The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 1019 - 988 Discipline, Coping

Chapter 1019: Chapter 988 Discipline, Coping

Upon hearing his grandson’s words, Old Master Huo sighed with relief.

Thinking about it, his grandson was always someone who knew the importance of things and certainly wouldn’t do such a thing.

"So where did this money come from?" Old Master Huo asked. After all, his grandson worked domestically, and in such a secret job at that, he mustn’t leak any secrets!

Huo Yingjie smiled and said, "In my spare time, I invented a few small things and then entrusted them to a patent company. Every year, I can collect the patent licensing fees."

"Inventions? Patent company?" Old Master Huo was taken aback, "This isn’t something from our own country, is it? My goodness, you didn’t take these things abroad to make money, did you?"

It was over, all over. Did his grandson understand discipline at all?

Seeing the old man getting worked up, Huo Yingjie dared not beat around the bush, lest he make the old man’s illness flare up.

"Grandfather, don’t worry just yet, listen to me carefully," Huo Yingjie soothed, "The things I made are for civilian use, not military, and they’re not under my name, but Tiantian’s."

"Civilian use?" Old Master Huo asked, "That’s still not acceptable. You’re breaking discipline!"

Hearing his grandfather’s words, Yingjie knew he would say this and continued to explain, "For example, the video recorders and tapes in our house. These things, even if I don’t create them, other countries could produce them in two or three years. Why shouldn’t I make them and earn more money?"

Hearing his grandson’s words, Old Master Huo was somewhat confused.

These things indeed seemed to have nothing to do with the military.

Seeing that his grandfather’s expression had improved a bit, Huo Yingjie continued, "Grandfather, our domestic system is simply not suited for what I’m doing, and we don’t even have a proper patent law. If I invent something and don’t patent it, when foreigners patent it, we’ll want to keep making these things but will have to pay them patent fees."

"Why should we?" Old Master Huo exclaimed, "We made them first; why should we pay them patent fees?"

"Because our market reforms mean our economy will gradually integrate with the international economy, and if you don’t follow their rules, they won’t include us in their games," Huo Yingjie explained, "By missing out on patenting, we would lose a lot."

Old Master Huo didn’t fully understand these things, but what he valued most was confidentiality.

"You’re an engineer, and you’re in charge of synthesizing high-tech new materials. You can’t let any secrets slip," Old Master Huo cautioned, "If you leak secrets, that’s the same as colluding with the enemy and selling out the country!"

"Grandfather, I wouldn’t do such a thing, I promise," Huo Yingjie said, "Our Huo family has so many people, and I’ve already reached the age of maturity. With elders above and youngsters below, how could I do such a thing?"

"That’s good to hear," Old Master Huo nodded, "Alright, I need to report this to the senior leadership so they’re aware. Otherwise, I won’t have peace of mind."

"Is that really necessary?" Huo Yingjie asked. After all, what he had authorized were very civilian in nature and had little impact on the military.

"How is it not necessary!" Old Master Huo scolded, "In our Huaxia Country, they know about any move we make. Besides, just because they don’t know now doesn’t mean they won’t find out later. And even if they do find out, it doesn’t mean they will tell us, but we should be conscientious."

"Er... " Huo Yingjie frowned, "Doesn’t that mean we are showing off our wealth?"

"Heh, at our level, money is no longer that important," Old Master Huo said, "Unless you never use that foreign money in the country, they may not find out about you. But once you use it, there will be investigations. And with your special status, any little movement could trigger an investigation."

Huo Yingjie gave a wry smile and said, "That’s true! I was thinking too simply, thank goodness you reminded me, grandfather. So please, help me navigate this situation."

"Leave it to me. As long as you haven’t done anything to leak secrets, nothing else is a big deal," Old Master Huo smiled, as this matter was still within control, and moreover, his grandson wanted to use this money for things that would benefit both the country and the people.

"Thank you so much, grandfather," Huo Yingjie said with a smile, feeling relieved of a burden.

After National Day, Qi Rongjun received the cleaned-up photographs. He immediately sent some to his old comrades and leaders, and then he began to pack up and prepare to leave with his father.

As for Third Grandma Qi and Old Man Qi, they still need to stay in Yanjing for a while longer, waiting until the weather gets colder before they return to Qijia Village.

Third Grandma Qi didn’t mind, the most important thing was to consider Old Man Qi’s feelings, after all, this place held the history of his efforts. Moreover, Old Man Qi was getting on in years, and this trip to Yanjing probably wouldn’t happen again.

Yingjie also returned to his work post.

Before the National Day, Yingjie had given everyone a holiday, letting them watch the military parade on TV or in person, to bolster their national self-esteem, pride, and sense of personal mission.

Everyone arrived at their workplaces full of high spirits.

Yingjie had also received the latest several material projects.

Heh, it was indeed as he had guessed, the country should also start researching these matters.

No matter what kind of materials they were, he would do his best to complete them.

What followed were meetings, analyses, summaries, calculations, and then the drafting of experimental reports······

Each task was carried out methodically and in an orderly fashion.

Yingjie was also working hard to design the most optimal plan when, suddenly, that red phone in the office that never rang, actually did.

Yingjie bowed his head, thinking it was the usual blue phone he used, but there was no sound from inside.

It was then that Yingjie looked up and heard the ringing of the red phone continuing.

Yingjie, feeling somewhat nervous, hurriedly picked it up.

"Hello, I am Huo Yingjie." Yingjie picked up the phone and spoke directly. After taking two deep breaths just a moment ago, he had relaxed, so there was not a trace of nervousness to be heard in his voice.

Only steadiness and calmness.

"Heh, Yingjie, in half an hour, someone will come to pick you up, just follow them over," Old Master Huo’s voice came from the other side of the phone.

Yingjie was stunned, recognizing his grandfather’s voice, and asked, "Grandfather, where are we going?"

"To meet the top leader," said Old Master Huo. "Tidy up the work on your hands quickly; the person will be there shortly."

"Yes, Grandfather," Yingjie responded and hung up the phone.

Yingjie had already figured it out; it must be that his grandfather had spoken about him to the top leader, drawing his attention.

No matter what, Yingjie always acted with integrity and sat upright—no fear.

If someone is looking for trouble, they need to find evidence!

At this moment, Yingjie had already packed up and was just waiting to be picked up.

During the wait, Yingjie also pondered what questions his senior might ask him and how he should respond to them?

After careful consideration, he had a rough strategy in mind.

Indeed, in about half an hour, four people came to pick up Yingjie. Xie Wu and Zhang Ning followed, offering protection for Yingjie.