Her words drew everyone’s attention. After a moment of hesitation, they had to admit she had a point.

But true unity was a tall order.

They might be able to achieve solidarity within the province, but the entire country? Was that even possible?

Everyone had mixed feelings. Not knowing what to say, they all fell silent.

This was a difficult subject, something they would need to go home and mentally prepare themselves to face.

The train pulled into the station in Chuncheng. The city’s factory directors and workers disembarked. Before they parted ways, Yu Chunhe said to Xie Changning, "Come with me. There’s a celebratory banquet tonight. The senior official specifically asked for you to be there."

One hundred million US Dollars! This didn’t just bring her honor; it brought honor to the entire leadership of the province!

The thought of the senior official’s delight put a spring in Yu Chunhe’s step.

And so, Xie Changning was kept behind in Chuncheng.

Yu Chunhe took her to her own home. "Don’t worry, there are no men in my house. Why don’t you take a nap here for a bit? When my daughter gets home from school, I’ll have our neighbor look after her, and then we can leave."

Xie Changning glanced at Yu Chunhe, intrigued by her words.

Xie Changning wasn’t very familiar with Yu Chunhe and knew nothing of her personal life.

Hearing her say that, she couldn’t help but take a closer look at the woman.

"It’s nothing to hide. I’m not divorced, I’m a widow. My daughter’s father was a soldier; he died in the line of duty ten years ago." He had likely been gone for so long that Yu Chunhe had come to terms with his passing.

The hardest days were behind her, and mentioning him now no longer stirred such strong emotions.

Xie Changning didn’t press further. "Thank you, Director Yu." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Xie Changning’s tactful discretion brought a faint smile to Yu Chunhe’s face.

Yu Chunhe’s daughter was fourteen and in the sixth grade. When she got home, she saw a beautiful, pregnant woman in her living room and let out a gasp.

"Wow, you’re so pretty!" She was the most beautiful woman the girl had ever seen!

"Thank you. You’re very pretty too."

Xie Changning replied, complimenting the girl.

The girl giggled, gathered her things, and waved to Yu Chunhe. "I’m off to the neighbor’s, Mom!"

"Go on."

After the girl left, Yu Chunhe and Xie Changning got into the car heading to the banquet.

The banquet was being held in the largest private room of the state-run restaurant, and Yu Chunhe had brought Xie Changning there early.

Upon arriving, Xie Changning realized that Wang Lisheng and Wang Shumei were there as well.

The three factory directors present were all comrades who had earned significant foreign currency for Lin Province this year—especially Xie Changninig. That was why the province’s senior official had arranged this banquet, specifically to welcome her.

When Yu Chunhe entered the private room, Wang Lisheng and Wang Shumei quickly stood up to greet her.

"No need to be so formal. It’s not our first time meeting."

"Director Yu, could you give us a little hint?" Wang Lisheng asked tentatively. "The senior official summoned us... is it really just a welcome banquet? I don’t think I’m important enough for that."

’If anyone is, it’s Xie Changning, right? I’m just tagging along.’ he thought.

"Yes. Changning’s factory can’t keep up with the demand. The senior official wants to ask her about her future plans and ideas." Yu Chunhe suspected the official wanted to encourage Xie Changning to subcontract parts to other local factories when she expanded, to help them out.

As Yu Chunhe spoke, Xie Changning had already come to the same conclusion.

Her factory certainly couldn’t handle producing that many machines on its own.

If the senior official brought it up, she would gladly accept the opportunity he was giving her. Perhaps... she could even get him to grant some favorable policies in the process.

With this in mind, Xie Changning felt no burden at all. In fact, it was as if the senior official was about to hand her a gift!

The senior official was the last to arrive, but he wasn’t late.

"I’m late, so I’ll drink to that!" the senior official said with a chuckle, raising his glass and downing it.

"What are you talking about? The clock on the wall says there are still a few minutes to go," someone pointed out.

The senior official waved his hand dismissively and sat in the seat they had saved for him. "You must have been waiting. Let’s get someone in here to take our order."

While ordering, the senior official repeatedly asked about Xie Changning’s preferences.

"When my wife was pregnant, she couldn’t even stand the smell of meat," the senior official reminisced, his expression softening. "The mere sight of it made her sick, and it lasted right up until she gave birth..."

It was clear how much he adored her.

Xie Changning thanked him for his consideration, and the conversation flowed easily among them.

Throughout the entire meal, the senior official avoided any mention of work, which had some of the attendees practically squirming in their seats. Finally, he put on a stern face and chided them, "We agreed that today was for welcoming Comrades Xie Changning, Wang Shumei, and Wang Lisheng. Why is everyone so eager to talk shop?"

"We can talk after we’ve finished eating!"

Only after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill did the senior official finally turn to Xie Changning. "Comrade Xie Changning, you’ve set a wonderful precedent!" His mood was clearly excellent as he brought up the subject.

They had been pushed around by foreign companies for so long. Now, finally, there was a sign that they could hold their heads high. How could he not be delighted?

Forget a hundred million US dollars—even a hundred thousand US dollars would have been a victory!

"It’s all thanks to the excellent guidance of our leaders," Xie Changning said humbly.

"Changning," the official said after the praise, his tone turning serious, "can your factory really produce that many printers in such a short time?"

Xie Changning sighed. "I was just about to ask for your help, sir. As you know, our factory is too small; we can’t possibly handle so many machines. I was hoping you could help me find a few other factories to partner with..."

The senior official’s eyes flashed with satisfaction at how perceptive Xie Changning was.

This order from Xie Changning could revitalize quite a few factories that were on the brink of collapse!

"Tell me what you need," the official said.

Everyone in the room pricked up their ears, each calculating if they could get a piece of the order for the factories under their own jurisdiction.

"Well, our factory needs to expand. But expansion takes time, and it requires space. If it’s possible, I’d like to request your approval for a plot of land..."

"No problem!"

To the senior official, approving a factory expansion for Xie Changning was a minor matter, and he agreed without a second thought.

The meal was a satisfying one for all; everyone got what they wanted. Yu Chunhe warmly invited Xie Changning to stay at her home again, but Xie Changning declined, opting for a guesthouse instead.

The next day, she took a car back to Anong County.

Upon her return to Anong County, she saw from a distance that the people from her factory were all waiting for her at the gate. The young woman at the front was holding a bouquet of flowers. As Xie Changning approached, the woman rushed forward and presented the bouquet to her.

"Director, these flowers are for you!"

"We heard giving flowers is popular in other countries. We didn’t know how else to thank you, so... we hope you like them."

"Of course not," Xie Changning said, then she deliberately put on a stern expression to tease them. "But... our factory has such a heavy workload. Why is everyone standing around here waiting?"