China has always been a master of imitation and surpassing. What’s wrong with surpassing others this time?

The leaders thought Xie Changning’s suggestion was excellent and decided to adopt it.

"Yes, Xiao Xie, please go write up a practical report for us. And while you’re at it, include some suggestions for improvement. I’m sure Director Wang will be very happy to see it."

The moment the leader finished speaking, Director Wang Qiang nodded instantly.

He affirmed that he would take this matter to heart and treat it with the utmost seriousness.

Satisfied with the response, the leader turned to Xie Changning. "Truly, the new generation surpasses the old. The minds of young people today are just sharper than ours!"

"Our predecessors built this country. We are only able to grow because we’re riding the winds they created. They are the true pioneers."

Xie Changning shook her head.

Every generation has its own mission. The reason we are able to thrive is because others have borne the heavy burdens for us.

Without the foundation our predecessors laid, it would be very difficult for us to rise so quickly.

Xie Changning’s words were exactly what the leader wanted to hear.

"And Ms. Xie is... the manager of which factory?"

The leader looked toward Director Zhao.

Director Zhao spoke up immediately. "Xiao Xie is the manager of the Anong County Machinery Factory. She’s currently developing a standalone printer."

’This is the perfect time to show what we can do,’ Director Zhao thought. ’If not now, when?’

Hearing about Xie Changning’s R&D project, the leader raised an eyebrow, remarking in surprise, "It seems our Manager Xiao Xie is quite capable!"

"Not at all," Xie Changning replied humbly. "I just feel I should make a small contribution to my field."

The leader looked at Xie Changning, then nodded with satisfaction.

"The Anong County Machinery Factory can go to the Autumn Trade Fair."

These words made Xie Changning incredibly excited.

’I was originally planning to use the printer to get the leadership’s attention and earn a ticket to the Autumn Trade Fair.’

’I never expected to have such a wonderful surprise at First Automobile Works today!’

She glanced happily at Director Zhao, then thanked the leader. "Thank you, sir, for your trust in the Anong County Machinery Factory. We will not disappoint you. We’ll do our best to secure foreign currency!"

She wasn’t making an empty boast.

The leader smiled. "Don’t be nervous. I’m just letting you make an appearance at the Autumn Trade Fair. Even if you don’t secure any foreign currency, it’s not a problem."

Standalone printers were extremely rare in the country. Once they were available, just supplying them to various government departments would generate significant revenue for their province.

Even though all the state factories were "brothers," when push came to shove, every province had to look out for itself.

The leader didn’t say it explicitly, but everyone understood what he meant.

Xie Changning gave a sharp salute. "Yes, sir!"

Everyone laughed, and the conversation moved on.

"If you need anything in the future, just tell your Director Zhao. The leadership committee will give your factory its full support!" The leader didn’t really have any impression of the Anong County Machinery Factory.

’I just knew that some young person had become the manager of a small factory that was on the verge of bankruptcy.’

’It seems that person was Xie Changning.’

’A small factory has limited resources. Since they’re developing a machine that will help the nation’s development, then the leadership committee must give them its full backing!’

Hearing those words from the leader, Xie Changning was beyond thrilled.

’This was exactly what I wanted to hear!’

"Thank you for your support, sir!"

That afternoon, Xie Changning had lunch with the leaders. Since she was pregnant, they all took very good care of her.

After lunch, the leader arranged for a driver to take Xie Changning back to the guesthouse before heading back to their own offices.

Back at the guesthouse, Yue Yihan was sitting inside, staring blankly into the distance. To an outside observer, it looked as if he’d been waiting for Xie Changning for so long that he’d turned to stone, like in the old legends.

He only turned his head when he heard the door open.

"Honey, you’re back!" The stone statue instantly came to life. He moved.

Xie Changning nodded.

"What are you doing here? Didn’t your leave end today?"

"It’s my lunch break. I came to check on you."

’I’m just so worried about Yu Huo,’ he thought. ’I’m afraid he’ll try to harm Xie Changning.’

’Even with two people secretly protecting her, I’m still not at ease.’

"It’s fine. Didn’t you guys assign people to protect me?" Xie Changning reassured Yue Yihan.

’The people protecting Xie Changning have always stayed in the shadows, never once revealing themselves. How did she know?’

Yue Yihan was stunned, and then filled with admiration.

’As expected of my wife! She knows everything!’

"Well... it’s because of the urgent situation. We had to take some necessary precautions. Just pretend they’re not there."

"I am pretending they’re not there."

In her past life, Xie Changning had been the chief engineer for the J-series fighter jets, so her every move had been under top-level security.

She had experienced being tailed and being covertly protected before.

So, when the military sent people to protect her, she sensed them the moment she stepped outside. She didn’t let on, simply maintaining her usual routine.

She wasn’t affected at all.

Once he was sure that Xie Changning was truly unaffected, Yue Yihan couldn’t help but praise her. "Honey, you’re amazing." ’She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met!’

In his eyes and in his heart, there was only room for Xie Changning.

"Of course," Xie Changning said proudly. "If I weren’t capable, how could someone with my background have gotten this far?"

Yue Yihan nodded at her words with a goofy grin, looking like the village idiot from a folktale, which made Xie Changning stifle a laugh.

The sight made Xie Changning burst out laughing. She reached out and ruffled his freshly-buzzed hair.

Xie Changning’s action made Yue Yihan freeze.

For a moment, he forgot to smile, forgot how to react. In his eyes, Xie Changning seemed to move in slow motion as the world around him stood still.

Only a single thought filled his mind: ’My wife touched my head!’

After that thought drifted by, another occurred to him. ’I wash my hair every day... does that mean I can skip washing it today?’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"What’s wrong? You look dazed," Xie Changning said. After ruffling Yue Yihan’s hair, she noticed he was just standing there, completely frozen.

Yue Yihan turned his head and slowly shook it.

"Nothing." ’I just feel like my love life just had a major breakthrough,’ he thought.

’My wife... touched my head!’

Seeing his ecstatic expression, Xie Changning frowned. She smacked the back of Yue Yihan’s head and barked, "I don’t care who you are, get out of Yue Yihan’s body right now! Or else I’ll stab you with a Peach Wood Sword!"

"And I won’t just stab you with a Peach Wood Sword, I’ll go desecrate your grave so you’ll never know peace!"

Yue Yihan said, "...I’m not possessed, honey."

"Oh."

Xie Changning sat back down, glanced at the clock on the wall, and said to him, "You should get back to the base. I’m leaving tomorrow. If you’re worried, you can just come see me off then."

"Okay."

Yue Yihan got up to leave.

Before he left, he gave Xie Changning a reluctant look, only to see her wave her hand at him.

It wasn’t a "goodbye" wave, but a shooing gesture, telling him to hurry up and go.