My dear child!
To be honest, Feng Yiping doesn't mind having a child now. Although he is still under the age of 20, his psychological age is already in his 30s, and he is mature enough to raise a child.
The panic, hard work and embarrassment of the day his son was born are now full of joy and love when he thinks about it.
His current situation is no different from before. Although it is a little inappropriate to mention it at this time, he and Zhang Yan discussed the issue of those wealthy daughters-in-law giving birth to children, which is a real joy.
Basically, they give birth to one every other year without a break. Zhang Yan said at the time, 'I would give birth too, but just one.'
This is a very powerful statement. Isn't that exactly what happens when the daughters-in-law of the wealthy give birth? Does she even breastfeed her own child?
Back then, China's first NBA basketball star gave birth to a baby girl in the United States. Later, the media reported that the parents from both sides flew over to help take care of the child, which was very loving. However, for ordinary people, this is still a luxury.
We can't say that parents will put too much money into their children, but one thing is for sure: if their son or daughter-in-law isn't successful, their motivation will certainly be lower.
Of course, he's not a member of a wealthy family now, and he doesn't want to be, but with the current conditions, it's very easy to have one or more children, and the mother can just have one.
Besides, if we have a child now, by the time he's forty, the child will already be able to join him in taking the world by storm, okay? It's quite beautiful to think about.
He looked at Huang Jingping, 'Are you serious?'
'Well, really, I want a little treasure. We always have to have children. I think it's better to have them sooner rather than later. While things are still light now, and you and I will be staying in the capital for a few years, let's seize the moment and have a baby, okay?'
Huang Jingping is 21 years old today, in good physical condition, and when the time comes to have a baby, she will be able to do so, and because she is young, she will recover quickly.
'I agree, but there are some things to consider when having a baby, and we both need to make some preparations, such as conditioning our bodies and changing some bad habits. And you, you need to supplement some nutrients, such as folic acid and so on. So I think, if you are really determined, when I turn 20, next year would be good, don't you think?'
Feng Yiping planned to apply for an exchange programme to the United States for the academic year of his third year of university. This should not be a problem, and it would be the perfect time to have the baby in the United States.
This was a very realistic and appropriate solution.
Not to mention whether the parents of both sides would agree to them getting married and having a child now, universities simply would not allow students to get married at the moment. It was not until September 2005 that the Ministry of Education lifted the restriction on university students getting married – although many universities still restricted it afterwards.
Even if the university agreed, Feng Yiping was not yet of legal age to marry. Although one could pay some money and find some connections to get a child registered, in that case, it would definitely be impossible to hide it, and it would certainly become a widely circulated story, which would cause a lot of trouble and setbacks. He didn't want to put Huang Jingping and himself in the eye of the storm because of such problems.
However, if they had a baby in the United States, they would not have to worry about this. There are many unmarried mothers in the United States, and Huang Jingping would not feel any pressure. She could stay in the United States for a year, give birth quietly, and as long as she did a good job at work, she could even keep both sets of parents in the dark.
After listening to Feng Yiping's thoughts, Huang Jingping was very satisfied. He was worthy of being the man she had pursued at all costs, and his considerations were always more thorough and comprehensive than her own. 'So, do I need to hurry up and learn the language?'
'Yes, in a few days, when we are at home, we will converse in English.'
If you really have to live in the US for a while, spoken English is key.
'Ah, my spoken English is very poor,'
'Ah what, my dear, that means we can still enjoy our world of two for more than a year. Time really flies, let's cherish the present and seize the day!'
'Haha, not again, I don't want to,' Huang Jingping giggled, putting up a fake excuse.
...
The following day, the 15th, the 10th day of the 11th month of the Lunar New Year.
Feng Jiachong, outside the completed processing plant, was bustling with activity.
The villagers in the village had mobilised the whole family to come and witness the ceremony, and there were also many villagers from surrounding villages who had also rushed over to watch the fun. In such a poor and remote area as theirs, it was the first time that a modern processing plant had been put into operation, and it was also a rarity to have two plants put into operation at once, so of course it was worth travelling several miles to come and have a look.
The lion dance troupe, which would normally only perform on the evening of the Lantern Festival, had been invited to perform today. The six troupes were already dressed up and ready to go, with their specially maintained lion heads resting on the benches in the square in front of the factory.
The village primary school had simply been given the day off. Some of the little ones, who didn't want to go to school because they thought the New Year had not yet finished, were happily touching and patting the rare props that they could only see from a distance once a year.
On the second floor of the three-storey office building, the large conference room was also quite lively at this time.
Dressed up in his new suit, Feng Zhanchang sat with Cai Lei and Mei Guoping, the two hired factory managers, and Fourth Uncle, who was also the village chief, at one side of the oval conference table. Wang Ganqing and a deputy secretary of the town government, along with a few others from the town government, sat at the other side. The guests and hosts had a lively exchange over tea and the snacks and fruit on the table.
The deputy secretary is also a local resident. 'For such an important event, Secretary Jin was originally scheduled to attend. But before he left in the morning, County Secretary Wu asked him to report on his work. He asked me to let you know personally, Mr Feng.'
'Work is important. Secretary Jin is too polite. He has already spoken to me on the phone once. Our two small factories have always been here, and we welcome Secretary Jin and all the leaders to come and inspect and guide our work at any time in the future.'
'Boss Feng, you're too modest. We've just been to the workshop. These production lines you've introduced are top-notch even among similar manufacturers in the county and the city. How can you say they're small factories?' Wang Ganqing leaned back in the leather seat, exhaling a cloud of smoke while smiling.
The main reason he came today was that he was still worried that Feng Zhenchang would be adversely affected after hearing about his wife's insult to Huang Chengzhong years ago.
'Yes, Mr Feng, after these two processing plants are built, not only will we not have to worry about unsold produce, but the selling price will also be guaranteed. This effect will also be significant,' the deputy secretary said.
'You're too kind, leaders. I didn't think about it that much. I just wanted to do my part to help the folks in the village live a good life. And, after the factory is built, it will definitely need the support of the town.' Feng Zhenchang said.
'It is rare to have such a heart. We all know that you, Mr. Feng, could have lived a comfortable life in the big city, but you never forgot your folks and were willing to come back. If it were me, I'm afraid I couldn't have done it.' The deputy secretary's words were indeed well-spoken, and he kept his posture very low.
Although these words are not very nourishing, Feng Zhenchang is still very happy. He doesn't care much about money these days, and he doesn't even know what to do with all the money in the noodle shop's accounts. However, it is a very comfortable thing for him to have the respect of people he used to look up to.
'But Mr Feng, if you make any more investments in the future, could you please set up the factory in the town? I've seen that there is limited land in the village, and with these two factories, everyone in your village should have someone working, but there are more than 40 villages in the town, and these are also your folks, so you can't forget about them!'
'Yes, Mayor Wang is right. We already have some plans for our next investments, and if possible, we will definitely give priority to the town,' Feng Zhenchang looked at Cai Lei and smiled.
'Oh, really, you have plans?' Wang Ganqing sat up straight.
'The group has some ideas and is ready to contact investment promotion departments in various places after the New Year,' Cai Lei said.
'General Manager Feng, Manager Cai, you're not being very nice, hiding such things from me and actually going to contact other places. Whether it's a factory in the town or a factory in the village, the town has always been very supportive, hasn't it?' Wang Ganqing was a little anxious after hearing Cai Lei's words.
'Mayor Wang, we have a very good relationship with the town, but the group's investment is based on overall considerations, and we can only try our best to speak for the town,' Cai Lei said.
Wang Ganqing thought to himself, what overall considerations? All you Feng Zhenchang have to do is say something, right?
At this time, a young girl who had graduated from a vocational high school in the county knocked on the door of the meeting room and reminded, 'General Manager Feng, everyone, it's already 8:50, the auspicious time is approaching.'
Feng Zhenchang immediately got up, 'Leaders, shall we go down?'
'Haha, let's go!' said the deputy secretary.
Ding Si Shi, which is 9am sharp, is the time for the market to open and trading to begin.
As the clock in the lobby on the first floor struck nine, the two firecrackers hanging from the ceiling went off, and the lion dance team, which had been ready for a long time, started dancing energetically to the sound of gongs and drums.
Feng Zhenchang, accompanied by the town mayor and deputy secretary, first cut the ribbon in front of the office building, and then, while everyone applauded, he successively pulled off the red silk cloth covering the signs of the two factories. After that, the workers, who had been preparing for a long time, started up the equipment, and Jiasheng Food Factory and Jiasheng Tea Industry officially started production.
Mei Qiuping stood upstairs with Mei Jianzhong, looking down at the happy villagers below, feeling an immense sense of pride.