Chapter 87 The Contract Arrives

Zhong Yuxiu harbored no ill feelings toward Xi Nian; on the contrary, she greatly admired his competence and manner of conducting affairs.

"Exactly! If we keep exchanging pleasantries like this, the conversation will soon run dry."

"Right you are." Xi Nian raised his thumb in approval. "I never realized, Comrade Zhong, that you have a sense of humor. I actually have another matter to take care of today as well."

Zhong Yuxiu arched her eyebrow, listening quietly for what was to come.

"Your contract has already been officially stamped and processed. I came by today to deliver it to you." Xi Nian's gaze swept toward the guards standing at attention before the sofa. One of them stepped forward, holding a document folder. Xi Nian took it and handed it to Zhong Yuxiu. "Please have a look, Comrade Zhong."

Zhong Yuxiu nodded, opened the folder, and examined the contract page by page before putting it back.

"No issues."

"Please keep it safe; it will serve as proof in the future." It was a contract granting permanent usage rights. Even if Zhong Yuxiu were to pass away, her descendants could inherit it. "As for the telephone here, we’ll have someone come to install it soon."

Zhong Yuxiu handed the folder to Gou Dan, who took it upstairs to the laboratory for safekeeping, then returned to her side.

With the matters settled, Xi Nian instructed his team to pack up the surveillance equipment. After the shock of seeing the computer, he was no longer so curious about the surveillance devices; it would be better to hand them over to the research institute, where they would surely prove useful in time. Judging by the remarkable results Comrade Zhong Yuxiu had produced in the past, these monitoring devices were likely to have significant applications as well.

The vehicles could be sold to stimulate the economy and relieve domestic financial pressure. The chip and sensor technologies far surpassed those of other countries, and the robots were an unprecedented innovation. The evolution of the computer had again advanced technological progress.

Even if the surveillance equipment was not as astonishing as the previous inventions, it was unlikely to be of little value.

Zhong Yuxiu was unaware of his thoughts. Seeing them pack up the monitoring devices, she noticed the sealed, secure case the guards had brought—clearly meant for storing confidential materials.

"Comrade Xi Nian, it’s already noon. Would you care to stay for lunch?"

Xi Nian was tempted for a moment, but then glanced at the guards who had come with him. "I’ll have to pass this time, but thank you for the invitation, Comrade Zhong. I need to return and present the data and documents. I must let down your hospitality this once."

"It’s no trouble at all. There will be many opportunities for us to cooperate in the future, and plenty of chances to share a meal."

"Very well, it’s getting late. I must hurry back. When I visit again, Comrade Zhong, you mustn’t turn me away." Xi Nian spoke half in jest, half sincerely, his eyes shining with appreciation and laughter.

Zhong Yuxiu laughed. "Now you’re being dramatic. At most, I might not offer you lunch when you visit."

Xi Nian burst into hearty laughter, feeling that he understood Zhong Yuxiu a little more. "In that case, I’ll take my leave."

"Safe travels."

After seeing Xi Nian off, the hall fell quiet again.

Tian Shangguo called from the kitchen doorway, "Comrade Zhong, has Comrade Xi Nian left?"

"Just now," she replied, gesturing toward the door. Zhong Yuxiu sighed. "Is lunch ready? I’m starving."

"It’s all done. We’re about to eat. Please wash your hands first." Tian Shangguo turned back into the kitchen, where he and Hao Nan helped bring the dishes to the table.

Gou Dan went to help as well. There were still two dishes left to be stir-fried, which Tian Shangguo and Hao Nan quickly finished.

When Zhong Yuxiu returned from washing her hands, the dishes were already set out and the utensils laid on the table. The three of them gathered to eat. After lunch, Zhong Yuxiu and Gou Dan carried the computer and other equipment upstairs, and she asked Gou Dan to bring the old computer downstairs.

After Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo finished cleaning up the kitchen, they came out, curiosity piqued.

"Comrade Zhong, why are you moving this one downstairs?" They knew that this computer still worked.

"I have a new computer now, so this one isn’t much use. Moving it out makes room upstairs. Do you think this old computer could serve another purpose?" she asked. "It’s better to put it to use than let it sit here gathering dust."

"Computers are rare things—can’t find them anywhere else," Hao Nan remarked. They’d noticed it was here when they first arrived, though they had no idea how she’d gotten it.

It wasn’t suitable to sell, and they couldn’t sell it anyway.

"This big thing just gets in the way at home," Zhong Yuxiu said with obvious distaste.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged glances. Why hadn’t she complained about it before?

So quick to favor the new over the old!

"It’s an eyesore even in the storage room, and after all, Gou Dan spent a long time repairing it." After some thought, she made up her mind. "Here’s what we’ll do: Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, inform the school. Have someone come tomorrow to move it over—let them use it for now."

"Comrade Zhong, does anyone at the school know how to use it?" Hao Nan asked.

Zhong Yuxiu was stumped.

"Professor Ding, and those professors who returned after studying abroad?"

"They might not know how to use it either. Computers aren’t common even overseas. And how many years has it been since those professors studied abroad? They probably never had the chance to use one."

Zhong Yuxiu’s lips twitched. "If that’s the case... just store it in the storage room. If you want to use it, go ahead. Otherwise, just leave it there and sell it as scrap someday."

"Comrade Zhong," Tian Shangguo said hesitantly, "I actually have an idea."

"Let’s hear it."

Tian Shangguo spoke slowly, "We could give it to the research institute. Your computer works, and the institute could pay you a fair price for it. I’ve heard they’re trying to develop computers themselves, but they keep running into bottlenecks and haven’t gotten anywhere. Now that you’ve unveiled a new computer, if they have this one to study as well, it might make things easier."

"That’s a good idea." As long as it’s out of her hands, it’s a good idea. "Remember to notify Comrade Xi Nian. If the price is fair, let them have it."

It wasn’t that she was stingy—she could easily give it away for free—but she couldn’t set that precedent.

"Alright. I’ll call Comrade Xi Nian this afternoon and ask him to discuss it with the research institute."

"Good."

With the matter settled, Zhong Yuxiu led Gou Dan upstairs to the laboratory, leaving the old computer to sit in a corner of the hall. They didn’t get many visitors, and those who came were all old acquaintances—mainly the Yan family, like Old Yan and Yan Rushan. She had nothing to hide from them.

That afternoon, Tian Shangguo got in touch with Xi Nian, who was delighted. "Comrade Zhong is really willing to part with her old computer?"

"Yes, if the price is right, you can come and collect it. The computer Comrade Zhong used before is in good working order."

Xi Nian tried to sound calm. "I’ll discuss it with the research institute and get back to you shortly."

"Very well. I’ll pass the message to Comrade Zhong."

After hanging up, Tian Shangguo returned to the Zhong family’s house and went upstairs to inform Zhong Yuxiu.

She acknowledged at the doorway, then turned back into the lab. She was working on the data for the restoration fluid; the previous data was completely unusable, so she could only start with some preliminary figures. Only when all the substitute medicinal ingredients were ready could she formally begin her research.

Still, the groundwork had to be laid.

Once a habit is formed, it is difficult to change. Listing research data in advance and calculating the feasibility of various data are among these habits.

With preliminary data on hand, she could make minor adjustments after subsequent experiments. Only the researcher knows how much unnecessary effort that can save.