Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 168: Furious (Part 3)

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Furious (Part 3)

It was past noon on the train, the time for lunch, and Tang Mingli asked, "Xiao Yue, Brother Zhu, what will you eat?"

"Instant noodles, I want the spicy beef flavor," Tang Yue leaned into her seat, her eyes bright with interest at the window outside. The last time she went to Shenzhen, she had slept through the journey, but this time she was energetic and determined to enjoy the passing scenery.

"Okay," Tang Mingli responded, his gaze then turned to Zhu Yuanchao.

"I’ll also have instant noodles, spicy ones," Zhu Yuanchao answered.

Tang Mingli took three cups along with two packets of instant noodles. Zhu Yuanchao took the initiative to help carry them to the place on the train where they could get hot water.

"Smells so good," Tang Yue took a deep breath; people who ate instant noodles in the future were not many, but even so, the aroma that was wafting through the air now was tantalizing.

"Xiao Yue, is one packet enough for you?" Tang Mingli asked. He and Zhu Yuanchao had both prepared two packets each.

"That’s enough, I’ll just add a sausage, and if I could have a fried egg, that would be even better," Tang Yue broke a sausage into pieces and added it to the instant noodles to soak together. As she waited, the scent of the noodles remained constant in her nostrils.

Tang Yue vaguely remembered from her past life, when there wasn’t much to eat at home, on the rare occasion they bought a packet of instant noodles, she would finish the noodles dry and then soak the seasoning in water to drink.

Back then, it wasn’t like in the future, where children had all sorts of food to choose from.

"Next time you come home, I’ll fry one for you," Tang Mingli said smilingly. "I might not be great at cooking, but my fried eggs are delicious."

"Great, uncle, you have to keep your promise," Tang Yue quickly responded, afraid Tang Mingli might change his mind.

"No problem," Tang Mingli assured confidently.

Soon the instant noodles were ready, and as she stirred her noodles, the fragrant and spicy aroma made her taste buds dance; the taste was not bad either.

"Brother Zhu, your family has been running a martial arts academy for many years, right?" Tang Mingli turned to Zhu Yuanchao, looking for conversation to pass the time on the boring train ride.

"Yes," Zhu Yuanchao replied, looking honest and straightforward. Qi Song had mentioned that the martial arts academy wasn’t doing well, and now he was working in a forest farm in the village.

Through chatting, Tang Mingli learned a bit about Zhu Yuanchao’s family—aside from his wife, there was also a son, Zhu Hongjun, one year younger than Tang Jun, and a daughter, Zhu Panpan, who was only 10 years old. The entire family was dependent on Zhu Yuanchao for their livelihood.

Through their conversation, Tang Mingli thought Zhu Yuanchao seemed very honest and sincere, the kind of person who was also a veteran. If he could come to work at the factory, that would be perfect.

Tang Mingli ventured to ask, "Brother Zhu, are you interested in working at our factory?"

"Me?" Zhu Yuanchao looked at Tang Mingli somewhat surprised. When Qi Song had approached him, he was simply told there was a job which only entailed protecting them to Shenzhen and back safely, and he would get paid twenty yuan a day, with food and drinks covered.

Zhu Yuanchao’s interest was piqued at once.

Twenty yuan a day, while working in the forest farm earned him only about forty for a whole month; even with a slight increase in pay, it was only fifty.

This trip to Shenzhen, just a few days’ work, could earn nearly as much as two months at the forest farm.

"Yes, you have a martial arts background and good physical abilities; if you come to the factory, you would be in charge of security, ensuring the safety of the factory," Tang Mingli explained, clarifying that the job was similar to a security guard’s role.

Hearing this, Tang Yue also nodded in agreement, recognizing the need for staff in the factory. If Uncle Zhu could join, it would be more than ideal.

"But, my wife and kids are in the village, I’m worried about them," Zhu Yuanchao replied hesitantly.

"Uncle Zhu, does your wife know how to sew with a sewing machine?" Tang Yue joined in the conversation.

"Not really," Zhu Yuanchao shook his head.

They didn’t have the money to buy a sewing machine, so Gui Zhi never learned how to use one.

"Then, would she be willing to learn?" Tang Yue continued to inquire.

"Can she learn?" Zhu Yuanchao’s eyes lit up.

Tang Yue smiled and nodded, "As long as she’s willing, that’s fine. It’s actually quite simple."

"Of course, she’s willing," Zhu Yuanchao nodded decisively.

Without delay, Tang Mingli added, "Brother Zhu, that’s a deal then. We can discuss the salary in more detail when we’re back at the factory."

"Alright," Zhu Yuanchao trusted that he wouldn’t be treated unfairly and thought about both he and Gui Zhi having jobs. Wouldn’t they be able to earn a substantial amount each month?

"Uncle Zhu, what about the children?" Tang Yue suddenly asked.

Previously, Tang Jun was unable to attend school in the county because of housing issues. He had been studying in the town alone last semester. Only after they bought a house and transferred his household registration, could he attend school in the county.

"If I really get the job, Hong Jun and Panpan can stay with their grandmother," Zhu Yuanchao said with certainty.

Zhu Yuanchao and Tang Mingli chatted all the way until they reached Shenzhen.

Stepping onto the land of Shenzhen for the second time, Tang Yue felt a surge of excitement quite different from the uneasiness she experienced before. This time, she felt fully confident.

Xinglong Cloth Factory was actually next to Fulaibuliao Factory. When Tang Yue and Tang Mingli arrived at Xinglong Cloth Factory, the director of Fulaibuliao, upon overhearing employees, was speculating that they were the customers Manager Niu had sent to Xinglong last time. Just by glancing at the side of their faces, he thought they looked rather impressive.

"Go find out what they are here for," Factory Director Fula instructed one of his employees, hoping that they had come to return the fabric from the previous deal.

Factory Director Fula thought to himself, hoping so in secret.

At Xinglong Cloth Factory, the factory manager, Song Weiguo, had just sat down when he heard about the arriving customers. He was a bit surprised to see Tang Mingli and the others, wondering if there was an issue with the last batch of cloth. He politely invited them into the reception room, saying, "Boss Tang, welcome, welcome."

After exchanging pleasantries, Song Weiguo asked with apparent curiosity, "Boss Tang, is there a problem with the previous shipment of goods?"

"No," Tang Mingli quickly clarified, understanding the misunderstanding and explained, "Mr. Song, we are here to make a purchase."

"To purchase!" Song Weiguo’s eyes widened in surprise at Tang Mingli. They had bought a significant amount of fabric last time; to think they needed more so soon?

"Exactly, we’re here to buy," Tang Mingli said with a grin, adding, "We still have some fabric left from the last order, but since we were coming to Shenzhen anyway, we thought of stocking up in one go."

"Alright," Song Weiguo promptly had various fabric samples brought out; they recently launched a new line of woolen cloth with several different colors, and the material was outstanding in quality.

"Take a look at this new woolen fabric, it’s perfect for making coats," Song Weiguo advised, and also showed a few finished products, saying, "This material won’t form pills, and it looks good when worn."

The finished clothes presented by Song Weiguo were simple in style but looked very attractive made with that material.