeat?" Jiang Lan asked in astonishment.

"My mom agreed!" Liang Jiyong said.

"What?" Jiang Lan asked.

"My mom is an elementary school teacher. It just so happened that when I repeated the year, she became my homeroom teacher, so she let me do it!"

"What year are you?" Jiang Lan asked.

"72!"

"Me too! I am definitely older than you, call me sister!"

"Impossible, no one born in '72 is older than me!"

"I'm from January 1st!" Jiang Lan said.

Liang Jiyong froze.

"How about that? Call me sister!" Jiang Lan said triumphantly.

"Wow, you are both born on the same day!" Di Yutong said, surprised.

"You are also January 1st? On the solar calendar?"

"Yes, January 1st on the solar calendar! What time were you born?" Liang Jiyong asked.

"What time were you born? You say first!" Jiang Lan shook her head.

"If I say 12:01 AM, you definitely won't believe me!"

Jiang Lan smiled without saying anything, but she certainly didn't believe him.

"Actually, I don't believe it either. I asked my parents, but no one checked the clock at the time. Can you believe how wronged I feel? I don't even know what time I was born, though it was definitely at night!"

"Forget it, let's not compare. Ladies first, so you still have to call me sister!" Jiang Lan provided a reason he couldn't refute.

When they reached the top of the mountain, everyone was tired.

"A hot spring resort!"

"There are hot springs here?" Liang Jiyong asked, surprised.

"It's said to be a geothermal spring, let's try it!" Fang Zhan suggested.

At this moment, Zhao Guodong came over and asked in a low voice, "How are we staying tonight?"

Fang Zhan asked with a grin, "How do you *want* to stay?"

"I, I'll share a room with you!" Zhao Guodong said, though his heart wasn't in it.

"Our family doesn't need a lightbulb!"

"Jiyong..." Zhao Guodong looked at Liang Jiyong again.

"Don't look at me. I study at night, usually past twelve, which disturbs others' rest, so I'm staying alone. Why don't you ask Xiaoyue? There are two beds, right?"

"Uh, that's right, two beds!" Zhao Guodong agreed wholeheartedly. Liang Jiyong and Fang Zhan laughed heartily. This guy had the desire but lacked the courage.

When Liang Jiyong went to pay, he was surprised to find that Jiang Lan had already paid. There were five rooms in total. Fang Zhan and Wei Min left happily. Zhao Guodong pretended to be talking to Sun Xiaoyue, keeping a foot of distance, fearing others would know they were together—a transparent attempt at concealment. Then, Jiang Lan and Di Yutong shared a room, and Liang Jiyong and Chen Puyi stayed in a single room.

After returning to the room to rest and wash up, then eating at the restaurant, when they went to soak in the hot spring, only Liang Jiyong, Chen Puyi, Di Yutong, and Jiang Lan were left. The other four were likely still doting on each other in their rooms. The four of them took a small pool, which was about the size of a swimming pool, so they weren't afraid to get in. Di Yutong's figure was naturally excellent. Surprisingly, Jiang Lan didn't look fat, but her figure was also very good—her measurements were likely between Su Wanqing's and Di Yutong's.

"Why do I feel like there's a strange smell here?" Di Yutong asked.

"It's sulfur; this geothermal spring is authentic!" Liang Jiyong laughed. "They only roughly channeled the water here without treatment, so it's not advisable to soak for too long—an hour at most!"

"Hmm, but the water is indeed very comfortable, it's just a bit small for swimming!" Liang Jiyong swam a couple of strokes and reached the other side.

"Swimming in the sea is the most comfortable, it's endless!" Chen Puyi said with longing.

"Let's have a race in the sea next time!" Di Yutong suggested excitedly.

"After swimming for half a day, a single wave might wash you ashore!" Liang Jiyong imagined the scene and wanted to laugh.

"That would be lucky. If a wave hits and you find yourself further from the shore, that would be miserable!"

"The most miserable thing is discovering a dorsal fin approaching!" Liang Jiyong joked wickedly.

"And the absolute worst is discovering a group of fins..." Chen Puyi added to the imagination.

"You two are too much! If there were sharks, they would definitely eat you first!" Di Yutong said angrily.

"No, ladies first!" Liang Jiyong glanced at Jiang Lan.

"Is that so? Yutong just told me you are very brave!" Jiang Lan smiled calmly.

Chen Puyi remarked, "Some people aren't brave in words but are brave in action, while others are the exact opposite—giants in speech, dwarves in action!"

After some idle chatter, Jiang Lan brought up a case study from their international trade course to discuss with Liang Jiyong and Chen Puyi. The three had different viewpoints, as it was a controversial topic. Although they didn't convince each other, they always gained something. Di Yutong was not interested but was not bored either. Beside Liang Jiyong, she would occasionally tap his foot or splash water on him.

Less than forty minutes later, Jiang Lan and Chen Puyi left. Liang Jiyong also intended to return, but Di Yutong wouldn't let him go.

***

After the two disappeared, Di Yutong stood in front of Liang Jiyong.

"What, what are you doing..." Liang Jiyong was a bit afraid of the look in Di Yutong's eyes.

"What are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat you!"

Liang Jiyong smiled helplessly. It wasn't fear; it was true trepidation!

"Turn around, I'll scrub your back!"

Liang Jiyong hesitated for a moment and turned around. Di Yutong scrubbed his back properly, but her voice sounded lonely.

"Sometimes, I really want to just find someone to date, so that you and Wanqing wouldn't have to struggle with this!"

"Yutong..." Liang Jiyong started.

"Don't speak, listen to me!" Di Yutong continued, "I know you are with Wanqing. We grew up together; I can tell by her eyes. Only you two are still playing ostrich, thinking I know nothing!"

"I'm sorry, Yutong. I didn't mean to deceive you!"

"I know, no need to apologize. I understand how much you like Wanqing, just as I like you! I genuinely wish you both happiness, but I don't want to leave. Wanqing is playing dumb, so I play along, and we all act as if nothing happened! If only we never grew up—playing together, dancing together, swimming together, listening to Wanqing play the piano, and fighting alongside you! Every time I see you fight other boys, I feel nervous yet excited. I fear you getting hurt, but I think you look so handsome when you fight! If we didn't grow up, we wouldn't have to separate! If time could turn back a hundred years, it would be fine if both Wanqing and I married you. Even if you loved Wanqing more and me less, I would be content!"

Di Yutong hugged Liang Jiyong from behind. Unknown to him, she had already removed her undergarments, and her body was rubbing against his back. Liang Jiyong's breathing became rapid.

"Yutong, don't do this, I, I..." Liang Jiyong felt he couldn't resist Di Yutong's fiery temptation.

Di Yutong didn't listen to him; she kissed his back and neck, her hands moving downward to pull off his shorts! Under Di Yutong's passion, it was hard for any man to keep his sanity. But if he did this... Su Wanqing's shadow emerged in Liang Jiyong's mind!

Liang Jiyong turned around abruptly, grabbing Di Yutong's arms, breathing heavily. At this moment, Di Yutong's upper body was bare, without a shred of fabric, exposed to him without reservation.

"I won't fight Wanqing for a man, but I just want you to be mine for these three days. Can't you love Wanqing for a lifetime and love me for three days? Even if it's just pretending, can't you?" Di Yutong's tears streamed down instantly!

Liang Jiyong didn't speak; he pulled Di Yutong tightly into his arms. Di Yutong's crying gradually stopped. Although Liang Jiyong had ten thousand impulsive reasons in his heart, there was one reason that prevented him from taking that step no matter what.

"Yutong, you are beautiful and even more charming. If I said I didn't love you, I'd be lying to myself. But it is precisely because I love you that I cannot hurt you! If I did this, I could never face Wanqing, and I would be even more sorry to you."

"Fool, you are such a big fool. I don't even need you to take responsibility, you idiot!" Di Yutong pounded on Liang Jiyong's back with her hands.

"But I am not an irresponsible man. If we had that kind of relationship, there would be an indelible shadow in the hearts of all three of us. Yutong, a lifetime is long, and we are still very young. Perhaps one day, you will meet a man who makes your heart race even more—a man who has only you in his heart. Before you meet that person, I will always be by your side to protect you!"

"Bad guy, you've already filled my heart, how could there be room for anyone else!"

...

Back in the room, Di Yutong insisted that Liang Jiyong shower with her, saying this was the last time she would harass him like this! Liang Jiyong felt it was more painful than being killed! Liang Jiyong turned his back, not daring to look at Di Yutong.

While Di Yutong showered him with the handheld sprayer, she asked, "When did you two do it for the first time?"

"I refuse to answer that!" Liang Jiyong shook his head.

"Then I'll go ask Wanqing!"

Liang Jiyong felt a toothache!

"I don't remember!"

"Humph, how can you not remember such an important thing? I'm going to tell Wanqing!"

"Enough, I'm going out!" Liang Jiyong turned around!

But Di Yutong pressed against him, forcing him to step back step by step. Against the wall, Liang Jiyong had nowhere left to retreat.

"Yutong..."

"Don't worry, I won't let you cheat, but I will make you remember me, because I know that what I am doing is something Wanqing would never do!"

Liang Jiyong didn't yet understand what Di Yutong meant, but Di Yutong had already knelt down. Liang Jiyong's mouth opened wide instantly, almost crying out in shock. Sanity—what sanity? Liang Jiyong just wanted to sprint to the finish line!