Upon hearing Yang Tiehua’s words, Eldest Uncle widened his eyes and immediately reached out to touch her forehead, then his own, before turning to Fu Ziheng. “Ziheng, did Tiehua bump her head last night?”
Fu Ziheng, having already heard what Yang Tiehua and Zhang Gu had said earlier, understood the feasibility of the idea. A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Eldest Uncle, don’t worry, she didn’t.”
Yang Tiehua pressed her lips together. “Eldest Uncle, I’m serious.”
“Ah, Tiehua,” Eldest Uncle sighed, “I know your idea is very good, but your understanding of things is still too limited. Director Zheng is a lecturer at Yangcheng University, a professor. How could he lower himself to come to a small place like ours? Forget long-term, even short-term he may not agree.”
Director Ao was very familiar with how things worked in reality.
“Eldest Uncle, we’ve only just started our transformation, but that doesn’t mean we won’t succeed. As long as we offer enough conditions, I believe Professor Zheng will agree. Trust me, Eldest Uncle. Put forward the best conditions Tuocheng Sugar Factory can offer and let’s try.”
She had already secured backup support. She was certain it would work.
“Alright, let’s try then. Even if it fails, there’s nothing to lose. I’ll immediately draft the best proposal.”
Ten minutes later, the three of them met Zheng Kun. Director Ao handed over the proposal inviting him to serve as a long-term technical consultant at the sugar factory.
Zheng Kun glanced at the first line and didn’t even bother reading further. He directly refused, “Director Ao, thank you for the invitation, but I will not leave the laboratory.”
Director Ao smiled. “Director Zheng, you don’t need to leave the lab. We can move the lab to Tuocheng Sugar Factory. You can continue your research, and we will provide everything you need. In addition, you will hold fifteen percent equity in all products sold.”
Still, Zheng Kun did not budge. “Director Ao, your conditions are very generous, but I cannot abandon my students.”
At that moment, the meeting room door opened. Zhang Gu walked in, followed by Zheng Chao.
Zheng Chao and Yang Tiehua locked eyes and both froze at the same time.
“Miss Yang?”
“Doctor Zheng?”
Zhang Gu paused. “Xiao Chao, you know each other?”
“Sister-in-law, Miss Yang is the one who helped me yesterday.”
Zhang Gu’s gaze toward Yang Tiehua immediately changed. She stepped forward and held her hand. “Miss Yang, thank you for helping Xiao Chao yesterday.”
Yang Tiehua had not expected such a coincidence, that Zheng Chao would be Zheng Kun’s younger brother.
“Teacher’s wife, it was nothing, just a small effort,” Yang Tiehua said with a smile.
“Both of you, step outside and wait. I still have business to discuss,” Zheng Kun said, thinking his wife had come again to talk about divorce. He quickly pulled her sleeve and lowered his voice.
“Professor Zheng, I also came today for something important. Take a look at this.”
Zhang Gu handed him several letters.
Zheng Kun opened them. At first his expression was calm, but as he read further, his face turned ashen.
Zhang Gu gave a bitter smile. “Professor Zheng, now do you understand how much resentment your students have? If it weren’t for my cousin, you would have already been dismissed.”
“Your research only matters to you. The university cannot afford the material costs, and the students have their own futures.”
“I also just passed by the principal’s office. They are planning to suspend your project.”
Zheng Kun’s pupils widened. “No, impossible! I’ll go see the principal!”
He rushed out immediately. Zhang Gu followed anxiously, and the others naturally went as well.
Five minutes later, Zheng Kun walked out again, his steps unsteady, his back hunched, looking as if his soul had been drained from him.
Zhang Gu supported him. “Husband, for ten years you’ve devoted yourself entirely to research. You’ve done nothing else. You even spent your own salary and sold our only home.”
“We’re still living in a rented, shabby place. If it weren’t for Xiao Chao writing articles for magazines, even food would have been a problem for us and Mother.”
“Please wake up. Now there is a path that allows the whole family to live properly. Why must you refuse it?”
Tears streamed down her face.
Zheng Chao also spoke. “Big Brother, I’ve already applied to transfer to the hospital in Tuocheng. Mother agreed to go with me. If you insist on staying here, then divorce Sister-in-law. I’ll take her to Tuocheng.”
Zheng Kun’s face changed. “Zheng Chao, I’m your brother! You’re telling me to divorce your sister-in-law?”
Zheng Chao gave a bitter laugh. “Big Brother, do you know how many times I’ve seen my Sister-in-law being knocked on her door late at night? Where were you then? I can’t even imagine what will happen if she continues staying with you.”
At that moment, a strong voice interrupted.
“Xiao Chao is right. Kun’er, you have your dream, but Xiao Gu also has her life. If you’re going to stay at the university, then divorce her. She will come with Xiao Chao and me to Tuocheng.”
An elderly woman in patched coarse clothes walked in, her hair already streaked with white, but her steps were firm and steady.
“Mother… you too…” Zheng Kun froze.
The room fell into silence.
Everyone was waiting for his decision.
After a long pause, Zheng Kun finally sighed and looked at Director Ao. “Director Ao, I can take ten percent of the shares, but I want you to also provide my brother with a family housing unit.”
“Housing is not a problem,” Director Ao replied immediately. “I’ll give you two adjacent courtyard-style family homes. When will you leave? I’ll have them prepared right away.”
“We’re ready to leave today,” said Zheng Kun’s mother.
“Mother… you…” Zheng Kun was stunned.
Zheng Chao suddenly laughed. “Big Brother, actually we already agreed. If you refused, I was planning to knock you out and bring you to Tuocheng overnight.”
“You brat!” Zheng Kun couldn’t help but laugh, flicking him on the forehead.
“Alright, I’ll go submit the transfer application to the principal now. You all go back and wait.”
Director Ao was overjoyed. He respectfully turned to Zheng Kun’s mother. “Auntie, I’ll have the driver take you back to pack your luggage.”
“Thank you so much. You’ve helped this stubborn son of mine finally come to his senses,” Zheng Kun’s mother said gratefully.
“It is our honor that talents like Director Zheng and Doctor Zheng are willing to come to Tuocheng,” Director Ao said happily.
At that moment, Yang Tiehua spoke. “Eldest Uncle, you take Director Zheng and the others back to Tuocheng. Brother Ziheng and I still need to buy some things. We’ll take the bus back later.”
However, this suggestion was firmly rejected by Eldest Uncle.