Around 5 PM, as dusk approached, Feng Shijie and Ye Xiaoming arrived at Ding Yuanying's new home. Their previous encounters made this meeting feel less formal and more familiar.
Ding Yuanying invited them in, offering cigarettes and tea. After a few polite exchanges, he said, "I'm an outsider here. Our shared interest in audio brought us together. Let's skip the formalities and get straight to the point. If there's anything you want to discuss, feel free."
Ye Xiaoming, feeling a bit awkward, smiled, "Ding Ge, you're so straightforward; it makes us a bit embarrassed. We found a restaurant nearby and wanted to invite you for dinner."
Feng Shijie noticed Ye Xiaoming addressed Ding Yuanying as "Ding Ge" instead of "Mr. Ding," which felt more personal. He followed suit, saying, "Last time at Xiaoming's store, I was impolite. I wanted to invite you for dinner but ended up eating without treating you. Today, you must give us the honor."
Ding Yuanying said, "I need to understand what this is all about."
Ye Xiaoming reassured, "Oh, Ding Ge, it's nothing complicated. We think you're knowledgeable and wanted your guidance. Both Shijie and I love audio and hope to stay in this field."
Feng Shijie added with a sincere smile, "Miss Rui knows my intentions and has probably told you already."
Ding Yuanying thought for a moment, then said, "If you're not too busy, let me treat you this time. Let's buy some snacks and head to Wangmiao Village. We can look around and then gather some people for a drink and a chat."
Understanding Ding Yuanying's intention, Ye Xiaoming hesitated briefly before agreeing, "If Ding Ge wants to go, let's go."
Feng Shijie immediately pulled out his phone, "I'll call home and have them prepare."
Ding Yuanying stopped him, "No need for preparations. Let's keep it casual."
The three went downstairs, and Feng Shijie quickly opened the car door for Ding Yuanying. After leaving Jiahe Garden community, Ding Yuanying bought a case of beer and some snacks like duck, bean curd, and peanuts from a street vendor. They then drove to Wangmiao Village. By the time they arrived, the sun had already set, leaving the village in a serene yet desolate twilight.
Navigating through the narrow alleys, Feng Shijie parked in front of his family home. His parents, having finished dinner, were chatting with two visiting relatives in the yard. Seeing their son return with guests, they stood up to greet them. Ye Xiaoming, familiar with the Feng family, carried the beer to the kitchen after greeting the elders.
Feng Shijie introduced Ding Yuanying to his parents, "Dad, Mom, this is my friend, Ding Ge."
Ding Yuanying politely greeted, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie."
Feng Shijie handed the snacks to his mother, "Mom, we haven't eaten yet."
His mother took the food, "You all sit and chat; I'll start cooking."
One of the visiting relatives was about to leave, but Feng Shijie stopped the younger one, "Guozheng, go get Zhimin and Tiejun to join us for a drink with Ding Ge."
Zhou Guozheng agreed and left.
Feng Shijie suggested to Ding Yuanying, "Ding Ge, how about we take a walk around the village?"
Ye Xiaoming said, "I'll stay and set up the drinks and snacks."
Ding Yuanying followed Feng Shijie out of the yard. Wangmiao Village had about a hundred households and only two main intersecting streets. As they walked, Feng Shijie introduced the village and greeted familiar faces. It didn't take long to tour the village, and by then, night had fallen. Ding Yuanying saw a few dim streetlights, uneven roads, tangled electrical wires, and dilapidated houses, just as Rui Xiaodan had described.
After touring the streets, Feng Shijie showed Ding Yuanying the almost idle village committee building, an abandoned school, a Christian church, and the workshop where they had previously made an audio cabinet for Rui Xiaodan. Ding Yuanying gained a preliminary understanding of the village's layout, population, and economic conditions. He wasn't surprised by the stories of men unable to afford marriage or children unable to attend school, but he was shocked that some families couldn't even pay the annual four-yuan water fee.
On their way back, Ding Yuanying asked, "Are there any skilled people in this village?"
Feng Shijie replied, "Not many, and fewer who are noteworthy. Zhou Guozheng, Wu Zhimin, and Li Tiejun have some carpentry skills, with Zhimin being the most skilled. Guozheng used to work at the county foundry before it closed down. He's the young man you saw in the yard earlier and was a key worker at the foundry. There's also Mr. Liu at the east end of the village who used to work as a machinist in a factory in Gucheng. He's retired now and farms at home."
Ding Yuanying asked, "What are your relationships with these people?"
Feng Shijie answered, "We're all somewhat related, as is common in rural areas. Ding Ge, I understand your thinking. The people I mentioned are those I know well and trust. They're honest, hardworking farmers."
Ding Yuanying nodded, "Invite Mr. Liu to join us too."
Back at Feng's house, Wu Zhimin, Zhou Guozheng, and Li Tiejun had already arrived. Under the dim light of a bulb hanging from the eaves, a round table was set with beer, cups, and snacks. After introductions, Feng Shijie asked Li Tiejun to fetch Mr. Liu.
"Sure," Li Tiejun responded and left.
The others sat around the table but didn't start eating. Feng Shijie said, "Ding Ge, let's start drinking. No need to wait."
Ding Yuanying handed out cigarettes, "Let's wait for Mr. Liu."
They smoked and chatted. After about ten minutes, Li Tiejun returned with Mr. Liu. The elderly man, in his sixties with graying hair and a slight stoop, had a sturdy build. Wearing a gray cloth jacket, his dark face lined with wrinkles, he exuded the simplicity of a farmer, showing little trace of his past as a factory worker. Ding Yuanying stood up to greet and offer him a seat.
With everyone seated, Feng Shijie raised his glass, "Ding Ge is my friend. I'm happy he's here. I invited everyone to drink and chat. Let's enjoy ourselves. Cheers!"
Everyone toasted, beginning an unusual evening of conversation.
Ding Yuanying poured a drink for Mr. Liu, "How's your health?"
Mr. Liu replied modestly, "Not bad. I can still do some farming."
Ding Yuanying asked, "I heard you were a machinist. How long did you work?"
Mr. Liu said, "I started as an apprentice at 16 and worked until I retired. I don't know anything else, no education."
Ding Yuanying asked, "Is the village's land sufficient?"
Li Tiejun interjected, "Not even two acres per person. How can it be enough?"
Wu Zhimin, after a glass of beer, said, "Even if there were enough land, farming doesn't pay. After all the fees, you're lucky to break even. Working outside is better."
Li Tiejun shook his head, "I worked outside for three years and got nothing. You need to find work first, and even if you do, you need to get paid. After deducting travel and living expenses, what's left? There are too many job seekers. If you don't find work, you end up losing money."
Zhou Guozheng, who had been silent, muttered, "Damn, all this strength and nowhere to use it. What a mess."
Ding Yuanying asked, "Shijie said you worked at the county foundry. Why did it close?"
Zhou Guozheng laughed derisively, "How can a state-owned foundry making ordinary farm tools compete with private ones? It wasn't precision casting or high-tech. Private shops can set up with a few thousand yuan. State-owned factories are huge, with more officials than workers. Workers slack off, making costs high. Who would buy their products? No wonder it closed."
Noticing Ding Yuanying hadn't eaten, Feng Shijie said, "Ding Ge, don't just talk. Have some food."
Ding Yuanying ate a few bites and drank some beer, continuing the casual conversation.
The atmosphere grew lively as the evening wore on. They talked about rural life, their families, frustrations, and hopes for change. Ding Yuanying learned a lot from their unguarded complaints, discussions, and helpless sighs. It was past 11 PM when they returned to Gucheng. Feng Shijie dropped Ding Yuanying off at Jiahe Garden community, escorting him to the building.
Before parting, Ding Yuanying said, "What you want to do and what you can do are two different things. It depends on the conditions. One thing is certain: any funding will involve risk control and capital rights. If the gap between your expectations and reality is too large, today's efforts may be meaningless."
Ye Xiaoming asked, "Are you saying the investor needs to hold a controlling stake?"
Ding Yuanying said, "At least 51% to ensure decision-making power and minimize investment risk. On this basis, they might fund your shares, meaning your combined shares won't exceed 49%. I don't know how this fits your expectations."
Feng Shijie immediately agreed, "What's there to think about? It's perfect!"
Ye Xiaoming added, "No objections here. At least there's funding and a venture."
Ding Yuanying nodded, "I don't know the audio market well. I'll check online. Gather your information and bring it to me. Discuss the share distribution among yourselves."
Ye Xiaoming said, "We'll discuss it. I have a lot of information. I'll gather it tomorrow. It's late. You should rest, Ding Ge. We'll head back."
After seeing them off, Ding Yuanying went upstairs.