Chapter 427: Run a Good Factory, Benefit the World

Later, Uncle Song learned his nephew wanted to take over the factory and added three thousand more.

With support from her brothers, sister, and other family members, Lin Shi sheng didn’t even need to sell the small Western-style house in Haicheng that his father had given him—he bought the long-desired state-owned daily chemicals factory and became a factory owner overnight.

The factory was in Haicheng, and he planned to make it his headquarters, so his wife wouldn’t have to stay behind in their hometown—he’d simply bring Tao Tao to live in Haicheng.

The Lin family reclaimed only five courtyards, which Lin Heling divided among his children: one for each son, one for him and his wife, and the last one reserved for his daughter after his passing.

Lin Heling felt he had shortchanged his daughter.

He privately told Song Xi: “Once we reclaim the Lin ancestral home… we’ll leave Zhaozhao more, so she’ll never lack for food or clothing in her life.”

“She already has plenty—more than enough to live on for her whole life,” Song Xi replied.

As her mother, she knew better than anyone how much good stuff her daughter possessed.

Over the years, Zhaozhao’s older brother had given her plenty of pocket money, and so had Heling, and even more so her uncle.

That girl was the richest in the family—she couldn’t bear even a little hardship.

Lin Heling knew that too, but, “Society is developing—I’ve seen prices keep rising; who knows how fast they’ll climb? If we don’t have enough money to live on, it’ll be unbearable. I don’t want to be underground still worrying about my daughter’s livelihood.”

“Don’t talk nonsense—it’s bad luck! Pfft, pfft, pfft!” Song Xi was always cautious about her husband’s words, quickly spitting out the words, annoyed: “Your daughter would get a headache hearing that.”

Lin Heling said, “I was just speaking offhand—I won’t use such comparisons again. Don’t tell Zhaozhao.”

“I don’t like hearing it either,” Song Xi said, a frown forming between her brows.

“I won’t mention it again,” Lin Heling promised.

Song Xi let it go and changed the subject: “Will it be hard to reclaim the ancestral home?”

“What are you planning to do?” She understood her husband’s attachment to the ancestral home—it was the Lin family’s root, and it must remain in the hands of their descendants.

Lin Heling narrowed his eyes. “No rush.”

He was already asking people to gather news about his family—there were already some leads; perhaps soon, his relatives would suddenly appear before him.

“Huh?” Straightforward Song Xi didn’t understand why her husband was dragging his feet.

It was so annoying dealing with people whose minds were as full of cunning as a hornet’s nest—she had no idea what they were thinking…

Lin Heling pulled his wife down to sit beside him, gazing at the blooming magnolia flowers outside the courtyard, and said with quiet meaning: “Grandfather passed away suddenly and dishonorably. If Father and the others knew, they wouldn’t be able to bear it—we need to give them a target for their rage, otherwise… I fear they won’t survive it.”

Lin Lao yezi was a man who treated his family with great kindness—his children respected him, his grandchildren adored him.

His death was sudden—he left no last words—and his absence left an irreplaceable void in everyone’s hearts. No one had ever imagined they’d never see him again.

Song Xi understood. “Alright, let them enjoy a few more days of comfort. When the time comes, we’ll settle the scores.”

Lin Heling held her hand. “Thank you.”

“Why say that?”

…

With funding secured and a superior formula, Lin Shi sheng’s business took off smoothly.

After the first batch of shampoo was produced, Lin Zhao asked her second brother to send her a supply.

After a little promotion on campus, many students bought it.

In recent years, private enterprise had been permitted, people’s lives had improved greatly, and they were now willing to spend money on hair and body care.

Half a year earlier, some girls had already asked Lin Zhao what shampoo she used—it smelled so good, and her hair looked so healthy—was it natural, or did the shampoo help?

At the time, Lin Zhao could only smile apologetically.

“Sorry, I use something homemade—I don’t buy it off the shelf…”

Every time she heard this, the beauty-conscious female students would look disappointed.

Now, hearing that Lin Zhao’s shampoo was available for purchase, they were thrilled.

“Comrade Lin, is this true? Is this shampoo the same as yours? Can it improve rough hair? My hair is yellow and frizzy—it looks awful. If it could just be smoother, that’d be great.”

One boy had thinning hair—hereditary from his family.

His grandfather had it, his father had it, and so did he.

Finding a suitable partner was already hard enough.

“…Can it treat hair loss?” The man touched his scalp, hopeful.

He stared at Lin Zhao’s thick, luxuriant, curly hair, his face full of envy.

Lin Zhao wasn’t uncomfortable surrounded by classmates—she confidently introduced her factory’s products.

“Is it the same as yours? Yes, identical formula and ingredients.”

“Can it improve hair quality? Yes. My hair used to be rough too—after using this shampoo, it became smooth and shiny. Try it first—see if it works. If not, switch to something else.”

“Can it treat hair loss? Hmm… yes, it helps with hair loss too—you’ll see results after using half a bottle.”

Lin Zhao never lied. She didn’t need money, and the students didn’t think they had anything worth deceiving her about. Once they got the answers they wanted, they bought—bottles here, bottles there.

Soon, the ten bottles Lin Zhao brought were all sold out.

“That’s all I have today—I won’t be bringing more next time. Pay attention to how Comrade Wu and others use it—if you find it helpful, buy it yourself at the store. Just make sure to check the brand.”

This was a school—Lin Zhao dared not be too bold; if someone reported her, she’d get into trouble.

One small advertisement was enough.

On the other side, Uncle Song was also promoting—his method was simple… he handed a bottle to every acquaintance he met.

Uncle Song stroked his thick, jet-black hair.

“You envy my hair, don’t you? Use this—you can have it too. Five yuan a bottle. Pay up!” His tone was perfectly confident.

Those who heard him didn’t complain—they took the shampoo, tucked it into their briefcases, and handed over the money without protest.

“Just one bottle? Not enough—there are so many people at home. My wife snatched it all—there’s none left for me. Old Song, don’t be stingy—give me two more. I’ll pay extra.” Uncle Song’s old friend, Factory Director Fu, nudged him, wanting more.

Uncle Song said, “No. I’m doing advertising for my nephew. Giving you one bottle doesn’t count as promotion.”

“Hey, isn’t giving it to me promotion? I’m a factory director—I speak at events all the time. If my hair turns black, do you think the workers won’t ask? When they do, I’ll tell them—and then your nephew won’t have to worry about orders?” Factory Director Fu said, exasperated.

Uncle Song thought his old friend had a point. “Come to my house tonight—I’ll give you two more. No more than that.”

“Fine, two it is. You’re so stingy.” Factory Director Fu counted his family members in his head—still felt it wasn’t enough.

Uncle Song ignored him. “Next time your factory gives out holiday benefits, buy from my nephew’s factory.”

Factory Director Fu said, “I’ll try. Direct orders are hard, but if we let the workers vote on the procurement list, it’s possible.”

Provided the product actually works.

Uncle Song had used it himself and thought it was excellent—that’s why he recommended it to his friends.

Factory Director Fu knew his character and was willing to lend a hand.

“Alright, follow the rules,” Uncle Song said calmly—he had full confidence in his nephew’s product.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, factories across the board bought holiday gifts, and many large factories, responding to worker demands, added hair and body care products to their gift packages.

Lin Shi sheng’s daily chemicals factory began turning a profit.

Not small-scale—orders sprouted like mushrooms after rain, constantly emerging.

Lin Shi sheng and his newly formed leadership team grinned until their cheeks ached.

He quickly assigned production tasks and took a moment to call Lin Zhao.

Through the receiver, Lin Zhao heard the excitement in her brother’s voice.

“Zhaozhao, I made it!! The factory got tons of orders—big ones! Workers can’t keep up—I’m hiring more. It’s insane, hahaha! Finally, payments are coming in!”

“Zhaozhao, when I make more money, I’ll buy you a car and hire you a driver—let him take you anywhere you want to go.”

Lin Zhao listened quietly, thinking: money really was easy to make in this era.

No wonder people later said that in a rising market, even pigs could fly.

Of course, her second brother had ability—many others had been swindled into bankruptcy.

“Keep going, Second Brother—I believe in you.”

“Second Brother, have you thought about advertising? When orders grow even more, open more production lines.”

Lin Shi sheng was always willing to listen to his family—he calmed his excitement and said seriously: “What do you mean? Explain it to me in detail.”

“Come up with a catchy slogan—like ‘Use this shampoo, hair silky smooth’—and get your product featured in newspapers…”

Before she finished, Lin Shi sheng’s eyes lit up.

“Why didn’t I think of that! Brilliant idea—let’s do it!”

“Zhaozhao, you’ve got a sharp mind—I’ll give you a share of the profits at year-end.”

Lin Zhao smiled. “Alright, I’ll wait.”

Thinking of the people coming to visit Gu Chenghuai, she hesitated a moment, then asked: “Second Brother, can you arrange for a few people to join the factory?”

Lin Shi sheng paused, then immediately agreed: “Of course. Who are they? What do they do?”

“Your sister-in-law’s old comrades—they couldn’t make it in their hometown, so they came to the capital looking for work. But you know, good jobs are hard to get. I thought long and hard—why not join your company? You’re short-staffed, right?”

“I’ve observed these people—they’re trustworthy, but… they have minor physical disabilities from battlefield injuries…”

Lin Shi sheng immediately said: “Have them come to Haicheng and work for me—I’ll provide meals and lodging and pay them according to their positions.”

“Heroes who defended our country deserve to work in our factory—they won’t be mistreated or shortchanged. We’re short on staff in every position. Physical disabilities don’t matter—as long as their character is sound, I’ll take them.”

His own younger brother and brother-in-law were soldiers—he was military family—he knew how hard soldiers had it.

Especially those wounded and discharged—they had no jobs, only farming in the countryside. With disabilities, life was brutal; some wives and children even looked down on them.

You couldn’t call these people selfish. After all, they were the ones who couldn’t fill their stomachs, couldn’t pay tuition, and couldn’t afford a single new garment all year.

If you can help, help—consider it accumulating merit for your family.

That’s how Lin Shi sheng thought.

After hearing Zhaozhao’s words, his heart grew still—but the fire within him slowly ignited.

He wanted to do something more meaningful—run a good factory, benefit the whole world.

…

That day, Gu Chenghuai finally found time to host his old comrades at a restaurant.

Lin Zhao and Hang Bao accompanied him.

The family entered the private room, and those who had arrived early instinctively stood and saluted Gu Chenghuai.

“Company Commander!”

They still used their old military titles.

Gu Chenghuai returned the salute, his demeanor humble. “Sit down, take your time.”

The three sat, addressing Lin Zhao and Hang Bao: “Sister-in-law, Zhihang.”

They had come to see Gu Chenghuai two days ago, but he was occupied with urgent matters and could not receive them—Lin Zhao and Hang Bao had hosted them instead.

The three knew the sister-in-law and the Company Commander’s child were both kind, just like the Company Commander himself.

“Hello, have you been comfortable staying these past few days? Gu Chenghuai just finished his duties—he came to see you the moment he could.” Lin Zhao smiled, signaling the server to pour tea.

The three men, still wearing clothes patched with large mends, looked deeply moved.

They rubbed their hands nervously, awkward and uneasy.

“We’ve caused you trouble, Commander.”

If not for the lack of livelihood back home, they would never have left their villages to beg for a living elsewhere.

They’d heard the outside world offered many opportunities, many ways to earn money.

Nonsense.

There were more con artists—bosses treated them like beasts of burden, paid them little, then stole their hard-earned wages. When they argued, the bosses grew arrogant, sent thugs to beat them, and even dragged them to the Public Security Bureau…

The three felt the city was too treacherous and planned to return home. But upon hearing news of their old Company Commander, they came to see him.

They never expected Lin Zhao had lodged them at a guesthouse—and they stayed three days.

During those days, they didn’t idle; they took on any hard labor jobs they could find.

“Comfortable!”

“I’ve never stayed in such a nice place before—Sister-in-law, you’ve spent too much.”

Lin Zhao waved it off. “It’s nothing. You came to visit—Gu Chenghuai should have welcomed you immediately. It’s his fault for keeping you waiting.”

One of them smiled bitterly. “No trouble at all—we have nothing but time.”

Gu Chenghuai watched his old comrades in their fallen state, his heart heavy.

The server entered the room and brought the dishes; instantly, the private room filled with the aroma of food.

“Eat. We’ll talk while we eat.”

The dishes had been pre-ordered by Lin Zhao—all signature dishes, heavy on meat.

These men never dared eat like this even during New Year’s.

Looking at the table, their hearts trembled—they felt they were imposing on their old Commander.

“Why order so many dishes…”

Gu Chenghuai said: “Eat. Don’t waste words. You’ve been out of the army only a few years—how did you turn so timid? Eat. If there’s any left, don’t think you’re leaving.”

His commanding tone reminded them of their military days; nostalgia surfaced in their eyes.

It felt like another lifetime.

Suppressing the ache in their hearts, they began to eat.

After the meal, Gu Chenghuai got to the point: “I’ve booked train tickets to Haicheng for you. Go there and find one man—he’ll arrange work for you.”

At this, all three snapped their heads up.

Wu Sanzhu was the first to speak: “Commander? You’re serious? What kind of job? My right arm doesn’t work well—can I still do it?”

He feared he’d embarrass his Commander with his weakness.

“You’re left-handed—what does it matter if your right arm doesn’t work?” Gu Chenghuai frowned, unwilling to hear his old comrade belittle himself. “Some men with both arms intact are worse than you.”

Another, Shen Jianjun, said: “Commander, you haven’t told us what kind of work it is. We don’t know how to do anything—we’re afraid we’ll bring shame to you.”

The third man said little, only nodded.

“Shame? What shame!” Gu Chenghuai scolded.

He looked at his three old comrades. “It’s my brother-in-law’s factory. Go there, work honestly. If you want to stay, stay. If you want to learn a trade, learn it in your spare time. Once things improve, bring your wives and children to the city—live peacefully. That’s all you need. Stop worrying about this and that—you’re all too damn wordy!”